One of the more popular innovations for gaming and training has been the advent of the virtual reality (VR) headset and VR systems are relatively commonplace. For those who need to share headsets, what are the hygiene levels and are there any general concerns with sharing these items?
VR headsets come in contact with or close proximity to the user’s eyes, nose, and forehead. Hence, the represent reservoirs for microbial cross-contamination.
According to one study, which set out to assess the potential for these headsets to become contaminated, the risk level depends upon the profile of the previous wearer and the level of cleaning and disinfection that followed.
That such transmission can occur should not be of surprise, for earlier research has established that the average number of microorganisms present on multiple-user computer keyboards is significantly greater than on single-user keyboards. Furthermore, the number of keyboards harbouring potential pathogens was also greater for multiple-user computers.
The research considered the transmission risks from the nosepieces and foreheads of two HTC Vive headsets. The surfaces were sampled over the course of a seven-week period. To assess the bioburden, serial dilutions were performed, and samples were plated on various culture media.
Even under conditions of a relatively brief contact with the fingers or an inanimate surface, a significant number of organisms can be transferred which can be recoverable onto an agar surface.
Once the organisms had grown, counts of bacteria were determined by assessing the 16S rRNA gene sequence. The primary organism recovered was Staphylococcus aureus. It was of public health importance that the strains recovered possessed high levels of antibiotic resistance.
The ecologic niche for S. aureus in humans is in the anterior nares, so recovery is unexpected and between one-quarter to one-third of healthy persons harbour S. aureus in the nose at any time. What is of more interest and significant was the level of S. aureus cells resistant to antimicrobials.
Other types of bacterial isolates included Moraxella osloensis, the bacteria responsible for foul odours in laundry (the acidic or sweaty smell sometimes associated with unwashed clothes) and, Micrococcus luteus, a communalistic bacterial species capable of causing opportunistic infections. Beyond these organisms, other bacterial isolates were detected at variable levels.
While this type of information does not mean that sharing VR headsets is a pathway to disease it does emphasise the importance of maintaining good hygiene and for wiping down shared body contact materials. Perhaps too often people are under the misapprehension that bacteria are only present in dirty locales or areas like hospitals. This can lead to the misleading feeling of security in other places.
Another interesting feature about the research and the organism recovered is related to their ruggedness. S. aureus can survive up to 7 months on dry surfaces and M. osloensis is noted for is tolerance to desiccation and UV exposure.
