Abstract

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PATTERN OF PATHOGENS ISOLATED FROM MOBILE PHONE AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abdulrahman Al Asmari*, Maysa Mahfoud, Ali Al Barrak, Yasser Babair, Noura Elkhizzi, Saud Al Omani

Abstract

Introduction: Antibiotic resistance is a problem of deep scientific concern both in hospital and community Settings. The patient environment in healthcare settings has continually proven to harbor a reservoir of potentially harmful, and even lethal multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of multidrug resistant producing pathogens contaminated mobile phones (MPs) used by patient, companions, visitors and Heath. Results: Out of 426 mobile phones enrolled, a total of 163 isolates linked to hospital acquired infection were recovered. This study revealed high prevalence of multidrugresistant isolates reaching (71.8%), whereas Extended-spectrum betalactamases (ESBLs) producing K. pneumoniae, E. coli and MRSA accounted (27.6%) of the isolates. E. cloacae (88.9%) and S. aureus (85.7%) were found to be the principle MDRO. Likewise 76% of A. baumannii, K. pneumonia and E. coli were MDRO. High prevalence rate of resistant patterns were observed among Enterobacteriaceae strains with exception of P. agglomerans to ampicillin, cephlosporins and fluoroquinolones. Better activity was limited to amikacin and tigecycline, which elicited the highest susceptibility levels. Resistance rates toward carbapenems among A. baumaii and P. aerogenosa were 42.8% and 33.4% respectively. Fifty four percent of S. aureus were resistant to oxacillin, cefoxitin, while 9.9% were resistant toward vancomycin. MRSA isolates exhibited a high range of cross-resistance to ≥9 tested antibiotics. Conclusion: The results clearly indicated the emergence of mobile phones as carrier of multiple drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Regular decontamination of mobile phones and hand hygiene compliance can help reduce the burden of MDRO.

Keywords: Multidrug-resistance, ESBL, MRSA, Hospital Acquired infection, Mobile phone, Saudi Arabia