Infection control strategy by killing drug-resistant bacteria

摘要: Persistent outbreaks of bacterial infections have puzzled the scientific community and generated significant public interest. For example, if you type ‘outbreaks infections’, in Google UK, more than 8 610 000 hits/websites appear, while pubmed search results 143 879 articles. Despite use resources (human/financial) to eradicate this menace, we are witnessing a worsening trend emergence superbugs is leading us pre-antibiotic era. methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection rates New South Wales hospitals early 2000s led high-profile ‘hand-washing’ hygiene campaign that seemed achieve results. However, latest hospital appear higher they were after campaign, despite claims by health officials hand-washing targets met. Recent data shows staff treated 730 cases MRSA first four months 2012, up from 597 2011.1 Superbug thought be contracted mainly during stays. Bacterial outbreaks, alarmingly, however, appearing community, people who not been hospitalized or had medical procedure performed recently, do immune deficiency. Because rising trends schools places being shut down on regular basis followed rigorous disinfection.2–4 Centers for Disease Control Prevention estimates 12% now community-associated, which rise compared healthcare-associated infections. An example community-associated was seen June when an outbreak Legionnaires’ disease reported Edinburgh, distillery shutting its cooling towers. The number deadly stands at 95 people; two died so far.5 Although measures such as hand washing/use disinfectants combat implemented, still rise. Perhaps, major factor deterring our success preventing spread these fatal hospitals, nursing homes, inability correctly identify source/host infectious agents. Being free-living amoeba, Acanthamoeba most ubiquitous protist can harbour viruses, bacteria, yeast, protist, termed Trojan horse microbial world.6 This symbiotic nature unclear but may enable pathogens survive hostile conditions disinfectants, lead their transmission individuals establish infection. Ability pathogenic bacteria Legionella multiply inside Acanthamoeba7 suggests amoeba acts only vector also reservoir. development preventative/therapeutic cases, no longer focus single aetiological agent, where link between exposure clearly defined. On contrary, should considered having multiple confounding factors, with different aetiologies specific subpopulations understand dynamics outbreaks. Based observations, it tempting speculate targeting host harbours ‘superbugs’ effective strategy fight against diseases, requires further research. Similarly, water-borne diseases recognized threat sustainable human development. over 30 million globally each year associated poor water hygiene.8 Improving sanitation supply has produced tremendous benefits developed world nonetheless situation developing countries remained dire. In majority countries, chlorination measure undertaken protect drinking supplies contamination, albeit intermittent. Additionally consumers boil added precaution. Moreover, boiling consumer, recreational resulting serious infections, including gastroenteritis, paralysis, meningitis, hepatitis, respiratory illness, diarrhoea, especially countries. instance, diarrhoea regarded cause morbidity mortality children Africa Asia.9,10 city Karachi alone, 20 die annually, deaths waterborne pathogens. Among others, include cholera, enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, viral bacillary dysentery, typhoid, campylobacteriosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, legionellosis. fragility fastidious several harsh environmental unclear, let alone withstand disinfection strategies water. To end, lines evidence suggest cysts highly resistant chlorine remain viable even (reviewed in6) making ineffective. It plausible provide shelter allow susceptible population. Thus imperative alternative anti-amoebic tactics, addition disinfection, employed target ‘terror cells’ prove preventative measure. Storage, sedimentation, coagulation, flocculation, filtration water, prior will reducing content flora germs-infested amoebae, supplies. Ground extracted deep wells usually free microbes, surface obtained shallow need disinfected. None methods, guarantee complete removal germ-ridden amoebae. Routine monitoring changes presence application various treatments, essential safeguard domestic systems account 50% global child mortality.9,10 Future research needed determine efficacy proposition add line defence schools, systems.