Traditional vs Innovative Sanitizers: In Vitro and In Situ Challenge in Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Public Health
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria present a significant global public health challenge.
• Disinfectants are crucial for controlling pathogen spread in healthcare and industrial settings.
• Evaluating disinfectant efficacy against diverse bacterial species is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of 10 active ingredients against 11 bacterial species.
• To assess disinfectant efficacy in vitro and in situ on hospital surfaces.
• To elucidate the mechanism of action of promising compounds on Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA).

Main Methods:

• Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) testing.
• In vitro and in situ disinfectant efficiency assays.
• Metabolomic analysis to determine mechanisms of action.

Main Results:

• Bacterial resistance varied, with PA showing resistance to 70% of tested ingredients.
• Peracetic acid, chlorhexidine digluconate, and neem extract demonstrated rapid bactericidal activity.
• Several disinfectants, including natural compounds like neem extract, showed significant bacterial reduction in vitro and on surfaces.
• Metabolomic analysis revealed distinct metabolic alterations in MRSA and PA.

Conclusions:

• Disinfectant efficacy varies significantly against MDR bacteria.
• Natural compounds like neem extract show promise as alternatives to traditional disinfectants.
• Evaluating practical efficacy in situ is vital for effective infection control strategies.