Impact of a disinfecting technique on microbial contamination of computer keyboards and telephone handsets (original) (raw)
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Computers are ubiquitous and have been shown to be contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria in some communities. There is no economical way to test all the keyboards and mouse out there, but there are common-sense ways to prevent bacterial contamination or eliminate it if it exists. In this study, swabs specimens were collected from surfaces of 250 computer keyboards and mouse and plated on different bacteriological media. Organisms growing on the media were purified and identified using microbiological standards. It was found that all the tested computer keyboards and mouse devices, were positive for microbial contamination. The percentages of isolated bacteria (Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp.) were 43.3, 40.9, 30.7, 34.1, 18.3, 18.2, 7.7 and 6.8% for computer keyboards and mouse respectively. The isolated bacteria were tested against the 6 different disinfectants (Dettol, Isol, Izal, JIK, Purit and Septol ® ). Antibacterial effects of the disinfectants were also concentration dependent. The agar well diffusion technique for determining Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was employed. The Killing rate (K) and Decimal Reduction Time (DRT) of the disinfectants on the organism were also determined. The overall result of this study showed that Dettol ® , followed by JIK ® was highly effective against all the bacterial isolates tested while Septol and Izal ® were least effective. Isol and Purit ® showed moderate antibacterial effects. Keyboards and mouse should be disinfected daily. However, it is recommended that heightened surveillance of the microbial examination of computer keyboards should be undertaken at predetermined intervals.
Bacterial Contamination of Computer Keyboards in a Teaching Hospital
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 2003
We tested 100 keyboards in 29 clinical areas for bacterial contamination. Ninety five were positive for microorganisms. Streptococcus, Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus (including one vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus), Staphylococcus aureus, fungi, and gram-negative organisms were isolated. Computer equipment must be kept clean so it does not become another vehicle for transmission of pathogens to patients.
Bacterial contamination of computer keyboards and mice, elevator buttons and shopping carts
African journal of microbiology research
This study aims at investigating the status of bacterial contamination of four daily used objects, computer keyboards, computer mice, elevator buttons and shopping carts handles. A total of 400 samples were collected from 4 different objects; 100 from each. Samples were collected from different places (offices, internet cafes, homes, buildings and supermarkets) in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 95.5% of the total samples collected were contaminated with mixed bacterial growth. Coagulase-negative staphylococci dominated the isolates. The second most common bacterial growth in all specimens was Gram-positive bacilli. Potential pathogens isolated from all specimens were: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas spp. and Gram negative bacilli. Results indicate that internet café computer keyboards and mice showed 100% contamination in comparison with other objects. The presence of pathogenic and commensal bacteria on the four objects indicates that they might act as environmental vehicles ...
Assessment of aerobic bacterial contamination of computer keyboards in a tropical setting
The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 2012
Computers are widely used in healthcare for improved and effective care. Previous published reports have shown microorganisms colonising computer keyboards in some clinical areas. This study was undertaken to measure, compare and characterize the aerobic microorganisms in computer keyboards of hospital and non-hospital settings. Samples were collected from commonly used keys of computers in hospital and non-hospital settings using moistened sterile swabs, inoculated in liquid and solid media, and incubated aerobically at 37 degrees C for 24-48 h. Growth was identified as per standard microbiological procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined for pathogenic strains by Kirby-Bauer method. Growth was seen in all 80 samples (40 from each setting). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from both settings (hospital: 6 MRSA, 11 MSSA; non-hospital: 4 MRSA, 9 MSSA). Gram-negative bacilli were isolated more frequently from hospital (33%). Statistical analysis showed homogeneity among i...
HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF THE BACTERIAL LOAD OF COMPUTER KEYBOARDS
Between April and May 2005, some selected computer keyboards in Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria were bacteriologically examined to evaluate the load and types of bacterial organisms associated with them. Eighty (80) computer keyboards were randomly sampled and analysed using surface carpeting method. Aerobic mesophilic bacterial count ranged between the highest of 2.37 x 10 2 cfu/m 2 and the lowest of 1.09 x 10 2 cfu/m 2. Characterization of the bacterial isolates using cultural, morphological and biochemical methods revealed the presence of seven bacterial genera namely: Corynebacterium, Klebsiella, Listeria, Pseudomonas, Shigella, Staphlococcus and Streptococcus. Generally, Staphylococcus aureus was the most isolated {43(58.1%)} while Corynebacterium species and K. pneumoniae were the least, each with 1(1.4%) occurrence rate. Statistically, there was a significant difference between sites (P<0.05) as it relates to the recovery of the bacteria. The implications of the results have been discussed in relation to human health and productivity. Suggestions have been made on how to improve the situation.
Study of bacteria on computer s mice and keyboards
2014
Contamination occurs everywhere including environment and all its objects. Computer s keyboards and mice are the most open surface parts of computer which show 100% contamination. This study has demonstrated that microbial contamination of multiple-user computer keyboards may be a common mechanism of transfer of potentially pathogenic bacteria among users. Computers continue to have an increased presence in almost every aspect of our occupational, recreational and residential environments. In various university environments, students have indicated 100% access to computers, 92.1% regularly use internet and 73.3% regularly use e-mail (Palmer and Bray, 2001).As the population of such facility increases, there is need to recognize that computer equipment may act as a reservoir for the transmission of potential hazardous or pathogenic microorganisms (Hartmanet al., 2004).The ability of a computer to act as fomites has been previously documented in healthcare (Huber and Pelon, 2005) and ...
MethodsX, 2019
Microbial contamination of computer keyboards and inanimate surfaces of electronic equipment in ICU (Intensive Care Units) can have a significant role for ICU-acquired colonization and a spectrum of nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to survey the incidence of bacterial contamination and the distribution of species of computer keyboards and inanimate surfaces of bed side equipment in ICUs in Kashan University of medical sciences and health service hospitals. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was done on 75 computer keyboards and inanimate surfaces electronic equipment in 5 ICUs during 2016-2017. Samples were collected from computer keyboards and electronic equipment with normal saline rinsed swabs. Samples were Cultivated on Blood Agar (BA), and MacConkey Agar (MAC) and growing bacteria were identified based on their morphology and biochemical properties. Seventy six (76%) out of 75 computer Keyboards and electronic equipment were contaminated with bacteria and fungi. The most contamination pertained to gram positive bacteria (70.7%) and the most isolated bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci. The highest contamination rates were found on computer keyboards and electronic equipment of which were nurses.
Computer Keyboard and Mouse: Etiologic Agents for Microbial Infections
2012
Surface bio-contamination is a problem that contributes to outbreaks of community-acquired and nosocomial/environmental infections through episodic fomite transmission of disease and persistent fomitic reservoirs. Public user interfaces like computer keyboard and mouse have been shown to be reservoirs and transmitters of microorganisms. The purpose of this study therefore was to examine computer keyboards and mouse in National Veterinary Research Institute's cyber cafe in Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria for contamination by microorganisms. Bacteria isolated include: Bacillus species, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, S. albus, Streptococcus epidermidis and Diptheroids. Trychophyton species, Aspergilus species and Candida albicans were the fungi/mould isolated. Bacillus species (84%) was the most isolated bacteria. All fungi were isolated in equal percentages (45.0%). Most of these isolates were traditional skin flora and probably dust associated. It is suggested that routine ...
INTRODUCTION:Laptops are widely used in healthcare for improved and effective care. Healthcare providers move back and forth, between computers and patients while delivering healthcare, as a part of the daily routine. Investigations have suggested that laptops may contribute to cross contamination and can serve as vehicles for infection transmission in clinical area. AIM:This study was conducted to evaluate the microbial contamination found on laptop keyboards in clinical settings of various departments of a dental school in Greater Noida. METHODOLOGY:The examination was carried out by self administered questionnaire regarding the disinfection practices by the consenting participants and the specimen were collected from laptops that were located in the clinical section of different departments. This study was carried out at two intervals during morning before the clinical hours and at afternoon when laptop is exposed during clinical hoursThe samples were collected from 27 laptops from dentists working in a dental college in Greater Noida. The samples were collected aseptically using sterile cotton swabs dipped in sterile saline by rotating the swabs on the keyboard surfaces of laptops, inoculated into phosphate buffered saline (PBS), vortexed for 1 minute in Fischer Vortex Genie 2 on highest setting & streaked immediately on 5% Trypticase Soya agar plates and were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours aerobically. The isolates were evaluated based on the colony count and gram staining.STATISTICALANALYSIS:Descriptive statistics was done for the colony forming units The intergroup comparison for the difference of mean scores between the different departments was done using One Way ANOVA.RESULTS:The Intra department analysis of laptops was done to see the significance between the CFU/ml for the morning and evening samples which came out to be significant. percentage change in CFU/ml was analyzed between the departments maximum percentage change was found in Endodontics (1877.77). CONCLUSION : Laptops used in clinical area are potential reservoir for bacteria. They might be a vector playing an important role in the transmission of potential pathogenic microorganisms.
Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 2019
The predominance of bacteria on door handles and computers keyboards in Faculty of Science, University of Kufa in Najaf Governorate was assessed. One hundred samples were collected and cultured for bacterial identification. The occurrence of positive samples was as the following; 95% with both of toilets doors handles and computers keyboards, 90% in laboratories doors handles, 80% in Classrooms doors handles and 75% in offices doors handles. The current study demonstrate a high prevalence rate of aerobic bacteria on different doors handles and computers keyboards in Faculty of Science, University of Kufa. The current study gave a clear view about the microbial contamination of door handles and computer keyboards and the possibility to be one of the main sources of infection in the university environment.