摘要：We investigated Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) contamination on the surface of working tables in ward staff centers and the effects of disinfection by wiping with 80% (v/v) ethyl alcohol on this contamination. When working tables were not regularly disinfected or washed, S. aureus [methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and/or methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)] was detected in 29 (51.8%) of 56 tables in 6 wards investigated. MRSA was detected in 17 (30.4%) of 56 tables and in all investigated wards. The S. aureus contamination density on the entire surface of the S. aureus -contaminated tables was 2081±8915 (mean±S.D.) colony-forming units (cfu) ( n =29, range, 10—4.8×104 cfu), and the MRSA contamination density on the entire surface of the MRSA-contaminated tables was 158±200 cfu ( n =17, range, 10—7.4×102 cfu). The second investigation was performed immediately after working tables not regularly disinfected or washed were disinfected by wiping once with 80% (v/v) ethyl alcohol, and MRSA was detected in 5 (8.9%) of 56 tables. The contamination density on the entire surface of the MRSA-contaminated tables was 36±30 cfu ( n =5, range, 10—80 cfu). The third investigation was performed immediately after working tables not regularly disinfected or washed were disinfected by wiping with 80% (v/v) ethyl alcohol twice with a 1-min interval, and no S. aureus contamination was observed in any of 56 tables. These results suggest that disinfection by wiping once with 80% (v/v) ethyl alcohol could not completely eliminate MRSA in particulates. For the disinfection of the MRSA-contaminated surface of working tables and the removal of particulates, regular disinfection by wiping with 80% (v/v) ethyl alcohol is necessary.
