Detection of potentially pathogenic bacteria on cell phones of hospital and university-based populations in Curitiba, southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cell phones have become indispensable for professional activities, including healthcare. Thus, they are possible sources of bacterial contamination. There is a scarcity of data in the literature regarding identification of risk factors for contamination of cell phones with pathogenic bacteria. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence rates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and/or Enterobacteriaceae on cell phones belonging to hospital healthcare staff and university students in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, and to identify variables associated with such contamination. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in a public university's referral hospital and lecture buildings in 2017. METHODS: We sampled the surface of cell phones using the dipslide method, with Baird-Parker agar and Escherichia coli-coliform chromogenic (ECC) agar. We assessed the population's sociodemographic, behavioral and hygiene characteristics through interviews. Possible presence of S. aureus colonies was confirmed using agglutination tests, with evaluation of methicillin sensitivity. Colonies in ECC medium were counted. Stepwise logistic regression (forward P < 0.15) was performed to identify characteristics associated with bacterial contamination. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of S. aureus, MRSA and Enterobacteriaceae were, respectively, 32%, 4% and 3%. No difference was found between the hospital and university-based populations (P > 0.05). The only variable associated with bacterial contamination was the use of cloth/velvet/leather phone cases (odds ratio: 2.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.08-7.91). CONCLUSIONS: Potentially pathogenic bacteria were prevalent on the cell phones of this hospital and university population. Use of phone cases made of cloth-like material should be discouraged, especially in hospital settings.

Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria on the Mobile Phones and Computer Keyboards of Healthcare University Students in Ghana

“…In contrast to this study finding, a higher mobile phone bacterial contamination rate of 92%-100% has been documented in Slovakia, Turkey, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and Ghana, respectively [12,[24][25][26][27]. However, lower mobile phone bacterial contamination rates of 29%, 33%, 34%, 40.6%, 58.3%, and 62% have been reported in Jordan, Brazil, Iran, India, Libya, and Nigeria [9,[28][29][30][31][32]. Contrary to this study finding that the computer keyboard bacterial contamination rate was 43%, higher contamination rates of 76% and 99% have been reported in Iran and India, respectively [33,34].…”

Metagenomic Sequencing and Reverse Transcriptase PCR Reveal That Mobile Phones and Environmental Surfaces Are Reservoirs of Multidrug-Resistant Superbugs and SARS-CoV-2

“…The use of the BHI, which supports growth of a wide variety of organisms, including fastidious ones in our culture-based assay was crucial to ensure detection of low biomass of microbial contaminants, which might occur due to the prevailing circumstances. Despite the adoption of this approach, our findings remained in keeping with reported literature studies (Selim and Abaza, 2015;Amanah et al, 2019;Jansen et al, 2019;Khashei et al, 2019;D'Alo et al, 2020;Hikmah and Anuar, 2020). As Staphylococcus spp.…”

“…Indeed, mobile phones have been identified as “Trojan horses” in propagating pathogens, including viruses especially during outbreaks and pandemics ( Pillet et al., 2016 ; Amanah et al., 2019 ; Olsen et al., 2020 ). Previous studies on mobile phone contamination have used conventional culture-based methods and reported a preponderance of Gram-positive bacteria in particular staphylococcal species ( Selim and Abaza, 2015 ; Jansen et al., 2019 ; Khashei et al., 2019 ; Hikmah and Anuar, 2020 ; Olsen et al., 2020 ; Qureshi et al., 2020 ). However, findings from a recent study using a 16s rRNA sequencing approach and shotgun metagenomics indicates that mobile phones of HCWs are contaminated with a higher diversity of bacteria than previously reported ( Simmonds et al., 2020 ; Olsen et al., 2021b ; Tajouri et al., 2021 ) with greater abundance of Gram-negative organisms ( Simmonds et al., 2020 ; Tajouri et al., 2021 ).…”

Prevalência De Hepatites Virais Em Municípios Da Amazônia Legal

“…A associação destes fatores juntamente a condições ideais de crescimento bacteriano e fúngico, que consistem em manutenção de temperatura e baixa luminosidade pelo armazenamento destes aparelhos em bolsos de roupa, em maletas ou bolsas, promove a disseminação microbiológica (BHOONDEROWA; GOOKOOL; BIRANJIA-HURDOYAL, ELMANAMA et al, 2015;KISTER et al, 2016). Indica-se também como um fator relevante para a propagação de micro-organismos a ausência de instruções adequadas em relação a higienização e desinfecção dos aparelhos celulares (ARAÚJO et al, 2017;JANSEN et al, 2019).…”

“…Conforme dados da Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL), o Brasil contabilizou emjunho de 2019 um total de 228,39 milhões de linhas móveis em operação(BRASIL, 2019).Esses números indicam que telefones celulares tornaram-se um acessório essencial da vida profissional e social. Porém, em decorrência dos inúmeros benefícios proporcionados pelos aparelhos celulares, os malefícios são em sua maioria ignorados(SELIM;ABAZA, 2015;ARAÚJO et al, 2017;JANSEN et al, 2019).…”