The impact of sanitization on biofilms formed by Candida parapsilosis and Staphylococcus aureus

• Grant number: 21/14473-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Regina Helena Pires
• Grantee: Kayro de Lima Vieira
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Among the organisms commonly found in the nosocomial environment, Staphylococcus aureus stands out, a bacteria that can break the skin barriers through wounds or surgical incisions and cause infection. Among yeast fungi, Candida species have developed survival strategies to help their persistence in different environmental niches, including the association with bacteria in the biofilms which increase the probability of efficiently transmitting an infection. Thus, polymicrobial biofilms are highly complex and can develop high resistance to antimicrobials, including disinfectants commonly used in hospital environments. Thus, this study proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfectants on bacterial (S. aureus) and mixed (C. parapsilosis and S. aureus) biofilms. Reference, environmental and clinical strains will be used for in vitro biofilm formation. Eight hospital disinfectants consisting of different active constituents will be tested. The concentration and exposure time of each disinfectant will follow the standardization described in the legislation, literature, or manufacturer. Cell viability of biofilms treated with disinfectants will be obtained by agar plating methodology. Understanding the effect of disinfectants on S. aureus biofilms or on the S. aureus/C. parapsilosis will help design niche-specific antimicrobial interventions in hospital settings. (AU)