Activity of standardized disinfectants in hemodialysis against fungal biofilms

• Grant number: 20/06843-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Regina Helena Pires
• Grantee: Thayná Catanha Costa e Silva
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hemodialysis is a treatment for patients with chronic renal failure. However, microbial contamination of hemodialysis fluids is a serious problem. Various chemical compounds are used for disinfection and/or sterilization, and the use of sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid being common. However, little is known about the efficacy of disinfectants on eukaryotic organisms such as fungi, since the system is traditionally monitored with bacteria, namely enterobacteria (prokaryotic organisms). This study proposes to evaluate the effect of disinfectants used in the dialysis process against fungal isolates. Aspergillus and Fusarium fungal isolates, previously collected from the water circuit of a hospital Hemodialysis Service, Disinfectants as 0.05% sodium hypochlorite, the disinfectant standardized by Brazilian legislation and 0.1% peracetic acid, as recommended by the manufacturers of hemodialysis machines will be used. The effect of disinfectants on fungal cells in planktonic form (free) of growth will be evaluated, after treatment by specific time for each disinfectant, with the plating agar methodology. Fungal biofilms will be formed in 96-well microplates, exposed to disinfectants and quantified by the violet crystal discoloration methodology. The study may support the implementation of microbiological monitoring for eukaryotic organisms (planktonic and biofilm) in the disinfection protocols as a guarantee of quality associated with hemodialysis therapy. Such a practice can minimize hospitalization episodes and health system expenses with this population.