Faculty Mentor
Dr. Atin Adhikari
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Department
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Veterinary clinics can inadvertently release and propagate bacteria through several mechanisms, primarily due to contaminated surfaces, insufficient cleaning protocols, and, in some instances, direct transmission from infected animals or staff. Given that these clinics are high-traffic environments, they can serve as hotspots for clinic-acquired infections if rigorous hygiene practices are not upheld. This study evaluated airborne bacterial concentrations in different areas of a veterinary clinic compared to outdoor ambient air by calculating the indoor-to-outdoor ratios.
Methods: Airborne culturable bacterial samples were collected using a Biostage Impactor across eight internal zones including waiting areas, treatment rooms, and wards and one outdoor location to serve as a baseline. Samples were collected over multiple days in October and November 2025. Bacterial concentrations were calculated as colony-forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/m³).
Results: The mean bacterial concentration across all indoor zones was frequently higher than the outdoor baseline of 257.07 ± 177.13 CFU/m³. Significant variations were observed between specific zones. Zone 7 (Ward 2) exhibited the highest mean concentration at 5,223.5 ± 4,352.92 CFU/m³, followed by Zone 3 (Wash room) at 2,504.12 ± 1,505.64 CFU/m³. Conversely, Zone 6 (Office) and Zone 4 (Exam Room) maintained the lowest indoor mean concentrations at 278.86 CFU/m³ and 348.94 CFU/m³, respectively. Indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios for bacteria were notably high in certain areas, with Zone 7 reaching a mean I/O ratio of 20.32, indicating that internal sources or poor ventilation are contributing significantly to the bacterial load rather than outdoor infiltration.
Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate that bacterial levels in specific high-activity or high-density areas, such as wards and washrooms, are substantially higher than in outdoor air. These high concentrations are problematic as they increase the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of pathogens among vulnerable patients. The results suggest that zone-specific environmental controls, such as targeted air purification or enhanced ventilation in "hot spot" zones, are necessary to maintain a safe clinical environment.
Program Description
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DOI
10.20429/GS4.2026.021
Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Ortez, Elena; Jegede, Oluwatosin; Seybold, Dorothy; Mcgee, Daeshjea; Adhikari, Atin; and Holmes, Ally, "Assessment of Airborne Cultural Fungi Indoors and Outdoors in a Rural Veterinary Clinic" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 172.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/172
Assessment of Airborne Cultural Fungi Indoors and Outdoors in a Rural Veterinary Clinic
Russell Union Ballroom
Background and Objectives: Veterinary clinics can inadvertently release and propagate bacteria through several mechanisms, primarily due to contaminated surfaces, insufficient cleaning protocols, and, in some instances, direct transmission from infected animals or staff. Given that these clinics are high-traffic environments, they can serve as hotspots for clinic-acquired infections if rigorous hygiene practices are not upheld. This study evaluated airborne bacterial concentrations in different areas of a veterinary clinic compared to outdoor ambient air by calculating the indoor-to-outdoor ratios.
Methods: Airborne culturable bacterial samples were collected using a Biostage Impactor across eight internal zones including waiting areas, treatment rooms, and wards and one outdoor location to serve as a baseline. Samples were collected over multiple days in October and November 2025. Bacterial concentrations were calculated as colony-forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/m³).
Results: The mean bacterial concentration across all indoor zones was frequently higher than the outdoor baseline of 257.07 ± 177.13 CFU/m³. Significant variations were observed between specific zones. Zone 7 (Ward 2) exhibited the highest mean concentration at 5,223.5 ± 4,352.92 CFU/m³, followed by Zone 3 (Wash room) at 2,504.12 ± 1,505.64 CFU/m³. Conversely, Zone 6 (Office) and Zone 4 (Exam Room) maintained the lowest indoor mean concentrations at 278.86 CFU/m³ and 348.94 CFU/m³, respectively. Indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios for bacteria were notably high in certain areas, with Zone 7 reaching a mean I/O ratio of 20.32, indicating that internal sources or poor ventilation are contributing significantly to the bacterial load rather than outdoor infiltration.
Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate that bacterial levels in specific high-activity or high-density areas, such as wards and washrooms, are substantially higher than in outdoor air. These high concentrations are problematic as they increase the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of pathogens among vulnerable patients. The results suggest that zone-specific environmental controls, such as targeted air purification or enhanced ventilation in "hot spot" zones, are necessary to maintain a safe clinical environment.
