Investigating the changing taxonomy and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from door handles in a new infectious disease ward pre- and post-patient admittance.

ABSTRACT: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant burden to health systems, with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) further compounding the issue. The hospital environment plays a significant role in the development of HAIs, with microbial surveillance providing the foundation for interventions. We sampled 40 door handles at a newly built hospital prior to patients being admitted and then 6 and 12 months after this date. We utilized 16S rDNA sequencing to identify unique colonies, disc diffusion assays to assess the antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus spp., and whole-genome sequenced (WGS) multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. Before patient admission, 43% of sites harbored Staphylococcus spp., increasing to 55% and 65% at six and 12 months, respectively, while Bacil

SUBMITTER: Ackers-Johnson G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11619293 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature