Antibiofilm Agents for the Treatment and Prevention of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Narrative Review.

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is difficult to eradicate due to BV biofilms protecting BV bacteria (Gardnerella, Prevotella, and other genera). With the growing understanding of biofilms, we systematically reviewed the current knowledge on the efficacy of anti-BV biofilm agents.

Methods: We searched literature in the Scopus, Medline, and Embase databases for empirical studies investigating substances for the treatment of BV biofilms or prevention of their recurrence and their efficacy and/or safety.

-acetylcysteine prevents catheter occlusion and inflammation in catheter associated-urinary tract infections by suppressing urease activity.

Introduction: is a key pathobiont in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs), which is well known to form crystalline biofilms that occlude catheters. Urease activity alkylates urine through the release of ammonia, consequentially resulting in higher levels of Mg and Ca and formation of crystals. In this study, we showed that -acetyl cysteine (NAC), a thiol antioxidant, is a potent urease inhibitor that prevents crystalline biofilm formation.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) sampling algorithm for monitoring the cleanliness of surgical instruments.

Background: Timely detection of cleaning failure is critical for quality assurance within Sterilising Service Units (SSUs). Rapid Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing provides a real time and quantitative indication of cellular contaminants, when used to measure surface or device cleanliness. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of an ATP algorithm and to whether it could be used as a routine quality assurance step, to monitor surgical instruments cleanliness in SSUs prior to sterilisation.

N-Acetylcysteine Protects Bladder Epithelial Cells from Bacterial Invasion and Displays Antibiofilm Activity against Urinary Tract Bacterial Pathogens.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect more than 150 million individuals annually. A strong correlation exists between bladder epithelia invasion by uropathogenic bacteria and patients with recurrent UTIs. Intracellular bacteria often recolonise epithelial cells post-antibiotic treatment.

Using a simplified ATP algorithm to improve data reliability and improve cleanliness standards for surface and medical device hygiene.

Background: An algorithm has been improved to mitigate variability in cleanliness measurements of various surfaces using rapid Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing. A cleaning intervention step (CIS) verifies the cleanability of those surfaces.

Methods: ATP testing was performed on surfaces which were pre-approved as "clean" and ready for re-use.

Evaluating bio-burden of frequently touched surfaces using Adenosine Triphosphate bioluminescence (ATP): Results from the Researching Effective Approaches to Cleaning in Hospitals (REACH) trial.

Background: Environmental cleaning is an important approach to reducing healthcare-associated infection. The aim of this short research paper is to describe changes in the efficacy of post-discharge cleaning by examining the amount of bio-burden on frequent touch points (FTPs) in patient areas, using a validated Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence sampling method. In so doing, we present findings from a secondary outcome of a recent trial, the Researching Effective Approaches to Cleaning in Hospitals (REACH) study.

Conditions Under Which Glutathione Disrupts the Biofilms and Improves Antibiotic Efficacy of Both ESKAPE and Non-ESKAPE Species.

Bacterial antibiotic resistance has increased in recent decades, raising concerns in hospital and community settings. Novel, innovative strategies are needed to eradicate bacteria, particularly within biofilms, and diminish the likelihood of recurrence. In this study, we investigated whether glutathione (GSH) can act as a biofilm disruptor, and enhance antibiotic effectiveness against various bacterial pathogens.

Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus from dry surface biofilm (DSB) via different types of gloves.

Background: Pathogens can survive for extended periods when incorporated into biofilm on dry hospital surfaces (ie, dry-surface biofilm, DSB). Bacteria within biofilm are protected from desiccation and have increased tolerance to cleaning agents and disinfectants.

Objective: We hypothesized that gloved hands of healthcare personnel (HCP) become contaminated with DSB bacteria and hence may transmit bacteria associated with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

A new sampling algorithm demonstrates that ultrasound equipment cleanliness can be improved.

Background: Australia has established guidelines on cleaning for reusable ultrasound probes and accompanying equipment. This is a preliminary study investigating cleanliness standards of patient-ready ultrasound equipment in 5 separate health care facilities within a major city.

Methods: The cleanliness was assessed using rapid adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing used with a sampling algorithm which mitigates variability normally associated with ATP testing.

Characterization of microbial community composition, antimicrobial resistance and biofilm on intensive care surfaces.

Background: Organisms causing healthcare associated infections can be sourced from the inanimate environment around patients. Residing in a biofilm increases the chances of these organisms persisting in the environment. We aimed to characterise bacterial environmental contamination, genetically and physiologically, and relate this to general intensive care unit (ICU) cleanliness.

A pilot study into locating the bad bugs in a busy intensive care unit.

Background: The persistence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) within an intensive care unit (ICU) possibly contained within dry surface biofilms, remains a perplexing confounder and is a threat to patient safety. Identification of residential locations of MDRO within the ICU is an intervention for which new scientific approaches may assist in finding potential MDRO reservoirs.

Method: This study investigated a new approach to sampling using a more aggressive environmental swabbing technique of high-touch objects (HTOs) and surfaces, aided by 2 commercially available adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminometers.

A new dry-surface biofilm model: An essential tool for efficacy testing of hospital surface decontamination procedures.

Unlabelled: The environment has been shown to be a source of pathogens causing infections in hospitalised patients. Incorporation of pathogens into biofilms, contaminating dry hospital surfaces, prolongs their survival and renders them tolerant to normal hospital cleaning and disinfection procedures. Currently there is no standard method for testing efficacy of detergents and disinfectants against biofilm formed on dry surfaces.

The perennial problem of variability in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) tests for hygiene monitoring within healthcare settings.

Objective: To investigate the reliability of commercial ATP bioluminometers and to document precision and variability measurements using known and quantitated standard materials.

Methods: Four commercially branded ATP bioluminometers and their consumables were subjected to a series of controlled studies with quantitated materials in multiple repetitions of dilution series. The individual dilutions were applied directly to ATP swabs.

Failure analysis in the identification of synergies between cleaning monitoring methods.

Background: The 4 monitoring methods used to manage the quality assurance of cleaning outcomes within health care settings are visual inspection, microbial recovery, fluorescent marker assessment, and rapid ATP bioluminometry. These methods each generate different types of information, presenting a challenge to the successful integration of monitoring results. A systematic approach to safety and quality control can be used to interrogate the known qualities of cleaning monitoring methods and provide a prospective management tool for infection control professionals.

Flawed recommendations on surface hygiene within the existing Interim Influenza Pandemic National Infection Control Guidelines.

The Interim Infection Control Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza in Healthcare and Community Settings, published by the Australian Commonwealth Government in 2006, have been reviewed and found to contain recommendations that, if they were made by a private organisation, would be potentially illegal under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, and also raise some concern in relation to occupational health and safety. The guidelines also fail to recommend the use of disinfecting products with specific claims relating to influenza virus that have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Agency.