MRSA (Mersa) Questions

Mops spreading germs not killing them

Link: Gerba: Sometimes It's Better Not To Clean.

According to Dr. Charles Gerba, famed microbiologist with the University of Arizona, in some cases "it may be better not to clean a surface than to clean it with soiled cleaning tools… [because] it can spread microorganisms around without your realizing it." Gerba says that as some cleaning tools, such as sponges, mops, and microfiber cloths, are used, "they actually become micropile compost heaps. In many cases, [the cleaning worker] is just laying down a thin layer of E. coli over the surface as they clean."

Favoured detergent failing against MRSA?

Link: Frequency of biocide resistance genes, antibiotic resistance and the effect of chlorhexidine exposure on clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates -- Vali et al. 61 (3): 524 -- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

Conclusions: In our study, isolates resembling PFGE type EMRSA-16 harboured more biocide resistance genes than other types. The observed reduction in susceptibility of clinical isolates to chlorhexidine may mean that a selective pressure is being exerted by residues in the clinical environment, and highlights the importance of efficacy testing on clinical strains and good infection control practices. The development of reduced microbial susceptibility to biocides represents a serious cause for concern in the clinical environment.

Barrier Technology Provides New Weapon in MRSA War

Link: Barrier Technology Provides New Weapon in MRSA War: Surface Care Products Prevent Growth and Transfer of Bacteria.

Independent laboratory tests of the effects of these products on MRSA were recently completed by the University of Arizona, under the auspices of internationally renowned microbiologist, Dr. Charles Gerba. These tests confirmed that the use of Clean & Shield or Sani-Shield instantly killed more than 99.9% of MRSA, as well as e-coli, salmonella, noroviruses and the AD14 common cold virus, on surfaces and that the antimicrobial barrier continued to kill the bacteria within hours of being re-deposited. Most cleaners provide a one-time "kill" or one-time "clean" without any ongoing protection against recontamination. Clean & Shield and Sani-Shield's unique patented formulas, however, make them the first and only surface care products proven to protect surfaces with an invisible antimicrobial barrier on which bacteria, mold and mildew will not grow. Unelko Corporation's President, Steven Ohlhausen, says, "Since you really can't prevent soiling and germ deposits, shielding surfaces for easier next-time cleaning and protecting them against the cross-contamination of surface-contact germs is the best way to protect your family at home, at work or in public facilities."

Laminate film to fight infection on hospital menus

Link: Laminate film bar to illness - Yorkshire Post.

DECORATIVE print finishing company Celloglas has launched a new product aimed at reducing the spread of illnesses such as the hospital superbug MRSA. The Leeds-based firm has produced a film called Cellomed that claims to provide an added level of protection when laminated on surfaces such as greetings cards, menus or a hospital food tray liner. It says the film continuously provides an added level of protection against infections, offering a level of cover that has never been possible before. The company claims clinical tests show that Cellomed prevents the spread and growth of a diverse range of infections, including the bacteria MRSA and E.Coli, on the surface of a film. Possible uses for the Cellomed film include lamination of menus, greeting cards and medical records as well as packaging, and many other items that may come into contact with people. Steve Middleton, sales and marketing director at Celloglas, said: "We are very proud to be able to offer this product as this is by far one of the most exciting developments in the last 10 years.

Silver Spray Creates Sterile Surface for 6 weeks?

Link: Universal Detection Technology Receives Positive Report From the Wayne State University School of Medicine on Its Anti-Bacterial Product Line: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance.

Researchers at Wayne State University School of Medicine treated Agar Plates with different amounts of the Silver Anti-bacterial spray. The researchers also used Agar Plates that were untreated as controls for the experiment. In the course of the experiment all the plates were exposed to bacteria from human cough and sneeze and also exposure to the ambient air. The plates were all placed in an incubator at 37 degrees Celsius. After 4 days the untreated plates had colony growth while the plates treated with the spray remained sterile for up to 6 weeks even with repeated exposure. "The report shows the immense potential of our Silver Product Line in combating the spread of harmful bacteria such as MRSA," said Mr. Jacques Tizabi UDTT's Chief Executive Officer. "We plan to market our product to facilities where people gather and where maintaining a sterile environment is an issue such as schools, hospitals, and assisted living centers," he added.

Sports-O-Zone Inks Deal with Riddell Partners to Fight MRSA

Link: Sports-O-Zone Inks Deal with Riddell Partners to Fight MRSA Outbreaks in Professional, College, and High School Sports.

Indiana based Sports-O-Zone has teamed up with sports equipment company Riddell in the fight against staph and MRSA infections. Riddell is recognized as one of the most respected companies in the sporting industry and looks forward to its involvement with Sports-O-Zone. News Image The technology will make life a lot easier for athletes worried about contracting these diseases. The Sports-O-Zone patented sanitizing system uses ozone to attack and kill bacteria. It is designed to allow the team to treat more equipment, at one time, than other processes currently available. Ozone is nature's way of managing bacteria. It is one of the strongest oxidants and disinfectants available, ranking ahead of hydrogen peroxide, bleach, and iodine. According to Rik Kain, Director of Operations at Sports-O-Zone, "The technology will make life a lot easier for athletes worried about contracting these diseases." Unlike disinfectant sprays, ozone has no residue, no odor, and is nature's way of purifying air and water.

MRSA found on 1 in 7 hospital curtains

Link: Channel 4 - News - MRSA found on hospital curtains.

The super-bug MRSA has been discovered on 15% of a hospital's curtains, a medical study has found. During the research 200 curtains were randomly selected from wards and departments across the Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham and tested for MRSA. Of those, 31 tested positive for the bug. But, as is standard practice, the hospital only washes its curtains four times a year unless they are known to have come in to contact with an infection. Doctors at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the QMC, have now been looking at ways of reducing the risk of MRSA infecting curtains. They have found that introducing a silver thread to the material greatly reduces the prevalence of the bug. Dr Tim Boswell - who is based at the QMC - found that of 192 samples taken from freshly cleaned polyester or cotton curtains over a four week period, 21 contained MRSA. But under the same conditions only four out of 96 samples taken from silver-woven curtains were infected with the super-bug.

Boy's death steeled company leader's desire to succeed | Morris News Service

Link: Boy's death steeled company leader's desire to succeed | Morris News Service.

Corby Marshall already had started his infection control supply company when his mother sent him a hometown newspaper clipping. The story told of the death of a 13-year-old boy in Marshall's home town of Borger. The suspected cause of death was an increasingly common form of staph infection, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. Marshall, 38, runs Safety Chemical, a company that licenses and sells products aimed at preventing the spread of staph infection, including the form that claimed the life of the Borger boy.

Hospital Deep Cleans Under Way In NHS Superbug Fight

Link: Hospital Deep Cleans Under Way In NHS Superbug Fight |Sky News|Politics.

Later, while watching a deep clean at The Royal Free Hospital in London, Mr Johnson insisted the blitz did reduce infections - if it was used alongside other hygiene measures. "Take the whole lot together and you will see a cleaner hospital, you'll see much greater emphasis on cleanliness and infection control," he said. "And you will see - as you have in this hospital - an almost 60% reduction in MRSA. "So editorials in The Lancet are a second-order issue. It's (about) how patients feel... (and) the actual results on the ground." As part of a new blitz on superbugs, the Department of Health has also told hospitals to recruit more infection control specialists. But the Conservatives warn extra staff are pointless unless hospitals have facilities to isolate infected patients. And microbiologists say the Government still has not done enough to conquer the superbug. So far, fewer than one third of hospital trusts have begun their deep clean.

Lightning has power to cure pet MRSA

Link: Lightning has power to cure pet MRSA | Society | The Observer.

Pet hospitals are turning to a new weapon in the fight against superbugs, such as MRSA, which are increasingly infecting animals. Machines that recreate lightning are being used to clean blankets and cloths kept close to sick animals, especially those with open wounds. The system, known as Otex, runs a high electric charge over oxygen, breaking down the molecules and reforming them as ozone, or O3. The resulting ozone is 3,200 times more powerful than chlorine bleach.