Review article
Survival of bacteria on dry surfaces in the hospital environment
Marina Matešić
; Zavod za mikrobiologiju i parazitologiju, Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Rijeci, Rijeka
Darinka Vučković
; Zavod za mikrobiologiju i parazitologiju, Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Rijeci, Rijeka
Ivana Gobin
; Zavod za mikrobiologiju i parazitologiju, Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Rijeci, Rijeka
Abstract
Hand-transmission of microorganisms, mostly bacteria, by the hospital staff is the leading mode of transmission of nosocomial infections. Microorganisms can reach hands through direct contact with the patient but also through contacts with different surfaces in a medical institution. Bacteria that are the most common causes of nosocomial infections can survive for months on a variety of surfaces and materials, and in this way become a continuous source of infection to patients and hospital staff. The paper describes how desiccation affects the bacterial cell, the mechanisms by which bacteria successfully survive in a dry environment and how different environmental conditions affect the survival of bacteria in hospital settings. The sensitivity to desiccation of the most common bacterial causes of nosocomial infections is also described. Knowledge of the factors that facilitate the survival of bacteria exposed to desiccation enables selection of appropriate disinfectant and sterilization method for use in health care facilities.
Keywords
bacterial transmission; desiccation; nosocomial infections; surfaces
Hrčak ID:
118496
URI
Publication date:
3.3.2014.
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