MRSA Hangs Around, Researchers Find

Ecolab, a commercial cleaning-and-sanitizing company, did some research on the persistence of MRSA. Company researchers found the superbug bacteria can live for weeks on bed linens, computer keyboard covers and under acrylic fingernails.

MRSA could be detected eight weeks later on acrylic fingernails, six weeks later on computer keyboard covers and five days later on bed linens, the researchers told a meeting in Atlanta of the American Society for Microbiology.

"The results of this study clearly demonstrate the need for frequent hand washing and environmental disinfection in health care settings," said researcher Kris Owens of Mendota Heights, Minnesota-based Ecolab.

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