Mobile Phones: Reservoirs of Resistant Bacteria during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background: Mobile phones are excessively used even though microbes’ ability to survive on phone surfaces was confirmed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, heavy hygiene practices have been applied to mobile surfaces. Therefore, it is interesting to evaluate the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on mobile phone surfaces. Methods: A random sampling technique was utilized on residents in Abu Dhabi, UAE between May and June 2021. A swab sample from each participant’s mobile phone was collected and transported to the microbiology laboratory for bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Furthermore, a cross-sectional study was conducted via a self-administered questionnaire filled by participants. The questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data, phone frequency usage and cleaning methods. Results: One hundred two-sample swabs and data have been included in the study. The majority of participants (91.1%) reported cleaning their mobile phones with wipes and alcohol. However, 100% of participants had a mobile phone contaminated by bacteria such as S. aureus, E. coli, Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Micrococcus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Citrobacter, Proteus, Enterococcus, klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Actinobacteria. Interestingly, most of these potentially pathogenic bacteria were found to be resistant to ampicillin, ceftazidime and cefotaxime. Conclusion: The continuous hand and mobile disinfectant have contributed to the emergence of resistant bacteria.

Bacterial Contamination of Healthcare Students’ Mobile Phones: Impact of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), Users’ Demographics and Device Characteristics on Bacterial Load

“…The present study investigated the bacterial contamination of healthcare students' MPs at the University of Rome Tor Vergata in relation to the user demographics and device characteristics, including the specific absorption rate (SAR). The results of the study confirmed that the MPs used by healthcare students in hospital settings hosted saprophytic and pathogenic bacteria, in agreement with data reported in the literature [2][3][4].…”

“…The estimated number of users in 2021 was 7.1 billion, and this number is projected to be 7.49 billion in 2025; 90% of young Europeans and Asians and 86–94% of individuals under 65 years old own mobile phones [ 1 ]. MPs are largely recognized as fomites, as their surfaces, touched by hands an average of two thousand times a day, are home to viable microorganisms [ 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”