Microbiological Contamination Assessment in Higher Education Institutes

The higher education sector represents a unique environment and it acts as work environment, learning for students, frequently, also home environment. aim of this study was to determine the microbial contamination (SARS-CoV-2, fungi, bacteria) in Higher Education Facilities (HEI) by using active passive sampling methods combining culture-based with molecular tools targeting Aspergillus section Fumigati. In addition, resistance azole profile assessed. Surface samples showed range total bacterial between 1 × 103 3.1 106 CFU·m?2, while Gram-negative bacteria ranged from 0 1.9 104 CFU·m?2. Fungal 2 1.8 105 CFU·m?2 on MEA, 5 1.7 DG18. most prevalent species found both media Cladosporium sp. (47.36% MEA; 32.33% DG18). genera observed MEA (3.21%) DG18 (14.66%), but not supplemented used screening. Fumigati detected air (2.22%, out 90 samples) qPCR. When testing SARS-CoV-2 all results were negative. present that although cleaning disinfection procedures are done regularly due COVID-19 pandemic, being effective eliminating SARS-CoV-2, surfaces often contaminated microorganisms other than SARS-CoV-2. This can be result increasing biocides, wide environmental factors contribute dissemination indoors.