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Updated: Jun 3, 2025
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria on ready-to-use laryngoscope blades and handles: A cross-sectional study
Sara Ester Barbosa1, Angelica Zaninelli Schreiber2, Eliane Picoli Alves Bensi3
1Nursing School, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Background:
The presence of microorganisms in laryngoscopes emphasizes the risk to patient safety during orotracheal intubations.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out in university hospital in the inpatient, emergency, intensive care, and surgical center sectors. Microorganisms were recovered from the blades using a filter membrane and from the handles using swab. They were then sown on blood agar plates and incubated at 35 °C (±2 °C) for a maximum of 5days. Microorganisms were identified by mass spectrometry, antimicrobial susceptibility tests were carried out for pathogenic bacteria. Associations were made using χ² and Fisher exact tests, and Poisson regression model.
Results:
A total of 158 blades and 45 handles were analyzed. Microbial growth was observed on 59.5% of the blades and 64.4% of the handles, with fungi and bacteria isolated, such as Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter sp. Multidrug-resistant bacteria, producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases and carbapenemases, were found.
Conclusions:
Multidrug-resistant bacteria were found on ready-to-use laryngoscopes. In the surgical center, there was lower probability of microbial growth, while the intensive care sector showed higher probability. This study reinforces the warning that this equipment is a potential source of transmission of microorganisms, especially multiresistant strains.
Insights
Ready-to-use laryngoscopes harbor microorganisms, including dangerous multidrug-resistant bacteria. This highlights a significant patient safety risk during intubations, particularly in intensive care settings.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infection Control
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Microbial contamination of laryngoscopes poses a risk to patient safety during orotracheal intubations.
- Ready-to-use laryngoscopes may harbor pathogenic microorganisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microbial contamination of laryngoscopes in various hospital sectors.
- To identify microorganisms present on laryngoscopes and assess their antimicrobial resistance profiles.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study analyzed laryngoscope blades and handles from university hospital sectors.
- Microorganisms were cultured, identified via mass spectrometry, and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility.
- Statistical analyses included chi-squared, Fisher exact tests, and Poisson regression.
Main Results:
- Microbial growth was detected on 59.5% of blades and 64.4% of handles.
- Common bacteria and fungi were isolated, including multidrug-resistant strains like Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus.
- Intensive care units showed a higher probability of microbial growth compared to surgical centers.
Conclusions:
- Multidrug-resistant bacteria were prevalent on laryngoscopes, indicating a potential transmission source.
- Laryngoscopes represent a significant risk for transmitting microorganisms, especially in intensive care settings.
- Enhanced disinfection protocols are crucial for patient safety.
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