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The terms 'resistance' and 'tolerance' are well defined in the context of antibiotic research. However, in the field of disinfection, these terms are often used synonymously, which creates ambiguity and can lead to misunderstandings and misconceptions. In addition, this inconsistency in terminology makes it difficult to assess the risk of a disinfectant resistance. This general review aims to discuss existing definitions of the terms 'adaptation', 'susceptibility', 'tolerance', 'persistence' and 'resistance' in the light of disinfectants. The most ambiguity is found between tolerance and resistance. Whereas the former describes the not necessarily heritable survival of transient exposure to usually lethal concentrations, resistance is the strictly heritable ability to survive otherwise lethal concentrations of an antimicrobial agent, regardless of exposure time. A simple transfer of experience from antibiotic research is not recommended when assessing the risk of resistance to disinfectants, as there are important differences between antibiotics and disinfectants, although both are antimicrobials: (i) disinfectants are usually applied at concentrations that exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration by orders of magnitude, (ii) the exposure times of disinfectants are in the range of seconds, minutes, or a few hours, (iii) the mode of action of disinfectants is less specific, and (iv) disinfectants often contain more than one active agent with additive or synergistic effects. It is important to recognize that disinfectants, like other antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics, have a dualistic nature and should be used correctly and with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technologies are well-known tools for microbial prevention in indoor public places which are frequently employed for disinfecting air, surfaces, and water. Such technologies have drawn a great deal of interest due to its potential application, especially in the domain of healthcare. This article discusses the shortcomings of chemical disinfectants and analyzes the current research standing on the development of various types of UV disinfection technologies for their prospective usage in the healthcare industry. Furthermore, the article provides a thorough analysis and in-depth evaluation of the current antibacterial studies using UV lamps and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for the treatment of frequently encountered pathogens associated with healthcare. According to the systematic review, UV-LEDs have shown to be a potential source for delivering disinfection which is equally efficient or more effective than traditionally used UV lamps. The findings also provide valuable considerations for potentially substituting conventional lamps with LEDs that would be less expensive, more efficient, more robust, non-fragile and safer. With greater effectiveness and advantages, UV-LEDs have shown to be the potential UV source that could fundamentally be able to transform the disinfection industry. Therefore, the study supports the employment of UV-LED technology as a better and workable approach for effective disinfection applications. The study also offers insightful information that will help to direct future studies in the domain of hygienic practices used in healthcare facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive application of chlorine-based disinfectants driven by the COVID-19 pandemic was suspected to be detrimental to receiving water ecosystems, but with little field evidence. We characterized the occurrences of typical disinfectants and microeukaryotic communities in surface waters associated with three wastewater treatment plants (WWTP)-river systems one year after the lockdown in Wuhan, China. Trihalomethanes (THMs) declined from summer 2020 (0.01-1.82 µg/L) to summer 2021 (0.01-0.95 µg/L), whereas quaternary ammonium salts (QAs) increased from summer 2020 (0.53-6.35 ng/L) to summer 2021 (8.49-191 ng/L). Biodiversity monitoring with environmental DNA (eDNA) revealed significant temporal variation in microeukaryotic community composition. The monitored disinfectants were correlated with some eukaryotic communities as demonstrated by redundancy analysis. For example, QAs were positively related to Cryptophyta relative abundance, but negatively related to Rotifera relative abundance. A microeukaryote-based multimetric index indicated ecological impairment near the Han River WWTP outlet in 2020. Our findings indicate the influence of heavily used disinfectants on river microeukaryotic communities, and the usefulness of assessing mid-term ecological risks from disinfectants in the post COVID-19 era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chick performance and hatchability are adversely affected by microbial contamination of hatching eggs. Egg disinfection is therefore crucial to limiting bacterial numbers and optimizing production. The present study was applied to detect the effect of hatching eggs spraying (nest and floor) with two commercial disinfectants: A (H2O2, peracetic and acetic acid) and B (glutraldehyde and Benzalkonium chloride) on hatching parameters and eggshell microbial counts. Hatching eggs were collected from broiler breeder flocks at different ages (37, 47 and 57 weeks). The obtained results indicated that both disinfectants reduced the levels of bacteria in similar ways, but there were no significant differences between them. Concerning the hatching parameters; hatchability percentages (total and true) were lower than standard in both nest and floor eggs, and higher hatchability percentages were found in eggs sanitized with disinfectant A. However, the lowest values were reported in eggs of 57 weeks old breeders with both disinfectants. Conclusively, disinfectants A and B reduced the microbial load of hatching eggs of different ages, and some hatchability parameters were affected with flock age and the used disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compounds originating from animal husbandry can pollute surface water through the application of manure to soil. Typically, grab sampling is employed to detect these residues, which only provides information on the concentration at the time of sampling. To better understand the emission patterns of these compounds, we utilized passive samplers in surface water to collect data at eight locations in a Dutch agricultural region, during different time intervals. As a passive sampler, we chose the integrative-based Speedisk® hydrophilic DVB. In total, we targeted 46 compounds, among which 25 antibiotics, three hormones, nine antiparasitics, and nine disinfectants. From these 46 compounds, 22 compounds accumulated in passive samplers in amounts above the limit of quantification in at least one sampling location. Over the 12-week deployment period, a time integrative uptake pattern was identified in 53% of the examined cases, with the remaining 47% not displaying this behavior. The occurrences without this behavior were primarily associated with specific location, particularly the most upstream location, or specific compounds. Our findings suggest that the proposed use of passive samplers, when compared in this limited context to traditional grab sampling, may provide enhanced efficiency and potentially enable the detection of a wider array of compounds. In fact, a number of compounds originating from animal husbandry activities were quantified for the first time in Dutch surface waters, such as flubendazole, florfenicol, and tilmicosine. The set-up of the sampling campaign also allowed to distinguish between different pollution levels during sampling intervals on the same location. This aspect gains particular significance when considering the utilization of different compounds on various occasions, hence, it has the potential to strengthen ongoing monitoring and mitigation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of plasma-activated water (PAW) generated with a dielectric barrier discharge diffusor (DBDD) system on microbial load and organoleptic quality of cucamelons was investigated and compared to the established sanitizer, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Pathogenic serotypes of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes were inoculated onto the surface of cucamelons (6.5 log CFU g-1) and into the wash water (6 log CFU mL-1). PAW treatment involved 2 min in situ with water activated at 1,500 Hz and 120 V and air as the feed gas; NaOCl treatment was a wash with 100 ppm total chlorine; control treatment was a wash with tap water. PAW treatment produced a 3-log CFU g-1 reduction of pathogens on the cucamelon surface without negatively impacting quality or shelf life. NaOCl treatment reduced the pathogenic bacteria on the cucamelon surface by 3 to 4 log CFU g-1; however, this treatment also reduced fruit shelf life and quality. Both systems reduced 6-log CFU mL-1 pathogens in the wash water to below detectable limits. The critical role of superoxide anion radical (·O2-) in the antimicrobial power of DBDD-PAW was demonstrated through a Tiron scavenger assay, and chemistry modeling confirmed that ·O2- generation readily occurs in DBDD-PAW generated with the employed settings. Modeling of the physical forces produced during plasma treatment showed that bacteria likely experience strong local electric fields and polarization. We hypothesize that these physical effects synergize with reactive chemical species to produce the acute antimicrobial activity seen with the in situ PAW system. IMPORTANCE Plasma-activated water (PAW) is an emerging sanitizer in the fresh food industry, where food safety must be achieved without a thermal kill step. Here, we demonstrate PAW generated in situ to be a competitive sanitizer technology, providing a significant reduction of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms while maintaining the quality and shelf life of the produce item. Our experimental results are supported by modeling of the plasma chemistry and applied physical forces, which show that the system can generate highly reactive ·O2- and strong electric fields that combine to produce potent antimicrobial power. In situ PAW has promise in industrial applications as it requires only low power (12 W), tap water, and air. Moreover, it does not produce toxic by-products or hazardous effluent waste, making it a sustainable solution for fresh food safety.

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is a strong oxidizing agent and an efficient disinfectant. Due to its broad-spectrum bactericidal properties, good inactivation effect on the vast majority of bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms, low resistance to drugs, and low generation of halogenated by-products, chlorine dioxide is widely used in fields such as water purification, food safety, medical and public health, and living environment. This review introduced the properties and application status of chlorine dioxide, compared the action mode, advantages and disadvantages of various disinfectants. The mechanism of chlorine dioxide inactivating bacteria, fungi and viruses were reviewed. The lethal target of chlorine dioxide to bacteria and fungi is to destroy the structure of cell membrane, change the permeability of cell membrane, and make intracellular substances flow out, leading to their death. The lethal targets for viruses are the destruction of viral protein capsids and the degradation of RNA fragments. The purpose of this review is to provide more scientific guidance for the application of chlorine dioxide disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Removing contaminants from plant material with minimal damage to plant cells using different chemical solutions represents very important and one of the most critical steps in establishing plant tissue culture in vitro. Our study deals with the optimisation of the protocol for successful surface sterilization of initial explants in two raspberry cultivars, ‘Meeker’ and ‘Willamette’ in two experimental years. The main objective during the first experimental year was to examine the protocols for surface sterilization which included different combinations of disinfectants (mercuric chloride or commercial bleach solution each in combination with 70% ethanol). In the following year, the impact of the two most effective sterilization treatments on the establishment of aseptic cultures over the four-month period (May, June, July, and August) was investigated in both raspberry cultivars. Aseptic cultures were established on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) containing 2.0 mg/l N6-Benzyladenine (BA), 0.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 0.1 mg/l gibberellic acid (GA3). The highest percentage of explants initiation in ‘Meekerʼ (79.3%) was achieved with surface sterilization in 70% ethanol (1 min) combined with 10% (v/v) commercial bleach solution (20 min), whereas sterilization in 70% ethanol (1 min) followed by HgCl2 (3 min) gave the best results (38.3%) in ‘Willametteʼ. The most optimal month for the establishment of aseptic culture was May for ‘Meeker’, while June was the most suitable month for the ‘Willametteʼ cultivar.

Abstract Different strains of Escherichia coli that exhibit genetic characteristics linked to diarrhea pose a major threat to both human and animal health. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli), the genetic linkages and routes of transmission between E. coli isolates from different animal species. The efficiency of disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Virkon®S, TH4+, nano zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), and H2O2-based zinc oxide nanoparticles (H2O2/ZnO NPs) against isolated strains of E. coli was evaluated. Using 100 fecal samples from different diarrheal species (cow n = 30, sheep n = 40, and broiler chicken n = 30) for E. coli isolation and identification using the entero-bacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC–PCR) fingerprinting technique. The E. coli properties isolated from several diarrheal species were examined for their pathogenicity in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, and particle size distribution were used for the synthesis and characterization of ZnO NPs and H2O2/ZnO NPs. The broth macro-dilution method was used to assess the effectiveness of disinfectants and disinfectant-based nanoparticles against E. coli strains. Regarding the results, the hemolytic activity and Congo red binding assays of pathogenic E. coli isolates were 55.3 and 44.7%, respectively. Eleven virulent E. coli isolates were typed into five ERIC-types (A1, A2, B1, B2, and B3) using the ERIC-PCR method. These types clustered into two main clusters (A and B) with 75% similarity. In conclusion, there was 90% similarity between the sheep samples' ERIC types A1 and A2. On the other hand, 89% of the ERIC types B1, B2, and B3 of cows and poultry samples were comparable. The H2O2/ZnO NPs composite exhibits potential antibacterial action against E. coli isolates at 0.04 mg/ml after 120 min of exposure.

Abstract Background Antiseptics, disinfectants, and hand hygiene products can be contaminated with bacteria and cause healthcare-associated infections, which are underreported from low- and middle-income countries. To better understand the user-related risk factors, we conducted a knowledge, awareness, and practice survey among hospital staff in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Self-administered questionnaire distributed among healthcare workers in three tertiary care hospitals (Burkina Faso, Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo). Results 617 healthcare workers (85.3% (para)medical and 14.7% auxiliary staff) participated. Less than half (45.5%) had been trained in Infection Prevention & Control (IPC), and only 15.7% were trained 80%) disapproved recycling soft-drink bottles as liquid soap containers. Nearly two-thirds (65.0%) declared that bacteria may be resistant to and survive in ABHR, versus 51.0% and 37.4% for povidone iodine and chlorine 0.5%, respectively. Depicted risk practices (n = 4) were ignored by 30 to 40% of participants: they included touching the rim or content of stock containers with compresses or small containers, storing of cotton balls soaked in an antiseptic, and hand-touching the spout of pump dispenser. Filling containers by topping-up was considered good practice by 18.3% of participants. Half (52.1%) of participants acknowledged indefinite reuse of containers. Besides small differences, the findings were similar across the study sites and professional groups. Among IPC-trained staff, proportions recognizing all 4 risk practices were higher compared to non-trained staff (35.9% versus 23.8%, p

The increase in vegetable consumption has underlined the importance of minimizing the risks associated with microbiological contamination of fresh produce. The critical stage of the vegetable washing process has proven to be a key point for cross-contamination and the persistence of pathogens. In this context, the agri-food industry has widely adopted the use of disinfectants to reduce the bacterial load in the wash water. Therefore, we conducted laboratory-scale experiments in order to demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of disinfectants used in the wash tank of agro-food industries. Different wash water matrices of shredded lettuce, shredded cabbage, diced onion, and baby spinach were treated with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), chlorine dioxide (ClO2), and per-oxyacetic acid (PAA) at recommended concentrations. To simulate the presence of pathogenic bacteria, a cocktail of E. coli O157:H7 was inoculated into the process water samples (PWW) to determine whether concentrations of disinfectants inhibit the pathogen or bring it to a viable non-culturable state (VBNC). Hereby, we used quantitative qPCR combined with different photo-reactive dyes such as ethidium monoazide (EMA) and propidium monoazide (PMA). The results indicated that concentrations superior to 20 ppm NaClO inhibit the pathogen E. coli O157:H7 artificially inoculated in the process water. Concentrations between 10–20 ppm ClO2 fail to induce the pathogen to the VBNC state. At concentrations of 80 ppm PAA, levels of culturable bacteria and VBNC of E. coli O157:H7 were detected in all PWWs regardless of the matrix. Subsequently, this indicates that the recommended concentrations of ClO2 and PAA for use in the fresh produce industry wash tank do not inhibit the levels of E. coli O157:H7 present in the wash water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Machinery is the property of Food & Machinery Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of various disinfectants against locally isolated pathogens using the Kirby-Bauer Method with disc diffusion. Indigenous strains of Salmonella typhimurium, E. coli, Campylobacter, Citrobacter freundii, and Staphylococcus aureus were obtained from the bacterial depository bank and sub-cultured on their respective selective media. A 0.5 McFarland Turbidity Standard was prepared, and eight commercially available disinfectants were tested for efficacy. The results of this study will inform the selection of appropriate disinfectants for use in preventing the spread of disease in various settings, including home sanitation, healthcare, and industrial manufacturing processes. The disinfectants used in this study produced different results against the targeted pathogens. Hydrogen peroxide and Formalin produced larger zones of inhibition, while Povidone Iodine and Hydrochloric acid produced intermediate zones. Ethanol, Methanol, and Dettol produced smaller. zones of inhibition. Benzalkonium Chloride was effective only against S. aureus, while all other indigenous isolates resisted it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The understanding of antibiotic resistance, one of the major health threats of our time, is mostly based on dated and incomplete notions, especially in clinical contexts. The "canonical" mechanisms of action and pharmacodynamics of antibiotics, as well as the methods used to assess their activity upon bacteria, have not changed in decades; the same applies to the definition, acquisition, selective pressures, and drivers of resistance. As a consequence, the strategies to improve antibiotic usage and overcome resistance have ultimately failed. This review gathers most of the "non-canonical" notions on antibiotics and resistance: from the alternative mechanisms of action of antibiotics and the limitations of susceptibility testing to the wide variety of selective pressures, lateral gene transfer mechanisms, ubiquity, and societal factors maintaining resistance. Only by having a "big picture" view of the problem can adequate strategies to harness resistance be devised. These strategies must be global, addressing the many aspects that drive the increasing prevalence of resistant bacteria aside from the clinical use of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Biofilm formation in dental waterlines brings opportunistic infections, especially for immunosuppressive patients. This study aimed to determine biofilm‐forming microorganisms by various methods and investigate disinfectants' effects on biofilm. Materials & Methods: In the study, samples were obtained from the waterlines of 10–15 aged six dental units, before (0 min.) and after chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) treatment (1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min.), and total colony counts were performed using conventional surface smear method (SSM) and dip slide method (DSM). The Congo red agar and Christensen methods were used to examine the biofilm‐forming properties of the isolates. Monitoring of biofilm presence was also visualized by SEM scanning. Results: When DSM and SSM are compared in all units where ClO2 and HOCl are applied, DSM can detect bacterial growth even during periods of greater exposure to disinfectant application. Although DSM can achieve a value approaching 3% even at the 10th minute in units treated with HOCl; SSM does not show reproduction at the same disinfectant exposure and duration; It was observed that in the units where ClO2 was applied, the growth was no longer observed at the 10th minute with DSM, and SSM, 50% growth in the first minute of the units treated with ClO2 could not be detected in the 5th minute. Conclusions: It is concluded that it can be advisable to routinely disinfect the dental unit water systems with non‐toxic doses of ClO2 application before patient treatments in clinics and also to perform contamination controls at regular intervals with DSM, which is a sensitive and very practical method. Research highlights: It has been observed that the dip slide method can count bacteria more sensitively than conventional methods in dental water systems without the need for experienced personnel and equipment.The difference between biofilm formation in water systems before and after disinfectant exposure in SEM examinations is remarkable. The effects of ClO2 and HOCl on biofilm were investigated and bacterial growth was inhibited in dental units between 5 and 10 minutes with both disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common pathogen associated with recreational water facilities and poses risks to public health. However, data on the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in tourist destinations like the Canary Islands, Spain, remain limited. We assessed P. aeruginosa prevalence in 23 tourist facilities from 2016 to 2019. Compliance with water quality standards was evaluated, and 3962 samples were collected and analyzed. We examined different types of recreational water installations, including outer swimming pools, whirlpools, and cold wells. Of the sampled facilities, 31.2% did not comply with the current legislation's parametric values, mainly due to inadequate disinfectant levels, water temperature, and P. aeruginosa presence. The prevalence of P. aeruginosa was 4.8%, comparable to some European countries but lower than others. Cold wells displayed the highest non-compliance rate (89.2%) and yet exhibited a lower P. aeruginosa prevalence (1.9%) than outer swimming pools and whirlpools. Children's presence did not significantly impact P. aeruginosa contamination. Chlorine-based disinfectants are more effective than bromine-based ones in controlling P. aeruginosa. Regional variability in contamination was observed, with Fuerteventura showing lower colonization rates. Disinfectant levels play a critical role in P. aeruginosa control, and maintaining adequate levels is essential, particularly in bromine-treated installations. Our findings provide valuable insights into the prevalence and distribution of P. aeruginosa in recreational waters within tourist facilities. Tailored strategies are needed to ensure water safety in different Spanish regions. Continued monitoring and assessment, combined with artificial intelligence and machine learning, will enable the implementation of targeted interventions to protect the health of recreational water users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the design and synthesis of biologically active quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). The covered scope extends beyond commonly reviewed antimicrobial derivatives to include synthetic agents with antifungal, anticancer, and antiviral properties. Additionally, this review highlights examples of quaternary ammonium compounds exhibiting activity against protozoa and herbicidal effects, as well as analgesic and anesthetic derivatives. The article also embraces the quaternary-ammonium-containing cholinesterase inhibitors and muscle relaxants. QACs, marked by their inherent permanent charge, also find widespread usage across diverse domains such as fabric softeners, hair conditioners, detergents, and disinfectants. The effectiveness of QACs hinges greatly on finding the right equilibrium between hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. The ideal length of the alkyl chain varies according to the unique structure of each QAC and its biological settings. It is expected that this review will provide comprehensive data for medicinal and industrial chemists to design and develop novel QAC-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This randomized controlled experimental study aims to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of ethyl alcohol solutions on bacterial growth. Alcohol solutions with different volüme concentrations were prepared as a preliminary process. In the first step, alcohol solutions of different concentrations by volume were prepared.. Microbiological agar was used as the medium. In the third process, sterile Petri dishes were obtained, and the dishes to be used were labeled with dirty hands, ethyl alcohol solutions of 10%, 30%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 96%. A laptop (monitor and keyboard), which is one of the devices frequently used in everday life, was chosen as the sample material. As a result, it was found that the number of colonies in the Petri dishes visibly decreased with increasing alcohol concentration. No bacterial colonies were observed at concentrations of ≥70%. The lowest and most effective ethyl alcohol concentration was found to be 70%. We think that observing bacterial growth at different alcohol concentrations with samples from different environments will provide us with more data on the effect of disinfectants and antiseptics in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different strains of Escherichia coli that exhibit genetic characteristics linked to diarrhea pose a major threat to both human and animal health. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli), the genetic linkages and routes of transmission between E. coli isolates from different animal species. The efficiency of disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Virkon®S, TH4+, nano zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), and H2O2-based zinc oxide nanoparticles (H2O2/ZnO NPs) against isolated strains of E. coli was evaluated. Using 100 fecal samples from different diarrheal species (cow n = 30, sheep n = 40, and broiler chicken n = 30) for E. coli isolation and identification using the entero-bacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC–PCR) fingerprinting technique. The E. coli properties isolated from several diarrheal species were examined for their pathogenicity in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, and particle size distribution were used for the synthesis and characterization of ZnO NPs and H2O2/ZnO NPs. The broth macro-dilution method was used to assess the effectiveness of disinfectants and disinfectant-based nanoparticles against E. coli strains. Regarding the results, the hemolytic activity and Congo red binding assays of pathogenic E. coli isolates were 55.3 and 44.7%, respectively. Eleven virulent E. coli isolates were typed into five ERIC-types (A1, A2, B1, B2, and B3) using the ERIC-PCR method. These types clustered into two main clusters (A and B) with 75% similarity. In conclusion, there was 90% similarity between the sheep samples' ERIC types A1 and A2. On the other hand, 89% of the ERIC types B1, B2, and B3 of cows and poultry samples were comparable. The H2O2/ZnO NPs composite exhibits potential antibacterial action against E. coli isolates at 0.04 mg/ml after 120 min of exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antiseptics, disinfectants, and hand hygiene products can be contaminated with bacteria and cause healthcare-associated infections, which are underreported from low- and middle-income countries. To better understand the user-related risk factors, we conducted a knowledge, awareness, and practice survey among hospital staff in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: Self-administered questionnaire distributed among healthcare workers in three tertiary care hospitals (Burkina Faso, Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo). Results: 617 healthcare workers (85.3% (para)medical and 14.7% auxiliary staff) participated. Less than half (45.5%) had been trained in Infection Prevention & Control (IPC), and only 15.7% were trained < 1 year ago. Near two-thirds (64.2%) preferred liquid soap for hand hygiene, versus 33.1% for alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR). Most (58.3%) expressed confidence in the locally available products. Knowledge of product categories, storage conditions and shelf-life was inadequate: eosin was considered as an antiseptic (47.5% of (para)medical staff), the shelf life and storage conditions (non-transparent container) of freshly prepared chlorine 0.5% were known by only 42.6% and 34.8% of participants, respectively. Approximately one-third of participants approved using tap water for preparation of chlorine 0.5% and liquid soap. Most participants (> 80%) disapproved recycling soft-drink bottles as liquid soap containers. Nearly two-thirds (65.0%) declared that bacteria may be resistant to and survive in ABHR, versus 51.0% and 37.4% for povidone iodine and chlorine 0.5%, respectively. Depicted risk practices (n = 4) were ignored by 30 to 40% of participants: they included touching the rim or content of stock containers with compresses or small containers, storing of cotton balls soaked in an antiseptic, and hand-touching the spout of pump dispenser. Filling containers by topping-up was considered good practice by 18.3% of participants. Half (52.1%) of participants acknowledged indefinite reuse of containers. Besides small differences, the findings were similar across the study sites and professional groups. Among IPC-trained staff, proportions recognizing all 4 risk practices were higher compared to non-trained staff (35.9% versus 23.8%, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The present findings can guide tailored training and IPC implementation at the healthcare facility and national levels, and sensitize stakeholders' and funders' interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determinate the efficacy of natural disinfectants against Candida Albicans in partial and total dental prostheses. This is a bibliographic review that focused on the search for scientific articles on disinfection of prostheses by natural methods on Scopus, SciELO and Google scholar databases. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 articles were selected that met the theoretical characteristics applicable to the research topic. Natural disinfectants such as mint, lemon verbena and thyme eliminate Candida albicans when exposed to concentrations of 50% for 24 hours, oregano is effective in concentrations less than 10% with the same exposure time, while muña demonstrates effectiveness in concentrations greater than 75%. The care and management of a prosthetic device is a priority, since the oral cavity is an ideal environment for the multiplication of microorganisms such as Candida albicans; It has been proven that when using mint, oregano, thyme, lemon verbena and muña with adequate concentrations they equal the action of medications such as fluconazole and doxycycline, limiting the reproduction of Candida albicans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: American foulbrood is a highly infectious disease that can harm the beekeeping sector if it becomes clinically visible. It is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, and its spores are resistant to various disinfectants. It is important to ensure effective final disinfection following eradication measures at apiary in order to prevent the disease from reoccurring. A study was conducted to test ten commercially available disinfectants commonly used in beekeeping, as well as those with proven efficacy in the medicinal and veterinary sectors, on different strains of P. larvae bacterium. Early diagnosis methods and proper control measures can help minimize the disease's clinical signs and its incidence. American foulbrood is an infectious disease of the honeybee brood that causes multiple types of damage to beekeeping. The causative agent of the disease is the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, which forms resistant infective spores and is viable for decades. After the eradication measures have been implemented, in cases of clinically visible disease, it is necessary to conduct effective final disinfections of equipment and tools. This study aimed to determine the effect of ten commercially available and commonly used disinfectants on certified strains of P. larvae under laboratory conditions, as well as to compare the obtained results among individual genotypes of P. larvae. Selected products were tested by determining the zone of inhibition using an agar diffusion test, a suspension test for viable bacteria, a surface disinfectant test, and a sporicidal effect in the suspension test. Incidin OxyFoam S and Sekusept Aktiv are both effective against all examined genotypes of P. larvae. Despadac and Despadac Secure have a bactericidal effect, but their sporocidal effect is not as satisfactory as that of Genox. Genoll does not exhibit a sporicidal effect, and Ecocide S at 1%, Bee protect H forte, and Bee protect F did not exhibit a satisfactory sporocidal effect. Additionally, EM® PROBIOTIC FOR BEES did not exhibit any bactericidal effect. The effective application of control measures and proper application of final disinfection can reduce the reoccurrence of visible clinical signs of disease, whereas methods of early diagnosis can significantly reduce the incidence of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The exploration of new strategies for effective microbial control is one of the most significant studies in developing new formulations of antimicrobial agents. The increasing prevalence of microbial threats is a pressing threat to public health. Hence, this study aims to investigate the synergies between combinations of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and benzalkonium chloride (BKC) compared to the individual PHMB or BKC as active agents for microbial control. A set of combinations of the active ingredient was tested against two Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, and two Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methodology and results: The antibacterial activity of PHMB and BKC was investigated using the microdilution method to determine their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The results showed that PHMB was more effective against Gram-positive bacteria, with a significant effect on B. cereus with a MIC value of 31.25 ppm, while having a lesser impact on E. coli (125 ppm). The MIC value of BKC was 15.625 ppm for the Gram-positive bacteria and showed a more prominent effect on Gram-negative bacteria. The MIC values were used as the baseline for formulating PHMB and BKC mixtures. The formulated combinations were evaluated using disc diffusion (DD) and well diffusion (WD) methods. The results indicated that the combined active agents have an efficiency similar to the stand-alone effect. The cytotoxic effect of these compounds was also assessed, and they showed toxic traits towards Vero cells, indicating that these two cationic agents acted additively towards each other. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The combination of PHMB and BKC represented a potential strategy of mixed antimicrobial agents, which could be applied in applications such as healthcare and consumer products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), a large class of chemicals that includes high production volume substances, have been used for decades as antimicrobials, preservatives, and antistatic agents and for other functions in cleaning, disinfecting, personal care products, and durable consumer goods. QAC use has accelerated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the banning of 19 antimicrobials from several personal care products by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2016. Studies conducted before and after the onset of the pandemic indicate increased human exposure to QACs. Environmental releases of these chemicals have also increased. Emerging information on adverse environmental and human health impacts of QACs is motivating a reconsideration of the risks and benefits across the life cycle of their production, use, and disposal. This work presents a critical review of the literature and scientific perspective developed by a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional team of authors from academia, governmental, and nonprofit organizations. The review evaluates currently available information on the ecological and human health profile of QACs and identifies multiple areas of potential concern. Adverse ecological effects include acute and chronic toxicity to susceptible aquatic organisms, with concentrations of some QACs approaching levels of concern. Suspected or known adverse health outcomes include dermal and respiratory effects, developmental and reproductive toxicity, disruption of metabolic function such as lipid homeostasis, and impairment of mitochondrial function. QACs' role in antimicrobial resistance has also been demonstrated. In the US regulatory system, how a QAC is managed depends on how it is used, for example in pesticides or personal care products. This can result in the same QACs receiving different degrees of scrutiny depending on the use and the agency regulating it. Further, the US Environmental Protection Agency's current method of grouping QACs based on structure, first proposed in 1988, is insufficient to address the wide range of QAC chemistries, potential toxicities, and exposure scenarios. Consequently, exposures to common mixtures of QACs and from multiple sources remain largely unassessed. Some restrictions on the use of QACs have been implemented in the US and elsewhere, primarily focused on personal care products. Assessing the risks posed by QACs is hampered by their vast structural diversity and a lack of quantitative data on exposure and toxicity for the majority of these compounds. This review identifies important data gaps and provides research and policy recommendations for preserving the utility of QAC chemistries while also seeking to limit adverse environmental and human health effects.

Fruit- and vegetable-processing facilities may contaminate wastewater via contaminants found in the produce and disinfecting chemicals used. These contaminants may include agrochemicals, pesticides, and disinfectants such as chlorine and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). Some compounds may exhibit harmful endocrine-disrupting activity. This study investigated the impact of a minimally processed vegetable facility on wastewater quality via in vitro bioassays and chemical screening. Estrogen activity was assessed via a yeast estrogen screen (YES), and (anti-)androgenic and glucocorticoid activities were evaluated via an MDA-kb2 reporter gene assay. The samples were screened via gas and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS) to identify target compounds, and GC coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS) was used for non-targeted screening. Sample complexity and chemical profiles were assessed using GC-TOFMS. Estrogenic activity was detected in 16 samples (n = 24) with an upper limit of 595 ± 37 ng/L estradiol equivalents (EEqs). The final wastewater before discharge had an EEq of 0.23 ng/L, which is within the ecological effect-based trigger value range for the estrogenic activity of wastewater (0.2–0.4 ng/L EEq). Androgenic activity was detected in one sample with a dihydrotestosterone equivalent (DHTEq) value of 10 ± 2.7 ng/L. No antiandrogenic activity was detected. The GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS results indicated the presence of multiple pesticides, nonylphenols, triclocarban, and triclosan. Many of these compounds exhibit estrogenic activity, which may explain the positive YES assay findings. These findings showed that wastewater from the facility contained detergents, disinfectants, and pesticides and displayed hormonal activity. Food-processing facilities release large volumes of wastewater, which may affect the quality of the water eventually being discharged into the environment. We recommend expanding conventional water quality monitoring efforts to include additional factors like endocrine activity and disinfectant byproducts.

The use of cleaning and disinfecting products both at work and at home increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those products often include surfactants, acids/bases, carcinogens such as chloroform, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as cyclosiloxanes, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, which may cause harmful health effects among professional cleaners as well as among people exposed at home or in their workplaces. The aim of this study was to synthesize the effects of the commonly used chemical, surface cleaning and disinfecting products on indoor air quality, focusing on chemical and particulate matter pollutants, exposure, and human health in residential and public buildings. We also provide a summary of recommendations to avoid harmful exposure and suggest future research directions. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) were used to search the literature. Analysis of the literature revealed that the use of cleaning products and disinfectants increase occupants’ exposure to a variety of harmful chemical air contaminants and to particulate matter. Occupational exposure to cleaning and disinfectant products has been linked to an increased risk of asthma and rhinitis. Residential exposure to cleaning products has been shown to have an adverse effect on respiratory health, particularly on asthma onset, and on the occurrence of asthma(-like) symptoms among children and adults. Efforts to reduce occupants’ exposure to cleaning chemicals will require lowering the content of hazardous substances in cleaning products and improving ventilation during and after cleaning. Experimentally examined, best cleaning practices as well as careful selection of cleaning products can minimize the burden of harmful air pollutant exposure indoors. In addition, indirect ways to reduce exposure include increasing people’s awareness of the harmfulness of cleaning chemicals and of safe cleaning practices, as well as clear labelling of cleaning and disinfecting products.

[Objective] To achieve good internal quality control of determination of decamethylammonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride residues in drinking water by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and to promote the improvement of detection methods. [Methods] A mathematical model and fishbone diagram were established to evaluate the introduced uncertainty components, and the combined standard uncertainty and expanded uncertainty were calculated. [Results] Under the inclusion factor k=2, and the decamethylammonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride residue in drinking water samples was 4.3 μg/L and 4.7 μg/L and their expanded uncertainty U was 0.52 μg/L and 0.48 μg/L, respectively. [Conclusion] The uncertainty in determining the two disinfectants with high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry mainly comes from the preparation of the series standard solutions, determination repeatability, and instrument calibration, etc.

Screening and prioritizing research on frequently detected mixture systems in the environment is of great significance, as conducting toxicity testing on all mixtures is impractical. Therefore, the frequent itemset mining (FIM) was introduced and applied in this paper to identify variables that commonly co-occur in a dataset. Based on the dataset of the quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in the water environment, the four frequent QAC mixture systems with detection rate ≥ 35 % were found, including [BDMM]+Cl−-[BTMM]+Cl− (M1), [BDMM]+Cl−-[BHMM]+Cl− (M2), [BTMM]+Cl− -[BHMM]+Cl− (M3), and [BDMM]+Cl−-[BTMM]+Cl−-[BHMM]+Cl− (M4). [BDMM]+Cl−, [BTMM]+Cl−, and [BHMM]+Cl− are benzyl dodecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, benzyl tetradecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and benzyl hexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, respectively. Then, the toxicity of the representative mixture rays and components for the four frequently detected mixture systems was tested using Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.-Q67 (Q67) as a luminescent indicator organism at 0.25 and 12 h. The toxicity of the mixtures was predicted using concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) models. It was shown that both the components and the representative mixture rays for the four frequently detected mixture systems exhibited obvious acute and chronic toxicity to Q67, and their median effective concentrations (EC50) were below 7 mg/L. Both CA and IA models predicted the toxicity of the four mixture systems well. However, the CA model had a better predictive ability for the toxicity of the M3 and M4 mixtures than IA at 12 h.

Georgia Véras de Araújo Gueiros Lira,1,2 Giselia Alves Pontes da Silva,2 Patricia Gomes de Matos Bezerra,3 Emanuel SC Sarinho1,2 1Allergy and Immunology Research Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil; 2Department of Paediatrics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil; 3Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, Recife, PE, BrazilCorrespondence: Georgia Véras de Araújo Gueiros Lira, Allergy and Immunology Research Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Morais Rego, 1235 – University City, Recife, PE, CEP: 50670-901, Brazil, Tel +81 2126-8000 ; +81 3268-9336, Email georgiaveras@uol.com.brAbstract: Much is known about the role of aeroallergens in asthma, but little is described about the damage caused by inhaled pollutants and irritants to the respiratory epithelium. In this context, the most frequent pollutants and irritants inhaled in the home environment were identified, describing the possible repercussions that may occur in the respiratory tract of the pediatric population with asthma and highlighting the role of the caregiver in environmental control through a salutogenic perspective. Searches were carried out in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Lilacs and Scopus databases for articles considered relevant for the theoretical foundation of this integrative review, in which interactions between exposure to pollutants and inhaled irritants and lung involvement. Articles published in the last 10 years that used the following descriptors were considered: air pollution; tobacco; particulate matter; disinfectants; hydrocarbons, fluorinated; odorants; chloramines; pesticide; asthma; and beyond Antonovsky’s sense of coherence. Exposure to smoke and some substances found in cleaning products, such as benzalkonium chloride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and monoethanolamine, offer potential risks for sensitization and exacerbation of asthma. The vast majority of the seven main inhaled products investigated provoke irritative inflammatory reactions and oxidative imbalance in the respiratory epithelium. In turn, the caregiver’s role is essential in health promotion and the clinical control of paediatric asthma. From a salutogenic point of view, pollutants and irritants inhaled at home should be carefully investigated in the clinical history so that strategies to remove or reduce exposures can be used by caregivers of children and adolescents with asthma.Keywords: air pollution, tobacco, particulate matter, disinfectants, asthma, sense of coherence

Introduction: It is essential to adopt preventive measures to reduce the prevalence and severity of COVID-19. Given the insufficient information about the use of disinfectants against the virus, which leads to various risks, this study aims to investigate awareness, performance, and attitudes of the residents of Yazd city regarding using disinfectants to prevent COVID-19. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, the sample consisted of 271 people residing in Yazd using convenience sampling method. The tool used was a researcher-made questionnaire, which was reliable, valid, and was divided into two parts; after that the collected data was analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests. SPSS software was used for data processing, and Amos software was used for model design. Results: Most participants (51.3%) were female. The majority of participants (117 (43.2%)) aged between 30-40, and with an average age of 34.39 ± 9.6. The highest level of education attained by most participants was master's degree by 83 (30.6%) people. The mean and standard deviation for awareness (10.59 ± 2.7), attitude (40.74 ± 7.1), and performance (17.50 ± 5.1) were obtained. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis showed that the total effect had the greatest impact on the use of disinfectants, with performance (β = 0.032) and education (β = 0.068) having the strongest effects. Increase in disinfection and having a higher level of education increased the use of disinfectants as well. Conclusion: As increasing people's awareness, attitude, and performance can help prevent the spread of COVID-19, implementing educational programs and timely comprehensive information dissemination about the use of disinfectants is recommended.

Background: The physicochemical properties of viruses affect both how well they spread and how long they may survive in different environments. It would be helpful to have a complete understanding of the tools to break or limit the chain of virus transmission. In addition to choosing safe circumstances for preventing infections and the spread of these viruses. Methods and results: The data obtained demonstrated that hepatitis A viruses (HAV) were stable at freezing (–20°C). HAV's infectivity was considerably impacted by the temperature increase (70oc), with a 4.77 log10TCID50/ml titer drop. HAV was resistant to various pH levels. At pH 4 the virus titer decreased by 0.88 log10TCID50/ml. However, the virus was entirely inactivated at pH 12. The minor titer decreased by 0.54 log10TCID50/ml at 3% salt conc., indicating that HAV was salt stable. Virus deactivation by disinfectants (ethanol 20, 70 and 95%), phenol (1, 2 and 3), chlorine (5, 10 and 20 mg/l). Iodine (0.5, 1 and 3%) was performed. The exposure to 70% ethanol, a partial inactivation of 4.16 log10TCID 50/ml was detected. In contrast, HAV was completely inactivated at 3% phenol, while at 1 and 2% it maintained its infectivity. The virucidal efficiency of chlorine was detected at 20 mg/l, while at 5 and 10 mg/l, the titer was decreased by 0.86 and 6.19 log10TCID50/ml, respectively. Iodine at all measured concentrations did not show a complete ability to fully integrate HAV. Conclusion: HAV is very stable and somewhat resistant to environmental influences, acidic pH, high temperature and chemicals.

Reduced availability of agricultural water has spurred increased interest in using recycled irrigation water for U.S. food crop production. However, there are significant knowledge gaps concerning the microbiological quality of these water sources. To address these gaps, we used 16S rRNA gene and metagenomic sequencing to characterize taxonomic and functional variations (e.g., antimicrobial resistance) in bacterial communities across diverse recycled and surface water irrigation sources. We collected 1 L water samples (n = 410) between 2016 and 2018 from the Mid-Atlantic (12 sites) and Southwest (10 sites) U.S. Samples were filtered, and DNA was extracted. The V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were then PCR amplified and sequenced. Metagenomic sequencing was also performed to characterize antibiotic, metal, and biocide resistance genes. Bacterial alpha and beta diversities were significantly different (p < 0.001) across water types and seasons. Pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aeromonas hydrophilia were observed across sample types. The most common antibiotic resistance genes identified coded against macrolides/lincosamides/streptogramins, aminoglycosides, rifampin and elfamycins, and their read counts fluctuated across seasons. We also observed multi-metal and multi-biocide resistance across all water types. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive longitudinal study to date of U.S. recycled water and surface water used for irrigation. Our findings improve understanding of the potential differences in the risk of exposure to bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes originating from diverse irrigation water sources across seasons and U.S. regions.

Unconventional oil and gas (UOG) extraction is increasing exponentially around the world, as new technological advances have provided cost-effective methods to extract hard-to-reach hydrocarbons. While UOG has increased the energy output of some countries, past research indicates potential impacts in nearby stream ecosystems as measured by geochemical and microbial markers. Here, we utilized a robust data set that combines 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (DNA), metatranscriptomics (RNA), geochemistry, and trace element analyses to establish the impact of UOG activity in 21 sites in northern Pennsylvania. These data were also used to design predictive machine learning models to determine the UOG impact on streams. We identified multiple biomarkers of UOG activity and contributors of antimicrobial resistance within the order Burkholderiales. Furthermore, we identified expressed antimicrobial resistance genes, land coverage, geochemistry, and specific microbes as strong predictors of UOG status. Of the predictive models constructed (n = 30), 15 had accuracies higher than expected by chance and area under the curve values above 0.70. The supervised random forest models with the highest accuracy were constructed with 16S rRNA gene profiles, metatranscriptomics active microbial composition, metatranscriptomics active antimicrobial resistance genes, land coverage, and geochemistry (n = 23). The models identified the most important features within those data sets for classifying UOG status. These findings identified specific shifts in gene presence and expression, as well as geochemical measures, that can be used to build robust models to identify impacts of UOG development. IMPORTANCE The environmental implications of unconventional oil and gas extraction are only recently starting to be systematically recorded. Our research shows the utility of microbial communities paired with geochemical markers to build strong predictive random forest models of unconventional oil and gas activity and the identification of key biomarkers. Microbial communities, their transcribed genes, and key biomarkers can be used as sentinels of environmental changes. Slight changes in microbial function and composition can be detected before chemical markers of contamination. Potential contamination, specifically from biocides, is especially concerning due to its potential to promote antibiotic resistance in the environment. Additionally, as microbial communities facilitate the bulk of nutrient cycling in the environment, small changes may have long-term repercussions. Supervised random forest models can be used to identify changes in those communities, greatly enhance our understanding of what such impacts entail, and inform environmental management decisions.

Coronaviruses are a diverse family of viruses, and new strains can emerge. While the majority of coronavirus strains cause mild respiratory illnesses, a few are responsible for severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is an example of a coronavirus that has led to a pandemic. Coronaviruses can mutate over time, potentially leading to the emergence of new variants. Some of these variants may have increased transmissibility or resistance to existing vaccines and treatments. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the recent past has sparked innovation in curbing virus spread, with sanitizers and disinfectants taking center stage. These essential tools hinder pathogen dissemination, especially for unvaccinated or rapidly mutating viruses. The World Health Organization supports the use of alcohol-based sanitizers and disinfectants globally against pandemics. However, there are ongoing concerns about their widespread usage and their potential impact on human health, animal well-being, and ecological equilibrium. In this ever-changing scenario, metal nanoparticles hold promise in combating a range of pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, as well as other viruses such as norovirus, influenza, and HIV-1. This review explores their potential as non-alcoholic champions against SARS-CoV-2 and other pandemics of tomorrow. This extends beyond metal nanoparticles and advocates a balanced examination of pandemic control tools, exploring their strengths and weaknesses. The manuscript thus involves the evaluation of metal nanoparticle-based alternative approaches as hand sanitizers and disinfectants, providing a comprehensive perspective on this critical issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much is known about the role of aeroallergens in asthma, but little is described about the damage caused by inhaled pollutants and irritants to the respiratory epithelium. In this context, the most frequent pollutants and irritants inhaled in the home environment were identified, describing the possible repercussions that may occur in the respiratory tract of the pediatric population with asthma and highlighting the role of the caregiver in environmental control through a salutogenic perspective. Searches were carried out in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Lilacs and Scopus databases for articles considered relevant for the theoretical foundation of this integrative review, in which interactions between exposure to pollutants and inhaled irritants and lung involvement. Articles published in the last 10 years that used the following descriptors were considered: air pollution; tobacco; particulate matter; disinfectants; hydrocarbons, fluorinated; odorants; chloramines; pesticide; asthma; and beyond Antonovsky's sense of coherence. Exposure to smoke and some substances found in cleaning products, such as benzalkonium chloride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and monoethanolamine, offer potential risks for sensitization and exacerbation of asthma. The vast majority of the seven main inhaled products investigated provoke irritative inflammatory reactions and oxidative imbalance in the respiratory epithelium. In turn, the caregiver's role is essential in health promotion and the clinical control of paediatric asthma. From a salutogenic point of view, pollutants and irritants inhaled at home should be carefully investigated in the clinical history so that strategies to remove or reduce exposures can be used by caregivers of children and adolescents with asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A crucial control point for good hygiene is the process of cleaning and disinfecting the slaughterhouse, the animals, the environment, and the hands of the workers. It is a crucial phase in the biosecurity process. By counting the aerobic bacteria, Coliform, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, moulds, and yeasts, the current study was designed to assess the abattoir's contamination and its effects. A total of 120 samples were collected, including swabs from the floor, wall, workers' hands, animals' skin, and the outside of the carcass (20 samples/each). Results of aerobic plate count clarified that the highest mean value was recorded in the abattoirs' floors and walls (1.48x106±2.29x105, 9.54x105±1.44x105 respectively), which were then followed by the skin, hands of workers and the outer surfaces of the carcass (5.71x104±1.26x104, 5.39x104±1.15x104, 4.50x104±1.68x104 respectively). After using disinfectants, chloroxylenol was the most effective disinfection across all tested samples, with the best reduction percentage. The highest mean value of staphylococcus count was recorded in the hands of workers (1.95x105±1.03x105) had the greatest staphylococcus count, followed by the outer surface of the carcass and the skin (6.66x104±2.47x104, 6.47x104±1.22x104 respectively). The highest mean value of Coliform count was recorded on the outer surface of the carcasses 43.45±10.61 MPN/cm2, followed by the skin and the hands of the workers (33.90±8.27, 28.90±11.57 MPN/cm2 respectively. Several spp of Coliform were detected such as Citrobacter diversus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumonia. Staph. aureus was reported depending on coagulase test, the incidence of infection was higher in Carcass than in hands and skin. Moreover, Salmonella incidence was higher in the hands followed by carcass. The abattoir's air samples had high mean value of mould 25.93±2.83 compared to yeast 17.80±3.58 (cfu/plate/minute). Regarding mould, H2O2 showed the best reduction rate followed by chlorine. While regarding yeast, chlorine was the best followed by chloroxylenol. Results of microbiological examination of the collected samples reflected a clear state of contamination in abattoirs environment and the effect of disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A crucial first step in preventing the introduction and spread of harmful microorganisms in poultry farms is biosecurity. The objectives of this investigation were to assess biosecurity measures and the prevalence of different E. coli species in commercial chicken farms in Sharkia province, Egypt. Sensitivity of E. coli strains was identified, and their susceptibility to antibiotics and disinfection was evaluated as well. Four farms provided 21 samples each, for a total of 84 samples. Three samples of each were collected for water, feed, litter, cloaca, wall, hand, and foot boots. All the studied farms obtained a "poor biosecurity" grade, meaning that their overall biosecurity score, which is comprised of 40% external and 36.54% internal biosecurity, was less than 50%. Escherichia coli species were found in 79.76% of the samples. It was isolated from water, feed, litter, cloaca, walls, hands, and foot boots with percentages of 91.6; 83.3; 91.6; 100; 58.3; 58.3 and 75%, respectively. Biosecurity level had significant negative correlations with the isolated E. coil species. Escherichia coli O119 was the most common serotype in litter and the cloaca, while E. coli O1 was the most prevalent serotype in walls and hands. Additionally, serotypes for E. coli O26, O159, O128 and O78 were included. According to the patterns of antibiotic sensitivity, amikacin, nitrofurantoin, gentamycin, and levofloxacin showed intermediate sensitivity, whereas E. coli O119 bacteria were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin. In the absence and presence of organic matter, Virocid, Cid 2000 and finally Virkon S were the most efficient against E. coli O119. According to this study, there were differences in the investigated farms' biosecurity levels in relation to the occurrence of Escherichia coli. To reduce the introduction and persistence of E. coli in poultry farms, several biosecurity practices and management, including stringent cleaning and disinfection measures should be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of bis-quaternary ammonium compounds based on a polyhydric alcohol, 2,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)butane-1,4-diol, and pyridine was accomplished. The bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity of the products against ESKAPE pathogens and Candida albicans yeast-like fungus both in planktonic and biofilm forms was studied. The activity of the bis-pyridinium salts was compared with the activities of known antiseptic agents, octenidine dihydrochloride and cetylpyridinium chloride. It was found that the compound containing ten carbon atoms in the alkyl group is effective against various strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and C. albicans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The physicochemical properties of viruses affect both how well they spread and how long they may survive in different environments. It would be helpful to have a complete understanding of the tools to break or limit the chain of virus transmission. In addition to choosing safe circumstances for preventing infections and the spread of these viruses. Methods and results: The data obtained demonstrated that hepatitis A viruses (HAV) were stable at freezing (-20°C). HAV's infectivity was considerably impacted by the temperature increase (70oc), with a 4.77 log10TCID50/ml titer drop. HAV was resistant to various pH levels. At pH 4 the virus titer decreased by 0.88 log10TCID50/ml. However, the virus was entirely inactivated at pH 12. The minor titer decreased by 0.54 log10TCID50/ml at 3% salt conc., indicating that HAV was salt stable. Virus deactivation by disinfectants (ethanol 20, 70 and 95%), phenol (1, 2 and 3), chlorine (5, 10 and 20 mg/l). Iodine (0.5, 1 and 3%) was performed. The exposure to 70% ethanol, a partial inactivation of 4.16 log10TCID 50/ml was detected. In contrast, HAV was completely inactivated at 3% phenol, while at 1 and 2% it maintained its infectivity. The virucidal efficiency of chlorine was detected at 20 mg/l, while at 5 and 10 mg/l, the titer was decreased by 0.86 and 6.19 log10TCID50/ml, respectively. Iodine at all measured concentrations did not show a complete ability to fully integrate HAV. Conclusion: HAV is very stable and somewhat resistant to environmental influences, acidic pH, high temperature and chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of disinfectants, particularly those containing quaternary ammonium compounds (QUACs), has dramatically escalated globally since the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We report a case that highlights the risks associated with ingesting low-concentration QUAC solutions and emphasize the importance of effective management in resolving severe lesions without sequelae. A 17-month-old boy experienced severe respiratory failure after ingesting a disinfectant containing benzalkonium chloride (BAC). The child was initially treated at a local emergency department and was subsequently transferred to a pediatric poison center. Upon evaluation, the child was found to have grade III-A corrosive esophageal lesions and chemical pneumonitis. Several complications, including massive pneumothorax and candidemia, occurred during the clinical course of the disease. However, with timely medical intervention and appropriate supportive care, the patient completely recovered without any long-term sequelae. The properties of BAC and the comprehensive management approach may have been responsible for the patient's full recovery, despite the potentially life-threatening effects of ingesting disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: It is widely understood that transportation vehicles can serve as potential vectors of pathogen transmission within swine production systems for pathogens of concern such as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The objective of this experiment was to evaluate several decontamination methods for the mitigation of PEDV and PRRSV within truck cabs. A total of three full-sized truck cabs were modified for use in a BSL-2 research facility with multiple surface types including fabric, rubber, and plastic. Surfaces were inoculated with either PEDV alone, PRRSV alone, PEDV + an organic matter mixture of feces and dirt, or PRRSV + organic mixture. Practical decontamination methods were then applied using a pump sprayer or Hurricane fogger system, or a commercially available gaseous chlorine dioxide system. Several differences were observed within the different combinations of disinfectants and surfaces, indicating that under the conditions of this study, the ability of different disinfectants to reduce the detection of PEDV and PRRSV genetic materials differed depending on the surface being evaluated. In general, most disinfectant applications were only able to reduce the quantity of detectable virus but not completely eliminate it from the surface. This experiment aimed to evaluate commercially available disinfectants and their application methods against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) on truck cab surfaces. Plastic, fabric, and rubber surfaces inoculated with PEDV or PRRSV were placed in a full-scale truck cab and then treated with one of eight randomly assigned disinfectant treatments. After application, surfaces were environmentally sampled with cotton gauze and tested for PEDV and PRRSV using qPCR duplex analysis. There was a disinfectant × surface interaction (p < 0.0001), indicating a detectable amount of PEDV or PRRSV RNA was impacted by disinfectant treatment and surface material. For rubber surfaces, 10% bleach application had lower detectable amounts of RNA compared to all other treatments (p < 0.05) except Intervention via misting fumigation, which was intermediate. In both fabric and plastic surfaces, there was no evidence (p > 0.05) of a difference in detectable RNA between disinfectant treatments. For disinfectant treatments, fabric surfaces with no chemical treatment had less detectable viral RNA compared to the corresponding plastic and rubber (p < 0.05). Intervention applied via pump sprayer to fabric surfaces had less detectable viral RNA than plastic (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 10% bleach applied via pump sprayer to fabric and rubber surfaces had less detectable viral RNA than plastic (p < 0.05). Also, a 10 h downtime, with no chemical application or gaseous fumigation for 10 h, applied to fabric surfaces had less detectable viral RNA than other surfaces (p < 0.05). Sixteen treatments were evaluated via swine bioassay, but all samples failed to produce infectivity. In summary, commercially available disinfectants successfully reduced detectable viral RNA on surfaces but did not eliminate viral genetic material, highlighting the importance of bioexclusion of pathogens of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The non-toxigenic M. wesenbergii FACHB-908 was more sensitive to C 14 -benzalkonium chloride (BAC-14) than the two toxigenic M. aeruginosa. • Photosynthetic and metabolic responses showed higher sensitivity to BAC-14 than growth inhibition. • BAC-14 specific responses in glycerophospholipid metabolism, synchronized by dysregulation of energy metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis. • BAC-14 induced elevation of extracellular microcystin contents in the absence of growth inhibition of the two toxigenic Microcystis. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are commonly used in a variety of consumer and commercial products, typically as a component of disinfectants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, QACs became one of the primary agents utilized to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces. However, the ecotoxicological effects of QACs upon aquatic organisms have not been fully assessed. In this study, we examined the effects of a widely used QAC (benzalkonium chloride-C 14 , BAC-14) on two toxigenic Microcystis strains and one non-toxigenic freshwater Microcystis strain and carried out an analysis focused on primary, adaptive and compensatory stress responses at apical (growth and photosynthesis) and metabolic levels. This analysis revealed that the two toxic Microcystis strains were more tolerant than the non-toxic strain, with 96 hr-EC 50 values of 0.70, 0.76, and 0.38 mg/L BAC-14 for toxigenic M. aeruginosa FACHB-905, toxigenic M. aeruginosa FACHB-469, and non-toxigenic M. wesenbergii FACHB-908, respectively. The photosynthetic activities of the Microcystis , assessed via F v /F m values, were significantly suppressed under 0.4 mg/L BAC-14. Furthermore, this analysis revealed that BAC-14 altered 14, 12, and 8 metabolic pathways in M. aeruginosa FACHB-905, M. aeruginosa FACHB-469, and M. wesenbergii FACHB-908, respectively. It is noteworthy that BAC-14 enhanced the level of extracellular microcystin production in the toxigenic Microcystis strains , although cell growth was not significantly affected. Collectively, these data show that BAC-14 disrupted the physiological and metabolic status of Microcystis cells and stimulated the production and release of microcystin, which could result in damage to aquatic systems. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread fear of infection, with many people expanding their use of cleaning products and trying unproven prevention and treatment strategies. We described shifts in reported exposures related to COVID-19 home interventions. Methods: This study considered suspected toxicity exposures involving household cleaning products (bleach, peroxide, disinfectants), antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine), and ivermectin reported to the California Poison Control System from 2015 through 2021 and assessed trends in exposures by using interrupted time-series analyses. Results: We found a significant increase in exposures reported to the California Poison Control System related to household cleaning products and ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of January 1, 2015, the baseline level of reported exposures to household cleaning products was 707.33 per month and was declining at a rate of 1.71 (95% CI, –2.87 to –0.56) per month through February 29, 2020. In March 2020, an increase of 466.57 (95% CI, 328.08-605.07) reported exposures above baseline occurred, after which exposures to cleaning products decreased at a rate of 23.40 (95% CI, –32.48 to –14.32) per month. The number of reported exposures to antimalarials did not change significantly before or during the pandemic. The number of reported ivermectin exposures before December 2020 was initially stable at 14.50 per month and then increased by 2.05 per month through December 2021. Conclusions: Our observations suggest that while some dangerous home prevention and treatment efforts resolve over time, further interventions may be needed to reduce the public health effects related to attempts to self-treat COVID-19 with ivermectin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commonly used polymeric disinfectants, didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) and polyethylene glycol monoalkyl ether (GEN) can drift with water vapor and aerosols, although they are not volatile. When they present in aerosols, their amines have justified to irritate the respiratory organs of humans. But, when they are not in breading air they stay on surfaces due to absorption and accumulation when temperature and moisture of the environment are low. The paper presents a new approach to determine disinfectants in alkaline tetraborate solution using capillary electrophoresis with direct UV detection. DDAC and GEN were investigated to move from surfaces to aerosol. The studied compounds were quantitatively analyzed at low concentrations (1-10 ng ml-1 with RSD 2%) to prevent micelle formation and to guarantee the method specificity. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.006 and 0.018 ng ml-1, and 1.0 and 3.84 ng ml-1 for DDAC and GEN, respectively. They both were studied from 46 samples collected from two school environments which were daily washed with the commercial chemicals. The results showed that concentrations of these biocide-type disinfectants were between 2.5-1029 ng ml-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutaraldehyde is a high-efficiency disinfectant that has been included in the protocols of some hospitals for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2, together with sodium hypochlorite and quaternary ammonium disinfectants. However, exposure has been poorly studied in workplace settings, despite the association between glutaraldehyde and respiratory diseases and skin conditions in exposed workers. This study evaluated the magnitude of exposure associated with the use of glutaraldehyde in healthcare workers across various work areas of a first level of Hospital-Based Care in Colombia. Workers were classified into similar exposure groups (SEGs) based on work areas and tasks performed, and airborne concentrations of glutaraldehyde were measured in different work areas of each SEG through direct monitoring. The 95th percentile of glutaraldehyde concentrations in all SEGs studied exceeded the TLV-C immediately after use. Cleaning workers and nurses had the highest exposures to glutaraldehyde. Results indicate that workers were overexposed and highlight the need to implement controls to reduce exposure. The high-exposure levels also raise the need to consider glutaraldehyde substitution and adequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]