title: Human papillomavirus (HPV) contamination of gynaecological equipment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The gynaecological environment can become contaminated by human papillomavirus (HPV) from healthcare workers' hands and gloves. This study aimed to assess the presence of HPV on frequently used equipment in gynaecological practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 179 samples were taken from fomites (glove box, lamp of a gynaecological chair, gel tubes for ultrasound, colposcope and speculum) in two university hospitals and in four gynaecological private practices. Samples were collected with phosphate-buffered saline-humidified polyester swabs according to a standardised pattern, and conducted twice per day for 2 days. The samples were analysed by a semiquantitative real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's χ(2) test and multivariate regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two (18%) HPV-positive samples were found. When centres were compared, there was a higher risk of HPV contamination in gynaecological private practices compared with hospitals (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.06 to 6.86). Overall, there was no difference in the risk of contamination with respect to the time of day (OR 1.79, 95% CI 0.68 to 4.69). When objects were compared, the colposcope had the highest risk of contamination (OR 3.02, 95% CI 0.86 to 10.57).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gynaecological equipment and surfaces are contaminated by HPV despite routine cleaning. While there is no evidence that contaminated surfaces carry infectious viruses, our results demonstrate the need for strategies to prevent HPV contamination. These strategies, based on health providers' education, should lead to well-established cleaning protocols, adapted to gynaecological rooms, aimed at eliminating HPV material.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallay
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Elodie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Catarino
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jacot-Guillarmod
authors.affiliation: Unilabs SA, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Pierre-Alain
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Menoud
authors.affiliation: Unilabs SA, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guerry
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Chahin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Achtari
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, department of laboratories, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sahli
authors.affiliation: Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vassilakos
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petignat
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004203:Disinfection / Q000592:standards; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D050456:Fomites / Q000821:virology*; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014621:Vagina / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral
keywords: ANOGENITAL CANCER; DNA AMPLIFICATION; HPV; INFECTIOUS DISEASES; MODES OF TRANSMISSION