Potential of lytic bacteriophages as disinfectant to control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on fomites

Purpose

Nosocomial infections can be transmitted by contaminated hospital surfaces with resistant pathogens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes public healthcare issues. Conventional sanitation is not efficiently contributing to removing resistant pathogens. Bacteriophages suggest safe and specific decontamination. Bacteriophages are a promising alternative strategy to chemical biocides. This research aimed to evaluate the potential of phage in controlling P. aeruginosa in infected hard surfaces.

Methods

Bacteriophage was isolated from hospital wastewater. The efficiency lytic activity of phage against P. aeruginosa was assessed on various infected hard surfaces as plastic and ceramic. 50 µl of the phage lysate (2 × 10¹² PFU/mL) and 50 µl of 70% Ethanol solution separately were spread on the different infected surfaces. After 15 min, 1, 3, 6, and 24 h, surfaces were directly sampled by contact plates. The bacterial load was evaluated by enumerating plate CFU.

Results

Cystoviridae phages with titer (2 × 10¹² PFU/mL) efficiently can reduce P. aeruginosa on contaminated surfaces. The treated surfaces with 70% Ethanol solution and phage showed an evident drop in bacterial cell number.

Conclusions

Bacteriophages can be used as a new option for the development of biological products aimed at the control and deletion of pathogens on contaminated hard surfaces.