|
|
 |
Search published articles |
 |
|
Showing 5 results for Disinfection
Mohammad Mehdi Amin, Ali Fatehizadeh, Nasrin Bagheri, Volume 7, Issue 4 (10-2020)
Abstract
Background: Chlorination of wastewater effluent with high levels of residual organic matter has been suspected to the production of toxic and hazardous disinfection by-products (DBPs) including trihalomethane (THM) compounds.
Methods: In this study, two rapid techniques including dissolved oxygen depletion (DOD) and optical density (OD) bioassays were used to evaluate the chloroform toxicity of aqueous solution. The activated sludge was collected from aeration tank of a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant and used as a biological inoculum. In order to achieve an active and stabilized mixed culture of bacteria, the test cultures were transferred to a fresh nutrient broth culture media every day. The influence of chloroform on DOD and OD bioassays was examined at chloroform initial concentrations of 10-1000 μg/L.
Results: It was revealed that the application of chloroform at concentrations of 100 and 1000 μg/L showed moderate and extreme toxicity, respectively, and reduced bacterial activity. The estimated chemical concentration with 50% inhibition of bacterial activity for DOD and OD bioassays was 457 and 961 μg/L, respectively.
Conclusion: According to the results, the wastewater effluent should use bioassays in order to evaluate the effects of DBPs where the wastewater effluent is disinfected by chlorine compounds.
Mohammad Mosaferi, Neda Gilani, Shokufeh Delfi, Rasoul Ahmadpour, Vijay Kumar Chattu, Volume 9, Issue 1 (1-2022)
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to develop and practically use a questionnaire to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of women regarding the use of sanitizers at home against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted among Iranian women (aged ≥18 years). The KAP items were selected based on the experts’ opinions, and the scale underwent a series of validation processes, including the face, content, and construct validity, and internal consistency for reliability.
Results: The internal consistency coefficient exceeded 0.7 for KAP subunits. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) suggested a three-factor construct for each subunit, and the results of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated acceptable fit indices for the proposed models. Overall, 330 women (mean age: 36.78 ± 10.12 years, married: 74.2%, and bachelor’s degree: 46.7%) completed the questionnaire. The level of adequate knowledge on sanitizer use, positive attitude, and good practice achieved were 87.0%, 58.5%, and 66.1%, respectively. Among demographic variables, education level and occupation showed a significant relationship (P < 0.05) against KAP and attitude, individually.
Conclusion: Despite the high percentage of knowledge, the participants did not get a high attitude and practice score.
Samira Djaroud, Zoubir Belmokhtar, Yassine Merad, Kamel Nassour, Malika Belkacemi, Derouicha Matmour, Zakaria Merad, Volume 10, Issue 3 (7-2023)
Abstract
Background: Disinfection is performed in our laboratory using sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. All these products are known for their harmful side effects on human and ecological health. As a part of the search for new sterilization methods that respect the environment
much more, we were interested in studying the antifungal activity of ozone gas on the most isolated fungi in our hospital “University Hospital Center Hassani Abdelkader of Sidi Bel Abbes”.
Methods: This study focused on the antifungal activity of gaseous ozone on the most common fungal isolates in the hospital, with consideration of the duration of the exposure to ozone.
Results: The fungicidal effect of ozone gas on molds was more effective compared to its effect on yeasts, it makes it possible to inhibit the reproduction and fungal growth of molds, in particular the filamentous molds and the most commonly isolated dermatophytes. A longer exposure would seem to be more effective.
Conclusion: Ozone gas can be a new alternative for sterilization and disinfection techniques, especially filamentous fungi and dermatophytes.
Nastaran Talepour, Yalda Hashempour, Niloofar Neisi, Mana Ghanbari, Amir Zahedi, Zeinab Ghaedrahmat, Manoochehr Makvandi, Shahram Jalilian, Amir Danyaei, Nematollah Jaafarzadeh, Abdollah Dargahi, Volume 11, Issue 3 (6-2024)
Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, spreads through both direct and indirect pathways. Among the latter, surface contamination is a significant concern due to the virus’s prolonged viability on surfaces. There is ongoing discussion over the impact of environmental surface contamination, especially in light of the introduction of novel viral types. The present study aimed to examine the extent of environmental surface contamination across different hospital wards and evaluate the effectiveness of disinfectants in inactivating the virus.
Methods: The samples were collected from critical areas in a hospital, both pre-disinfection (n = 40) and post-disinfection (n = 17), using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect SARS-CoV-2.
Results: The findings indisputably confirm the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on swab samples from frequently-touched surfaces. Notably, 10 samples were virus-positive before disinfection, highlighting persistent viral contamination in vital hospital zones.
Conclusion: This study underscores the critical role of environmental surface contamination in SARSCoV-2 transmission, particularly in healthcare settings. Detecting the virus on frequently-handled surfaces underscores the urgent need for rigorous and frequent surface disinfection. Effective surface disinfection remains a rapid, straightforward, and practical strategy to mitigate virus transmission to healthcare workers and patients. These findings hold significant implications for infection control, particularly amid emerging virus variants. They emphasize the need to maintain stringent hygiene and disinfection practices within healthcare facilities to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Rija Shakir, Jamil Ahmed, Sadaf Tagar, Faheem Mahmood, Volume 12, Issue 0 (1-2025)
Abstract
Background: Dishcloths play a crucial role in keeping kitchen surfaces hygienically clean; however, they can also spread pathogens from spilled food to hands and other food items. The present study aimed to investigate the microbial load of dishcloths, with a specific focus on pathogenic bacterial contaminants they potentially harbor.
Methods: A total of 50 samples were collected from households in the Hyderabad district of Pakistan. Specific media were used to isolate the bacteria. Additionally, the hygiene of dishcloths was evaluated visually, and questionnaires were administered to gather information on the various purposes of dishcloths, the source of water used, and the socio-demographic details of the participants.
Results: The results showed that 42 out of 50 dishcloths had poor hygiene conditions. Almost half of the participants (48%) used the dishcloth for cleaning their kitchen surfaces, and only 18% of the participants washed it daily. Microbial assessment of dishcloths revealed widespread pathogenic contamination. Nearly all dishcloths tested positive for various microorganisms; 98% for total coliforms, 84% for Staphylococcus aureus, 82% for Vibrio cholerae, 74% for Shigella, 54% for Salmonella, 54% for Escherichia coli, and 26% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. No significant relationship was found between
the frequency of dishcloth washing and the presence of total coliforms, as determined by the Kruskal-Wallis H-test (H = 2.981, P = 0.561).
Conclusion: The high level of microbial contamination in dishcloths can potentially transmit pathogens and cause infections. Implementing effective disinfection methods, such as boiling or regular washing with detergent, is essential to prevent pathogen transmission.
|
|