jsmc-10084

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH MOBILE PHONES IN SULAIMANI CITY

Bayan Taha Majid *, Narmeen Nasra AL-Deen Fathi * and Sherko A Omer *

* Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sulaimani.

Submitted: 3/6/2015; Accepted: 5/10/2015; Published: 1/6/2016

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.17656/jsmc.10084 

ABSTRACT

Background 

Mobile phones are one of common inanimate objects that come in contact with human hands and hence host several types of bacteria.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify the types of bacteria present on the surfaces of mobile phones in a sample of people from Sulaimani city.

Materials and Methods

This is a cross sectional study on bacterial isolation from mobile phones surfaces. After collecting data concerning the phones and their users, swab samples were obtained from phone surfaces and immediately streaked on bacteriological media. Isolated microorganisms were identified based on culture and colony characteristics, biochemical activity and Vitek® 2 identification system.

Results

Out of 400 mobile phone samples, 272 (68%) swabs showed growth of one or more microorganisms. A total of 322 microorganisms were identified, the most common isolated bacteria was Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) species followed by Bacillus and Micrococcus species. Few pathogenic bacteria such

as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogens, Staphylococcus aureus and enteric microorganisms were also isolated.

Conclusion

Mobile phones are one of the frequently used gadgets that are contaminated by many types of bacteria from human contact. The types of the bacteria on their surface reflect those on human hand which can vary according to the hand hygiene.

KEYWORDS

Mobile phones surface bacteria, Contamination of mobile phones, Sulaimani city.

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