DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Identification of Bacterial Flora on Cellular Phones of Dentists

  • Kwon, Ye Won (Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Dentistry, Research Institute of Oral Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University) ;
  • Lee, Si Young (Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Dentistry, Research Institute of Oral Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University)
  • 투고 : 2014.07.30
  • 심사 : 2014.09.01
  • 발행 : 2014.09.30

초록

Dental professionals are repeatedly exposed to many microorganisms present in both blood and saliva. Thus, dental professionals are at a greater risk of acquiring and spreading infections, and the implementation of infections control guidelines is necessary. Cellular phones have become a necessary device for communicating in hospitals. Cellular phones contaminated with bacteria may serve as a fomite in the transmission of pathogens by the hands of medical personnel. Nevertheless, studies about rate and levels of bacterial contamination of cellular phones have been extremely limited with regards to dental personnel. The purpose of this study was to identify bacterial flora on the cellular phones of dentists by a molecular biological method using the 16S rRNA cloning and sequencing method. We acquired total 200 clones from dentists' cell phones and identified the bacterial species. Pseudomonas (34.6%), Lactobacillus (18.5%), Azomonas (11.5%), and Janthinobacterium (6%) were the dominant genera on dentists' cell phones. The oral bacteria identified were Anaerococcus lactolyticus, Gibbsiella dentisursi, Lactobacills leiae, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oligofermentans, and Streptococcus sanguinis. Pathogenic bacteria and opportunistic pathogens such as Carnobacterium funditum, Raoultella planticola, Shigella flexneri, Lactobacillus iners, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were also identified.

키워드

참고문헌

  1. Boyce JM. Environmental contamination makes an important contribution to hospital infection. J Hosp Infect. 2007;65(Suppl 2):50-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-6701(07)60015-2
  2. Dharan S, Mourouga P, Copin P, Bessmer G, Tschanz B, Pittet D. Routine disinfection of patients' environmental surfaces. myth or reality? J Hosp Infect. 1999;42:113-117. https://doi.org/10.1053/jhin.1999.0567
  3. Bures S, Fishbain JT, Uyehara CF, Parker JM, Berg BW. Computer keyboards and faucet handles as reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens in the intensive care unit. Am J Infect Control. 2000;28:465-471. https://doi.org/10.1067/mic.2000.107267
  4. Ducel G, Fabry J, Nicolle L, eds. Prevention of hospital-acquired infections: a practical quide. 2nd ed. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2002.
  5. Singh D, Kaur H, Gardner WG, Treen LB. Bacterial contamination of hospital pagers. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2002;23:274-276. https://doi.org/10.1086/502048
  6. Braddy CM, Blair JE. Colonization of personal digital assistants used in a health care setting. Am J Infect Control. 2005;33:230-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2005.03.003
  7. Karabay O, Kocoglu E, Tahtaci M. The role of mobile phone in the spread of bacteria associated with nosocomial infection. J Infect Develop Countries 2007;1:72-173.
  8. Ulger F, Esen S, Dilek A, Yanik K, Gunaydin M, Leblebicioglu H. Are we aware how contaminated our mobile phones with nosocomial pathogens? Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2009;8:7,0711-8-7.
  9. Goldblatt JG, Krief I, Klonsky T, Haller D, Milloul V, Sixsmith DM, Srugo I, Potasman I. Use of cellular telephones and transmission of pathogens by medical staff in new york and israel. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2007;28:500-503. https://doi.org/10.1086/513446
  10. Brady RR, Verran J, Damani NN, Gibb AP. Review of mobile communication devices as potential reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens. J Hosp Infect. 2009;71:295-300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2008.12.009
  11. Neff JH, Rosenthal SL. A possible means of inadvertent transmission of infection to dental patients. J Dent Res. 1957;36:932-934. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345570360061901
  12. Murray JP, Slack GL. Some sources of bacterial contamination in everyday dental practice. Br Dent J. 1957;134:172-174.
  13. Singh S, Acharya S, Bhat M, Rao SK, Pentapati KC. Mobile phone hygiene: Potential risks posed by use in the clinics of an indian dental school. J Dent Educ. 2010;74:1153-1158.