Infection Control Today interview with Dr. Deborah Birx, MD

ActivePure’s Advanced Photohydrolysis

A Game Changer in Hospital Infection Control

Numerous contamination sources create significant infection risks in hospital environments. Suboptimal remediation strategies and inconsistent cleaning practices further exacerbate this issue. Additionally, the CDC highlights antimicrobial resistance as a major public health threat, necessitating new treatments to combat multidrug-resistant organisms.¹ Recently, a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control² addressed these challenges using advanced photohydrolysis technology for continuous disinfection.

To discuss this groundbreaking study, Infection Control Today^® had the privilege of speaking with Deborah Birx, MD, the chief medical and science advisor of ActivePure and the study’s lead author. As a retired Army Colonel and Global Ambassador to 3 US presidents, Birx has over 40 years of experience fighting global pandemics. Her research and work have been credited with saving over 22 million lives in Africa through the PEPFAR program, and she has authored over 200 academic publications. Through her decades of global field experience, disciplined approach to data collection and analysis, and fierce patient advocacy, her work continues to illuminate pragmatic solutions to some of our most significant global health challenges.

DEBORAH BIRX, MD, is a retired Army Colonel and Global Ambassador to 3 US presidents, Birx has over 40 years of experience fighting global pandemics. Her research and work have been credited with saving over 22 million lives in Africa through the PEPFAR program, and she has authored over 200 academic publications.

Effectiveness and Mechanism

Birx explained that ActivePure’s advanced photohydrolysis technology differs significantly from traditional disinfection methods. Unlike passive UV technology and slow filtration, this technology provides continuous and active disinfection. It utilizes a UV-C bulb surrounded by a proprietary honeycomb matrix of metallic semiconductors and rare earth minerals. This setup creates highly negatively charged hydroxyl and superoxide ions that continuously flow into the air, deactivating pathogens by damaging their cell walls.

“It is those active ions that ruin the cell walls of bacteria, spores, and fungi and inactivate them.... The continuous nature of this technology is crucial,” Birx emphasized. “It removes the human factor, ensuring that even the most hard-to-reach areas are consistently decontaminated. This level of continuous protection is something human efforts alone cannot achieve.”

When you have humans, “the contamination is continuous. You need technology to combat that, which is also continuous, so, particularly in hospitals, it’s a 24/7 situation. So, you want a technology that works outside of any human intervention. And that’s why this is incredibly exciting to me.”

Safety and Affordability

Addressing safety concerns, Birx highlighted the extensive research and FDA Class II rating for this equipment. The technology does not produce ozone, making it safe for use in various environments, including neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. Long-term studies on mice showed no adverse effects, including “alter[ing] their food consumption or body weight gain. There were no evident behavioral changes in any mice for continuous exposure. There were no changes in the blood chemistry or the hematology…and no alteration in the hepatocellular function. There were no markers of cellular organ damage” supporting the technology’s safety for continuous human exposure, according to Birx.

“This commitment to safety is vital,” Birx said. “ActivePure invested significant resources to ensure the technology’s effectiveness in real-life scenarios. It’s not just about having a solution; it’s about having a safe, effective solution that people can trust.”

She continued, “We have the hospital studies, we have a long-term care facility study with respiratory diseases, and we have these tissue-based studies to show the technology is safe. And so [ActivePure] can answer anybody’s questions now in a very clear way about the safety and efficacy of the product in real-life scenarios.”

Impact and Cost-Effectiveness

The study results were remarkable. They showed a significant reduction in surface, floor, and air bioburdens and a 70% decline in health care-associated infections (HAIs). Birx stressed the importance of these findings, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), where the sickest patients are most susceptible to infections.

“This technology not only reduces the bioburden but also leads to better patient outcomes,” Birx explained. “The reduction in HAIs can save hospitals significant costs associated with prolonged ICU stays and aggressive antibiotic treatments, which have their side effects and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.”

Birx also highlighted the technology’s affordability. It requires minimal maintenance, making it a cost-effective solution for hospitals. “The technology pays for itself multiple times over by reducing infection rates and associated healthcare costs. It’s an investment in both patient safety and financial efficiency.”

Broader Applications and Future Research

This technology’s applicability extends beyond hospitals. It can be used in various settings, including schools, long-term care facilities, and public spaces, to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. ActivePure continues to invest in research to explore its effectiveness in different environments and applications.

“We are committed to ongoing research to validate and expand the use of this technology,” Birx said. “Our goal is to provide a proven, low-cost solution that protects both patients and staff across various settings.”

Health care-associated infections by Infection Control Today

Conclusion

The advanced photohydrolysis technology significantly advances infection control, offering continuous, effective, and safe decontamination. Birx’s and ActivePure’s dedication to leveraging innovative solutions for global health challenges underscores the potential of this technology to transform infection control practices in health care and beyond.

“This is a critical moment for all of our health care delivery systems,” BIrx added, expressing her passion for this groundbreaking work. “ActivePure has filled a gap in our environmental control. We now have technology that works continuously to prevent the spread of infectious agents, protecting everyone in the process… we’re supplying you with the science and data to show you that this is highly effective, safe, and cost-effective. What more could you ask for?”

REFERENCES

1. Antimicrobial resistance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/ index.html. Trosch K, Lawrence P, Carenza A, et al. The effects of a novel, continuous disinfectant technology on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, fungi, and aerobic bacteria in 2 separate intensive care units in 2 different states: An experimental design with observed impact on health care-associated infections. Am J Infect Control. Published online April 2024:S019665532400155X.

2. Wellness begins with the air you breathe. ActivePure. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.activepure.com/

3. Antimicrobial resistance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/index.html

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