Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2025
Author Spotlight: Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies
Published on: March 17, 2023
Microbial ecology of protective isolation room: Air and Surfaces
Yousra Sbibih1,2, Abderrazak Saddari1,2, Ilham Alla1,2
1Laboratory of Microbiology. Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy (University Mohammed the First), Oujda, Morocco.
Introduction:
Healthcare-associated infections pose a significant public health burden, leading to morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and substantial social and economic costs. Immunocompromised patients are at a heightened risk of nosocomial infections.
Aim:
This prospective study conducted at Mohammed VI University Hospital of Oujda aimed to assess the microbial ecology of surfaces and air in an immunosuppressed patient room compared to a double hospitalization room.
Methods:
Microbiological air purity tests were conducted employing both the sedimentation method and the collision method with the assistance of Microflow Alpha. The sedimentation method used Mueller Hinton with 5% human blood, facilitating the free fall of contaminated dust particles. The collection program employed was set for 10 minutes per 1 m3. For surface sampling, swabs were taken from a 25 cm2 surface. The swabs were immediately forwarded to the Microbiology Laboratory. We carried out both macroscopic and microscopic identification of colonies, followed by definitive biochemical identification using the BD phoenixTM system. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed through agar diffusion on Muller Hinton medium coupled with the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration.
Results:
The results revealed a decreased bacterial count within the protective isolation room, in contrast to the standard hospital room. We noted the predominance of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp and Bacillus spp. Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus spp, common pathogens in healthcare-associated infections, were notably absent in the protective isolation room. The findings underline the pivotal role of hospital environments in the transmission of healthcare-associated infections.
Conclusion:
The protective isolation room demonstrated effective control of microbial contamination, with fewer and less resistant germs. The study highlighted the significance of air treatment systems in preventing the spread of opportunistic infections. Our study underscored the critical role of microbiological cleanliness in preventing nosocomial infections.
More Related Videos
10:26P. aeruginosa Infected 3D Co-Culture of Bronchial Epithelial Cells and Macrophages at Air-Liquid Interface for Preclinical Evaluation of Anti-Infectives
Published on: June 15, 2020
11:13Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an ABSL-4 Laboratory: 3. Aerobiology
Published on: October 3, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
01:30Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
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...