Efficacy assessment of different time cycles of nebulized hydrogen peroxide against bacterial and yeast biofilms

Abstract

Background: The prevention of healthcare-associated infections requires continuous effort. In order to achieve better practical results, the control of environmental microbial biofilms with effective disinfection strategies should be addressed.

Aim: To test the efficacy of different time cycles of nebulized hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) against bacterial and yeast dry biofilms.

Methods: The efficacies of a standard cycle (SC) and a fast cycle (FC) of nebulized H₂O₂ were compared. Microbial biofilms were grown on different material coupons. The metabolic activity of biofilms was determined by XTT assay, and the total biomass of biofilms was determined by crystal violet assay.

Findings: Regarding the efficacy of nebulized H₂O₂ against biofilms, the mean reduction in metabolic activity for the SC was 55.2% [standard deviation (SD) 19.4%], compared with 50.4% (SD 17.7%) for the FC. The mean reduction in total biomass for the SC was 45.5% (SD 22.7%), compared with 46.7% (SD 21.7%) for the FC. No significant differences were found between the tested cycles and materials.

Conclusion: H₂O₂ nebulization was found to exhibit good efficacy against healthcare-associated microbial dry biofilms. Moreover, similar efficacies were found between the SC and the FC.

Keywords: Disinfection; Healthcare-associated infections; Hydrogen peroxide nebulization; Microbial biofilm.