Validation of a Nylon-Flocked-Swab Protocol for Efficient Recovery of Bacterial Spores from Smooth and Rough Surfaces

Probst, Alexander J.; Facius, R.; Wirth, Reinhard; Moissl-Eichinger, Christine

doi:10.1128/aem.00399-10

Cited by 82 publications

(89 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Probst et al (2010) completed a study comparing a novel nylon-flocked swab, evaluated for recovery of different…”

Section: Wipe Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Worker variability was a factor, with inexperienced experimenters achieving a removal efficiency of 39.3% versus 45.4% (Probst et al, 2010). Past spacecraft were found to be susceptible to heat sterilization protocols-the Viking Lander…”

Section: Wipe Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These materials are challenging for sampling tools and no studies have been completed for many of these materials (Probst et al, 2010 Cotton swabs have a high DNA content, which makes them a poor choice for molecular technologies. A better choice is the rayon or macrofoam (Probst et al, 2010).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A better choice is the rayon or macrofoam (Probst et al, 2010). Different studies have shown different removal efficiencies for the spores: vacuum filter sock sampler-28.2% (Brown et al, 2007c); nylon-flocked swabs-41.6% (Brown et al 2007c), and BiSKit have had efficiencies up to 47.3% (Buttner et al, 2004).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different studies have shown different removal efficiencies for the spores: vacuum filter sock sampler-28.2% (Brown et al, 2007c); nylon-flocked swabs-41.6% (Brown et al 2007c), and BiSKit have had efficiencies up to 47.3% (Buttner et al, 2004). Despite the increase in studies, there is still an overall lack of consensus for spore removal in the literature (Probst et al, 2010). The removal efficiencies are different when the spores are applied to porous and non-porous surfaces (Buttner et al, 2004).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Decontamination of Bioaerosols within Engineering Tolerances of Aircraft Materials

Frazey¹,

Reynolds²

2012

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DECONTAMINATION OF BIOAEROSOLS WITHIN ENGINEERING TOLERANCES OF AIRCRAFT MATERIALSBacillus anthracis spores are generally considered the most difficult biological agents to decontaminate or inactivate. Inactivation of these spores is further complicated on aircraft because engineering specifications do not allow for chemical disinfectants to be used. Aircraft, however, must meet strict engineering specifications, requiring extended storage at temperatures greater than 185° F at 100% relative humidity (RH). Heat and humidity near these levels have been tested to determine if they can inactivate spores; however, these studies have only evaluated spores in high concentrations (10 6 spores) on aluminum coupons. This dissertation research was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of high heat and humidity on Bacillus atrophaeus subsp globigii (BG) spores, a simulant commonly used for Bacillus anthracis, when delivered via three different methods onto two different materials.In Chapter 2, an innovative bioaerosol deposition chamber design and testing is described. The test chamber was designed to deposit Bacillus atrophaeus subsp globigii (BG) spores onto coupons modeling real aircraft components. Deposition equations were derived to model the spore deposition. Initial deposition tests with fluorescent particles were inconclusive because the limit of quantification could not be reached; therefore, the BG spores were used to test deposition. Initial tests demonstrated the parameters that could be manipulated throughout the experiments to control the spore deposition. After these were evaluated, four final tests were completed to perform more in-depth statistical analysis. The coefficients of variation for these tests were within acceptable ranges (all were 25.5% or less). Ryan-Joiner tests were performed iii on the data and showed that 2 of the 4 tests displayed a lognormal distribution, while the other 2 tests were inconclusive. All data was therefore treated as a lognormal distribution. Contour plots were then constructed to determine if a discernible pattern was present. While these contour plots showed a somewhat even dispersion, there were no discernible patterns.Additionally, the plots showed a wide range of spore deposition throughout the four tests.Finally, the equations derived for spore deposition were validated. The data showed that 8.67%up to 31.0% (average of 20.25%) of the spores modeled could actually deposit and be recovered through culture methods. These losses could have occurred during the nebulization through inactivation or clumping after the spores were aerosolized. Regardless, this showed that the equations could be used after accounting for these losses. The study demonstrated that the test chamber can be used for spore depositions with the caveat that future studies include an appropriate control coupon next to each sample.In Chapter 3, decontamination of aluminum coupons was evaluated using the BG spores inoculated in three different methods-high direct inoculation (10 6 spores per c...

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“…Probst et al (2010) completed a study comparing a novel nylon-flocked swab, evaluated for recovery of different…”

Section: Wipe Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Wipe Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Decontamination of Bioaerosols within Engineering Tolerances of Aircraft Materials

Frazey¹,

Reynolds²

2012

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Rapid Fabrication of Sterile Medical Nasopharyngeal Swabs by Stereolithography for Widespread Testing in a Pandemic

et al. 2020

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The 3D printing of nasopharyngeal swabs during the COVID‐19 pandemic presents a central case of how to efficiently address a break in the global supply chain of medical equipment. Herein a comprehensive study of swab design considerations for mass production by stereolithography is presented. The retention and comfort performance of a range of novel designs of 3D‐printed swabs are compared with the standard flocked‐head swab used in clinical environments. Sample retention of the 3D swab is governed by the volume, porosity density, and void fraction of the head as well as by the pore geometry. 3D‐printed swabs outperform conventional flock‐head swabs in terms of sample retention. It is argued that mechanically functional designs of the swab head, such as corkscrew‐shaped heads and negative Poisson ratio heads, maximize sample retention and improve patient comfort. In addition, available designs of swab shafts for an optimized sample collection procedure are characterized. The study is conducted in vitro, using artificial mucus, covering the full range of human mucus viscosities in a 3D‐printed model of a nasal cavity. The work sets the path for the resilient supply of widespread sterile testing equipment as a rapid response to the current and future pandemics.

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Electrostatic Flocking of Insulative and Biodegradable Polymer Microfibers for Biomedical Applications

McCarthy

John

Saldana

et al. 2021

Adv Healthcare Materials

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Electrostatic flocking, a textile engineering technique, uses Coulombic driving forces to propel conductive microfibers toward an adhesive-coated substrate, leaving a forest of aligned fibers. Though an easy way to induce anisotropy along a surface, this technique is limited to microfibers capable of accumulating charge. This study reports a novel method, utilizing principles from the percolation theory to make electrically insulative polymeric microfibers flockable. A variety of well-mixed, conductive materials are added to multiple insulative and biodegradable polymer microfibers during wet spinning, which enables nearly all types of polymer microfibers to accumulate sufficient charges required for flocking. Biphasic, biodegradable scaffolds are fabricated by flocking silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-filled poly( -caprolactone) (PCL) microfibers onto substrates made from 3D printing, electrospinning, and thin-film casting. The incorporation of AgNP into PCL fibers and use of chitosan-based adhesive enables antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The fabricated scaffolds demonstrate both favorable in vitro cell response and new tissue formation after subcutaneous implantation in rats, as evident by newly formed blood vessels and infiltrated cells. This technology opens the door for using previously unflockable polymer microfibers as surface modifiers or standalone structures in various engineering fields.

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Validation of a Nylon-Flocked-Swab Protocol for Efficient Recovery of Bacterial Spores from Smooth and Rough Surfaces

Cited by 82 publications

References 36 publications

Decontamination of Bioaerosols within Engineering Tolerances of Aircraft Materials

Decontamination of Bioaerosols within Engineering Tolerances of Aircraft Materials

Rapid Fabrication of Sterile Medical Nasopharyngeal Swabs by Stereolithography for Widespread Testing in a Pandemic

Electrostatic Flocking of Insulative and Biodegradable Polymer Microfibers for Biomedical Applications

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