RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2012 www.PosterPresentations.com 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 (37 o C, 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 University Eduardo Zappi PhD Patricia 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. 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 All Colonies E. coli Colonies Number of Colonies Colony Types Colony Counts 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Space Bar Colonies E Key Colonies Number of Colonies Key Types Colony Counts on Spacebar and E Key 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 E. coli on Spacebar E. coli on E Key Number of Colonies Key Types 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 Conclusion Results Introduction Purpose/Hypothesis Acknowledgements Carpenter, T. (2013, January 24). Choropleth Map: Keyboard Bacteria. https://www.behance.net/gallery/6831 305/Choropleth-Map-Keyboard- Bacteria Photo by Laura Prioteasa http://biology.missouristate.edu/fa culty_pages/MyersR/BIO%20310/D ilutions.htm http://novatravelclinic.com/vaccinations/what- is-the-pertussis-vaccine/ http://vbcservice.com/personal-services/ WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: First Global Patient Safety Challenge Clean Care Is Safer Care. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009. 7, Transmission of pathogens by hands. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK144014/ B. subtilis S. marcenes S. aureus S. albus E. coli M. luteus S. pyogenes A. nidulaus Sample of bacterial colonies Photo credit: Dr. Agnes T. Berki PhD Microorganisms Cholesystitis Bacteremia Cholangitis UTI Traveler’s diarrhea Pneumonia Allergy Asthma Fungal infections Infertility Brain tumors Occular infections Bacteremia Meningitis Septic shock Pneumonia UTI Endocarditis Abscesses Meningitis Hypersensitivity pneumonitis Opportunistic pathogen Sty Cellulitis Folliculitis Bacteremia Scalded skin syndrome Septicemia UTI Pneumonia Osteomyelitis Keratitis Endorcarditis Pharyngitis Tonsilitis Scarlet fever Cellulitis Necrotizing fasciatis