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. 1993 Mar;31(3):480–483. doi: 10.1128/jcm.31.3.480-483.1993

Pseudomonas aeruginosa folliculitis acquired through use of a contaminated loofah sponge: an unrecognized potential public health problem.

E J Bottone 1, A A Perez 2nd 1
PMCID: PMC262805  PMID: 8458939

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa folliculitis is a well-known entity that occurs among users of closed-cycle recreational water sources such as whirlpools, swimming pools, and hot tubs. In the absence of this epidemiologic link, isolated cases are difficult to diagnose. We encountered a patient who developed P. aeruginosa folliculitis subsequent to the use of a loofah sponge grossly contaminated with the same P. aeruginosa strain (serotype 10; pyocin type 1/a 4,b) that was recovered from her skin lesions. Furthermore, we demonstrated that sterile unused loofah sponges can serve as the sole growth-promoting substrate for P. aeruginosa. To obviate the potential public health problem of contaminated loofah sponges, it is strongly recommended that manufacturers append, and consumers adhere to, instructions as to the care of loofah sponges, which includes allowing the sponge to dry after use.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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