[Problem of ENT hospital infection]

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

• Microbial environments in healthcare settings significantly impact patient outcomes.
• Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major concern in clinical settings, particularly in specialized departments like Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT).
• The persistence and characteristics of circulating microbial strains within hospitals can influence the trajectory of infectious processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To monitor the microbial environment of an ENT department over a five-year period.
• To assess the qualitative persistence of microbial strains within this specific hospital setting.
• To understand the influence of hospital-associated microbes on patient infections.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal monitoring of the microbial environment.
• Qualitative analysis of microbial strains.
• Case study within an ENT department.

Main Results:

• The study observed a relative qualitative persistence in the microbial environment of the ENT department over five years.
• Circulating hospital microbial strains were found to directly influence the course of infectious processes in patients.
• Hospital infections in the ENT department were characterized by the replacement of initial pathogens with polyresistant hospital strains or the formation of persistent microbial associations.

Conclusions:

• The microbial landscape in ENT departments exhibits a degree of qualitative persistence.
• Hospital-acquired microbial strains play a critical role in shaping patient infection dynamics.
• Interventions targeting hospital-associated pathogens are crucial for managing infections in ENT settings.