Microbiological surveillance of dialysis unit-prefogging verses postfogging in a tertiary care hospital: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

: Haemodialysis is the most effective modality in treatment of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients undergoing the haemodialysis treatment are at a higher risk of acquiring systemic infections. : Microbiological surveillance of Dialysis Unit both prefogging and postfogging by air culture and swab culture.: This observational retrospective study was conducted at the department of Microbiology in a super speciality Post Graduate institute. The mean bacterial and fungal load and surface swab cultures pre and post fogging from the dialysis unit of the hospital were evaluated. Antibiotic resistance testing of isolates was performed by modified Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method as per CLSI 2017 and EUCAST guidelines. This study provides a comparative Microbiological surveillance of Dialysis Unit both prefogging and postfogging by Air culture and Swab cultures. : Total of 42 Air culture (21 pre and 21 postfogging) and 588 swab culture (294 pre and 294 post fogging) samples were received in the microbiology department and the mean bacterial and fungal load were evaluated and calculated. Prefogging results were within the normal limits and the load was futher reduced postfogging, according to standard guidelines. Aerobic culture and sensitivity of surface swab cultures were done, out of which 11 (32.34%) prefogging swab culture samples, showed single growth of gram positive bacteria that were reduced to no growth post fogging.