PI: Gabrielle String

Co-PI: Kristen Jellison

University: Lehigh University

Industry partner: Lehigh Valley Health Network

In the United States, healthcare associated infections (HAI) are estimated to create a $28-45 billion burden to the economy, and antibiotic-resistant HAIs increase patient length of stay by 7.4 days on average globally. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an environmental emerging opportunistic pathogen of concern because it is multiple-drug-resistant and causes HAIs, including bacteremia, sepsis, and pneumonia, in immunocompromised patients. S. maltophilia can be found in natural waters, water treatment plants, chlorinated distribution networks, and potable water, including hospital tap water systems, and can live inside free-living amoeba (FLA) that escape disinfection processes during water treatment. Transmission of S. maltophilia is possible through ingestion, aspiration, aerosolization, and the hands of health-care workers. Therefore, evidence is needed to understand the efficacy of a UV-based disinfectant at inactivating S. maltophilia based on the status of its association with FLA (i.e., never harbored, currently harbored, or previously harbored) to prepare to address this increasing public health threat. The objective of this proposal is to understand the efficacy of a currently in use room-scale UV light disinfection system against S. maltophilia on healthcare-relevant surfaces in the Lehigh Valley. To achieve the grant’s research objective, we propose a controlled, laboratory-based efficacy study in three stepped Phases to evaluate the efficacy of the UV-light system used by LVHN’s Infectious Disease Group. This work will be technically informed by infection preventionists at LVHN based upon their experience with the system. Extending on our current collaboration, LVHN will inform on protocols, including targeted areas of concern for disinfection, materials to be disinfected, UV dosages, and any confirmatory quality control measures. This work is expected to result in a Lehigh/LVHN co-authored manuscript and conference presentation and holistically address the technical efficacy of disinfection mechanisms so the partnership can scale to a larger funding mechanism for effectiveness trials.