Livinguard Treated Textiles in the Prevention and Control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Transmission

In this study, we examined the antimicrobial efficacy of textiles impregnated with Livinguard technology and its implications in the control of TB against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the highly pathogenic bacteria which possess a global health challenge across the world. Polyester/cotton (65/35, 215 GSM) treated textiles with Livinguard were found to effectively kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis ATCC 25177 in 15 minutes with a very high kill rate, evident with absolutely no growth in all the MGIT liquid culture tubes of the treated textiles eluted in neutralizer. The negative result of MPT64 antigen testing further confirmed the absence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on Livinguard textile. The use of Livinguard treated textiles in TB wards and at home can play an important role in controlling cross contamination and transmission of TB between patients, health workers and immunocompromised patients, alike.