Survival of Enterococci and Staphylococci on Hospital Fabrics and Plastic

Neely, Alice N.; Maley, Matthew P.

doi:10.1128/jcm.38.2.724-726.2000

Cited by 662 publications

(398 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…S. aureus has been shown to survive under nutrient limited conditions for several weeks on various hospital fabrics and plastics, with the longest survival times on polyester and polyethylene plastic [32]. Relatively good survival of S. aureus on polyurethane foam would favour development of reservoirs of infection for this organism in cot mattress material.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cot mattresses as reservoirs of potentially harmful bacteria and the sudden infant death syndrome

Sherburn

Jenkins

2004

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology

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Cot mattress materials were investigated as potential reservoirs of bacteria in relation to the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The sleeping position of the infant significantly influenced bacterial population density of cot mattress polyurethane foams (p<0.0000001) and their covers (p<0.004). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated at significantly higher frequency (p<0.03) from the infant's head region of cot mattress materials. Significantly higher bacterial population densities (p<0.001) were associated with polyurethane foams from non-integral mattresses (exposed polyurethane foam), when compared to those from mattresses completely covered by polyvinyl chloride (integral type mattress). The frequency of isolation of S. aureus from polyurethane foams from non-integral mattresses was also significantly higher (p=0.03) than from foams from the integral type. The following factors were significantly associated with increased frequency of isolation of S. aureus: from the polyurethane foam, previous use of non-integral mattresses by another child (p=0.03 for all sample sites, p=0.01 for torso region); from the covers, sleeping in the prone position (p=0.003 head region, p=0.001 torso region). Prone sleeping was also significantly associated with increased bacterial population levels (p=0.01) and increased frequency of isolation of Escherichia coli (p=0.02) from the torso region of cot mattress covers. These findings could explain some recently identified risk factors for SIDS associated with type and previous use of cot mattresses. Clostridium perfringens was isolated at very low frequency and Streptococcus pyogenes was not isolated from any cot mattress materials tested.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cot mattresses as reservoirs of potentially harmful bacteria and the sudden infant death syndrome

Sherburn

Jenkins

2004

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology

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“…Neely and Maley studied the survival of 22 Gram-positive bacteria, including VRE, MSSA and MRSA, on common hospital materials. 24 They inoculated five types of hospital materials with 10 4 to 10 5 cfu of the different bacteria. The materials included smooth 100% cotton clothing, 100% cotton terry towels, 60% cotton/40% polyester blend scrub suits, 100% polyester privacy curtains and 100% polypropylene plastic aprons.…”

Section: Ppe and Proper Hygienementioning

confidence: 99%

Role of healthcare apparel and other healthcare textiles in the transmission of pathogens: a review of the literature

Mitchell

Spencer

Edmiston

2015

Journal of Hospital Infection

184

115

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Healthcare workers (HCWs) wear uniforms, such as scrubs and lab coats, for several reasons: (1) to identify themselves as hospital personnel to their patients and employers; (2) to display professionalism; and (3) to provide barrier protection for street clothes from unexpected exposures during the work shift. A growing body of evidence suggests that HCWs' apparel is often contaminated with micro-organisms or pathogens that can cause infections or illnesses. While the majority of scrubs and lab coats are still made of the same traditional textiles used to make street clothes, new evidence suggests that current innovative textiles function as an engineering control, minimizing the acquisition, retention and transmission of infectious pathogens by reducing the levels of bioburden and microbial sustainability. This paper summarizes recent literature on the role of apparel worn in healthcare settings in the acquisition and transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens. It proposes solutions or technological interventions that can reduce the risk of transmission of micro-organisms that are associated with the healthcare environment. Healthcare apparel is the emerging frontier in epidemiologically important environmental surfaces.

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“…In comparison with viruses, bacteria and fungi survive longer (1-90 days) on environmental surfaces. [23][24][25] Several other studies on survival of bacterial (gram negative and positive) and fungal agents on environmental surfaces indicate that the survival of microorganisms is highly variable, ranging from minutes to days. [26][27][28] The results of this study indicate that FCV can survive for 8 to 72 hours, which is longer than the reported survival of poliovirus and HAV.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%