Factors Affecting the Persistence of Staphylococcus aureus on Fabrics

Abstract

The persistence of Staphylococcus aureus (Smith) on wool blanket, wool gabardine, cotton sheeting, cotton knit jersey, cotton terry cloth, and cotton wash-and-wear fabrics was studied. The fabrics were exposed to bacterial populations by three methods: direct contact, aerosol, and a lyophilized mixture of bacteria and dust having a high content of textile fibers. The contaminated fabrics were held in 35 or 78% relative humidities at 25 C. In general, the persistence time of S. aureus populations on fabrics held in 35% relative humidity was substantially longer when the fabrics were contaminated by exposure to aerosolized cultures or to dust containing bacteria than when contaminated by direct contact. In a 78% relative humidity, bacterial populations on the fabrics persisted for substantially shorter periods of time regardless of the mode of contamination or fabric type. Cotton wash-and-wear fabric (treated with a modified triazone resin) was the material on which populations of S. aureus persisted for the shortest time. This organism retained its virulence for Swiss mice after being recovered from wool gabardine swatches held 4 weeks in 35% relative humidity and 6 weeks in 78% relative humidity.

Odor Intensity in Apparel Fabrics and the Link with Bacterial Populations

“…No difference for any culture media between the two R.H. environments was found. Again, this is in contrast with findings from Wilkoff et al [31], where Staphylococcus aureus survived for longer at 35 % R.H. compared to 78 % R.H., although our smaller humidity range may account for the difference in results. Wilkoff et al [31] examined the survival of only one strain of bacteria, whereas we investigated a range of bacteria, which may have exhibited a greater tolerance to changes in R.H and S. aureus may not have been present at all.…”

Efficiency of four sampling methods used to detect two common nosocomial pathogens on textiles

“…Until now, two basic types of textile sampling methods, which vary depending on the state fabric at the end of the process, have been described: Nondestructive methods, in which the test fabric remains essentially unaltered after sampling: impression sampling, specifically RODAC or contact plating, 19 release of fabric-bound dust and cellular particles onto sterile sampling surfaces by scraping with an inverted petri dish (sweep plating), 20 sampling by means of nutrient agar sausages, 21 sampling by impact upon the fabric surface (percussion sampling), 22 the use of a Folin bubbler apparatus with attached funnel. 23,24 Destructive methods, in which the test fabric is rendered unsuitable for use after completion of the sampling process: maceration 23,25,26 of fabric samples in a defined liquid medium, agitation 13,27 – 29 of fabric samples in a defined liquid medium, overlaying fabric samples with agar. 27,30 …”

“…Destructive methods, in which the test fabric is rendered unsuitable for use after completion of the sampling process: maceration 23,25,26 of fabric samples in a defined liquid medium, agitation 13,27 – 29 of fabric samples in a defined liquid medium, overlaying fabric samples with agar. 27,30 …”

Plastic Debris As a Vector for Bacterial Disease: An Interdisciplinary Systematic Review

“…No laboratory experiment that investigated fabrics demonstrated that the type of polymer affects the survival of bacteria because experimental treatments varied by both type of polymer and fabric construction (i.e., drapes, keyboard covers, towels). , Despite this, they do provide some evidence that sunlight and temperature can affect the survival of bacteria. , Colclasure et al (2015) concluded that coliform bacteria survive at greater rates in cooler shaded areas and Wilkoff et al (1969) concluded that more S. aureus survive in cooler temperatures …”