Identification of Microorganisms on Student Cell Phones at BMC

Meagan Edmonds, Zadie Pickens, Carrie Lee Cook, Morgan Oswalt, Cody Baker, Brandon Tyler, Blue Mountain College Blue Mountain, Mississippi

Abstract Results The results of the agars show there was no growth on the BS agar. This shows that The purpose of this research project was to identify and compare microorganisms 80 samples were collected from 20 students’ cellphones: 10 (50%) from females and there was no growth or colonies of Salmonella spp. on any of the subject’s phones. on the cellphones of Blue Mountain College (BMC) students and contrast the habits 10 (50%) from males. Of these, 13 (65%) were athletes and 7 (35%) were non-athletes. There were colonies of E. coli on a few of the phones growing on the EMB agar. Most and environment the phones are in contact. We had collected the data and had gross The anonymous survey about handwashing habits had shown 12 student subjects were small colonies while one had nearly 70 colonies. The TSA had shown the colony count and morphology of a mix of white and yellow circular colonies. Some of the development of Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. E. coli was also found on (60%) stated they wash their hands several times a day while 8 (40%) said they only four of the 20 EMB agars. Some colonies counted on TSA and Blood agar were too small, white colonies were a little mucoidal. On specimen 6, 10, and 15, they all had wash their hands a few times a day. Also, 60% of the subjects admitted to only numerous to count. Along with their environmental factors, their cleaning habits and beta hemolytic microbes. This could be both Staph or Strep spp. Specimen 4 had an routine also had a great effect on the colony growth factor. cleaning their cell phone once a month or less, while 1 (5%) subject cleans their cell alpha hemolytic group that is characteristic of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The rest phone a few times a week and 5 (25%) had never cleaned their cell phone. Female’s on the blood agars were mostly gamma hemolytics. This also illustrates cell phones had fewer colonies than male’s cell phones. Athletes’ cellphones had more characteristics of some Staphylococcus and Streptococcus spp. Introduction colonies than non-athletes’ cell phones. The specific microorganisms that lie on the surfaces of cellular devices that most The most dominant microorganisms found on the students’ cell phones were people use everyday is quite the biological hazard. Cellphones are one of the dirtiest Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. Escherichia coli (E. coli) was also surfaces alongside our television remotes. Because the personal cell phone has prominent. From left to right: BS agar, become a staple worldwide, many different studies had been made over the concerns of the screens of such phones may be a source of contamination and a risk of infection, EMB agar, Blood agar especially in the healthcare environment. We were curious about the microbiomes that (TNTC), and TSA agar Conclusion could be found on our own Blue Mountain colleagues because of these studies. Cell phones could be the transport and communication of disease among our fellow From our data, we could conclude that the females cellphones were collectively students without their knowledge. cleaner than their male counterparts. Both had significant growth of microbes on all

Identifying these organisms and informing students of the hazard is important to their phones, but the females had less colonies grow on their plates then the males. On both their health and safety. We want to help making an awareness of how not just our the other hand, most of the EMB plates that had the metalic green growth were from routine and macro-environment that affects our health, but also the microenvironment the female population. This can conclude that there phones had some fecal matter still we carry around with us daily. Our inoculated pre-poured agars will help differentiate on the screen or back of the phone. between the different microorganisms. Trypticase soy agar (TSA) is for morphology, color and growth. Sheep blood agar is to distinguish between the Staph spp. and If we are to discern from the athletes and non athletes, the non athletes were much

Strepto spp. from their hemolytic nature. Bismuth sulfite (BS) agar is selective for cleaner than the athletes. This is also because of colony counts are lower than their

Salmonella spp., and eosin methylene blue (EMB) agar is selective for gram negative counterparts. species such as E. coli that colonizes fecal matter. The only growth that did not take place was on the bismuth sulfite agar. No Salmonella was discovered on any of the phones. With the data we collected from our small group study, the population of Blue Methods Blood agar with yellow and TSA (top left), blood agar(top right), Mountain College does transport and have contaminants of some potentially harmful white colonies Blood agar with beta hemolysis A survey was given before sample collection to better assess the enviroment and EMB (bottom left), BS agar (bottom microorganisms growing around and on them. The best thing to do to combat this is to habits of the cellphone’s handler such as gender, athleticism, and cleaning habits. right) regularly wipe our phones with disinfectant or an alcohol wipe to lower the chances of Aseptic technique was used to make sure all samples collected would not be Boys Vs. Girls infecting themselves or others with the microbes. contaminated and to keep our persons and stations safe from any harmful substances or microbes. With all the different microbes that can cause disease or other symptoms, it would Microbial swab samples were taken from both the front and back surfaces of the be safe for the community to raise awareness of cleanliness and personal hygiene. This cellphones and transfered onto TSA, sheep’s blood agar, BS agar, and EMB agar. These could be from cleaning surfaces to washing your hands for twenty seconds. It is better were then incubated at 37.5℃ for 24 hours and 48 hours respectively for the different to play it safe than to play with the uncertain possibilities that plague us in our day to incubation times of each agar. day habitual lives. Once incubated, colonies were counted, identified, and recorded in a table categorizing the gender, time, athlete/non athlete, plates. After data was collected, So do not only remember this, but be active and precautious, because although it plates were autoclaved at 120 degrees and bleached to kill of any harmful microbes and thrown away in the correct disposal. TSA white colonies might not sound dangerous, pretty soon hospital bills will be piling high when all that had to be done was just a few cautious acts. Graph 1: colony counts for the 20 specimens and their habits

Athletes Vs. Non-athletes

Bibliography

EMB agar Example of Sheep blood agar TSA agar Salmonella spp on Blood Agar white colonies BS agar