Impact of Silver Ion Laundry Treatment on Athletic Gear and Environmental Pathogens and Athlete Health

Abstract

Community-acquired infections caused by Staphylococcus and MRSA can spread easily through sharing towels, gear and contaminated surfaces. The resulting skin infections can lead to athlete disqualifications, cancellations of competitions and potential impact on team performance. In this study, we evaluate a residual antimicrobial textile treatment as an environmental hygiene and infection control strategy through improved textile cleanliness and reduced athlete risk for infection. PURPOSE: To determine the impact of silver-based residual antimicrobial textile treatment on Staphylococcus and MRSA levels on athletic gear, environmental surfaces, athlete infection rates and number of missed play days. METHODS: The study, conducted at a professional sports facility over a six-month period, included pre-season and regular season use. Residual antimicrobial silver ion laundry additive was injected onto textiles during the final rinse stage of the facility’s standard laundry process. Bioburden data for Staphylococcus and MRSA was collected approximately every 4 weeks using contact plates. Athletes’ shirts, shorts, jerseys, girdles and towels, and locker room surfaces including carpets, upholstery and other hard surfaces were sampled. Infection rates and number of days missed pre- and post-laundry treatment are also being recorded. Samples collected before initiating the silver ion textile treatment served as the control data set. RESULTS: Prior to silver-ion treatment implementation, significant levels of Staphylococcus were measured on athlete textiles (average 75 CFU/100 sq. cm.) and on environmental surfaces (average 16 CFU/100 sq. cm.). Silver ion treatment of the textiles resulted in dramatic decreases in Staphylococcus by 77% on textiles and by 37.5 % on environmental surfaces. Similar trends were also observed with MRSA. The overall bioburden levels continue to trend downward during the period of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The current results demonstrate that a normal laundry process augmented with an active antimicrobial treatment provide athletic gear and a locker room environment that are and stay cleaner. Final data related to cleanliness, infection rates and player days will be tallied at the close of 2018.