Is cellular phone a source of infection? a hospital based study among dentists in Ajman and Sharjah, UAE

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to know the different micro-organisms harboring the cell phones of health care persons working in the dental centre of our hospital and to determine what are the potential pathogenic organisms transmitted via mobile phones. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Samples were collected by rotating the swabs over all the surfaces of cell phones including the mouthpiece, earpiece, keypad, sides and the back, and from Bluetooth, hands free, and external cover of the mobile, one without any sterilization and second sample after decontaminating the cell phone using isopropyl alcohol in the beginning of the day. The swabs were inoculated and streaked onto five per cent sheep blood agar, Mac-Conkey agar and chocolate agar. Sheep blood agar and Mac-Conkey agar plates were incubated aerobically at 37°C for 24 hours. Isolated organisms were processed according to colony morphology and gram stain. Bacteria were identified according to standard protocol [Mackie and McCartney]. Tests for identification of gram positive cocci included catalase, Oxidative/ Fermentative test, anaerobic mannitol fermentation and coagulase production. Tests for identification of gram negative bacilli included catalase, oxidase and other relevant biochemical tests [API 20E]. In the samples taken without prior decontamination, 40% of the samples did not show any growth owing to the sterilization carried out by them at the end of the day. Staphylococcus species dominated the growth in the remaining specimens. Gram positive bacilli, Pantoe species and Enterobacter Cloacae were also found. In the samples taken with prior decontamination at the beginning of the day, 36% of the samples did not show any growth again owing to the sterilization carried out by them at the end of the day. Staphylococcus species dominated the growth in the remaining specimens. Gram positive bacilli, Micrococci and Citrobacter Freundii were also found. Nearly 40% of our samples did not show any pathogenic organisms, due to the cell phones being kept away on a table or inside the bags rather than close to the patient chair and because most of the professionals used some kind of decontamination procedure at the end of the day or at least once in a week. A wider study with increased sample size should be carried out to create awareness among Dentists and other Health care professionals