Are toilet seats a vector for transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

Am J Infect Control. 2009 Aug;37(6):505-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2008.11.005. Epub 2009 Feb 25.

Abstract

We studied the bacterial burden on toilet seats in a children's cancer hospital to validate a policy requesting that immunocompromised children use alcohol wipes on the seats prior to use of the toilets. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was recovered from 3.3% of hospital toilets when wipes were not in use. Use of wipes resulted in a 50-fold reduction in mean daily bacterial counts and eliminated MRSA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / pharmacology
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Disinfectants / pharmacology
  • Disinfection / methods
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Female
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Male
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / transmission*
  • Toilet Facilities

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Disinfectants