The Feasibility of Using a Rapid Adenosine Triphosphate Bioluminescence Assay as an Objective Means of Assessing the Presence of Biological Contamination on Laboratory Surfaces

Abstract

The underlying causes of many reported laboratory associated infections (LAIs) are often not objectively identified and are generally attributed to poor laboratory technique or surface contamination in the laboratory. While training and practice can enhance laboratory technique, an objective evaluation of laboratory surface cleanliness is typically not performed. However, this is not the case for laboratories working with radioactive materials, where assessments for removable contamination are routinely performed. Similarly, industrial hygienists conduct surface sampling for metals and hexavalent chromium contamination, and the food-processing industry relies on adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence (ATB) swabs to confirm successful decontamination. The presence of ATB on surfaces is considered indicative of the presence of organic material that may harbor infectious organisms. In this study, baseline visual assessments, aerobic colony count (ACC), and ATB values were established for 10 active laboratories on five surface types cleaned with a fresh 10% dilution of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Baseline readings were used as controls against which to compare experimental readings collected in the laboratories over a 28-day period. Longitudinal results indicated a difference in failure percentages between the visual, ACC, and ATB methods such that failure percentages were greater (P < 0.001) for ATB. Note that the absence of surface contamination does not necessarily indicate that a LAI could not occur; however, the use of real-time ATB monitoring for surface contamination could possibly lead to a reduction in LAI events by facilitating the objective assessment of a possible key exposure route.