Highlights
- •Gram-negative bacteria persist on fabrics for more than a month.
- •Moisture enhanced bacterial cells persistence on fabrics.
- •Contaminated fabrics are potential fomites in healthcare settings.
Abstract
Background
The ability of healthcare associate infection (HAI) pathogens to persist on fomites
is crucial to their transmission within the healthcare setting, this study evaluated
the persistence of 3 common HAI pathogens on fabrics materials commonly used in healthcare
settings.
Methods
Persistence of bacteria species on fabric was investigate by inoculating standardized
inoculum prepared from the clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii on sterile swatches of 100% cotton, microfiber and polyester. Viable bacteria persisting
on the inoculated fabrics were evaluated immediate after inoculation and subsequently
at 96-hour interval for 32 days using the drop plate technique. The effect of moisture
on the persistence of the studied bacteria isolates was also evaluated.
Results
Between 3 and 6 log reduction in the viability of the inoculated bacteria cells were
observed after 32 days of inoculation on fabrics. Generally, lower viable cells were
recovered from the microfiber fabrics compared to others, while higher viable cells
were recovered from wet fabrics compared to the dry fabrics in this study.
Discussion and conclusions
This study demonstrated that HAI bacteria pathogens can persist for more than a month
on hospital fabrics, and that their persistence can be enhanced by moisture.
Key Words
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: December 06, 2021
Footnotes
Conflict of interests: None to report.
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
