Identification of multidrug-resistant bacteria and Bacillus cereus from healthcare workers and environmental surfaces in a hospital

Disinfectants efficacy in reducing pathogens related to health-care infection associated in universities hospitals of Gorgan, North of Iran

BACKGROUND

Disinfection has a fundamental role in the control of pathogens in the hospital environment. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and functional impact of disinfectants in reducing pathogens related to healthcare associated infections (HAIs) in hospitals.

METHODS

This observation study was conducted at three university hospitals in Gorgan, Iran, from May to Oct 2023. The data including used disinfectants and microbiological examination were obtained from the infection control unit of each hospital.

RESULTS

The results showed that a variety of disinfectants from intermediate to high levels were employed in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) protocols. The microbial result revealed that 31.6% (286 out of 906) of the sample had at least one microorganism. Among identified organisms, Bacillus spp. were the predominant species followed by Staphylococcus epidermis, fungus genera, Enterobacter spp., Enterococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, Alcaligenes spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter spp., Corynebacterium spp., Klebsiella spp., Acinetobacter spp., Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Serratias spp. The highest prevalence rates of microorganisms were observed in the wards of ICU, emergency, internal medicine, and women's ward. The chi-square test revealed a significant relationship between the presence of organisms and hospital wards (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The presence of pathogens indicates a defect in the disinfection process, probably due to both little attention to disinfection protocols and multidrug resistance. It is not yet possible to eliminate pathogens from the hospital environment, but it can be minimized by education intervention, standardizing disinfecting processes, and monitoring by the infection control committee.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus Ameliorates Multi-Drug-Resistant Bacillus cereus-Induced Cell Damage through Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasomes and Apoptosis in Bovine Endometritis

Bacillus cereus, considered a worldwide human food-borne pathogen, has brought serious health risks to humans and animals and huge losses to animal husbandry. The plethora of diverse toxins and drug resistance are the focus for B. cereus. As an alternative treatment to antibiotics, probiotics can effectively alleviate the hazards of super bacteria, food safety, and antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and distribution of B. cereus in dairy cows and to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in a model of endometritis induced by multi-drug-resistant B. cereus. A strong poisonous strain with a variety of drug resistances was used to establish an endometrial epithelial cell infection model. B. cereus was shown to cause damage to the internal structure, impair the integrity of cells, and activate the inflammatory response, while L. rhamnosus could inhibit cell apoptosis and alleviate this damage. This study indicates that the B. cereus-induced activation of the NLRP3 signal pathway involves K⁺ efflux. We conclude that LGR-1 may relieve cell destruction by reducing K⁺ efflux to the extracellular caused by the perforation of the toxins secreted by B. cereus on the cell membrane surface.

Bacterial Pathogens and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Inanimate Surfaces and Equipment in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hospital-acquired infections have remained a serious cause of mortality, morbidity, and extended hospitalization. Bacterial contamination of inanimate surfaces of the hospital environment and equipment is considered a major contributing factor to the development of several nosocomial infections worldwide. The hospital environment and many devices are an important reservoir of many clinically important bacterial agents including multidrug-resistant pathogens. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis are aimed at investigating bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns of inanimate surfaces and equipment in Ethiopia.

METHODS

An exhaustive literature search was carried out using the major electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Wiley online library to identify potentially relevant studies without date restriction. Original articles which address the research question were identified, screened, and included using the PRISMA flow diagram. Data extraction was prepared in Microsoft Excel, and data quality was assessed by using 9-point Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Then, data were exported to STATA 16.0 software for analyses of pooled estimation of outcome measures. Estimation of outcome measures at a 95% confidence interval was performed using DerSimonian-Laird's random-effects model. Finally, results were presented via text, figures, and tables.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies with 3058 bacterial isolates recovered from 3423 swab specimens were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of bacterial contamination of inanimate surfaces and equipment was found 70% (95% CI: 59, 82). Among the Gram-negative bacterial species, the prevalence of ampicillin-resistant K. pneumoniae was the highest 80% (95% CI: 78, 92) followed by Citrobacter species 78% (95% CI: 57, 83).

CONCLUSION

This study has shown a high prevalence of bacterial contamination of inanimate surfaces and equipment in Ethiopia.