SUMMARYA model for contact transfer of micro-organisms by hand has been extended to include representatives of bacterial species responsible for a majority of hospitalacquired infections. The ability of the organisms to transfer from contaminated fabrics to hands and from hands to sterile fabrics was measured, as was their ability to survive on the skin of the hands. There were differences between the species. Staphylococcus saprophyticus transferred well to the hand but not as well from hand to fabric as the other species; it survived well on skin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella aerogenes and Serratia marcescens transferred moderately well overall and also survived on the skin. These results were in contrast to those obtained with a strain of Escherichia coli and one of Streptococcus pyogenes.The contact transfer model was used to investigate the use of small volumes of alcohol in preventing transfer via the hands. An alcohol handrub of either 0-3 ml 80 % ethanol or 0 3 ml 70 % isopropanol gave reductions in transfer slightly less than that of a soap and water wash. Raising the volume, and consequently the contact time, to 0 5 ml 70 % isopropanol gave a 14000-fold reduction in transfer, statistically indistinguishable from that of a thorough soap and water wash (9800-fold reduction).

No abstract

SUMMARYThere was a 1000-fold difference between the highest and the lowest mean rate of dispersal of bacteria-carrying particles during exercise among a group of three male and three female subjects. Differences in the numbers of skin fragments dispersed and in the proportion of these carrying bacteria were almost equally responsible for this. Since there is little difference between individuals in the rate of skin replacement the differences in the rates of dispersal of skin fragments during exercise must reflect large variations in the amount of skin surface removed in other ways. The skin fragments dispersed had a wide size range extending below 5 ,tm for the minimum projected diameter (MPD). The median MPD was about 20 ,um with 7-10% less than 10 ,um.

No abstract

SUMMARYApplication of a skin lotion to the body after showering greatly reduced the number of bacteria and skin scales dispersed from 10 men and 10 women. This effect lasted for at least 4 h when surgical clothing was worn. The use of a skin lotion to reduce bacterial dispersal could provide a simple and inexpensive alternative to an ultraclean air system or uncomfortable operating clothing during surgery requiring these procedures.