Disinfection Case Study

Context:

Many athletes suffer from skin infections caused by a number of microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton rubrum. S . aureus can be found normally on the skin of healthy individuals, but can cause disease when the skin is frequently injured (such as from chaffing during sports games). Diseases resulting from S. aureus infection include impetigo, boils, and folliculitis. T. rubrum is the most common causative agent of dermatophytosis and is able to infect nails, skin, and hair. Infection generally occurs through contact with infected individuals, equipment, or environments (e.g. artificial turf). The challenge is to effectively clean equipment, thereby reducing the incidence of infection.

Goal:

To assess the efficacy of a commercially-developed disinfectant for sports equipment using real conditions.

Approach: