Enterobacteriaceae ISOLATES FROM THE ORAL CAVITY OF WORKERS IN A BRAZILIAN ONCOLOGY HOSPITAL / Enterobacteriaceae isoladas da cavidade bucal de trabalhadores de hospital oncológico do Centro-Oeste brasileiro

The evaluation of workers as potential reservoirs and disseminators of pathogenic bacteria has been described as a strategy for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Enterobacteriaceae in the oral cavity of workers at an oncology hospital in the Midwest region of Brazil, as well as to characterize the phenotypic profile of the isolates. Saliva samples of 294 workers from the hospital’s healthcare and support teams were collected. Microbiological procedures were performed according to standard techniques. Among the participants, 55 (18.7%) were colonized by Enterobacteriaceae in the oral cavity. A total of 64 bacteria were isolated, including potentially pathogenic species. The most prevalent species was Enterobacter gergoviae (17.2%). The highest rates of resistance were observed for β-lactams, and 48.4% of the isolates were considered multiresistant. Regarding the enterobacteria isolated, the production of ESBL and KPC was negative. Nevertheless, among the 43 isolates of the CESP group, 51.2% were considered AmpC β-lactamase producers by induction, and 48.8% were hyper-producing mutants. The significant prevalence of carriers of Enterobacteriaceae and the phenotypic profile of the isolates represents a concern, especially due to the multiresistance and production of AmpC β-lactamases.

A investigação de trabalhadores dos serviços de saúde como reservatório e disseminadores de bactérias patogênicas tem sido referida como estratégia de prevenção e controle das infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde. Este estudo buscou avaliar a presença de Enterobacteriaceae na cavidade bucal de trabalhadores de hospital oncológico do Centro-Oeste brasileiro, bem como caracterizar o perfil fenotípico dos isolados. Foi coletada amostra de saliva de 294 trabalhadores pertencentes às equipes de saúde e de apoio. Procedimentos microbiológicos foram realizados segundo técnicas referendadas. Dentre os participantes, 55 (18,7%) estavam colonizados por Enterobacteriaceae na cavidade bucal. Foram isoladas 64 bactérias, incluindo espécies potencialmente patogênicas. A espécie mais prevalente foi Enterobacter gergoviae (17,2%). As maiores taxas de resistências foram observadas para os β-lactâmicos e 48,4% dos isolados foram considerados multirresistentes. Para as enterobactérias pesquisadas, a produção de ESBL e KPC foi negativa. Porém, dentre os 43 isolados do grupo CESP, 51,2% foram considerados produtores de β-lactamase AmpC por indução e 48,8% mutantes hiperprodutores. Considera-se a prevalência de portadores de Enterobacteriaceae significativa e o perfil fenotípico dos isolados preocupante, especialmente pela multirresistência e produção de β-lactamases AmpC.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus sp. colonizing health care workers of a cancer hospital

The aim of the study was to analyze epidemiological and microbiological aspects of oral colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus of health care workers in a cancer hospital. Interview and saliva sampling were performed with 149 health care workers. Antimicrobial resistance was determined by disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration. Polymerase Chain Reaction, Internal Transcribed Spacer-Polymerase Chain Reaction and Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis were performed for genotypic characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus. Risk factors were determined by logistic regression. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus colonization prevalence was 19.5%, denture wearing (p = 0.03), habit of nail biting (p = 0.04) and preparation and administration of antimicrobial (p = 0.04) were risk factors identified. All methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus were S. epidermidis, 94.4% of them had mecA gene. Closely related and indistinguishable methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis were detected. These results highlight that HCWs which have contact with patient at high risk for developing infections were identified as colonized by MRSE in the oral cavity, reinforcing this cavity as a reservoir of these bacteria and the risk to themselves and patients safety, because these microorganisms may be spread by coughing and talking.

Perfil dos trabalhadores de um hospital oncológico colonizados na cavidade bucal / Profile of workers in an oncology hospital colonized in the oral cavity by Enterobacteriaceae

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o perfil dos trabalhadores de um hospital oncológico colonizados na cavidade bucal por Enterobacteriaceae. Foram investigadas as variáveis sociodemográficas, profissionais, comportamentais, de doença/infecção e colonização bacteriana. A coleta de saliva e as análises microbiológicas foram realizadas por técnicas padronizadas; a coleta de dados, por meio da aplicação de formulário. Dentre os 55 trabalhadores colonizados por Enterobacteriaceae, 56,4 por cento (31/55) também albergavam na cavidade bucal Staphylococcus e/ou Pseudomonas. A categoria profissional mais comumente colonizada foi a de técnico de enfermagem. Quadros frequentes de doença/infecção foram relatados entre os portadores. Os dados apresentados revelaram uma realidade preocupante para o contexto da assistência à saúde. Considera-se que estes resultados contribuem com subsídios importantes para os programas de prevenção e controle de infecção, visto que o conhecimento do estado de portador reduz os riscos de transmissão de micro-organismos.

Profile of workers in an oncology hospital colonized in the oral cavity by Enterobacteriaceae. The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of workers of the oncology hospital colonized by Enterobacteriaceae in the oral cavity. Along with bacterial colonization, socio-demographic,professional, disease/ infection and behavioral variables were investigated. The collection of saliva and microbiological analyses were performed using standard techniques. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire. Among the 55 professionals colonized by Enterobacteriaceae, 56.4 percent (31/55) also harbored Staphylococcus and/or Pseudomonas in the oral cavity. The mostcommonly infected professionals were nursing technicians. Episodes of disease/infection were reported among carriers. The data revealed a worrying situation in the context of healthcare. It is hoped that these results will contribute to the prevention and control of this infection, as knowledge of carrier status reduces the risk of microorganism transmission.