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Laura Prioteasa, Tulaja Shrestha, Anup Khanal, Jasleen Kaur, Ainsley Hendershot and Agnes T. Berki, Ph.D.

Department of Natural and Physical Sciences, Caldwell University, Caldwell NJ 07006

INVESTIGATION OF THE QUANTITY OF E. COLI IN RELATION TO OTHER BACTERIA ON COMPUTER KEYBOARDS IN UNIVERSITY SETTINGS

Epidemics (e.g. Ebola) Routes of transmission •Direct•Indirect contact•Contaminated objects•Influenza, Ebola, Hepatitis•E coli O157:H7 (MNEC), •Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA• C. difficile (colitis), pink eye

Research•Hospital settings: 11 articles•Educational settings: 4 articles

Sampling of “E” and spacebar keys • Q-tips, KWIK-STIK (E. coli O157:H7), TSA, sterile tubes• Inoculated under sterile hood• Bacterial growth (37oC, 2-3 days) • Plates containing Tryptone with NaCl agar

Although there were less than 85% E. coli strains on the keyboard, many other disease causing bacteria were also

found . These include: Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia marcenes, Streptomyces albus, Bacillus subtilis,

Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Aspergillus nidulaus (black mold).

Further research will confirm the identity of these bacteria by alternate methods: PCR, Biolog, DNA

sequencing

To analyze the species and amount of bacteria found on commonly used keyboards in commonly used settings.

More than 85% of microorganisms will be E. coli.

Independent College Fund of New Jersey.Caldwell UniversityEduardo Zappi PhDPatricia Levins MBA

College administrators should consider using disposable/washable keyboard covers, waterproof

keyboards or placing 70% alcohol wipes near every public

computer (such as many public fitness institutions)

Materials and Methods

Evaluations based on:• Morphology: appearance, shape,

margin, elevation, size, texture,pigmentation and optical property

• Colony counting• Metabolic testing

Anderson, G., & Palombo, E. (2009). Microbial contamination of computer keyboards in a university setting. American Journal of Infection Control, 37(6), 507-509

Boa, T. T., Rahube, T. O., Fremaux, B., PhD., Levett, P. N., PhD., & Yost, C. K., PhD. (2013). Prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci species isolated from computer keyboards located in secondary and postsecondary schools. Journal of Environmental Health, 75(6), 50-8. search.proquest.com/docview/1249002365?accountid=26523

Enemuor, S. C. "Microorganisms Associated with Computer Keyboards and Mice in a University Environment." African Journal of Microbiology Research 6.20 (2012): n. pag. Web.

Messina, Gabriele, Cecilia Quercioli, Sandra Burgassi, Francesca Nisticò, Angelo Lupoli, and Nicola Nante. "How Many Bacteria Live on the Keyboard of Your Computer?" American Journal of Infection Control 39.7 (2011): 616-18.

Norovirus Outbreak in an Elementary School--District of Columbia, February 2007. (2008). JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 56(51), 627-630.

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All Colonies E. coli ColoniesN

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Space Bar Colonies E Key Colonies

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Colony Counts on Spacebar and E Key

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E. coli on Spacebar E. coli on E Key

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E. coli Counts on Spacebar and E Key

Colonies were distinguished by morphology.Total number of colonies: 415, E. coli colonies: 122, Percent error: 4.0 %

E.coli colonies were separated based on their location: E and Spacebar, E key: 47, E. coli on Spacebar: 75, Percent error: 4.0 %

All colonies based on location: E and Spacebar, E key: 245, Spacebar: 167

Possible Solutions

References

ConclusionResultsIntroduction

Purpose/Hypothesis

Acknowledgements

Carpenter, T. (2013, January 24).Choropleth Map: Keyboard Bacteria.https://www.behance.net/gallery/6831305/Choropleth-Map-Keyboard-Bacteria

Photo by Laura Prioteasa

http://biology.missouristate.edu/faculty_pages/MyersR/BIO%20310/Dilutions.htm

http://novatravelclinic.com/vaccinations/what-is-the-pertussis-vaccine/

http://vbcservice.com/personal-services/

WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: First GlobalPatient Safety Challenge Clean Care Is Safer Care. Geneva: WorldHealth Organization; 2009. 7, Transmission of pathogens byhands. Available from:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK144014/

B. subtilis S. marcenesS. aureusS. albusE. coli M. luteus S. pyogenesA. nidulaus

Sample of bacterial coloniesPhoto credit: Dr. Agnes T. Berki PhD

Microorganisms

Cholesystitis

Bacteremia

Cholangitis

UTI

Traveler’s diarrhea

Pneumonia

Allergy

Asthma

Fungal infections

Infertility

Brain tumors

Occularinfections

Bacteremia

Meningitis

Septic shock

Pneumonia

UTI

Endocarditis

Abscesses

Meningitis

Hypersensitivity pneumonitisOpportunistic

pathogen

Sty

Cellulitis

Folliculitis

Bacteremia

Scalded skin syndrome

Septicemia

UTI

Pneumonia

Osteomyelitis

Keratitis

Endorcarditis

Pharyngitis

Tonsilitis

Scarlet fever

Cellulitis

Necrotizing fasciatis