Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Automated Hospital Room Disinfection Utilizing a Novel Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Microdroplet Disbursing Technology
06:27

Automated Hospital Room Disinfection Utilizing a Novel Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Microdroplet Disbursing Technology

Published on: February 24, 2026

Air ionisation and colonisation/infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter species

Kevin G Kerr1,2, Clive B Beggs3, Stephen G Dean4

  • 1Aerobiological Research Group, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. kevin.kerr@hdft.nhs.uk.

Intensive Care Medicine
|January 25, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Negative air ionizers reduced Acinetobacter infections in intensive care units but did not affect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization. Further research is needed to confirm these findings for infection control.

Area of Science:

  • Infection Control
  • Environmental Health
  • Medical Microbiology

Background:

  • Intensive care units (ICUs) face significant challenges with multidrug-resistant organisms.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Acinetobacter species are common ICU pathogens.
  • Environmental control measures are crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of negative air ionizers in reducing colonization and infection rates of MRSA and Acinetobacter species in an ICU setting.
  • To assess the impact of environmental modification on pathogen transmission within a critical care environment.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, single-centre, cross-over study was conducted in an adult general ICU.
  • Negative air ionizers were introduced after an initial 5-month control period.
  • Data on MRSA and Acinetobacter colonization/infection were collected from 201 patients over 10.5 months.

Main Results:

  • A significant reduction in Acinetobacter cases was observed after ionizer implementation (11 to 2, p=0.007).
  • No significant change in MRSA colonization or infection rates was detected during the intervention period compared to the control period.
  • The study highlights a potential environmental intervention for specific bacterial infections.

Conclusions:

  • Negative air ionizers may play a role in preventing Acinetobacter infections in ICUs.
  • The effectiveness of ionizers against MRSA requires further investigation.
  • Environmental interventions show promise for targeted pathogen control in critical care settings.

More Related Videos

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes03:53

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes

Published on: April 19, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...