Muhammad Najmuddin Shabbir, Imtiaz Ahmed, Muhammad Ali Iqbal, Muhammad Shahzeb Najam.
Incidence of necktie as a vector in nosocomial infection.
Pak J Surg Jan ;29(3):224-5.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of necktie induce infection in hospitalized patients. Design: Cross-sectional study Sett ing and participants: Th is study was conducted for 50 Neckties of surgical specialists from diff erent hospitals in Karachi. (Ankleseria hospital, Royal Institute of Medicine & Surgery, Creek General Hospital). Tip of necktie samples were cultured. Th e period of study was from January2013 to June 2013. Outcome Measure: Presence of similar bacterial growth from the tip of necktie as well as on wound culture of the patients. Results: In total sample of 50 neckties, we identifi ed pathogenic bacteria, compared with in patients’ wound cultures reports. Analyzing tip of necktie, and wound cultures, 1 had Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin resistant), 35 had S. aureus methicillin-sensitive (MSSA), 10 had Enterococcus spp and 4 had aerobic gram-negative bacilli. Median bacterial load of the sampled neckties was ten times as compared with wound. Conclusion: Neckties contaminated with pathogenic and non pathogenic bacteria, transmitted the pathogenic bacteria to patient’s wound. Neckties were found to be culprits as they act as vectors for transmission of infections. In view of this finding we suggest not to wear necktie for infection control, while examining the postoperative patients or on ward rounds.

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