Microbial Contamination according to the Numbers of Mask Worn in the Community

Abstract

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, wearing face masks is obligatory to prevent respiratory virus transmissions in the community. However, there are few studies of the desirable number of wearing a face mask, and how to store them for reuse. Therefore, in this study, a survey was conducted among 208 healthy adults, and 27 kf-94 masks worn for 1, 2, and 3 days were collected. To estimate the risk of bacterial contamination, we analyzed the extent of bacterial contamination of the BHI medium and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. With an increase in the number of days of using the mask, the degree of bacterial contamination of the used mask gradually increased. As a result of 16S rRNA PCR performed for strain identification, Staphylococcus, known as a pathogenic bacterium, was identified the most. In conclusion, we found that wearing a cotton KF mask provides an optimal environment for microbes, which are related to the skin and respiratory system, to thrive. Therefore, it is also important to reduce the risk of bacterial infection of the face mask with appropriate sterilization methods.

Microbial Detection from Used Face Masks and Hygiene Practices

“…11 Possible ASB in this present study could be Bacillus species that was reported to be commonly isolated from face masks in other studies. 6,12,13 However, final identification of the ASB was not possible in our study due to resource constraints. Other gram-positive isolates were diphtheroids and Micrococcus with a combined rate of 9.68% from the total bacterial isolates.…”

“…Forty-seven used face masks were collected from individuals of various occupations like drivers (13,27 (15, 31.91%). HCWs constituted the non-medical personnel working in and around healthcare vicinity like security guards, safai karamcharis, office staffs, etc.…”

Facemask acne attenuation through modulation of indirect microbiome interactions

“…Bacteria from the genus Cutibacterium, common skin commensals, were the most abundant, comprising approximately 40% of the observed OTU. However, among previous studies investigating facemask bacterial contamination 4,[6][7][8] , only one has reported the isolation of C. acnes from a facemask worn for 1 day 37 . The difference in Cutibacterium abundance between our study and others is likely due to differences in factors such as duration of mask wearing (4 vs. 8 h), mask type (cotton and surgical vs. quarantine), and sampling method (PBS soaking vs. swab) 7 .…”