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A study to investigate the importance of purses as fomites
Susheela D Biranjia-Hurdoyal1, Shailendra Deerpaul1, G Krishna Permal1
1Department of Health Sciences, University of Mauritius, Mauritius.
Background:
Purses hardly get washed and are discarded, mostly, when they are no longer usable. This study aims to investigate whether women's and men's purses can serve as fomites.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 145 purses from 80 women and 65 men were swabbed and cultured. The bacteria were identified by gram staining and with the standard biochemical tests.
Results:
A total of 138 purses (95.2%) showed bacterial contamination, out of which 49.4% had a single growth and 50.7% had mixed growth. The material of the purse was found to affect bacterial growth. Synthetic purses showed higher mean colony-forming unit (CFU) counts (P < 0.05). Micrococcus (64.8%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (64.1%) were the most common bacteria isolated, followed by Bacillus spp. (13.8%). Micrococcus was found with a higher prevalence on men's purses, while Bacillus spp. were more prominent on women's purses (P < 0.05). The difference between the rates of bacterial growth from the purses of women and of men was found to be statistically significant (57.2% and 44.7%; P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mean CFU count was higher for men's purses than for women's purses (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Purses from both men and women are potential vectors for transmission of diseases across the community. The use of synthetic purses should be discouraged, as they contribute to increased bacterial colonization.
Insights
Women's and men's purses frequently harbor bacteria, acting as fomites. Synthetic materials increase bacterial growth, suggesting caution in their use to prevent disease transmission.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Purses are rarely washed and often discarded when worn out.
- Their potential role as fomites for pathogen transmission is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if men's and women's purses can act as fomites.
- To identify bacteria present on purses and factors influencing contamination.
Main Methods:
- 145 purses from 80 women and 65 men were sampled.
- Bacteria were identified using Gram staining and biochemical tests.
- Colony-forming unit (CFU) counts were analyzed based on purse material and gender.
Main Results:
- 95.2% of purses showed bacterial contamination.
- Micrococcus and Staphylococcus were the most prevalent bacteria.
- Synthetic purses had higher CFU counts; men's purses showed higher bacterial rates and CFU counts than women's.
Conclusions:
- Purses serve as significant fomites, potentially transmitting diseases.
- Synthetic purse materials promote higher bacterial colonization and should be avoided.
- Public health awareness regarding purse hygiene is recommended.
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