We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Excessive Hygiene Drives Microbial Resistance to Antibiotics

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Mar 2019
Print article
A new study claims that the loss of microbial diversity in healthcare facilities due to robust cleaning and hygiene measures correlates with an increase in resistance.

Researchers at Graz University of Technology (TUGraz; Austria), Ben-Gurion University (BGU; Beer Sheva, Israel), and other institutions conducted a study designed to compare the microbiota present on surfaces of clinical settings (strong microbial control) with other built environments (weak microbial control). Microbiome and resistome flora were therefore measured at the intensive care unit (ICU) at University Hospital Graz (Austria), in clean rooms subject to strong microbial control in the aerospace industry, and public and private buildings, which have hardly any microbial controls at all.

Using state-of-the-art metagenomics approaches and genome and plasmid reconstruction, the researchers found that increased confinement and cleaning is associated with a loss of microbial diversity and a shift from Gram-positive bacteria, such as Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, to Gram-negative such as Proteobacteria. Moreover, the microbiome of highly maintained built environments has a different resistome when compared to other built environments, as well as a higher diversity in resistance genes.

“In environments with strong microbial control in the intensive care unit and industrially used clean rooms, there are increasing antibiotic resistances which show a high potential for combining with pathogens,” said lead author Alexander Mahnert, PhD, of the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology (IEB) at TU Graz. “Our results highlight that the loss of microbial diversity correlates with an increase in resistance, and the need for implementing strategies to restore bacterial diversity in certain built environments.”

“The results indicate that a stable microbial diversity in clinical areas counteracts the spread of resistances. Microbial control of pathogens is already being successfully used in cultivated plants and also in humans in the framework of stool transplantation,” concluded senior author Gabriele Berg, PhD, director of IEB. “Our study provides an initial foundation to pursue such ideas in indoor areas in the future. Regular airing, houseplants, the deliberate use of useful microorganisms, and the reduction of antibacterial cleaning agents could be the first strategies in maintaining or improving microbial diversity.”

Global urbanization, beginning at the turn of the 19th century, has resulted in reduced exposure to so-called 'friendly' microbes, which stimulate the immune system, due to diminishing contact with animals, feces, and soil. Other aspects of modern life, such as antibiotics, sanitation, clean drinking water, paved roads, and so on, also lead to lower rates of exposure to these microorganisms. The lack of microbe and bacterial contact can lead to insufficient development of the white blood cells that defend the body against infection, particularly T-cells.

Related Links:
Graz University of Technology
Ben-Gurion University

Gold Member
Real-Time Diagnostics Onscreen Viewer
GEMweb Live
Gold Member
Solid State Kv/Dose Multi-Sensor
AGMS-DM+
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer
Aerogen Solo

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: NTT and Olympus have begun the world\'s first joint demonstration experiment of a cloud endoscopy system (Photo courtesy of Olympus)

Cloud Endoscopy System Enables Real-Time Image Processing on the Cloud

Endoscopes, which are flexible tubes inserted into the body's natural openings for internal examination and biopsy collection, are becoming increasingly vital in medical diagnostics. Their minimal invasiveness... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The PATHFAST hs-cTnI-II high-sensitivity troponin assay has been developed for the PATHFAST Biomarker Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Polymedco)

POC Myocardial Infarction Test Delivers Results in 17 Minutes

Chest pain is the second leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits by adults in the United States, generating over 7 million visits annually. In the event of a suspected heart attack, physicians... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.