Contamination of the Surfaces of a Health Care Environment by Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Bacteria

Abstract

Nosocomial infections (NIs) are known worldwide and remain a major problem despite scientific and technical advances in the field of health. The severity of the infection depends on the characteristics of the microorganisms involved and the high frequency of resistant pathogens in the hospital environment. The aim of this study is to determine the distribution of pathogenic bacteria (and their resistance to antibiotics) that spread on hospital surfaces, more specifically, on those of various departments in the Provincial Hospital Center (PHC) of Mohammedia, Morocco. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2017 to April 2018. Samples were collected by swabbing the hospital surfaces, and the isolated bacteria were checked for their susceptibility to antibiotics by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method following the standards of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Among 200 swab samples, 176 (88%) showed bacterial growth. Gram-negative isolates were predominant at 51.5% (101/196), while the Gram-positives were at 48.5% (95/196). The main isolates are Enterobacteria weighted at 31.6% (62/196), Staphylococcus aureus reaching 24% (47/196), Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 9.2% (18/196), and Acinetobacter spp. with 3.3% (6/196). Moreover, the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates showed that about 31.7% (32/101) of the Gram-negative isolates were found to be MDR. This resistance is also high among isolates of S. aureus of which 44.7% (20/47) were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Contamination of hospital surfaces by MDR bacteria is a real danger to public health. The concept of environmental bacterial reservoir is a reality that requires strict compliance with current guidelines and recommendations for hand hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection of surfaces in hospitals.

<p>Bacterial Profiles and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Isolates from Inanimate Hospital Environments at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Teaching Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia</p>

“…[24][25][26] The occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is also increasing and resulting in higher morbidity and mortality associated with HCAIs. 23,27 In the present study, out of 164 environmental samples from swabs, 141 (86%) were positive for bacterial contamination which has similarly been reported from studies like Zimbabwe (86.2%) 14 and Morocco (96.3%). 28 In contrast to our result, studies conducted from Gaza Strip (24.7%), 29 Sudan (29.7%), 30 Uganda (44.2%), 31 Nigeria (39.4%), 32 and Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia (39.6%) 16 reported far lower surface contamination rates.…”

“… 24–26 The occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is also increasing and resulting in higher morbidity and mortality associated with HCAIs. 23 , 27 …”

Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Three Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectants on Different Germs Isolated from the Hospital Environment

“…It remains the best process for preventing the transmission of microorganisms and, consequently, minimizing the risk of infection, especially with the significant emergence of antibiotic resistance. The risk is higher with the increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance [ 19 ]. The results obtained in our study showed a variation in efficacy, which may be attributed to many factors; the action of the active molecule of each disinfectant, the genus, and the structure of the bacteria isolated developed the resistance or not to the antimicrobial agent and the adopted disinfection protocol.…”

Antimicrobial Nanomaterials and Coatings: Current Mechanisms and Future Perspectives to Control the Spread of Viruses Including SARS-CoV-2

“…The improved biocompatibility and lower toxicity of structurally engineered repellent materials would allow them to be used in a larger range of applications including the highly regulated food 146 and medical industries. 147 …”