British scientists say that on the surface of the smartphone bacteria is 18 times more than the flush handle in a men’s public restroom. Fungus, mold, E. coli and other “known animals” can actually see the surface of your favorite gadget that modern users are often kept out of the hands. Moreover, the craze for selfies with friends and shooting food for Instagram seems to have made smartphones even more dangerous. Resource Onliner decided to sort out the problem and ordered a study. The results obtained by the specialists of epidemiology and Microbiology, not just encouraging – amazing!
It was decided to find out how things work with bacteria and microbes on the surface of the iPhone 6s Plus, Nokia 3310, MacBook Air and the computer mouse. All of these devices were used continuously, the Nokia phone was in fact just over two weeks. Does the result type from the surface of the gadget and material from which made the housing?
To remove the sample uses a special transport medium (in this case — “Amies” without carbon) that retains the microorganisms in the quantities in which they were originally taken. The applicator with the tampon, which caused it’s the most gel-like substance, the specialist has conducted on the surface of the iPhone screen and Home button.
Then comes the turn of the mouse. Samples are removed from top and from bottom that is in contact with the table. The third step is sampled with the MacBook keyboard and the touchpad. Completed sampling with Nokia 3310.
Samples were seeded in Petri dishes and sent to the thermostat, which is kept at a constant temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. Thanks to the transport environment even a single microbe will grow and show itself in all its glory. A day after cultivation held identification of bacteria and determined the sensitivity to antibiotics with the help of special discs. If the bacterium is sensitive to the drug, around there is a delay of growth of the colony, the germ of the “corroded”.
The results
A few days later were the results of research. The Nokia 3310 is not revealed pathogenic microorganisms, only microorganisms that are normal flora and therefore can’t cause disease. The MacBook keyboard was identified as the normal microflora (Staphylococcus epidermidis) and coagulase-negative hemolytic staphylococci, which in large numbers can cause disease. It is believed that bacteria do not represent a significant risk to human health, but may reduce the effectiveness of treatment of coexisting diseases. The touchpad contained pathogenic micrococci Micrococcus luteus in the normal range.
Computer mouse expected was not sterile. Despite the fact that she is cleaned about once a week, a thorough washing is not called. In the end, on the top found a small amount of Micrococcus luteus, while at the bottom he same, but in larger quantities.
And finally, the winner of the event, crashed the hopes that the glass surface will not remain any dirt or germs — iPhone 6 Plus. Here the specialists of the Republican scientific practical center of epidemiology and Microbiology have discovered the growth of pathogenic Beta-hemolytic of group b streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae). With infection streptococci of the group In associated infections of the genitourinary system, they can colonize the nasopharynx and gastrointestinal tract.
Conclusions
Studies have shown that even in the most ordinary and mundane things can lurk in unexpected “surprises”. But if in the operation a person will from time to time to wipe the gadget wipes impregnated or even dry with a clean cloth, it practically does not leave chances for survival on the gadget of microorganisms. Given these features, the use of the smartphone might be absolutely safe from the point of view of microbial contamination.
