FIG 3.

Culture and DNA recovery after transfer from contaminated hands to surfaces. Cytopathic effect was seen through a 2-week observation of viral culture on human lung fibroblast cells. A score of 1 to 4+ indicates a positive CMV culture. The numbers of DNA copies per ml from quantitative real-time CMV PCR assay are shown. After transfer, the latest time points where positive cultures were recorded occurred immediately on cloth, at 1 min on metal, at 5 min on glass and crackers, and as long as at 15 min on plastic (latest time points plotted above).