Assessment of microbiological indoor air quality in a public hospital in the city of Agadir, Morocco

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Air is the greatest dissemination agency of pathogenic microbes, which cause significant problem in the indoor hospital environment, in particularly in terms of nosocomial infections. In this context, it is important to know the types of microorganisms present in suspension in an air sample to assess the initial situation and the effectiveness of corrective measures.

            Materials and Methods: This study aimed to assessment of microbiological indoor air quality in a three hospital units: central resuscitation, neonatal resuscitation and operating room, using a passive sampling method.

            Results: Findings of this study indicated that the central resuscitation recorded the highest bacterial counts population 3.33 10² CFU/m³. Total viable count of fungal was recorded high in neonatal resuscitation. This research showed that Staphylococcus non aureus and Staphylococcus aureus were the most predominant among isolated bacteria. The percentage was 70% -21% in central resuscitation and 79%-13% in operating room. In neonatal resuscitation Staphylococcus non aureus represent (29%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (19%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17%) and Pasteurella pneumotropica (16%). Thus, the fungal genera identified in operating room were Penicillium 61%, Aspergillus niger (20%) and Candida glabrata (19%). In neonatal resuscitation, we found Penicillium 51%, Candida glabrata 25% and Aspergillus niger 20%. In central resuscitation, the most predominant fungi were Cladosporium (30%), Penicillium (28%) and Candida glabrata (13%). 

            Conclusions: Microorganisms isolated from indoor air constitute microbial reservoirs that may present a risk of infection for both patients and staff. In this light microbiological monitoring of the environment in health facilities is a topic that is part of the news of the prevention of nosocomial infections.