1. 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 (37oC, 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 ColoniesNumberofColonies
Colony Types
Colony Counts
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Space Bar Colonies E Key Colonies
NumberofColonies
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
NumberofColonies
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
ConclusionResultsIntroduction
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. marcenesS. aureusS. albusE. coli M. luteus S. pyogenesA. 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