Abstract:
The role of bio-aerosols in the spread of disease and spoilage of food has been described in numerous
studies; nevertheless this information at South African hospitals is limited. Attributable to their size, bio-aerosols
may be suspended in the air for long periods placing patients at risk of infection and possibly settling on surfaces
resulting in food contamination. The aim of the study is to assess the microbial composition of the air in the
kitchen and selected wards at a typical district hospital in South Africa. Air samples were collected using the settle
plates and an SAS Super 90 air sampler by impaction on agar. These microbial samples were quantified and
identified using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)
and Analytic Profile Index (API).
Results: Microbial counts were found to be higher in the fourth (≤6.0 × 101 cfu/m−3) sampling rounds when
compared to the first (≥2 cfu/m−3), second (≤3.0 × 101 cfu/m−3) and third (≤1.5 × 101 cfu/m−3) sampling rounds.
Genera identified included Bacillus, Kocuria, Staphylococcus, Arthrobacter, Candida, Aureobasidium, Penicillium and
Phoma amongst others. The presence of these pathogens is of concern, attributable to their ability to cause
diseases in humans especially in those with suppressed host immunity defenses. Furthermore, fungal genera
identified (e.g. Candida) in this study are also known to cause food spoilage and fungal infections in patients.
Conclusion: Results from this study indicate the importance of air quality monitoring in health-care settings to
prevent possible hospital-acquired infections and contamination of hospital surfaces including food contact
surfaces by airborne contaminants.
