Table 1. Persistence of bacterial pathogens on dry common inanimate surfaces (e.g., plastics, stainless steel, or flooring).

Bacterial Pathogens	Initial Inoculation	Period of Detectability (Source)	Associated Sickness
Clostridium difficile (spores)	Approximately 1 × 106 CFU*	5 months [23]	Bowel infection, diarrhea
Escherichia coli	Approximately 1 × 105 CFU*	36 days [24]	Kidney failure, bloody diarrhea, vomiting
Klebsiella spp.	Approximately 1 × 105 CFU*	32 days [24]	Pneumonia, septicemia, meningitis
Saphylococcus aureus	Approximately 4 × 105 CFU*	>90 days [25]	Pneumonia, septicemia

*CFU, colony-forming units.