Contamination and survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospital used sponges

The microbial contamination of in-use sponges was investigated. Of the sixt y sponges examined, 51 (85%) were contaminated with 10(3)-10(9) colony form ing units (CFU) per sponge. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from sixtee n (26.7%) of the sixty sponges. P. aeruginosa survived for 2 months in cont aminated sponges which were left at room temperature and became dry to the touch. The susceptibility of sponges to P. aeruginosa contamination should be recognized. Once sponges are contaminated with P. aeruginosa, eradicatio n of this organism is difficult even if the sponges are dried.