Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science (대한임상검사과학회지)

Korean Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (대한임상검사과학회)
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Investigation of Bacterial Contamination of Liquid Soaps Used in Public Restroom

공공 화장실에서 사용하는 액체 손세정제의 세균 오염도 조사

  • Hong, Seung Bok (Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Chungbuk Health & Science University)
  • 홍승복 (충북보건과학대학교 임상병리과)
  • Received : 2020.08.18
  • Accepted : 2020.08.21
  • Published : 2020.09.30
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Abstract

Handwashing with soap is an important practice to reduce the transmission of potentially pathogenic microorganisms, but liquid soaps with refillable dispensers are prone to extrinsic bacterial contamination. This study investigated the bacterial contamination of liquid soaps in 58 public restrooms in six buildings. The bacteria were identified by a biochemical test and MALDI-TOF mass spectrophotometry. The antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the Vitek II system. Of the 58 restrooms examined, 27(46.55%) were using a refill dispenser, of which 25(92.59%) were contaminated with bacteria. The bacteria recovered from the soaps ranged from 1.6×103 to 2.7×105 CFU/mL. Serratia liquefaciens (12), Achromobacter xylosoxidans (9), S. marcescens (4), Staphylococcus pastueri (1), and Achromobacter spanius (1) were isolated. Except for one A. xylosoxidans, bacteria of the same species isolated in the same building showed a unique resistance pattern. In conclusion, handwashing with contaminated soap may play a role in the transmission of bacteria in public health settings. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the use of refillable liquid soaps in the restrooms of hospitals used by patients with reduced immunity.

세정제로 손을 씻는 것은 감염의 가능성이 있는 미생물을 줄이는 중요한 방법이지만 재사용하는 액체 형 세정제는 외부의 오염에 취약하다. 이 연구의 목적은 공공화장실에서 사용하고 있는 액체 세정제의 오염도를 측정하는 것이다. 저자는 6개 건물에 있는 58개의 공공 화장실에서 액체 형 손 세정제를 조사하였다. 균의 동정은 전통적인 생화학적 검사와 질량분석기를 이용하였으며 항균제 감수성 검사는 Vitek II 시스템을 이용하였다. 58개의 화장실 중 27개(46.55%)의 화장실에서 세정제를 다시 채워 재사용하고 있었으며, 이들 중 25개(92.59%) 화장실의 세정제가 세균에 오염되어 있었다. 오염된 균은 1.6×103 to 2.7×105 CFU/mL의 범위였으며, Serratia liquefaciens (12 균주), Achromobacter xylosoxidans (9 균주), Serratia marcescens (4 균주), Staphylococcus pastueri (1 균주), Achrombacter spanius (1 균주) 순으로 분리되었다. A. xylosoxidans 1 균주를 제외하고 같은 건물에서 분리된 같은 균 종은 동일한 감수성 양상이었다. 결론적으로 오염된 손 세정제로 손을 씻는 것은 공공보건 시설에서 세균의 전파가능성이 높일 수 있으므로 면역이 감소한 환자들이 이용하는 병원의 화장실은 손 세정제를 재사용하는 것을 제한할 필요가 있다.

Keywords

References

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