Affiliation:
1. North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov
Abstract
Introduction. There is a potential risk of harm to kid health when using toys, in particular, there is a possibility of micro-fungi entering the oral cavity of a baby when using bath toys, which may be the cause of mycotic diseases. The study was initiated by the appeal of the Russian TV First Channel to the Institute of Medical Mycology named after P.N. Kashkin, where samples of used bath toys with a black scurf inside were transferred for research and evaluation of their safety. The purpose: to evaluate the safety of the presented samples of baby bath toys after their intended use. Materials and methods. The experimental group was represented by four baby toys for the bath, which were used for their intended purpose, and were operated for several months. As a control, 4 similar toys for the bath were used. The study of the inner surface of the toys of the experimental group was carried out using a Leica DM 4020 light microscope,and sowing scrapings on Sabouraud’s solid nutrient medium. Isolates were determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The inner surface of the toys was also studied by scanning electron microscopy. The fungus resistance of the samples was assessed according to GOST 9.049-91. Results. The study of the inner surface of prototype toys for the bath established the well-developed and “young” biofilms in the black areas of the inner surface. Biconvex spores (2×3 μm) of fungal origin were identified. Inoculation of swabs from the inner surface revealed a massive growth of opportunistic fungi: yeast fungi Candida guilliermondii (Castell.) Langeron & Guerra and Rhodotorula spp.. Studies on the fungus resistance of control samples of toys show that the material is not a nutrient medium for microfungi (neutral or fungistatic). Limitations: a relatively small sample of samples, the use of expensive high-tech equipment, the difficulty of reproducibility of the result. Conclusion. Colonization of the interior surface of toy specimens used in bathing kids with microscopic fungi and bacteria is indicative of a potential risk of harm to infants due to product design, period of use, and possibly materials used. In this regard, it is necessary to review the hygienic safety requirements for the design of bath toys and make appropriate additions to the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of toys” (TR CU 008/2011). Safety can be ensured by the requirement of tightness of the body of toys, as well as a significant reduction in the service life of such products.
Publisher
Federal Scientific Center for Hygiene F.F.Erisman
Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Pollution,General Medicine
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