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Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 6/2010

01-11-2010 | Regular Article

Maintenance of influenza virus infectivity on the surfaces of personal protective equipment and clothing used in healthcare settings

Authors: Hiroko Sakaguchi, Koji Wada, Jitsuo Kajioka, Mayumi Watanabe, Ryuichi Nakano, Tatsuko Hirose, Hiroshi Ohta, Yoshiharu Aizawa

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 6/2010

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Abstract

Objectives

The maintenance of infectivity of influenza viruses on the surfaces of personal protective equipment and clothing is an important factor in terms of controlling viral cross-infection in the environment and preventing contact infection. The aim of this study was to determine if laboratory-grown influenza A (H1N1) virus maintained infectivity on the surfaces of personal protective equipment and clothing used in healthcare settings.

Methods

Influenza A virus (0.5 mL) was deposited on the surface of a rubber glove, an N95 particulate respirator, a surgical mask made of non-woven fabric, a gown made of Dupont Tyvek, a coated wooden desk, and stainless steel. Each sample was left for 1, 8, and 24 h, and hemagglutination (HA) and 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50)/mL were measured.

Results

The HA titer of this influenza A virus did not decrease in any of the materials tested even after 24 h. The infectivity of influenza A virus measured by TCID50 was maintained for 8 h on the surface of all materials, with the exception of the rubber glove for which virus infectivity was maintained for 24 h.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the replacement/renewal of personal protective equipment and clothing by healthcare professionals in cases of exposure to secretions and droplets containing viruses spread by patients is an appropriate procedure to prevent cross-infection.
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Metadata
Title
Maintenance of influenza virus infectivity on the surfaces of personal protective equipment and clothing used in healthcare settings
Authors
Hiroko Sakaguchi
Koji Wada
Jitsuo Kajioka
Mayumi Watanabe
Ryuichi Nakano
Tatsuko Hirose
Hiroshi Ohta
Yoshiharu Aizawa
Publication date
01-11-2010
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 6/2010
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-010-0149-y

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