SteriShoe Science & Research

Shoe Care Innovations has completed first in vitro study

The Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association published a study proving that the SteriShoe UV shoe sanitizer was “effective in reducing the fungal burden in shoes.” And that, “these findings have implications regarding breaking foot infection cycles.”

 

Shoe Care Innovations commissioned independent testing

Shoe Care Innovations, Inc. commissioned the independent SGS U.S. Testing Company Inc. to clinically verify the effectiveness of the SteriShoe UV shoe sanitizer against microbes that cause fungal foot infections and offensive shoe odor. The testing data is shown in the following table:
 
Organism Surface UV Distance (cm) Exposure Time
Initial 5 min 10 min 15 min 30 min 45 min
S. aureus L 5.0 1.1*10^3 1.1*10^3 6.0*10^2 <10^2 —-
Control N/A 1.7*10^6 —- —- —- 1.8*10^6 —-
K. pneumonia L 5.0 —- —- 6.1*10^3 <10^2 —-
Control N/A 8.8*10^6 —- —- —- 7.7*10^6 —-
A. niger L 5.0 —- —- 2.5*10^2 2.5*10^2 <10^2
Control N/A 2.5*10^5 —- —- 1.2*10^5 1.3*10^6 1.0*10^5
T. menta L 5.0 —- —- 2.0*10^3 <10^2 <10^2
Control N/A 2.3*10^6 —- —- 4.1*10^6 3.3*10^6 3.4*10^6
E. floccosum L 5.0 —- —- 1.5*10^3 <10^2 <10^2
Control N/A 2.2*10^6 —- —- 2.7*10^6 2.3*10^6 3.5*10^6
T. rubrum L 5.0 —- —- <10^2 <10^2 <10^2
Control N/A 5.1*10^5 —- —- 3.2*10^5 6.2*10^5 6.0*10^5
 
Explanation: Surface L = Leather (Control surface = same as treated); < 10^2 = less than 100, detection limit. Shoe Care Innovations, Inc. has also worked with Dr. Eric Stamps from Samuel Merritt College to broaden the basis of scientific evidence for SteriShoe. Dr. Stamps' preliminary findings are as follows.  Authors: Eric D. Stamps, DPM, Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs at Samuel Merritt College; Christina Garvin, B.A.; and Cindy Peng, B.A.  The application of UVC light via the SteriShoe™ device is fungicidal for Trichophyton rubrum and bacteriocidal for MRSA and the SteriShoe™ UVC light device is an effective instrument for eradicating both T. Rubrum and MRSA within footwear.

Methods

Reconstituted lyophilized Trichophyton rubrum and MRSA isolates were applied to a sock liner within a new shoe. UVC light delivered via the SteriShoe™ was then applied within the shoe for 45 minutes and pre and post irradiation samples of the sock liner were obtained and cultured.

Results

One small colony forming unit (CFU) of Trichophyton rubrum grew out from the post-irradiation culture (compared with colonies too numerous to count in the pre-irradiation sample) and no MRSA grew out of post-irradiation cultures. In addition we are listing some examples of research related to fungal foot infections, their causes and possible treatments and prophylactic measures. The independent research underscores the importance of shoe ware as a source for fungal infections.
Recovery of dermatophytes from shoes and a shower stall Ajello, L. and Getz, M. E.: Recovery of dermatophytes from shoes and a shower stall. J. Invest. Dermat., 22: 17–21, 1954. Reinfection from shoes and socks in tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) Broughton R. Reinfection from socks and shoes in tinea Pedis. Br J Derm. 1955;67:249-54 Killing of foot fungi in shoes using ultraviolet radiation Gemeinhardt H.: Killing of feet fungi in shoes with ultraviolet rays. Z Gesamte Hyg (18(1):9-14, 1972 Jan.) Isolation of dermatophytes from footwear with adhesive tape strips Knudsen, A.: Isolation of dermatophytes from footwear with adhesive tape strips. Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology (1986) 25, 59-61 Zum Nachweis hautpathogener Pilze in der Fussbekleidung (Recovery of pathogenic fungi from footwear) Polemann, G.: Zum Nachweis hautpathogener Pilze in der Fussbekleidung. Dtsch. Med. Wschr., 82 Jg.: 1871-72, 1957.
 
To learn more about the SteriShoe UV shoe sanitizer, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!