학술논문
Do Kinesio tapes increase the skin exposure to pathogenic bacteria?
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Oesterle ME; Division of Health Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA.; Conner T; Division of Health Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA.; Bunch M; Department of Biology, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA, USA.; Fleming A; Department of Biology, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA, USA.; Johnson P; Department of Biology, University of North Georgia, 332 Sunset Drive, Dahlonega GA, USA.; Bialonska D; Division of Health Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA. Electronic address: dbialonska@ung.edu.
Source
Publisher: Mosby Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 8004854 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1527-3296 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01966553 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Am J Infect Control Subsets: MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
Background: Kinesio tapes (KTs) are tapes used in physical therapy and athletics. We sought to evaluate if wearing KTs for extended periods of time increases exposure to antibiotic resistant opportunistic pathogens and/or effects normal human skin bacteria.
Methods: The study consisted of 10 volunteers wearing 9 KTs on their arms for 5 consecutive days. Microorganisms were isolated from fragments collected on the second and fifth day then analyzed. Bacteria were identified using the BIOLOG system. Resistance to selected antibiotics was performed using E-Test. The effect of KTs on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Micrococcus luteus was evaluated in a diffusion-based assay.
Results: We found that KTs accumulated environmental bacteria. Among 22 species 8 were opportunistic pathogens, and all of them exhibited resistance to at least one antibiotic. None of the tapes produced inhibition zones against S. aureus. One tape, Leukotape P, caused growth inhibition in non-pathogenic S. epidermidis and M. luteus. The adhesive material of the tapes inhibited the growth of all tested bacteria.
Conclusions: These results indicate that KTs may increase the exposure to antibiotic resistant pathogens which can accumulate from the environment. Further, extended exposure could lead to changes in normal skin microbiota, potentially contributing to increased risks of skin infections.
(Copyright © 2022 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Methods: The study consisted of 10 volunteers wearing 9 KTs on their arms for 5 consecutive days. Microorganisms were isolated from fragments collected on the second and fifth day then analyzed. Bacteria were identified using the BIOLOG system. Resistance to selected antibiotics was performed using E-Test. The effect of KTs on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Micrococcus luteus was evaluated in a diffusion-based assay.
Results: We found that KTs accumulated environmental bacteria. Among 22 species 8 were opportunistic pathogens, and all of them exhibited resistance to at least one antibiotic. None of the tapes produced inhibition zones against S. aureus. One tape, Leukotape P, caused growth inhibition in non-pathogenic S. epidermidis and M. luteus. The adhesive material of the tapes inhibited the growth of all tested bacteria.
Conclusions: These results indicate that KTs may increase the exposure to antibiotic resistant pathogens which can accumulate from the environment. Further, extended exposure could lead to changes in normal skin microbiota, potentially contributing to increased risks of skin infections.
(Copyright © 2022 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)