Fomite-fingerpad transfer efficiency (pick-up and deposit) of Acinetobacter baumannii— with and without a latex glove

• Published in: American journal of infection control Vol. 43; no. 9; pp. 928 - 934
• Main Authors: Greene, Christine, MPH, Vadlamudi, Gayathri, BS, Eisenberg, Marisa, PhD, Foxman, Betsy, PhD, Koopman, James, MPH, MD, Xi, Chuanwu, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2015; Mosby-Year Book, Inc
• Subjects: Acinetobacter baumannii; Acinetobacter baumannii - isolation & purification; Acinetobacter Infections - microbiology; Acinetobacter Infections - prevention & control; Ceramics; Cross Infection - prevention & control; Disease transmission; Environment; Equipment and Supplies; Fomite; Fomites - microbiology; Glass; Gloves, Protective - microbiology; Gram-negative bacteria; Hand Hygiene; Hospital; Hospitals; Humans; Hygiene; Infection Control; Infectious Disease; Latex; Latex glove; Nosocomial infections; Pathogens; Polymers; Polypropylenes; Rubber; Stainless Steel; Transfer efficiency; Transmission; Acinetobacter baumannii; Fomite; Transmission; Transfer efficiency; Environment; Hospital; Latex glove
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2015.05.008

Background Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant health care–associated pathogen because it is easily transmitted via fomites, extremely difficult to eradicate from the environment, and highly drug resistant. Understanding the environmentally mediated transmission dynamics of A baumannii is critical for more effective infection control. However, transfer efficiency of pathogen pick-up and deposit remains poorly understood. Our study estimates the transfer efficiency of A baumannii with and without latex glove use from the fingerpad to a fomite and from a fomite to the fingerpad. Methods Fomite-fingerpad transfer efficiencies were determined for 6 materials (glass, stainless steel, porcelain, polypropylene, polycarbonate, and rubber). Results For A baumannii , the fomite-to-fingerpad transfer efficiency was 24.1%, and the fingerpad-to-fomite transfer efficiency was 5.6%. When latex gloves were worn, the fomite-to-fingerpad transfer efficiency was reduced by 55.9% (to 10.6%) and the fingerpad-to-fomite transfer efficiency was reduced by 47.1% (to 3.0%). The average transfer efficiency between 2 skin surfaces was 32.5%. Conclusions The fomite-to-fingerpad transfer efficiency of A baumannii was statistically significantly higher than the fingerpad-to-fomite transfer efficiency, regardless of glove use. There was no significant difference in transfer efficiency by material type, except for rubber, which resulted in marginally higher transfer efficiencies. Our results underscore the importance of frequently changing gloves during patient care and frequent handwashing-hand hygiene during bare-handed care for the reduction of pathogen transmission.