Contaminated environmental surfaces can be a means of transmission of Clostridium difficile spores in health-care facilities. The study objectives are to assess the value of the UV marker as an audit tool for improving housekeeping compliance and to compare microfiber and cotton cloths for removal of Clostridium difficile spores from surfaces. A lotion visible only under short-wave UV light (UV Marker) was applied to different surfaces within the patient’s washrooms on consecutive week days, over a twenty-four week period. The Study included three Arms: Arm one received feedback for 24 weeks , Arm two received feedback for the first 12 weeks and Arm three was given feedback for the last 12 weeks based on UV Marker results. The visual audit resulted in a cleaning compliance of 55%; whereas, feedback with the UV Marker led to a housekeeping compliance of 90%. The UV marker is a better audit tool than visual inspection for improving cleaning compliance of housekeeping staff. The use of microfiber cloths may enhance efficiency of microbial removal during surface cleaning.

Contaminated environmental surfaces can be a means of transmission of Clostridium difficile spores in health-care facilities. The study objectives are to assess the value of the UV marker as an audit tool for improving housekeeping compliance and to compare microfiber and cotton cloths for removal of Clostridium difficile spores from surfaces. A lotion visible only under short-wave UV light (UV Marker) was applied to different surfaces within the patient’s washrooms on consecutive week days, over a twenty-four week period. The Study included three Arms: Arm one received feedback for 24 weeks , Arm two received feedback for the first 12 weeks and Arm three was given feedback for the last 12 weeks based on UV Marker results. The visual audit resulted in a cleaning compliance of 55%; whereas, feedback with the UV Marker led to a housekeeping compliance of 90%. The UV marker is a better audit tool than visual inspection for improving cleaning compliance of housekeeping staff. The use of microfiber cloths may enhance efficiency of microbial removal during surface cleaning.

Superfícies fixas contaminadas de hospitais de clínicas veterinárias podem servir como fonte de contaminação por microrganismos potencialmente patogênicos comuns entre animais e seres humanos, promovendo riscos de infecções nosocomiais tanto para os pacientes quanto para os profissionais, estudantes e trabalhadores em saúde veterinária. Com a finalidade de controle dessa microbiota transmissível, procedimentos sanitários de desinfecção e descontaminação são prescritos para serem adotados no ambiente. O presente estudo teve como objetivos isolar e identificar a microbiota presente em superfícies fixas de áreas críticas do setor de pequenos animais de um hospital veterinário de ensino, e verificar a ação de inativação de grupos químicos desinfetantes sobre estes microrganismos. Com swabs rolados sobre a superfície de mesas inox de contato com os pacientes, nos setores de atendimento clínico ambulatorial, de internados, de fluidoterapia, de cirurgia e de pré-operatório, foram isolados Staphylococcus spp. coagulase (+) e (-), Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Streptococcus sp. (não grupo D), Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter iwoffii, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Cocobacilo não fermentador, Bacillus sp., Citrobacter sp. e Candida guilliermondii. Foi avaliada a capacidade de inativação dos desinfetantes ácido peracético, iodóforo, hipoclorito de sódio, quaternário de amônio, fenol sintético, clorhexidina e álcool. O método utilizado foi o de diluição, pela técnica de suspensão microbiana composta por três pools de bactérias (um por dia de coleta ) e uma cultura de levedura, em três concentrações dos desinfetantes nos tempos de contato 1, 5 e 10 minutos. Os pools eram suspensos na solução desinfetante, e identificados os sobreviventes. Observou-se que o ácido peracético, nas concentrações 25 e 50 mg/L em 10 minutos de contato não inativou Staphylococcus spp. e Candida guilliermondii, e em 100 mg/L precisou mais de 5 minutos para inativá-los. O iodóforo, em 25 mg/L precisou de mais de 1 minuto para inativar Staphylococcus spp., e 10 minutos não foram suficientes para inativar Bacillus sp. Mesmo em 100 mg/L, necessitou mais de 1 minuto para inativar Staphylococcus spp. O hipoclorito, na concentração 250 mg/L, em 1 minuto de contato não inativou Bacillus sp. e precisou de 10 minutos para inativar Candida guilliermondii. Frente a essa levedura, mesmo em 1.000 mg/L o hipoclorito de sódio precisou de tempo maior a 1 minuto para inativa-la. Os demais desinfetantes (quaternário de amônio, fenol sintético, clorhexidina e álcool), nas menores concentrações e tempos de contato, inativaram todos os microrganismos. Concluiu-se que nas superfícies de todos os ambientes hospitalares, puderam ser isolados microrganismos. Os testes in vitro evidenciaram que todos os grupos químicos avaliados podem ser usados para inativar os isolados, mas que os fatores testados: gênero e espécie microbiana, concentrações e tempos de contato, interferiram na capacidade desinfetante. / Noncritical environmental surfaces of veterinary hospitals might be contamination sources of potentially pathogenic microorganisms shared by animal species and humans beings, representing risks of nosocomial infections, either to the patients or to the medical and technical staff and students. Aiming to control this transmissible microbiota, sanitary procedures of decontamination and disinfection are prescribed to be adopted in these environments. The present study aimed to isolate and identify the microbiota occurring in environmental surfaces of critical areas of the small animals sector in a veterinary teaching hospital, and evaluate the inactivation action of disinfectants of different chemical groups against these microorganisms. Staphylococcus spp. coagulase (+) and (-), Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Streptococcus sp. (not group D), Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter iwoffii, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Cocobacilo non-fermenting, Bacillus sp., Citrobacter sp. and Candida guilliermondii were isolated by means of swabs rolled on the surfaces of stainless steel tables contacting with the patients in the following areas: ambulatory clinical, hospitalization, fluid therapy, surgery and pre-operatory. The efficacy of peracetic acid, iodofor, sodium hypochlorite, a quaternary ammonium product, synthetic phenol, chlorhexidine and alcohol was evaluated. The method used was dilution by the suspension technique composed by three bacterial pools (one for each sampling day) and a yeast culture, in three disinfectant concentrations, and in 1, 5 and 10 minutes of contact. The pools were suspended in the disinfectant solutions and the survivors identified. Peracetic acid, in 25 and 50 mg/L concentration, in 10 min of contact did not inactivate Staphylococcus spp. and Candida guilliermondii, and in a concentration of 100mg/L needed more than 5 minutes to inactivate them. The iodofor, in 25 mg/L, took more than 1 minute to inactivate Staphylococcus spp., and 10 minutes were insufficient to inactivate Bacillus sp.; even in a concentration of 100 mg/L it required more than 1 minute to inactivate Staphylococcus spp. The hypochlorite, in a concentration of 250 mg/L, in 1 minute of contact did not inactivate Bacillus sp. and required 10 minutes to inactivate Candida guilliermondii. Against this yeast, even a 1000 mg/L solution of sodium hypochlorite, required more than 1 minute to inactivate it. The other disinfectants (a quaternary ammonium product, synthetic phenol, chlorhexidine and alcohol) in the lowest concentrations and smaller contact times inactivate all the microorganisms identified. It was concluded that microorganisms might be isolated in surfaces of all environments of the hospital. The in vitro tests showed that all chemical groups evaluated could be used to inactivate the isolates, but the tested variables: genus and species of microorganisms, concentrations and contact times, interfered in the disinfectant efficacy.

Superfícies fixas contaminadas de hospitais de clínicas veterinárias podem servir como fonte de contaminação por microrganismos potencialmente patogênicos comuns entre animais e seres humanos, promovendo riscos de infecções nosocomiais tanto para os pacientes quanto para os profissionais, estudantes e trabalhadores em saúde veterinária. Com a finalidade de controle dessa microbiota transmissível, procedimentos sanitários de desinfecção e descontaminação são prescritos para serem adotados no ambiente. O presente estudo teve como objetivos isolar e identificar a microbiota presente em superfícies fixas de áreas críticas do setor de pequenos animais de um hospital veterinário de ensino, e verificar a ação de inativação de grupos químicos desinfetantes sobre estes microrganismos. Com swabs rolados sobre a superfície de mesas inox de contato com os pacientes, nos setores de atendimento clínico ambulatorial, de internados, de fluidoterapia, de cirurgia e de pré-operatório, foram isolados Staphylococcus spp. coagulase (+) e (-), Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Streptococcus sp. (não grupo D), Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter iwoffii, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Cocobacilo não fermentador, Bacillus sp., Citrobacter sp. e Candida guilliermondii. Foi avaliada a capacidade de inativação dos desinfetantes ácido peracético, iodóforo, hipoclorito de sódio, quaternário de amônio, fenol sintético, clorhexidina e álcool. O método utilizado foi o de diluição, pela técnica de suspensão microbiana composta por três pools de bactérias (um por dia de coleta ) e uma cultura de levedura, em três concentrações dos desinfetantes nos tempos de contato 1, 5 e 10 minutos. Os pools eram suspensos na solução desinfetante, e identificados os sobreviventes. Observou-se que o ácido peracético, nas concentrações 25 e 50 mg/L em 10 minutos de contato não inativou Staphylococcus spp. e Candida guilliermondii, e em 100 mg/L precisou mais de 5 minutos para inativá-los. O iodóforo, em 25 mg/L precisou de mais de 1 minuto para inativar Staphylococcus spp., e 10 minutos não foram suficientes para inativar Bacillus sp. Mesmo em 100 mg/L, necessitou mais de 1 minuto para inativar Staphylococcus spp. O hipoclorito, na concentração 250 mg/L, em 1 minuto de contato não inativou Bacillus sp. e precisou de 10 minutos para inativar Candida guilliermondii. Frente a essa levedura, mesmo em 1.000 mg/L o hipoclorito de sódio precisou de tempo maior a 1 minuto para inativa-la. Os demais desinfetantes (quaternário de amônio, fenol sintético, clorhexidina e álcool), nas menores concentrações e tempos de contato, inativaram todos os microrganismos. Concluiu-se que nas superfícies de todos os ambientes hospitalares, puderam ser isolados microrganismos. Os testes in vitro evidenciaram que todos os grupos químicos avaliados podem ser usados para inativar os isolados, mas que os fatores testados: gênero e espécie microbiana, concentrações e tempos de contato, interferiram na capacidade desinfetante. / Noncritical environmental surfaces of veterinary hospitals might be contamination sources of potentially pathogenic microorganisms shared by animal species and humans beings, representing risks of nosocomial infections, either to the patients or to the medical and technical staff and students. Aiming to control this transmissible microbiota, sanitary procedures of decontamination and disinfection are prescribed to be adopted in these environments. The present study aimed to isolate and identify the microbiota occurring in environmental surfaces of critical areas of the small animals sector in a veterinary teaching hospital, and evaluate the inactivation action of disinfectants of different chemical groups against these microorganisms. Staphylococcus spp. coagulase (+) and (-), Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Streptococcus sp. (not group D), Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter iwoffii, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Cocobacilo non-fermenting, Bacillus sp., Citrobacter sp. and Candida guilliermondii were isolated by means of swabs rolled on the surfaces of stainless steel tables contacting with the patients in the following areas: ambulatory clinical, hospitalization, fluid therapy, surgery and pre-operatory. The efficacy of peracetic acid, iodofor, sodium hypochlorite, a quaternary ammonium product, synthetic phenol, chlorhexidine and alcohol was evaluated. The method used was dilution by the suspension technique composed by three bacterial pools (one for each sampling day) and a yeast culture, in three disinfectant concentrations, and in 1, 5 and 10 minutes of contact. The pools were suspended in the disinfectant solutions and the survivors identified. Peracetic acid, in 25 and 50 mg/L concentration, in 10 min of contact did not inactivate Staphylococcus spp. and Candida guilliermondii, and in a concentration of 100mg/L needed more than 5 minutes to inactivate them. The iodofor, in 25 mg/L, took more than 1 minute to inactivate Staphylococcus spp., and 10 minutes were insufficient to inactivate Bacillus sp.; even in a concentration of 100 mg/L it required more than 1 minute to inactivate Staphylococcus spp. The hypochlorite, in a concentration of 250 mg/L, in 1 minute of contact did not inactivate Bacillus sp. and required 10 minutes to inactivate Candida guilliermondii. Against this yeast, even a 1000 mg/L solution of sodium hypochlorite, required more than 1 minute to inactivate it. The other disinfectants (a quaternary ammonium product, synthetic phenol, chlorhexidine and alcohol) in the lowest concentrations and smaller contact times inactivate all the microorganisms identified. It was concluded that microorganisms might be isolated in surfaces of all environments of the hospital. The in vitro tests showed that all chemical groups evaluated could be used to inactivate the isolates, but the tested variables: genus and species of microorganisms, concentrations and contact times, interfered in the disinfectant efficacy.

Superfícies fixas contaminadas de hospitais de clínicas veterinárias podem servir como fonte de contaminação por microrganismos potencialmente patogênicos comuns entre animais e seres humanos, promovendo riscos de infecções nosocomiais tanto para os pacientes quanto para os profissionais, estudantes e trabalhadores em saúde veterinária. Com a finalidade de controle dessa microbiota transmissível, procedimentos sanitários de desinfecção e descontaminação são prescritos para serem adotados no ambiente. O presente estudo teve como objetivos isolar e identificar a microbiota presente em superfícies fixas de áreas críticas do setor de pequenos animais de um hospital veterinário de ensino, e verificar a ação de inativação de grupos químicos desinfetantes sobre estes microrganismos. Com swabs rolados sobre a superfície de mesas inox de contato com os pacientes, nos setores de atendimento clínico ambulatorial, de internados, de fluidoterapia, de cirurgia e de pré-operatório, foram isolados Staphylococcus spp. coagulase (+) e (-), Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Streptococcus sp. (não grupo D), Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter iwoffii, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Cocobacilo não fermentador, Bacillus sp., Citrobacter sp. e Candida guilliermondii. Foi avaliada a capacidade de inativação dos desinfetantes ácido peracético, iodóforo, hipoclorito de sódio, quaternário de amônio, fenol sintético, clorhexidina e álcool. O método utilizado foi o de diluição, pela técnica de suspensão microbiana composta por três pools de bactérias (um por dia de coleta ) e uma cultura de levedura, em três concentrações dos desinfetantes nos tempos de contato 1, 5 e 10 minutos. Os pools eram suspensos na solução desinfetante, e identificados os sobreviventes. Observou-se que o ácido peracético, nas concentrações 25 e 50 mg/L em 10 minutos de contato não inativou Staphylococcus spp. e Candida guilliermondii, e em 100 mg/L precisou mais de 5 minutos para inativá-los. O iodóforo, em 25 mg/L precisou de mais de 1 minuto para inativar Staphylococcus spp., e 10 minutos não foram suficientes para inativar Bacillus sp. Mesmo em 100 mg/L, necessitou mais de 1 minuto para inativar Staphylococcus spp. O hipoclorito, na concentração 250 mg/L, em 1 minuto de contato não inativou Bacillus sp. e precisou de 10 minutos para inativar Candida guilliermondii. Frente a essa levedura, mesmo em 1.000 mg/L o hipoclorito de sódio precisou de tempo maior a 1 minuto para inativa-la. Os demais desinfetantes (quaternário de amônio, fenol sintético, clorhexidina e álcool), nas menores concentrações e tempos de contato, inativaram todos os microrganismos. Concluiu-se que nas superfícies de todos os ambientes hospitalares, puderam ser isolados microrganismos. Os testes in vitro evidenciaram que todos os grupos químicos avaliados podem ser usados para inativar os isolados, mas que os fatores testados: gênero e espécie microbiana, concentrações e tempos de contato, interferiram na capacidade desinfetante. / Noncritical environmental surfaces of veterinary hospitals might be contamination sources of potentially pathogenic microorganisms shared by animal species and humans beings, representing risks of nosocomial infections, either to the patients or to the medical and technical staff and students. Aiming to control this transmissible microbiota, sanitary procedures of decontamination and disinfection are prescribed to be adopted in these environments. The present study aimed to isolate and identify the microbiota occurring in environmental surfaces of critical areas of the small animals sector in a veterinary teaching hospital, and evaluate the inactivation action of disinfectants of different chemical groups against these microorganisms. Staphylococcus spp. coagulase (+) and (-), Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Streptococcus sp. (not group D), Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter iwoffii, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Cocobacilo non-fermenting, Bacillus sp., Citrobacter sp. and Candida guilliermondii were isolated by means of swabs rolled on the surfaces of stainless steel tables contacting with the patients in the following areas: ambulatory clinical, hospitalization, fluid therapy, surgery and pre-operatory. The efficacy of peracetic acid, iodofor, sodium hypochlorite, a quaternary ammonium product, synthetic phenol, chlorhexidine and alcohol was evaluated. The method used was dilution by the suspension technique composed by three bacterial pools (one for each sampling day) and a yeast culture, in three disinfectant concentrations, and in 1, 5 and 10 minutes of contact. The pools were suspended in the disinfectant solutions and the survivors identified. Peracetic acid, in 25 and 50 mg/L concentration, in 10 min of contact did not inactivate Staphylococcus spp. and Candida guilliermondii, and in a concentration of 100mg/L needed more than 5 minutes to inactivate them. The iodofor, in 25 mg/L, took more than 1 minute to inactivate Staphylococcus spp., and 10 minutes were insufficient to inactivate Bacillus sp.; even in a concentration of 100 mg/L it required more than 1 minute to inactivate Staphylococcus spp. The hypochlorite, in a concentration of 250 mg/L, in 1 minute of contact did not inactivate Bacillus sp. and required 10 minutes to inactivate Candida guilliermondii. Against this yeast, even a 1000 mg/L solution of sodium hypochlorite, required more than 1 minute to inactivate it. The other disinfectants (a quaternary ammonium product, synthetic phenol, chlorhexidine and alcohol) in the lowest concentrations and smaller contact times inactivate all the microorganisms identified. It was concluded that microorganisms might be isolated in surfaces of all environments of the hospital. The in vitro tests showed that all chemical groups evaluated could be used to inactivate the isolates, but the tested variables: genus and species of microorganisms, concentrations and contact times, interfered in the disinfectant efficacy.

<p dir="ltr">The gastrointestinal tract harbors a diverse range of microorganisms, collectively constituting the gut microbiome. <a href="" target="_blank">The maintenance of a symbiotic relationship between the host and these microorganisms is essential to gastrointestinal health. Disruption of the ecological balance within the gut microbiome can result in discomfort or pathological conditions.</a> <a href="" target="_blank">This dissertation explores these alterations within the gastrointestinal tract as potential indicators for specific gastrointestinal diseases.</a> <a href="" target="_blank">In pursuit of this, I collaborated with others to develop a smart ingestible capsule that offers a non-invasive method for enhancing the effectiveness of differential diagnosis and treatment strategies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). </a>My contributions encompassed conducting <i>in vitro</i> protein sampling and extraction experiments, as well as enteric coating dissolution tests. Following thorough characterization of the capsule, I advanced to <i>ex vivo</i> sampling experiments. As a proof of concept, the capsule's sampling capabilities have been rigorously validated both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> using calprotectin, a key biomarker for monitoring and managing IBD. Future research may explore integrating this technology with other sensors for diverse chemical and gas sensing capabilities, aiming to refine the differential diagnostics of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and IBD.</p><p dir="ltr">Simultaneously, the potential transmission of pathogenic microorganisms from the gastrointestinal tract to the environment through fecal matter can lead to substantial public health implications if adequate surveillance is not in place. These pathogens can contaminate water and food sources from various origins, exacerbating the problem. Furthermore, conventional laboratory-based assays, while effective, have extensive turnaround times and require skilled scientists to operate them. In response to this challenge, I have undertaken the development of point-of-care assays, aiming to streamline the detection of fecal contamination. This innovation is designed to mitigate the limitations associated with traditional methods by offering a more rapid and user-friendly approach. The primary objective is to enhance the accessibility of these assays, enabling on-site personnel with varying levels of expertise to utilize them effectively. Through the widespread adoption of these point-of-care assays, the overarching goal is to ensure the consistent provision of safe and reliable water and food supplies to the public.</p>