Quantitative Evaluation of Bacillus Cereus Spore Attachment to the Surface of Disposable Medical Gloves Made from Various Materials

It is generally recognized that most Bacillus cereus blood stream infections are caused by the contamination of infusion solution due to contaminated hands of healthcare personnel and skin of patients. The contamination of hands and skin with B. cereus spores frequently occur from contaminated hospital linens such as reused towels. Disposable medical gloves can also be a source of B. cereus spore contamination. The present study was therefore undertaken to quantitatively measure the attachment behavior of B. cereus spores to the surface of disposable gloves made from various materials, such as latex, nitrile rubber, and vinyl chloride plastic. Our modified bead extraction method was used for the assay. The number of spores attaching to gloves was highest for vinyl chloride gloves, followed by latex gloves and nitrile rubber gloves, and the difference in the numbers of attached spores between vinyl chloride gloves and nitrile rubber gloves was significant (P = 0.028, <0.05). We therefore recommend nitrile rubber gloves for medical use rather than other gloves.