Carriage of biofilm producing bacteria on mobile phones of health care workers in a tertiary care Hospital

Background: Hospital acquired infections (HAI) are a major concern for health care systems around the world. Mobile phones can be a source of infection as they are used not only in Out- patient departments and wards but are also carried to critical areas like intensive care units. A prospective cross-sectional study of isolates from mobile phones of Health care workers (HCW) working in a tertiary care maternity hospital was undertaken to study the microbiological profile and biofilm formation and to formulate mobile phone disinfection protocol . Materials and methods: Two samples were taken from each mobile phone. One prior to disinfection and one post disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol .Sample swabs were processed by inoculation onto chocolate and MacConkey media. The positive cultures were subjected to standard microbiological procedures for identification and antibiotic sensitivity testing. Biofilm formation was detected using Congo Red Agar (CRA) method. Results: Among 100 health care workers (HCW)who were studied, 93% yielded positive cultures. The most common organism isolated was Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) 44% followed by Leuconostoc mesenteroids (24%). 44% of these isolates formed biofilms. None of the post disinfection swabs yielded growth. Conclusion: The two most common organisms isolated from the mobile phones of HCWs were Coagulase-negative staphylococci ( CoNS) and Leuconostoc mesenteroids and these organisms had biofilm forming potential. This study also highlights the importance of disinfection of mobile phones.