AI Article Synopsis

  • * All water samples collected showed fungal growth, with a total of 289 fungi isolates identified from 105 water and 49 swab samples, featuring 31 different species.
  • * High-risk areas, like the modular theatre and labour ward, had the most contamination, while the hospital lacked a documented protocol for water safety and quality.

Article Abstract

Background: Fungal contamination of hospital water distribution systems has been implicated in outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of fungi in the water distribution system of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods: Swabs and water samples were collected from taps and faucets in the hospital categorized into low (Accidents and Emergency Unit, Children Emergency Unit, Acute Stroke Unit and the 24 in-patient hospital wards) and high-risk (Renal Dialysis Unit, Central Sterile Services Department, Theatres and Intensive Care Units (ICUs)) units based on the vulnerability of patients being managed there. The membrane filtration method for water analysis was used. Where possible, isolates cultured were identified to species level. In total, 105 water and 49 swab samples were collected for analysis.

Results: All analysed water samples grew fungi. A total of 289 (high-risk;  = 178; low-risk;  = 111) and 76 fungi isolates were recorded from water and swab samples, respectively, with 31 different species identified. was the most predominant genus with five different species: (9.9%), (4.4%), (3.3%), (8.8%) and (2.20%) isolated. Twenty-five and 18 species of fungi were identified in the low and high-risk units, respectively. The labour ward ( = 46; 25.8%) and modular theatre ( = 47; 42.3%) were the most contaminated units. spp. and spp. were the most frequently isolated fungi in the low and high-risk units, respectively. The dialysis centre ( = 9; 8.1%) and renal transplant theatre ( = 7; 6.31%) had the lowest contamination rates in the high-risk units. , , and were each identified in 4/6 units from which swabs were taken. The facility had no documented protocol for its water safety and quality.

Conclusion: Our data reveal a high rate of contamination of hospital water sources by fungi, some of which are known to cause life-threatening infections. For better water treatment and water tank cleaning and disinfection, a standard protocol is advised. Ensuring that the water distribution systems in hospital settings are free of fungal contaminants is important to prevent the possibility of waterborne mycosis outbreaks.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11273584PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/20499361241265953DOI Listing

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