Real-time biofluorescent particle counting compared to conventional air sampling for monitoring airborne contamination in orthopedic implant surgery
(2025) In Antimicrobial Stewardship and Healthcare Epidemiology 5(1).- Abstract
Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) following orthopedic surgery is a complication associated with morbidity and economic burden. Transmission of airborne bacteria that settle into surgical wounds constitutes a risk factor for SSIs. However, monitoring microbial contamination inside operating rooms with conventional methods is resource and time-consuming. Aim: This study aimed to assess correlation between a biofluorescent particle counter (BFPC) and conventional air sampling, to enable real-time monitoring of airborne contamination. Additionally, the study aimed to analyze correlation between particles near the surgical site and particles 1 meter away, to evaluate the feasibility of distance-based measurements. Methods:... (More)
Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) following orthopedic surgery is a complication associated with morbidity and economic burden. Transmission of airborne bacteria that settle into surgical wounds constitutes a risk factor for SSIs. However, monitoring microbial contamination inside operating rooms with conventional methods is resource and time-consuming. Aim: This study aimed to assess correlation between a biofluorescent particle counter (BFPC) and conventional air sampling, to enable real-time monitoring of airborne contamination. Additionally, the study aimed to analyze correlation between particles near the surgical site and particles 1 meter away, to evaluate the feasibility of distance-based measurements. Methods: Correlation analysis was conducted to compare colony-forming units (CFU) collected using a Sartorius MD8 air sampler with biofluorescent viable particles detected by BioTrak 9510-BD, both positioned near the surgical site. Additionally, correlation between particle counts measured by AeroTrak 6510, positioned 1 meter away, and total particle counts measured by the BioTrak near the surgical site was evaluated. Sampling took place in two operating rooms: one with turbulent mixed airflow (TMA) and one with unidirectional airflow (UDAF). Results: Negligible to low correlation between biofluorescent particles and CFU was observed, both in UDAF (n = 100) and TMA (n = 22). However, strong correlation was found between BFPC and particle counter measurements of total numbers of particles (Rp = 0.634-0.769, P <.001). Conclusion: While BFPCs offer real-time monitoring of airborne contamination, their predictive ability for CFU levels remains uncertain. Yet, the strong correlation between particles in the surgical site and particles measured 1 meter away suggests feasibility to conduct future studies with larger cohorts.
(Less)
- author
- Stålfelt, Frans ; Seth Caous, Josefin ; Svensson Malchau, Karin ; Björn, Camilla and Mohaddes, Maziar LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025-04
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Antimicrobial Stewardship and Healthcare Epidemiology
- volume
- 5
- issue
- 1
- article number
- e93
- publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105002416771
- pmid:40226290
- DOI
- 10.1017/ash.2025.61
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 43be468e-8a1c-412d-b4c1-9370ed99d03a
- date added to LUP
- 2025-08-08 12:03:57
- date last changed
- 2025-08-09 03:00:04
@article{43be468e-8a1c-412d-b4c1-9370ed99d03a,
abstract = {{<p>Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) following orthopedic surgery is a complication associated with morbidity and economic burden. Transmission of airborne bacteria that settle into surgical wounds constitutes a risk factor for SSIs. However, monitoring microbial contamination inside operating rooms with conventional methods is resource and time-consuming. Aim: This study aimed to assess correlation between a biofluorescent particle counter (BFPC) and conventional air sampling, to enable real-time monitoring of airborne contamination. Additionally, the study aimed to analyze correlation between particles near the surgical site and particles 1 meter away, to evaluate the feasibility of distance-based measurements. Methods: Correlation analysis was conducted to compare colony-forming units (CFU) collected using a Sartorius MD8 air sampler with biofluorescent viable particles detected by BioTrak 9510-BD, both positioned near the surgical site. Additionally, correlation between particle counts measured by AeroTrak 6510, positioned 1 meter away, and total particle counts measured by the BioTrak near the surgical site was evaluated. Sampling took place in two operating rooms: one with turbulent mixed airflow (TMA) and one with unidirectional airflow (UDAF). Results: Negligible to low correlation between biofluorescent particles and CFU was observed, both in UDAF (n = 100) and TMA (n = 22). However, strong correlation was found between BFPC and particle counter measurements of total numbers of particles (Rp = 0.634-0.769, P <.001). Conclusion: While BFPCs offer real-time monitoring of airborne contamination, their predictive ability for CFU levels remains uncertain. Yet, the strong correlation between particles in the surgical site and particles measured 1 meter away suggests feasibility to conduct future studies with larger cohorts.</p>}},
author = {{Stålfelt, Frans and Seth Caous, Josefin and Svensson Malchau, Karin and Björn, Camilla and Mohaddes, Maziar}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{Cambridge University Press}},
series = {{Antimicrobial Stewardship and Healthcare Epidemiology}},
title = {{Real-time biofluorescent particle counting compared to conventional air sampling for monitoring airborne contamination in orthopedic implant surgery}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ash.2025.61}},
doi = {{10.1017/ash.2025.61}},
volume = {{5}},
year = {{2025}},
}