Summary of the 3rd Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology

On November 2nd and 3rd 2017 the 3rd Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology organized by Dr. Brill + Partner GmbH Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie GmbH in cooperation with Life Science Nord GmbH took place in the Ameron Hotel in “Hamburg Speicherstadt”. The meanwhile internationally recognized event was dedicated to specialists for „Research & Development“ and registration of biocidal products for infection prevention according to biocidal products regulation (BPR), medical device manufacturers, scientists from test laboratories and authorities. The event intends to act as a platform for open exchange and discussion as well as know-how transfer between participants from industry, laboratories and registration specialists. Current developments of the BPR including efficacy evaluation of biocidal products in PT 1 to 5 have been addressed. On the event Dr. Florian H. H. Brill presented to the more than 100 international participants from 18 countries a detailed overview about the current and future requirements for substantiation of bactericidal, fungicidal, mycobactericidal and sporicidal activity claims during the product development and registrations of a biocidal product. In addition, core elements of the new ECHA guidance document for efficacy evaluation of biocidal products of PT 1 to 5 have been presented. Also recently published EN-standard and current review as well as new development test method for disinfectants and antiseptics haven been discussed including the prEN 17126 for sporicidal activity testing of disinfectants in the human medicine area. The focus was not only the new methodological challenges of the test methods, but also the link and impact on current and future product development. Furthermore, information has been transferred about how already available test reports and expert opinions can be updated due to currently amended and revised EN-standards. The international recognized virologist Dr. Jochen Steinmann as well as Dr. Dajana Paulmann continued with their talks about current developments of phase 2 step 2 virucidal test methods according to prEN 16777 for surface disinfectants, prEN 17111 for instrument disinfectants, following EN 1500 for hand rubs und following EN 16615 for virucidal activity evaluation of surface disinfectants.This year’s key note speakers Professor Dr. Andreas Voss and Professor Dr. Günter Kampf addressed current and future topics about the clinical challenges of infection prevention and control. In a wonderful talk, Professor Dr. Andreas Voss gave insights of a professional outbreak management in the clinical setting. Aspects of patient safety and patient involvement as well as management of Multi-Drug-Resistant Organisms have been highlighted including relevant measurements such as hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection of the environment. One of the leading scientists in hand hygiene Professor Dr. Günter Kampf presented current data on clinically relevant efficacy evaluation of alcohol-based hand rubs. He discussed the obvious differences between the laboratory conditions and the data generated under these standardized conditions versus the clinical use of these products including possible solutions for the development of the test standards.It can be concluded that the event with meeting highly accepted experts in their respective field of applied hygiene microbiology and virology with industry experts was an excellent possibility to open discussions on the above mentioned topics. To ensure a continuation of these discussions the 4th “Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology“ will take place on November 22nd and 23rd 2018 at the same location in the Ameron Hotel in Hamburg. Please feel kindly invited to the 2018 event.