Evaluation of the bacterial contamination of face masks worn by personnel in a center of COVID 19 hospitalized patients: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: During the Coronavirus Pandemic, the use of masks has increased significantly. The lack of control on hygiene protocols and the need to use PPE properly increases the spread of bacterial infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of contamination and frequency of bacterial species isolated from surgical and N95 masks used by hospital personnel. METHODS: A total number of 175 masks were collected from staff working in Sina hospital (Hamadan province, Iran) during the first six months of 2022. The bacterial contamination of masks were evaluated and identified using biochemical kits. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates were done using Kirby-Bauer methods and MIC were assessed for each isolate against different disinfectants (Sodium hypochlorite 5%, Hydrogen Peroxide 3%, Ethanol 70% and Deconex). RESULTS: Of 175 masks, 471 bacterial isolates were detected including 9 species. The most prevalent strain were Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (28%) followed by Acinetobacter (20.8%) and Pseudomonas (13.8%), while, Klebsiealla and Enterococcus were the least frequent species with the rate of 3.8% and 1.2%, respectively. The results of MIC methods indicated that all 471 strains were resistant to ehtanol70% and sensitive to hydrogen peroxide 3%. Furthermore, the mean average of Deconex inhibitory effect is lower than Sodium hypochlorite 5%. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, there was a high prevalence of CoNS, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas in hospital with a high resistance pattern against antibiotics especially Ampicillin and disinfectants.