Microbiological air quality in a Community Family Health Center of Talcahuano, Biobío Region, Chile.

Abstract

Background:  Indoor air quality in health centers is essential to protect the health of people. In Chile, the Community Family Health Centers (CECOSF) are places with large attendance of people, favoring the dissemination of microorganisms, and there are no reports of the microbial air loading these health centers. Aim:  To evaluate the microbiological indoor air quality in CECOSF-Centinela in Talcahuano, Biobío Region. Methods: Air samples were taken in 6 rooms of the CECOSF, every 15 days between July 2018 and June 2019, with the MAS-100 NT equipment using trypticase and Sabouraud agars. Different morphotypes of bacteria and fungi were identified by PCR. Results: The bacterial and fungal counts varied between 9.1x10¹ - 2.4x10³ cfu/m³ and 10 - 1.5x10² cfu/m³, respectively. The air in the waiting room presented the highest counts, both for bacteria and fungi (P <0.05). Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter were identified, highlighting the species Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, the latter described as a nosocomial pathogen. Among the fungi, Aspergillus, Meyerozyma and Rhodotorula were identified. Conclusion: The indoor air of the CECOSF-Centinela presents microorganisms of importance in human health. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate more regular monitoring programs for the control of air quality inside these health centers.