Hygiene MDPI

Did you know that the polymer chosen for a medical implant can significantly impact long-term infection risk?

This study published in Hygiene MDPI dives into the world of biomaterials, comparing how two leading medical-grade polymers—PEEK and Polyamide 12 (PA12)—resist biofilm formation by two common bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.

📊 By analyzing biofilm formation kinetics, this research offers valuable insights for clinicians, biomedical engineers, and researchers focused on improving implant safety and advancing 3D-printed medical technologies.

🔗 Read the full open access article here: https://bit.ly/4r1OfKv

Tag a colleague or researcher working in biomaterials, medical device design, or infection prevention! 💬👇

In Vitro Biofilm Formation Kinetics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli on Medical-Grade Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) and Polyamide 12 (PA12) Polymers Biofilms, structured communities of microorganisms encased in an extracellular matrix, are a major cause of persistent infections, particularly when formed on medical devices. This study investigated the kinetics of biofilm formation by Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two clinically sig...

We are pleased to highlight a new open-access article on infection control in equine facilities:

“Bacterial Surface Contamination in an Equine Hospital Before and After Cleaning and Disinfection Optimization: A Longitudinal Study with Two Post-Intervention Sampling Periods”

The authors investigate how optimized cleaning and disinfection protocols influence bacterial surface contamination in an equine hospital. By following contamination patterns over time—before intervention and in two post-intervention sampling periods—the study provides valuable evidence to support improved hygiene, biosecurity measures, and patient safety in equine clinical settings.

🔗 Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3SBm4FG

This work will be of interest to veterinarians, infection control teams, and researchers working on hospital hygiene and antimicrobial stewardship in equine practice.

🌿 Herbs as a Natural Shield for Cheese 🧀✨

What if the herbs in your garden could be the key to safer, longer-lasting cheese?

The study published in Hygiene MDPI has explored the antimicrobial power of five Mediterranean plants—basil, sage, lavender, immortelle, and savory—and tested their use in hard cheese production.

Here's what the researchers from the University of Zagreb found:

✅ Effective Pathogen Control: Sage and rosemary extracts were highly effective at inhibiting common foodborne bacteria and even showed activity against vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
✅ Natural Mold Prevention: When added to cheese, basil and sage showed a significant ability to fight mold growth. This could be a fantastic natural alternative to synthetic preservatives!
✅ Safe & Delicious: All the cheeses produced with these herbs met strict safety criteria and were mycotoxin-negative.

This research opens up exciting possibilities for creating new, autochthonous cheese varieties with enhanced safety and quality—all thanks to the power of plants!

🔬 Dive deeper into the findings (open access):
https://bit.ly/4wVWZ6p

What do you think? Would you try a herb-infused cheese with natural antimicrobial benefits? Let us know below! 👇

Antimicrobial Properties of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Sage (Salvia officinalis L.), Lavender (Lavandula officinalis L.), Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don), and Savory (Satureja montana L.) and Their Application in Hard Cheese... The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extracted plants basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), lavender (Lavandula officinalis L.), immortelle (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don), savory (Satureja montana L.), and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn...

🦷 Education is Key to Better Oral Hygiene in Orthodontic Patients!

Did you know that fixed braces can make it harder to keep your teeth clean? This study published in Hygiene MDPI shows just how effective patient education can be!

Researchers in Croatia implemented a best-practice education program for adult orthodontic patients and saw fantastic results after 90 days:
✅ Daily mouthwash use skyrocketed from 18% to 67%!
✅ Use of floss/interdental brushes jumped from 56% to 91%!
✅ Patients' overall knowledge about oral health improved dramatically!

The project highlights that simple, chair-side education, including verbal advice, written materials, and demonstrations on models, can make a real difference in helping patients care for their teeth during treatment. This not only reduces the risk of cavities and gum disease but also promotes lifelong healthy habits.

Check out the full, open-access article here:
👉 https://bit.ly/4gBEWML

Have you or someone you know had braces? What tips helped you keep your teeth clean? Share your experience in the comments!

Oral Hygiene Practices and Oral Health Knowledge among Adult Orthodontic Patients: A Best Practice Implementation Project Orthodontic therapy is associated with a more significant accumulation of dentobacterial plaque and impaired oral hygiene, which increase the risk of developing dental caries and periodontal disease. Therefore, it is crucial to educate orthodontic patients about proper oral hygiene maintenance and o...

📢 The open-access article published in Hygiene MDPI

"Prevalence of Contagious Mastitis Pathogens in Bulk Tank Milk from Dairy Farms in Lower Saxony, Germany"

Mastitis remains a major health and economic challenge in dairy herds. This study investigated the presence of important contagious mastitis pathogens in bulk tank milk samples collected from 208 dairy farms in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Researchers found:
(1) Staphylococcus aureus in 18.3% of herds
(2) Prototheca spp. in 6.3% of herds
(3) Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in 12.3% of tested S. aureus isolates
(4) Mycoplasmopsis spp. in 8.7% of herds, with M. bovis detected in 1.4%

These updated prevalence data can help veterinarians, researchers, and dairy producers better understand and manage contagious mastitis in modern dairy systems.

👉 Read the full article here (open access): https://bit.ly/3UF6wBf

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Aspergillus is a common environmental fungus—but in healthcare facilities it can pose a serious risk, especially to patients with weakened immune systems.

This open-access article in the journal Hygiene explores why Aspergillus contamination remains an “ever-present issue” in hospitals and other care settings, and highlights practical prevention and control strategies.

If you work in infection prevention, hospital management, or healthcare design, this review offers valuable insights on monitoring, ventilation, and environmental controls.

Read the full article here (free access): https://bit.ly/4zUErpZ

Aspergillus Contamination in Healthcare Facilities: An Ever-Present Issue—Prevention and Control Measures Aspergillus spp. are ubiquitous fungi present in soil, organic debris, water, decaying vegetation and dust produced in renovation and/or building work. Several studies have shown the presence of aspergilli in various healthcare environments. Typically, thousands of fungal spores are inhaled every da...

We are pleased to share that Guest Editor Dr. Marco took part in the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) Symposium, held in Milan, Italy, from July 9–11, 2026.

During the conference, he introduced our Special Issue “Advances in Oral Hygiene and Oral Health”, inviting colleagues to contribute their latest research in dental hygiene and oral health promotion.

If you are working in oral hygiene, preventive dentistry, or oral health education, we encourage you to submit your work to this Special Issue.

🔗 Special Issue information and submission:
https://bit.ly/3UkB3UO

In an era of increasing global interconnectivity, the threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases remains a critical challenge for public health. The review published in Hygiene MDPI provides a comprehensive overview of the global trends and, most importantly, actionable items needed to strengthen our defenses.

The paper synthesizes key data on the WHO's priority pathogens, from recent threats like SARS-CoV-2 and mpox to persistent challenges like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

The review emphasizes the multifaceted nature of disease emergence, driven by pathogen evolution, environmental changes, and human activities like globalisation and urbanisation .

The authors identify four critical pillars for effective prevention and control:
🔹 Rapid outbreak detection
🔹 Real-time information tracking
🔹 Strengthened surveillance systems
🔹 Global response mobilization

🔗 Read the full open-access article here: https://bit.ly/4c0B1Yn

Global Trends and Action Items for the Prevention and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases In recent decades, the world has observed the emergence and re-emergence of a multitude of previously non-existent or re-emerging infectious diseases, for which there is a paucity of timely and effective preventative measures. The WHO has published a catalogue of priority pathogens that are likely t...

The review, titled "The Antimicrobial Resistance Pandemic Is Here: Implementation Challenges and the Need for the One Health Approach," highlights that AMR is a multifaceted threat. It extends far beyond the misuse of antibiotics in hospitals, deeply involving:

🏥 Human health
🐄 Veterinary medicine and agriculture
🌿 The natural environment

The authors make a powerful case for a common strategy that recognizes these interconnections. While some countries have made progress in integrated surveillance, data suggests antibiotic use is rising globally, leading to the growing threat of untreatable infections .

🔗 Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4wiOZvT

🎉🎉🎉We are honored to announce that Dr. Elisavet Stavropoulou has joined Hygiene as Section Editor-in-Chief of the newly established Section "Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control" .

Dr. Stavropoulou brings extensive expertise in epidemiological research, disease prevention strategies, and public health policy analysis. Under her leadership, this section will continue to publish high-impact, fully open-access studies that inform global health decisions and clinical practice.

We welcome researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals to explore the section and submit their next high-quality manuscript. Together, we’re shaping the future of infectious disease research.

🔍 Explore the section & submit your research:
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/hygiene/sections/infectious_disease_epidemiology_prevention_control