engleski

Quantitation of bacteria and fungi in the air of veterinary clinic waiting rooms

Bacteria and fungi can be present in the air of public buildings in various concentrations, and cause distinct health disorders such as irritation syndrome, allergy or immune system malfunctions. The goal of this study was to screen the presence of bacteria and fungi in the air of three veterinary clinic waiting rooms. Rooms were randomly selected and air samples were collected in the morning and afternoon during their operating hours. Samples were taken in triplicates at three different sampling sites, 1.5 meters above the floor. Total of 270 samples were analyzed in each room, using Plate count agar, Sabouraud, and Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol (DRBC) agar. Air sampling was performed by Merck MAS-100 bioaerosol sampler. Volume of sampled air was 100 L, and time of sampling 1 minute. Petri dishes with media were incubated at 30°C for 24 hrs (Plate count agar) and 25°C for 7 days (Sabouraud and DRBC agar). Total number of bacteria and fungi was compared between waiting rooms, and between morning and afternoon measurements in each room. Average values of total bacteria count, were in the range from 750 to 832 CFU/m3, molds from 67 to 104 CFU/m3 (Sabouraud and DRBC agar) and yeasts from 9 to 13 CFU/m3 (Sabouraud agar). Total bacteria count did not show any significant difference between waiting rooms, and between morning and afternoon measurements. A higher value of average number of molds was observed in waiting room 2 in comparison with waiting rooms 1 and 3 (P<0.05). In addition, the tendency to higher value of number of molds was observed in waiting room 3 than in waiting room 1 (P<0.07). Yeast concentration was significantly higher in the morning in comparison with afternoon measurements in the all three waiting rooms (P<0.05). Most frequently isolated molds genera belonged to Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium, yeasts to Candida genus and bacteria genera to Bacillus and Pantoea.

bacteria; fungi; air; veterinary clinic waiting rooms

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