Detection of potentially pathogenic bacteria on cell phones of hospital and university-based populations in Curitiba, southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Cell phones have become indispensable for professional activities, including healthcare. Thus, they are possible sources of bacterial contamination. There is a scarcity of data in the literature regarding identification of risk factors for contamination of cell phones with pathogenic bacteria. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence rates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and/or Enterobacteriaceae on cell phones belonging to hospital healthcare staff and university students in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, and to identify variables associated with such contamination. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in a public university's referral hospital and lecture buildings in 2017. METHODS: We sampled the surface of cell phones using the dipslide method, with Baird-Parker agar and Escherichia coli-coliform chromogenic (ECC) agar. We assessed the population's sociodemographic, behavioral and hygiene characteristics through interviews. Possible presence of S. aureus colonies was confirmed using agglutination tests, with evaluation of methicillin sensitivity. Colonies in ECC medium were counted. Stepwise logistic regression (forward P < 0.15) was performed to identify characteristics associated with bacterial contamination. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of S. aureus, MRSA and Enterobacteriaceae were, respectively, 32%, 4% and 3%. No difference was found between the hospital and university-based populations (P > 0.05). The only variable associated with bacterial contamination was the use of cloth/velvet/leather phone cases (odds ratio: 2.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.08-7.91). CONCLUSIONS: Potentially pathogenic bacteria were prevalent on the cell phones of this hospital and university population. Use of phone cases made of cloth-like material should be discouraged, especially in hospital settings.

Bacterial vaginosis in pregnant adolescents: proinflammatory cytokine and bacterial sialidase profile. Cross-sectional study / Vaginose bacteriana em gestantes adolescentes: perfil de citocinas proinflamatórias e sialidases bacterianas. Estudo transversal

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Bacterial vaginosis occurs frequently in pregnancy and increases susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STI). Considering that adolescents are disproportionally affected by STI, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cervicovaginal levels of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8 and bacterial sialidase in pregnant adolescents with bacterial vaginosis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at mother and child referral units in Belém, Pará, Brazil. METHODS: Vaginal samples from 168 pregnant adolescents enrolled were tested for trichomoniasis and candidiasis. Their vaginal microbiota was classified according to the Nugent criteria (1991) as normal, intermediate or bacterial vaginosis. Cervical infection due to Chlamydia trachomatisand Neisseria gonorrhoeae was also assessed. Cytokine and sialidase levels were measured, respectively, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and MUAN conversion in cervicovaginal lavages. Forty-eight adolescents (28.6%) were excluded because they tested positive for some of the infections investigated. The remaining 120 adolescents were grouped according to vaginal flora type: normal (n = 68) or bacterial vaginosis (n = 52). Their cytokine and sialidase levels were compared between the groups using the Mann-Whitney test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The pregnant adolescents with bacterial vaginosis had higher levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 (P < 0.05). Sialidase was solely detected in 35 adolescents (67.2%) with bacterial vaginosis. CONCLUSIONS: Not only IL-1 beta and sialidase levels, but also IL-6 and IL-8 levels are higher in pregnant adolescents with bacterial vaginosis, thus indicating that this condition elicits a more pronounced inflammatory response in this population, which potentially increases vulnerability to STI acquisition.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A vaginose bacteriana é uma condição, comum em gestantes, que aumenta a susceptibilidade a infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST). Considerando que adolescentes são desproporcionalmente afetadas por IST, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os níveis cervicovaginais de interleucina (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8 e sialidases bacterianas em gestantes adolescentes com vaginose bacteriana. DESENHO DO ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal em Unidade de Referência Materno Infantil (UREMIA), Belém, Pará, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Amostras vaginais das 168 gestantes adolescentes incluídas foram testadas para tricomoníase e candidíase e a microbiota vaginal foi classificada em normal, intermediária e vaginose bacteriana, segundo os critérios de Nugent (1991). Infecções cervicais por Chlamydia trachomatis eNeisseria gonorrhoeae também foram avaliadas. Os níveis de citocinas e sialidades foram quantificados, respectivamente, por método imunoenzimático e pela conversão do MUAN nos lavados cervicovaginais. Foram excluídas 48 (28,6%) adolescentes positivas para alguma das infecções investigadas. As 120 gestantes remanescentes foram agrupadas de acordo com o padrão de flora vaginal em: normal (n = 68) e vaginose bacteriana (n = 52). Níveis de citocinas e sialidases foram comparados pelo teste de Mann-Whitney, P < 0,05. RESULTADOS: As gestantes adolescentes com vaginose bacteriana entre os grupos apresentaram níveis aumentados de IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 (P < 0,05). Sialidases foram exclusivamente detectadas em 35 (67,2%) adolescentes com vaginose bacteriana. CONCLUSÕES: Não apenas a IL-1 beta e as sialidases estão aumentadas em gestantes adolescentes com vaginose bacteriana, mas também IL-6 e IL-8, indicando resposta inflamatória mais pronunciada dessa alteração de microbiota nesta população, potencializando a vulnerabilidade à aquisição de IST.