ADVANCEMENT OF THE SCIENCE
Open Access
GUEST COMMENTARY
Beyond Slimy Biofilms: The Emergence of Dry Surface Biofilms as a Concern for Infection Transmission in Public Settings
Juan Goncalves, PhD Procter & Gamble
Dry surface biofilms are ubiquitous and have been found to contain bacteria of par- ticular concern in healthcare and food safety contexts, including Staphylococcus aureus , E. coli , Listeria spp., and Salmonella spp., among other pathogens (Alonso et al., 2023; Ledwoch et al., 2018). Unlike their slimy counterparts, dry surface biofilms have been discovered on various environmental surfaces such as high- touch areas in healthcare facilities (e.g., bed- ding, curtains, folders, supply boxes, furnish- ings, keyboards, ward entry doors) and even floors (Hu et al., 2015; Ledwoch et al., 2018). Why Should We Regard Dry Surface Biofilms as a Potentially Serious Public Health Concern? Dry surface biofilms are a cause for concern for several reasons. They are invisible to the naked eye, which makes them extremely dif- ficult to detect. Traditional swabbing tech- niques that rely on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence or culture microbiol- ogy methods are ineective in identifying dry surface biofilms, thereby making quality con- trol eorts unreliable (Ledwoch et al., 2022). Additionally, the bacteria within dry sur- face biofilms display remarkable resilience to common disinfecting chemicals, which poses a challenge in eectively eliminating these biofilms from surfaces (Ledwoch et al., 2022). More alarmingly, using common dis- infectant chemicals or ineective cleaners on dry surface biofilms can unintentionally raise the risk of bacterial cross-contamination and transmission—even more than if the surface was left untouched. Cross-contamination or increased trans- mission of bacteria can occur when a dry surface biofilm is insuciently cleaned or disinfected because the biofilm can become partially dislodged. This disruption can lead to the biofilm bacteria contaminating fingers or other objects that touch it, with bacteria
,<=;+-= Dry surface biofilms are a major concern for infection transmission in public settings. These biofilms consist of harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli that thrive in low-moisture environments. The biofilms are invisible to the naked eye and cannot be easily detected using standard laboratory methods. Dry surface biofilms cannot be easily disinfected, but they can be cleaned using specialized cleaning products and tools designed for tough soil removal. The risks associated with dry surface biofilms can be eectively mitigated in public settings by use of these specialized cleaning methods. As awareness of these biofilms and their resilient nature is emerging, it is crucial to foster a strong hygiene culture among sta. This awareness can be achieved via continuous training and communication on the subject matter, ensuring that sta are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools to address dry surface biofilms and their associated risks eectively. Keywords: dry surface biofilms, infection transmission, cleaning methods, hygiene culture, food service, risk mitigation
If you are already disgusted by slimy residue on sinks, floor drains, water pipes, or dental plaque—prepare yourself for something even more alarming. But first, let us understand what that slimy residue in sinks and drains consists of, and how it changes when there is no water or moisture. Bacteria stick to sur- faces in moist environments by producing a slimy, glue-like substance (Montana State University, n.d.). Scientists use the term bio- film to describe these communities of micro- organisms, which typically consist of various species of bacteria. In some instances, fungi and yeast are also present. Slimy biofilms are present everywhere in the environment and are often found near water sources, as they prefer wet and humid surroundings. Some of these slimy biofilms have beneficial roles, such as regulating biodiversity and aiding in the removal of pollutants from water, soil, and air. Others,
however, are harmful and can contribute to the spread of infections in communities, healthcare facilities, and food establishments (Alonso et al., 2023; Hu et al., 2015). But what happens when there is a lack of water and moisture? In such environments, a dierent type of bacterial community forms. As with slimy biofilms, some bacteria can thrive in dry or low-moisture environments. These biofilms are called “dry surface biofilms” and have distinct characteristics (Almatroudi et al., 2015). Dry surface biofilms are thinner and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Addition- ally, dry surface biofilms undergo biochemi- cal changes that transform their “glue” into a denser scaold that is rich in proteins (Alma- troudi et al., 2015; Ledwoch et al., 2019). This structural adaptation is believed to provide them with additional resilience against exter- nal stresses such as heat, dryness, and expo- sure to chemicals (Ledwoch et al., 2022).
20
(96>7/ • !>7,/;
Powered by FlippingBook