Inactivation of Clostridium difficile spores by microwave irradiation

Suvash Chandra Ojha; Surang Chankhamhaengdecha; Sombat Singhakaew; Puey Ounjai; Tavan Janvilisri

doi:10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.10.015

Inactivation of Clostridium difficile spores by microwave irradiation

Anaerobe. 2016 Apr:38:14-20. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.10.015. Epub 2015 Nov 4.

Authors

Suvash Chandra Ojha¹, Surang Chankhamhaengdecha², Sombat Singhakaew³, Puey Ounjai³, Tavan Janvilisri⁴

Affiliations

¹ Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand.
² Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand; Center for Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
³ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand.
⁴ Center for Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand. Electronic address: tavan.jan@mahidol.ac.th.

PMID: 26546732
DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.10.015

Abstract

Spores are a potent agent for Clostridium difficile transmission. Therefore, factors inhibiting spores have been of continued interest. In the present study, we investigated the influence of microwave irradiation in addition to conductive heating for C. difficile spore inactivation in aqueous suspension. The spores of 15 C. difficile isolates from different host origins were exposed to conductive heating and microwave irradiation. The complete inhibition of spore viability at 10(7) CFU/ml was encountered following microwave treatment at 800 W for 60 s, but was not observed in the conductive-heated spores at the same time-temperature exposure. The distinct patterns of ultrastructural alterations following microwave and conductive heat treatment were observed and the degree of damages by microwave was in the exposure time-dependent manner. Microwave would therefore be a simple and time-efficient tool to inactivate C. difficile spores, thus reducing the risk of C. difficile transmission.

Keywords: Clostridium difficile; Microwave; Spore; Ultrastructure.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Clostridioides difficile / physiology*
Clostridioides difficile / radiation effects*
Microbial Viability / radiation effects*
Microwaves*
Spores, Bacterial / radiation effects*
Spores, Bacterial / ultrastructure
Temperature
Time Factors