TITLE:
Effectiveness of Disinfection in Bacteriology Laboratories in Togo, 2021
AUTHORS:
Wemboo Afiwa Halatoko, Bawimodom Bidjada, Ghislain Emmanuel Sopoh, Pirenam Kpaïkpaï, Fagdéba David Bara, Kokou Akpanta, Zoulkarneiri Issa, Koffi Akolly, Yao Adodo Sadji, Gnatoulma Katawa, Mounerou Salou, Simplice Damintoti Karou, Edgard Marius Ouendo
KEYWORDS:
Effectiveness, Antimicrobial Agents, Disinfection, Hands, Surfaces
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Preventive Medicine,
Vol.13 No.7,
July
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Laboratory personnel is at risk of biological contamination leading to laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs). The use of disinfection products is essential in the prevention of these infections. This work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents used in disinfection in bacteriology laboratories in Togo. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from June to December 2021 in all bacteriology laboratories in Togo. Swabs taken before and after disinfection of surfaces and staff hands were immediately plated on agar media. Counting and identification of isolated colonies were done after 24 hours of incubation. The ANOVA test was used to compare calculated means, prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to compare bacterial frequencies. Results: A total of 393 samples were taken, of which 41.2% were from hands. Before disinfection, surfaces were more contaminated than hands with respectively 40.4% and 29.6% (PR = 1.3; CI 95% = [0.9 - 1.9]). After surface disinfection with 0.5% of chlorine solution, bacterial elimination was total, but partial on hands washed with soap, with residual contamination of 3.7%. A total of 108 strains were isolated before disinfection of which Klebsiella spp. 38.9% and Staphylococcus spp. 25.0%; after disinfection 4 strains were isolated of which: Staphylococcus spp. 75.0% and Klebsiella spp. 25.0%. Conclusion: Surface disinfection was more effective than hand washing with soap and water. We recommend proper hand washing.