Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Associated with Mobile Phones

Abstract

Mobile phones widely used in our day-to-day lives are potential reservoir for a number of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus. The study was carried out from February to May 2017 with a major objective of screening methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from mobile phones used by the staffs and students of Birendra Multiple Campus, Bharatpur, Nepal. Out of 212 swabbed samples of mobile phones analysed by standard microbiological technique, 112 (56.0%) showed the presence of S. aureus. Gentamicin 101 (90.2%) was the most effective antibiotic whereas cefoxitin 42 (37.5%) was the least effective antibiotic. MRSA 30 (26.8%), Vancomycin Intermediate S. aureus (VISA) 58 (51.8%) and MDR S. aureus 24 (21.4%) were detected. Significant associations were noted between the rate of occurrence of MRSA and MDR S. aureus with various attributes such as the gender of the user, the way of handling the mobile phones and also with the length of use of mobile phones (P-value < 0.01). Our findings indicate the mobile phones can carry potentially threatening species of S. aureus which can cause severe health hazards to humans. Awareness about regular disinfection of mobile phones, hand hygiene, restricting the use of mobile phones in contaminating areas and proper place for storing mobile phones can be suggested.

Microbial Diversity and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Bacteria Associated with Motorcycle Helmets

“…Disinfected helmets showed the lower rate of microbial growth than that of nondisinfected helmets ( p < 0.05). This result was in line with a study done in Nepal which showed the lower rate of microbial growth in disinfected mobiles phones [ 8 ]. Disinfection processes can actively kill the microbes from inanimate surfaces that lead to the reduction of microbial count [ 33 , 34 ].…”

“…The emergence of MRSA, ESBL, and MBL producing bacteria has become a serious concern. This study reported 33.7% of the Staphylococcus aureus as MRSA which was in tune with the previous study done in nonclinical samples [ 8 , 33 , 37 ]. ESBLs are plasmid mediated TEM and SHV-type enzymes capable of hydrolysing penicillins, broad-spectrum cephalosporins, and monobactams [ 38 ].…”

“…The adult human skin can hold about 10 12 cfu/ml bacteria [ 4 ]. The colonization of potentially pathogenic organisms on inanimate objects like mobile phones, stethoscopes, currency notes, and computer keyboards has been reported as a potential vehicle for transmission of pathogenic organisms and important source of infections [ 5 – 8 ]. Some previous studies have revealed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus , Enterobacter aerogenes , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp ., Aspergillus spp.…”

“…Bacteria can be intrinsically resistant or acquire resistance to antibiotics through horizontal gene transfer of resistant genetic mobile elements and alteration in genetic composition [ 14 ]. There are increasing evidences of multidrug-resistant MRSA and ESBL producing bacterial isolates in inanimate objects [ 8 , 15 , 16 ]. In Nepal, there is paucity of information on potential hazards associated with common use of motorcycle helmets by different people.…”

Bacterial Etiology of Wound Exudates in Tertiary Care Cancer Patients and Antibiogram of the Isolates

“…None of the S. aureus isolates were resistant to vancomycin which is consistent with previous works, as most of the studies have shown that drugs like vancomycin and gentamicin have high efficacy but azithromycin, ampicillin, and co-trimoxazole have lower efficacy. [31][32][33] A total of 55.9% of the S. aureus isolates resisted cefoxitin and were Oxacillin-resistant and hence termed as MRSA. Distribution of MRSA in the present study was slightly higher than other studies, as studies by Rolston et al and Bhat et al both recorded a MRSA isolation rate of 40.0%.…”