A methodology for using Lambda phages as a proxy for pathogen transmission in hospitals

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant risk to hospitalized patients.
• Identifying pathogen sources and transmission routes is crucial for effective infection control.
• Current methods for monitoring pathogen spread require enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel method utilizing bacteriophage Lambda (λ) for tracking pathogen transmission in healthcare settings.
• To evaluate the efficacy of infection control procedures in simulated hospital environments.
• To identify sources and transmission dynamics of microbial contamination.

Main Methods:

• Genetically marked bacteriophage Lambda (λ) were inoculated onto simulated contamination hotspots on mannequins.
• Healthcare workers (HCWs) performed patient care tasks in a simulated room, with samples collected from HCWs and surfaces.
• Disinfection efficacy was assessed, and phage presence, identity, and density were analyzed post-simulation.

Main Results:

• The bacteriophage Lambda (λ) method successfully identified contamination sources and quantified transmission linked to HCW practices.
• This technique allowed for standardized, simultaneous tracking of multiple contaminants during patient care simulations.
• Bacteriophage Lambda (λ) proved susceptible to hospital disinfectants, enabling accurate evaluation of transmission dynamics.

Conclusions:

• The bacteriophage Lambda (λ) method offers a robust approach for evaluating infection prevention strategies and understanding pathogen spread.
• This technique can be adapted to identify microbial contamination sources and transmission in diverse settings beyond healthcare.
• The study highlights the utility of bacteriophages as biological surrogates for monitoring and controlling infectious agents.