OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of aerators on water microbiological contamination in at-risk hospital departments, with a view to quantifying the possible risk of patient exposure to waterborne microorganisms. DESIGN: We analyzed the microbiological and chemical-physical characteristics of hot and cold water in some critical hospital departments. SETTING: Two hospitals in northern Italy. METHODS: We took 304 water samples over a 1-year period, at 3-month intervals, from taps used by healthcare personnel for handwashing, surgical washing, and the washing of medical equipment. We analyzed heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) at 36°C and 22°C, nonfastidious gram-negative bacteria (GNB-NE), and Legionella pneumophila. RESULTS: The percentages of positivity and mean values of HPCs at 22°C, HPCs at 36°C, and GNB-NE loads were significantly higher at outlet points than in the plumbing system. In particular, GNB-NE positivity was higher at outlet points than in the plumbing system in both the cold water (31.58% vs 6.58% of samples were positive) and hot water (21.05% vs 3.95%) supplies. Our results also revealed contamination by L. pneumophila both in the plumbing system and at outlet points, with percentages of positive samples varying according to the serogroup examined (serogroups 1 and 2-14). The mean concentrations displayed statistically significant (P < .001) differences between the outlet points (27,382.89 ± 42,245.33 colony-forming units [cfu]/L) and the plumbing system (19,461.84 ± 29,982.11 cfu/L). CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal a high level of contamination of aerators by various species of gram-negative opportunists that are potentially very dangerous for immunocompromised patients and, therefore, the need to improve the management of these devices.
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of aerators on water microbiological contamination in at-risk hospital departments, with a view to quantifying the possible risk of patient exposure to waterborne microorganisms. DESIGN: We analyzed the microbiological and chemical-physical characteristics of hot and cold water in some critical hospital departments. SETTING: Two hospitals in northern Italy. METHODS: We took 304 water samples over a 1-year period, at 3-month intervals, from taps used by healthcare personnel for handwashing, surgical washing, and the washing of medical equipment. We analyzed heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) at 36°C and 22°C, nonfastidious gram-negative bacteria (GNB-NE), and Legionella pneumophila. RESULTS: The percentages of positivity and mean values of HPCs at 22°C, HPCs at 36°C, and GNB-NE loads were significantly higher at outlet points than in the plumbing system. In particular, GNB-NE positivity was higher at outlet points than in the plumbing system in both the cold water (31.58% vs 6.58% of samples were positive) and hot water (21.05% vs 3.95%) supplies. Our results also revealed contamination by L. pneumophila both in the plumbing system and at outlet points, with percentages of positive samples varying according to the serogroup examined (serogroups 1 and 2-14). The mean concentrations displayed statistically significant (P < .001) differences between the outlet points (27,382.89 ± 42,245.33 colony-forming units [cfu]/L) and the plumbing system (19,461.84 ± 29,982.11 cfu/L). CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal a high level of contamination of aerators by various species of gram-negative opportunists that are potentially very dangerous for immunocompromised patients and, therefore, the need to improve the management of these devices.
Authors: Beatrice Casini; Francesco Aquino; Michele Totaro; Mario Miccoli; Irio Galli; Laura Manfredini; Carlo Giustarini; Anna Laura Costa; Benedetta Tuvo; Paola Valentini; Gaetano Privitera; Angelo Baggiani Journal: Pathogens Date: 2017-04-17
Authors: Paul J Molino; Richard Bentham; Michael J Higgins; Jason Hinds; Harriet Whiley Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-10-18 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Michele Totaro; Paola Valentini; Anna Laura Costa; Lorenzo Frendo; Alessia Cappello; Beatrice Casini; Mario Miccoli; Gaetano Privitera; Angelo Baggiani Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2017-10-26 Impact factor: 3.390