Pathogen Detection on Inanimate Surfaces in Healthcare Institutions: Phenotype and Genotype Detection Methods | Chapter 3 | Medicine and Medical Research: New Perspectives Vol. 12

Aims: The persistence and transmission of microorganisms, especially in hospitals and other healthcare-associated facilities, are critical concerns in addressing healthcare-associated infections (HCAI). This comprehensive chapter addresses various facets of environmental hygiene and pathogen detection. Emphasis has been made on the importance of effective sanitation practices and advanced detection methods in mitigating healthcare-associated infections based on the results of 10 of our previously published studies on the detection and survival of pathogens on surfaces.

Methods: Studies on the detection of pathogens on surfaces are conducted using various phenotype and genotype methods using different databases. For the detection of pathogenic bacteria and fungi on surfaces, several incubation-based methods like contact plates, swabbing, elution, and some other methods can be used. In contrast, genotype methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offer a rapid alternative to phenotype incubation methods. The detection of viruses is mainly conducted using PCR for gene amplification, followed by virus isolation in cell cultures.

Results and Discussion: Hospital surfaces can harbour microorganisms for extended periods, significantly contributing to nosocomial infections. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding surface contamination by SARS-CoV-2 became paramount. Implementing rigorous sanitation measures and continuous hygiene monitoring, including regular employee education on hand hygiene are crucial in preventing recontamination. Hospital laundries are potential hotspots for pathogen transmission if textiles are not properly disinfected and handled. Microorganisms can survive on surfaces for various periods at different temperatures. Traditional methods for assessing surface cleanliness, involving surface sampling and classical incubation, are time-consuming methods that may take 2-4 days to analyse the results.

Conclusion: This chapter emphasizes the critical need for robust environmental hygiene protocols, advanced detection methods, and continuous monitoring to mitigate the risk of HCAIs. Implementing stringent sanitation measures, educating healthcare workers, and utilizing sensitive detection technologies are some of the essential strategies for the ongoing battle against healthcare-associated pathogens.

 

Author (s) Details

Sabina Fijan
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maribor, Žitna Ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.

 

Urška Rozman
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maribor, Žitna Ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.

 

Sonja Šostar Turk
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maribor, Žitna Ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mmrnp/v12/2626

Study on Staphylococcal Species Detected in Digestive Tract of Beavers (Castor fiber) and Their Variability with Properties | Chapter 9 | Research Aspects in Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences Vol. 1

 Staphylococci from the intestines of a beaver (Castor fibre) were studied as a contribution to fundamental microbiology and as part of a beaver microbiome investigation.

Methodology: In the north-east portion of Poland, Województwo (Provincie) Podlaskie Gmina-Wizajny, GPS:22o 52E:54o22N, free-living beavers (12), both male and female (aged 4-5 years) were collected using a net and placed in wire cages. In Poland, sampling was made available. The ethical norms for animal handling were observed for sampling the jejunum (12), colon (12), and caecum (6).

The average number of staphylococci discovered in the jejunum was 2.73 1.16 cfu/g (log 10); the average number of staphylococci in the caecum was 1.87 0.37 cfu/g; and the average number of staphylococci in the colon was 2.89 1.70 cfu/g. Following a score analysis using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, a high degree of variability in staphylococcal species distribution in the gut of beavers was discovered; in total, nine species were identified, belonging to five clusters, and the strains were assigned to the coagulase-negative staphylococcal species. S. hominis and S. haemolyticus were the most commonly found species (five strains for each). Two strains each of S. epidermidis and S. lentus, S. pasteuri, S. cohnii, S. vitulinus, S. warneri, and S. xylosus, S. pasteuri, S. cohnii, S. vitulinus, S. warneri, and S. xylosus Deoxyribonuclease and nearly haemolysis negative strains were found in fifteen of the strains. Ten isolates (not all of which were from the same species) showed low-grade biofilm forming potential. The majority of the germs were methicillin-resistant and produced a lot of lactic acid.

Conclusion: This study adds to the body of knowledge about the staphylococcal microbiome of beavers and allows for a more in-depth examination of specific strain species.

Author (s) Details

Andrea Lauková
Institute of Animal Physiology, Centre of Biosciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4-6, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia.

Jana Šcerbová
Institute of Animal Physiology, Centre of Biosciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4-6, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia.

Anna Kandricáková
Institute of Animal Physiology, Centre of Biosciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4-6, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia.

Renata Miltko
The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Instytucka 3, Jablonna 051 10, Poland.

Grzegorz Belzecki
The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Instytucka 3, Jablonna 051 10, Poland.

Monika Pogány Simonová
Institute of Animal Physiology, Centre of Biosciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4-6, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/RAAVS-V1/article/view/2423