Journal Article
- Sterilization efficiency of pathogen-contaminated cottons in a laundry machine
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Yoonjae Shin , Jungha Park , Woojun Park
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J. Microbiol. 2020;58(1):30-38. Published online November 25, 2019
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-020-9391-1
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Abstract
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Pathogenic bacteria on abiotic surfaces such as fabrics, bedding,
patient wears, and surgical tools are known to increase
the risk of bacterial diseases in infants and the elderly. The
desiccation tolerance of bacteria affects their viability in cotton.
Thus, washing and drying machines are required to use
conditions that ensure the sterilization of bacteria in cotton.
The objective of this study is to determine the effects of various
sterilization conditions of washing and drying machines
on the survival of three pathogenic bacteria (Acinetobacter
baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus
aureus) commonly presented in contaminated cotton and two
non-pathogenic bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli)
in cotton. High survival rates of A. baumannii and S. aureus
in desiccated cotton were observed based on scanning electron
microscope and replicate organism direct agar contact
assay. The survival rates of A. baumannii and S. aureus exposed
in desiccated cotton for 8 h were higher (14.4 and 5.0%,
respectively) than those of other bacteria (< 0.5%). All tested
bacteria were eradicated at low-temperature (< 40°C) washing
with activated oxygen bleach (AOB). However, bacterial
viability was shown in low temperature washing without AOB.
High-temperature (> 60°C) washing was required to achieve
99.9% of the sterilization rate in washing without AOB. The
sterilization rate was 93.2% using a drying machine at 60°C
for 4 h. This level of sterilization was insufficient in terms
of time and energy efficiency. High sterilization efficiency
(> 99.9%) at 75°C for 3 h using a drying machine was confirmed.
This study suggests standard conditions of drying
machines to remove bacterial contamination in cotton by
providing practical data.
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Citations
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- Toward sustainable household laundry. Washing quality vs. environmental impacts
Brigita Tomšič, Lara Ofentavšek, Rok Fink
International Journal of Environmental Health Research.2024; 34(2): 1011. CrossRef - Effect of Sterilization Methods on Chemical and Physical-Mechanical Properties of Cotton Compresses
Maja Somogyi Škoc, Jana Juran, Iva Rezić
Molecules.2024; 29(15): 3541. CrossRef - Evaluating infection risks and importance of hand hygiene during the household laundry process using a quantitative microbial risk assessment approach
Yoonhee Jung, Sarah E. Abney, Kelly A. Reynolds, Charles P. Gerba, Amanda M. Wilson
American Journal of Infection Control.2023; 51(12): 1377. CrossRef - Impact of antibacterial detergent on used‐towel microbiomes at species‐level and its effect on malodor control
TzeHau Lam, Yuxiang Liu, Fumi Iuchi, Yolanda Huang, Kejing Du, Yajie Dai, Jia Wu, Linda Lim, Jason Goo, Yoshiki Ishida, Jiquan Liu, Jian Xu
iMeta.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Quantifying pathogen infection risks from household laundry practices
Kelly A. Reynolds, Marc P. Verhougstraete, Kristina D. Mena, Syed A. Sattar, Elizabeth A. Scott, Charles P. Gerba
Journal of Applied Microbiology.2022; 132(2): 1435. CrossRef - Comparison of Survival of Healthcare Associated Bacteria on Materials used for Making White Coat
Silla Varghese Thomas, K. Gopalakrishna Bhat
Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology.2022; 16(1): 613. CrossRef - Laundry Hygiene and Odor Control: State of the Science
Sarah E. Abney, M. Khalid Ijaz, Julie McKinney, Charles P. Gerba, Christopher A. Elkins
Applied and Environmental Microbiology.2021;[Epub] CrossRef - Silver Nanostars-Coated Surfaces with Potent Biocidal Properties
Lucinda J. Bessa, Miguel Peixoto de Almeida, Peter Eaton, Eulália Pereira, Paula Gameiro
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(21): 7891. CrossRef
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Role of the extracytoplasmic function sigma factor CarQ in oxidative response of Bradyrhizobium japonicum
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Anchana Thaweethawakorn , Dylan Parks , Jae-Seong So , Woo-Suk Chang
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J. Microbiol. 2015;53(8):526-534. Published online July 31, 2015
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-015-5308-9
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Abstract
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As a nitrogen-fixing bacterium, Bradyrhizobium japonicum
can establish a symbiotic relationship with the soybean plant
(Glycine max). To be a successful symbiont, B. japonicum
must deal with plant defense responses, such as an oxidative
burst. Our previous functional genomics study showed that
carQ (bll1028) encoding extracytoplasmic function (ECF)
sigma factor was highly expressed (107.8-fold induction)
under oxidative stress. Little is known about the underlying
mechanisms of how CarQ responds to oxidative stress. In
this study, a carQ knock-out mutant was constructed using
site-specific mutagenesis to identify the role of carQ in the
oxidative response of B. japonicum. The carQ mutant showed
a longer generation time than the wild type and exhibited
significantly decreased survival at 10 mM H2O2 for 10 min
of exposure. Surprisingly, there was no significant difference
in expression of oxidative stress-responsive genes such as
katG and sod between the wild type and carQ mutant. The
mutant also showed a significant increase in susceptibility to
H2O2 compared to the wild type in the zone inhibition assay.
Nodulation phenotypes of the carQ mutant were distinguishable
compared to those of the wild type, including lower
numbers of nodules, decreased nodule dry weight, decreased
plant dry weight, and a lower nitrogen fixation capability.
Moreover, desiccation of mutant cells also resulted in significantly
lower percent of survival in both early (after 4 h) and
late (after 24 h) desiccation periods. Taken together, this
information will provide an insight into the role of the ECF
sigma factor in B. japonicum to deal with a plant-derived
oxidative burst.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by

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Microbiology Spectrum.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Identification and Validation of Reference Genes for Expression Analysis in Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria under Environmental Stress
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mSphere.2018;[Epub] CrossRef