Hiroki Kitagawa1, Yuki Kaiki2, Kayoko Tadera3, Toshihito Nomura4, Keitaro Omori4, Norifumi Shigemoto5, Shinya Takahashi2, Hiroki Ohge6. 1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan; Project Research Center for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. Electronic address: hkitaga@hiroshima-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. 3. Project Research Center for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; Section of Clinical Laboratory, Division of Clinical Support, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan; Division of Laboratory Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan. 4. Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan. 5. Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan; Project Research Center for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; Translational Research Center, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. 6. Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan; Project Research Center for Nosocomial Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Toilet surfaces are contaminated with pathogens, and they may be a vector for disease transmission. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of an automated 222-nm ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection device "Care222™," with a motion sensor, for removing bacterial contamination in a shared bathroom. METHODS: Two automated UVC devices, deactivated by motion sensors, were mounted on the ceiling of two bathrooms; the emission window of the UVC device was covered in the non-treated bathroom. After irradiation, samples were collected from five surfaces at four time points/day for 5 days, and colony-forming units (CFUs) of aerobic bacteria (AB) were determined. The irradiation time was also measured. RESULTS: UVC source deactivation time did not significantly differ between the bathrooms. There was a significant difference in the total AB CFUs between the treated and non-treated bathrooms. In the treated bathroom, the CFUs of AB of the toilet seat, control panel of the electric toilet seat, and top of the toilet paper holder were significantly lower than those of the control. The CFUs of AB at 9:00, 15:00, and 18:00 h in the treated bathroom were significantly lower than those of the control. CONCLUSIONS: The automated 222-nm UVC disinfection device with a motion sensor significantly reduced AB surface contamination of a shared bathroom.
BACKGROUND: Toilet surfaces are contaminated with pathogens, and they may be a vector for disease transmission. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of an automated 222-nm ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection device "Care222™," with a motion sensor, for removing bacterial contamination in a shared bathroom. METHODS: Two automated UVC devices, deactivated by motion sensors, were mounted on the ceiling of two bathrooms; the emission window of the UVC device was covered in the non-treated bathroom. After irradiation, samples were collected from five surfaces at four time points/day for 5 days, and colony-forming units (CFUs) of aerobic bacteria (AB) were determined. The irradiation time was also measured. RESULTS: UVC source deactivation time did not significantly differ between the bathrooms. There was a significant difference in the total AB CFUs between the treated and non-treated bathrooms. In the treated bathroom, the CFUs of AB of the toilet seat, control panel of the electric toilet seat, and top of the toilet paper holder were significantly lower than those of the control. The CFUs of AB at 9:00, 15:00, and 18:00 h in the treated bathroom were significantly lower than those of the control. CONCLUSIONS: The automated 222-nm UVC disinfection device with a motion sensor significantly reduced AB surface contamination of a shared bathroom.
Authors: David Welch; Manuela Buonanno; Andrew G Buchan; Liang Yang; Kirk D Atkinson; Igor Shuryak; David J Brenner Journal: Viruses Date: 2022-03-25 Impact factor: 5.818