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A laboratory model for the investigation of contact transfer of micro-organisms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

R. R. Marples  and
A. G. Towers
R. R. Marples
Affiliation:
Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT, England
A. G. Towers
Affiliation:
Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT, England
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The model was based on grasping a fabric-covered bottle contaminated with a strain of Staphylococcus saprophyticus, then grasping a sterile fabric-covered bottle and counting the organisms transferred. When the donor fabric was moist 10% of the available cells passed onto the hands, but this fell to 0·05% when the inoculum dried. Transfer from wet hands to the fabric amounted to 85%, but in the complete model only 0·06% of the available cells were transferred. The model was used to assess simple methods of degerming the hands. Washing the hands reduced transfer by 95%, while washing in 70% alcohol reduced transfer by 99·99%. Lesser procedures investigated included applying 0·2 ml of 80% ethanol to the hands, which reduced transfer by 93%.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 82 , Issue 2 , April 1979 , pp. 237 - 248
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

References

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