Dangerous passengers: Multidrug-resistant bacteria on hands and mobile phones.

P. MARTINA; M. MARTINEZ; C. CENTENO; M. VON SPECH; J. FERRERAS

Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene

Pacini Editore Srl, Via Gherardesca 1, 56121 Pisa, Italy

Lugar: Genoa; Año: 2019

2421-4248

Introduction: It is recognized that mobile phones mayplay a role in microorganism transmission and that hand hygiene, is consideredthe most important action for preventing infections and the spread ofpathogens. The objective of this study was to determine presence andcirculation bacteria on hands and mobile phones capable of causing infectionsin people and also determine if disinfection with gel-alcohol is useful toreduce the bacterial colonization.Methods: The bacterial evaluation included 596 hands ofparticipants and 256 mobile phones. Isolated colonies were identified bybiochemical test and confirmed by gene 16S rRNA sequencing. Minimal inhibitory concentration was performed using the automated instrument Vitek®2-Compact and diffusionmethod.Results: In total, 92.9% of mobile phones and 98.3% ofparticipants in study demonstrated evidence of bacterial contamination withdifferent types of bacteria. Surprisingly, we observed that 18.6% plaquesinoculated with disinfected fingers showed bacterial growth. In general, Gramnegative isolates showed resistance to a higher number of antibiotics testedthan Gram positive isolates.Conclusions: Our results could help to raise awareness in oursociety about the importance of hand hygiene, as well as frequently useddevices, reducing bacterial contamination and limiting the possibility oftransmission of resistant multi-drug bacteria.