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Purifying the Impure: Sequencing Metagenomes and Metatranscriptomes from Complex Animal-associated Samples
Published on: December 22, 2014
Microbial diversity and colonization patterns of two step-down care units from a tertiary care hospital
Flora Cruz-López1, Licet Villarreal-Treviño1, Rayo Morfin-Otero2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico.
Abstract:
Nosocomial surfaces are potential pathogen reservoirs. Our aim was to describe the microbial diversity and analyze microbial patterns of healthcare-associated pathogens in two step-down-care-units at a tertiary care hospital. We monitored infected patients over 45 days to describe microbial diversity and colonization patterns. A total of 2762 isolates were recovered from the sampled sites, coagulase-negative staphylococci represented 44.64% (1233/2762) of the isolates. The most frequently recovered ESKAPE species (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae) were A. baumannii (7.53%; 208/2762 isolates) and E. faecium/Enterococcus faecalis (5.18%; 143/2762). We recovered a high diversity of species, including potential pathogens. A. baumannii was detected more frequently on diverse surfaces and persisted in patients' nostrils during the hospital stay.
Insights
Healthcare surfaces harbor diverse microbes, including key pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii. This study tracked microbial patterns in hospital units, revealing A. baumannii
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Nosocomial surfaces act as reservoirs for healthcare-associated pathogens.
- Understanding microbial diversity is crucial for infection control in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize microbial diversity on surfaces and in patients within hospital units.
- To analyze colonization patterns of healthcare-associated pathogens over time.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of surfaces and patient nares over 45 days in two step-down-care units.
- Isolation and identification of microbial species from collected samples.
- Quantification of prevalent pathogens, including ESKAPE species.
Main Results:
- Over 2700 isolates were recovered, with coagulase-negative staphylococci being most common (44.64%).
- Acinetobacter baumannii (7.53%) and Enterococcus species (5.18%) were the most frequent ESKAPE pathogens identified.
- Acinetobacter baumannii showed high prevalence on various surfaces and nasal colonization in patients.
Conclusions:
- Hospital environments harbor a diverse range of microbes, including significant potential pathogens.
- Acinetobacter baumannii demonstrates persistent colonization on surfaces and patients, highlighting infection control challenges.
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