Fungal Infection- A Severe Burden on Health-care Facilities
For a long time fungal infections have posed as a major health hazard to humans, but the threat is accelerating due to global warming.
Dr Michael Kurilla, a director of the US National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences mentioned in a recent article , ‘’Many fungal infections exist in nature but are not adaptable to human or mammalian body temperatures at 37 degrees C. But with global warming, they are actually adapting… [it is] becoming much easier for fungi to colonise and infect and invade citizens, as well as other mammalian species,”. [1]
Numerous outbreaks of other fungal diseases, such as Candida auris and, more recently, COVID-19-associated Mucormycosis have been increasingly reported from various areas of India due to ever-changing environment. The growing nation’s health care system is invaded by full spectrum of fungal illnesses leading to high morbidity and deaths.
Globally, Candida auris is of special concern as ithas a mortality rate of between 30 and 72 percent. The infection, which was first discovered in Japan in 2009, is now being reported in roughly 30 different nations.
Both its detection and treatment are challenging as it is amultidrug-resistant fungal infection found in healthcare environments and particularly prays on patients with weakened immune systems.
Candida auris has caused outbreaks in hospitals all over the world. Over 1 million people are thought to have the potentially blinding fungal eye disease and nearly 200,000 people are infected with Mucormycosis (so called ‘Black mould’). Climate change is stimulating the spread of fungal infections andencouraging the fungi to feed off high-risk patients. [2]
Surprisingly India's fungal burden is more than 10 times the annual incidence of tuberculosis in India, “indicating an enormous population of patients affected by fungal diseases”. An estimated 57 251 328 of the 139.34 crore people in India (4.1%) suffer from a serious fungal disease. [3]
A host of medical morbidity and comorbidity conditions such as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), cancers, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD), and many more, are linked to a high susceptibility for fungal infections in the India. [4]
ICU fungal HAIs- A Significant Trend
According to the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) system conducted by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US during the 1980s, Candida species are the sixth most prevalent nosocomial pathogen in healthcare settings. Both big and small hospitals were shown to have a significant rise in the incidence of nosocomial candidemia during this time. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3548709/)
Fungal infections account for at least 13 million infections and 1.5 million deaths globally per year, mostly of those having weaker immune system. These patients are likely to fall prey, resulting in high mortality rate.[4]In terms of ICU fungal HAIs, a total of 516 incidents were found, of which 54.8 percent included urinary tract infections, 30.6% involved bloodstream infections, 6.6% involved surgical site infections, and 3.5% involved other sites.[5]
Substandard fungal treatments: A Complication for Immunosuppressed
Fungal infections, especially mould infections suppress the body’s immune system and its ability to fight infections and diseases.and are linked to high crude and attributed death rates in hospital settings.
Substandard products that are not effective combined with immunosuppressed patients developing antifungal resistance, is putting patients, staff and visitors at risk.
Antifungal resistance occurs as antifungal medications become ineffective in stopping the spread of a fungal infection. Antifungals are ineffective against superbugs like Candida auris, which restricts available treatments. [6]
Latest Generation QAC’s- High Efficacy in Application for Fungal Treatments
Moulds, fungi, and yeast are resilient organisms that can grow in any environment, particularly where the climate is hot and humid. They often have the ability to form spores or protective structures that can withstand harsh environments and resist chemical treatments.
High efficacy fogging treatments are effective and will eradicate or adequately control mould infections. Using the next generation of 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th QACs tested against the latest EN gold standards will support healthcare professionals in the fight against fungi. These next generation QAC’s are surface friendly and won’t inflict damage unlike the older generation formaldehyde, alcoholsand strong acids.
Therefore, it's crucial to use appropriate and effective fogging methods and products specifically designed to target and eliminate these microorganisms.
Deep cleaning and fogging of hospital rooms with the next generation of 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th quaternary ammonium disinfectant is effective in reducing the number of detectable airborne and surface bacteria. Tests revealed that the fogging process successfully removed the majority of the detectable staphylococci, streptococci, pseudomonads, and salmonellae from the rooms after the infected patients vacated the hospital setting. [7]
Bioguard disinfectants- Proven Efficacy in Eliminating Bacterial spores
Certified with latest EN gold standards and powered by Biochem, Bioguard disinfectants are formulated with Broad Spectrum Microbiological efficacy making it effective against wide variety of infections such as ESKAPE pathogens & Clostridium difficile (spores & bacteria), Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, Norovirus, HIV, MRSA, and Avian Flu.
Here are the USP’s of Bioguard
Proven Efficacy: Independently tested to the latest EN gold standards ( EN- 14247 & EN- 14348) in dirty conditions to reflect real time use. Trusted by health care professionals and regularly used over 20,000 health care settings.
Powerful & Efficient:Sporicidal disinfectants with air freshening capability eliminating all hygiene risks and unpleasant odours, ideal in environments where the risk of bodily fluid exposure is high.
Latest Formulation-Biochem: Powered with latest generation QAC’s, the formulation is effective in environments with high soiling levels.
Skin & Surface Friendly:Products are non-hazardous and non-toxic and have been MEA & VOC tested to ensure they are safe. Also, pH Neutral not only helps protecting the skin but also retaining the moisture.
Multi-Surface:Usable on all surfaces including plastic, stainless steel, bedding and uniforms, without damaging or degrading them; one quick, hassle-free application is all that’s required.
Greater Dilutions & Cost-Effective: 2 in 1 disinfection removes the need for multiple products, making it cost-effective. More dilutions per litre, which lowers the cost Bioguard with the power of Biochem offers you a powerful and effective solution that eliminates cluster outbreak of fungal infections. Independently tested and cutting-edge technology, Bioguard disinfectant is truly effective across the whole spectrum of professional healthcare environments. Help reduce the burden of fungal threat with Bioguard powered by Biochem.
