Mobile phones as fomites for potential pathogens in hospitals: microbiome analysis reveals hidden contaminants.

Smartphones used in clinical settings harbour potentially pathogenic bacteria, and this may pose an infection risk. Previous studies have relied on culture-based methods.

To characterize the quantity and diversity of microbial contamination of hospital staff smartphones using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. To determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistant potential pathogens. To compare microbial communities of hospital staff and control group phones.