[Availability of antibacterial towels and fabrics against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli].
OBJECTIVE
After outbreaks of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, various varieties of antibacterial kitchen and table materials are being used in Japan. The actual of availability of towels and fabrics, designated as antibacteria, against enterohemorrhagic E. coli was evaluated.


METHODS
For an indicator strain a clinically isolated strain of E. coli O157:H7 C2 in Canada was utilized. Material kept in a tube was autoclaved at 121 degrees C for 15 mins, and 200 microliters of the bacterial culture was inoculated on the material, and cultured at 35 degrees C for an adequate interval. Colony forming units (CFU) of the materials were estimated. We also studied bactericidal effects of copper-fixed towels after washing. Materials without antibacterial processing or white cotton towels were used as controls.


RESULTS
CFU of E. coli on silver- or copper-fixed materials at 18 hrs after inoculation were markedly decreased, compared to CFU of bacteria on the controls at 0 hr after inoculation. These materials were found to have bactericidal activity. Three materials of 23 samples were found to have bacterial inhibitory activity, because CFU of bacteria on the 3 materials at 18 hrs after inoculation were less than CFU of bacteria on the controls at 18 hrs. Thirteen materials (56.5%) were found to have no evident bactericidal nor inhibitory activity. CFU of silver- or copper-fixed materials were clearly decreased at 3 hrs and 20 mins after inoculation, respectively. It was also recognized that bactericidal activity was sustained at 18 hrs after inoculation even after the copper-fixed towel was washed 50 times.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation of bactericidal effects of towels and fabrics, that claim to be antibacterial, showed that a few materials had bactericidal or inhibitory activity. Consumers must not have too much confidence in claims of a product being antibacteria. Even if antibacterial materials are available, the most important measure for us is to wash sufficiently and maintain sanitary conditions.
Sakaguchi
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T
Department of Human Environments, Kawamura Gakuen Woman's University.
Sakaguchi
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S
D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000187:drug effects*; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013784:Textiles
D012834:Silver; D003300:Copper