Abstract
We are pleased to introduce this themed section of Applied Biosafety that focuses on the use and validation of a variety of decontamination methods for pathogens and cephalosporin compounds. The successful decontamination or sterilization of infectious materials is a core biosafety requirement in research, medical, and biotechnical/pharmaceutical industries.
In “Determining the Efficacy of Chemicals for the Inactivation of Liquid Waste Containing Gram-Positive Bacteria of Risk Group 2” Rotzetter et al. validated the efficacy of two commercially available disinfectants, containing glucoprotamine or peracetic acid which are used in inactivation of infectious liquid wastes containing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP). They describe the process validations used and a method for assessing aquatic toxicity for environmental consideration.
Removal of samples from BSL-3 containment for work at a lower containment level requires the inactivation process be validated against the infectious agent. Brady et al. report time- and dose-dependent kill curves for heat, methanol, and formaldehyde inactivation methods, and common nucleic acid extraction procedures in “Approaches for the Inactivation of Yersinia pestis.” They tested the inactivation methods using bacterial cultures and infected tissue samples. The Rotzetter and Brady studies provide sufficient detail for other researchers to replicate the work and develop site-specific in-house inactivation procedures.
Rhys Tancock-Jones et al. developed a cephalosporin decontamination protocol using gaseous chlorine dioxide and an ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analytical method for measuring a wide range of cephalosporins in “Chlorine Dioxide Dry Gas: A Promising Solution for Effective Decontamination of Cephalosporin Compounds.” They also evaluated the post-decontamination cephalosporin degradation products and their biological activity. This is a critical process for the pharmaceutical industry, since the beta lactam component of cephalosporins can trigger hypersensitivity reactions in some individuals. Regulatory bodies mandate stringent controls to inactivate beta lactam prior to reuse of facilities and equipment for products that do not contain beta lactam.
Scientists working in BSL-4 maximum-containment suit labs wear positive pressure breathing-air supplied suits to protect themselves from potential exposure to high-consequence pathogens. To ensure pathogens do not escape the lab on the suits, they are decontaminated in a disinfectant chemical shower prior to exiting the lab. Leung et al. describe a method for validating suit decontamination using coupons taken from different sections of protective suits in “Decontamination Validation of the BSL-4 Chemical Disinfectant Deluge Shower System.”
The articles in this themed section of Applied Biosafety provide valuable information for the development of and validation of pathogen or cephalosporin compound inactivation procedures. These articles are available online by our publisher Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (https://home.liebertpub.com/publications/applied-biosafety/661/overview).