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Survival of Chlamydia pneumoniae following contact with various surfaces
Roel P. Verkooyen1, Sonja Harreveld, S. Ahmad Mousavi Joulandan
1Departments of Medical Microbiology, Diakonessen Hospital, and.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: In this study, the survival and recovery of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) strains TW-183, AR-39, AR-388 and CWL-029 were measured after inoculation on glass, stainless steel, FormicaR laminate, paper, fabric and human skin. METHODS: Inoculum in throat washes from healthy volunteers was applied to each surface. Samples were taken immediately after inoculum application and at specified intervals thereafter to determine infectivity. RESULTS: Infectious Cp was recovered from glass for up to 4 h, from paper and fabric for up to 3 h, from FormicaR laminate for up to 2 h, from stainless steel for up to 60 min and from human skin for up to 30 min. Drying of the inoculated area had no significant effect on the recovery of infectious Cp. Further experiments demonstrated that infectious Cp could be transferred to hands by touching these contaminated surfaces and could be recovered from these hands for up to 3 min. Addition of albumin, surfactant or phosphatidylcholine had no significant effect on the survival of Cp. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that contact with contaminated surfaces may be a potential mode of transmission of Cp.
Insights
Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) can survive on various surfaces for hours, including glass, paper, and fabric. This suggests that touching contaminated surfaces could be a potential route for Cp transmission.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) is a significant respiratory pathogen.
- Understanding the environmental survival of Cp is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the survival and recovery rates of Chlamydia pneumoniae on various common surfaces.
- To assess the potential for indirect transmission of Cp via fomites.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of Cp strains onto glass, stainless steel, Formica laminate, paper, fabric, and human skin.
- Sampling at various time points to assess infectivity.
- Transfer experiments to evaluate hand contamination.
Main Results:
- Infectious Cp was recovered from glass (up to 4 h), paper/fabric (up to 3 h), laminate (up to 2 h), stainless steel (up to 60 min), and skin (up to 30 min).
- Drying did not significantly impact Cp recovery.
- Contaminated surfaces facilitated transfer to hands, with recovery up to 3 min.
Conclusions:
- Environmental surfaces can harbor infectious Chlamydia pneumoniae.
- Surface contamination represents a potential transmission route for Cp infections.