"Antibiotic Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Hospital Nurseries: The Role of Disinfectant Overuse in Pathogenic Bacterial Adaptation"

Abstract

Neonatal hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are dangerous, especially in NICUs and nurseries where neonates are susceptible to bacterial infections.  Over six months, this study isolated and identified harmful bacteria, primarily Escherichia coli (E. coli), from 10 nurseries in three hospitals and examined how excessive disinfectant usage affects antibiotic resistance and biofilm development.  E. coli was the most common (50%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (28.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.3%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.1%) among 100 environmental and clinical samples.  Over 80% of E. coli isolates were MDR, with 85% resistant to beta-lactams, 55% to aminoglycosides, and 15% to carbapenems.  Biofilm production was seen in 78.6% of isolates, with 28.6% producing robust biofilms and increasing antibiotic resistance.  Disinfectant-exposed isolates increased E. coli resistance from 65% to 88% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance from 55% to 85%.  Excess disinfectants also increased bacterial biofilm formation, complicating eradication.  To prevent resistant bacterial strains from spreading in newborn hospitals, reasonable disinfectant usage, antimicrobial stewardship, and improved infection control are needed.