Hospital-Based Air-Borne and Surface-Borne Bacterial Pathogens and Their Antimicrobial Profiles in Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background. It is well documented that hospital environments are the niche/reservoir of many clinically important microorganisms, including multidrug-resistant air-borne and surface-borne pathogens. This problem is the most pressing public health concern, particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia, due to its poor infection management system. This study was planned to detect air-borne and surface-borne bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns in Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Method. A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2021. Swabbing and open-plate sample collection methods were used to collect specimens. Standard bacteriological techniques were used to isolate and identify bacterial pathogens. The Mueller-Hinton agar was used to detect the drug susceptibility pattern of bacteria by using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Result. From a total of 323 samples tested, 118 (36.5%) showed the growth of bacteria. The detection rate of bacterial pathogens in the intensive care unit (35.4%) was higher than in operation theater. From the total of 118 bacterial isolates, 39.8%, 27.9%, 20.3%, and 11.5% of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and E. coli, respectively, were surface-borne. Whereas 37%, 25%, 20.83, and 16.6% of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella species, and E. coli, respectively, were air-borne. S. aureus showed a 19.04 to 80.9% range of antimicrobial resistance to different classes of antibiotics from surface specimens. A 12.5–100% range of antibiotic resistance levels was detected for all Gram-negative surface-borne bacterial pathogens. P. aeruginosa was 66.7%, 73.3%, and 73.3% resistant to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, and ceftriaxone, respectively. K. pneumoniae showed 75% and 87.5% resistance to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, respectively, and a completely ampicillin-resistant E. coli was detected. From a total of 48 bacterial pathogens identified from surfaces in the intensive care unit, 34 (70.8%) developed multidrug resistance. Conclusion. A significant prevalence of surface-borne bacterial pathogens was detected. This study revealed that S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, and E. coli were nosocomial infection concerns of the hospital, and this could be the reason for different types of hospital acquired infections in the study area. A high prevalence of MDR was detected in the most surface-borne bacterial isolates.

The evaluation of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis in hospital air, their antibiotic resistance and sensitivity of S. aureus to cefoxitin

“…This finding was consistent with the results of Claire E. Adams and colleagues 20 , that assessed the transmission of Staphylococcus aureus in the air and surfaces of the intensive care unit (ICU) and delivery rooms. Also, our findings are consistent with the results of Chemere Madebo et al,'s study, regarding the relationship between the distribution of Staphylococcus aureus in the air of ICU wards and operating rooms of hospitals in southern Ethiopia with hospital infections 20 , 21 .…”

High-throughput Analysis of Department-Specific Dynamic Patterns of Bacterial Communities and Antibiotic Resistance in the Hospital Indoor Environments

“…Furthermore, the study identified the presence of K. pneumoniae in 1.8% of the samples. Although the proportion may be relatively lower compared to other pathogens, the detection of K. pneumoniae is still significant due to its potential to cause serious infections and its association with antibiotic resistance [41]. In the study conducted by Madebo et al, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae were reported as the leading contaminants in the hospital as well [41].…”

“…Although the proportion may be relatively lower compared to other pathogens, the detection of K. pneumoniae is still significant due to its potential to cause serious infections and its association with antibiotic resistance [41]. In the study conducted by Madebo et al, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae were reported as the leading contaminants in the hospital as well [41]. However, another dominating pathogen of S. aureus did not appear in our study which could potentially be attributed to a low mapping rate at the species level during the analysis.…”