Isolation and identification of bacteria from cell phones of health care workers from central India

Abstract

Introduction: The telecommunications market in India is currently the second-largest in the world. Cell phones have been shown to pose a health threat with tens of thousands of microbes residing on every square inch of the phone. It has been observed that pathogenic bacteria exist on around 40 percent of patient-related cell phones and about 20 percent of hospital staff-related mobile phones. Cell phones are difficult to clean and therefore have the potential for contamination with multiple bacterial agents. Doctors and health care workers (HCW) serving in intensive care units (ICUs) or operating units are widely exposed to deadly micro-organisms. HCWs often become carriers and may act as vectors and spread microorganisms wherever they are taken. Material And Method: A total of 60 HCW cell phones were tested for their bacterial contamination at Datta Meghe University of Medical Sciences. Consent was obtained from all persons whose mobile phones had been included in this study. Swabs were soaked in the tube containing peptone water. The cell phones analyzed were obtained at random from four departments: laboratory, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, surgical unit, and Operation theater T area. The specimen was obtained using a sterile cotton swab moistened with sterile peptone water. After 24 hours of incubation, plates were examined for the growth of microbial colonies. Results: A total of 60 mobile phones were included and samples were collected. This study enrolled the mobile phones of 15 (25%) nurses, 15 (25%) Doctors, 15 (25%) attendent, and 15 (25%) laboratory technicians. All cellphones were touch screens having back cover. Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS) was isolated from 24 (40%) cellphones. Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were isolated from 21 (35%) and 15 (25%) cells respectively. Isolation of Diphtheroids, Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Es-herichia coli, Micrococci, Acinetobacter species and ESBL Klebsiella was 18(30%), 24(40.0%), 22 (36.6%), 7(11.7%), 11(18.3%), 5(8.3%), and 3(5.0%) respectively. Conclusion: Mobile phones can serve as a potential carrier for the nosocomial infection spread. Therefore regular screening of mobile phones, proper sterilization and hand hygiene is recommended for all health care workers.