Frequency of gram-negative bacteria found in cellular phones of nursing students

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, the indiscriminate use of cell phones has led to their use in inadequate conditions of hygiene. Objective: Identify the frequency of gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomona aeruginosa) found in cell phones of students of the Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing of a university in central Mexico. Methodology: The study used a quantitative and cross-sectional approach, and a descriptive scope. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was carried out, selecting 60 students who previously gave their informed consent. Samples were taken from the cell phones, and incubation for 24 hours in tubes with Trypticasein Soy broth and streaking in Petri dishes took place, allowing incubation for 48 hours; after this process, the morphological characterization of the bacteria to determine their presence was carried out. Results: From 100% of the samples, 41.67% did not have bacterial growth and in 58.33% of the telephones the following results were obtained: Salmonella typhi, 2.98%; Enterobacter aerogens, 28.35%;  Escherichia coli, 28.35%; Klebsiella, 11.94%; Pseudomona, 0.00%; and other, 28.35%. Conclusion: Most of the study sample showed in their cell phones potentially pathogenic bacteria, which resulted in a risk of cross-contamination, and a possible source of outbreaks of infections, both extrahospital and intrahospital.