Environmental factors – potential reservoirs of nosocomial infections

Abstract

All infections follow the basic epidemiological pattern that if recognized early helps to apply the measures to prevent and control pathologies. The epidemiological process cannot be triggered in the absence of the microorganism’s reservoir and therefore it is very important to control the potential reservoirs involved in nosocomial infections. The etiological structure of nosocomial infections varies and includes a wide variety of potentially or strictly pathogenic bacteria that have native or acquired properties of virulence and antibiotic resistance. The aim of this project was to monitor the potential role of the environmental risk factors involved in outbreak nosocomial infections. The microbiological studies from an emergency hospital from Bucharest have been started in January 2016 and samples were quarterly collected from drilling and tap water, waste water, air and surfaces. There were performed quantitative analyzes of microbiological contamination level and qualitative analyzes for pathogenic and resistant bacteria detection. Some pathogenic bacteria have been identified in the waste water and drilling water, indicating their interference. The antibiotic resistance properties were observed especially in bacteria from waste waters. Bacteria from vegetables from food preparation were detected in air samples and surfaces tests from kitchen. The results indicated that environmental factors from a medical unit could constitute a reservoir of microorganisms that can trigger nosocomial infections.