High positivity of mimivirus in inanimate surfaces of a hospital respiratory-isolation facility, Brazil.

Background: Mimiviruses have been considered putative emerging pneumonia agents. Pneumonia is a leading cause of death related to infection throughout the world, with approximately 40% of cases presenting unknown etiology. Therefore, identifying new causative agents of community and nosocomial pneumonia is of major public health concern.

Objective: We evaluated the distribution of these viruses in samples collected from different environments of one of the largest hospitals in Brazilian Southeast.

Study Design: We analyzed, by molecular and virological approaches, the distribution of mimivirus in 242 samples collected from inanimate surfaces in different hospital facilities.

Results: A significant positivity of mimivirus in respiratory-isolation-facilities was observed (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Although the role of mimivirus as etiological agents of pneumonia is still under investigation, our results demonstrates interesting correlations that strengthens the need for control over the occurrence of these viruses in hospital facilities.