Melanie Betchen

Dr. Melanie Betchen

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 May 2022 in Antibiotics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MBMelanie Betchen
Melanie Betchen
HGHolly M. Giovinco
Holly M. Giovinco
MCMichael Curry
Michael Curry
JLJackson Luu
Jackson Luu
HFHenry Fraimow
Henry Fraimow
RNRaquel Nahra
Raquel Nahra
Acinetobacter baumannii hospital infections are difficult to treat due to the rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. In addition, A. baumannii can survive in numerous adverse environments, including in the presence of common hospital antiseptics. We hypothesized that in addition to accumulating drug resistance determinants, MDR A. baumannii strains also accumulate mutations that allow for greater microbicide tolerance when compared to pan-susceptible (PS) strains. To test this hypothesis, we compared the survival of five MDR and five PS patient isolates when exposed to bleach, ethanol, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorhexidine gluconate, and povidone. We evaluated bacteria in a free-living planktonic state and under biofilm conditions. Each disinfectant eliminated 99.9% of planktonic bacteria, but this was not the case for bacterial biofilms. Next, we characterized strains for the presence of the known microbicide-resistance genes cepA, qacEΔ1, qacE, and qacA. MDR strains did not survive more than PS strains in the presence of microbicides, but microbicide-resistant strains had higher survival rates under some conditions. Interestingly, the PS strains were more likely to possess microbicide-resistance genes. Microbicide resistance remains an important topic in healthcare and may be independent of antimicrobial resistance. Hospitals should consider stricter isolation precautions that take pan-susceptible strains into account.

13 April 2020 in Psycho-Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MBMelanie Betchen
Melanie Betchen
VGVictoria A. Grunberg
Victoria A. Grunberg
MGMarcy Gringlas
Marcy Gringlas
ECElyce Cardonick
Elyce Cardonick