Environmental Aerobic Bacterial Associated with Infectious and General Solid Waste: Screening at the “Université des Montagnes” Teaching Hospital Waste Accumulation Sites

Background: Waste is a source of potentially dangerous microorganisms for users of healthcare facilities, and its accumulation is a risk factor for infectious agent dissemination.

Objective: The first aim of the present study was to identify and quantify aerobic bacteria around solid waste accumulation sites at the “Université des Montagnes” Teaching Hospital. The second one was to assess bacteria susceptibility to common conventional antibacterial agents.

Methods: Soil samples and airborne bacteria were collected at various distances from the target solid waste accumulation sites. Bacteria isolation and susceptibility tests were thereafter conducted according to standard protocols.

Results: Isolated organisms (123 bacterial isolates) included Staphylococcus spp (48%), Gram-positive rods (32%) and Gram-negative rods (20%). Polymorphism and bacterial loads were highest at the sampling locations closer to the accumulation sites and decreased with increasing distances from these sites. Overall findings revealed that variations of polymorphism and bacterial loads is likely associated with anthropogenic activities. In addition, susceptibility rates for Staphylococcus were high.

Conclusion: Together with the overall bacterial population distribution trends, the high susceptibility rates recorded deserve better understanding in future research initiatives for optimal hospital hygiene.