Open AccessSurvival of Yersinia pestis on Environmental Surfaces
Author(s) -
Laura Rose,
Rodney M. Donlan,
Shailen N. Banerjee,
Matthew J. Arduino
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
applied and environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.552
H-Index - 324
eISSN - 1070-6291
pISSN - 0099-2240
DOI - 10.1128/aem.69.4.2166-2171.2003
Subject(s) - yersinia pestis , tetrazolium chloride , brain heart infusion , microbiology and biotechnology , phosphate buffered saline , virulence , stain , biology , fluorescence microscope , chemistry , bacteria , staining , chromatography , agar , fluorescence , biochemistry , medicine , genetics , physics , ischemia , quantum mechanics , gene , cardiology
The survival of two strains of Yersinia pestis (avirulent A1122 and virulent Harbin) on the surfaces of four materials was investigated. Viability was evaluated with epifluorescence microscopy by using the metabolic stain cyanoditolyl tetrazolium chloride and plate counts. Small numbers of cells suspended in phosphate buffer survived 2 to 4 h after visible drying on stainless steel, polyethylene, or glass and beyond 48 h on paper. Cells suspended in brain heart infusion broth (BHI) persisted more than 72 h on stainless steel, polyethylene, and glass. Small numbers of cells suspended in BHI were still viable at 120 h on paper. These data suggest that Y. pestis maintains viability for extended periods (last measured at 5 days) under controlled conditions.