Question

Write a good summary about this article, not too lengthy but also not too short.

TITLE: Identification of Bacterial Contamination and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Solution on Mobile Phones

In June 29, 2007, Apple Inc. stunned the IT world by introducing the first generation iPhone which gathered the function of taking photos, playing music, send and receiving email and message, and connect to internet in one gadget. Running on iPhone Operating System (IOS) it changed the world’s perspective of “Smartphones”. In today’s world, “smart phones” usually refer to that mobile phone with multi touch screen, including a virtual keyboard, running on specific operation system designed for mobile phone usage (IOS, Android OS, Symbian OS and etc.). End user is able to download applications and software’s from the software manufacturer according to their own need [1]. According to the recent estimation by Statista, one of the world’s largest statistics portals, there are as many as 4.4 billion mobile phones users worldwide and the number is increasing progressively. It was estimated that the number will achieve 5 billion in the end of 2015 [2]. In Malaysia, the first cellular network was introduced by Telekom Malaysia in 1985, based on NMT 450. The mobile phones were large and bulky [3]. Subsequently, 3G started in Malaysia in the second half of 1995. It is a packet-based transmission of text, digitized video and multimedia at data rates up to and possibly higher than 2 megabytes per second (Mbps). This offered a consistent set of services to mobiles, computers and phone users wherever they may be in the world. Once 3G is fully implemented, they can be constantly being connected to the internet and are given roaming capabilities by their service providers [4]. By Feb 2014, the number of mobile phone user surpassed 30 million in which 24% of them are among 15-34 years old. Most (65%) of the mobile phone are running on Android OS, followed by iOS and Windows [5]. A human body is usually a home for about 1014 bacteria [6] which plays different roles in our life. They may last for semi-permanent basis. Normal flora secretes secondary metabolite like vitamin B12 which is unable to be secreted by human body. They also trigger human body’s immune system and helps in the development of immune system [7]. In gastrointestinal tract, normal floras help food digestion, the duodenal flora is in sparse amount (0 to 103/g of contents). The ileum contains a moderately mixed flora concentration. (106 to 108/g of contents). However, normal flora causes disease if it escapes from the normal location. For example, Helicobacter pylori potentially cause the formation of ulcer which appears in stomach. In addition, the normal flora may impair the immune system of the host and result in failure of normal flora to prevent the transient pathogens or invasion of host by the normal flora themselves [8]. Microorganism that causes disease is called pathogen. They usually enter the body, multiply themselves and reach their target site in the body, attach themselves there so that they are not dislodged and multiple rapidly. Nutrients are obtained from the host [8]. Studies showed that mobile phones could be contaminated via source such as human skin or hand bag, phone pouch, bags, pockets, environment and food particles, these sources are links through which microorganisms colonize the phone, thus causing diseases that range from mild to chronic [9]. Research has shown that there can be significant interpersonal variation in human microbiota, including for those microorganisms found on the skin [10]. A study done on 2009 reported that 67 percent of men and 64 percent of women have slept with their cell phone or right next to their bed [11]. This increases the probability of pathogenic microorganism transmission when personal hygiene is not well taken care of under such circumstances mobile phones have been reported to be a reservoir for microorganism. It has been reported that a mobile phone can harbour more microorganism than a man’s lavatory seat; the sole of a shoe or the door handle [7]. The combination of constant handling and the heat generated by phone as well as sweat from hands creates an optimum breeding environment for all kinds of microorganisms which are found on our skin. In 2009, Ulger [12] carried out a research to determine the contamination rate of the healthcare worker’s mobile phone and hands in operation room and ICU. The result was eye-catching when 94.5% of phones demonstrated evidence of bacterial contamination with different types of bacteria. This shows that mobile phones can be a factor of microorganism transmission. Also, mobile phones used by health care workers’ itself may be a source of nosocomial infections in hospital. However, there is no proper antimicrobial solution specifically for mobile phone in practice. The objective of this study is to introduce an antimicrobial solution preparation to clean the outer surface of mobile phones and evaluate the effectiveness by using microbial count approach. Thus disinfecting solutions of contact lenses [13] are used as references for antimicrobial solution preparation due to their similar actions and in nature both are use intimately with human skin. Santos [14] have done disinfection test against bacteria with each MPS. The investigation tests MPS which are commercially available on market. As per the results, Opti- Free® was capable of reducing cell concentration for 4-log. Thus, the ingredient of Opti-Free®, the diaminetriacetic acid is the preservative/disinfecting agents, sodium citrate is the buffer and propylene glycol is the surfactant while sodium chloride is the pH buffer. After considering the various factors, the self-prepared antimicrobial agent containing tween 80, 70% ethanol, flavoring and coloring agent. Alcohols groups were picked as testing agent in our study due to its ease of use and stability.

Answer 1

Apple Inc. introduced iPhone in 2007 termed as “Smartphone” with ability to do everything. There are thousands to millions of apps and software that can be downloaded and used on the phone. With introduction of more technology, use of smartphones became more common across the world. According to many studies and survey, it is found that most of the mobile phones are contaminated by microbes that come from contact with human skin, hand bag, pouches, pockets and the overall surrounding environment. One of the most common reasons for transmission of the microbes on the phone is because of people sleeping with their phone next to them. The micro-organisms, depending on the type, can be both good and bad for the human body. Some might be beneficial while some causes diseases. The mobile phone becomes a reservoir for transmitted microbes when one neglects their personal hygiene. The reason why phones become breeding ground for microbes is due to constant fiddling with the phone, heating up of the phone and use of the phone with minimum hygiene. As per some research by Ulger in 2009, it was found 94.5% of phone is contaminated by bacteria. The lack of antimicrobial solution for phones is another reason of the prevalent contamination. On evaluating and finding out about anti-microbial solution, the total microbial count on phone can be reduced. Use of Opti-Free was somewhat able to reduce the microbial contamination due to diaminetriacetic acid as one of the disinfecting agents along with sodium Citrate as buffer and presence of propylene glycol. The anti-microbial agent in form of Tween 80 and 70% ethanol is used.