Environmental Aerobic Bacterial Associated with Infectious and General Solid Waste: Screening at the “Université des Montagnes” Teaching Hospital Waste Accumulation Sites
Victoire Kom Fotso
School of Biomedical Sciences, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon and Laboratory of Microbiology, Université des Montagnes Teaching Hospital, Cameroon.
O’Neal Dorsel Youté *
School of Biomedical Sciences, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon, Laboratory of Microbiology, Université des Montagnes Teaching Hospital, Cameroon and Military Health Research Center, Cameroon.
Anselme Michel Yawat Djogang
Laboratory of Microbiology, Université des Montagnes Teaching Hospital, Cameroon and School of Pharmacy, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon.
Steve Carole Ditchou Nganso
Hospital Hygiene Unit, Université des Montagnes Teaching Hospital, Cameroon.
Esther Guladys Kougang
School of Biomedical Sciences, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon, Laboratory of Microbiology, Université des Montagnes Teaching Hospital, Cameroon and National Veterinary Laboratory, Cameroon.
Blandine Pulchérie Tamatcho Kweyang
Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.
Julius Nwobegahay
Military Health Research Center, Cameroon.
Adolarice Nana Feukeu
School of Biomedical Sciences, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon and Laboratory of Microbiology, Université des Montagnes Teaching Hospital, Cameroon.
Valere Igor Deumi Monthé
School of Biomedical Sciences, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon and Laboratory of Microbiology, Université des Montagnes Teaching Hospital, Cameroon.
Vanessa Ornella Alactio Tangueu
School of Biomedical Sciences, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon, Laboratory of Microbiology, Université des Montagnes Teaching Hospital, Cameroon and Center for Research on Health and Priority Diseases, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Cameroon.
Pierre René Fotsing Kwetche
School of Biomedical Sciences, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon, b Laboratory of Microbiology, Université des Montagnes Teaching Hospital, Cameroon, School of Pharmacy, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon, Hospital Hygiene Unit, Université des Montagnes Teaching Hospital, Cameroon and School of Human Medicine, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Waste is a source of potentially dangerous microorganisms for users of healthcare facilities, and its accumulation is a risk factor for infectious agent dissemination.
Objective: The first aim of the present study was to identify and quantify aerobic bacteria around solid waste accumulation sites at the “Université des Montagnes” Teaching Hospital. The second one was to assess bacteria susceptibility to common conventional antibacterial agents.
Methods: Soil samples and airborne bacteria were collected at various distances from the target solid waste accumulation sites. Bacteria isolation and susceptibility tests were thereafter conducted according to standard protocols.
Results: Isolated organisms (123 bacterial isolates) included Staphylococcus spp (48%), Gram-positive rods (32%) and Gram-negative rods (20%). Polymorphism and bacterial loads were highest at the sampling locations closer to the accumulation sites and decreased with increasing distances from these sites. Overall findings revealed that variations of polymorphism and bacterial loads is likely associated with anthropogenic activities. In addition, susceptibility rates for Staphylococcus were high.
Conclusion: Together with the overall bacterial population distribution trends, the high susceptibility rates recorded deserve better understanding in future research initiatives for optimal hospital hygiene.
Keywords: Ambient air, antibiotics, bacteria, hospital, soil, waste