Optimal Control Theory to Mitigate the Effects of Resistance to Disinfectants

This study explores how resistance to disinfectants affects disease transmission in long term care facilities and the best disinfectant use strategy. A compartmental model was created, using a system of ordinary differential equations, describing the transmission of two strains of a pathogen, resistant and susceptible to disinfectants with transmission through direct and surface contact, and evolution of resistance through mutation and horizontal gene transfer. An optimal control problem was set up to determine the best disinfectant use strategy under different cost schemes and resistance levels to minimize costs and cases. The disinfectant strategy depends on whether the system is open or closed and the cost scheme. The epidemic dies out in the closed system, but becomes endemic in the open system. The amount of disinfectant used is directly related to the cost of disinfectant. More people become infected at higher levels of resistance. These results have implications for infection management.

For more information:  molivarescely@eckerd.edu; krebey@eckerd.edu

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