Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Microorganisms associated with Electronic Devices from Healthcare Professionals in and around Chennai

Abstract

Electronic devices such as mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, electronic tabs, laptops, earphones and biometrics have all become an element in both the personal and professional life of human race. These electronic devices are in intense contact with us every day which might result in contamination of these devices and increase in the microbial load. Nowadays, the devices have become multiple interfaces leading to increase in the bacterial load and also the heat generated by various users make the devices a suitable breeding ground for the pathogenic organisms. The study is aimed at isolating and identifying microorganisms from electronic devices of health care professionals in and around Chennai. The study group was separated into the use of electronic devices like mobile phones, biometrics, laptops and electronic tabs utilized by doctors, nurses, interns and lab technicians. The samples were collected aseptically using sterile cotton swabs and transported to laboratory where isolation and identification of microbes were done using standard microbial testing. Total of 75 samples were collected in which 100% of the total sample were contaminated with heavy load of microorganisms. The species identified from the electronic devices were Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., Protease sp in abundance which is associated with pathogenic infections. Antibiotic sensitivity showed resistance against commercially available antibiotics on testing. Awareness among the health care professionals on personal hygiene and safe usage of the devices away from contamination are the possible ways to stay away from infectious pathogens.