Microbiological flora of cell phones: a reservoir of potential pathogens?
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Research and Review - Year 2017, Vol 5, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: Hospital associated infections are a major problem in all hospital settings. The heavy use of cell phones which come in close contact with the body surfaces could act as a fomite for microorganisms and it can transmit pathogenic as well as non pathogenic microorganisms. Objective: To determine the rate of bacterial contamination of cell phones of hospital staff and to study their antibiogram. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Sterile swabs were collected from cell phone surfaces of healthcare workers (HCW). The samples were processed as per standard microbiological techniques and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done. Results: Out of the 100 cell phones studied, 60(60%) showed bacterial growth. 28(56%) were from doctors and 32(64%) from the paramedical staff. Staphylococcus aureus with 37(55.23%) isolates was predominant followed by CONS 12(17.93%), Pseudomonas sp. 7(10.44%), E. coli 4(5.97%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae 3(4.47%), 2(2.98%) Acinetobacter sp and Bacillus sp. 36 of HCW had cleaned their cell phones out of which 16 (44.44%) showed bacterial growth whereas 64 cell phones had never been cleaned, out of which 44 (68.75%) showed bacterial growth. Among the Gram positive isolates, Linezolid and Vancomycin were the most effective antibiotics and Imipenem and Piperacillin-Tazobactam were most effective against Gram negative isolates. Conclusion: HCW are exposed to pathogenic microorganisms which can be easily transferred to their cell phones thus acting as a source of infection to others. Cleaning of cellphones with alcohol based disinfectants and frequent hand washing should be encouraged.
Authors and Affiliations
Kanishtha Sharma, Dipender Kaur Najotra, Poonam Slathia, Shivani Raina
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP270664
- DOI 10.17511/ijmrr. 2017.i02.16.
- Views 115
- Downloads 0
Distribution of serum creatinine, calcium and protein levels in multiple myeloma patients - a hospital based study at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam
Introduction: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell neoplasm characterized by the proliferation of plasma cells, monoclonal protein, Osteolytic bone lesions, renal disease and immunodeficiency. It accounts for 15...
Effect of exposure of cotton dust on pulmonary function tests in female workers of spinning mill at Malegaon, Maharashtra
Background: Textile industry is the only industry to have employed women workers since long time. There are many respiratory problems develop in the women workers. Aims and Objective: The aim of this study was to assess...
A study of the pain score following TRUS guided prostate biopsy with and without periprostatic lignocaine infiltration
Introduction: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in Western countries and is now increasing worldwide. Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy (TRUS) is the standard procedure to diagnose or e...
Role of trans rectal and scrotal ultra sonography in male infertility
Introduction: Investigation of male infertility is assuming greater importance with male factors implicated as the cause in up to half of the infertile couples. This prospective cross-sectional study aims to establish th...
Clinico-Microbiological profile in dacryocystitis: a prospective observational study
Introduction: Dacryocystitis is the inflammatory condition of the lacrimal sacwhich occur in acute and chronic form. Chronic dacryocystitis is commonly encountered, accounting for 87.1% of Epiphorawhich causes social emb...