Isolation And Identification Of Bacteria Associated With Handsets (Cell Phones)
The isolation and identification of bacteria associated with handsets, particularly cell phones, is a critical aspect of understanding microbial contamination in everyday objects. This research project aims to analyze the microbial diversity on cell phone surfaces, focusing on bacteria types commonly found in human environments. By employing microbiological techniques such as swabbing and culturing, followed by molecular methods like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing, this study will elucidate the presence of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas spp. on cell phone surfaces. The investigation will also explore the potential role of these microbes in transmission and persistence, shedding light on hygiene practices and public health implications associated with mobile device usage.
This study was conducted to determine microbial contamination of mobile phones in Bells University of Technology (BUT), and identify the most important microbial species associated with these phones in order to take the necessary remedial measures.
The analysis of a total of 202 samples was done to identify fungal and pathogenic bacteria isolates. Sterile swabs were firmly passed on the handset, the buttons and the screens of mobile phones, then inoculated into media of bacteria and fungi. Frequency distribution of isolates were calculated.
There were 737 isolated of the following bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria sicca, Micrococcus luteus, Proteus mirabilis, Bacillus subtilis, and Enterobacter aerogenes at the rate of 56.58, 13.57, 8.01, 7.73, 6.51, 3.66, 2.85 and 1.09% respectively. There were fungal isolates as follows: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus ochraceus at the rate of 29.07, 26.74, 20.93, 10.47, 6.98, 2.33, 2.33, 1.16%, respectively.
The study showed that all mobile phones under consideration were infected by several microbes, most of which belonged to the natural flora of the human body as well as airborne fungi and soil. This means that it is necessary to sterilize hands after contact with a phone since it is a source of disease transmission.
COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL PAGE
DEDICATION
ACKNOWELDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.6 HYPOTHESIS
1.7 APPLICATION OF THE STUDY
1.8 METHODOLOGY
1.9 PROJECT ORGANISATION
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 REVIEW OF THE STUDY
2.2 HISTORICAL AND DISCOVERY BACKGROUND OF MICROBES
2.3 CLASSIFICATION AND STRUCTURE OF MICROORGANISMS
2.4 ECOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS
2.5 APPLICATIONS OF MICROORGANISMS
2.6 THE IMPACT OF MICROBES ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 STUDY OF AREA
3.3 RESEARCH DESIGN
3.4 SAMPLING AND ISOLATION METHOD
3.5 CHARACTERIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ISOLATES
3.6 BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 RESULT
4.2 DISCUSSION
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 CONCLUSION
5.2 RECOMMENDATION
REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
A mobile or cellular telephone which is also called handset is a long-range portable electronic device for personal telecommunication. The vast majority of mobile phones are hand-held. In less than 20 years, mobile phones have gone from being rare and expensive pieces of equipment used primarily by the business elite, to a common low-cost personal item. In many countries, mobile phones outnumber landline telephones since most adults and many children now own mobile phones.
Because of the achievements and benefits of the mobile phone, it is easy to overlook its hazard to health; this is against the background that many users may have no regard for personal hygiene, and the number of people who may use the same phone. This constant handling of the phone by different users exposes it to an array of microorganisms, and makes it a good carrier for microbes, especially those associated with the skin resulting in the spread of different microorganisms from user to user. Our research has shown that the mobile phone could be a health hazard with tens of thousands of microbes living on each square inch of the phone. Microbiologists say that the combination of constant handling with the heat generated by the phones creates a prime breeding ground for many microorganisms that are normally found on the skin. Staphylococci, particularly S. epidermidis are members of the normal flora of the human skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts (Ekrakene et al, 2017). Nasal carriage of S. aureus occurs in 20-50% of human beings. Staphylococci are also found regularly on clothes, bed linen, and other human environments.[Melnick et al, 2014] Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium found on the skin and in the noses of up to 25% of healthy people and animals can cause illnesses from pimples and boils to pneumonia and meningitis, and is a close relative of methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The main reservoir of S. aureus is the hand from where it is introduced into food during preparation (Hui et al, 2011). The hand serves as a major vehicle of transmission of various microbes including the enteric species (Brande et al, 2011) Proteus mirabilis is one of the most common Gram-negative pathogens encountered in clinical specimens. It can cause a variety of community – or hospital-acquired infections, including thoseof the urinary tract, respiratory tract, wounds and burns, bacteraemia,neonatal meningoencephalitis, empyema and osteomyelitis (Hara et al, 2010). After Escherichia coli, P. mirabilis is the member of the Enterobacteriaceae most often isolated in Nigerian clinical microbiology laboratories (Liu et al, 2012) Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a metabolically versatile γ-Proteobacterium, which inhabits terrestrial, aquatic, animal-, human-, and plant-host-associated environments (Ramos, 2012).
Our study aimed at investigating bacterial contamination of the mobile phone to identify the microbes regularly associated with mobile phones and their pathogenicity. Suggestions for the improvement of handling are proposed.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Micro-organisms are found everywhere most especially in our constantly used hand device such as – handset. It is true that because of the rampant usage and its functions and advantages in our daily lives we forgot to considers the health implication of handset. According to microbiologist (Liu et al, 2012), handset is the major carrier of thousands of bacteria. The bacteria can spread from person to person by direct contact, through contaminated objects (such as buses seat, gym equipment, telephones, door knobs, television remote controls, or elevator buttons), or, less often, by inhalation of infected droplets dispersed by sneezing or coughing.
Carriers are people who have the bacteria but do not have any symptoms caused by the bacteria. Carriers can move the bacteria from their nose to other body parts with their hands, sometimes leading to infection. People who are hospitalized or work in a hospital are more likely to be carriers.
This study was carried out to investigating bacterial contamination of the mobile phone to identify the microbes regularly associated with mobile phones
1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main aim of this study is carried out a bacterial contamination investigation of the mobile phone. The objectives of the study is to
i. To identify the microbes regularly associated with mobile phones
ii. To determine the microbial load of cell phone.
iii. To understand the effect of microorganism in our lives
iv. To take the necessary remedial measures.
1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION
This research worked in based on the isolation and identification of bacteria associated with cellphone. This study covers the total bacteria count, isolation and identification of bacteria. However, it is limited to very few samples and bacterial studies only, because of limited resources.
1.5 HYPOTHESIS
HO: Microbial organisms are not observed on cellphone and are not responsible for many infection among students.
Hg = Microorganisms are observed on cellphone and they are responsible for many infection among students
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will be useful to all users of cellphone by creating awareness of the presence of microorganisms in handsets. The outcome of this research will guide users on how to avoid contacting micro-organism mostly in phones.
1.7 APPLICATION OF THE STUDY
This study provides practical guidance which aimed at supporting all health professionals, teachers, pupils, and all users of handsets.
1.8 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In the course of carrying this study, numerous sources were used which most of them are by visiting libraries, consulting journal and news papers and online research which Google was the major source that was used.
1.9 PROJECT ORGANISATION
The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work, chapter two presents the literature review of the study, chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.
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Isolation and identification of bacteria associated with handsets, commonly known as cell phones, are essential processes in understanding microbial contamination and potential health risks. In an era where cell phones have become indispensable tools in daily life, they also serve as reservoirs for various microorganisms, including bacteria. This article explores the methods and importance of isolating and identifying bacteria from handsets, shedding light on the implications for hygiene and public health.
Definition
Isolation and identification of bacteria associated with handsets refer to the processes of retrieving bacterial organisms from the surfaces of cell phones and determining their species or strains through microbiological techniques. These methods are crucial for assessing the microbial load and types present on handsets and understanding their potential implications for human health.
Isolation Methods
Several methods can be employed to isolate bacteria from cell phone surfaces:
- Swabbing: Swabbing the surfaces of handsets with sterile cotton swabs moistened with a suitable medium is a common method. The swabs collect microbial samples, which are then transferred to growth media for bacterial culture.
- Contact Plates: Contact plates containing agar medium are pressed onto the surfaces of handsets to transfer bacteria present. After an incubation period, colonies that develop on the agar can be further analyzed.
- Immersion: Immersing handsets in a liquid medium and then vortexing or shaking to dislodge bacteria is another approach. The liquid medium is then cultured to allow bacterial growth.
- Adhesive Tapes: Adhesive tapes can be pressed onto the surfaces of handsets to collect microbial samples. The tapes are then transferred to agar plates for culture.
- Scraping: Scraping the surfaces of handsets with a sterile tool to dislodge bacterial biofilms or debris can also be effective. The scraped material is then suspended in a suitable medium for culture.
Identification Methods
Once bacteria are isolated, various methods are used for their identification:
- Microscopic Examination: Gram staining and microscopy can provide initial information about the morphology and cellular characteristics of isolated bacteria, such as shape, size, and arrangement.
- Biochemical Tests: Biochemical tests, including catalase, oxidase, and sugar fermentation tests, help identify metabolic properties and narrow down the potential bacterial species.
- Molecular Techniques: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, and other molecular methods allow for precise identification of bacterial species or strains by analyzing specific genetic markers.
- Mass Spectrometry: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid and accurate technique for bacterial identification based on the unique protein profiles of microbial samples.
- Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing: Testing bacterial isolates against a panel of antibiotics helps determine their susceptibility patterns, which can aid in species identification and guide treatment decisions.
Importance
The isolation and identification of bacteria from handsets hold significant implications for various domains:
- Public Health: Understanding the types and prevalence of bacteria on handsets is crucial for assessing the risk of microbial transmission and associated infections. Certain bacteria found on handsets may be opportunistic pathogens that can cause illnesses, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- Hygiene Practices: Knowledge of bacterial contamination on handsets underscores the importance of regular cleaning and disinfection to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination. Proper hygiene practices can help reduce the spread of harmful microorganisms in both community and healthcare settings.
- Infection Control: Identifying pathogenic bacteria on handsets is essential for implementing effective infection control measures in healthcare facilities. Hospitals and clinics must be aware of potential sources of nosocomial infections, including contaminated surfaces like cell phones.
- Microbiome Research: Studying the bacterial communities on handsets contributes to our understanding of the human microbiome and the dynamics of microbial colonization on environmental surfaces. This research can provide insights into the factors influencing bacterial transfer and persistence.
- Technological Advancements: Advances in isolation and identification techniques, such as rapid molecular methods and automated systems, facilitate quicker and more accurate assessment of bacterial contamination on handsets. These advancements support proactive measures to address hygiene concerns.
Conclusion
Isolation and identification of bacteria associated with handsets play a crucial role in assessing microbial contamination levels, understanding potential health risks, and informing hygiene practices. By employing various isolation and identification methods, researchers and healthcare professionals can gain insights into the types of bacteria present on handsets and their implications for public health. Implementing effective cleaning and disinfection protocols based on this knowledge is essential for reducing the spread of harmful microorganisms and promoting overall hygiene and safety.