Evaluating mobile phones as hazardous microbial platforms among medical students of Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt, Problem and Solution | ||||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 10 July 2025 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.392538.2871 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Amira Mostafa Ibrahim Ahmed  ; Rania Ahmed Hasan ; Maha Hamdy
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| Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Mobile phones are essential in modern life but can harbor microbes, posing a risk of transmission, especially in academic and healthcare settings. This study aimed to evaluate microbial contamination on medical students' phones and tested the effectiveness of various disinfectants, including natural extracts, against common pathogens. Methods: This study surveyed 100 medical students on phone hygiene and tested microbial contamination in 100 swabs from their mobile phone touchscreens. The antimicrobial efficacy of 3% hydrogen peroxide, hibiscus, and ginger extracts was assessed against four types of isolated pathogens using the agar well diffusion method. Results: All 100 mobile phones tested harbored bacteria, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common 54 isolates (40.3%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 28 isolates (20.9%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 13 isolates (9.7%). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) accounted for 12 isolates (9.0%), while Bacillus spp. and Candida spp. each had 9 isolates (6.7%). E. coli (7 isolates, 5.2%) and Proteus spp. (2 isolates, 1.5%). Hydrogen peroxide showed the highest antimicrobial activity, especially against Staphylococcus aureus (38.5 ± 2.79 mm), followed by hibiscus extract (22.24 ± 2.21 mm) and ginger extract (19.24 ± 1.99 mm). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the least affected. Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible organism (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the microbial risks associated with phones, particularly among medical students. Staphylococcus aureus was commonly isolated, underscoring the importance of regular disinfection practices. Hydrogen peroxide demonstrated antimicrobial activity, while natural extracts showed potential effectiveness that may benefit from further enhancement or combination to improve results. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Mobile contamination; hydrogen peroxide; ginger; hibiscus extract | ||||
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