An infection is considered nosocomial when it affects a patient during a stay in a healthcare facility. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health estimates that nosocomial infections are the direct cause of 4,000 deaths each year in France.
Healthcare facilities are taking this problem very seriously, and significant preventative measures are being implemented. Hospital-acquired infections are primarily linked to sanitary conditions in the hospital environment: hand hygiene, mask-wearing, disinfection and sterilization of medical equipment, etc. However, everyone is affected and must be involved in hygiene measures, visitors as well as doctors.
« Combating microbial contamination is a major public health issue » assures the Dr. VialetteResponsible for the Microbiological Safety Unit (USM) of the Pasteur Institute of Lille.
Fighting microbial infections
Understanding behavior of a microorganism in its environment, whether natural or linked to human activities, this is the mission of the Microbiological Safety Unit of the Pasteur Institute of Lille, in collaboration with the health authorities.
Today, the Unit conducts a whole section of its research on nosocomial infections. About 5% Patients staying in the hospital contract an infection within the facility, which is why it is essential to understand them in order to better prevent them.
Researchers are trying to combat microbial contamination before it infects the patient, particularly pathogenic bacteria or viruses, which represent a major problem in hospitals. (hospitals and nursing homes)This research is organized through innovative work on textiles used in hospital settings. The team is working on an “improved” textile capable of fighting infections. Indeed, during a hospital stay, while the body is already weakened Through illness, patients come into direct or indirect contact with a range of elements that can transmit microbes (bedding, uniforms, screens, and other items that could be a source of contamination). The team then seeks to limit microbial contamination and thus combat infections transmissible through textilesThe Microbiological Safety Unit of the Pasteur Institute of Lille is able to carry out this applied research thanks to a partnership with a Franco-Belgian cross-border consortium and the Group of Hospitals of the Catholic Institute of LilleThis work is a real public health issue: fighting the spread of these viruses can save many lives.
What are the prospects for the future?
For Dr. Michèle Vialette, head of the unit, one avenue to explore could be that of surgical implants or any other implantable material. Every surgical procedure involves a risk to the patient related to the opening of a pathway for pathogenic microorganisms to enter the body.
This risk is increased when materials are introduced into the patient, as is particularly the case for the placement of surgical implants.
Despite all the hygiene measures taken, cases of infection still occur. contracted during these actsThe Microbiological Safety Unit aims to continue its research on materials “functionalized"in order to prevent the risk of contamination by microorganisms during the placement of these implantable materials. Controlling this route of post-surgical contamination would contribute to the fight against nosocomial infections and address public health challenges."
A cutting-edge unit in microbiological safety
This team, skilled in bacteriology and virology and specializing in highly pathogenic agents for humans (capable of causing disease), was formed in 2003 and has now become a leading unit linking research and expertise.
This unique, multi-skilled team, working in partnership with various health authorities, is capable of answering specific questions in environmental microbiology. It also has recognized expertise in product and environmental assessment. disinfection processesThese rare skills allow USM to contribute its expertise in various fields where there is an awareness of management. microbial contamination (hospital environment, agri-food, cosmetology, air…). Its applied research programs, most often conducted in collaboration with industrial partners, allow the team to bring its expertise in microbiology to innovation stakeholders.
Tailor-made studies, evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy, microbiological analyses… all these research activities require your regular support to discover new ways to combat the development of nosocomial infections and to find alternative solutions, particularly in hospital settings.
Did you know?
In 2015, a meeting between the writer Franck thilliez and many researchers from the Pasteur Institute of Lille, including Dr. Michèle Vialette, provided him with inspiration for writing his book Pandemic. “For a long time, I’d had the idea of writing a story about microbes. I’d never had the chance to delve into the subject. The opportunity to explore the very cradle of microbiology couldn’t have come at a better time,” the author explains. The researcher recalls, “I admit, I didn’t know him and I was afraid a CSI fan would show up.” As for the writer, he wanted to meet specialists who could help him with his new novel. Franck Thilliez was fascinated when he met the head of the Microbiological Safety Unit. She explained how, in 2007, following the death of three swans from avian flu, she had gone to take samples from a pond in the Moselle region. This experience would later inspire the opening scene of Pandemia. Since that day, Franck Thilliez has supported the Pasteur Institute of Lille as a sponsor of the Foundation.
