Bacterial Contamination of Hospital Physicians' Stethoscopes

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 626-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Bernard ◽  
Anne Kereveur ◽  
Dominique Durand ◽  
Jeanne Gonot ◽  
Fred Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Hospital ◽  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Bacterial Survival ◽  
Liquid Soap ◽  
Kinetics Of

AbstractBecause stethoscopes might be potential vectors of nosocomial infections, this study, conducted in a 450-bed general hospital, was devised to evaluate the bacterial contamination of stethoscopes; bacterial survival on stethoscope membranes; the kinetics of the bacterial load on stethoscope membranes during clinical use; and the efficacy of 70% alcohol or liquid soap for membrane disinfection. Among the 355 stethoscopes tested, 234 carried ≥2 different bacterial species; 31 carried potentially pathogenic bacteria. Although some bacteria deposited onto membranes could survive 6 to 18 hours, none survived after disinfection.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION LEVELS ON THE SURFACE OF THE BOVINE CARCASSES AT SLAUGHTERHOUSES OF BARISHAL CITY IN BANGLADESH

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-245
Author(s):  
A. Das ◽  
F. I. Rume ◽  
W. K. Ansari ◽  
M. N. Alam ◽  
M. R. Islam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Total Coliform ◽  
Viable Count ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Salmonella Spp

Background: Meat industries in developing countries including Bangladesh are found to be challenged by severe hygienic and sanitation problems which are associated with heavy bacterial load on the different sites of carcasses and meat. Objectives: The major objectives of this study were to determine the bacterial load at the different risk sites of bovine carcasses and identification of pathogenic bacteria as well as to assess the associated hygienic and sanitation practices with public health significance of the isolated bacteria. Materials and Methods: The study on bacterial load of bovine carcasses was conducted on 200 swab samples of different risk sites of 20 bovine carcasses in the different slaughterhouses of Barishal City Corporation during the period from April to October 2017. The aseptically collected swab samples from different sites of bovine carcasses were processed and analyzed individually by standard bacteriological procedures for Total viable count (TVC), Total coliform count (TCC), Total Staphylococcus count (TSC) and Total Salmonella count (TSAC) and the bacterial species were identified by the conventional aerobic cultural, morphological and biochemical tests. The hygienic status and practices of slaughterhouses and workers were evaluated through a structured questionnaire survey and also a visual inspection. Results: Staphylococcus aureus (78.5%), Salmonella spp. (64.5%) and Escherichia coli (64.0%) were found widely prevalent bacteria on the surface of freshly slaughtered bovine carcasses. The mean TVC of bacteria at pre-and post-washing of the different risk sites of carcasses including neck, shoulder, rump and their used knife and workers’ hand was calculated and highest one was recorded for neck at both pre (8.17 ± 1.22) and post (8.41 ± 0.92) washings. These TVC were found higher compared to standards set by WHO. The TSC was found highest at shoulder site at both pre (7.26 ± 0.94) and post (7.43 ± 1.02) washing, whereas the neck site was found highest contaminated with E. coli (6.69 ± 1.06 and 6.87 ± 1.04) and Salmonella spp.(5.73 ± 1.05 and 6.07 ± 0.92), respectively. The questionnaire survey and visual inspection of slaughter houses revealed that none of the slaughterhouse workers received any training on slaughterhouses management and hygiene, not used any head and hair covering, protective clothes and hand gloves whereas only 25.33% workers washed their hands and 34.67% used clean water at slaughterhouses during processing of carcasses and meat. Conclusions: The slaughtering of the animals on the ground and then skinning and evisceration in the same place under poor hygienic conditions are the major risk factors for heavy bacterial contamination of carcasses which has been recognized as a threat to food safety and consumers health to foodborne illness. Therefore, it requires a serious attention from all relevant authorities to apply and maintain the basic hygienic slaughterhouse practices to prevent the bacterial contamination of carcasses to prevent food borne illness. However, these data should serve as a baseline for future comparisons in measuring the bacteriological status of beef carcasses in other districts and further research works.

scholarly journals Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as Potential Mechanical Vectors of Pathogenic Bacteria in a Public Hospital in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1619-1626
Author(s):  
Leonardo Espíndola do Nascimento ◽  
Raquel Rodrigues Amaral ◽  
Ricardo Marcelo dos Anjos Ferreira ◽  
Diogo Vitor Soares Trindade ◽  
Rafael Espíndola do Nascimento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Hospital ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Brain Heart Infusion ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Hospital Environments ◽  
Microbiological Analyses ◽  
Amazonian Region ◽  
Dominant Ant

Abstract Studies related to ants found in hospital environments have aroused interest in their role as mechanical vectors of pathogenic microorganisms. The objective of the current research was to determine the species composition and bacterial contamination of ant species found in a public hospital in the eastern Amazonian region. Ants were captured using bait containing honey and sterilized sardines in 15 locations within the Macapá Emergency Hospital, Amapá. Ants were identified morphologically using specific keys. Bacteria were first inoculed in a Brain Heart Infusion broth and then plated on 5% Agar with blood or MacConkey media. Bacterial species were identified through biochemical procedures. In total, 9,687 ants were collected, with 69.8% from the dry season and 30.2% from the rainy season. Nine species of ants were identified belonging to three subfamilies: the Monomorium pharaonis (Linnaeus 1758) being the most common, comprising 39.2% of the total specimens. Only one ant species was found in each bait, facilitating microbiological analyses. In total, 92 bacteria isolates were identified comprising 12 species. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Schroeter 1872 (Pseudomonadales: Pseudomonadaceae) was pathogenic bacteria, most frequently isolated, comprising 10.9% of the positive samples. The most contaminated ant in the study was M. pharaonis with 38.3%. It was the dominant ant species in this hospital environment. Its wide prevalence, forage day and night of this vector in hospital facilitated bacterial contamination. The presence of bacteria on ants may be associated with the dissemination of pathogens which cause hospital infections, making pest control a necessity in these institutions.

Bacteriological Sampling of Telephones and Other Hospital Staff Hand-Contact Objects

1984 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 533-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen M. Rafferty ◽  
Stephen J. Pancoast
Keyword(s):  
General Hospital ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Staff Member ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Gram Negative Organisms ◽  
Hand Contact

AbstractIn an acute-care general hospital, 114 telephones, intercoms, dictaphones, and bedpan flusher handles were sampled in patient-care areas for type of bacterial contamination. Nine of these (7%) demonstrated potentially pathogenic bacteria including Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Aeromonas. Inanimate, environmental, staff hand-contact objects were only lightly contaminated, did not represent a significant reservoir of gram-negative organisms, and therefore, would be unlikely to be a vehicle of transmission of gram-negative bacteria from the hands of one staff member to another under routine circumstances. Surveillance and disinfection of telephones and related hand-contact items in the hospital appear unnecessary.

scholarly journals Wastewater Collection and Transportation through Drainage Network- a Potential Threat to Biodiversity & Local Eco-system in Zanzibar Stone-town & Surroundings

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Z. M. Abubakar ◽  
A. R. Rabia ◽  
A. M. Ussi ◽  
M. A. Bakar ◽  
R. A. Ali
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
High Turbidity

Waste water effluents voided in the coastal areas of Zanzibar are highly polluted posing a public health crisis. This cross-sectional study, carried out in September 2017, investigated bacterial load and physicochemical characteristics of the effluents discharged into coastal marine waters of the Zanzibar stone town and peri-urban areas. Ten drains, seven of which were impervious and three pervious, were sampled twice per day in mornings and afternoons. Each drain was sampled at three sites; the out-pour site close to the sea and two sites upstream 100 meters apart. Physicochemical parameters including Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH and turbidity were determined immediately after arrival in the laboratory. Colony forming units/ ml were also determined.  Bacterial counts were higher in impervious drains, in out-pour sites and in the afternoons. Conversely counts were lower in the out-pour sites compared to upstream sites in the pervious drains. DO was significantly higher in the pervious compared to impervious drains (p = 0.004). Turbidity was high in the mornings, but one drain had significantly high turbidity (p=0.0009). In all drains pH was high in the afternoon than mornings. Thirteen bacterial species, mostly gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae were isolated. Vibrio cholerae was isolated from 5 drains. Ground water close to pervious drains had coliforms beyond WHO guidelines. Waste water drains in Zanzibar urban and peri-urban areas are vastly contaminated with organic matter and pathogenic bacteria leading to high turbidity and oxygen depletion. It is recommended to increase awareness to the public and introduce waste water treatment strategies both physically and chemically.

Isolation of Pathogenic Bacteria from some Male Barbershops in the City of Nasiriyah

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadil G. Alswedi ◽  
Amany S H Jaber
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Bacterial Isolation ◽  
Potential Pathogen ◽  
Colonial Morphology ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
The City

A study was conducted to evaluate bacterial contamination in hairdressing and beauty salons in Thi-Qar at Alnasiriyah city. Samples were collected from ten different salons. The samples were collected from scissors,comb, razor, dryer, sink, and table tools. The isolates obtained were examined and identified using microscopic examination, colonial morphology and biochemical characteristics. Six bacterial species were isolated and identified. The bacterial isolates include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus spp, Micrococcus Spp,Enterococusspp and Enterobacter. Isolated from some men's salons and shaving tools and the highest frequency of bacteria was in the salon of Nawras by 15%, Salon Ahmed by 12.5% , more bacterial isolation of shaving tools,sink,razor and the presence of this potential pathogen is an indication that hairdressing salons could be contributing to the spread of infection.

scholarly journals Impact of haze events on airborne bacterial consortia–a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. N. K. Thilakarathne ◽  
A. Ekanayake ◽  
P. S. Madamarandawala ◽  
W. B. C. P. Weerarathne ◽  
C. A. Thotawatthage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Burkholderia Multivorans ◽  
Bacterial Consortia ◽  
Haze Event

AbstractTransboundary haze events received a noticeable attention recently, due to their frequent occurrences. They are mainly, consequences of anthropogenic activities. Sri Lanka experienced a haze event parallel to India in November 2019, the first air pollution event in Sri Lanka linked to a haze event in India. Due to the limited availability of information on haze-related microorganisms, we conducted this study in Kandy, Sri Lanka, aiming to explore the airborne bacterial consortia during a haze event. The natural sedimentation method was used for air sampling. Bacterial identification and the total bacterial load were determined using Sanger sequencing and qPCR. Notably, the total bacterial load was elevated by ~ 40% with the haze and decreased with decreasing haze intensity. The highest bacterial load was reported during the day time of the most intense hazy day (1.89 × 106 cells/µl) compared to non-hazy days (lowest; 1.12 × 105 cells/µl). Twelve bacterial species were identified and the most abundant phylum was Proteobacteria. The most common species observed during haze was Acinetobacter modestus. The percentage of culturable bacterial species was also high during the haze event (75% during day time of the most intense hazy day compared to 25% on the control). Two human pathogenic bacteria Burkholderia multivorans and Chryseobacterium gleum were found only during the haze event. Therefore, haze events could be hazardous to humans by means of the presence and fluctuating amounts of pathogenic bacteria. Thus, these findings are important in developing policies and guidelines to monitor and minimize the negative impact of haze events.

scholarly journals Study on Air Bacteria at Different Altitudinal Locations in Tezpur to Tawang Axis

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-102
Author(s):  
Soumya Chatterjee ◽  
Sibnarayan Datta ◽  
Leeza Banu ◽  
Mohan G. Vairale ◽  
Sonika Sharma
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Pathogenic Potential

Microflora plays an important role in modulating environmental quality. Among microflora, bacteria are omnipresent in the environment. Pathogenic bacteria, present in air, are known to affect significantly the health and well-being of human, animal or plant populations. Air bacteria monitoring is thus essential for surveillance of pathogenic microorganisms from public health perspective besides its significant implications in detection and mitigation of biothreat related issues. Despite the geo-politically strategic importance of northeast India, there is scarcity of data on human health and disease surveillance. Considering these facts, we, for the first time studied the bacterial diversity of air at six important sites adjacent to the international border in the northeast region of India, having an altitude range of 73 m (Tezpur) to 4170 m (Sela Pass) above sea level. Standard microbiological techniques, such as Tryptone Soya Agar, Mannitol salt and McConkey agar strips and plates were used for air bacterial load assessment and culture for subsequent analysis using biochemical and molecular techniques. Following RFLP study, twenty six different bacterial colonies were isolated. Subsequently, bacteria identification was carried out by examining the substrate utilisation patterns, sequencing 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis. Results of the study reveal that the isolates mostly belong to two genera Bacillus and Staphylococcus (eleven in each genus), along with Micrococcus, Pseduomonas and Acinetobacter. Based on significant match of our sequences with that of medically important bacterial 16S rRNA sequences available at 16SpathDB 2.0 and review of available literature, we found that a number of these bacterial species have the pathogenic potential. In this manuscript we report our results and discuss the importance of air bacterial surveillance from the perspective of human health, hygiene and biothreat mitigation.

scholarly journals Short Communication: Serratia rubidaea as contaminant in laboratory environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dewi Peti Virgianti
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
16S Rdna Gene ◽  
Laboratory Environment ◽  
Phylogenetic Characterization ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Serratia Rubidaea

Abstract. Virgianti DP. 2020. Short Communication: Serratia rubidaea as contaminant in laboratory environment. Nusantara Bioscience 13: 47-51. There have been many cases of bacterial contamination in the laboratory. The bacterial genera identified as contaminants are Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Shigella and Serratia. These bacteria are classified as non-pathogenic and pathogenic bacteria that can interfere with the test and potentially develop false-positive results. The present research has shown that red-colored contaminant bacteria develop in unused sterile media in our laboratory. Based on related information, Serratia marcescens is a red bacterial species that have been reported as a contaminant in the laboratory. The purpose of this study was to identifiy contaminant bacteria at the molecular level. Based on the phylogenetic characterization using the 16S rDNA gene region, this red contaminant bacterium was identified as Serratia rubidaea.

scholarly journals 820. Impact of pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) light disinfection for reduction of pathogens on high touch surfaces following hospitalization

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S452-S453
Author(s):  
Joud N Jarrah ◽  
Oscar I Martinez ◽  
Susmita jain ◽  
Piyali Chatterjee ◽  
Hosoon Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Department Of Veterans Affairs ◽  
Bacterial Burden ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
Additional Reduction ◽  
Research Grant

Abstract Background Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection following a manual terminal cleaning process for hospital rooms has been proposed as an additional method to reduce the bacterial burden on surfaces. The impact of UV light disinfection and the level of interdependence between the modalities remains unclear. Methods Samples were collected from 5 high touch surfaces from 10 patients room following discharge prior to manual disinfection, following manual disinfection, and following pulsed xenon UV disinfection using Rodac contact plates (total 150 samples). Colonies were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The bacterial colony counts were recorded and analyzed as pathogenic or commensal organisms (based on CDC criteria) to assess the efficacy of the disinfection process. Results Average colony counts for the rooms prior to disinfection, post disinfection, and post UV light were 185.8 CFU +/- SD 280, 43 CFU +/- 121, and 20 CFU +/- 36.7 respectively. The average drop in colony-forming units of the five high touch areas in patient’s rooms can be seen in table 1. Twelve commensal bacterial species were isolated: Bacillus species (sp.), Corynebacterium sp., Enhydrobacter sp., Kocuria sp., Lysinibacillus sp., Macrococcus sp., Micrococcus sp., Paenibacillus sp., Pantoea sp., Psychrobacter sp., Siccibacter sp., Coagulase negative staphylococcus. Seven pathogenic bacteria were isolated: Acinetobacter sp., Brucella sp., Proteus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia sp., Enterococcus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Reductions in the predominant bacterial species following disinfection modality are noted in table 2. Table 1: Colony forming units (CFUs) average Pre-disinfection (Pre-Dis), Post Disinfection (Post-Dis), and Post PX-UV Light (PX-UV). Table 2: Sub-analysis of commensal and pathogen isolation Pre-Disinfection (Pre-Dis), Post-Disinfection (Post-Dis), and Post PX-UV light (PX-UV). Conclusion A combination of manual disinfection and UV has shown a notable additional reduction in overall bacterial contamination of the patient rooms, including the majority of high touch areas as compared with manual disinfection alone. No additional reduction in commensal bacteria isolates was noted after UV light, however a further decrease in pathogenic bacteria (Acinetobacter and Enterococcus) was noted. UV light may be considered as an additional room disinfection method to reduce overall bacterial burden and pathogenic bacterial contamination of rooms as a comprehensive strategy to reduce nosocomial infections. Disclosures Mark Stibich, n/a, Xenex Germ-Zapping Robots (Board Member, Grant/Research Support) Chetan Jinadatha, MD, MPH, AHRQ (Research Grant or Support)Department of Veterans Affairs (Other Financial or Material Support, Owner: Department of Veterans Affairs. Licensed to: Xenex Disinfection System, San Antonio, TX)Inventor (Other Financial or Material Support, Methods for organizing the disinfection of one or more items contaminated with biological agents)NiH/NINR (Research Grant or Support)NSF (Research Grant or Support)Xenex Healthcare Services (Research Grant or Support)

scholarly journals The Efficiency of Selected Extenders against Bacterial Contamination of Boar Semen in a Swine Breeding Facility in Western Slovakia

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3320
Author(s):  
Eva Tvrdá ◽  
Ondřej Bučko ◽  
Kristína Rojková ◽  
Michal Ďuračka ◽  
Simona Kunová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Bacterial Count ◽  
Total Bacterial Count ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Dna Integrity ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Boar Semen

Bacteriospermia has become a serious factor affecting sperm quality in swine breeding, this is why antibiotics (ATBs) are a critical component of semen extenders. Due to ever-increasing antimicrobial resistance, the aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of selected commercially available semen extenders to prevent a possible bacterial contamination of boar ejaculates. Three Androstar Plus extenders containing different combinations of antibiotics were used to process ejaculates from 30 healthy Duroc breeding boars. Androstar Plus without antibiotics was used as a control. The extended samples were stored at 17 °C for 72 h. Sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity, DNA integrity and oxidative profile of each extended sample were assessed following 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. Furthermore, selective media were used to quantify the bacterial load and specific bacterial species were identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The results indicate that semen extenders enriched with ATBs ensured a significantly higher preservation of the sperm quality in comparison to the ATB-free control. The total bacterial count was significantly decreased in the extenders supplemented with ATBs (p < 0.001), however gentamycin alone was not effective enough against Gram-positive bacteria, while a few colonies of Enterococcus hirae, Bacillus subtilis and Corynebacterium spp. were present in the samples extended in the presence of a triple combination of ATBs. In conclusion, we may suggest that semen extenders enriched in antibiotics were not able to fully eliminate the bacteria present in the studied samples. Furthermore, selection of suitable antibiotics for semen extension should be accompanied by adequate hygiene standards during the collection and handling of boar ejaculates.

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