Bacterial Contamination Associated with Mobile Phones

Students at Knowledge University as a Case Study

Authors

  • Nyan J. Mohammed Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Science, Knowledge University Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59480/phahs.v1i1.3

Keywords:

Becteria, Contamination, Knowledge University, Mobile phones, Pathogens

Abstract

Bacterial cells adhere to mobile phone surfaces and could form organized colonies. Once the bacteria move to the mobile phone they can live well because these surfaces are hard to clean. This research, included isolation of pathogenic bacteria from mobile phones of Knowledge University students. A total of 100 mobile phones of Knowledge university staff and students were selected for this study. The single sterile swab stick was moistened with sterile normal saline solution and moved over the surfaces of mobile phones. The swab sticks were immediately transported to the laboratory. All swabs were cultured in (Nutrient agar), Then incubated for 24 hours. The obtained bacterial colonies were subjected to Gram stain, and colonial characteristics for their identification. Biochemical Examination for selected colonies has been done. From a total 100 mobile phone swabs. A total of 138 bacterial isolates were recognized as: 47 bacterial colonies of Staphylococcus aureus, 33 bacterial colonies of Staphylococcus epidermidis, 23 bacterial colonies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 19 bacterial colonies of Escherichia coli, 7 bacterial colonies of Streptococcus spp., 6 bacterial colonies of Bacillus subtilis, 2 bacterial colonies of Neisseria and 1 bacterial colonies of Enterobacter aerogene. The study revealed that bacteria can survive on mobile phones of students and the contaminated mobile phones are able to transport microbes that may be able to produce disease. There is a need for preventive care to reduce the impact of contaminated mobile phones on the spread of microbes and control measures should be applicable for this reason.

References

Brady RR, Verran J, Damani NN and Gibb AP. Review of mobile communication devices as potential reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens. Journal of Hospital Infection. 2009;71:295-300.

Beveridge TJ, Martin SA, Kadurugamuwa JL and Li Z. Interactions between biofilms and the environment. FEMS Microbiology Reviews. 1997;20(3-4):291-303.

Ulger F, Esen S, Dilek A, Yanik K, Gunaydin M and Leblebicioglu H. Are we aware how contaminated our mobile phones with nosocomial pathogens? Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials. 2009;8(1):7.

Ulger F, Dilek A, Esen S, Sunbul M. and Leblebicioglu H. Are healthcare workers’ phones a potential source of nosocomial infections? Review of the literature. Journal of Infection in Developing Countries. 2015;9(10):1046-1053.

Ishii S, Sadowsky MJ. Escherichia coli in the Environment: Implications for Water Quality and Human Health. Microbes and Environments. 2008;23(2):101–8.

Weiner LM, Webb AK, Limbago B. Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens associated with healthcare-associated infections: summary of data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011–2014. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. 2016;37:1288-1301.

Patterson MJ, Baron S, et al. Streptococcus. In:Baron's Medical Microbiology (4th ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. ISBN 978-0-9631172-1-2. 1996. (via NCBI Bookshelf)

Moore ML. Flaws Epidemiology and pathogenesis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Clinical Laboratory Science Journal. 2011;24(1):6-4.

Ghurabi1 BH, Ghaib NH, Abbas AA, Al-Musawi BK, Hassain N S and AlGhurabi ZH. Evaluation of Microbial Contamination of Mobile Phone among Dentists in College of Dentistry in Baghdad University. International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences. 2017;6(11):98-101.

Bodena D, Teklemariam Z, Balakrishnan S and Tesfa T. Bacterial contamination of mobile phones of health professionals in Eastern Ethiopia: antimicrobial susceptibility and associated factors. Tropical Medicine and Health. 2019;47: 15.

Martínez-Gonzáles NE, Solorzano-Ibarra F, Cabrera- Díaz E, Gutiérrez –González P, Martínez-Chávez L, Pérez-Montaño JA and MartínezCárdenasa C. Microbial contamination on cell phones used by undergraduate students. Canadian Journal of Infection Control. 2017;32(4):211-216.

Anuradha SN, Arunkumar S, Tan chan W, heng Joyce WS and Goh yi W. Identification of Bacterial Contamination and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Solution on Mobile Phones. Journal of pharmaceutical microbiology. Jo. 2018;4(1):5l.

Brady RR, McDermott C, Fraise AP, Verran J and Gibb AP. Healthcare workers' mobile phones are rarely contaminated by MRSA in the non-clinical environment.Journal of Hospital Infection. 2009;72:373-374.

Nwankwo EO, Ekwunife N, Mofolorunsho KC. Nosocomial pathogens associated with the mobile phones of healthcare workers in a hospital in Anyigba, Kogi state, Nigeria. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health. 2014;4(2):135-140.

Robinson T, Cronin T, Ibrahim H, Jinks M, Molitor T, Newman J., et al. Smartphone use and acceptability among clinical medical students: A questionnaire-based study. Journal of Medical Systems. 2013;37:9936.

Bailey PT and Microbiology SD, 13th Edition. London: Elsevier Health Sciences. 2013

Gunasekara TD, Kudavidanage BP, Peelawattage MK, Meedin F, Guruge LD, Nanayakkara G and Fernando SS. Bacterial Contamination of Anesthetists Hands, Personal Mobile Phone And Wrist Watches Used During Theatre Sessions. Sri. Lankan Journal of Anesthesiology. 2009;17(1):11-15.

Thamar KB. Bacterial contamination of Hospital and Its Aggressive Behaviors. Journal of Medical Science. 2009;9(2):62-65.

Lusanya OA, Adesanya OO, Adesomowo A and Amushan NA. Personal hygiene and microbial contamination of mobile phones of food vendors in Ago-Iwoye Town, Ogun State, Nigeria. Pak. Journal of Nutrition. 2012;11:276–278.

Bhat SS, Hegde SK and Salian S. Potential of Mobile Phones to Serve as a Reservoir in Spread of Nosocomial Pathogens. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2011;10:1–3.

Elmanama A, Hassona I, Marouf A, Alshaer G and Abu Ghanima. Microbial Load of Touch Screen Mobile Phones Used by University Students and Healthcare Staff. Journal of the Arab American University. 2014;1(1).

Viveka VA. Isolation and Identification of Common Bacterial Contaminants in Mobile Phones Owned by Veterinary Undergraduate Students. Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing .An International Peer-reviewed Journal. 2017;35.

Soto RG, Chu LG, Goldman JM, Rampil IJ and Ruskin KJ. Communication in critical care environments, Mobile telephones improve patient cares. Anaesth. Analgesia, 2006;102(2):535–541.

Olmes JW and Williams MD. Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus screening and eradication in the surgical intensive care unit: Is it worth it? The American Journal of Surgery. 2010;200:827-831.

Jay MJ. Modern Food Microbiology. 2000. 6th ed. Berkhire: Van Nostrand Reinhold Pub. Co.

Al-Ghurabi BH, Ghaib NH, Abbas AA, Al-Musawi BK, Hassain, NS and AlGhurabi ZH. Evaluation of Microbial Contamination of Mobile Phone among Dentists in College of Dentistry in Baghdad University. International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences. 2017;6(11):98-101.

Published

2022-06-30

How to Cite

Mohammed, N. J. (2022). Bacterial Contamination Associated with Mobile Phones: Students at Knowledge University as a Case Study. Pharmacy and Applied Health Sciences, 1(1), 43–47. https://doi.org/10.59480/phahs.v1i1.3

Issue

Section

Research Article