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Survival of vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus on hospital surfaces

M N Zarpellon1, A C Gales2, A L Sasaki3

  • 1Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, PR, Brazil; Hospital Universitário de Maringá, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, PR, Brazil.

The Journal of Hospital Infection
|May 20, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) demonstrates remarkable survival on surfaces, posing a significant infection risk. Enhanced cleaning protocols are crucial in healthcare settings to mitigate the spread of these multi-resistant pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Environmental Hygiene

Background:

  • Contaminated surfaces are a key factor in healthcare-associated infections.
  • Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) survival on surfaces is documented.
  • Data on vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) survival on surfaces were previously unavailable.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare survival, hydrophobicity, adherence, and biofilm formation of MSSA, MRSA, and VISA.
  • To investigate the behavior of different Staphylococcus aureus strains on various surfaces.

Main Methods:

  • Survival assays on latex, cotton, vinyl, and formica.
  • Hydrophobicity determined by hydrocarbon interaction.
  • Adhesion tested on granite, latex, glass, vinyl, and formica.
  • Biofilm formation evaluated over 48 hours.

Main Results:

  • All strains survived over 40 days on vinyl and formica.
  • VISA exhibited survival exceeding 45 days on these surfaces.
  • All strains were highly hydrophobic.
  • VISA adhered strongly to latex, vinyl, and formica.
  • Biofilm formation increased within 6-24 hours for all strains.

Conclusions:

  • VISA strains display significant survival, adherence, and hydrophobicity.
  • The persistence of VISA on surfaces presents a challenge in clinical settings.
  • Increased vigilance in cleaning and disinfection of healthcare surfaces is recommended to control multi-resistant pathogen reservoirs.
Keywords:
AdherenceBiofilmHydrophobicityStaphylococcus aureusSurvivalVancomycin

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