diurnal variations in colonization of staphylococcus on fomites in a high school locker room ryan...
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Diurnal Variations in Colonization of Staphylococcus on fomites in a High School Locker Room
Ryan ZehGrade 11Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Background Staphylococcus is a gram positive form of
bacteria found frequently in the nose, on the skin of people and in the environment on fomites.
It has a wide range of infections it causes. Pimples, small skin infections and boils Cellulitis, Necrotizing Fasciitis Pneumonia and meningitis.
It is one of the most common post surgical wound infections.
Background
The bacteria can survive for hours once it makes it way onto a fomite.
An example of a Staph infection
Background
Staph infections can be spread many ways By contact with pus from an infected
wound Skin-to-skin contact with an infected
person Most importantly in this study: contact
with objects (fomites) such as towels, sheets, clothing, or athletic equipment used by an infected person
Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) is a strain on staphylococcus aureus that is most difficult to treat because it is resistant to antibiotics and penicillins.
Background Staph infections, more specifically
MRSA infections are increasingly prevalent around the nation in high school, college and even professional sports
Unsanitary conditions lead to bacterial growth which eventually makes their way into cuts or open wounds of the athletes.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine where and when it is most dangerous for one to come in contact with staphylococcus bacteria via contact with fomites in a locker room.
Hypothesis Afternoon samples will generate more
staph colonies than morning samples Null Hypothesis- there will be no difference
between the two samples in amount of colonies grown. It is important to note that the locker room is not
used from 6 PM until 10 AM the next day The locker room is heavily used by weight room
training PE classes, sporting teams practicing and miscellaneous people working out from 10 AM until 5:30 PM
Materials MSSA HARDYCHROMTM agar plates MRSA HARDYCHROMTM agar plates “BBL-CultureSwabTM Plus” Collection and
Transport System Saline Solution Miscellaneous fomites in an active locker
room Appropriate protective gear Incubator
Procedure Swab different fomites in a locker room at varying
times of day with “BBL-CultureSwabTM Plus” Collection
and Transport System Morning (approximately 8:00 AM) Afternoon (approximately 5:00 PM)
Inoculate samples on MSSA HARDYCHROMTM agar plates.
Inoculate samples on MRSA HARDYCHROMTM agar plates.
Incubate plates for 20-28 hours Check plates
MSSA plates will appear a pink color, all other bacteria is inhibited
MRSA plates will exhibit colonies, varying size
Fomites tested
1st Testing Day 2nd Testing Day
Sink Sink
Water Fountain Training Room Table
Training Room Table Bench Press “Bench”
Bench Press “Bench” Bench Press “Bar”
Bench Press “Bar” Water Fountain -unavailable
Number Of MSSE Colonies (Test Run 1)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
training room bench bar sink bench water fountain
Specific Fomite
Num
ber o
f Col
onie
s
AM
PM
Number of MSSE Colonies (Test Run 2)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
training room bench bar sink bench
Specific Fomite
Num
ber o
f Col
onie
s
AM
PM
Average Number of Colonies
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
training room bench bar sink bench
Fomite
Num
ber o
f Col
onie
s
Avg AM
Avg PMP=.040296
P=.177821 P=.102416
P=.23355
Colonization with MRSA
Training Room MRSA 0 0
Bench Bar MRSA 0 0
Sink MRSA 0 0
Bench MRSA 0 1
Conclusions There appeared to be a significant
difference between the AM and PM samples taken on the training room table and bench.
Statistical Analysis showed there was only a significant difference on the training room table. Null hypothesis rejected
Other samples were not statistically significant, Null hypothesis accepted
Extensions Limitations Other times of
testing Different fomites to
test Other locker rooms Test for other
bacteria
Confined to one locker room
Hard to test at exact points during the day
Sources “Colonization, Fomites and Virulence: Re
thinking the Pathogenesis of Community Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection” : Clinical Practice
“An evaluation of different methods for the recovery of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from environmental surfaces” : Journal of Hospital Infection (2007)
Background A fomite is any inanimate object that is able to carry
infectious organisms and therefore is able to transfer those germs and parasites to individuals.
Careful cleaning and sterilization techniques must be used to prevent cross-infection.
A fomite can be a variety of things such as a towel, cloth, bench, or even a sink.
“Researchers discovered that smooth surfaces transmit bacteria and viruses better than porous materials; so one is more likely to pick-up a disease from a door knob than from paper money. The reason is that porous, especially fibrous, materials absorb and trap the contagion, making it harder to contract through simple touch.” –from Wikipedia “fomite”