scholarly journals Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria on the Mobile Phones and Computer Keyboards of Healthcare University Students in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Michael Olu-Taiwo ◽  
Christian Afotey Laryea ◽  
David Kweku Mykels ◽  
Akua Obeng Forson
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mannitol Salt Agar ◽  
Healthcare Students ◽  
The University

Globally, mobile phones and computers (laptops and desktops) are indispensable part of human lives for communication, entertainment, and educational purposes. However, there are concerns about the increasing risk of bacterial contamination and antibiotic resistant trends from the surfaces of these devices. This study aims to assess bacterial contamination of mobile phones and computer keyboards and their resistant profile at the University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra. This was a cross-sectional study conducted from March to June 2017 with 240 swabs collected from the surfaces of mobile phones and computer keyboards used by healthcare students. Swabs were cultured on MacConkey, blood, and mannitol salt agar. Bacteria identification was performed with a standard bacteriological method. A total of 91 bacterial isolates were obtained from the devices, and they were tested against 9 commonly used antibiotics by the Kirby–Bauer disc method. The study revealed mobile phones and computer keyboards had contamination levels of 83.3% and 43.3%. Bacteria isolated included Staphylococcus epidermidis (25.4%), Klebsiella spp. (12.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.2%), Escherichia coli (6.7%), Pseudomonas spp. (5.4%), Enterobacter cloacae (2.1%), and Enterobacter spp. (1.7%). Overall, 91 bacterial isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin (96.7%) and tetracycline (75.8%) and moderately resistant to chloramphenicol (49.5%) with lower resistance to cefotaxime (18.7%), ceftadizime (14.2%), ciprofloxacin (25.3%), and gentamycin (24.7%). Additionally, 45.1% of isolates were multidrug resistant. Findings from this study revealed mobile phones and computer keyboards of healthcare students in the university were contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. Hence, frequent hand hygiene and disinfection of mobile phones and computer keyboard surfaces is encouraged to minimize the spread of resistant bacteria pathogens.

scholarly journals Bacterial Contamination of Healthcare worker’s Mobile Phones; a Case Study at Two Referral Hospitals in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tusabe Fred
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Referral Hospitals

Abstract Background Hospital and Community-acquired infections are escalating and pose significant public health unhealthiness worldwide. The advancements of telemedicine and automation of healthcare records are supported by cellphones, laptops and wearable devices. This study focused on the incidence of healthcare workers’ mobile phones becoming contaminated with pathogenic bacteria and their possible roles as vehicles of transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.Method: A case study at two referral hospitals in Uganda between May and October 2020. Self-administered questionnaires were administered to participants after informed consent. Mobile phones of the participants in different departments of the hospitals were swabbed and samples were collected and transported to the microbiology laboratory for bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Results: The point prevalence of Healthcare workers’ mobile phone bacterial contamination with one or more species was 93%. Organisms isolated were E. coli 5.6% (1), Micrococcus spp 11.1% (2), Coagulase-negative staphylococci, CoNS, 61.1% (11) and Bacillus spp 22.2% (4). About 45% of the organisms were multidrug-resistant. Resistance was major to penicillin, cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin and Gentamycin respectively. The isolated E. coli was resistant to all antibiotics used in the study. Only 15% (2) of the participants disinfected their phones at least once a week and 8% cleaned their hands after using a mobile phone.Conclusion: Healthcare Workers’ mobile phones can act as fomites for the transmission of multidrug-resistant micro-organisms. This study provides strong evidence for developing and strengthening disinfection protocols for mobile phones and does not underscore the importance of hand hygiene in the middle of a patient encounter especially when the HCW grabs a phone but doesn't re-clean their hands before patient contact.

scholarly journals Antibiotic profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase negative Staphylococci species isolated from raw camel milk from Garissa County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elly Kirwa ◽  
Abong O Gabriel ◽  
Timothy E. Maitho ◽  
Mbindyo CM ◽  
Abuom T O ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Camel Milk ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mannitol Salt Agar ◽  
Milk Samples

The emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria in clinically challenging situations is a global concern. Staphylococcus resistance poses a threat to available therapeutic agents in management of camel diseases. S. aureus is often isolated from mastitic camel milk. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) can be pathogenic in humans and animals. This cross-sectional study investigated the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of Staphylococci species in raw camel milk from Garissa County, Kenya. A total of 231 raw camel milk samples from healthy camels were collected. Disk diffusion was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. Bacteria were revived in Buffered Peptone Water (BPW). Staphylococcus isolates were cultured on Mannitol Salt agar (MSA) and Blood Agar (BA). Coagulase and catalase tests were used to biochemically characterize the isolates. Antibiotic disks were placed on Mueller Hinton Agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours and diameters of zones inhibition measured. The readings were recorded as either susceptible, intermediate, or resistant based on the interpretative breakpoints by the veterinary Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Antimicrobial agents tested included; Ampicillin, Streptomycin, Cephalexin, Erythromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Cefoxitin, Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol. Out of the 231 raw camel milk samples cultured, 52.8% (122/231) Staphylococci isolates were recovered. Among the Staphylococci isolates 83.6% (102) were S. aureus and 16.4% (20) were CoNS. Overall, 83 (68%) isolates were catalase positive and 122 (91.7%) showed β-haemolysis on BA culture. Highest resistance was observed against Cephalexin (81.9%) and Streptomycin (72.1%) while the lowest resistance was seen against Chloramphenicol (1.6%) and Tetracycline (3.3%). MRSA and MRCoNS were reported at 9.8% and 15% of the isolates respectively. MDR was recorded in 43.4% of the isolates resistant to at least 3 or more antimicrobial groups while 39.3% isolates were resistant to 1 or 2 antimicrobial tested.   In conclusion, the study showed that CoNS and S

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal distribution of faecal indicators and multidrug resistant bacteria in a multiple-use freshwater lake: the case of Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deresse Daka ◽  
◽  
Hunachew Beyene ◽  
Simachew Dires ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Shigella Spp ◽  
The City

Background: Aquatic environments close to cities are frequently used as sources for water and at the same time overloaded with a variety of pollutants either through direct or indirect discharges of untreated wastes and sewage. This condition is also worsened by the indiscriminate disposal of untreated wastes and sewage vigorously into used water. Sewage contaminated waters are known to carry microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic to humans. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the extent of temporal and spatial levels of microbial pollution and sources of pollution in Lake Hawassa. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Lake Hawassa, which was sampled twice during 2017. A total of 26 samples of lake water were collected from 14 stations using a boat. Entry points of incoming streams, waste receiving sites, and areas upstream of anthropogenic impact, recreational and bathing sites were considered. Microbiological characterisation was performed using selective media and basic biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity was tested with different antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer agar disk diffusion method. Result: All samples were positive for pathogenic bacteria, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Enterobacteriaceae were the most common bacteria identified from the samples, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Proteus spp and Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. The predominant bacteria found in the samples include E. coli, which constituted 22/26 (84.6%) of the total samples, followed by Salmonella and Shigella spp. All bacterial isolates were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. The Salmonella spp were sensitive only to norfloxacin and gentamicin. Conclusion: A spatial variation with the occurrence of bacterial isolates has been observed. High concentrations and many different species were found in areas of human activities and in areas receiving direct pollutants from the city. This study revealed that multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria are found in Lake Hawassa. There is a possibility of outbreak of diseases associated with the isolated antibiotic-resistant pathogens for which the antibiotic resistance genes are transportable within aquatic bacterial communities. We recommend that the city administration take care of the municipal wastewater or effluents from healthcare facilities that enter the lake. It is also recommended that the government take steps to control anthropogenic activities near the water body.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Mastitis and Antibiotic Resistance of Bacterial Isolates from CMT Positive Milk Samples Obtained from Dairy Cows, Camels, and Goats in Two Pastoral Districts in Southern Ethiopia

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1530
Author(s):  
Amanuel Balemi ◽  
Balako Gumi ◽  
Kebede Amenu ◽  
Sisay Girma ◽  
Muuz Gebru ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Milk Samples

A study was carried out from August 2017 to February 2018 on lactating dairy cows, one-humped dromedary camels, and goats to determine mastitis in the Bule Hora and Dugda Dawa districts of in Southern Ethiopia. Milk samples from 564 udder quarters and udder halves from 171 animals consisting of 60 dairy cows, 51 camels, and 60 goats were tested for mastitis. Sixty-four positive udder milk samples were cultured, and bacterial mastitis pathogens were isolated and identified. The antibiotic resistance of bacterial isolates from milk with mastitis was tested against nine antimicrobials commonly used in the study area. Cow- and quarter-level prevalence of mastitis in dairy cows, camels, and goats was 33.3%, 26.3%, and 25% and 17.6%, 14.5%, and 20%, respectively. In cattle, the prevalence was significantly higher in Dugda Dawa than in Bule Hora. Major bacterial isolates were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (39.1%), S. aureus (17.2%), S. hyicus (14.1%), and S. intermedius and Escherichia coli (9.4% each). In camels, udder abnormality and mastitis were significantly higher in late lactation than in early lactation. Mastitis tends to increase with parity in camels. E. coli isolates were highly resistant to spectinomycin, vancomycin, and doxycycline, whereas most S. aureus isolates were multidrug-resistant. Most of the rural and periurban communities in this area consume raw milk, which indicates a high risk of infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria. We recommend a community-focused training program to improve community awareness of the need to boil milk and the risk of raw milk consumption.

scholarly journals Bacteria and Their Antibiotic Resistance Profiles in Ambient Air in Accra, Ghana, February 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
Godfred Saviour Kudjo Azaglo ◽  
Mohammed Khogali ◽  
Katrina Hann ◽  
John Alexis Pwamang ◽  
Emmanuel Appoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Bacillus Species ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Bacterial Counts ◽  
Inappropriate Use

Inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in ambient air. There is no published information about the presence and resistance profiles of bacteria in ambient air in Ghana. We evaluated the presence and antibiotic resistance profiles of selected bacterial, environmental and meteorological characteristics and airborne bacterial counts in 12 active air quality monitoring sites (seven roadside, two industrial and three residential) in Accra in February 2020. Roadside sites had the highest median temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and PM10 concentrations, and median airborne bacterial counts in roadside sites (115,000 CFU/m3) were higher compared with industrial (35,150 CFU/m3) and residential sites (1210 CFU/m3). Bacillus species were isolated in all samples and none were antibiotic resistant. There were, however, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas species, non-hemolytic Streptococci, Coliforms and Staphylococci species, of which six (50%) showed mono-resistance or multidrug resistance to four antibiotics (penicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone). There was a positive correlation between PM10 concentrations and airborne bacterial counts (rs = 0.72), but no correlations were found between PM10 concentrations and the pathogenic bacteria nor their antibiotic resistance. We call for the expansion of surveillance of ambient air to other cities of Ghana to obtain nationally representative information.

scholarly journals Bacteriophages: the possible solution to treat infections caused by pathogenic bacteria

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
pp. 865-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman El-Shibiny ◽  
Salma El-Sahhar
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Phage Therapy ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Western World ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Vaccine Production ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant

Since their discovery in 1915, bacteriophages have been used to treat bacterial infections in animals and humans because of their unique ability to infect their specific bacterial hosts without affecting other bacterial populations. The research carried out in this field throughout the 20th century, largely in Georgia, part of USSR and Poland, led to the establishment of phage therapy protocols. However, the discovery of penicillin and sulfonamide antibiotics in the Western World during the 1930s was a setback in the advancement of phage therapy. The misuse of antibiotics has reduced their efficacy in controlling pathogens and has led to an increase in the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As an alternative to antibiotics, bacteriophages have become a topic of interest with the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, which are a threat to public health. Recent studies have indicated that bacteriophages can be used indirectly to detect pathogenic bacteria or directly as biocontrol agents. Moreover, they can be used to develop new molecules for clinical applications, vaccine production, drug design, and in the nanomedicine field via phage display.

scholarly journals Detection of pathogenic bacteria associated with earphones used by students of Stamford University Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Omor Ahmed Chowdhury ◽  
Md Raihan Ahmed ◽  
Md Raihan Dipu ◽  
Md Aftab Uddin
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Disk Diffusion Method ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Staphylococcus Spp

The use of earphones has increased in recent times throughout the world especially among the different level of students such as school, college or university who have a higher tendency of sharing these among them. Unlike airline headsets, headphones and stethoscope ear-pieces, ear phones are often shared by multiple users and can be a potential medium for transmission of pathogens, which can give rise to various ear related infections. The objective of this study was to detect the pathogenic bacteria from the ear-phones used by the students of Stamford University Bangladesh. A total of 16 ear-phone swabs were collected by sterile cotton swabs. The swabs were inoculated onto blood agar and incubated aerobically overnight at 37oC. Microscopic observation and standard biochemical tests were performed to confirm the identification of all the bacterial isolates. Six presumptively identified Staphylococcus spp. (38%) were tested against six different types of antibiotics following Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Isolates were found to be 84% resistant against Cotrimoxazole and demonstrated 100% sensitivity to Vancomycin and Ciprorofloxacin. The findings of this study suggest the users to disinfect their respective ear phones and not to exchange them as they may act as a potential source to transfer pathogenic and antibiotic resistant bacteria among the ear phone users. Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.10 (1) 2020: 1-4

scholarly journals Are mobile phones of health care workers portals of pathogenic organisms causing hospital acquired infections in intensive care units? A mini systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-214
Author(s):  
M. Mukhtar-Yola ◽  
B. Andrew
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Background: Health care workers at the bedside of critically ill babies freely carry their mobile phones in between procedures and handling  patients. Concerns are rising as this may contribute to nosocomial infections with pathogenic bacteria. Aim: To determine if mobile phones of health care workers in Intensive care units carry potentially pathogenic bacteria leading to hospital acquired infections. Design: Systematic review.Data sources: Electronic databases (Medline via ovid, CINAHL, Web of science) and hand Searching of references and citations were done to identify studies. Screening and inclusion criteria were used to identify studies with a cross-sectional or cohort design. The search was limited to journal articles published between 2008-2015 and to English language. Quality assessment was done using the National Institute of Health tool for observational studies. Data was extracted on to excel sheets and analysed using SPSS version 22.Results: Six studies with a cohort (1) or cross-sectional design (5) involving 1, 131 health care workers were reviewed. The overall quality of the studies was fair, and a narrative synthesis was done. The colonization rate of the mobile phones ranged between 46.3 % and a 100% with 13-50% carrying potentially pathogenic multidrug resistant microorganisms. Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycine resistant enterococci, acinobacter and coagulase negative staphylococci were reported across all studies and were recognized as leading causes of morbidity and mortalityin the ICU. Conclusion: Mobile phones Of HCW are portals of potentially pathogenic microorganisms, which could result in morbidity and mortality.Although no causal relationship could be established, strong associations have been reported. Guidelines by hospital infection control committees are needed on restriction, care and routine cleaning of mobile phones as well as further research. Key words: Health care worker, Intensive care unit, Hospital Acquired Infections, mobile phones

scholarly journals Characterisation of Plasmids in Multidrug Resistant Uropathogenic Gram-negative Bacterial Isolates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish Ranjan ◽  
Mahadevan Kumar ◽  
Sourav Sen ◽  
Parijat Das ◽  
Kunal Kanti Lahiri
Keyword(s):  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Hospital Stays ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Prolonged Hospital

Introduction: Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are one of the commonest conditions for which people seek medical care with an estimated 150 million episodes per annum worldwide. An unprecedented upsurge in the rate of development of antimicrobial resistance has reduced the therapeutic options leading to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, development of complications. Majority of these infections are attributable to Gram negative bacteria which have now acquired resistance to almost all classes of antibiotics. Aim: To analyse the plasmid-mediated drug resistance and characterise the major plasmid families that are in circulation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising of a total of 95 non consecutive multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial isolates were subjected to Plasmid based replicon typing from January 2017 to June 2018. The 18 major replicons were divided in five multiplex and three uniplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) formats and the samples were subjected for plasmid characterisation and further sequencing of the plasmid Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA). The data obtained was analysed by Microsoft Excel software. Results: Escherichia coli, accounted for maximum n=51 (53.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae n=19 (20%), Citrobacter sp n=11 (11.6%), miscellaneous gram negative n=14 (14.7%) The isolates exhibited a high degree of resistance to almost all tested antibiotics, sparing a few like Fosfomycin, Chloramphenicol, Imipenem, Amikacin. A total of 154 different plasmid families were detected from the 95 isolates. FIB replicon (24%), FIA (21%), F, W (20%), FIC, B/O (14%), Y (12%), I1 replicon (10.5%) were the major plasmid families detected in the present study. Conclusion: Many isolates exhibited the presence of more than one Incompatibility (Inc.) group plasmids, conferring multidrug resistance to the isolates. The study highlights the need for further research to study the association between plasmid families and their respective antibiotic resistance profiles for a given geographical niche and the need to devise further methods to target these epidemic plasmids.

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