1. Multidrug resistance assessment of indoor air in Portuguese long-term and acute healthcare settings.
- Author
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Santos-Marques C, Teixeira C, Pinheiro R, Brück WM, and Pereira SG
- Abstract
Background: Knowledge about air as pool of pathogens and multidrug resistance (MDR) in healthcare units apart from hospitals is scarce., Aim: Current study aimed to portray these features in a Portuguese long-term healthcare unit (LTHU) and a central hospital (CH)., Methods: Air samples were collected and their microbial load (bacteria and fungi) determined. Bacterial isolates were randomly selected for further characterization, particularly identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and PCR-screening of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, carbapenemase genes and mecA gene, with RAPD profile assessment of positive results of the latter., Findings: A total of 192 samples were collected (LTHU: n=86; CH: n=106). LTHU showed a statistically significant higher bacterial load. CH bacteria and fungi loads in inpatient sites were statistically significantly lower than in outpatients or non-patient sites. A total of 164 bacterial isolates were identified (MALDI-TOF: n=78; presumptively: n=86), the majority belonging to Staphylococcus genus (LTHU: n=42; CH: n=57). The highest antimicrobial resistance rate was to erythromycin and vancomycin the least, in both settings. 18 isolates (11%) were classified as MDR (LTHU: n=9; CH: n=9), with 7 MDR Staphylococcus isolates (LTHU: n=4; CH: n=3) presenting mecA. Of note, 9 non-MDR Staphylococcus (LTHU: n=5; CH: n=4) also presented mecA., Conclusion: Current study highlights that healthcare unit indoor air can be an important pool of MDR pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes. Also, LTHU appear to have poorer air quality than hospitals, as well as supportive areas compared to curative care areas. This may suggest possible yet unknown routes of infection that need to be explored., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None to declare., (Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2025
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