Fungal identification in the air and water of a hemodialysis unit in Brazil.

The presence of fungi in healthcare settings, including hemodialysis units, represents a significant risk for immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of fungi in the air and water of a hemodialysis unit located in a tertiary public hospital in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. Over a period of three consecutive months, monthly air samples were collected and analyzed using the spontaneous sedimentation technique on Petri dishes containing Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Simultaneously, water samples (100 mL) were collected from four specific water distribution points and subjected plating on SDA. Fungi were phenotypically identified based on their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. In total, 498 colony-forming units (CFUs) of fungi were isolated, with 86 CFUs originating from the air and 412 CFUs from the water. Regarding the water samples, a higher concentration of fungal CFUs was observed in the potable water from the supply network (229 CFUs). Unexpectedly, 23 CFUs were identified in the reverse osmosis samples and 11 CFUs in the storage tank, which are post-treatment points where the presence of microorganisms is not desired. The fungus Cladosporium spp. was the most prevalent in both air and water samples, followed by Penicillium spp. in the air and Rhodotorula spp. in the water. These findings underscore the need to implement effective control and monitoring measures for fungi in the hemodialysis unit to ensure patient safety.

Evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal activity of antimicrobial soaps.

Soaps play an important role in our hygiene and health, as they not only have a bactericidal effect but also remove dirt from the human body. To evaluate the effectiveness of soaps with antimicrobial activity from different commercial brands sold in Brazil. Tests of the antimicrobial activity of different soaps were carried out through diffusion in agar against the microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Proteus mirabilis, and Candida albicans. All commercial soaps tested transfer antimicrobial inhibition halo formation against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa bacteria. Only two commercial soaps inhibit the species A. baumannii and C. albicans. None of the seven products studied showed inhibition of E. cloacae, P. mirabilis, and E. coli bacteria. When comparing the information contained in the packaging of the products with the results obtained during a survey, divergences were observed. The soaps that provide greater efficiency against the tested microorganisms were presented in presentations 1 and 2, which become useful against the bacteria species S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and A. baumannii and a fungus species C. albicans. Marks 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 parallel the same sensitivity result opposite as bacteria of the species S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, with quantitative variation only of the inhibition halo. There was a divergence between the information contained in the packaging of the seven products under study and the results of the experimental tests.