Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
08:46
A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
Surface microbes in the neonatal intensive care unit: changes with routine cleaning and over time
Nicholas A Bokulich1, David A Mills, Mark A Underwood
1Department of Viticulture and Enology, Foods for Health Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|June 7, 2013
Summary
Intensive cleaning in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) reduced harmful bacteria like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. This highlights the importance of routine cleaning to protect vulnerable infants from hospital-acquired infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infection Control
Background:
- Premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have immature immune systems, increasing susceptibility to infections.
- Nosocomial infections are a major cause of mortality and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of surface cleaning on the microbial communities within a NICU environment.
- To assess the effectiveness of cleaning in reducing potential pathogens relevant to neonatal infections.
Main Methods:
- A high-throughput short-amplicon-sequencing approach was employed to profile bacterial and fungal surface communities.
- Microbial communities were analyzed before and after intensive cleaning interventions in the NICU.
Main Results:
- Intensive cleaning significantly decreased total bacterial load and the prevalence of Streptococcus species.
- Similar reductions were observed for total fungal load and Staphylococcus species, common NICU pathogens.
- Opportunistic yeasts were detected, indicating NICU surfaces as potential vectors for fungal pathogen transmission.
Conclusions:
- Routine NICU cleaning is crucial for managing the microbial ecosystem and reducing pathogen exposure.
- Amplicon sequencing offers a valuable tool for microbial surveillance and hygienic testing in hospital settings.
- Effective cleaning strategies can minimize the risk of nosocomial infections in vulnerable neonates.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:23Hand hygiene
Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...
Hand washing...
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
01:30Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are the methods that help to break the infection chain and prevent disease.
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
01:22Introduction to the Human Microbiota
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...