Aerobic Bacteria and Fungi on the Surfaces of a Tertiary Assistance Hospital from Northern Brazil
Layane Gabrielle Coelho de Lima
Department of Nursing, State University of Amazonas (UEA), Brazil
Michele Alves Sanches
Laboratory of Mycology, National Research Institute of the Amazon (INPA), Brazil
Ana Cláudia Alves Cortez
Laboratory of Mycology, National Research Institute of the Amazon (INPA), Brazil
João Vicente Braga de Souza *
Laboratory of Mycology, National Research Institute of the Amazon (INPA), Brazil
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: It is very common that hospital environment is colonised by microorganisms. This colonisation is a potential threat for hospitalised patients, especially in high-risk services. Quantification of microorganisms from surfaces is an important strategy to control the hospital infection.
Materials and Methods: Total 70 samples were collected and seeded in the Mueller Hinton and Sabouraud Agar culture media. Media cultures in Petri dishes were incubated and microbial growth was quantified (CFU/cm2). Bacteria cultures were characterised by Gram stain. Fungal cultures were submitted for micromorphological evaluation and CHROMagar™ incubation.
Results: Bacterial population higher than 250 CFU/cm2 was found in 11 out of 70 samples. Fungi were found in 3 out of 70 samples. Common manipulation surfaces as water drinking unit, shelf and water tap presented the highest contamination rates. Bacterial cultures (n= 95) showed mostly the presence of Gram-negative bacteria (81%). In addition, regarding the fungal cultures (n= 129) mostly filamentous fungi (72%), from Aspergillus genera were obtained.
Conclusion: Most of the investigated hospital surfaces presented low contamination (< 5 CFU/cm2). However, microbiological studies should be regular in critical areas in order to reinforce measures to control and prevent hospital infection.
Keywords: Bacteria, fungi, surfaces, hospital