Microbiology Papers & Publications

Background: Water distribution systems within healthcare facilities are complex ecosystems that can harbor opportunistic pathogens, posing a significant risk to patient safety. Ensuring the microbiological quality of water requires rigorous monitoring and a deep understanding of the entire system, from source to point-of-use. This study undertakes a comprehensive statistical analysis of microbiological data from a healthcare facility’s water treatment and distribution network to identify contamination hotspots, evaluate the efficacy of critical treatment barriers, and map potential contamination pathways. Methods: This retrospective case study analyzed heterotrophic plate count (HPC) data collected from 29 distinct sampling points throughout a healthcare facility’s water system. The points represented various stages, including municipal source water, intermediate treatment steps (softening, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis), storage tanks, and multiple points-of-use. Non-parametric statistical methods were employed due to the non-normal distribution of microbial data. A Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's post-hoc analysis was used to compare microbial loads across all sampling points. A focused Mann-Whitney U test was performed to assess the performance of the ultrafiltration (UF) unit. Results: The analysis revealed significant variability in microbiological quality throughout the system (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.0001). One point-of-use and a pre-UF exhibited high median microbial counts and extreme variability, indicating chronic contamination and potential biofilm proliferation. Critically, the ultrafiltration unit failed to demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in microbial load between the pre-filter. Conclusion: The data reveals variability in microbiological levels across the water system, suggesting that the ultrafiltration barrier's performance is a significant factor influencing downstream water quality. The data points to systemic issues, likely involving widespread biofilm, that compromise water quality at the points-of-use.

Mostafa Eissa

Trachoma is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) and one of the most common ocular contagious diseases, caused by different serovers such as A, B, Ba ,C of bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis that occurs recurrently. Most infants are adversely affected from chronic keratoconjunctivitis, leading to blindness in later life. Epidemiological studies in 2023 revealed that approximately 115.7 million people were at risk of trachoma, but presently it has been declined to almost 103.2 million. Basically this disease is predominant in least developed or developing nations with high poverty. Preventive measures being implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO) , popularly known as ‘SAFE’ strategy: S for surgery, A for antibiotic dissemination, F for facial cleanliness, and E for environmental improvements. Now-a-days it is effectively and extensively applied; that’s why number of active patients are reduced drastically, but trachoma-free world creation should be the principal and researches will make it possible.

Diptarup Mallick