[Examination possibilities of microbial nucleic acid samples derived from the environment]

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a significant patient safety concern, affecting approximately 1 in 15 patients in Europe.
• Continuous monitoring of hospital hygiene is crucial, especially with the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens.
• Traditional methods often identify pathogens only after infections occur, highlighting a need for proactive detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of molecular methods for assessing the hospital microbial environment.
• To explore how these methods can supplement traditional environmental monitoring for enhanced patient safety.
• To detail the application of nucleic acid-based procedures in detecting pathogens and resistance mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing nucleic acid-based procedures, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS).
• Applying these methods to analyze surface, airborne, and wastewater microbiomes within hospital settings.
• Integrating molecular data with traditional environmental monitoring for a holistic view.

Main Results:

• Nucleic acid-based methods enable the detection of non-cultivable pathogens.
• Next-generation sequencing provides insights into environmental microbiome composition, resistance genes, and mechanisms.
• Molecular examination offers valuable supplementary data beyond conventional hygiene monitoring.

Conclusions:

• Molecular techniques significantly enhance the ability to assess the microbial status of the hospital environment.
• These advanced methods offer supplementary information crucial for improving patient safety and infection prevention strategies.
• Proactive identification of pathogens and resistance through molecular analysis is key to combating HAIs.