- From ProMED-mail
- Source KTVU.com
-
- The number of women believed to have developed serious
skin infections after receiving pedicures in San Jose, CA has risen, and
there are new ideas about how bacteria is spreading despite attempts by
many nail salon owners at following state cleanliness guidelines. Santa
Clara County Public Health Department spokeswoman Joy Alexiou said there
are now 40 cases being investigated, a jump of 10 cases reported in a single
day.
-
- Health officials began receiving reports from local doctors
as early as May 2004 regarding an influx of patients with boils and skin
ulcers on their feet and lower legs.
-
- It was determined that the women received pedicures prior
to the infections, which likely stemmed from using a whirlpool foot bath,
which are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria.
-
- "We assume that things will continue for some time,"
Alexiou said. "There have been 13 calls from different doctors."
-
- The infection stems from the spread of a nontuberculous
mycobacterium, a microbe that causes painful open sores that have forced
some women in years past to undergo reconstructive surgery to hide the
scars. In 2001, the state cosmetology board adopted new regulations to
ensure that foot spa equipment is properly maintained.
-
- Between each customer, the foot spa must be drained and
cleaned with approved disinfectant as well as soap, according to state
cosmetology board spokeswoman Patti Roberts.
-
- Roberts said at the end of each day the foot spa screen,
along with any debris, must be removed before cleaning the basin with soap
and water. Every other week, the basin must be cleaned and soaked with
a bleach solution for at least 6 hours.
-
- Deedee Carlson, president of the San Francisco Institute
of Aesthetics and Cosmetology, said bacteria could hide in the foot spa's
jets. Even if properly scrubbed out, once the spa is turned back on the
bacteria will be re-introduced into the water. To ensure no bacteria are
trapped in the jets, each foot spa should be run for 10 minutes while being
soaked in approved disinfectant, eliminating the hiding bacteria.
-
- Carlson said many operators believe it's adequate to
just scrub the spas, but more preventive maintenance is required. "It's
like a mini hot tub," Carslon said. "Bacteria like dark, dirty,
damp and warm places. The jets are a perfect environment."
-
- http://www.ktvu.com/news/3967719/detail.html
-
- ---
- ProMED-mail
- promed@promedmail.org
-
- In the 2001 outbreak in California, most of the isolates
were identified
- as the rapidly growing _Mycobacterium fortuitum_. - Mod.LL
-
-
- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD
- Please visit my "Emerging Diseases"
- message board at: http://www.clickitnews.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?
- Cat=&Board=emergingdiseases
- Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa
- Go with God and in Good Health
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