scholarly journals Airborne transmission of hospital pathogens

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 97-103
Author(s):  
Е. В. Brusina ◽  
E. A. Chezganova ◽  
О. M. Drozdova
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Airborne Transmission ◽  
Pathogen Virulence ◽  
Biological Aerosols ◽  
Potential Pathogen ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Pathogen Reservoir

For decades, there have been a number of controversial issues regarding the airborne transmission of hospital pathogens. Here we decided to perform a critical review on this topic in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. We summarise the existing knowledge on biological aerosols including techniques of their generation, propagation of bioaerosol particles in a hospital environment, particle size-, shape- and composition-dependent airborne transmission, and microorganisms inhabitating such particles. It is still unclear which of the particles transfer the pathogens, which of the pathogens are capable of adhering to the particulate matter, and whether such adhesion affects pathogen virulence. Intriguingly, viruses, bacteria and fungi seemingly have distinct patterns of interactions with the bioaerosols. Moreover, particle formation and their colonization may be separated in time, further complicating the puzzle. Apparently, pathogen interactions with the particulate matter are of paramount importance to better understand the role of bioaerosol particles as a potential pathogen reservoir in the hospital environment and to properly assess the influence of environmental pollutants, novel biomedical materials and treatment technologies on airborne transmission of hospital pathogens.

Airborne Nosocomial Infection: A Contemporary Perspective

1994 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 663-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore C. Eickhoff
Keyword(s):  
Nosocomial Infection ◽  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Airborne Transmission ◽  
The Past ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
History Of ◽  
Contemporary Perspective ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

AbstractThe history of airborne nosocomial infections is reviewed, and current beliefs about such infections are placed into their historical context. Possible sources, both animate and inanimate, of airborne nosocomial infections in the hospital environment are identified. Viruses, bacteria, and fungi that have been important causes of airborne nosocomial infections in the past are discussed, and examples of key studies that have confirmed an airborne route of transmission are presented. Where relevant, measures that have been used to control airborne transmission of nosocomial pathogens are discussed. Although outbreaks of airborne nosocomial infection have been uncommon, airborne transmission appears to account for about 10% of all endemic nosocomial infections.

scholarly journals Ventilation-Associated Particulate Matter Is a Potential Reservoir of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Health Facilities

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 639
Author(s):  
Evgenia Chezganova ◽  
Olga Efimova ◽  
Vera Sakharova ◽  
Anna Efimova ◽  
Sergey Sozinov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Viable Count ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Multidrug Resistant Organisms ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Most healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) develop due to the colonisation of patients and healthcare workers by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). Here, we investigated whether the particulate matter from the ventilation systems (Vent-PM) of health facilities can harbour MDRO and other microbes, thereby acting as a potential reservoir of HCAIs. Dust samples collected in the ventilation grilles and adjacent air ducts underwent a detailed analysis of physicochemical properties and biodiversity. All Vent-PM samples included ultrafine PM capable of reaching the alveoli. Strikingly, >70% of Vent-PM samples were contaminated, mostly by viruses (>15%) or multidrug-resistant and biofilm-producing bacterial strains (60% and 48% of all bacteria-contaminated specimens, respectively). Total viable count at 1 m from the ventilation grilles was significantly increased after opening doors and windows, indicating an association between air flow and bacterial contamination. Both chemical and microbial compositions of Vent-PM considerably differed across surgical vs. non-surgical and intensive vs. elective care units and between health facilities located in coal and chemical districts. Reduced diversity among MDRO and increased prevalence ratio in multidrug-resistant to the total Enterococcus spp. in Vent-PM testified to the evolving antibiotic resistance. In conclusion, we suggest Vent-PM as a previously underestimated reservoir of HCAI-causing pathogens in the hospital environment.

scholarly journals Ecosystem–atmosphere exchange of microorganisms in a Mediterranean grassland: new insights into microbial flux through a combined experimental-modeling approach

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Carotenuto ◽  
Teodoro Georgiadis ◽  
Beniamino Gioli ◽  
Christel Leyronas ◽  
Cindy E. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deterministic Model ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Training Dataset ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Biological Aerosols ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Microbial aerosols (mainly composed by bacterial and fungal cells), may constitute up to 74 % of the total aerosol volume. These biological aerosols are relevant not only from the point of view of the dispersion of pathogenic species, but also due to the potential geochemical implications. Some bacteria and fungi may, in fact, serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, potentially affecting cloud formation and precipitation and are active at higher temperatures compared to their, much more intensively studied, inorganic counterparts. Simulations of the impact of microbial aerosols on climate are still hindered by the lack of information regarding their emissions from ground sources. This work tackles this knowledge gap by (i) applying a rigorous micrometeorological approach to the estimation of microbial net fluxes above a Mediterranean grassland and (ii) developing a deterministic model to estimate these emissions on the basis of a few easily recovered meteorological parameters (the PLAnET model). The grassland itself is characterized by an abundance of positive net microbial fluxes and the model proves to be a promising tool capable of capturing the day-to-day variability in microbial fluxes with a relatively small bias and sufficient accuracy. PLAnET is still in its infancy and will benefit from future campaigns extending the available training dataset as well as the inclusion of ever more complex and critical phenomena affecting the release of microbial aerosol (such as rainfall). The model itself is also adaptable as an emission module for dispersion and chemical transport models, allowing to further explore the impact of microbial aerosols on the atmosphere and climate.

scholarly journals Global airborne microbial communities controlled by surrounding landscapes and wind conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Romie Tignat-Perrier ◽  
Aurélien Dommergue ◽  
Alban Thollot ◽  
Christoph Keuschnig ◽  
Olivier Magand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
The World ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Over Time

Abstract The atmosphere is an important route for transporting and disseminating microorganisms over short and long distances. Understanding how microorganisms are distributed in the atmosphere is critical due to their role in public health, meteorology and atmospheric chemistry. In order to determine the dominant processes that structure airborne microbial communities, we investigated the diversity and abundance of both bacteria and fungi from the PM10 particle size (particulate matter of 10 micrometers or less in diameter) as well as particulate matter chemistry and local meteorological characteristics over time at nine different meteorological stations around the world. The bacterial genera Bacillus and Sphingomonas as well as the fungal species Pseudotaeniolina globaosa and Cladophialophora proteae were the most abundant taxa of the dataset, although their relative abundances varied greatly based on sampling site. Bacterial and fungal concentration was the highest at the high-altitude and semi-arid plateau of Namco (China; 3.56 × 106 ± 3.01 × 106 cells/m3) and at the high-altitude and vegetated mountain peak Storm-Peak (Colorado, USA; 8.78 × 104 ± 6.49 × 104 cells/m3), respectively. Surrounding ecosystems, especially within a 50 km perimeter of our sampling stations, were the main contributors to the composition of airborne microbial communities. Temporal stability in the composition of airborne microbial communities was mainly explained by the diversity and evenness of the surrounding landscapes and the wind direction variability over time. Airborne microbial communities appear to be the result of large inputs from nearby sources with possible low and diluted inputs from distant sources.

Potential Use of Monsoon Rainwater for Drinking Purpose in Bangladesh

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.G. Mostafa ◽  
S.M. Shafiuzzaman
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Chemical Quality ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The City ◽  
Domestic Purpose

This study investigates the feasibility of the utilization of monsoon rainwater for domestic purpose in Bangladesh. A survey was done in Rajshahi city in Bangladesh about the prospect and possibilities of rainwater harvesting (RWH). RWH system was not found in any individual or commercial apartment in the city. But, however, in rainy season, women about 46% houses used to collect rainwater from their roofs for domestic uses at least once in a year. In this study, a numbers of rainwater samples were collected from open atmosphere and through two different roof catchments (galvanized iron and concrete) and analysed the physico-chemical quality. pH of all the samples ranges from 6.3 to 7.7. The results showed the physico-chemical quality of the samples were found within the limits of WHO's standard of drinking water except the particulate matter in rainwater. The study recommend that the rainwater would be allowed to stand for 6-10 hours to settle more than 90% of the particulate matter and a 3-4 folds fine thin clothes could be used as filter to remove almost all particulate matter from the water. Moreover, the study observed that the microbial treatment technologies such as chlorination, solar or UV radiations would be technically feasible and economically sound to destroy micrograms in stored rainwater. Further research is imperative on potential indicators of both microbiological quality and health risk to minimize contamination of roof-collected rainwater.

scholarly journals Airborne transmission of disease in hospitals

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (suppl_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Eames ◽  
J. W. Tang ◽  
Y. Li ◽  
P. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Airborne Transmission ◽  
Indirect Contact ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infection ◽  
Engineering Sciences ◽  
Contact Transmission ◽  
Hospital Acquired ◽  
Scientific Questions ◽  
Transmission Of Disease

Hospital-acquired infection (HAI) is an important public health issue with unacceptable levels of morbidity and mortality, over the last 5 years. Disease can be transmitted by air (over large distances), by direct/indirect contact or a combination of both routes. While contact transmission of disease forms the majority of HAI cases, transmission through the air is harder to control, but one where the engineering sciences can play an important role in limiting the spread. This forms the focus of this themed volume. In this paper, we describe the current hospital environment and review the contributions from microbiologists, mechanical and civil engineers, and mathematicians to this themed volume on the airborne transmission of infection in hospitals. The review also points out some of the outstanding scientific questions and possible approaches to mitigating transmission.

scholarly journals Environmental pollutants and stroke-related hospital admissions

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 1319-1324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Fernando Costa Nascimento ◽  
Juliana B. Francisco ◽  
Marielle Beatriz R. Patto ◽  
Angélica M. Antunes
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Sulfur Dioxide ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Linear Regression Model ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Paulo State

Some effects of environmental pollution on human health are known, especially those affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The current study aimed to estimate these effects on the production of hospital admissions for stroke. This was an ecological study using hospital admissions data in São José dos Campos, São Paulo State, Brazil, with diagnosis of stroke, from January 1, 2007, to April 30, 2008. The target pollutants were particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. Use of a Poisson linear regression model showed that same-day exposure to particulate matter was associated with hospitalization for stroke (RR = 1.013; 95%CI: 1.001-1.025). An increase of 10µg/m³ in this pollutant increased the risk of hospitalization by 12% (RR = 1.137; 95%CI: 1.014-1.276). In the multi-pollutant model, it was thus possible to identify particulate matter as associated with hospitalization for stroke in a medium-sized city like São José dos Campos.

scholarly journals Autism genes are selectively targeted by environmental pollutants including pesticides, heavy metals, bisphenol A, phthalates and many others in food, cosmetics or household products

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Carter ◽  
R.A. Blizard
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Environmental Influence ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Household Products

AbstractThe increasing incidence of autism suggests a major environmental influence. Epidemiology has implicated many candidates and genetics many susceptibility genes. Gene/environment interactions in autism were analysed using 206 autism genes (ASG’s) to interrogate ~1 million chemical/gene interactions in the comparative toxicogenomics database. Bias towards ASG’s was statistically determined for each chemical. Many suspect compounds identified in epidemiology, including tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, pesticides, particulate matter, benzo(a)pyrene, heavy metals, valproate, acetaminophen, SSRI’s, cocaine, bisphenol A, phthalates, polyhalogenated biphenyls, flame retardants, diesel constituents, terbutaline and oxytocin, inter alia showed a significant degree of bias towards ASG’s, as did relevant endogenous agents (retinoids, sex steroids, thyroxine, melatonin, folate, dopamine, serotonin). Numerous other endocrine disruptors selectively targeted ASG’s including paraquat, atrazine and other pesticides not yet studied in autism and many compounds used in food, cosmetics or household products, including tretinoin, soy phytoestrogens, aspartame, titanium dioxide and sodium fluoride. Autism polymorphisms are known to influence sensitivity to some of these chemicals and these same genes play an important role in barrier function and control of respiratory cilia sweeping particulate matter from the airways. The close gene/environment relationships, for multiple suspect pollutants, suggest that the rising incidence of autism might be chemically driven by numerous environmental contaminants in a gene dependent manner. The protective dappled camouflage of the peppered moth was rendered invalid by industrial soot covering the trees, a situation reversed by clean air acts. The rising tide of neurodevelopmental and other childhood disorders linked to multiple pollutants may need a similar solution.

scholarly journals Investigation of the Relationship Between the Level of Fine Particulate Matter and Stroke Mortality Rate in Mashhad in 2014 and 2015

Health Scope ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sima Baridkazemi ◽  
Khalilollah Moeininan ◽  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Ayat Rahmani ◽  
Hamidreza Nassehinia
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Stroke Mortality ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Annual Average Concentration ◽  
Different Seasons

Background: Air pollution is a major social problem, particularly in developing countries, where the rapid expansion of industries, cities, and traffic is the main cause of increased air pollution. Objectives: This ecological study (correlation) has been conducted with the aim of analyzing the correlation between ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) amount and the rate of stroke mortality in Mashhad during the years 2014 and 2015. Methods: Data were collected from hospitals, the Monitoring Center of Environmental Pollutants, and the Bureau of Meteorology in Khorasan Razavi Province and were analyzed to evaluate the correlation. Results: The results show that the correlation coefficient between PM2.5 and the rate of stroke mortality in different seasons in 2014 and 2015 are 0.997 and 0.902, respectively. The correlation was stronger in 2014 and is significant at a confidence level of 0.01. Conclusions: According to the results, the annual average concentration of PM2.5 decreased from 29.261 (μg/m3) in 2014 to 25.283 (μg/m3) in 2015, and also, the annual rate of stroke mortality decreased by 4.4% in 2015.

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