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Genes Dec 2022Pathogenic bacteria and viruses in medical environments can lead to treatment complications and hospital-acquired infections. Current disinfection protocols do not...
Pathogenic bacteria and viruses in medical environments can lead to treatment complications and hospital-acquired infections. Current disinfection protocols do not address hard-to-access areas or may be beyond line-of-sight treatment, such as with ultraviolet radiation. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscores the demand for reliable and effective disinfection methods to sterilize a wide array of surfaces and to keep up with the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). We tested the efficacy of Sani Sport ozone devices to treat hospital equipment and surfaces for killing , , , and by assessing Colony Forming Units (CFUs) after 30 min, 1 h, and 2 h of ozone treatment. Further gene expression analysis was conducted on live immediately post treatment to understand the oxidative damage stress response transcriptome profile. Ozone treatment was also used to degrade synthetic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA as assessed by qPCR CT values. We observed significant and rapid killing of medically relevant and environmental bacteria across four surfaces (blankets, catheter, remotes, and syringes) within 30 min, and up to a 99% reduction in viable bacteria at the end of 2 h treatment cycles. RNA-seq analysis of revealed 447 differentially expressed genes in response to ozone treatment and an enrichment for oxidative stress response and related pathways. RNA degradation of synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA was seen an hour into ozone treatment as compared to non-treated controls, and a non-replicative form of the virus was shown to have significant RNA degradation at 30 min. These results show the strong promise of ozone treatment of surfaces for reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections and as a method for degradation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; RNA, Viral; Disinfection; Ozone; Escherichia coli; Pandemics; Ultraviolet Rays; Bacteria; Cross Infection
PubMed: 36672826
DOI: 10.3390/genes14010085 -
ACS Omega Nov 2022With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a global incentive for applying environmentally sustainable and rapid sterilization methods, such as...
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a global incentive for applying environmentally sustainable and rapid sterilization methods, such as ultraviolet-C radiation (UVC) and ozonation. Material sterilization is a requirement for a variety of industries, including food, water treatment, clothing, healthcare, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals. It becomes inevitable when devices and items like protective equipment are to be reused on/by different persons. This study presents novel findings on the performance of these sterilization methods using four microorganisms ( and ) and six material substrates (stainless steel, polymethyl methacrylate, copper, surgical facemask, denim, and a cotton-polyester fabric). The combination of both ozone and UVC generally yields improved performance compared to their respective applications for the range of materials and microorganisms considered. Furthermore, the effectiveness of both UVC and ozone was higher when the fungi utilized were smeared onto the nonabsorbent materials than when 10 μL droplets were placed on the material surfaces. This dependence on the contaminating liquid surface area was not exhibited by the bacteria. This study highlights the necessity of adequate UVC and ozone dosage control as well as their synergistic and multifunctional attributes when sterilizing different materials contaminated with a wide range of microorganisms.
PubMed: 36467929
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c05264 -
Journal of Applied Microbiology Jul 2018Despite the constant development of novel thermal and nonthermal technologies, knowledge on the mechanisms of microbial inactivation is still very limited. Technologies... (Review)
Review
Despite the constant development of novel thermal and nonthermal technologies, knowledge on the mechanisms of microbial inactivation is still very limited. Technologies such as high pressure, ultraviolet light, pulsed light, ozone, power ultrasound and cold plasma (advanced oxidation processes) have shown promising results for inactivation of micro-organisms. The efficacy of inactivation is greatly enhanced by combination of conventional (thermal) with nonthermal, or nonthermal with another nonthermal technique. The key advantages offered by nonthermal processes in combination with sublethal mild temperature (<60°C) can inactivate micro-organisms synergistically. Microbial cells, when subjected to environmental stress, can be either injured or killed. In some cases, cells are believed to be inactivated, but may only be sublethally injured leading to their recovery or, if the injury is lethal, to cell death. It is of major concern when micro-organisms adapt to stress during processing. If the cells adapt to a certain stress, it is associated with enhanced protection against other subsequent stresses. One of the most striking problems during inactivation of micro-organisms is spores. They are the most resistant form of microbial cells and relatively difficult to inactivate by common inactivation techniques, including heat sterilization, radiation, oxidizing agents and various chemicals. Various novel nonthermal processing technologies, alone or in combination, have shown potential for vegetative cells and spores inactivation. Predictive microbiology can be used to focus on the quantitative description of the microbial behaviour in food products, for a given set of environmental conditions.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Food Irradiation; Food Microbiology; Hot Temperature; Microbial Viability; Plasma Gases; Pressure; Sterilization; Stress, Physiological; Ultrasonics
PubMed: 29502355
DOI: 10.1111/jam.13751 -
New Biotechnology Jan 2022The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a major need for non-destructive and environmentally friendly disinfection methods. This work presents the development and testing of...
The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a major need for non-destructive and environmentally friendly disinfection methods. This work presents the development and testing of a disinfection process based on gaseous ozone for SARS-CoV-2-contaminated porous and non-porous surfaces. A newly developed disinfection chamber was used, equipped with a CeraPlas™ cold plasma generator that produces ozone during plasma ignition. A reduction of more than log 6 of infectious virus could be demonstrated for virus-contaminated cotton and FFP3 face masks as well as glass slides after exposure to 800 ppm ozone for 10-60 min, depending on the material. In contrast to other disinfectants, ozone can be produced quickly and cost-effectively, and its environmentally friendly breakdown product oxygen does not leave harmful residues. Disinfection with ozone could help to overcome delivery difficulties of personal protective equipment by enabling safe reuse with further applications, thereby reducing waste generation, and may allow regular disinfection of personal items with non-porous surfaces.
Topics: Disinfection; Equipment Contamination; Masks; Ozone; Porosity; SARS-CoV-2; Virus Inactivation
PubMed: 34626837
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2021.10.001 -
Chirurgie (Heidelberg, Germany) Jun 2022Surgery as an important part of the healthcare sector contributes to environmental pollution and therefore to the climate crisis. The aim of this review is to create an... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Surgery as an important part of the healthcare sector contributes to environmental pollution and therefore to the climate crisis. The aim of this review is to create an overview of the current data situation and possibilities for improvement.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE using the following five terms: "carbon footprint and surgery", "climate change and surgery", "waste and surgery" and "greening the operating room" focusing on energy, waste, water and anesthesia.
RESULTS
The greatest part of emissions in surgery is generated by the use of energy. The operating rooms (OR) need 3-6 times more energy than the other hospital rooms. Of the total hospital waste 20-30% is produced during operations, which is particularly due to the increasing use of disposable articles and 50-90% of waste classified as hazardous is incorrectly sorted. The disposal of this waste is not only more environmentally harmful but also much more expensive. The processing of surgical items by autoclaving consumes large amounts of water. Modern sterilization methods, for example using plasma could be future alternatives. Up to 20% of volatile nonmetabolized anesthetic agents are vented into the stratosphere and destroy the ozone layer. Intravenous anesthetic drugs should be used whenever possible instead. The choice of operating method can also contribute to the environmental impact of an operation.
CONCLUSION
The surgical disciplines are a relevant producer of environmental pollutants. Through diverse interdisciplinary approaches surgery can also contribute to protecting the environment.
Topics: Carbon Footprint; Climate Change; Global Warming; Operating Rooms; Water
PubMed: 35138418
DOI: 10.1007/s00104-021-01551-1 -
Medical Gas Research 2019Ozone is emerging as a new adjunct therapeutic agent for female infertility. We here present a review of the literature, to date, pertaining to the effect of ozone... (Review)
Review
Ozone is emerging as a new adjunct therapeutic agent for female infertility. We here present a review of the literature, to date, pertaining to the effect of ozone therapy on tubal, ovarian, endometrial, and vaginal factors that could potentially affect female fertility. It also presents data pertaining to the relationship of ozone therapy on pelvic adhesion formation. Most data were performed on animals and very few human studies existed in the literature. Results suggested that ozone therapy could have beneficial effect on tubal occlusion, could protect from endometritis and vaginitis, might protect ovaries from ischemia and oocyte loss and finally might lead to less formation of pelvic adhesions. There is a critical need for human studies pertaining to ozone therapy, especially using safe methods of administration, such as transdermally or intravaginally, on female fertility.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Endometritis; Fallopian Tube Diseases; Female; Humans; Infections; Infertility, Female; Ozone; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PubMed: 31249259
DOI: 10.4103/2045-9912.260652 -
PloS One 2016In the last years, nanostructured biomaterials have raised a great interest as platforms for delivery of drugs, genes, imaging agents and for tissue engineering...
In the last years, nanostructured biomaterials have raised a great interest as platforms for delivery of drugs, genes, imaging agents and for tissue engineering applications. In particular, hydrogel nanoparticles (HNP) associate the distinctive features of hydrogels (high water uptake capacity, biocompatibility) with the advantages of being possible to tailor its physicochemical properties at nano-scale to increase solubility, immunocompatibility and cellular uptake. In order to be safe, HNP for biomedical applications, such as injectable or ophthalmic formulations, must be sterile. Literature is very scarce with respect to sterilization effects on nanostructured systems, and even more in what concerns HNP. This work aims to evaluate the effect and effectiveness of different sterilization methods on chitosan (CS) hydrogel nanoparticles. In addition to conventional methods (steam autoclave and gamma irradiation), a recent ozone-based method of sterilization was also tested. A model chitosan-tripolyphosphate (TPP) hydrogel nanoparticles (CS-HNP), with a broad spectrum of possible applications was produced and sterilized in the absence and in the presence of protective sugars (glucose and mannitol). Properties like size, zeta potential, absorbance, morphology, chemical structure and cytotoxicity were evaluated. It was found that the CS-HNP degrade by autoclaving and that sugars have no protective effect. Concerning gamma irradiation, the formation of agglomerates was observed, compromising the suspension stability. However, the nanoparticles resistance increases considerably in the presence of the sugars. Ozone sterilization did not lead to significant physical adverse effects, however, slight toxicity signs were observed, contrarily to gamma irradiation where no detectable changes on cells were found. Ozonation in the presence of sugars avoided cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, some chemical alterations were observed in the nanoparticles.
Topics: Animals; Carbohydrates; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Chitosan; Electric Conductivity; Gamma Rays; Hot Temperature; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanoparticles; Ozone; Particle Size; Protective Agents; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Sterilization
PubMed: 28002493
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168862 -
Revista Da Escola de Enfermagem Da U S P Oct 2011The objective of this integrative literature review was to find evidence to support using ozone as a sterilizing agent for health products. The search was performed on... (Review)
Review
The objective of this integrative literature review was to find evidence to support using ozone as a sterilizing agent for health products. The search was performed on the following bases: MEDLINE, SCOPUS, COCHRANE, COMPENDEX, INSPEC and ENGINEERING RESEARCH DATABASE; using ozone and sterilization as descriptors. Five articles were found between 1990 and 2008, which tested ozone as a sterilizer. All studies used the same type of investigation (experimental laboratory study) and achieved sterilization with ozone, but with different scopes and products, besides using different methodological procedures. Considering the ever-growing technology for new products, with the vast range of forms and materials, the findings point at ozone sterilization as a promising method, but still in an initial phase of investigation. Further experimental studies are needed to provide broader evidence regarding the possibilities and limitations of ozone sterilization.
Topics: Ozone; Sterilization
PubMed: 22031389
DOI: 10.1590/s0080-62342011000500030 -
Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Jun 2018The decontamination procedure is a challenging aspect of surgical regenerative therapy (SRT) of peri-implantitis that affects its success. The purpose of the present...
PURPOSE
The decontamination procedure is a challenging aspect of surgical regenerative therapy (SRT) of peri-implantitis that affects its success. The purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of additional topical gaseous ozone therapy on the decontamination of implant surfaces in SRT of peri-implantitis.
METHODS
A total of 41 patients (22 males, 19 females; mean age, 53.55±8.98 years) with moderate or advanced peri-implantitis were randomly allocated to the test group (ozone group) with the use of sterile saline with additional ozone therapy or the control group with sterile saline alone for decontamination of the implant surfaces in SRT of peri-implantitis. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated over a period of 12 months.
RESULTS
At the 12-month follow-up, the plaque and gingival index values were significantly better in the ozone group (<0.05). Probing depth decreased from 6.27±1.42 mm and 5.73±1.11 mm at baseline to 2.75±0.7 mm and 3.34±0.85 mm at the end of the 12-month observation period in the ozone and control groups, respectively. Similarly, the clinical attachment level values changed from 6.39±1.23 mm and 5.89±1.23 mm at baseline to 3.23±1.24 mm and 3.91±1.36 mm at the 12-month follow-up in the ozone and control groups, respectively. According to the radiographic evidence, the defect fill between baseline and 12 months postoperatively was 2.32±1.28 mm in the ozone group and 1.17±0.77 mm in the control group, which was a statistically significant between-group difference (<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Implant surface decontamination with the additional use of ozone therapy in SRT of peri-implantitis showed clinically and radiographically significant. Trial registry at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03018795.
PubMed: 29984044
DOI: 10.5051/jpis.2018.48.3.136 -
Water Research Jun 2022Cethyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTMA) is one of the most used quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in consumer products. CTMA and other QACs are only partially...
Cethyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTMA) is one of the most used quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in consumer products. CTMA and other QACs are only partially eliminated in municipal wastewater treatment and they can interact with bacteria in biological processes. Currently, there is only limited information on the antimicrobial efficiency of CTMA in matrices other than standard growth media and if and how CTMA influences conventional chemical disinfection. The results obtained in this study showed that the susceptibility of E. coli to CTMA was significantly enhanced in phosphate-buffered saline, lake water and wastewater compared to broth. In broth, a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CTMA of 20 mgL was observed for E. coli, whereas a 4-log inactivation occurred for CTMA concentrations of about 4 mgL in buffered ultra-purified water, a lake water and wastewater effluent. The impacts of the pre-exposure and the presence of CTMA on inactivation by ozone and monochloramine were tested with three different E. coli strains: AG100 with the efflux pump acrAB intact, AG100A with it deleted and AG100tet with it overexpressed. Pre-exposure of E. coli AG100 to CTMA led to an increased susceptibility for ozone with second-order inactivation rate constants (∼ 10 Ms) increasing by a factor of about 1.5. An opposite trend was observed for monochloramine with second-order inactivation rate constants (∼ 10 Ms) decreasing by a factor of about 2. For E. coli AG100tet, the second-order inactivation rate constant decreased by a factor of almost 2 and increased by a factor of about 1.5 for ozone and monochloramine, respectively, relative to the strain AG100. The simultaneous presence of CTMA and ozone enhanced the second-order inactivation rate constants for CTMA concentrations of 2.5 mgL by a factor of about 3. For monochloramine also an enhancement of the inactivation was observed, which was at least additive but might also be synergistic. Enhancement by factors from about 2 to 4.5 were observed for CTMA concentrations > 2.5 mgL.
Topics: Bis-Trimethylammonium Compounds; Cetrimonium; Chloramines; Disinfection; Escherichia coli; Kinetics; Ozone; Wastewater; Water; Water Purification
PubMed: 35366494
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118278