MICROORGANISM PROFILE OF SURFACES AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN HOSPITAL X WARDS, MOZAMBIQUE, 2024

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality within healthcare facilities—including critical care units (such as adult and pediatric resuscitation areas) and other departments—accounting for up to one-third of infant mortality. HAIs are classified as early-onset if signs and symptoms manifest within the first 48 hours of admission, and late-onset if they occur after this 48-hour window. In this context, this study aims to describe the profile of microorganisms found on surfaces and in the environment of wards at the Nampula Central Hospital. To this end, samples were collected from surfaces and the environment in the adult intensive care unit, pediatric ward, Nursery I, maternity delivery room, and both the central and maternity operating theaters during March 2024. Sampling took place between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. For environmental sampling, culture plates containing media such as MacConkey Agar, CLED Agar, Blood Agar, Chocolate Agar, and Sabouraud Agar were left open in the wards for one hour before being collected. For the surfaces such as beds, stethoscopes, tables, countertops, and door handles, sterile swabs moistened with saline were used to sample a 1 cm² area; the swabs were then stored in a vial containing universal enrichment medium (BHI—Brain Heart Infusion broth).

Pathogenic microorganisms are present in Nursery I at the Nampula Central Hospital (HCN), including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), filamentous fungi, and Bacillus sp. On average, the isolated Gram-negative bacilli showed susceptibility to at least two of the tested antibiotics—ceftriaxone and meropenem (2/13 = 15.4%)—following CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) recommendations. The Gram-positive cocci were susceptible to vancomycin, as well as to ceftriaxone and cefoxitin.