Ants associated with pathogenic microorganisms in brazilian hospitals: attention to a silent vector

Flávo Roberto Mello Garcia,Fernanda Lise

doi:10.4025/actascihealthsci.v35i1.10471

Flávo Roberto Mello Garcia, Fernanda Lise

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4025/actascihealthsci.v35i1.10471

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Abstract

The presence of ants in hospitals is a threat to the health of the hospital community, given the potential to carry pathogenic microorganisms. This study was developed in order to comment on publications related to the occurrence of ants associated with pathogenic microorganisms in hospitals in Brazil. Studies indicated that ants were collected in several wards of 13 hospitals in five States from South and Southeast regions. The microbiological analysis has identified on the ants, microorganisms such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, and others with microbiological importance.

Highlights

Ants are social insects found almost everywhere and have higher diversity in tropical regions
With the growing concern about the occurrence of ants in these environments, several studies have been undertaken in Brazil aiming to verify the potential of these organisms to carry pathogenic microorganisms, and the results have indicated their role as mechanical vector, contaminating the environment and collaborating to nosocomial infections (BUENO; FOWLER, 1994; FOWLER et al, 1993, MOREIRA et al, 2005)
This study examined the occurrence of ants in Brazilian hospital environments over the last decade, by means of a literature review, focusing on the distribution and potential of ants to carry pathogenic microorganisms, once ants in hospital settings may transport diverse bacterial species, considering that some strains may be multidrug-resistant

Summary

Introduction

Ants are social insects found almost everywhere and have higher diversity in tropical regions. With the growing concern about the occurrence of ants in these environments, several studies have been undertaken in Brazil aiming to verify the potential of these organisms to carry pathogenic microorganisms, and the results have indicated their role as mechanical vector, contaminating the environment and collaborating to nosocomial infections (BUENO; FOWLER, 1994; FOWLER et al, 1993, MOREIRA et al, 2005) This discussion is justified because it is essential that health professionals to know and be aware of the need to control and monitor the presence of these insects, since currently hospital infections are a serious public health problem in the country

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