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The transmission of bacteria and viruses on gummed paper

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

S. Selwyn
S. Selwyn
Affiliation:
Bacteriology Department, University of Edinburgh
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The possible risks of infection associated with the practice of licking envelopes, stamps and labels were investigated. Although pathogenic bacteria and viruses were not isolated from sample envelopes obtained from various sources, the gums used in manufacture were found to exert a protective effect against death from desiccation on the bacteria and viruses which had been introduced into them. Staph. aureus and Salm. paratyphi B remained viable for several months in dried films of two out of four gums tested. An echovirus could be recovered from similar films for up to 30 days, and an adenovirus for up to 10 days.

Bacterial multiplication occurred in the gum used for the manufacture of postage stamps. The comparison is drawn between the possible consequences of minimal contamination of this gum and of cans of corned beef in the light of recent studies.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 63 , Issue 3 , September 1965 , pp. 411 - 416
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1965

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