2023 Volume 43 Pages 270-279
Purpose: The use of with Bacillus cereus (B. cereus)-contaminated towels for bed baths can cause bloodstream infections in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to assess the extent of B. cereus adhesion and growth on towels wiped on forearms.
Methods: We recruited 50 healthy subjects aged 20–68 years between August and October 2021. Both forearms of each participant were wiped with clean warm towels. The number of B. cereus colonies were immediately determined after wiping for the right-arm towels and after storing the towels at room temperature (24–26°C) for 24 hours, for the left-arm towels. The relationship between the number of B. cereus colonies and attributes was analyzed.
Results: Seven (14.0%) and 37 towels (74.0%) were found to contain B. cereus immediately after wiping and following 24-hour storage, respectively. On average, the B. cereus count was 6,000 times higher after 24-hour storage than immediately after wiping. Individuals who applied moisturizer had a higher number of B. cereus colonies on towels immediately after wiping compared to those who did not (p < 0.05). In towels stored for 24 hours after wiping, individuals who had not undergone arm hair removal had a higher number of B. cereus colonies compared to those who had (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Despite individual differences, B. cereus can adhere to human forearms. Storage of towels at room temperature after wiping leads to bacterial growth and increased possibility of B. cereus spore formation; therefore, suppression of bacterial growth on used towels is necessary.
