Bacterial and Fungal Isolation from Face Masks: Newly Emerged Hygiene Issues Under COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led people to wear face masks daily in public. Although the effectiveness of the face masks against viral transmission has been extensively studied, there is no report on potential hygiene issues due to bacteria and fungi attached to the face masks. We aimed to demonstrate 1, information of the usage duration and types of masks; 2, the number of bacteria and fungi attaching to masks; and 3, identification of the bacteria and fungi attaching to masks. We conducted a survey of 109 volunteers on their mask usage and lifestyles, and cultured bacteria and fungi on their masks. The colony numbers of bacteria were greater in the face-side than outer-side and those of fungal were fewer in the face-side than in the outer-side. A longer mask usage significantly increased the fungal colony counts, but not the bacterial colony counts. Although most identified microbes were non-pathogenic; S. epidermidis, S. aureus and Cladosporium, there were several pathogenic microbes; B. cereus, S. saprophyticus, Aspergillus, and Microsporum. We also investigated the associations between mask-attached microbes and individual lifestyles such as transportation and gargling. These findings suggest that people, especially compromised hosts, should avoid repeated use of masks to prevent microbial infection.

Volatile sulfide compounds and oral microorganisms on the inner surface of masks in individuals with halitosis during COVID-19 pandemic

“…The oral cavity has various microhabitats, including tongue bio lms, teeth, subgingival uid, dental plaque, and saliva, and the microorganism pro le and amounts differ depending on where it is sampled 23,28 . In a recent COVID-19 mask study, the number of bacterial colonies was greater on the face than on the outer-side [29] 29 . This is probably because different bacteria have different shapes, metabolisms, surface adhesion, and survival strategies.…”

Lessons from the health policies for children during the pandemic in Japan

“…Contamination of the mask due to wearing for the prolonged period should also be considered. Park reported the result of culturing bacteria and fungi from outer and inner layers of the masks wore by 109 Japanese people, and it was found that the mean colony counts were 13.4-times higher on the face-side of masks ( 83 ). To sum up, the effectiveness of masks, especially universal masking, seems to be limited based on the evidence described above.…”

Conceptual Design of the “Private Car” Self-Isolation Ecosystem for the 2019-nCoV Infection

“…Equipped with corresponding technical support equipment, it can meet different needs, such as inspection, screening, treatment and isolation. However, it is limited in use when encountering extreme weather conditions, such as storms [ 2 ]. The operation environment of the field shelter hospital is stable and good, but the delivery process depends on large vehicles.…”