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Temporal variation in bacterial community profile on patients' bedsheets in a primary healthcare unit
Swati Varshney1, Swapnil Kajale2, Shivani Khatri1
1Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India.
Insights
Bacterial diversity on hospital bedsheets varies seasonally, peaking in June. This highlights the need for laundry protocols that adapt to environmental conditions to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Healthcare Epidemiology
Background:
- Fabrics, such as bedsheets, act as fomites, contributing to the spread of nosocomial infections.
- Understanding seasonal variations in bacterial diversity on patient bedsheets is crucial for infection control in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the bacterial diversity on patients' bedsheets over a 7-month period in a primary healthcare unit.
- To assess the temporal dynamics of bacterial communities on polyester-cotton blend fabrics used for bedsheets.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial communities on bedsheets were analyzed from May to November 2019.
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing were employed for bacterial profiling.
Main Results:
- The dominant bacterial phyla identified were Bacillota, followed by Pseudomonadota and Actinomycetota.
- A significant seasonal variation in bacterial load was observed, with the highest levels recorded in June.
- Environmental conditions were found to impact bacterial abundance and composition on healthcare fabrics.
Conclusions:
- The study identified seasonal fluctuations in bacterial communities on hospital bedsheets.
- The presence of priority pathogens poses a human health concern.
- Season-specific laundering protocols are recommended to mitigate infection risks.
Abstract:
Fabrics serve as fomites in spreading nosocomial infections. As a patient is in close contact with bedsheets, it is important to assess the seasonal variation in bacterial diversity on these in healthcare units. The study was conducted to characterise the bacterial diversity on patients' bedsheets across 7 months in a primary healthcare unit. Polyester-cotton blend fabric was stitched on bedsheets, and temporal dynamics of bacterial communities was assessed from May to November 2019. qPCR and amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene was performed for profiling of bacterial community. Results revealed the dominance of Bacillota followed by Pseudomonadota, and Actinomycetota. A seasonal variation was observed in the bacterial load, with maximum values in June. This indicates the impact of environmental conditions on bacterial abundance and composition on fabrics in healthcare unit. The presence of priority pathogens on the patient bedsheets is a human health concern reiterating the need for season-specific laundering protocol.
