Lethal new MRSA strain resists antibiotics, increases demand for Unotron’s disinfectable and washable keyboards

Nov 5 2009

A deadly new strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylociccus auerus (MRSA) poses an alarming new threat, sparking demand for Unotron’s (www.unotron.com) medical grade, fully washable keyboards and mice that can be disinfected to mitigate the spread of germs. A study conducted by the Henry Ford Hospital reported the USA600 strain resists Vancomycin, a drug successfully used in the past to treat patients with MRSA.

“This lethal new strain underscores the urgent need for medical grade technology in virtually every environment – not just hospitals,” states Joseph Carabello, CEO of Unotron. “In light of MRSA’s growing resistance to antibiotics, it’s imperative that everyone wash their hands and regularly disinfect frequently touched environmental surfaces to control and prevent disease -- particularly computer keyboards and mice.”

The study, which was presented at the 47th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America in Philadelphia, revealed that 50 percent of patients who contracted the USA600 strain died within 30 days compared to only 11 percent of patients infected with different types of MRSA strain. The USA600 strain has distinctive qualities that could be linked to increased mortality rates.

Unotron’s washable technology is a sanitary, cost-effective solution for creating a safer, germ-free community environment.

“Because bleach remains the only reliable substance that effectively kills these lethal invaders, Unotron’s computer keyboards and mice represent 'must have' technology,” continues Carabello. “Unotron products can be disinfected with a bleach solution without corroding the technology or compromising usability.”

Unotron’s SpillSeal® technology can be immersed in commercial grade detergents or antibacterial solutions and rinsed under tap water, without damaging the product or impairing functionality. Solid matter and fluids remain on the outside of the Unotron keyboard and are easily flushed off, ensuring that the keyboard is sanitized.

Several separate studies to confirm disinfection procedures of Unotron’s patented SpillSeal® washable computer keyboards were conducted at Direct Laboratories, Wolverhampton, England; LibertyHealth Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center, Secaucus, N.J.; and Graham Regional Medical Center, Graham, Texas. All sites reported that a kill rate of 100 percent can be achieved using disinfectant spray products. Additionally, Pathologists Associated tested and proved Unotron’s technology at Ball State University’s Center for Information and Communication Sciences, stating that Unotron keyboards treated with the multidrug-resistant bacterium methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and then disinfected with a ten-percent bleach solution, showed no growth of MRSA culture after sixty minutes.

“Hospitals, schools, and businesses need to respond quickly to this frightening development, evaluate their level of prevention, and replace old technology with germ-resistant technology to help mitigate the spread of germs,” concludes Carabello.