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Bhattacharya K, Bhattacharya N, Bhattacharya AS, Yagnik VD, Garg P. Anal Selfie—a New Armamentarium for Colorectal Patients. Indian J Surg 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12262-023-03912-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
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Maurici M, Pica F, D'Alò GL, Cicciarella Modica D, Distefano A, Gorjao M, Simonelli MS, Serafinelli L, De Filippis P. Bacterial Contamination of Healthcare Students' Mobile Phones: Impact of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), Users' Demographics and Device Characteristics on Bacterial Load. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1349. [PMID: 37374131 DOI: 10.3390/life13061349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Maurici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Pica
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Loreto D'Alò
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- District 6, Local Health Authority Roma 2, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Distefano
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Margarida Gorjao
- School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Sofia Simonelli
- School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Livio Serafinelli
- School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia De Filippis
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Gómez-Gonzales W, Alvarado-Garcia A, Suárez-Mamani M, Dámaso-Mata B, Panduro-Correa V, Maguiña JL, Pecho-Silva S, Rabaan AA, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Arteaga-Livias K. Contamination by Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria on Cell Phones of Vendors in a Peruvian Market. Medicina (B Aires) 2023; 59:medicina59040669. [PMID: 37109628 PMCID: PMC10141064 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives. Multiple studies have evaluated the presence of bacterial contamination on cell phones in clinical settings; however, the presence and transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on cell phones in the community have not been adequately elucidated. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the presence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics on the cell phones of vendors in a Peruvian market and the associated factors. A sample of 127 vendors was obtained through stratified probabilistic sampling using a data collection form validated by experts. Cell phone samples were cultured using a standard technique, and antibiotic sensitivity was determined using the Kirby–Bauer technique. Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine factors associated with resistance in cell phone cultures. Results. Among the cell phones, 92.1% showed bacterial growth, predominantly Gram-positive bacteria (coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus), and 17% of the cultures showed resistance to at least three antibiotics evaluated. Two strains fell into the category of methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and three strains of E. coli had resistance to carbapenems. Conclusions. A short distance between customers and vendors, lack of a cell phone case, and having a cell phone with touchscreen are factors associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria on cell phones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gómez-Gonzales
- Escuela de Medicina-Filial Ica, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Ica 11001, Peru;
| | - Anthony Alvarado-Garcia
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco 10003, Peru; (A.A.-G.); (M.S.-M.); (B.D.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
| | - Marytté Suárez-Mamani
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco 10003, Peru; (A.A.-G.); (M.S.-M.); (B.D.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
| | - Bernardo Dámaso-Mata
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco 10003, Peru; (A.A.-G.); (M.S.-M.); (B.D.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
| | - Vicky Panduro-Correa
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco 10003, Peru; (A.A.-G.); (M.S.-M.); (B.D.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
- Hospital Regional Hermilio Valdizan, Huánuco 15011, Peru
| | - Jorge L. Maguiña
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima 15067, Peru; (J.L.M.); (A.J.R.-M.)
| | | | - Ali A. Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia;
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima 15067, Peru; (J.L.M.); (A.J.R.-M.)
- Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas-Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Pereira 660003, Colombia
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Kovy Arteaga-Livias
- Escuela de Medicina-Filial Ica, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Ica 11001, Peru;
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco 10003, Peru; (A.A.-G.); (M.S.-M.); (B.D.-M.); (V.P.-C.)
- Hospital II EsSalud, Huánuco 10001, Peru
- Correspondence:
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Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated from Mobile Phones. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030669. [PMID: 35336244 PMCID: PMC8950573 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread use of mobile phones (MP) among healthcare personnel might be considered as an important source of contamination. One of the most pathogenic bacteria to humans is Staphylococcus aureus, which can be transmitted through the constant use of MP. Nevertheless, which specific type of strains are transmitted and which are their sources have not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study is to determine the source of contamination of MP and characterize the corresponding genotypic and phenotypic properties of the strains found. Nose, pharynx, and MP samples were taken from a group of health science students. We were able to determinate the clonality of the isolated strains by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and spa gene typing (spa-type). Adhesin and toxin genes were detected, and the capacity of biofilm formation was determined. Several of the MP exhibited strains of S. aureus present in the nose and/or pharynx of their owners. methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA), and community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) strains were found, which indicated a variety of genotypes. This study concludes that MP can be contaminated with the strains of S. aureus present in the nose and/or pharynx of the owners; these strains can be of different types and there is no dominant genotype.
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Hessling M, Haag R, Sicks B. Review of microbial touchscreen contamination for the determination of reasonable ultraviolet disinfection doses. GMS HYGIENE AND INFECTION CONTROL 2021; 16:Doc30. [PMID: 34956822 PMCID: PMC8662742 DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background: Touchscreens are usually microbially contaminated and can therefore act as fomites inside and outside healthcare environments. Due to the increasing use of such touchscreens and the growing awareness of infection risks, approaches that allow safe and automatic disinfection are desired. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, with its known antimicrobial efficacy, could achieve this goal, but should be executed with limited touchscreen degradation, disinfection duration, and energy consumption. It should also pose as little harm as possible to humans even in case of failure. Materials and methods: A literature search was performed first to identify the microorganisms most commonly found on touchscreens. Then, the 90% reduction doses (D90 doses) for the different relevant microorganisms and UV spectral ranges were determined from the literature, and irradiation doses are suggested that should reduce most of these important microorganisms by 5 log-levels. Results: The most frequent microorganisms are staphylococci, bacilli, micrococci, enterococci, pseudomonads and E. coli with small differences between hospital and community environments, if antibiotic resistance properties are ignored. The determined irradiation doses for a 5 log-reduction of the most frequent microorganisms are about 40 mJ/cm2, 80 J/cm2, 500 J/cm2 and 50 mJ/cm2 for the UV spectral ranges UVC, UVB, UVA and far-UVC, respectively. These doses are also sufficient to inactivate all nosocomial ESKAPE pathogens on touchscreens by at least 99.999%. Conclusion: Disinfection is achievable in all UV spectral ranges, with UVC being the most effective, enabling automatic disinfection within a minute or less. The much higher doses required in the UVB and UVA spectral range result in much longer disinfection durations, with the advantage of a reduced risk to humans. For all kinds of UV irradiation, the doses should be limited to reasonable values to avoid irradiating an already more or less sterile surface and to prevent degradation of touchscreen devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hessling
- Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Medical Engineering and Mechatronics, Ulm, Germany
| | - Robin Haag
- Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Medical Engineering and Mechatronics, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ben Sicks
- Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Medical Engineering and Mechatronics, Ulm, Germany
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Melzer E, Regev-Yochay G. Mobile phones and respiratory viral infections. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:1629-1630. [PMID: 34536270 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Melzer
- Infection Control & Prevention Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Israel.,Internal Medicine C, Sheba Medical Center, Israel.,Sackler school of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gili Regev-Yochay
- Infection Control & Prevention Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Israel.,Sackler school of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Olsen M, Lohning A, Campos M, Jones P, McKirdy S, Alghafri R, Tajouri L. Mobile phones of paediatric hospital staff are never cleaned and commonly used in toilets with implications for healthcare nosocomial diseases. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12999. [PMID: 34155278 PMCID: PMC8217495 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92360-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An ever-increasing number of medical staff use mobile phones as a work aid, yet this may pose nosocomial diseases. To assess and report via a survey the handling practices and the use of phones by paediatric wards healthcare workers. 165 paediatric healthcare workers and staff filled in a questionnaire consisting of 14 questions (including categorical, ordinal and numerical data). Analysis of categorical data used non-parametric techniques such as the Chi-squared test. Although 98% of respondents (165 in total) report that their phones may be contaminated, 56% have never cleaned their devices. Of the respondents that clean their devices, 10% (17/165) had done so with alcohol swabs or disinfectant within that day or week; and an additional 12% respondents (20/165) within that month. Of concern, 52% (86/165) of the respondents use their phones in the bathroom, emphasising the unhygienic environments in which mobile phones/smartphones are constantly used. Disinfecting phones is a practice that only a minority of healthcare workers undertake appropriately. Mobile phones, present in billions globally, are therefore Trojan Horses if contaminated with microbes and potentially contributing to the spread and propagation of micro-organisms as per the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Olsen
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia
| | - Anna Lohning
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia
| | - Mariana Campos
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter Jones
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia
| | - Simon McKirdy
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Rashed Alghafri
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia
- Dubai Police Scientists Council, Dubai Police, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Dubai Future Council on Community Security, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lotti Tajouri
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia.
- Dubai Police Scientists Council, Dubai Police, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.
- Dubai Future Council on Community Security, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- Genomics and Molecular Biology, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4229, Australia.
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Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial pathogens isolated from healthcare workers' cellphones. Infect Dis Now 2021; 51:596-602. [PMID: 34091094 DOI: 10.1016/j.idnow.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate bacterial isolates, antibiotic susceptibility, and disease transmission risk in healthcare workers using cellphones. METHODS A total of 70 cellphones were received from the hospital staff. Samples were collected from the phones with a sterile cotton swab moistened with physiological saline solution. Samples were inoculated in a bacteriological culture medium and incubated at 37.5°C for 24-48hours. Identification of microorganisms was performed by traditional methods and VITEK 2 device. Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to determine antibiotic susceptibility. RESULTS A total of 26 species and 170 microorganisms were isolated from 66 cellphones from which bacterial growths were obtained: coagulase-negative staphylococci (n=63, 37%) (most commonly Staphylococcus epidermidis: 25/63), Micrococcus luteus (n=25, 14.7%), Tetracoccus (n=24, 14.1%), Kocuria spp. (n=24, 14.1%), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (n=7, 4.1%), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (n=5, 3.0%), S. aureus (n=4, 2.3%), Enterococcus spp. (n=5, 2.9%), Acinetobacter spp. (n=7, 4.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=2, 1.2%), Actinomyces spp. (n=1, 0.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=1, 0.6%), Morganella morganii (n=1, 0.6%), and Alcaligenes faecalis (n=1, 0.6%). Gram-positive isolates were all susceptible to the antibiotics used, whereas Gram-negative isolates were all resistant to ceftazidime. CONCLUSION Hands and/or cellphones of healthcare staff can be contaminated with various types of microorganisms. We recommend proper hand washing and disinfection to prevent bacterial pathogens spread within the hospital.
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Araya S, Desta K, Woldeamanuel Y. Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria on Healthcare Workers' Mobile Phones: Evidence from Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2021; 14:283-291. [PMID: 33531847 PMCID: PMC7847411 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s291876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mobile phones are widely used in hospital settings for different purposes. Mobile phones of healthcare workers (HCWs) could be colonized or harbor extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing gram-negative bacteria and may act as source of infectious agents. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria on mobile phones of healthcare workers, to assess their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and associated factors. Methods A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving a total of 572 samples by rubbing swabs of the front screen, back, keypad, and metallic surfaces of mobile phones of healthcare workers using simple random sampling technique. All specimens were screened for ESBL using ESBL CHROME agar and confirmed using double-disk diffusion test (DDDT). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique on Mueller–Hinton agar. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, odds ratio and p-value was calculated to determine the association among variables. Results Overall, the number of mobile phones contaminated by gram-negative bacteria was 454 out of 572 (79.4%). Female sex (OR 0.651, p-value=0.039) and service year (OR 0.468, p-value=0.038) of healthcare workers were found to be the most significant factors associated with healthcare professionals’ mobile phone and bacterial contamination. Nine percent of the isolates were ESBL-producers. K. pneumoniae (27%) was the dominant ESBL-producing isolate followed by Acinetobacter spp. (14.5%) and E.coli (14.5%). ESBL-producers were highly resistant to ampicillin (95.8%), piperacillin (83.3%), cotrimoxazole (70.8%), and chloramphenicol (54.2%), but highly sensitive to meropenem (87.5%), amikacin (85.4%), and piperacillin-tazobactam (81.2%). Conclusion ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from 8.3% of HCWs’ mobile phones. As high as 79.4% of the isolates were multidrug resistant. Mobile phones can lead to bacterial cross-contamination and could be a source of nosocomial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shambel Araya
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Kassu Desta
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yimtubezinash Woldeamanuel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Microbial contamination of the surface of mobile phones and implications for the containment of the Covid-19 pandemic. Travel Med Infect Dis 2020; 37:101870. [PMID: 32889104 PMCID: PMC7462751 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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