Diurnal Variations in Colonization of Staphylococcus on fomites in a High School Locker Room Ryan Zeh Grade 11 Pittsburgh Central Catholic

Background  Staphylococcus is a gram positive form of bacteria found frequently in the nose, on the skin of people and in the environment on fomites.  It has a wide range of infections it causes. Pimples, small skin infections and boils Cellulitis, Necrotizing Fasciitis Pneumonia and meningitis.  It is one of the most common post surgical wound infections.

Background  The bacteria can survive for hours once it makes it way onto a fomite. An example of a Staph infection

Background Staph infections can be spread many ways By contact with pus from an infected wound Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person Most importantly in this study: contact with objects (fomites) such as towels, sheets, clothing, or athletic equipment used by an infected person

Background  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain on staphylococcus aureus that is most difficult to treat because it is resistant to antibiotics and penicillins.

Background  Staph infections, more specifically MRSA infections are increasingly prevalent around the nation in high school, college and even professional sports  Unsanitary conditions lead to bacterial growth which eventually makes their way into cuts or open wounds of the athletes.

Purpose  The purpose of this study is to determine where and when it is most dangerous for one to come in contact with staphylococcus bacteria via contact with fomites in a locker room.

Hypothesis  Afternoon samples will generate more staph colonies than morning samples  Null Hypothesis- there will be no difference between the two samples in amount of colonies grown. It is important to note that the locker room is not used from 6 PM until 10 AM the next day The locker room is heavily used by weight room training PE classes, sporting teams practicing and miscellaneous people working out from 10 AM until 5:30 PM

Materials  MSSA HARDYCHROM TM agar plates  MRSA HARDYCHROM TM agar plates  “BBL-CultureSwab TM Plus” Collection and Transport System  Saline Solution  Miscellaneous fomites in an active locker room  Appropriate protective gear  Incubator

Procedure  Swab different fomites in a locker room at varying times of day with “BBL-CultureSwab TM Plus” Collection and Transport System Morning (approximately 8:00 AM) Afternoon (approximately 5:00 PM)  Inoculate samples on MSSA HARDYCHROM TM agar plates.  Inoculate samples on MRSA HARDYCHROM TM agar plates.  Incubate plates for hours  Check plates MSSA plates will appear a pink color, all other bacteria is inhibited MRSA plates will exhibit colonies, varying size

Fomites tested 1 st Testing Day2 nd Testing Day Sink Water FountainTraining Room Table Bench Press “Bench” Bench Press “Bar” Water Fountain - unavailable

P= P= P= P=.23355

Colonization with MRSA Training RoomMRSA00 Bench BarMRSA00 SinkMRSA00 BenchMRSA01

Conclusions  There appeared to be a significant difference between the AM and PM samples taken on the training room table and bench.  Statistical Analysis showed there was only a significant difference on the training room table. Null hypothesis rejected  Other samples were not statistically significant, Null hypothesis accepted

ExtensionsLimitations  Other times of testing  Different fomites to test  Other locker rooms  Test for other bacteria  Confined to one locker room  Hard to test at exact points during the day

Sources  “Colonization, Fomites and Virulence: Re thinking the Pathogenesis of Community Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection” : Clinical Practice  “An evaluation of different methods for the recovery of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from environmental surfaces” : Journal of Hospital Infection (2007)

Background  A fomite is any inanimate object that is able to carry infectious organisms and therefore is able to transfer those germs and parasites to individuals.  Careful cleaning and sterilization techniques must be used to prevent cross-infection.  A fomite can be a variety of things such as a towel, cloth, bench, or even a sink.  “Researchers discovered that smooth surfaces transmit bacteria and viruses better than porous materials; so one is more likely to pick-up a disease from a door knob than from paper money. The reason is that porous, especially fibrous, materials absorb and trap the contagion, making it harder to contract through simple touch.” –from Wikipedia “fomite”