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Diversity changes of microbial communities into hospital surface environments
Rika Yano1, Tomoko Shimoda1, Reina Watanabe1
1Department of Fundamental Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Summary
Hospital environmental microbiomes show significant variability. Bacterial populations, particularly Enterobacteriaceae, were skewed in smaller hospitals, suggesting factors like shared sinks and medical equipment influence contamination.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Hospital Hygiene
Background:
- Hospital cleanliness varies significantly in Japan.
- Current contamination factors are poorly understood and controlled.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze hospital environmental microbiome population structures.
- To identify factors impacting microbial contamination in hospitals.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze bacterial populations.
- Samples were collected from surfaces across three hospitals of different sizes (A, B, C).
- Cluster analysis was performed on 50 samples with sufficient DNA.
Main Results:
- Bacterial Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) populations were lower in hospital C.
- Cluster analysis revealed a skewed population structure, dominated by Enterobacteriaceae, in hospital C and some locations in other hospitals.
- This skewed population was observed in patient areas, nurse areas, and shared spaces like sinks and medical carts (NW).
Conclusions:
- Hospital size and specific locations influence microbiome diversity.
- Shared sinks and medical carts (NW) may contribute to microbial contamination.
- Enterobacteriaceae dominance suggests potential for uncontrolled contamination pathways in hospitals.
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