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Antibiotic resistance of airborne bacterial populations in a hospital environment

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Abstract

Bacteria in a hospital environment potentially cause hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Treatments of HAIs with antibiotics, however, are ineffective due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). This study aims to identify airborne bacteria in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia and screen for their resistance to commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotics. Airborne bacteria were sampled using active sampling at the respiratory ward (RW), physician clinic (PC) and emergency department (ED). Physical parameters of the areas were recorded, following the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 (ICOP IAQ 2010). Bacterial identification was based on morphological and biochemical tests. Antibiotic resistance screening was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results showed that the highest bacterial population was found in the highest density occupancy area, PC (1024 ± 54 CFU/m3), and exceeded the acceptable limit. Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, α- and β-Streptococcus spp., Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp. colonies were identified at the sampling locations. The antibiotic resistance screening showed a vast percentage of resistance amongst the bacterial colonies, with resistance to ampicillin observed as the highest percentage (Micrococcus spp.: 95.2%, S. aureus: 100%, Streptococcus spp.: 75%, Bacillus spp.: 100% and Clostridium spp.: 100%). This study provides awareness to healthcare practitioners and the public on the status of the emergence of ARB in a hospital environment. Early detection of bacterial populations and good management of hospital environments are important prevention measures for HAI.

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The data is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Malaysia for assistance with the instrumentation, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Culture Collection Unit (UKMCC), Faculty of Science and Technology, for providing assistance and facilities throughout the study. Appreciation also goes Dr Rose Norman for proofreading this manuscript, and to the staff of the tertiary hospital of study for their assistance and cooperation, and lastly, to all who were involved in this study.

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for the FST Fundamental Research Grant (ST-2020–008).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Nur Sarah Fatihah Tamsi & Mohd Talib Latif

  2. Department of Chemistry, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

    Nur Sarah Fatihah Tamsi & Maryam Zahaba

  3. Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Murnira Othman

  4. Center for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Murnira Othman & Mazrura Sahani

  5. Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Farah Diba Abu Bakar

  6. Department of Community Health, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Cheras, Malaysia

    Hanizah Mohd Yusof

  7. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH, Lot 1, Jalan 15/1, Seksyen 15, 43650, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Nor Mohd Razif Noraini

Authors
  1. Nur Sarah Fatihah Tamsi
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  2. Mohd Talib Latif
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  5. Hanizah Mohd Yusof
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  6. Nor Mohd Razif Noraini
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  8. Mazrura Sahani
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Contributions

Nur Sarah Fatihah Tamsi: conceptualization, formal analysis, investigation, visualization, writing original draft, reviewing, and editing; Mohd Talib Latif: conceptualization, funding acquisition, supervision, writing, reviewing, and editing; Murnira Othman: reviewing and editing; Farah Diba Abu Bakar: writing, supervision, reviewing, and editing; Hanizah Mohd Yusof: investigation, writing, reviewing, and editing; Nor Mohd Razif Noraini: formal analysis, investigation; Maryam Zahaba: writing, reviewing, and editing; Mazrura Sahani: supervision, writing, reviewing, and editing.

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Correspondence to Mohd Talib Latif.

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Tamsi, N.S.F., Latif, M.T., Othman, M. et al. Antibiotic resistance of airborne bacterial populations in a hospital environment. Environ Monit Assess 194, 629 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10291-6

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