Abstract: In the technology century, almost everyone has to use computers .The computer itself might be contaminated by microbes that can be transmitted and affect the users. Identification of these microorganisms and then eliminate them is necessary to ensure safe use of computers.
Objective: To determine the degree of microbial contamination on the laptops’ keyboards,To determine the efficacy of different home disinfectants.
Materials & Methods: 30 specimens (laptops) were collected from 15 male and 15 female students in Collage of Medicine at King Faisal University at AlAhsa. Laptops’ keyboards were swabbed by sterile technique, and were cultured on blood agar, nutrient agar, mannitol salt agar using the spread plate technique to detect bacterial count (colony forming unit CFU). The specimens were incubated at 37 o C for 48 hours. 3 different home disinfectant:
1- drinking water 2- 5%chlorine (the Clorox company) with water 3- 5% detol with water were prepared. Each laptop were divided into 3 regions in each region only one disinfectant were applied. After drying, we swabbed the 3 regions and the swabs materials were cultured again.
Results: Bacteria was detected in a significant number on laptops. We detected in female laptops a higher CFU than male laptops. All disinfectants were highly effective in removing or inactivating bacteria. Drinking water was as effective at removing the pathogens as others. None of the disinfectants has any visible effects on the appearance of the letters on laptops’ keyboards.
Conclusion: The use of laptops’ keyboard s may pose the risk of microbial contamination to users. Simple home based disinfectant can eliminate the contaminated pathogen, and their use is highly recommended.
Keywords: microbial, contamination, keyboards, disinfectants.
Title: MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF LAPTOPS’ KEYBOARDS AND THE EFFICACY OF HOME DISINFECTANTS
Author: Manal Alquaimi
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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