Transfer of dry surface biofilm in healthcare environment: the role of healthcare worker's hands as vehicles (original) (raw)

Dry surface biofilms (DSB) persist for extended period in hospital, may play significant role in healthcare-associated infections transmission. This study aims to determine if DSB can be transferred from hospital surfaces to healthcare worker's hands. 12-day Staphylococcus aureus DSB was grown on polycarbonate and glass coupons in CDC bioreactor. 1.8x10 and 8.8x10 bacteria grew on polycarbonate and glass coupons respectively. Transmission was tested by lifting the coupon with forefinger and thumb of ungloved hands to a height of 30 cm then touching horse blood agar (HBA) plates 19 sequential times. Transferred bacterial number was determined by colony forming units. The effect of DSB wetting, on biofilm transfer was tested with 5 seconds 5% neutral detergent treatment. Between 5.5 and 6.6% of the DSB bacteria were transferred to hands with one touch and approximately 20% were then transferred to HBA with one touch giving an overall transfer rate of 1.26% and 1.04% for polycarbon...