title: Survival of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 on fomites.
abstract: Studies have shown that various objects, such as utensils, toys, and clothes, can serve as vehicles for transmission of Shigella spp. Shigellae can become viable but non-culturable (VBNC) when exposed to various environmental conditions as shown in earlier studies. The present study was carried out to detect VBNC Shigella dysenteriae type 1 on various fomites by direct viable counting, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and fluorescent antibody methods. S. dysenteriae type 1 was inoculated onto cloth, wood, plastic, aluminum, and glass objects. Results showed that 1.5-4.0 hours after inoculation, S. dysenteriae type 1 became non-culturable, and after five days, non-culturable but viable S. dysenteriae type 1 could be detected by both PCR and fluorescent antibody techniques. Fomites can be considered an important potential route of transmission of VBNC S. dysenteriae type 1 and a significant factor in the epidemiology of shigellosis.
authors.affiliation: ICDDR,B: Centre for Health and Population Research, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Sack
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huq
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Colwell
mesh_terms: D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004405:Dysentery, Bacillary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012762:Shigella dysenteriae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification*