Comparative analysis of efficiency of bacteriological and molecular-biological methods for the assessment of microbial contamination of hospital environment objects

Abstract

Aim. To conduct a comparative analysis of bacteriological and molecular biological research methods to assess the microbial contamination of objects of hospital environment as factors of microbial transmission. Materials and methods. A comprehensive laboratory investigation of nosocomial environment of surgical, intensive care, hematology divisions of a large multi- disciplinary clinic during 2017 was carried out, while 215 samples were selected. Results. Microbial contamination of hospital environment facilities accounted for 54,0% when carrying out bacteriological tests and 80,0% — in conducting molecular biological studies. Between the frequency of bacteriological isolation of microorganisms and the determination of DNA of pathogens in different departments of the hospital, a strong direct correlation was revealed (r=0.92). The coincidence of the results of the two methods of research in most cases was observed at high values of the number of DNA copies (800-10000). The molecular biological method of diagnosis revealed the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus 1.9 times more often and in 19,4±7,2% lactamase (MBL) genes in major gram-negative pathogens. Conclusion. The use of molecular biological methods allows to detect microorganisms on the objects of hospital environment much more often than during bacteriological examination.