Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 14, 2026
Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment
Published on: September 14, 2013
Microfiber cloths reduce the transfer of Clostridium difficile spores to environmental surfaces compared with cotton
Adriana N Trajtman1, Kanchana Manickam2, Michelle J Alfa3
1Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; St. Boniface Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Background:
Environmental surfaces in health care facilities contaminated with Clostridium difficile spores can be a reservoir that contribute to transmission of hospital-acquired infections. Microfiber cleaning cloths may improve the effectiveness of surface cleaning. The objective of this study was to assess the removal and transfer of C difficile spores on surfaces cleaned by microfiber compared with cotton cloths.
Methods:
C difficile spores (approximately 4.2 log(10)/site) were applied to ceramic surfaces. Microfiber or cotton cloths were used to wipe the surfaces that were sprayed with either buffer or a nonsporicidal cleaning agent. To ensure reproducible pressure and surface contact time, a drill apparatus was used. The pressure was 1.5-1.77 N, and the total number of rotations was 10. Viable counts were used to assess the efficiency of microfiber and cotton cloths in removing and transferring spores.
Results:
Of 4.4 log(10)C difficile spores inoculated on a ceramic surface, microfiber and cotton cloths removed 2.4 and 1.7 log(10), respectively. Microfiber cloths containing 4.2 log(10)C difficile spores transferred 1.7 log(10) C difficile spores when used to wipe a ceramic surface compared with cotton cloths that transferred 2.4 log(10). Similarly microfiber wipes transferred fewer spores on consecutive surfaces wiped compared with cotton cloths (0.8 log(10) vs 1.80 log(10)).
Conclusion:
The use of microfiber cloths may reduce the risk of C difficile spore transfer during surface cleaning.
Insights
Microfiber cloths effectively removed more Clostridium difficile spores from surfaces than cotton cloths. This suggests microfiber can reduce the spread of C. difficile infections in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare-associated infections
- Microbiology
- Environmental hygiene
Background:
- Contaminated environmental surfaces in healthcare facilities act as reservoirs for Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) spores, contributing to hospital-acquired infections.
- Microfiber cleaning cloths show potential for enhancing surface cleaning efficacy.
- This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of microfiber versus cotton cloths in removing and transferring C. difficile spores.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the spore removal efficiency of microfiber cloths compared to cotton cloths.
- To assess the C. difficile spore transfer rates between surfaces cleaned with microfiber and cotton cloths.
- To determine the impact of cloth type on reducing C. difficile contamination.
Main Methods:
- C. difficile spores were applied to ceramic surfaces.
- Surfaces were wiped using either microfiber or cotton cloths, with or without a cleaning agent.
- A drill apparatus ensured consistent pressure (1.5-1.77 N) and 10 rotations for reproducible wiping.
- Viable spore counts quantified removal and transfer efficiencies.
Main Results:
- Microfiber cloths removed 2.4 log(10) C. difficile spores, while cotton cloths removed 1.7 log(10) from a 4.4 log(10) inoculation.
- Microfiber cloths transferred 1.7 log(10) spores, significantly less than cotton cloths which transferred 2.4 log(10).
- Fewer spores were transferred by microfiber cloths to consecutive surfaces (0.8 log(10)) compared to cotton cloths (1.80 log(10)).
Conclusions:
- Microfiber cloths demonstrate superior C. difficile spore removal compared to cotton cloths.
- The use of microfiber cloths can significantly reduce the transfer of C. difficile spores during surface cleaning.
- Implementing microfiber cloths in healthcare settings may lower the risk of C. difficile transmission.
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