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Selected Publication:
SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb
Weinberger, V; Neumann, C; Kumpitsch, C; Duller, S; Shinde, T; Mantaj, P; Schmidberger, L; Zurabishvili, T; Halmer, I; Cecovini, M; Vrbancic, S; Pepper, K; Schmon, E; Wenninger, J; Kamolz, L-P; Sendlhofer, G; Koskinen, K; Moissl-Eichinger, C; Mahnert, A.
Colonizing the clinic: tracking bacterial succession and longitudinal dynamics in five new hospital departments over an entire year.
Microbiol Spectr. 2025; e0217825
Doi: 10.1128/spectrum.02178-25
PubMed
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- Leading authors Med Uni Graz
- Mahnert Alexander
- Weinberger Viktoria
- Co-authors Med Uni Graz
- Duller Stefanie
- Kamolz Lars-Peter
- Koskinen Mora Kaisa
- Kumpitsch Christina Sarah
- Mantaj Polina
- Moissl-Eichinger Christine
- Neumann Charlotte Julia
- Schmon Eva
- Sendlhofer Gerald
- Shinde Tejus
- Wenninger Julian
- Zurabishvili Tamara
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- Abstract:
- The development of hospital-associated microbial communities over time remains poorly characterized, particularly in terms of how microbial populations dynamically respond to changes in building function, the integration of molecular and cultivation-based data, and the early identification of intervention points for flexible, adaptive microbial control strategies. In this longitudinal study, we investigated microbiome dynamics across five newly built departments at the University Hospital of Graz, Austria, over one year. Surface samples were collected at seven time points: before and after hospital operation started. Alpha and beta diversity analyses revealed a distinct two-phase microbial transition, marked by an initial disruption followed by a gradual homogenization of microbial communities. The strongest driver of community change was the arrival of patients, which led to a significant shift in both diversity and taxonomic composition. While early time points were dominated by environmental taxa such as Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas, human-associated genera like Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium became more prevalent over time, particularly on frequently touched surfaces. Department-specific and surface-specific microbial signatures were observed, with outpatient and transplant departments showing more variability than surgical and intensive care units (ICUs). Propidium monoazide treatment indicated that Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter may persist as viable community members, whereas Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium likely reflect frequent human deposition. Cultivation data supported these findings, showing episodic contamination primarily linked to human contact. Phenotypic predictions revealed a decline in aerobic, Gram-negative, and potentially pathogenic bacteria over time, although these trends were less pronounced in the ICU. Together, our findings reveal a longitudinal homogenization of hospital microbiomes driven by human activity and highlight key taxa and surfaces that warrant targeted monitoring to improve hygiene protocols and infection control strategies.IMPORTANCEThis study provides crucial insights into how hospital environments transform microbially after new departments open, a process poorly understood until now. We reveal a two-phase microbial shift, starting with environmental bacteria like Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas before the hospital opens, then rapidly transitioning to human-associated microbes such as Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium once patients and staff arrive. Our findings highlight that human activity is the strongest driver of these changes, especially on frequently touched surfaces. This work is vital for developing targeted and adaptive hygiene concepts, improving infection control, and ultimately making hospital environments safer for patients and staff by focusing on specific surfaces and microbial groups that warrant continuous monitoring.