@article {3706, title = {Effectiveness of a novel, non-intrusive, continuous-use air decontamination technology to reduce microbial contamination in clinical settings: a multi-centric study [Biomoneta Research Pvt. Ltd., a C-CAMP Startup]}, journal = {J Hosp Infect}, volume = {123}, year = {2022}, month = {2022 Feb 16}, pages = {15-22}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Despite rigorous disinfection and fumigation, healthcare-associated infection (HAI) remains a significant concern in healthcare settings. We have developed a novel airborne-microbicidal technology {\textquoteright}ZeBox{\textquoteright} which clears \>99.999\% of airborne microbial load under controlled laboratory conditions.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical performance of ZeBox in reducing airborne and surface microbial load.

METHODS: The study was conducted in single-bed and multi-bed intensive care units (ICUs) of two hospitals. Airborne and surface microbial loads were sampled pre and post deployment of ZeBox at pre-determined sites. Statistical significance of the reduction was determined using the Mann-Whitney U-test.

FINDINGS: ZeBox brought statistically significant reduction of both airborne and surface bacterial and fungal load. In both hospital ICUs, airborne and surface bacterial load decreased by 90\% and 75\% on average respectively, providing a low bioburden zone of 10-15 feet diameter around the unit. The reduced microbial level was maintained during ZeBox{\textquoteright}s operation over several weeks. Most clinical bacterial isolates recovered from one of the hospitals were antibiotic resistant, highlighting ZeBox{\textquoteright}s ability to eliminate antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among others.

CONCLUSION: ZeBox significantly reduces airborne and surface microbial burden in clinical settings. It thereby serves an unmet need for reducing the incidence of HAI.

}, issn = {1532-2939}, doi = {10.1016/j.jhin.2022.02.002}, author = {Nagaraj, S and Chandrasingh, S and Jose, S and Sofia, B and Sampath, S and Krishna, B and Menon, I and Kundu, D and Parekh, S and Madival, D and Nandi, V and Ghatak, A} }