CIRI Research
LinkedIn

Join the Discussion on LinkedIn!


Support CIRI!

 

We Support CIRI - Cleaning Industry Research Institute

 

Show your support of CIRI with the 'CIRI Supporter' logo, available for display on your Web site upon joining CIRI.

 

Join today and help CIRI advance the cause of cleaner, more productive, and healthier indoor environments through scientific research!

Popular Topics

Did You Know?

 

Shigella

 

There are more than 30 types of Shigella.

 

USDA

Photo

Staphylococcus aureus (in biofilm) 2

 

Download Staphylococcus aureus (in biofilm) 27487_ lores.jpg (74 KB)

 

Photo Preview

Staphylococcus aureus (in biofilm) 2

 

 

This highly magnified electron micrograph depicted numbers of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which were found on the luminal surface of an indwelling catheter. Of importance is the sticky-looking substance woven between the round cocci bacteria, which was composed of polysaccharides, and is known as "biofilm". This biofilm has been found to protect the bacteria that secrete the substance from attacks by antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics; Magnified 2363x.

S. aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried on the skin, or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population is colonized, i.e., when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection, in the nose with staph bacteria.

Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these skin infections are minor such as pimples and boils, and can be treated without antibiotics, which are also known as antimicrobials or antibacterials. However, MRSA has become a prevalent nosocomial pathogen in the United States. In hospitals, the most important reservoirs of MRSA are infected or colonized patients. Although hospital personnel can serve as reservoirs for MRSA and may harbor the organism for many months, they have been more commonly identified as a link for transmission between colonized or infected patients. The main mode of transmission of MRSA is via hands (especially health care workers' hands) which may become contaminated by contact with a) colonized or infected patients, b) colonized or infected body sites of the personnel themselves, or c) devices, items, or environmental surfaces contaminated with body fluids containing MRSA.

Source: CDC

Link to hi-res version:
http://phil.cdc.gov/PHIL_Images/7487/7487.tif

Staphylococcus aureus (in biofilm) 2:  Created on September 9th, 2007.  Last Modified on November 4th, 2009
 
 

 

 

 

Popular Topics: Swine Flu | H1N1 | MRSA | Staph | Norovirus | Flu | E. Coli | C. Difficile | Salmonella | Green Cleaning | Cleaning for Health | Nosocomial Infections | Disinfection | Bacteria | Viruses | Indoor Air Quality | Asthma | Allergies | Allergen | Mold

 

© 2007-2013 The Cleaning Industry Research Institute
A 501.c.3 not-for-profit scientific, educational and research institute
1988 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12205

Phone: (888)285-2474
Fax: (518)456-6445
Privacy Policy | Shipping Policy | Return Policy & Procedure

This site donated by:

Kaivac Cleaning Systems®