Localized Hotspot Management: Hand-Held Phage Aerosols as a Complementary Strategy for Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infection Control in Healthcare Settings.

ABSTRACT: Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) remains a major challenge in healthcare settings due to its persistence on inanimate surfaces and resistance to conventional cleaning methods. Bacteriophages (phages) represent a promising biocontrol option owing to their high specificity and lytic activity. Methods: This study evaluated the use of a personal hand-held vibrating mesh nebulizer (VMN) as a rapid and localized delivery platform for phage aerosols. Using two lytic phages (ϕ2, Podovirus; ϕ11, Myovirus), we assessed phage stability under different storage conditions, viability during VMN operation, and surface decontamination efficacy under varying spray parameters. Results: In saline, both phages showed optimal long-term stability at 4 °

SUBMITTER: Lin YS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12838338 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature