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Published (Version of Record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Microbial laden mobile phones from international conference attendees pose potential risks to public health and biosecurity
Infection, disease & health, In Press
2024
PMID: 39332981
Abstract
Introduction
Mobile phones, contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, have the potential to act as “trojan horses”. The microbial signatures present on their surfaces most probably vary across different geographical regions. As a result, mobile phones belonging to international conference attendees may serve as a model for global microbial dissemination, posing potential risks to public health and biosecurity.
Aim
This study aimed to profile the microbes present on mobile phones belonging to delegates attending an international scientific conference through use of metagenomic shotgun DNA sequencing.
Methods
Twenty mobile phones, representing ten different geographical zones from around the world, were swabbed and pooled together into ten geographical-specific samples for high definition next-generation DNA sequencing. WONCA council members were invited to participate and provided verbal consent. Following DNA extraction, next generation sequencing, to a depth of approximately 10Gbp per sample, was undertaken on a v1.5 Illumina NovaSeq6000 system. Bioinformatic analysis was performed via the CosmosID platform.
Results
A total of 2204 microbial hits were accumulated across 20 mobile phones inclusive of 882 bacteria, 1229 viruses, 88 fungi and 5 protozoa. Of particular concern was the identification of 65 distinct antibiotic resistance genes and 86 virulence genes. Plant, animal and human pathogens, including ESKAPE and HACEK bacteria were found on mobile phones.
Discussion/conclusion
Mobile phones of international attendees are contaminated with many & varied microorganisms. Further research is required to characterize the risks these devices pose for biosecurity and public health. Development of new policies which appropriately address and prevent such risks maybe warranted.
Details
- Title
- Microbial laden mobile phones from international conference attendees pose potential risks to public health and biosecurity
- Authors/Creators
- Matthew Olsen - Bond UniversityAdrian Goldsworthy - Bond UniversityMark Morgan - Bond UniversityJohn Leggett - Bond UniversityThibaut Demaneuf - Pacific CommunityNatalia Van Der Bruggen - Bond UniversityGobinddeep Singh - Bond UniversityRose Ghemrawi - Al Ain UniversityAbiola Senok - Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health SciencesReem Almheiri - International Centre for Forensic Sciences, Dubai Police, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesSimon McKirdy - Murdoch University, Centre for Biosecurity and One HealthRashed Alghafri - Murdoch University, Harry Butler InstituteLotti Tajouri - Murdoch University, Harry Butler Institute
- Publication Details
- Infection, disease & health, In Press
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control.
- Identifiers
- 991005707264507891
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Harry Butler Institute
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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