|
|
 |
|||||
 |
|
||||
|
August 2007 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was found in 100% of fomites in subways, buses and trains during a study of 2,595 samples collected from public places in Tucson, Ariz., New York City and other random sites throughout the United States.
Researcher Jonathan Sexton, of the University of Arizona, presented study findings at the 107th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, held recently in Toronto. The study, conducted by Sexton as his thesis project in environmental science, is ongoing and funded in part by the Clorox Corporation, which did parent studies testing for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in offices and cars. “Chances of getting MRSA are pretty good every time you travel. People need to remember to use hand sanitizers and wash their hands,” Sexton said. “People should be cautious in high-traffic areas.” S. aureus is commonly found on the skin of healthy people and may cause mild-to-severe infection. Some strains have developed resistance to a number of commonly prescribed antibiotics. MRSA was once limited to hospitals but is increasingly found in the community. The infection has the ability to survive for up to two weeks on fomites, depending on conditions. Isolates collected from public restrooms, offices, public transportation and automobiles were identified as MRSA by growth on media containing methicillin-derived antibiotic. Researchers began collecting samples about two years ago. S. aureus was detected in 32.4% of 202 automobile samples from steering wheels and seatbelt buckles. Of those, 9.1% were methicillin-resistant. Sexton suggested wiping down steering wheels and buckles in rental cars to avoid contamination. MRSA was isolated from 100% of subways, buses, trains and planes that were sampled. “I was shocked at that, especially the tray tables,” Sexton said. “I try not to use the tray tables, and I would never put food down on one.” In the three airplanes tested, 60% of the tray tables sampled harbored MRSA. Tray tables are not routinely cleaned between stops, according to Sexton. Public bus samples from grab poles and push handles had a 66.7% MRSA rate. In office samples taken from desktops and phones at various businesses, 33% contained MRSA. Only 6.3% of public restroom samples were positive for S. aureus and MRSA. This article also appeared in Infectious Disease News, a SLACK Incorporated publication. For more information: |
