Diurnal Variations in Colonization of Staphylococcus on fomites in a High School Locker Room

1. Diurnal Variations in Colonization of Staphylococcus on fomites in a High School Locker Room Ryan Zeh Grade 11 Pittsburgh Central Catholic

2. Background • Staphylococcus is a gram positive form of bacteria found frequently in the nose, on the skin of people and in the environment on fomites. • It has a wide range of infections it causes. • Pimples, small skin infections and boils • Cellulitis, Necrotizing Fasciitis • Pneumonia and meningitis. • It is one of the most common post surgical wound infections.

3. Background • The bacteria can survive for hours once it makes it way onto a fomite. An example of a Staph infection

4. Background Staph infections can be spread many ways • By contact with pus from an infected wound • Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person • Most importantly in this study: contact with objects (fomites) such as towels, sheets, clothing, or athletic equipment used by an infected person

5. Background • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain on staphylococcus aureus that is most difficult to treat because it is resistant to antibiotics and penicillins.

6. Background • Staph infections, more specifically MRSA infections are increasingly prevalent around the nation in high school, college and even professional sports • Unsanitary conditions lead to bacterial growth which eventually makes their way into cuts or open wounds of the athletes.

7. Purpose • The purpose of this study is to determine where and when it is most dangerous for one to come in contact with staphylococcus bacteria via contact with fomites in a locker room.

8. Hypothesis • Afternoon samples will generate more staph colonies than morning samples • Null Hypothesis- there will be no difference between the two samples in amount of colonies grown. • It is important to note that the locker room is not used from 6 PM until 10 AM the next day • The locker room is heavily used by weight room training PE classes, sporting teams practicing and miscellaneous people working out from 10 AM until 5:30 PM

9. Materials • MSSA HARDYCHROMTMagar plates • MRSA HARDYCHROMTM agar plates • “BBL-CultureSwabTM Plus” Collection and Transport System • Saline Solution • Miscellaneous fomites in an active locker room • Appropriate protective gear • Incubator

10. Procedure • Swab different fomites in a locker room at varying times of day with “BBL-CultureSwabTMPlus” Collection and Transport System • Morning (approximately 8:00 AM) • Afternoon (approximately 5:00 PM) • Inoculate samples on MSSA HARDYCHROMTM agar plates. • Inoculate samples on MRSA HARDYCHROMTM agar plates. • Incubate plates for 20-28 hours • Check plates • MSSA plates will appear a pink color, all other bacteria is inhibited • MRSA plates will exhibit colonies, varying size

11. Fomites tested

15. P=.23355 P=.040296 P=.102416 P=.177821

16. Colonization with MRSA

17. Conclusions • There appeared to be a significant difference between the AM and PM samples taken on the training room table and bench. • Statistical Analysis showed there was only a significant difference on the training room table. Null hypothesis rejected • Other samples were not statistically significant, Null hypothesis accepted

18. Other times of testing Different fomites to test Other locker rooms Test for other bacteria Confined to one locker room Hard to test at exact points during the day Extensions Limitations

19. Sources • “Colonization, Fomites and Virulence: Re thinking the Pathogenesis of Community Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection” : Clinical Practice • “An evaluation of different methods for the recovery of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from environmental surfaces” : Journal of Hospital Infection (2007)

20. Background • A fomite is any inanimate object that is able to carry infectious organisms and therefore is able to transfer those germs and parasites to individuals. • Careful cleaning and sterilization techniques must be used to prevent cross-infection. • A fomite can be a variety of things such as a towel, cloth, bench, or even a sink. • “Researchers discovered that smooth surfaces transmit bacteria and viruses better than porous materials; so one is more likely to pick-up a disease from a door knob than from paper money. The reason is that porous, especially fibrous, materials absorb and trap the contagion, making it harder to contract through simple touch.” –from Wikipedia “fomite”