title: Swab type, moistening, and preenrichment for Staphylococcus aureus on environmental surfaces.
abstract: We compared five swabs, dry or premoistened and with or without preenrichment, to detect surface contamination with Staphylococcus aureus. Sensitivities varied based on swab type, as follows: 71.9% and 75% for rayon, 71.2% for cotton, 81.3% for polyester, and 53.2% for calcium alginate. Preenrichment improved sensitivity (80%, versus 61.3% for direct-plated specimens), as did premoistening (83.4%, versus 57.5% for dry swabs). All of the premoistened, preenriched swabs were positive.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Ohio State University, 376 Newton Hall, 1585 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. landers.37@osu.edu
authors.forename: Timothy F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Landers
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoet
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Wittum
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D006801:Humans; D011091:Polyesters; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D011091:Polyesters; D020723:Glucuronic Acid
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