Evaluation and remediation of bulk soap dispensers for biofilm

Abstract

Recent studies evaluating bulk soap in public restroom soap dispensers have demonstrated up to 25% of open refillable bulk-soap dispensers were contaminated with ~ 6 log(10)(CFU ml(-1)) heterotrophic bacteria. In this study, plastic counter-mounted, plastic wall-mounted and stainless steel wall-mounted dispensers were analyzed for suspended and biofilm bacteria using total cell and viable plate counts. Independent of dispenser type or construction material, the bulk soap was contaminated with 4-7 log(10)(CFU ml(-1)) bacteria, while 4-6 log(10)(CFU cm(-2)) biofilm bacteria were isolated from the inside surfaces of the dispensers (n = 6). Dispenser remediation studies, including a 10 min soak with 5000 mg l(-1) sodium hypochlorite, were then conducted to determine the efficacy of cleaning and disinfectant procedures against established biofilms. The testing showed that contamination of the bulk soap returned to pre-test levels within 7-14 days. These results demonstrate biofilm is present in contaminated bulk-soap dispensers and remediation studies to clean and sanitize the dispensers are temporary.

Rapid characterisation of Klebsiella oxytoca isolates from contaminated liquid hand soap using mass spectrometry, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy

“…8 Personal care products with a high water content such as hand soaps or shampoos as well as disinfectants used in private or public areas are at risk of being contaminated by bacteria, leading to product deterioration and health risks to consumers. [9][10][11][12] Intrinsic (occurring during manufacture) as well as extrinsic (occurring during use) contamination of personal care products or disinfectant solutions have been implicated in human infections. 8 Bacterial typing is necessary to identify sources and routes of product contamination and is a prerequisite for targeted control measures.…”

Händehygiene in Einrichtungen des Gesundheitswesens

“…Silikonstöpsel sollen wegen der Kontaminationsgefahr nicht auf dem Waschbecken gelagert werden. 7 KbE/ml kontaminiert [261,262]. Das Nachfüllen wird auch in weiteren Studien als Kontaminationsursache verbunden mit Ausbrüchen angesehen [260,[263][264][265][266].…”

Draft Genome Sequences of Klebsiella oxytoca Isolates Originating from a Highly Contaminated Liquid Hand Soap Product

“…Hospital-acquired infections have been associated with inadequate disinfection ( 2 ) and with the use of hand sanitizer and liquid soap dispensers ( 3 – 5 ). Intrinsically and extrinsically contaminated personal care products have been notified as another source of infection ( 2 , 4 , 6 – 8 ).…”