Surface Mycobiota of Mobile Phones from some Researchers in Iraq

Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Authors

1 Deptartment of Biology, College of Science, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq

2 Deptartment of Pathological Analysis, College of Science, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Mobile phones, as basic gadgets have become an important and essential part of our daily private and professional lives, and biologically they may have a potential role in transmitting microbes. Objective: Mobile phones and hands of researchers and students in both the microbiology and mathematics laboratories were investigated for the presence of any associated fungi. Methodology: Three sterile swabs were firmly passed on the screens, lateral sides, and backs of each mobile phone. one swab was taken from each participant’s hand. The isolated species were identified using conventional techniques, standard identification keys and its sequence analysis. Results: The mean number of fungal isolates was higher in samples taken from mobile phones and owner’s hands in microbiology lab than those in mathematics lab. The most diverse genera were Candida with 6 species, followed by Aspergillus with five species. The most frequent species were A. niger (14.61%), followed by A. flavus (11.69%), Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (8.77%), Kluyveromyces lactis (5.84%), and C. tropcalis (6.43%). Conclusion: The majority of mobile phones and owners’ hands were carriers of various mycobiota. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the cleanliness of hands and mobile phones to reduce the source of disease transmission.

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