Evaluation of Environmental Sampling Methods for Detection of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> on Fomites.

Abstract

We evaluated a variety of methods to recover <i>S. aureus</i> from inanimate surfaces. Two contact agar plates and three swab sampling methods were tested on porous and non-porous surfaces and bar soap. The cost and ease of use of each method was also evaluated. <i>S. aureus</i> was recovered using all methods on both porous and non-porous surfaces. <i>S. aureus</i> could not be detected on three of four brands of soap.