Browsing by Author "Monteiro, Ana"
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- Air contaminants in animal production: the poultry casePublication . Viegas, Carla; Viegas, Susana; Monteiro, Ana; Carolino, Elisabete; Sabino, Raquel; Veríssimo, C.A descriptive study was developed in order to assess air contamination caused by fungi and particles in seven poultry units. Twenty seven air samples of 25 litters were collected through impaction method. Air sampling and particle concentration measurement were performed in the pavilions’ interior and also outside premises, since this was the place regarded as reference. Simultaneously, temperature and relative humidity were also registered. Regarding fungal load in the air from the seven poultry farms, the highest value obtained was 24040 CFU/m3 and the lowest was 320 CFU/m3. Twenty eight species/genera of fungi were identified, being Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (39.0%) the most commonly isolated species and Rhizopus sp. (30.0%) the most commonly isolated genus. From the Aspergillus genus, Aspergillus flavus (74.5%) was the most frequently detected species. There was a significant correlation (r=0.487; p=0.014) between temperature and the level of fungal contamination (CFU/m3). Considering contamination caused by particles, in this study, particles with larger dimensions (PM5.0 and PM10) have higher concentrations. There was also a significant correlation between relative humidity and concentration of smaller particles namely, PM0.5 (r=0.438; p=0.025) and PM1.0 (r=0.537; p=0.005). Characterizing typical exposure levels to these contaminants in this specific occupational setting is required to allow a more detailed risk assessment analysis and to set exposure limits to protect workers’ health.
- Avaliação das condições de iluminância das actividades de espeleólogos em ambiente de grutaPublication . Monteiro, Ana; Lança, Carla; Fernandes, NádiaO objectivo deste estudo foi avaliar as condições de iluminância das actividades desenvolvidas por espeleólogos expostos a ambiente de grutas. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal. Foram avaliados os níveis de iluminância das actividades desenvolvidas por 16 espeleólogos, em duas duas grutas desprovidas de iluminação natural. A idade média dos trabalhadores foi de 40,65 (±10,93) anos. No ambiente de gruta a maioria dos trabalhadores utilizava uma lanterna instalada no capacete (451,0±305,7lux). Não foram detectados sinais e sintomas de patologias visuais ligados à exposição do ambiente gruta. Os sinais de iluminância são adequados para a maioria das actividades realizadas.
- Bacteria bioburden assessment and MRSA colonization of workers and animals from a Portuguese swine production: a case reportPublication . Ribeiro, Edna; Pereira, Adriano; Vieira, Carolina; Paulos, Inês; Marques, Maria; Swart, Tamara; Monteiro, AnaABSTRACT: Pigs are an important reservoir of livestock-associated bacteria, including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which constitute a professional hazard for workers in direct contact with these animals with an increased risk of nasal colonization, potentially associated with subsequent clinical diseases and transference of the infection to others. Here we performed a bioburden characterization concerning bacterial prevalence and resistance (MRSA) in workers and animals from a Portuguese swine production as a case study. Air samples were collected through an impaction method. Biological samples were obtained through nasopharyngeal swab procedure. Identification of S. aureus was performed through immunologic tests. We report an exceedingly high prevalence of total bacteria and S. aureus colonization (100%) in workers and animals whereas all of the identified strains were MRSA. Additionally, air samples demonstrated high values of total bacterial concentration. This work raises awareness to the relevance of bioburden monitoring and the requirement to create occupational standards and take effective preventive measures.
- Bacteria load a surrogate to assess occupational exposure to bioaerossols?Publication . Monteiro, Ana; Santos, Mateus dos; Faria, Tiago; Viegas, Carla; Cabo-Verde, SandraIn feed production, pug farms and swine slaughterhouses, the workers are exposure to bioaerosols. The aim of this study, was to asses occupational exposure to bacterial load (air and surfaces) in one feed production industry, in two pig farms and in one swine slaughterhouse. In addition, the authors intended also to analize the results together with the air fungal load already reported. Air samples were collected through an impcation method, while surface samples were collected by the swabbing method. The pig farms demonstrated to be the setting with the highest bacterial load. Bacterial load should not be a surragte to assess accupational exposure to bioaerosols, since bacterial and fungal load didn't present the same load trend, mainly in the feed industry and in clean and dirty slaughterhouse.
- Bacterial bioburden in hospital environmentPublication . Monteiro, Ana; Cabo Verde, SandraHospital buildings may be regarded as dynamic environments affected by season, weather conditions, indoor ventilation system design and operation, the intrusion of moisture, outdoor microbial load and the number of occupants, visitors and human activities. Airborne microorganisms, such as bacteria, can originate not only from humans (including patients), but can also be spawned by various indoor hospital characteristics and outdoor environmental sources. These factors may be associated with conditions for microbial growth, leading to bacterial air pollution. Poor hospital indoor air quality may cause hospital-acquired infections, sick hospital syndrome, and various occupational hazards. Therefore, ensuring effective disinfection procedures and regular monitoring measures of hospital environment is essential for microbial control by detecting the irregular introduction of airborne particles via clothing of visitors and medical staff or carriage by personal and medical materials. Achieving a satisfactory microbial control in hospitals environment is thus a multidisciplinary challenge for healthcare professionals, hospital managers, and occupational health.
- Bacterial contamination assessment and MRSA colonization in the context of occupational exposure in Portuguese swine productionsPublication . Ribeiro, Edna; Monteiro, AnaOccupational health concern has been increasing worldwide in occupational settings with increased health-associated potential hazards such as direct contact with live animals. Animals, including pigs, are reservoirs of livestock-associated microorganisms, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), potentially linked with subsequent clinical diseases and transference of the infection/colonization to others. Here we aimed to perform a bacterial contamination characterization of the indoor environment and assess S. aureus colonization prevalence, including MRSA, in both workers and animals from five Portuguese swine productions. Nasopharyngeal samples (N=68) were collected and inoculated in non-selective and selective culture media and MRSA isolates were confirmed by immunologic assays. Air samples (50 L) were collected through an impaction method, seeded in TSA and VRBA media and quantitative colony-forming was obtained (CFU.m-3) after incubation. We report an exceptionally high prevalence of total bacteria and MRSA colonization in both workers and animals and demonstrated high air values of total bacterial concentration, potentially associated with a positive selection pressure. This work emphasizes the urge to monitor resistant bacteria strains in occupational contexts to develop proper surveillance programs to determine and regulate the antibiotic selection pressure that is driving the emergence of these resistant strains and the necessity to create occupational standards and take effective preventive measures.
- Bacterial contamination in health care centers: differences between urban and rural settingsPublication . Monteiro, Ana; Almeida, Beatriz; Paciência, Inês; Rufo, João Cavaleiro; Ribeiro, Edna; Carolino, Elisabete; Viegas, Carla; Sousa-Uva, António; Cabo-Verde, SandraThis study aims to assess the airborne bioburden of rural and urban Portuguese Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) using active and passive sampling methods and identify the potential differences in airborne microbiota between both environments. The highest total aerobic mesophilic bacterial load in indoor air was found in the Vaccination Room (448 CFU.m−3) in the Rural PHCC and in the Waiting Room (420 CFU.m−3) for Urban PHCC. The total coliform contamination level in indoor air was detected only in the Cleaning Supplies Room (4 CFU.m−3) in the Urban PHCC. The most frequent bacteria genera identified was Micrococcus (21% Rural PHCC; 31% Urban PHCC). The surface samples showed the highest total aerobic mesophilic bacterial contamination in the Treatment Room (86 × 103 CFU.m−2) from the Rural PHCC and in the Front Office (200 × 103 CFU.m−2) from the Urban PHCC. The electrostatic dust cloth (EDC) samples showed the highest bacterial load in the Urban PHCC. Total aerobic mesophilic bacterial load in settled dust and in the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) filter samples in the Urban PHCC (8 CFU.g−1 and 6 × 103 CFU.m−2) presented higher values compared with the Rural PHCC (1 CFU.g−1 and 2.5 × 103 CFU.m−2). Urban PHCC presented higher bacterial airborne contamination compared with the Rural PHCC for the majority of sampling sites, and when compared with the indoor air quality (IAQ) Portuguese legislation it was the Rural PHCC in two sampling places that did not comply with the established criteria.
- Bacterial contamination in hotel rooms during the cleaning activityPublication . Monteiro, Ana; Cabo Verde, Sandra; Carolino, ElisabeteIntroduction - Some studies point to human activities as one of the responsible for most bacterial concentration. However, there is no information regarding bacteria contamination in hotel room during the cleaning activity. Aim of the study - This study aims to assess and characterize the occupational exposure of bacterial contamination in hotel rooms, more precisely in a room with carpet floor and another room without carpet, during the cheaning activity.
- Bioburden and mycotoxigenic burden in one Portuguese dairy: exploratory studyPublication . Viegas, Susana; Monteiro, Ana; Faria, Tiago; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Gomes, Anita Quintal; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Viegas, CarlaDairies workers are engaged in activities including feeding and milking of cows and cleaning up manure on a daily basis. In this occupational environment, there are several environmental factors that can boost bioburden and mycotoxins, becoming not only an occupational health problem but also a public health risk. This study intended to characterize occupational exposure to bioburden and mycotoxins in one Portuguese dairy.
- Bioburden characterization by active and passive methods in Portuguese dwellingsPublication . Viegas, Carla; Monteiro, Ana; Faria, Tiago; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Gomes, Anita Quintal; Cabo Verde, SandraThe living environment can be a source for bioburden and azole-resistant mycobiota that depending on the occupant’s health status can be a serious public health problem. The objective of this study was to assess bioburden in Portuguese dwellings located in the Lisbon Region through active methods (air sampling) coupled with passive methods (Electrostatic dust cloth - EDC).