Disinfection News and Research

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Hospital sinks fuel antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control reports the infection prevention steps taken to control a months-long multispecies outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales that occurred in a pediatric ward at the Toho University Omori Medical Center in Tokyo in 2017.

12 Apr 2024

Research highlights health risks posed by 2,6-DHNPs in drinking water

2,6-DHNPs, a group of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), are raising alarm bells for public health. These bad actors in the water world are tougher and more toxic than many other pollutants, making it hard for typical water cleaning methods to get rid of them.

29 Mar 2024

Harnessing artificial intelligence to enhance infectious disease outbreak investigations

A new research review to be given at a pre-congress day for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) will highlight the potential artificial intelligence (AI) has to improve the speed and accuracy of investigations into infectious disease outbreaks in hospitals, and potentially provide real time information to stop or prevent them.

27 Feb 2024

Naturally-occurring material is an effective disinfectant for contact lenses, study suggests

A new study suggests a naturally-occurring material is an effective disinfectant for contact lenses, worn by millions of people worldwide.

7 Feb 2024

Does closing the toilet lid before flushing prevent viral contamination?

A study in the American Journal of Infection Control reveals that closing the toilet lid before flushing does not significantly reduce the risk of bathroom surface contamination, highlighting the importance of regular disinfection for preventing the spread of pathogens.

25 Jan 2024

Hospital surfaces harbor pathogens despite cleaning, study finds

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) reports microbial contamination -; including pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria -; on high-touch hospital surfaces despite compliance with recommended disinfection protocols.

11 Jan 2024

Research reveals how light can help destroy infectious coronavirus particles

New research has revealed how light can be used to destroy infectious coronavirus particles that contaminate surfaces.

10 Jan 2024

First study to report isolation of M. saskatchewanense from medical devices

Researchers reported the first isolation of M. saskatchewanense from medical-grade equipment.

12 Dec 2023

Chlorine-releasing agents in clinical settings fail to combat Clostridioides difficile spores

The current study highlights the resistance of C. difficile spores to chlorine-releasing agents.

29 Nov 2023

Study demonstrates prolonged persistence of enteroviruses on commonly encountered surfaces

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious disease that mainly affects young children in the Asia-Pacific region.

23 Nov 2023

Information sources shape infection-preventive behavior during pandemic and beyond

When making important decisions about disease prevention, who do you listen to? Medical institutions? Or perhaps the people around you? Your answer might reveal more about your personal circumstances than you would expect.

20 Nov 2023

Fresh risks in ready-to-eat produce: Study reveals how common pathogens lurk in our salads

This research paper delves into the risks of contamination in ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables by enteric pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. It also explores the contamination sources and plant-pathogen interactions, emphasizing the importance of improved safety measures in the food supply chain.

6 Nov 2023

Healthcare settings and mpox transmission: Understanding the risk factors

The stability of the monkeypox (Mpox) virus in various surroundings and bodily fluid.

12 Oct 2023

Disinfectants used in food production may exacerbate antibiotic resistance

Yes, say researchers - who suspect that disinfectants used in food production may in fact be exacerbating a global public health problem.

5 Oct 2023

Strict pandemic-related IPC interventions reduced healthcare-associated infection rates, study shows

A new study conducted by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center suggests that enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC) measures implemented to address the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a significant decrease in many healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and a reduction in respiratory viral infections (RVIs).

5 Oct 2023

Analyzing longitudinal genomic surveillance of carriage intensive care unit

Hospital staff spend a significant amount of time working to protect patients from acquiring infections while they are being cared for in the hospital.

19 Sep 2023

New hygiene product boosts natural hand barrier against contact infection

Contact infection is among the most common ways pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, spread from one person to another. Hand washing and disinfection are important hygiene practices to minimize the probability of catching infectious diseases.

8 Sep 2023

RSV can be life-threatening for some people: Study

Every year, respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) cause countless respiratory infections worldwide. For infants, young children and people with preexisting conditions, the virus can be life-threatening.

4 Sep 2023

Patients with heart conditions should practice good hygiene to prevent infective endocarditis

Patients with specific cardiac conditions such as valvular heart disease and congenital abnormalities, or those requiring a pacemaker, should practice good dental and skin hygiene to help prevent rare but potentially deadly infections of the heart's inner lining and valves, according to European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on infective endocarditis, published online today in European Heart Journal.

25 Aug 2023

Wristbands can harbor harmful bacteria, study finds

The COVID-19 pandemic took disinfecting to new heights. Now, a new study examining a commonly used item might convince you not to let your guard down just yet.

16 Aug 2023