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Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus from dry surface biofilm (DSB) via different types of gloves

Shamaila Tahir1, Durdana Chowdhury1, Mark Legge1

  • 11Surgical Infection Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS),Macquarie University,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|November 14, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Dry-surface biofilm (DSB) bacteria on hospital surfaces contaminate healthcare personnel (HCP) gloves, potentially spreading infections. Even after cleaning, glove contamination and transmission of Staphylococcus aureus from DSB are significant risks for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

  • Pathogens can persist on dry hospital surfaces within dry-surface biofilm (DSB).
  • Bacteria in DSB exhibit enhanced resistance to desiccation, cleaning agents, and disinfectants.
  • DSB poses a potential reservoir for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that gloved hands of healthcare personnel (HCP) can become contaminated with DSB bacteria.
  • To determine if contaminated gloves can transmit DSB bacteria, contributing to HAIs.
  • To assess the impact of simulated cleaning on DSB transmission via gloves.

Main Methods:

  • Staphylococcus aureus was cultured in vitro to form DSB on coupons over 12 days.
  • Transmission of DSB bacteria to sterile agar was tested using nitrile, latex, and surgical gloves after gripping DSB-covered coupons.
  • Experiments were repeated after immersing coupons in 5% neutral detergent to simulate cleaning.

Main Results:

  • All three glove types (nitrile, latex, surgical) readily transmitted DSB bacteria.
  • Sufficient Staphylococcus aureus for infection was transferred from a single touch up to 19 consecutive touches.
  • Nitrile and surgical gloves transferred six times more bacteria than latex gloves (P < .001).
  • Simulated cleaning with neutral detergent increased DSB bacteria transmission by tenfold.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcus aureus in environmental DSB readily contaminates gloved hands.
  • Contaminated gloved hands can transfer DSB bacteria to other surfaces.
  • DSB is confirmed as a potential contributor to the acquisition of HAIs.

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