Cytomegalovirus survival on common environmental surfaces: opportunities for viral transmission

J Infect Dis. 2012 Jan 15;205(2):211-4. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir722. Epub 2011 Nov 23.

Abstract

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) affects ~1 of 150 births and is a leading cause of hearing loss and intellectual disability. It has been suggested that transmission may occur via contaminated surfaces. CMV AD169 in filtered human saliva, applied to environmental surfaces, was recovered at various time points. Samples were evaluated by culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction. CMV was found viable on metal and wood to 1 hour, glass and plastic to 3 hours, and rubber, cloth, and cracker to 6 hours. CMV was cultured from 83 of 90 wet and 5 of 40 dry surfaces. CMV was more likely to be isolated from wet, highly absorbent surfaces at earlier time points.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Cytomegalovirus / physiology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / microbiology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / transmission*
  • DNA, Viral / analysis*
  • Disease Reservoirs*
  • Glass
  • Humans
  • Microbial Viability
  • Plastics
  • Rubber
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Saliva / virology*
  • Steel
  • Surface Properties
  • Time Factors
  • Virus Cultivation
  • Wood / virology

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Plastics
  • Steel
  • Rubber