ASTM E1874-14

Standard Test Method for Recovery of Microorganisms From Skin using the Cup Scrub Technique

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The procedure can be incorporated into protocols used to evaluate test materials containing antibacterial ingredients that are intended to reduce significantly the number of organisms on intact skin. It also may be used to provide an indication of residual antibacterial activity. Examples of test materials, for which this method is applicable, include hand-washes, surgical scrubs, acne reduction products, and others. For each type of test material, types of resident flora or transient organisms, or a combination thereof, may differ and should be considered (this is, aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, yeast, or mold).  
5.2 The procedure may be used in protocols intended to evaluate and identify resident flora from the skin.  
5.3 Performance of this technique may require the knowledge of regulations pertaining to the protection of human subjects if the protocol involves application of the technique to the skin of human subjects.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is designed to recover microorganisms from the skin of human subjects or human subject surrogates (animal skin, isolated porcine skin, human skin equivalents, and other such surfaces).  
1.2 Knowledge of microbiological techniques is required for these procedures.  
1.3 It is the responsibility of the investigator to determine if Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is required.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2014
• ICS: 71.100.40 - Surface active agents
• Technical Committee: E35 - Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents
• Drafting Committee: E35.15 - Antimicrobial Agents

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1874 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Recovery of Microorganisms From Skin using the Cup
1
Scrub Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1874; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.3 scrub cups, n—sterile cylinders of suitable composi-
tion (that is, glass, ceramic, stainless steel, plastic, etc.) used to
1.1 This test method is designed to recover microorganisms
isolate a sample area of skin (or skin equivalent) and confine a
from the skin of human subjects or human subject surrogates
aliquot of liquid which is used to facilitate the scrubbing of the
(animal skin, isolated porcine skin, human skin equivalents,
skin and removal of microorganisms from the skin surface by
and other such surfaces).
pipetting.
1.2 Knowledge of microbiological techniques is required
3.1.4 transient organisms, n—organisms from the environ-
for these procedures.
ment that contaminate but do not normally colonize skin.
1.3 It is the responsibility of the investigator to determine if
4. Summary of Test Method
Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice
(GCP) is required.
4.1 This test method describes a technique suitable for the
recovery of resident and transient microorganisms from human
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
or animal skin; the technique may be used in situ within
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
clinical protocols or in vitro for studies using isolated skin or
standard.
skin equivalents.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1.1 Resident microorganisms or transient microorganisms
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
(previously applied to a test site), are recovered from the site
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
by pressing a rigid cylinder against the skin with sufficient
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
pressure to form a seal and instilling recovery liquid into the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
cylinder. The surface of the skin is then mechanically
‘scrubbed’ with a glass rod, rubber policeman, or some other
2. Referenced Documents
suitable device for a prescribed period of time. The fluid is
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pipetted from the cylinder into a test tube, or other suitable
E1054 Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Anti-
receptacle, for further analysis.
microbial Agents
5. Significance and Use
3. Terminology
5.1 The procedure can be incorporated into protocols used
to evaluate test materials containing antibacterial ingredients
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
that are intended to reduce significantly the number of organ-
3.1.1 contralateral, adj—on or relating to the opposite side
ismsonintactskin.Italsomaybeusedtoprovideanindication
(of the body).
ofresidualantibacterialactivity.Examplesoftestmaterials,for
3.1.2 resident flora, n—microorganisms that live and mul-
which this method is applicable, include hand-washes, surgical
tiply on skin, forming a permanent population.
scrubs, acne reduction products, and others. For each type of
test material, types of resident flora or transient organisms, or
a combination thereof, may differ and should be considered
1
This tests method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on
(this is, aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, yeast, or mold).
Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents.
5.2 The procedure may be used in protocols intended to
Current edition approved April 1, 2014. Published April 2014. Originally
evaluate and identify resident flora from the skin.
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1875–09. DOI:
10.1520/E1874-14.
5.3 Performance of this technique may require the knowl-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
edge of regulations pertaining to the protection of human
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
subjects if the protocol involves application of the technique to
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the skin of human subjects.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1874 − 14
6. Apparatus 10.1.3 The area to be sampled is delineated by a sterile
sampling cylinder. The cylinder is pressed firmly aga
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1874 − 09 E1874 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Recovery of Microorganisms From Skin using the Cup
1
Scrub Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1874; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method is designed to recover microorganisms from the skin of human subjects or human subject surrogates
(animal skin, isolated porcine skin, human skin equivalents, and other such surfaces).
1.2 Knowledge of microbiological techniques is required for these procedures.
1.3 It is the responsibility of the investigator to determine if Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
is required.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1054 Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Antimicrobial Agents
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 contralateral, adj—on or relating to the opposite side (of the body).
3.1.2 resident flora, n—microorganisms that live and multiply on skin, forming a permanent population.
3.1.3 scrub cups, n—sterile cylinders of suitable composition (that is, glass, ceramic, stainless steel, plastic, etc.) used to isolate
a sample area of skin (or skin equivalent) and confine a aliquot of liquid which is used to facilitate the scrubbing of the skin and
removal of microorganisms from the skin surface by pipetting.
3.1.4 transient organisms, n—organisms from the environment that contaminate but do not normally colonize skin.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method describes a technique suitable for the recovery of resident and transient microorganisms from human or
animal skin; the technique may be used in situ within clinical protocols or in vitro for studies using isolated skin or skin equivalents.
4.1.1 Resident microorganisms or transient microorganisms (previously applied to a test site), are recovered from the site by
pressing a rigid cylinder against the skin with sufficient pressure to form a seal and instilling recovery liquid into the cylinder. The
surface of the skin is then mechanically ‘scrubbed’ with a glass rod, rubber policeman, or some other suitable device for a
prescribed period of time. The fluid is pipetted from the cylinder into a test tube, or other suitable receptacle, for further analysis.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The procedure can be incorporated into protocols used to evaluate test materials containing antibacterial ingredients that are
intended to reduce significantly the number of organisms on intact skin. It also may be used to provide an indication of residual
1
This tests method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009April 1, 2014. Published October 2009April 2014. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 19972009 as
E1874 – 97E1875, which was withdrawn January 2006 and reinstated in October 2009. DOI: 10.1520/E1874-09.–09. DOI: 10.1520/E1874-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1874 − 14
antibacterial activity. Examples of test materials, for which this method is applicable, include hand-washes, surgical scrubs, acne
reduction products, and others. For each type of test material, types of resident flora or transient organisms, or a combination
thereof, may differ and should be considered (this is, aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, yeast, or mold).
5.2 The proced
...