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

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.

Endocannabinoid Anandamide Attenuates Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome through Modulation of Microbiome in the Gut-Lung Axis

“…Their members establish commensal or highly virulent relationships in animals and humans [ 76 ]. In addition, in the lungs, SEB caused an increase in Caulobacteraceae, which are gram-negative proteobacteria that can include a variety of pathogenic bacteria [ 77 ], as well as an increase in Pseudomonadales, some members of which are pathogens [ 78 ]. Interestingly, AEA reversed the effect of SEB on these bacteria.…”

Formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) como vetores na transmissão de Staphylococcus aureus em um hospital público

“…As formigas são artrópodes que podem se beneficiar com a presença do homem na zona urbana, bem como na zona rural. Algumas espécies de formigas são consideradas pragas por ocasionar problemas à agricultura, armazenamento de alimentos, afetar estruturas residenciais e risco de carrear doenças que podem afetar a saúde pública (1) .…”

Hospital microbiota vectored by ants

“…The wards and critical care units are often with overload of severe COVID-19 cases, a predisposing condition to development of hospital acquired infectious complications. Besides the usual concerns in this setting, one should consider unsuspected interactions of insects with diverse pathogenic microorganisms in the hospital environment (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

“…Ants are dispersers of opportunistic microorganisms in places where forage (4). First reports in Europe (1972) and in Brazil (1990s) raised the interest on this field (3).…”

“…A total of 9,687 ants were captured and 9 species were identified from 3 subfamilies: Monomorium pharaonis was the most common (39.2%) of the total specimens; 92 bacteria isolates included 12 species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the pathogenic bacteria most frequent (10.9%) of the positive samples. The most contaminated ant (38.3%) was M. pharaonis, the dominant ant species in this hospital environment (4). The authors focused the presence of bacteria on ants and associated with dissemination of pathogens that cause hospital infections, making mandatory this pest control (4).…”