Assessment of Gram-negative Bacterial Contamination on Mobile Phone Headsets among Universities Students

Abstract

The worldwide usage of mobile phone headsets has increased especially among the school and college students who have a high rate of sharing among them. The objective of this study was to assess Gram-negative bacterial contamination on mobile phone headsets. The study was carried out during the period from April to May, 2014. The headsets were sampled by mean of sterile cotton swabs moistured in 2 ml sterile normal saline. The obtained suspension was diluted and cultured on nutrient agar medium. Bacterial load was calculated using pour plate method. Gram-negative bacteria were identified by their colonial morphology, Gram stain and biochemical tests. Out of 200 swabs investigated, only 11(5.5%) demonstrated bacterial growth, while 189 (94.5%) showed no growth. The calculated bacterial load of headsets ranged from 80-300x106 CFU/ml with mean of 180x106 CFU/ml. The only isolated Gram-negative bacteria was Klebsiella pneumoniae 2(18.2%). The study concluded that the majority of mobile headsets screened were free of bacterial contamination. The bacterial load was high in few number of mobile phone headsets. Regular use of antiseptic to clean headsets as well as avoiding sharing of headsets are highly recommended.