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The Dienes effect as an epidemiological tool in a paraplegic unit
R Herruzo-Cabrera1, J Garcia-Caballero, M J Medrano-Albero
1Preventive Medicine Service La Paz Medical Center, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
The authors study the Dienes effect in 136 P.mirabilis and 2 P.vulgaris strains, isolated from different infection or colonization sites, in 27 spinal cord injured patients, admitted to a Paraplegic Unit, during a 9 month period. It is shown that 7 cross-infection and 18 cross-contamination episodes occurred, affecting 13 of 27 patients, which indicates the great spreading capacity of these microorganisms; 97% of the results obtained were observed once again after 6 months' storage of strains. In addition, in 7 of these strains their resistance to several antibiotics was cured by treating them with acriflavine salts, demonstrating that the Dienes effect persists even when resistance to antibiotics is modified; the authors conclude that the Dienes effect is an accurate stable epidemiological tool to identify cross-infections and its origins, and to facilitate the interruption of the chain of infection.
Insights
The Dienes effect reliably identifies microbial cross-infections and contamination in hospitals. This stable epidemiological tool helps track and stop infection spread, even when antibiotic resistance changes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cross-infections and cross-contaminations pose significant risks in healthcare settings, particularly for vulnerable patient populations.
- Understanding microbial transmission dynamics is crucial for effective infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Dienes effect as a stable epidemiological tool for identifying cross-infections and cross-contaminations.
- To assess the persistence of the Dienes effect in microbial strains, even after modifications in antibiotic resistance.
Main Methods:
- The Dienes effect was studied in 136 P.mirabilis strains and 2 P.vulgaris strains from spinal cord-injured patients.
- Microbial strains were isolated from various infection and colonization sites over a 9-month period.
- Antibiotic resistance modification was induced using acriflavine salts to test the Dienes effect's stability.
Main Results:
- Seven cross-infection and 18 cross-contamination episodes were identified, affecting 13 out of 27 patients.
- The Dienes effect demonstrated high stability, with 97% of results reproducible after 6 months of strain storage.
- The Dienes effect persisted in 7 strains even after their antibiotic resistance was altered by acriflavine treatment.
Conclusions:
- The Dienes effect is a reliable and stable epidemiological marker for detecting cross-infections and their sources.
- This method aids in interrupting the chain of infection within healthcare environments.
- The persistence of the Dienes effect highlights its utility irrespective of changes in microbial antibiotic resistance profiles.