Objectives Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an increasing public and occupational health concern. As transmission of MRSA can occur via contact with fomites, it is crucial to have sensitive methods for sampling of bacteria. The overall aim of this study was to obtain knowledge about methods and strategies for quantitative sampling Staphylococcus species on surfaces. Methods The study was designed as a comparative sampling experiment with different samplers [dipslide (two agar types), swabs (three brands, used wet and dry, and elution from swabs or plate diluted)] on smooth stainless steel surfaces spiked with MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). Furthermore, bacteria sampled from indoor surfaces with frequent or infrequent contact with hands were quantified and identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). Results Pre-moistened swabs in combination with dilution plating and dipslides were more sensitive than dry swabs. For recovery of MRSA and MSSA from surfaces with eSwabs, at least 0.3–100 CFU MRSA cm−2 and 5.3–8.6 CFU MSSA cm−2 should be present. The sensitivities of pre-moistened eSwabs were approximately 10-fold higher than those of dipslides and pre-moistened viscose and cotton swabs. The variation in concentrations of Staphylococcus species in replicate sampling of adjacent squares on indoor surfaces was higher for surfaces frequently touched by hands than for surfaces infrequently touched. In total 16 different Staphylococcus species were identified, and S. aureus was found only in 2 of 66 surface samples. A considerable overlap was found between species in replicate sampling within an environment and between the air and surfaces within an environment. Conclusions Pre-moistened eSwabs in combination with dilution plating were found to be the best method for surface sampling of MSSA and MRSA. The method can be used for assessing the risk of exposure and transmission of MRSA from environmental surfaces. To obtain a reliable measure of concentrations and the presence of Staphylococccus species a higher number of samples should be taken from surfaces with hand contact than from surfaces dominated by sedimented bacteria.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.