Premium
Investigation into the prevalence, persistence and antibiotic resistance profiles of staphylococci isolated from euro currency
Author(s) -
Gabriel E.M.,
Coffey A.,
O'Mahony J.M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12247
Subject(s) - persistence (discontinuity) , antibiotic resistance , antibiotics , staphylococcus aureus , microbiology and biotechnology , coagulase , biology , currency , staphylococcus , staphylococcal infections , veterinary medicine , medicine , bacteria , genetics , geotechnical engineering , monetary economics , economics , engineering
Aims The study set out to sample €10 banknotes for the presence of coagulase‐positive staphylococci ( CPS ) such as S taphylococcus aureus ( S . aureus ) and coagulase‐negative staphylococci ( C o NS ) in S outhern I reland, to assess the levels of antibiotic resistance among those isolated, and determine the persistence of S . aureus on €10 banknotes and €2 coins. Methods and Results We report that 97% of €10 banknotes screened ( n = 155) harboured multiple species of staphylococci. From the generated bank of strains, a total of 150 representative staphylococci isolates were used for further study, 71 were CPS and 79 were C o NS . Of these, we found that 62% of the staphylococci demonstrated resistance to at least one of the first‐line antibiotics (52·11% of CPS isolates and 76·71% of the C o NS isolates). Resistance to multiple antibiotics was seen in 31·18% of the resistant isolates. In relation to persistence studies, S . aureus was shown to remain viable on euro banknotes and coins for significant periods (on average, 19·33 days on €10 banknotes and 16·67 days on €2 coins) as determined using bioluminescence. Conclusions We advocate the expansion of antibiotic surveillance programs, with a view to tracking/monitoring antibiotic resistance dissemination among environmental contaminants. Additionally, we propose that ‘cashless transactions’ should be encouraged in high‐risk environments such as hospitals and healthcare settings, as well as stricter infection controls. Significance and Impact of the Study Although it is accepted that circulating currency has the potential to harbour disease‐causing pathogens, studies investigating prevalence and persistence of such pathogens on euro currency are virtually nonexistent. In an attempt to rectify this, we examined the prevalence of staphylococci on €10 banknotes in Ireland and reported relatively high levels of antibiotic resistance among the isolates. Furthermore, we have established the persistence of S . aureus on euro currency for the first time.