Premium
Detection of pathogenic micro‐organisms on children's hands and toys during play
Author(s) -
MartínezBastidas T.,
Castrodel Campo N.,
Mena K.D.,
Castrodel Campo N.,
LeónFélix J.,
Gerba C.P.,
Chaidez C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12473
Subject(s) - library science , humanities , art , computer science
Aims This study aimed to determine if the children's leisure activities impact the presence of pathogens on their hands and toys. Methods & Results To assess the microbiological hazard in playground areas, a pilot study that included 12 children was conducted. We then conducted an intervention study; children's hands and toys were washed before playing. Faecal coliforms, pathogenic bacteria and G iardia lamblia were quantified by membrane filtration, selective media and flotation techniques, respectively; rotavirus, hepatitis A and rhinovirus by RT ‐ PCR . Pilot study results revealed faecal contamination on children's hands and toys after playing on sidewalks and in public parks. Pathogenic bacteria, hepatitis A and G . lamblia on children's hands were also found. In the intervention study, S taphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were found on children's hands at concentrations up to 2·5 × 10 4 and 1 × 10 4 CFU hands −1 , respectively. E. coli and Kl. pneumoniae were detected on toys (2·4 × 10 3 and 2·7 × 10 4 CFU toy −1 , respectively). Salmonella spp, Serratia spp and G. lamblia cysts were also present on toys. Conclusion Children's play activities influence microbial presence on hands and toys; the transfer seems to occur in both ways. Significance and Impact of the Study Control strategy needs to be implemented to protect children from infectious diseases.