Survival of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus on Fomites

Presenter Information

Rudy Correa, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mutma Inna, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

11-4-2017 10:00 AM

End Date

11-4-2017 11:30 AM

Student's Major

Biological Sciences

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Lois Anderson

Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a growing concern for major healthcare facilities. The introduction of MRSA through contact with blood specimens, body fluids, and microbiological cultures on fomites is considered a high risk.Varying concentrations of a MRSA organism were suspended in three different media (blood, urine, and saline) and then inoculated to four common hospital surfaces or materials: tile flooring, vinyl flooring, laboratory coat, and pillowcase material. MRSA survival was assessed by swabbing the fomite surface and then inoculating to CHROMagar, which allows rapid identification of MRSA organisms. Longer survival times were seen with higher microbial inoculum. The survival of MRSA suspended in saline was, in some cases, greater than 92 days. MRSA was also detected in some blood specimens up to 57 days. Lengthy MRSA survival times on hospital fomites reinforce the importance of control and disinfection in monitoring the transmission of these microorganisms.