Human microbiome and microbiota identification for preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections: A systematic review

• Published in: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 10; p. 989496
• Main Authors: Tozzo, Pamela, Delicati, Arianna, Caenazzo, Luciana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media SA 01.12.2022; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: Cross Infection - microbiology; Cross Infection - prevention & control; Delivery of Health Care; healthcare-associated infections (HAI); healthcare-associated infections (HAI); hospitalization; human microbiome; human microbiota; infections control measures; prevention; risk factors; systematic review; human microbiome; human microbiota; Humans; infections control measures; Microbiota; prevention; Public aspects of medicine; Public Health; RA1-1270; risk factors; risk factors; hospitalization; human microbiome; healthcare-associated infections (HAI); infections control measures; systematic review; prevention; human microbiota
• ISSN: 2296-2565; 2296-2565
• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.989496

This systematic review describes the role of the human microbiome and microbiota in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Studies on the microbiota of patients, healthcare environment (HE), medical equipment, or healthcare workers (HCW) and how it could be transmitted among the different subjects will be described in order to define alarming risk factors for HAIs spreading and to identify strategies for HAIs control or prevention. This review was performed in adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After retrieval in databases, identification, and screening of available records, 36 published studies were considered eligible and included in the review. A multifaceted approach is required and the analyses of the many factors related to human microbiota, which can influence HAIs onset, could be of paramount importance in their prevention and control. In this review, we will focus mainly on the localization, transmission, and prevention of ESKAPE ( , and ) bacteria and Clostridium difficile which are the most common pathogens causing HAIs. Healthcare workers' microbiota, patient's microbiota, environmental and medical equipment microbiota, ecosystem characteristics, ways of transmission, cleaning strategies, and the microbial resistome should be taken into account for future studies on more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies against HAIs.