STUDY ON MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF MOBILE PHONES AND THEIR ROLE IN NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL OF SOUTH INDIA

Upasana Bhumbla; Safaa Muneer Ahmad; Dinesh Raj Mathur; Lubna Bandey; Gyaneshwari Mathur

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9s3.14603

Authors

Upasana Bhumbla Senior Resident, Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh
Safaa Muneer Ahmad Post Graduate, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad
Dinesh Raj Mathur Professor and Dean, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad
Lubna Bandey Post Graduate, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.
Gyaneshwari Mathur Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9s3.14603

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Mobile phones have become an essential accessory of our life in todays' world.. The study revealed the potential role of mobile phones
in nosocomial infections.
Objectives: To screen the mobile phones of health-care personnel for microbial contamination in hospital.
Methods: A total of 100 swabs were collected from mobile phones of 40 resident doctors and 10 health-care personnel before and after use of
disinfectant. Samples were processed, and identification was done as per standard laboratory procedures.
Results: Results revealed 92% bacterial contamination with monomicrobial or polymicrobial growth. Coagulase negative Staphylococci (29.59%)
was the most predominant organism followed by Diphtheroids (22.44%). Other bacteria which were isolated Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococci,
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Citrobacter spp. fungal growth included Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.
On the other hand, after using disinfectant, the contamination rate was reduced.
Conclusion: Mobile phones act as a carrier for transmission of both community acquired as well as hospital acquired infections. However, with the
proper use of disinfectants, and proper hand hygiene practices it can be reduced.
Keywords: CONS(Coagulase-negative Staphylococci), S.aureus (Staphylococcus aureus), K.pneumoniae(Klebsiella pneumoniae).

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Author Biographies

Upasana Bhumbla, Senior Resident, Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh

Senior Resident , Dept. Of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences

Safaa Muneer Ahmad, Post Graduate, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad

Post Graduate, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad

Dinesh Raj Mathur, Professor and Dean, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad

Professor and Dean, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad

Lubna Bandey, Post Graduate, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.

Post Graduate, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.

Gyaneshwari Mathur, Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.

Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.

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