Infection control: Scientists reveal plan to use ‘friendly’ bacteria to finally rid hospital wards of bugs

Published: 27-Sep-2011

HOSPITAL superbugs such as MRSA and C.difficile could soon be a thing of the past with the introduction of a new cleaning product that uses friendly bacteria to kill off potentially life-threatening infections.

Scientists will this week outline the potential impact of Chemzyme Plus to delegates at the annual Infection Prevention Society Conference in Bournemouth.

They have been testing the product, which contains the bacteria B.subtilis, at a London ambulance station and have found a visible improvement in cleanliness compared to traditional cleaning methods. The study also showed the good bacteria continued to work even after mopping had been carried out, reducing the incidence of bad bacteria 1,000-fold.

The good bacteria contained in the product, manufactured by Chemex International, feeds on soil and produces natural antibiotics, which were found to eliminate harmful bugs such as staphylococcus. Commenting on the product, Sean Derrig, a microbiologist at Chemex International, said: “Once good bacteria have done their job, they hibernate by forming an inactive spore. But, if bad bacteria, or the dirt that hides them, reappear, they germinate and start their work again.

This is a completely new approach to dealing with the pathogens that cause hospital-acquired infections. It is also simple, cheap and highly effective

“Because the bad bacteria are killed off by the good bacteria, there is no chance of them mutating and becoming resistant.”

Tests will now be carried out on bugs such as MRSA, providing more evidence for the product's use within the NHS.

Derrig said: “Problem bacteria can be concealed in minor cracks and blemishes in buildings and are very difficult to completely remove without costly shutdowns and deep cleans, and they soon return. This is a completely new approach to dealing with the pathogens that cause hospital-acquired infections. It is also simple, cheap and highly effective.

It really is using nature's technology to clean wards and get rid of pathogens once and for all

“The friendly bacteria are abundant in nature and the strain we use feed on soils and produce natural antibiotics that attack and kill the harmful bacteria. It really is using nature's technology to clean wards and get rid of pathogens once and for all.”

A spokesman at the Health Protection Agency said of its potential: “This sounds interesting, but until further research is available, it is impossible to say how effective it will be.”

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