Stability of enteroviruses on toys commonly found in kindergarten
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.40.4.014
- Author:
Baharin, S.N.A.N.
1
;
Tan, S.L.
2
;
Sam, I.C.
1
;
Chan, Y.F.
1
Author Information
1. Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
enterovirus A71;
hand-foot-and-mouth disease;
stability;
kindergarten;
fomites.
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2023;40(No.4):478-485
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious childhood disease caused by enteroviruses
including enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), coxsackievirus A6 (CV-A6) and CV-A16 transmitted via direct and
indirect contact. Different types of toy surfaces can affect the stability of viruses. Understanding the
stability of enteroviruses on toys provides insightful data for effective disinfection in kindergartens
or homes. Porous (ethylene-vinyl acetate mat foam, paper, pinewood, polyester fabric, and squishy
polyurethane foam) and non-porous (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic and stainless-steel coin)
surfaces were inoculated with EV-A71 at 4, 24, and 35°C, and coxsackieviruses at 24°C. Infectious
enteroviruses were recovered and titred in median tissue culture infectious dose assay (TCID50).
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images were taken from surfaces to examine association of surface
roughness with virus stability. Overall, infectious enteroviruses were persistent on all non-porous and
porous surfaces. Virus persistence was longest at 4°C followed by 24°C and 35°C. EV-A71 half-lives
ranged between 6.4-12.8 hours at 4°C, 2.4-6.7 hours at 24°C, and 0.13-2.7 hours at 35°C. At lower
virus titres exposed to 24°C, half-lives of enteroviruses ranged from 0.1-1.4 hours. Surface roughness
values from AFM suggested smooth surfaces of non-porous surfaces were associated with better virus
stability. Temperature, enterovirus concentration, and type of surface affected persistence and stability
of enteroviruses. Our findings suggest both porous and non-porous surfaces in kindergartens allow
enterovirus persistence and should be frequently disinfected to curb HFMD outbreaks in kindergartens.
- Full text:8.2023my1445.pdf
