Persistence of Nosocomial Pathogens on Surfaces
Author Information
Author(s): Kramer Axel, Schwebke Ingeborg, Kampf Günter
Hypothesis
How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces?
Conclusion
Most common nosocomial pathogens can survive on surfaces for months, posing a risk of transmission if surfaces are not regularly disinfected.
Supporting Evidence
- Most gram-positive bacteria can survive for months on dry surfaces.
- Many gram-negative species can also survive for months.
- Candida albicans can survive up to 4 months on surfaces.
- Viruses from the respiratory tract can persist on surfaces for a few days.
Takeaway
Germs from hospitals can stick around on surfaces for a long time, which means they can make people sick if those surfaces aren't cleaned properly.
Methodology
The literature was systematically reviewed in MedLine without language restrictions, including experimental evidence on pathogen persistence on surfaces.
Potential Biases
Reports were not blinded to investigators, which could introduce bias in study selection.
Limitations
The review primarily focused on experimental studies, which may not fully reflect real-world clinical situations.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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