X. Jiang et al., PATHOGEN TRANSMISSION IN CHILD-CARE SETTINGS STUDIED BY USING A CAULIFLOWER VIRUS-DNA AS A SURROGATE MARKER, The Journal of infectious diseases, 177(4), 1998, pp. 881-888
Two regions of cauliflower mosaic virus DNA were designed as markers t
o study pathogen transmission in a child care home (CCH) and child car
e center (CCC) and in homes of CCC children, The DNA markers were stab
le for 1 month in the environment, The DNA markers were introduced int
o the environment through sensitized objects, and spread in the enviro
nment was traced by detection of the markers with polymerase chain rea
ction. The DNA markers spread rapidly in both the CCH and CCC after in
troduction and spread more rapidly in the toddler room than in the inf
ant room of the CCC, Hand touching of contaminated areas was the major
factor leading to spread of the markers, Hand washing and surface wip
ing decreased spread of the markers. The markers spread minimally from
room to room in the CCC but were detected in the children's homes aft
er introduction of markers in the CCC.