Abstract

Background: Indoor air quality in health centers is essential to protect the health of people. In Chile, the Community Family Health Centers (CECOSF) are places with large attendance of people, favo-ring the dissemination of microorganisms, and there are no reports of the microbial air loading these health centers. Aim: To evaluate the microbiological indoor air quality in CECOSF-Centinela in Talca-huano, Biobío Region. Methods: Air samples were taken in 6 rooms of the CECOSF, every 15 days between July 2018 and June 2019, with the MAS-100 NT equipment using trypticase and Sabouraud agars. Different morphotypes of bacteria and fungi were identified by PCR. Results: The bacterial and fungal counts varied between 9.1 x 101-2.4 x 103 cfu/m3 and 10-1.5 x 102 cfu/m3, respectively. The air in the waiting room presented the highest counts, both for bacteria and fungi (P < 0.05). Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter were identified, highlighting the species Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, the latter described as a nosocomial pathogen. Among the fungi, Aspergillus, Meyerozyma and Rhodotorula were identified. Conclusion: The indoor air of the CECOSF-Centinela presents microorganisms of importance in human health. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate more regular monitoring programs for the control of air quality inside these health centers.