Work

Airborne bacterial profiling and air disinfection efficacy in small animal hospitals in South Korea

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Importance: Airborne bacteria play a significant role in infection control and environmental hygiene in veterinary hospitals.Total airborne bacterial (TAB) levels reflect indoor microbial burdens and may be associated with hospital-acquired infections.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the disinfection efficacy of the Vi-Killer highpressure spray system using neutral electrolyzed water (NEW) in reducing TAB levels in veterinary hospitals, and to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of clinically relevant airborne pathogens.Methods: Air samples were conducted before and after disinfection across various room types in five small animal hospitals in South Korea.TAB concentrations were quantified, and bacterial isolates identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA sequencing.Antibiotic susceptibility of ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) was tested using the disk diffusion method.Results: Pre-disinfection TAB levels averaged 358.2 CFU/m 3 across hospitals (range, 175.0-745.8CFU/m 3 ).Post-disinfection levels decreased to 150.6 CFU/m 3 (range, 65.7-406.7 CFU/m 3 ), representing a 58% reduction (p < 0.05).Waiting rooms had the highest pre-disinfection levels (319.1 CFU/m 3 ), and operating rooms the lowest (154.7 CFU/m 3 ).A total of 848 bacterial isolates were identified; the most prevalent genera were Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus spp., and Bacillus spp.Eight isolates (0.9%) were ESKAPE pathogens, of which two were multidrug-resistant. Conclusions and Relevance:The Vi-Killer-NEW system significantly reduced airborne bacterial loads in veterinary clinical environments.These findings underscore the importance of implementing routine air disinfection and microbial surveillance as part of comprehensive infection control strategies in veterinary healthcare settings.

Source: Journal of Veterinary Science

DOI: 10.4142/jvs.25228

Authors: Dongryeoul Bae, Yuseung Kim, Kwang-Young Song, Jung-Hee Kwon, Jungwhan Chon

Institutions: LG (South Korea), Daegu Haany University, Kangwon National University

Language: English

Topic: Infection Control in Healthcare

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $300