Rotaviral RNA found on various surfaces in a hospital laundry

The aim of this investigative study was to determine the presence of rotaviral RNA at various control points (CP) of a hospital laundry. One of the possible sources of hospital infections is inappropriately laundered and disinfected hospital textiles. RT-PCR and nested PCR for gene amplification using specific primers following RNA isolation were used to determine the presence of rotaviral RNA on swabs. In addition, rotavirus suspensions were inoculated on marked surfaces as positive controls for different surfaces (cotton textiles, folding table and industrial dryer). Rotaviral RNA was found on various laundry surfaces: technical equipment, storage shelves, transport vehicles, personnel's hands, damp textiles, and folded laundry. Rotaviral RNA was also detected at all positive controls on tested surfaces after 24 h. Based on the results, it is very important to take into consideration the proper handling of textiles after washing as one of the precautions against hospital-acquired infections. This paper reports the presence of rotaviral RNA for the first time on surfaces in laundries and equipment, as well as textiles.