Passenger pathogens on physicians - 20/06/23
, Sruthi Ravindranathan, PhD a, #, Alex Matelski, MD b, Hanwen Zhang, MD, PhD a, Caitlin Taylor, MD a, Sanjay Chandrasekaran, MD c, Martha Arellano, MD a, Amelia A. Langston, MD a, Nisha Joseph, MD a, Edmund K. Waller, MD, PhD aHighlights |
• | Whole genome DNA sequencing (WGS) was performed on bone marrow transplantation physician items. |
• | WGS identified thousands of unique bacteria, DNA viruses, fungi, and bacteriophages. |
• | Antimicrobial resistance elements were identified on all items tested. |
• | Stethoscopes contained the greatest frequency of antibiotic resistance genes. |
Abstract |
Background |
Hospital acquired infections pose a significant risk for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes contributes to prevalence of multidrug-resistant infections in this patient population.
Methods |
At an academic bone marrow transplantation center, we performed whole genome DNA sequencing (WGS) on commonly used physician items, including badges, stethoscopes, soles of shoes, and smart phones from 6 physicians. Data were analyzed to determine antimicrobial resistance and virulence factor genes.
Results |
A total of 1,126 unique bacterial species, 495 distinct bacteriophages, 91 unique DNA viruses, and 175 fungal species were observed. Every item contained bacteria with antibiotic and/or antiseptic resistance genes. Stethoscopes contained greatest frequency of antibiotic resistance and more plasmid-carriage of antibiotic resistance.
Discussion and Conclusions |
These data indicate that physician examination tools and personal items possess potentially pathogenic microbes. Infection prevention policies must consider availability of resources to clean physical examination tools as well as provider awareness when enacting hospital policies. Additionally, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes (eg, encoding resistance to aminoglycosides, β-lactams, and quinolones) reinforces need for antimicrobial stewardship, including for immunocompromised patients. Further research is needed to assess whether minute quantities of microbes on physician objects detectable by WGS represents clinically significant inoculums for immunocompromised patients.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key Words : Microbes on physician items, Antimicrobial resistance genes, Antibiotic resistance on physician items, Infection prevention policy
Plan
| These results have not been presented at any conferences. This manuscript is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. |
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| Funding: Katz Foundation. |
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| Conflicts of interest: None to report. |
Vol 51 - N° 7
P. 807-811 - juillet 2023 Retour au numéro
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