Author/Authors :
Matini, Esfandiar Faculty of Medicine - Islamic Azad University -Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran , Shayeghi, Farzad Faculty of Medicine - Islamic Azad University -Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran , Nematian, Javad Faculty of Medicine - Islamic Azad University -Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran , Shayeghi, Homeyra Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Tehran , lazemi, Vahideh Faculty of Nursing - Islamic Azad University - Tehran Medical Sciences Branch , Rezaeian Ghahroud, Reihaneh Faculty of Biology - Department of Microbiology - Islamic Azad University - Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran , Shahbazi, Fatemeh Faculty of Biology - Department of Microbiology - Islamic Azad University - Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran , Madari Mohades, Amir Mahdi Faculty of Public Health - Islamic Azad University - Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran , Zarghami, Amin Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol , Ghasemzadeh Kolgar, Hossein Student Research Committee - School of Public Health - Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Sharoud , Rahmani, Helia Faculty of Biology - Department of Microbiology - Islamic Azad University - Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran , Abasi Feshki, Hanieh Islamic Azad University - Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran , Baghaee Barjin, Zahra Islamic Azad University - Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran
Abstract :
Background: Mobile smart phones have become increasingly integrated into the daily lives of individuals in society. Recent studies indicated the considerable role of these devices as reservoirs for various micro-organisms. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of microbiological contamination of mobile phones in general population.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a large sample of mobile phones of general population Tehran in 2015. Samples for culture were collected from mobile phones and transported for microbiological identification based on standard laboratory methods. Results: Bacteriological analysis revealed that in total of 5220 sample retrieved, 5180 (98.9%) mobile phone devices were contaminated with bacteria. The most common microorganisms that were isolated include: Staphylococcus epidermidis (63.9), Escherichia coli (12.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (11.4%). Conclusion: The prevalence of mobile phone contamination is high in general population in Tehran. Although most of the isolated organisms seemed to be non-pathogenic, their colonization may endanger certain populations particularly in health care settings.
