Biofilm Formation by Environmental Microbes Isolated from Hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan

The purpose of this study was to isolate and identify the microbes from hospital environmental samples and to evaluate the potential of biofilm formation by isolated microbes. For this, 125 surface swabs of different environmental samples were taken from PNS SHIFA hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Bacteria and fungi were isolated and identified by culture plate method. Trypticase soy broth (TBS) media was used for biofilm development by microbes in plastic tubes. Developed biofilm in tubes was visualized with crystal violet staining method and then biofilm forming potential was estimated by measuring the optical density through spectrophotometer. Total 202 microbes including 126(62.38%) bacteria and 76(37.62%) fungi were isolated and identified. Among environmental samples, hospital ward curtains and medical trays were highly contaminated with bacteria and fungi (with 26% each of total assemblage respectively). Staphylococcus aureus was in highest abundance followed by Candida albicans with 28.7% and 15.8% of total assemblage of isolation respectively. Moreover; Staphylococcus aureus followed by Candida albicans also found to have highest potential to form biofilm with 30.25% and 23.52% of total assemblage of biofilm formation respectively which clearly indicates that  Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans may recognized as major agents of hospital acquired infection and can relate with enhanced potential of biofilm formation. Highest abundance and biofilm formation potential of bacteria and fungi in combination can also underline a direct extensive and striking interaction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in biofilm

A Survey on Biosafety Practices in Lab Personnel in 12 Selected Areas of Karachi, Pakistan

The objective of this study was to realize the degree of biosafety precautions and measures recorded among different Private Hospitals and Diagnostic labs personnel situated in different areas of Karachi, Pakistan. One thirty two private hospital based laboratory technicians were selected from all 12 selected areas in Karachi. The laboratory technicians were interviewed then a survey form was completed by the interviewer. The survey was conducted in 3 months duration from May 2017 to July 2017. The total number of members in this study was 132, of which 85 were males and 47 were females. Results presented that 65% of the laboratory technicians did not use any type of PPE and 35% of the respondents recapped used syringes frequently while 25% recapped occasionally. For avoiding the reuse of syringes, Pakistani governments recommend that they be cut before discarding; however, only 65% of the respondents followed the given procedure. Even though mouth pipetting is considered outdated, 45% of the technicians continue to do so for numerous purposes. Results of this survey established an absence of awareness about good and proper lab practices and lab biosafety measures among lab technicians in Karachi, Pakistan