FP1.5 Assessing the effect of antibiotics on asymptomatic MRSA carriage and colonization dynamics using statistical models

Abstract

Background: Whilst disposable gloves can protect the hands of healthcare workers from acquiring bacteria during patient care, the glove surface itself can become heavily contaminated. Information regarding the effect of glove material on cross-transmission is limited. Aim: To assess the ease with which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is transferred from different glove materials to a range of environmental surfaces. Methods: Eight gloves were selected on the basis of material (latex, nitrile, vinyl) and/or protein content. The forefinger of each was inoculated with MRSA in the presence or absence of a simulated body fluid and immediately pressed onto a pre-sanitised test surface (bed rail, storage drawer, computer keyboard) for 10 seconds. The number of bacteria transferred to the surface was determined via swabbing and the mean transfer rate (n = 10) from glove to surface calculated. Results: In the absence of body fluids, the transfer rate from nitrile gloves (with accelerator) to any of the test surfaces was <1%; significantly lower than that from latex, vinyl or accelerator-free nitrile gloves (p< 0.05). Highest transfer (19.5%) was from gloves comprising <50mg/g latex protein. Gloves comprising lower levels of protein (<10mg/g) transferred significantly fewer bacteria. The presence of proteinaceous organic soil significantly increased bacterial transfer from all glove types to the drawer and keyboard. The highest transfer (44%) was associated with accelerator-free nitrile gloves. Transfer to the bed rail was highest from gloves contaminated with blood and ranged from 29.4% to 50.5%; the greater the hydrophobicity of the glove material, the greater the number of bacteria transferred. Conclusion: Disposable glove type can affect cross-contamination rates. Interaction between bodily fluids and glove material can also influence bacterial transfer implying that different types of glove should be used for different clinical procedures.