배경: 의사가 착용하는 가운과 넥타이는 병원성 세균에 의해 오염될 수 있으며, 이에 의한 교차감염이 발생할 수 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 전공의의 가운과 넥타이를 대상으로 세균 오염의 정도를 파악하고, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), Clostridium difficile의 오염 여부를 확인하고자 하 였다. 대상 및 방법: 일개 3차 병원의 전공의가 착용했던 가운 28개와 넥타이 14개를 검사하였다. 검체 채취 부위는 가운의 소매 끝과 전면부 밑단, 넥타이의 끝 부위였다. 각각의 부위를 혈액한천배지, 6μg/mL의 oxacillin이 첨가된 mannitol salt agar, 6μg/mL의 vancomycin을 포함하고 있는 enterococcosel agar, phenyl ethanol agar에 눌러 접촉시켰다. 각각의 배지에서 증식된 균주는 그람염색과 전통적인 생화학적 방법으로 균종을 동정하였다. 결과: MRSA는 28개의 가운 중 7개(25%)에서 분리되었으며, 14개의 넥타이 중 1개(7.1%)에서 분리되었다. Methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCNS)는 대부분의 가운(96.4%)과 모든 넥타이(100%)에서 분리되었다. 대상으로 한 모든 가운과 넥타이에서 VRE와 C. difficile은 분리되지 않았다. 결론: 전공의가 착용하고 있던 가운과 넥타이가 MRSA와 MRCNS에 의해 오염되어 있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 환자에게 침습적인 시술이나 밀접한 접촉이 필요한 경우, 가운과 넥타이의 오염된 세균에 의한 교차오염에 대한 주의가 필요할 것이다.

Background: Doctors' white coats and neckties can become contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria and have a possibility of causing cross infections. Our objective was to determine the level of bacterial contamination and detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and Clostridium difficile present on the white coats and neckties of residents. Methods: We sampled 28 long-sleeved white coats and 14 neckties worn by residents. The tested sites for white coats were the cuffs and lower front surfaces, and for neckties, the lower surfaces. Impressions of these sites were taken with the plates containing blood agar (BAP), mannitol salt agar supplemented with oxacillin (6μg/mL), enterococcus screening agar supplemented with vancomycin (6μg/mL) and phenyl ethanol agar. The colonies grown on each plate were Gram stained and identified by standard microbiological methods. Results: Of the 28 white coats, 7 (25.0%) carried MRSA, and of the 14 neckties, 1 (7.1%) carried MRSA. The majority of white coats (96.4%) and all neckties (100.0%) carried methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCNS). None of the white coats and neckties carried VRE or C. difficile. Conclusion: Our results showed that white coats and neckties worn by residents were contaminated with MRSA and MRCNS. The preventive measures for clothing-borne cross contamination should be considered, especially when performing invasive procedures or having close contact with patients.

Background: Doctors' white coats and neckties can become contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria and have a possibility of causing cross infections. Our objective was to determine the level of bacterial contamination and detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and Clostridium difficile present on the white coats and neckties of residents. Methods: We sampled 28 long-sleeved white coats and 14 neckties worn by residents. The tested sites for white coats were the cuffs and lower front surfaces, and for neckties, the lower surfaces. Impressions of these sites were taken with the plates containing blood agar (BAP), mannitol salt agar supplemented with oxacillin (6μg/mL), enterococcus screening agar supplemented with vancomycin (6μg/mL) and phenyl ethanol agar. The colonies grown on each plate were Gram stained and identified by standard microbiological methods. Results: Of the 28 white coats, 7 (25.0%) carried MRSA, and of the 14 neckties, 1 (7.1%) carried MRSA. The majority of white coats (96.4%) and all neckties (100.0%) carried methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCNS). None of the white coats and neckties carried VRE or C. difficile. Conclusion: Our results showed that white coats and neckties worn by residents were contaminated with MRSA and MRCNS. The preventive measures for clothing-borne cross contamination should be considered, especially when performing invasive procedures or having close contact with patients.