Open AccessSwab Type, Moistening, and Preenrichment for Staphylococcus aureus on Environmental Surfaces
Author(s) -
Timothy Landers,
Armando E. Hoet,
Thomas E. Wittum
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of clinical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.349
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1070-633X
pISSN - 0095-1137
DOI - 10.1128/jcm.01958-09
Subject(s) - staphylococcus aureus , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , micrococcaceae , bacteria , genetics
We compared five swabs, dry or premoistened and with or without preenrichment, to detect surface contamination withStaphylococcus aureus . Sensitivities varied based on swab type, as follows: 71.9% and 75% for rayon, 71.2% for cotton, 81.3% for polyester, and 53.2% for calcium alginate. Preenrichment improved sensitivity (80%, versus 61.3% for direct-plated specimens), as did premoistening (83.4%, versus 57.5% for dry swabs). All of the premoistened, preenriched swabs were positive.