48 Questions
What is the primary reason for using a combination of antiseptic agents and disinfectants against Acinetobacter species?
Because no single antiseptic or disinfectant provides 100% inactivation against bacteria
Which of the following antiseptic agents showed the lowest MICs against Acinetobacter species?
Homemade antiseptic composed of myrtle, salt, lemon, and vinegar
What is the characteristic of Acinetobacter spp. on MacConkey agar?
They form colorless or clear colonies
What is the specific feature of A. baumannii colonies on Nutrient agar and Broth?
They show yellow pigmentation due to ornithinolibredoxin-aldolases activity
What is the unique feature of A. ursingii?
It has reduced catabolic abilities due to the orientation of the ATP-binding cassette protein-encoding genes
How many species are included in the Acinetobacter genus as of 15 May 2019?
130 species
What is the primary source of carbon for most Acinetobacter spp.?
p-hydroxybenzoate
What is the phylum to which the Acinetobacter genus belongs?
Proteobacteria
What is the historical name of the group to which Acinetobacter is affiliated?
Bacterium calo-Condimentum group
What is the characteristic of Acinetobacter in terms of glucose fermentation?
Glucose-nonfermentative
What is the term for the complex genotypic structure of Acinetobacter?
Inter-typic recombination
What is the name of the type strain of Acinetobacter that does not ferment glucose?
Acinetobacter Johnsonii
What is the term for the bacterial adhesion involving outer membrane proteins, capsule, and fimbriae?
Multifactorial process
What is the term for the exoproducts that influence pathogenesis in Acinetobacter?
All of the above
What is the superantigen involved in enterotoxic lesions of the intestinal epithelium?
Superantigen
What is the characteristic of Acinetobacter strains that makes them hardy?
All of the above
What is the goal of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings?
To maintain a risk-free healthcare setting
What is the importance of antiseptic disinfectants in healthcare settings?
To maintain a risk-free healthcare setting
Who should be responsible for controlling the choice of antiseptics, disinfectants, and antiseptic disinfectants in hospitals?
Hospital infection prevention and control committees and infection control nurse(s)
What is the main issue with the use of antiseptics and disinfectants in hospitals?
The development of resistance in opportunistic pathogens
What is the main goal of managing antiseptics and developing new products?
Maintaining their effective activities against certain pathogens
Why is the hospital environment a common place for microorganisms to interact with each other?
Because it is the only place where microorganisms interact with each other
What is the main reason for the importance of maintaining a clean and safe hospital environment?
To prevent the spread of nosocomial pathogens and ensure patient safety
What is the main characteristic of Acinetobacter spp. in the hospital environment?
They can convert into resistant bacteria using various defense systems
What is the primary benefit of quaternary ammonium compounds as disinfectants?
They have more tolerant and less harmful properties for people, the environment, and substances
What is the main difference between high-level, intermediate-level, and low-level antimicrobial agents?
Their classification system is based on their effectiveness against nosocomial pathogens
What is the main reason for the importance of using antiseptic disinfectants with a broad microbicidal spectrum in hospitals?
To prevent the spread of nosocomial pathogens
What is the primary advantage of using natural antiseptic substances?
They minimize harm to humans, animals, the environment, and themselves
What is the main reason for the importance of preventing Acinetobacter infections in hospitals?
To prevent the spread of nosocomial pathogens and ensure patient safety
What is the main challenge in treating Acinetobacter spp. infections?
The resistance of Acinetobacter spp. to multiple antibiotics
What is the recommended concentration range of alcohols for surface cleaning?
60-95%
What is the primary mechanism of action of benzalkonium chloride?
It destroys the vegetative membranes of microorganisms
Why are wounded or burned patients receiving chemotherapy more susceptible to Acinetobacter spp. infections?
All of the above
What is the primary advantage of using alcohol-based disinfectants?
They have a reduced skin contact time and more efficient killing performance
What is the main difference between chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine?
They have different mechanisms of action against microorganisms
What is the primary use of essential oils as antiseptics?
They are used as a alternative to synthetic antiseptics
What is the main limitation of using quaternary ammonium compounds as disinfectants?
They are too harsh on the environment
What is the primary benefit of using hydrogen peroxide as an antiseptic?
It is a strong oxidizing agent that is able to harm secondary and tertiary structurally organized proteins
What is the primary mechanism by which antiseptic agents exert their activity?
Denaturation of proteins and lysis of cells
What is the purpose of testing the efficacy of disinfectants using established standards?
To ensure the product kills specific types of microorganisms
What is the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of an antiseptic agent?
The lowest concentration that inhibits the growth of the microorganism
What is the significance of the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of an antiseptic agent?
It is the concentration that kills the microorganism
Why were new test methodologies developed for disinfectant products?
To include new organisms for four product types
What is the purpose of guidance for test protocols published by international organizations?
To guide the development of test protocols for industry and regulatory authorities
What is the significance of determining the optical density (turbidity) at 600 nm in evaluating antiseptic activity?
It measures the growth of the microorganism
What is the primary purpose of efficacy testing of disinfectants?
To ensure the product kills specific types of microorganisms
What is the characteristic of an effective disinfectant product?
It killing specific types of microorganisms
Why are standardized test protocols essential for disinfectant products?
To ensure data to support product registration and label claims
Study Notes
Antiseptic Disinfectants Active Against Acinetobacter Species
Preface
- No single antiseptic or disinfectant agent provides 100% inactivation against bacteria, making it essential to use different types and combinations of agents.
- Elderberry flowers color fluid and a homemade antiseptic composed of myrtle, salt, lemon, and vinegar were found to be effective against Acinetobacter spp.
Understanding Acinetobacter Species
- Acinetobacter spp. are Gram-negative, oxidase-negative, non-motile, glucose-nonfermentative, aerobic coccobacilli.
- They grow on p-hydroxybenzoate as the sole aromatic compound and can produce hydrogen sulfide.
- As of 2019, 130 species are included in the Acinetobacter genus.
- Acinetobacter spp. are associated with community-acquired infections, such as otitis, sinusitis, and wound infections.
Characteristics and Pathogenicity
- Acinetobacter spp. can cause severe infections, including pneumonia and bacteremia, in humans and animals.
- They have a complex genotypic structure, and their pathogenicity involves the interaction of bacteria with host-cell membrane architecture and the host-innate immune response.
- Outer membrane proteins, capsule, fimbriae, biofilm formation structures, and exoproducts are crucial virulence factors in Acinetobacter spp.
Importance of Antiseptic Disinfectants in Healthcare Settings
- The main goal of infection prevention and control is to maintain a risk-free healthcare setting.
- Antiseptic disinfectants play a crucial role in preventing the spread of nosocomial pathogens, including Acinetobacter spp.
- The hospital environment is a common place where microorganisms interact and convert into resistant bacteria.
- The resistance development of opportunistic pathogens to hospital antiseptics and disinfectants is a significant issue.
Prevention of Acinetobacter Infections
- Chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine/uracil combinations can be effectively used for preoperative skin antiseptics to prevent surgical site infections.
- Povidone-iodine/povidone-iodine/uracil combinations, chlorhexidine, cetrimide, or effective alternative antiseptics may be recommended for first-stage wound care.
Common Antiseptic Agents
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) are commonly used disinfectants that are stronger and able to kill a wider range of pathogens.
- Chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine are extensively utilized antiseptics in hospital settings and home use.
- Ethyl alcohol is a common antiseptic, disinfectant, and sterilizing agent.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizing agent that can harm secondary and tertiary structurally organized proteins.
Efficacy Testing and Guidelines
- Effective levels of a disinfectant are determined using established test standards, such as those published by AOAC International, the European Committee for Standardization, or the United States Pharmacopeial Convention.
- Test standards define the criteria that must be used to demonstrate that the ingredient added to the product has been made at a safe and effective level.
- Guidance for test protocols is available in several international protocols published by the European Committee for Standardization and the United States Pharmacopeia.
Learn about the different antiseptic and disinfectant agents effective against Acinetobacter species, a type of Gram-negative bacteria. Discover the importance of using combinations of agents and the surprising effectiveness of homemade antiseptics.
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