Microbes on the Mobile Phones of Healthcare Workers in Palestine: Identification, Characterization, and Comparison

Radiology Department: A Potential Source of Multidrug-Resistant Microorganisms: A Cross-Sectional Study at Tertiary Hospital, Palestine

Introduction

Globally, healthcare facilities face a great challenge in the form of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Aside from the morbidity and mortality they cause, these illnesses are also extremely costly. Research on infection transmission in the medical field has been considerable, but not so much in the radiology department.

Aim

This study aims to identify the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) microbes on surfaces that are frequently touched in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), plain X-ray examination rooms, and portable radiography that are susceptible to contamination as well as to investigate the potential dangers of contracting MDR organisms to patients and healthcare providers. Materials and Method. In this study, 160 swab samples were collected from the radiology department during May and June 2022. Samples were obtained from 80 predefined surfaces twice within and outside of CT and MRI examination rooms as well as from US and plain X-ray machines and portable X-ray machines. Samples were taken at 7:00 a.m. using cotton swabs following the regular cleaning procedure. Bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) per square centimeter were calculated after swabbing a 100 cm2 surface.

Results

Nearly all of the surfaces tested had bacterial CFUs. The highest contamination rate was found on keyboards ranging from (1.2-8) CFU/cm2, the sides of patient tables (1.2-20) CFU/cm2, knee coil (2.4-3) CFU/cm2, and patient leg supports (1.2-8) CFU/cm2. A noticeable increase in the contamination was noticed in June compared to May, and this was consistent with the increase in the number of isolated patients in the hospital, the workload in the radiology department, and the number of patients referred to the hospital. In our study, none of the examined sites showed contamination with MDR Gram-negative bacteria such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producing Enterobacterales (ESPL) or Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE). On the other hand, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS), vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus (VRS), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) were detected.

Conclusion

All of the radiology department equipment and sites could be a source of bacterial infection including MDR, so the obligatory and committed disinfection protocol must be revised and implemented in the morning and between patients.

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

We quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated the bacterial contamination of mobile phones (MPs) in relation to users' demographics, habits, and device characteristics by administering questionnaires to 83 healthcare university students and sampling their MPs by following a cross-sectional design. The heterotrophic plate count (HPC) at 22 °C (HPC 22 °C) and 37 °C (HPC 37 °C), Enterococci, Gram-negative bacteria, and Staphylococci were evaluated. Higher bacterial loads were detected for HPC 37 °C and Staphylococci (416 and 442 CFU/dm², respectively), followed by HPC 22 °C, Enterococci, and Gram-negative bacteria; the vast majority of samples were positive for HPC 37 °C, HPC 22 °C, and Staphylococci (98%), while Enterococci (66%) and Gram-negative bacteria (17%) were detected less frequently. A statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.262, p < 0.02) was found between the European head specific absorption rate (SAR) and both HPC 37 °C and Staphylococci; Enterococci showed a strong, significant correlation with HPC 37 °C, HPC 22 °C, and Gram-negative bacteria (r = 0.633, 0.684, 0.884) and a moderate significant correlation with Staphylococci (r = 0.390). Significant differences were found between HPC 22 °C and the type of internship attendance, with higher loads for Medicine. Students with a daily internship attendance had higher HPC 22 °C levels than those attending <6 days/week. Our study showed that bacteria can survive on surfaces for long periods, depending on the user's habits and the device's characteristics.

Assessment of microbial contamination of mobile phones among mothers in Raichur city, Karnataka

Studies have reported that multiple contaminated surfaces play an important part in spreading diseases including mobile phones. Cell phones act as a medium by which bacterial pathogens are transmitted- either from phone to phone or from the hand of user to mobile phone; resulting in exchange of microbial flora. This study was carried out to assess the amount of bacterial contamination among mobile phone users who are mothers and handle kids below 6 years of age. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of different microbial species for contamination among mothers with children <6 years of age using different mobile phones in Raichur. A cross sectional study was carried out among 60 mothers in Raichur city of Karnataka. The sterile swab was used to collect samples and transferred to the laboratory for assessment. Among the 60 study subjects, all of them did not know that micro-organisms spread from their body parts to mobile phone. No one was advised by the doctor on ill effects of mobile phone usage during pregnancy and none cleaned their phones regularly with any chemical disinfectant. Half of the microbes identified was Coagulase negative species.