Researchers from the Academy at Buffalo in New York say ii bacteria that cause many common infections in children and the elderly, such as strep pharynx and ear infections, tin live outside the human torso for long periods of time on various objects, including books, cribs and toys.

The investigators found that Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes linger on many surfaces significantly longer than previously thought, opposing previous studies that suggest the bacteria quickly die one time they accept left the human body.

The researchers say their findings suggest that better strategies are needed to prevent infections, specially in hospitals, schools and daycare centers.

S. pyogenes is a mutual crusade of strep pharynx and skin conditions in school children, but the bacteria can as well cause severe infections in adults.

S. pneumoniae is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality from respiratory tract infections in children and the elderly, and it is besides a leading cause of ear infections.

Previous enquiry from the squad showed that certain bacteria develop biofilms when they colonize human tissues. A biofilm is a group of microorganisms that bind together on a surface.

The researchers found that this leaner is stronger than other bacteria that do not class biofilms, leading them to believe that the leaner may linger on surfaces.

To test if this was the case, the investigators analyzed a number of objects including books, stuffed toys and cribs in a child daycare center.

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Even afterwards cleaning, the researchers constitute that biofilms were able to survive for many hours on cribs, toys and books.

Many surfaces – including cribs – tested positive for Southward. pyogenes, while four out of five stuffed toys tested positive for S. pneumoniae.

The researchers note that this testing was done afterward the surfaces had been cleaned, and prior to the center opening in the morning, pregnant information technology had been a long time since the surfaces and objects had human contact.

The investigators then tested 1-month-quondam biofilm of S. pyogenes and South. pneumoniae to run into whether the bacteria was able to colonize. Results revealed that the biofilms could effectively colonize a mouse model.

Other experiments plant that the biofilms were able to survive for many hours on human being easily, books, hard and soft toys and surfaces, even later on cleaning.

Commenting on the findings, Anders Hakansson, banana professor of microbiology and immunology at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and senior writer of the study, says:

"In all of these cases, we constitute that these pathogens can survive for long periods outside a human host.

Commonly handled objects that are contaminated with these biofilm bacteria could human action every bit reservoirs of bacteria for hours, weeks or months, spreading potential infections to individuals who come up in contact with them."

However, Hakansson notes that further research is needed to determine the exact circumstances in which this type of contact may pb to transmission between individuals, and the results may emphasize the demand for new strategies to prevent infection.

"If it turns out that this type of spread is substantial, then the same protocols that are now used for preventing the spread of other bacteria, such as abdominal bacteria and viruses, which practise persist on surfaces, volition need to exist implemented peculiarly for people working with children and in healthcare settings," he adds.

Medical News Today recently reported on a study detailing a new method in which researchers say they could target and kill bacteria, such every bit Eastward. coli.