"Can religious icons be vectors of infectious diseases in hospital settings?".

According to Jewish tradition, Mezuzahs should be affixed on all doorposts leading to communal places. We evaluated the bacterial pathogenic load on the Mezuzah covers in our hospital. Mezuzahs were sampled in all hospital departments, and cultures were carried out. Serving as a control group, door handles belonging to the same departments were tested as well. Most samples harbored potential pathogens. Few cultures were positive in the control group, demonstrating that regular disinfection is carried out, but apparently religious artifacts are overlooked.