Bactérias Gram positivas veiculadas por formigas em ambiente hospitalar de Porto Velho, Estado de Rondônia, Brasil

Abstract

*[This study aimed to verify the profile of Gram-positive bacteria carried by ants in a hospital environment. The insects were collected in the emergence room, pulmonology, & gastroenterology wards in a public hospital of Porto Velho, Rondônia State, Brazil from March to June, 2012. The isolates were characterized according to Gram stain, identification tests for Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, & Micrococcus, & susceptibility profile to antimicrobials. From 130 ants collected, 62% of strains isolated from them were identified as Staphylococcus, 25% as Streptococcus, & 13% as Micrococcus. Relating to antibiotic resistance, 83% of strains were resistant to oxacillin, & 50% to vancomycin. It is concluded that ants are potential mechanical carriers of bacteria, suggesting a nosocomial infection risk and strains highly resistant to antibiotics in hospital environment.]