title: Maintenance of influenza virus infectivity on the surfaces of personal protective equipment and clothing used in healthcare settings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The maintenance of infectivity of influenza viruses on the surfaces of personal protective equipment and clothing is an important factor in terms of controlling viral cross-infection in the environment and preventing contact infection. The aim of this study was to determine if laboratory-grown influenza A (H1N1) virus maintained infectivity on the surfaces of personal protective equipment and clothing used in healthcare settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Influenza A virus (0.5 mL) was deposited on the surface of a rubber glove, an N95 particulate respirator, a surgical mask made of non-woven fabric, a gown made of Dupont Tyvek, a coated wooden desk, and stainless steel. Each sample was left for 1, 8, and 24 h, and hemagglutination (HA) and 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID(50))/mL were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HA titer of this influenza A virus did not decrease in any of the materials tested even after 24 h. The infectivity of influenza A virus measured by TCID(50) was maintained for 8 h on the surface of all materials, with the exception of the rubber glove for which virus infectivity was maintained for 24 h.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that the replacement/renewal of personal protective equipment and clothing by healthcare professionals in cases of exposure to secretions and droplets containing viruses spread by patients is an appropriate procedure to prevent cross-infection.
authors: Department of Occupational Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Hiroko
authors: H
authors: Sakaguchi
authors: Koji
authors: K
authors: Wada
authors: Jitsuo
authors: J
authors: Kajioka
authors: Mayumi
authors: M
authors: Watanabe
authors: Ryuichi
authors: R
authors: Nakano
authors: Tatsuko
authors: T
authors: Hirose
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Ohta
authors: Yoshiharu
authors: Y
authors: Aizawa