ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

A common hospital-acquired pathogen is showing alarming levels of resistance to common cleaning products, according to US researchers.

A team of chemists at Emory University in Georgia found that the nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas Aeruginosa showed significant resilience to active ingredients in household cleaners and hospital sanitising products.

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa is responsible for more than half a million deaths annually and has been identified as a threat of critical priority by the World Health Organisation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa infections increased during COVID-19 and continue to remain above pre-pandemic levels.

However, the research team has discovered that a new quaternary phosphonium compound - developed at Emory University in collaboration with Villanova University in Pennsylvania - has proved to be highly effective in neutralising all 20 strains of resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Instead of attacking both cellular membranes of the bacterium in the same way as conventional biocides, the compound is said to diffuse passively through the outer membrane and selectively target the inner membrane.

While the research team is unclear why this method is more effective, they hope the discovery may lead to the development of new biocides and more effective cleaning protocols in hospitals and other settings.

Senior author of the study Professor William Wuest believes the new understanding of the bacteria's resistance could help in the design of future disinfectant products. "Our work is paving the way for much-needed innovations in disinfectant research," he said.