Sporosan Project
Update on the coronavirus pandemic
The Sporosan two-component disinfection system is effective against ALL pathogens (including viruses and stubborn bacterial spores). It is also non-flammable and theft-proof.
As part of the project, we are currently setting up a disinfection system that allows hand disinfection in high-traffic areas (e.g. at train stations, airports and in hospitals). The pilot system developed in this project allows 18 people to disinfect their hands at the same time. The system has a modular design and is self-sufficient except for the water supply. It can provide approximately 1 million hand disinfections with a single filling of disinfectant.
The pilot plant is funded and supported by: European Union, Witeno, Hygiene Nord GmbH, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Nebula Biocides, Formitas, BSG Sondermaschinenbau, INP, Dr. Brill + Dr. Steinmann and the University of Greifswald.
Background to the project
Since the establishment of bacteriology in the late 19th century, dealing with pathogens has been an ever-increasing challenge for healthcare facilities. New pathogens, multi-resistant germs and an ageing population are just some of the reasons for this. In particular, the unrestrained use of antibiotics in the past has led to a large number of microorganisms that have developed resistance to antibiotics through mutation.
With ‘Sporosan’, the INP has developed a novel active ingredient that not only has sporicidal and virucidal properties, but is also water-based, completely biodegradable and low-odour. Preliminary work by the INP and Nebula Biocides GmbH confirmed the effectiveness of the process in accredited laboratories. Furthermore, measurement methods for the detection of the active ingredients, some of which are extremely short-lived, have been developed.
As part of the ‘Sporosan’ project, which is funded by the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Health Economy Ideas Competition, a novel dispenser system is being developed in collaboration with project partners during the project period. This system is characterised by its practicality, suitability for volume production and attractive design with a high recognition factor. Intelligent data collection is also being integrated.
In addition to adapting the dispenser, another aspect of the project is the further development of the active ingredient formulation. Here, additives are to be used to improve the sensory impression of an effective disinfectant solution. A particular challenge here is that interaction between additives and the short-lived, reactive species cannot be ruled out.
One application of the novel disinfectant is the fight against resistant, spore-forming bacteria. A relevant representative of this genus is the bacterium Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile). It can cause life-threatening diarrhoea and often occurs in people who have undergone antibiotic therapy for other indications. In the USA, C. difficile is the most common cause of nosocomial infections and is estimated to cause 12,800 deaths per year in that country alone [1]. That is more deaths than the better-known MRSA pathogen (10,600 per year). The direct damage caused by C. difficile in the healthcare sector amounts to approximately $1 billion per year in the United States alone. For these reasons, the US Department of Health and Human Services classifies the bacterium C. difficile, along with only four other pathogens, as a high-risk pathogen (Urgent Threats).
This dramatic classification can also be attributed to the high hygiene requirements associated with C. difficile. Because a C. difficile infection leads to severe diarrhoea, these pathogens are excreted via the intestines. C. difficile bacteria form spores in the air. Bacterial spores are a form of survival that enables them to survive in inhospitable environmental conditions. What makes C. difficile spores so special is their enormous resistance. While the vegetative form can be killed with the simplest of hygiene measures, the sporulated form can survive strong alcoholic disinfectants and high temperatures. Combined with their ability to survive on surfaces for several months, complex hygiene measures are necessary to contain the spread of this bacterium. For example, medical staff should wash their hands thoroughly after each contact with an infected patient, in addition to using alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Patients are also strictly isolated and may only be visited by people wearing appropriate protective clothing.
As these protective measures are very costly, failure to comply with them can easily lead to the spread of spores. In a study conducted in 2014, C. difficile spores were detected on the hands of medical staff in one in four cases where they had previously had routine contact with an infected patient [2].
Almost all hand disinfectants to date are based on the active ingredient alcohol. However, spore-forming bacteria such as C. difficile cannot be killed with alcohol-based agents. Even non-enveloped viruses are very resistant and only lose their infectious potential after repeated use of conventional hand disinfectants.
The Sporosan disinfection system is capable of inactivating even stubborn pathogens such as viruses or bacterial spores within a very short time. It will help to prevent painful infections.
[1] Report: Antibiotic resistance threats in the United States 2019; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019
[2] Landelle C, Verachten M, Legrand P, Girou E, Barbut F, Brun Buisson C; Contamination of healthcare workers' hands with Clostridium difficile spores after caring for patients with C. difficile infection; Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014; 35(1):10-15
