A Pilot Study to Isolate Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant S Aureus from Environmental Surfaces in the Home

Details

• Personal Author:
  Callahan M ; Duty S ; Scott E
• Description:
  BACKGROUND: The major sources of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA), in the home are colonized or infected individuals and pets, such as cats and dogs; however, the occurrence of MRSA on surfaces in healthy homes is not well documented. METHODS: A convenience sample comprising 35 homes of health care and non-health care workers, each with a child in diapers and either a cat or dog in the home, was recruited from the Boston area between January and April 2006. In each home, a total of 32 surfaces were sampled in kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. RESULTS: S aureus was found in 34 of the 35 homes (97%) and was isolated from all surfaces in 1 or more homes, with the exception of the kitchen chopping board and the child training potty. MRSA was isolated from 9 of 35 homes (26%) and was found on a variety of household surfaces, including the kitchen and bathroom sinks, countertops, kitchen faucet handle, kitchen drain, dish sponge/cloth, dish towel, tub, infant high chair tray, and pet food dish. A positive correlation was indicated for the presence of a cat and the isolation of MRSA from surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown the presence of MRSA at hand-contact surfaces in healthy homes. This provides further evidence for the potential for infection transmission via inanimate surfaces and underscores the need for good hygiene practice in the home. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communicable Disease Control Communicable Diseases Disinfectants Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Surveys And Questionnaires Urogenital Diseases Urogenital System
• Keywords:
  Contaminated-food Disease-control Disease-incidence Disease-prevention Disease-transmission Health-surveys Infectious-diseases Risk-factors Sanitation Sterility Transport-mechanisms

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• ISSN:
  0196-6553
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  458-460
• Volume:
  36
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20034260
• Citation:
  Am J Infect Control 2008 Aug; 36(6):458-460
• Contact Point Address:
  Elizabeth Scott, Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community, Department of Biology, Simmons College, Boston, MA 02115
• Email:
  scotte2@simmons.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2008
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard School of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Infection Control
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b1fbe95c262a955764701c4e09fcbfc1212bb44ec71702b4c9f12a0abb59435072072a77816cea970fb4ec6475af138938f4704652eb6a393a2c9aa37114dc6c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/189541/cdc_189541_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 103.36 KB ]