Combined Biocidal Effect of Gaseous Ozone and Citric Acid on Acinetobacter baumannii Biofilm Formed on Ceramic Tiles and Polystyrene as a Novel Approach for Infection Prevention and Control

Acinetobacter baumannii is a prominent emerging pathogen responsible for variety of hospital-acquired infections. It can contaminate inanimate surfaces and survive in harsh environmental conditions prolonged periods time the form biofilm. Biofilm difficult to remove with only one method disinfection, so combined disinfection methods biocidal active substances are needed biofilm eradication. Additionally, having mind ecological demands, legislators more prone using fewer toxic that produce less solid waste hazardous byproducts. Gaseous ozone citric acid natural compounds, purpose this study was determine their effects on A. formed ceramics polystyrene. Twenty-four-hour ceramic tiles polystyrene exposed different combinations protocols 25 ppm gaseous 1 h exposure 15% 10 min exposure. The total number bacteria counted afterwards expressed as CFU/cm2. determined caused reduction 2.8 5.89 log10 CFU (99.99% inhibition rate) viable each method, acid–ozone–citric protocol being most successful eradication both In conclusion, showed good successfully reduced early from surfaces. given combination be option eco-friendly hospital contamination prior mechanical cleaning.