Two Bacillus isolates recovered from a radiation therapy facility differ greatly in their ability to attach to four...

Thermoplastic immobilization masks used during radiation therapy treatment have been shown to harbor several different types of bacteria. Recovered bacteria included Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, Gram-negative rods, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and several different Bacillus species. Two of the recovered Bacillus bacteria were examined for their ability to attach to and survive over time on patient head-only masks from four different manufacturers. B. halosaccharovorans was recovered from a treatment facility's water bath while B. cereus was recovered from a patient mask in the same facility. Bacillus bacteria were chosen for this study due to their capability to form dormant spores.

Inoculums containing either B. halosaccharovorans or B. cereus bacteria were seeded onto predesignated areas of each test mask. Masks were subsequently sampled at intervals of 1-h, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks. Recovered bacterial numbers at each sampling interval were determined using the direct plate count method. Spore stains were made of both bacterial isolates and number of detected spores were enumerated.

B. halosaccharovorans attached to each mask type after a 1-h contact time at a number 3X greater than B. cereus. B. halosaccharovorans was also recovered at a number 8.5X greater than B. cereus after 4 weeks. Variation was seen in the attachment capability of each bacterium on tested mask types. Both bacilli were recovered from all 4 masks at each sampling interval including week 4. Examination of spore stains of each bacteria demonstrated nearly a 25:1 ratio of B. halosaccharovorans spores over B. cereus.

The large variation seen between B. halosaccharovorans and B. cereus capability to attach to each of the four tested masks is revealing, especially when it is combined with determined spore numbers. It suggests that spores play a role in mediating their attachment to mask surfaces. Moreover, the recovery of both bacteria from stored masks after 4 weeks indicates a continued presence of dormant spores since growth-supportive nutrients are lacking. It also implies the potential for their transfer to a patient wearing a contaminated mask during a treatment session.

The demonstrated ability of these two Bacillus bacteria to attach to and reside on patient masks presents a dilemma. Routine cleaning with approved disinfectants may not be sufficient to eliminate dormant spores on masks surfaces. This matter requires further investigation. For now, a small modification to the routine mask cleaning procedure before its application may help to reduce the possibility of spore transfer.