Investigating the Bacterial Contamination of Bank Automated Teller Machines, Kashan, 2018

Background and Objectives:The most common transmission of infectious pathogens to humans occurs through contact with objects, which plays a major role in the spread of microorganisms in community. Many people think that germs exist only in laboratories, hospitals and clinics, and they do not understand the fact that many out-of-home public levels, including elevator buttons, public phone and mobile phones, computer keypads, Automated teller machine (ATMs) keyboard, can act as carriers of microorganisms due to frequent skin contact. The present study aimed to evaluate bacteriological contamination of ATMs in Kashan. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 70 swabs of ATMs were collected during 6-month period from July to December 2018 in Kashan. Accidental sampling was carried out at different banks of the city. Differential diagnosis of bacterial agents of the swab samples prepared in the of Thioglycolate or Stuart Transport media and transferred to the microbiological laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine. Bacterial isolates cultured on selected media including Blood Agar, agar and Eosin Methylene Blue, McConkey agar and anaerobic culture media. Results:In total, 60 (85.7%) ATMs keyword were contaminated with bacteria. Gram- positive organisms accounted for 78.3 percent of isolates, with Staphylococcus epidermidis (43.3 percent), Bacillus species (20 percent), Micrococcus (8.3 percent), Staphylococcus aureus (5 percent), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (1.7 percent) predominating; 21.7 percent were gram-negative organisms, with Escherichia coli (11.7 percent), Klebsiella species (10 percent), and Flavobacterium odoratum (5 percent) as the most common. Conclusion:As revealed, a high level of ATMs keyword were contaminated with bacteria, with the majority being opportunistic microorganisms for humans. A large number of bank ATMs in urban locations were found to be contaminated with contagious agents and are risky for the society. Regular disinfection of the keyboards, using antimicrobial materials can be helpful in preventing the bacterial accumulation and transmission with ATMs.