Risks associated with pathogenic fungi isolated from surgical centers, intensive care units, and materials sterilization center in hospitals. Risks associated with pathogenic fungi isolated from critical hospital areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 881-886
Author(s):  
Mayk Teles de Oliveira ◽  
Nathany Kelly Ribeiro Batista ◽  
Eric de Souza Gil ◽  
Maria do Rosário Rodrigues Silva ◽  
Carolina Rodrigues Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Aspergillus Terreus ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Hospital Infections ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
And Control ◽  
Penicillium Spp

Abstract The hospital environment requires special attention to air quality, since it needs to be healthy for the protection of patients and health professionals in order to prevent them against hospital infections. The objective of this study was to isolate, identify and evaluate the susceptibility profile of isolated fungi from two hospitals. For air sampling the impaction (Spin Air, IUL®) and passive sedimentation methods were used. For the isolation of fungi from surfaces, contact plates (RODAC®) were used. The identification of the fungi was performed by observing the macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the colonies, whereas for better visualization of fruiting structures, the microculture technique was performed on slides. To evaluate the susceptibility profile, the broth microdilution test recommended by CLSI was performed. Thirty-five isolates were identified: Aspergillus flavus (12), Aspergillus fumigatus (11), Aspergillus niger (1), Aspergillus terreus (2), Penicillium spp. (7), and Fusarium spp. (2) in the hospitals evaluated. All isolates had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) more than 128 μg/ml for fluconazole; 0.5 to 4.0 μg/ml for amphotericin B (hospital 1), and all isolates from haospital 2 had MIC ≥2.0 μg/ml. In hospital 1, MIC for posaconazole ranged from 0.25 μg/ml to ≥32 μg/ml, and hospital 2 ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 μg/ml. The monitoring and evaluation of air quality and surfaces are essential measures for prevention and control of hospital infections, as these microorganisms are becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobial agents, thus making treatment difficult, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Hospital Usage of Parenteral Antimicrobial Agents: A Gradated Utilization Review and Cost Containment Program

1985 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 226-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence L. Pelletier
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Drug Reaction ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
Utilization Review ◽  
Hospital Infections ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Antimicrobial Utilization ◽  
The Cost ◽  
And Control

AbstractForty percent to 60% of antimicrobial agents administered in hospitals without effective antimicrobial review and control programs are not needed. Excessive use of antimicrobial agents in the hospital promotes colonization of patients with resistant organisms, needlessly exposes them to the risk of an adverse drug reaction, and increases the cost of care. A gradated antimicrobial utilization review program is presented that determines hospital usage, develops guidelines for appropriate cost-effective drug administration, provides several options for implementation, and monitors outcome so that measures can be modified for specific situations. The techniques used are basic epidemiologic measures currently used to assess hospital infections.

scholarly journals Roles of Infection Prevention and Control Nurses (IPCNs) in Preparing for Emerging Infectious Diseases

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Erna Tsalatsatul Fitriyah ◽  
Meidiana Dwidiyanti ◽  
Luky Dwiantoro
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
And Control

Background: Infectious diseases have become one of the world’s serious problems including in Indonesia. Infectious diseases can originate from the community and hospital environment. Health workers performing inappropriate medical procedures could also be a cause of transmission of infectious diseases. Infection prevention and control nurses (IPCNs) as the pioneers of prevention and infection control in hospitals have not optimally played their roles.   Purpose: This study aimed to explore the roles of IPCNs and their constraints in preparing for emerging infectious diseases. Methods: The present study employed a qualitative design with the hermeneutic phenomenological approach. The samples were seven IPCNs for the primary participants, and two Infection Prevention and Control Officers (IPCOs) and 13 Infection Prevention and Control Link Nurses (IPCLNs) as the triangulation participants. The data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews analyzed using a content analysis technique.   Results: The results identified two themes: (1) IPCNs played roles as clinical practitioners, activity coordinators, administrators, and educators, and (2) the roles of IPCNs had not been optimal due to the lack of support from the hospital management, insufficient infrastructure, weak monitoring and evaluation, and the unavailability of appropriate rewards and  punishment.Conclusion: The majority of participants in this study agreed that IPCNs had tried well to play their roles. However, various obstacles were encountered, which hindered the IPCNs in performing their roles.

scholarly journals Mycofloral study of cultivated maize seed in district Poonch Azad Jammu and Kashmir

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehr -un-Nisa ◽  
Mussadiq Hussain ◽  
Basharat Mehmood ◽  
Muhammad Tariq-Khan ◽  
Hafiz Matee Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Maize Seed ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Jammu And Kashmir ◽  
Maize Seeds ◽  
Resistant Varieties ◽  
Blotter Paper ◽  
Penicillium Spp ◽  
Paper Method

The current study was carried out on the prevalence of mycoflora associated with maize seeds using blotter paper method. Maize seed samples were collected from six different locations of district Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Objective of this study was to determine the fungi associated with maize seeds. A total of seven species of fungi were isolated. Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Fusarium spp., Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium spp., were identified. Davigali had the infection percentage of 72 % in all locations. Occurrence frequency and type of fungi isolated varied with location. Prevalence of pathogenic fungi with maize seeds of district Poonch was found variable. Resistant varieties of maize, maintaining temperature, relative humidity and their treatment is suggested to reduce disease and increase yield.

AISLAMIENTO DE HONGOS ASOCIADOS AL GRANO DE CAFÉ PROVENIENTES DE ZONAS PRODUCTORAS EN NORTE DE SANTANDER - COLOMBIA

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Angela P. Cajiao
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Penicillium Spp

El comercio del café es uno de los renglones económicos más importantes a nivel mundial, sin embargo, también es susceptible a contaminaciones desde su cosecha hasta su transformación. Para la realización de este estudio se recolectaron muestras de café cereza procedentes de diferentes municipios productores de Norte de Santander y posteriormente en el laboratorio se aislaron y caracterizaron fenotípicamente los siguientes agentes fúngicos del grano de café: Aspergillus  spp., Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Cladosporium  spp., Mucor spp. y  Rhizopus spp. con ayuda de claves taxonómicas. Los hongos que presentaron una alta incidencia fueron Aspergillus spp. y Fusarium spp. Entre las tres variables fisicoquímicas analizadas en el café cereza (pH, actividad de agua, % de humedad) se puede afirmar con certeza que la actividad de agua y el porcentaje de humedad influyen directamente en el número y tipo de aislamientos fúngicos obtenidos. 

Design and synthesis of new antifungals based on N- un-substituted azoles as 14α demethylase inhibitor

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asghar Davood ◽  
Aneseh Rahimi ◽  
Maryam Iman ◽  
Parisa Azerang ◽  
Soroush Sardari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Molecular Design ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Receptor Interaction ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Design And Synthesis ◽  
Antifungal Antibiotics

Objective(s): Azole antifungal agents, which are widely used as antifungal antibiotics, inhibit cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51). Nearly all azole antifungal agents are N-substituted azoles. In addition, an azolylphenalkyl pharmacophore is uniquely shared by all azole antifungals. Due to importance of nitrogen atom of azoles (N-3 of imidazole and N-4 of triazole) in coordination with heme in the binding site of the enzyme, here a group of N- un-substituted azoles in which both of nitrogen is un-substituted was reported. Materials and Methods: Designed compounds were synthesized by reaction of imidazole-4-carboxaldehyde with appropriate arylamines and subsequently reduced to desired amine derivatives. Antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cervisiae were done using a broth micro-dilution assay. Docking studies were done using AutoDock. Results: Antimicrobial evaluation revealed that some of these compounds exhibited moderate antimicrobial activities against tested pathogenic fungi, wherein compound 3, 7 and 8 were potent. Docking studies propose that all of the prepared azoles interacted with 14α-DM, wherein azole-heme coordination play main role in drug-receptor interaction. Conclusion: Our results offer some useful references in order to molecular design performance or modification of this series of compounds as a lead compound to discover new and potent antimicrobial agents.

scholarly journals Enhancing Air Quality for Embedded Hospital Germicidal Lamps

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2389
Author(s):  
Jung-Shun Chen
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Flow Noise ◽  
Air Ventilation ◽  
Air Disinfection ◽  
Type 3

The indoor air of a hospital is always full of bacteria and viruses due to patients with different diseases. These bacteria and viruses could be highly infectious to the people in the hospital irrespective of their health conditions, and could be hazardous to the patients, their care takers, and hospital staff. Thus, keeping a good hospital air quality is very essential to the operation of the hospital. This study aims at enhancing ventilation of the interior lighting of hospitals with germicidal capabilities. Air disinfection is accomplished by adding the specially designed disinfecting filters and fans to existing embedded lamps in the hospitals. The embedded lamp has a square shape of 601 mm in width and 112 mm in thickness. In the design stage, the air flow inside the embedded lamp with the added filters and fans was investigated by numerical simulation using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool. Three designs, referred to as Types 1, 2, and 3, were evaluated using steady-state CFD flow simulations. The ventilation rate of the Type 1 design was about 251.9 CMH, and 348.3 CMH for the Type 2 design by increasing the fan outlet area. However, even though the ventilation was increased by 34%, the flow field of the Type 2 design was not uniform, resulting in flows being circulated around the side locations. Thus, the Type 3 design further treats this aspect by streamlining the outlet geometry and adding flow guiding vanes to reduce flow resistance and flow unsteadiness; the corresponding air ventilation rate reached 376.3 CMH. Hence, the Type 3 design was fabricated and tested. The test results confirm that the design not only has a higher ventilation rate but also operates under a smaller pressure drop, thus accomplishing the goal of providing good air quality in the hospital environment efficiently. Moreover, the associated flow noise is reduced by about 8 dBA. Hence, both an increase in the air ventilation rate and a reduction of noise are achieved simultaneously by the present method.

scholarly journals Avaliação da micoflora e ocorrência de micotoxinas em cascas de amendoim em diferentes estágios de maturação da vagem

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 1380-1386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edlayne Gonçalez ◽  
Tiago Noel de Souza ◽  
Maria Helena Rossi ◽  
Joana D'arc Felicio ◽  
Benedito Corrêa
Keyword(s):  
Arachis Hypogaea ◽  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Arachis Hypogaea L ◽  
Penicillium Spp

As cascas de amendoim (Arachis hypogaea L.) são de grande importância para confecção de cama de frangos, de gado de leite e como fonte de fibras para ruminantes, portanto a elucidação dos mecanismos de contaminação por fungos toxigênicos e por micotoxinas em amendoim é imprescindível, especialmente para que medidas preventivas possam ser tomadas. Realizou-se, este trabalho, em Junqueirópolis, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Os principais fungos isolados nas cascas de amendoim foram Fusarium ssp. (78,75 %), Rhizopus ssp. (14,1 %) e A. flavus (11,75 %). No solo foram isolados Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp. e Aspergillus flavus, entre outros. Aflatoxinas foram detectadas em amostras de cascas de amendoim a partir do estágio de granação em concentrações que variaram de 5,42 μg/kg a 218,52 μg/kg. Ácido ciclopiazônico e fumonisinas B1 e B2 não foram detectadas. A presença de A. flavus e aflatoxinas nas amostras, revela a importância de um controle das cascas de amendoim antes de sua utilização. Boas práticas agrícolas são indicadas para região, uma vez que a contaminação das vagens ocorreu antes da colheita.

Molecular Characterization ofStenotrophomonas maltophiliaIsolates from Cystic Fibrosis Patients and the Hospital Environment

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 753-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Marzuillo ◽  
Maria De Giusti ◽  
Daniela Tufi ◽  
Alessandra Giordano ◽  
Angela Del Cimmuto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Molecular Heterogeneity ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Clonal Spread ◽  
Multiple Strains ◽  
Outpatient Settings ◽  
And Control

Objectives.To ascertain whether cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are colonized or infected with unique or multiple strains ofStenotrophomonas maltophilia; to understand whether some strains colonize or infect more than 1 patient, indicating clonal spread; and to explore the molecular heterogeneity of hospital water isolates and their correlation with clinical isolates.Setting.The regional CF center of Policlinico “Umberto I” of Rome, Italy.Methods.The study was carried out on a random sample ofS. maltophiliaisolates (n= 110) collected from CF patients (n= 50) during the period 2002–2005 and on 24 water isolates obtained during a monitoring program in the first 6 months of 2005. Home environmental samplings were not performed. All isolates, which were recovered from cultures of specimens obtained in both inpatient and outpatient settings, were genotyped with DNA macrorestriction analysis with the restriction enzymeXbaland pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.Results.One-third of the patients with repeated episodes ofS. maltophiliainfection or colonization hosted more than 1 strain. A potential transmission, defined as the isolation of the same strain in 2 or more patients, occurred 5 times, showing a frequency of potential transmission episodes slightly higher than previously reported. Water, taps, and sinks of the different rooms of the CF center tended to be persistently colonized with the same strain ofS. maltophilia, with no correlation between clinical and water-associated isolates.Conclusions.The study does not provide sufficient data to conclude definitively that isolation of colonized or infected CF patients and control of hospital water systems contamination would be beneficial infection control measures. Epidemiologic analytical studies that correlate the presence ofS. maltophiliawith clinical outcomes are strongly needed.

scholarly journals Waterborne microorganisms and biofilms related to hospital infections: strategies for prevention and control in healthcare facilities

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Vannucci Capelletti ◽  
Ângela Maria Moraes
Keyword(s):  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution System ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Hospital Infections ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Microbiological Control ◽  
And Control

Water is the main stimulus for the development of microorganisms, and its flow has an important role in the spreading of contaminants. In hospitals, the water distribution system requires special attention since it can be a source of pathogens, including those in the form of biofilms often correlated with resistance of microorganisms to various treatments. In this paper, information relevant to cases of nosocomial infections involving water circuits as a source of contaminants is compiled, with emphasis on the importance of microbiological control strategies to prevent the installation, spreading and growth of microorganisms in hospitals. An overview of the worldwide situation is provided, with emphasis on Brazilian hospitals. Different approaches normally used to control the occurrence of nosocomial infections due to waterborne contaminants are analyzed, and the use of the polysaccharide chitosan for this specific application is briefly discussed.

scholarly journals Assessment of Building Automation and Control Systems in Danish Healthcare Facilities in the COVID-19 Era

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 427
Author(s):  
Jeanette Maria Pedersen ◽  
Farah Jebaei ◽  
Muhyiddine Jradi
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Building Automation ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Automation And Control ◽  
And Control ◽  
Indoor Conditions ◽  
The Impact

A well-designed and properly operated building automation and control system (BACS) is key to attaining energy-efficient operation and optimal indoor conditions. In this study, three healthcare facilities of a different type, age, and use are considered as case studies to investigate the functionalities of BACS in providing optimal air quality and thermal comfort. IBACSA, the first-of-its-kind instrument for BACS assessment and smartness evaluation, is used to evaluate the current systems and their control functionalities. The BACS assessment is reported and analyzed. Then, three packages of improvements were implemented in the three cases, focusing on (1) technical systems enhancement, (2) indoor air quality and comfort, and (3) energy efficiency. It was found that the ventilation system domain is the best performer in the three considered cases with an overall score of 52%, 89% and 91% in Case A, B, and C,, respectively. On the other hand, domestic hot water domain scores are relatively low, indicating that this is an area where Danish healthcare facilities need to provide more concentration on. A key finding indicated by the assessment performed is that the three buildings score relatively very low when it comes to the impact criteria of energy flexibility and storage.

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