Retrospective genome-oriented analysis reveals low transmission rate of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa from contaminated toilets at a bone marrow transplant unit.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of toilet-to-patient transmission of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR PA) poses management-related challenges at many bone marrow transplant units (BMTUs). AIM: To conduct a longitudinal retrospective analysis of the toilet-to-patient transmission rate for MDR PA under existing infection control (IC) measures at a BMTU with persistent MDR PA toilet colonization. METHODS: The local IC bundle comprised: (1) patient education regarding IC; (2) routine patient screening; (3) toilet flushing volume of 9 L; (4) bromination of toilet water tanks, and (5) toilet decontamination using hydrogen peroxide. Toilet water was sampled periodically between 2016 and 2021 (minimum every three months: 26 intervals). Upon MDR PA detection, disinfection and re-sampling were repeated until ≤3 cfu/100 mL was reached. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed retrospectively on all available MDR PA isolates (90 out of 117 positive environmental samples, 10 out of 14 patients, including nine nosocomial). FINDINGS: WGS of patient isolates identified six sequence types (STs), with ST235/CT1352/FIM-1 and ST309/CT3049/no-carbapenemase being predominant (three isolates each). Environmental sampling consistently identified MDR PA ST235 (65.5% ST235/CT1352/FIM-1), showing low genetic diversity (difference of ≤29 alleles by core-genome multi-locus sequence typing (cgMLST)). This indicates that direct toilet-to-patient transmission was infrequent although MDR PA was widespread (detection on 79 occasions, detection in every toilet). Only three MDR PA patient isolates can be attributed to the ST235/CT1352/FIM-1 toilet MRD PA population over six years. CONCLUSION: Stringent targeted toilet disinfection can reduce the potential risk for MDR PA acquisition by patients.

The Occupational and Environmental Hazards of Uncovered Toilets.

ABSTRACT: Substantial evidence demonstrates that plumes from uncovered toilets potentially expose nurses and other health care workers to aerosols containing infectious agents and hazardous drugs, including antineoplastic drugs. Most hospitals in the United States utilize flushometer-type toilets, which operate under high pressure and do not have a permanently attached closure or lid, which is known to reduce the aerosols generated by flushing. This article aims to raise awareness among nurses of the potential exposure risks associated with toilet plume aerosols, so they can educate other health care workers and take part in initiatives to address these risks.

Transmission of Viruses from Restroom Use: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment.

Restroom use has been implicated in a number of viral outbreaks. In this study, we apply quantitative microbial risk assessment to quantify the risk of viral transmission by contaminated restroom fomites. We estimate risk from high-touch fomite surfaces (entrance/exit door, toilet seat) for three viruses of interest (SARS-CoV-2, adenovirus, norovirus) through eight exposure scenarios involving differing user behaviors, and the use of hand sanitizer following each scenario. We assessed the impacts of several sequences of fomite contacts in the restroom, reflecting the variability of human behavior, on infection risks for these viruses. Touching of the toilet seat was assumed to model adjustment of the seat (open vs. closed), a common touch point in single-user restrooms (home, small business, hospital). A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted for each exposure scenario (10,000 simulations each). Norovirus resulted in the highest probability of infection for all exposure scenarios with fomite surfaces. Post-restroom automatic-dispensing hand sanitizer use reduced the probability of infection for each virus by up to 99.75%. Handwashing within the restroom, an important risk-reduction intervention, was not found to be as effective as use of a non-touch hand sanitizer dispenser for reducing risk to near or below 1/1,000,000, a commonly used risk threshold for comparison.

Comparing Two Methods of Reducing Hospital Toilet Aerosols.

BACKGROUND: When flushed, uncovered hospital toilets have been shown to generate aerosols potentially containing bacteria, viruses, and hazardous drugs, which can be inhaled by healthcare workers and contaminate surfaces. Guidelines recommend placing a plastic-backed absorbent pad (PBP) over the toilet, although no studies have evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using a PBP versus the Splashblocker®, a solid, reusable engineering barrier control, to reduce post-flush aerosol particles. METHODS: Aerosol measurements were taken with an optical particle counter in a bathroom testing chamber equipped with a commercial hospital toilet and flushometer valve. Three tests were performed at a height of 16 inches above the floor and 40 inches above the floor. FINDINGS: Both the PBP and the Splashblocker significantly reduced the number of post-flush particles by more than 99% at 16 inches above the floor and 40 inches above the floor. The results indicate that both interventions are equally beneficial in reducing aerosols after flushing a hospital toilet.

Unveiling indicator, enteric, and respiratory viruses in aircraft lavatory wastewater using adsorption-extraction and Nanotrap® Microbiome A Particles workflows.

The effective detection of viruses in aircraft wastewater is crucial to establish surveillance programs for monitoring virus spread via aircraft passengers. This study aimed to compare the performance of two virus concentration workflows, adsorption-extraction (AE) and Nanotrap® Microbiome A Particles (NMAP), in detecting the prevalence and concentrations of 15 endogenous viruses including ssDNA, dsDNA, ssRNA in 24 aircraft lavatory wastewater samples. The viruses tested included two indicator viruses, four enteric viruses, and nine respiratory viruses. The results showed that cross-assembly phage (crAssphage), human polyomavirus (HPyV), rhinovirus A (RhV A), and rhinovirus B (RhV B) were detected in all wastewater samples using both workflows. However, enterovirus (EV), human norovirus GII (HNoV GII), human adenovirus (HAdV), bocavirus (BoV), parechovirus (PeV), epstein-barr virus (EBV). Influenza A virus (IAV), and respiratory syncytial virus B (RsV B) were infrequently detected by both workflows, and hepatitis A virus (HAV), influenza B virus (IBV), and respiratory syncytial virus B (RsV A) were not detected in any samples. The NMAP workflow had greater detection rates of RNA viruses (EV, PeV, and RsV B) than the AE workflow, while the AE workflow had greater detection rates of DNA viruses (HAdV, BoV, and EBV) than the NMAP workflow. The concentration of each virus was also analyzed, and the results showed that crAssphage had the highest mean concentration (6.76 log10 GC/12.5 mL) followed by HPyV (5.46 log10 GC/12.5 mL using the AE workflow, while the mean concentrations of enteric and respiratory viruses ranged from 2.48 to 3.63 log10 GC/12.5 mL. Using the NMAP workflow, the mean concentration of crAssphage was 5.18 log10 GC/12.5 mL and the mean concentration of HPyV was 4.20 log10 GC/12.5 mL, while mean concentrations of enteric and respiratory viruses ranged from 2.55 to 3.74 log10 GC/12.5 mL. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) mean concentrations of crAssphage and HPyV were observed when employing the AE workflow in comparison to the NMAP workflow. Conversely, the NMAP workflow yielded significantly greater (p < 0.05) concentrations of RhV A, and RhV B compared to the AE workflow. The findings of this study can aid in the selection of an appropriate concentration workflow for virus surveillance studies and contribute to the development of efficient virus detection methods.

Adenosine phosphate-based detection of worker exposure to contaminated water during bathroom cleaning.

BACKGROUND: Workers who clean bathrooms at medical facilities may be regularly exposed to contaminated water harboring pathogenic microbes and should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent such exposure at medical facilities, which has not been quantitatively assessed. This study quantified the exposure risk from contaminated water when cleaning restrooms at medical facilities and clarified the importance of wearing PPE. METHODS: Existing urinals, toilets, and handwashing sinks (16 each) in a hospital environment were coated with a simulated contaminant containing adenosine phosphate and cleaned with a brush or sponge by workers in PPE. Adenosine phosphate on the PPE, shelf near the toilet, and toilet paper cover was tested before and after cleaning to compare exposure status. RESULTS: Adenosine phosphate on the worker's PPE, shelf near the toilet, and toilet paper cover was significantly higher after cleaning the urinal, toilet, and handwashing sink. More adenosine phosphate was disseminated from urinals and toilets when cleaning with a brush compared with a sponge. DISCUSSION: Workers and the surrounding environment are exposed to contaminated water during bathroom cleaning. Wearing PPE while cleaning and wiping down the toilet environment after cleaning deserves further consideration.

Integrating in-bed gas looping and CO2 capture in the FeD-Latrine.

Sanitation equity and climate actions are world concerns stated by the United Nations in the Sustainable Development Goals. A significant source of greenhouse gas emissions is inputted by human wastes, either in developing countries through wastewater treatment plants, or in the underdeveloped world, through anaerobic digestion of fecal sludge in pit latrines. For the first time, an integrated process for CO2 reduction and capture is implemented in a thermally sustainable, latrine-like device that destroys fresh human feces using smoldering combustion, the FeD-Latrine. A gas looping oxidizes combustible gases and creates favorable conditions to capture CO2 in bed. CH4 and H2 molar fractions are decreased around 90 % and 30 %, respectively. CaO used as a sorbent captures up to 8 mmol of CO2 per gram, forming a stable CaCO3. Compared to kinetic-dominant processes for CO2 capture, we obtain an efficiency of around 52 %. Our findings show that using the FeD-Latrine to replace typical pit latrines reduces 60 % of the CO2-eq emissions.

Corpos em Disputa: Experiências de Travestis e Mulheres Trans no Acesso aos Banheiros Públicos / Disputing bodies: Experiences of Transvestites and Trans Women in Accessing Public Restrooms / Cuerpos en Disputa: Experiencias de Travestis y Mujeres Trans en el Acceso a Baños públicos

Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo e exploratório que objetiva refletir sobre experiências de travestis e mulheres trans na utilização de banheiros públicos. Utilizamo-nos dos pressupostos da pesquisa documental para a produção de dados. Para tal, consideramos o conteúdo, comentários e curtidas do vídeo intitulado "Uma mulher trans deve frequentar o banheiro feminino?", disponível na plataforma Facebook. Tomamos como lente orientadora de todo o processo interpretativo a análise do discurso. Evidenciamos alguns pontos centrais para debate: a estruturação de um sistema de classificação social que posiciona travestis e mulheres trans em categorias de periculosidade; a relação profícua estabelecida entre os sistemas de categorização e classificação social e as categorias de gênero e sexualidade enquanto organizadores da vida cotidiana e dos espaços sociais; a manutenção dos discursos que asseguram a lógica dicotômica binária e, consequentemente, a patologização das experiências de travestilidade e transexualidade; e a articulação política como estratégia que assegura, nos processos de espacialização, a superação de dinâmicas que naturalizam violências legitimadoras de interdições e segregações. Por fim, observamos como ponto de convergência de todas as análises realizadas as estratégias de manutenção da vida de travestis e mulheres trans, através da desestabilização de sistemas de opressão.

This is a qualitative and exploratory study that aims to reflect about the experiences of transvestites, transsexuals and transgender people when using public bathrooms. We used the assumptions of documental research as a way of data production. To this end, we considered the content, comments and likes of the video entitled "Uma mulher trans deve frequentar o banheiro feminino?", available on the Facebook platform. We took the discourse analysis as a guiding lens of the entire interpretive process. We pointed some central points for the debate: the structuring of a social classification system which places transvestites and trans women in dangerous categories; the fruitful relation established between the social categorization and classification systems and the gender and sexuality categories as organizers of the everyday life and the social spaces; the maintenance of discourses that ensure the binary dichotomous logic and, consequently, the pathologization of experiences of travestility and transsexuality; and the political articulation as a strategy which ensures, in spatialization processes, the overcoming of dynamics which naturalize violence that legitimizes interdictions and segregations. Finally, we observe as a point of convergence of all the analysis carried out the strategies for maintaining the life of transvestites and trans women people, through the destabilization of systems of oppression.

Este es un estudio cualitativo y exploratorio que tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre las experiencias de travestis, transexuales y personas transgénero en el uso de baños públicos. Usamos los supuestos de la Investigación Documental para producir datos. Para ello, se consideró el contenido, comentarios y me gustas del video "Uma mulher trans deve frequentar o banheiro feminino?", de Facebook. El Análisis del Discurso fue una guía para el proceso interpretativo. Evidenciamos en el análisis que estas discusiones permean algunos debates centrales, tales como: El sistema de clasificación social, posicionando a travestis y mujeres trans en categorías peligrosas; Se establece una fructífera relación entre los sistemas de categorización y clasificación social vinculados a las cuestiones de género y sexualidad como organizadores de la vida cotidiana y de los espacios sociales; Mantenimiento de discursos que aseguren la lógica binaria y, en consecuencia, patologización de las experiencias de travestilidad y transexualidad; y la articulación política como estrategias que asegura los procesos de espacialidad, dinámicas de naturalización de las violencias que legitiman interdicciones y segregaciones. Se observó como punto de convergencia entre estos análisis realizados las estrategias de mantenimiento de la vida de travestis y mujeres trans, a través de la desestabilización de los sistemas de opresión.

Health Disparities Among Workers With Standing Position and Limited Restroom Access: A Cosmetics Saleswomen Study in South Korea.

Korean cosmetics sales workers in department stores face harmful working environments, including limited restroom access, working long hours in a standing position, and customer violence. This study investigated health disparities between cosmetics saleswomen and the general population of working women in South Korea. We assessed the prevalence of health indicators, including physician-diagnosed disease, using a cross-sectional survey of 860 Korean cosmetics saleswomen in September 2018. Health indicators of cosmetics saleswomen were compared to those of general working women from the nationally representative datasets (e.g., National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort). We estimated age-standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) for health outcomes, including physical, mental, and health-related behavioral conditions. Cosmetics saleswomen were more likely to be diagnosed or treated for physical and mental conditions (e.g., cystitis SPR: 4.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.48-4.65; plantar fasciitis SPR: 23.48, 95% CI: 18.12-29.93; varicose vein SPR: 38.41, 95% CI: 32.18-45.49; and depression SPR: 11.18, 95% CI: 8.53-14.40) compared to general working women. Prevalence of smoking and hazardous alcohol consumption was also higher among cosmetics saleswomen than those of general women workers. Given our findings, further research is needed to identify work-related risk factors that could deteriorate cosmetic sales workers' health in South Korea.

Pilot study on the decontamination efficacy of an installed 222-nm ultraviolet disinfection device (Care222™), with a motion sensor, in a shared bathroom.

BACKGROUND: Toilet surfaces are contaminated with pathogens, and they may be a vector for disease transmission. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of an automated 222-nm ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection device "Care222™," with a motion sensor, for removing bacterial contamination in a shared bathroom. METHODS: Two automated UVC devices, deactivated by motion sensors, were mounted on the ceiling of two bathrooms; the emission window of the UVC device was covered in the non-treated bathroom. After irradiation, samples were collected from five surfaces at four time points/day for 5 days, and colony-forming units (CFUs) of aerobic bacteria (AB) were determined. The irradiation time was also measured. RESULTS: UVC source deactivation time did not significantly differ between the bathrooms. There was a significant difference in the total AB CFUs between the treated and non-treated bathrooms. In the treated bathroom, the CFUs of AB of the toilet seat, control panel of the electric toilet seat, and top of the toilet paper holder were significantly lower than those of the control. The CFUs of AB at 9:00, 15:00, and 18:00 h in the treated bathroom were significantly lower than those of the control. CONCLUSIONS: The automated 222-nm UVC disinfection device with a motion sensor significantly reduced AB surface contamination of a shared bathroom.

Hazardous Drug Contamination: Presence of Bathroom Contamination in an Ambulatory Cancer Center.

BACKGROUND: Many hazardous drugs (HDs) are excreted in urine and feces, and evidence has shown that bathrooms of patients receiving chemotherapy at home are contaminated with HDs. However, little information exists on bathroom contamination in ambulatory clinics where HDs are administered. OBJECTIVES: This project aimed to determine the presence of HD residue in the patient and staff bathrooms of an ambulatory cancer center. METHODS: A quality improvement project was initiated to examine potential contamination by the HDs 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin in a patient bathroom and a secured badge-access staff bathroom in the infusion department of an ambulatory comprehensive cancer center. Twice-daily wipe testing was conducted on the floor in front of the toilet and the flush handle for five consecutive days. FINDINGS: Sixty-five percent of the samples from the floor of the patient bathroom were positive for at least one of the HDs. In the staff bathroom, 35% of the floor samples were positive for at least one HD. None of the flush handle samples were above the level of detection.

Effectiveness of Mass Media Campaigns to Improve Handwashing-Related Behavior, Knowledge, and Practices in Rural Bangladesh.

Water, sanitation, and handwashing interventions that use intensive interpersonal communication improve targeted behaviors, but are expensive at scale. Mass media is an alternative that could reach more people at lower cost but has rarely been rigorously evaluated. We assessed the effectiveness of a mass media campaign in improving handwashing knowledge and practices in rural Bangladesh. We conducted a cross-sectional assessment before the campaign among 8,947 households and again after 4 months of the campaign among 8,400 different households in the same areas. Trained enumerators conducted spot checks of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, and recorded reported knowledge and practices. We compared these outcomes after versus before the campaign using generalized linear models with robust standard errors. After the media campaign, caregivers were more likely to recall ≥ 3 messages regarding handwashing (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.44, 1.34-1.55), sanitation (PR = 1.45, 1.35-1.55), and safe water (PR = 1.17, 1.08-1.26). After the campaign, the prevalence of using soap and water during handwashing demonstrations was higher among caregivers (PR = 1.15, 1.12-1.19) and children (PR = 1.31, 1.22-1.41). Hands were more commonly observed to be visibly clean among caregivers (PR = 1.14, 1.07-1.20) and children (PR = 1.13, 1.05-1.21). Soap and water was more commonly observed in handwashing stations near latrines (PR = 1.12, 1.06-1.19) and in cooking/eating places (PR = 1.09, 1.01-1.18). Our findings indicate improved handwashing knowledge and behaviors following a mass media campaign. This promising approach can be deployed to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene practices at scale and should be evaluated in other contexts.

O binarismo de gênero nas placas de banheiros em espaços públicos / Binarismo de género en las placas de baño en espacios públicos / Gender binarism on bathroom boards in public spaces

Resumo Este artigo propõe reflexões críticas acerca do binarismo masculino/feminino presente na arquitetura e nas placas identificatórias dos banheiros presentes em espaços públicos. Partindo de um referencial pós-estruturalista das teorias de gênero e diversidade sexual, tomamos como corpo de análise as placas dos banheiros que, por meio de palavras, símbolos e imagens, separam esses espaços, tendo como critério exclusivo o sexo designado ao nascimento e não à identidade autodeclarada de gênero. Nesse contexto, a ambiguidade e a fluidez presentes em corpos trans atuam como significativos elementos de denúncia dos limites normativos da classificação dos banheiros, colocando em xeque territórios legitimados socialmente como masculinos e femininos. Assim, as placas são consideradas como analisadores institucionais, pois desvelam a disputa entre forças instituintes e forças instituídas, a qual mostra que, apesar das normativas legais brasileiras, a institucionalização do reconhecimento das diversas formas de ser homem e de ser mulher ainda é objeto de tensão.

Resumen Este artículo propone reflexiones críticas sobre el binarismo masculino/femenino presente en la arquitectura y sobre las placas de los baños presentes en los espacios públicos. Partiendo de un referencial postestructuralista de teorías de género y diversidad sexual, tomamos como cuerpo de análisis las placas de los baños que, a través de palabras, símbolos e imágenes, separan estos espacios, teniendo como criterio exclusivo el sexo designado al nacer y no la identidad de género auto declarada. En este contexto, la ambigüedad y la fluidez presentes en los cuerpos trans actúan como elementos significativos de denuncia de los límites normativos de la clasificación de los baños, poniendo en jaque territorios socialmente legitimados como masculinos y femeninos. Así, las placas son consideradas como analizadores institucionales, pues revelan la disputa entre fuerzas instituyentes y fuerzas instituidas, lo que muestra que, a pesar de las normas legales brasileñas, la institucionalización del reconocimiento de las diversas formas de ser hombre y de ser mujer sigue siendo objeto de tensión.

Abstract This article proposes critical reflections on the male/female binarism present in the architecture and in the identification boards of the bathrooms in public spaces. Based on a post-structuralist framework of the theories of gender and sexual diversity, we take as body of analysis the bathroom signs that, through words, symbols and images, separate these spaces having as exclusive criterion the designated sex at birth and not the self-declared gender identity. In this context, the ambiguity and fluidity present in trans bodies act as significant elements of denunciation of the normative limits of the classification of bathrooms, putting in question socially legitimized territories as male and female. Thus, the signs are considered as institutional analyzers, because they reveal the dispute of the instituting forces and the instituted forces, which shows that, despite the Brazilian legal norms, the institutionalization of the recognition of the various forms of being a man and being a woman is still object of tension.

Knowledge, practices and seroprevalence of Taenia species in smallholder farms in Gauteng, South Africa.

Porcine cysticercosis and associated human infections are endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Poor agricultural practices, sanitary practices, and lack of knowledge increase the burden of the diseases in susceptible populations. This study investigates the seroprevalence of Taenia spp. in township pigs in Gauteng, South Africa and describes knowledge and farming practices of pig farmers regarding T. solium infections. Blood samples were collected from 126 pigs in three Gauteng township areas, and analyzed for active Taenia spp. infection using the B158/B60 Ag-ELISA. Farmer questionnaire surveys were conducted in four township areas to investigate the level of knowledge and practices associated with porcine cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between predictor variables and the outcome variable, knowledge of porcine cysticercosis or knowledge of neurocysticercosis. Overall, 7% of the pigs were seropositive for active Taenia spp. infection. 46% of farmers practiced a free-ranging system, while 25% practiced a semi-intensive system. Latrines were absent on all farms; however, 95% of farmers indicated that they have access to latrines at home. Most farmers had no knowledge of porcine cysticercosis (55%) or neurocysticercosis (79%), and this was not associated with any of the factors investigated. The prevalence of active Taenia spp. infection was reasonably low in this study, yet the knowledge level was also low, thus calling for further educational and training programmes to prevent Taenia spp. transmission in these communities.

Disgust and disgust-driven moral concerns predict support for restrictions on transgender bathroom access.

Many U.S. states have proposed policies that restrict bathroom access to an individual's birth sex. These policies have had widespread effects on safety for transgender and gender-nonconforming people, as well as on state economies. In this registered report, we assessed the role of disgust in support for policies that restrict transgender bathroom access. We found that sensitivity to pathogen disgust was positively associated with support for bathroom restrictions; sexual and injury disgust were unrelated. We also examined the role of disgust-driven moral concerns, known as purity concerns, as well as harm-related moral concerns in support for bathroom restrictions. While concerns about harm to cisgender and transgender people predicted support for bathroom restrictions, purity was a much stronger predictor. Also, purity partially mediated the link between pathogen disgust and support for bathroom restrictions, even after accounting for harm concerns. Findings and implications are discussed.

Do social circumstances dictate a change in the setup of an anorectal malformation clinic?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To assess the number of patients seen at the colorectal clinic of a low-to-middle income-country with emphasis on their social circumstances. METHODS: Between January 2013 and December 2018 we recorded the number of visits to colorectal clinic. From February 2019 prospective data on patients with anorectal malformations (ARMs) focusing on their social conditions (type of housing and sanitation) and HIV-exposure were collected. RESULTS: At the clinic 452 visits were recorded in 2013, 608 in 2014, 904 in 2016, 1392 in 2017, and 1968 in 2018. The ARM cohort included 100 patients: at the time of delivery the HIV status of 74 mothers was negative, positive in 21, and unknown in 5. None of the HIV-exposed patients seroconverted to HIV positive (average follow-up:39 months). Seventy-four patients live in formal settlements, 23 in informal, and 3 in unknown type. Forty-six patients have inside toilets, 39 outside flushing toilets, 10 outside pit latrines, 2 community toilets, and 3 an unknown sanitation. CONCLUSIONS: The clinic work-load has increased during the past years. A significant proportion of our patients are HIV-exposed, do not live in formal houses and do not have inside toilets. Tailored strategies for a successful surgical plan and bowel management need to be implemented. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.