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Mobile phones as fomites for the transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the rural community
(Academia Journal of Microbiology Research, 2018-01-29) Olayiwola, John Olusola; Odiete Jeffson; Abiala M. A.
Mobile phone has been source of microorganisms that cause diseases of public health concerns. In a study, one-fifth of cellular phones examined were found to habour pathogenic bacteria indicating that these devices may serve as vehicles for disease transmission. Swab samples were collected aseptically from the phone of different handlers, such as Motor Bike Riders, Food Vendors, Meat Sellers and Nursing Mothers. Bacteria isolation and identification were carried out using pour plating technique with distinctive morphological and biochemical characteristics. Also, antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out and interpreted according to CLSI, 2016. A total of Eighty-eight (88) bacteria were isolated which comprised five genera such as Bacillus sp, Corynebacterium sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter sp., Salmonella sp. and were found mostly resistance to Ceftazidine, Ceftriaxone, Erythromycin, Cloxicillin and Amoxicillin but totally susceptible to Ofloxacin. It has been observed that cell phone multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria strains subsequently plays role as fomite in disease transmission. Therefore, the need to educate people in the rural community about the appropriate practices after handling of mobile phone.