Almogbel Mashael, Huq Mohsina, Almogbel Meshal, Almatroudi Ahmad, Allemailem Khaled S
Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia.
College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia.
Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2025 May 22;2025:4611971. doi: 10.1155/cjid/4611971. eCollection 2025.
Contaminated paper currency may serve as a potential source for multidrug-resistant pathogens, posing risks not only to individuals who handle cash but also to public health. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), and microbial contamination of paper currency and biofilm formation in the wallet as a reservoir of contamination in Saudi Arabia (KSA). Data were collected through an online survey assessing the KAP of the Saudi population regarding the use of contaminated notes across various provinces from February to April 2018. The analysis was conducted using EPI INFO V7 software. Microorganisms were isolated and identified from paper and plastic currency collected from slaughterhouses, gas stations, and hospital cafeterias. The MicroScan WalkAway system was utilized for confirmation and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) testing, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to visualize biofilms present in wallets. Among the 1415 adult Saudi citizens surveyed, 75% lacked awareness about contaminated currency. Over 50% reported not washing their hands after handling contaminated notes, with 78% of those being male. Fifteen different microbial species were isolated from contaminated notes, including and fecal coliforms. Multidrug-resistant and were detected in nearly all paper notes, while extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) . was found only in 50-riyal notes. Plastic notes showed no bacterial contamination. SEM images of the interior surfaces of wallets revealed the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in biofilms, along with cocci-shaped bacteria. To mitigate health risks, it is recommended that paper notes be replaced with plastic currency, and efforts should be made to raise awareness among the Saudi population regarding the dangers posed by contaminated notes.
受污染的纸币可能成为多重耐药病原体的潜在来源，不仅对接触现金的个人构成风险，也对公众健康构成风险。本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯（KSA）民众对纸币微生物污染及钱包作为污染储存库中生物膜形成的知识、态度和行为（KAP）。2018年2月至4月，通过在线调查收集沙特民众在不同省份使用受污染纸币的KAP数据。使用EPI INFO V7软件进行分析。从屠宰场、加油站和医院食堂收集的纸质和塑料货币中分离并鉴定微生物。利用MicroScan WalkAway系统进行确认和抗菌药物耐药性（AMR）测试，同时采用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）观察钱包中存在的生物膜。在接受调查的1415名成年沙特公民中，75%对受污染货币缺乏认识。超过50%的人表示在处理受污染纸币后不洗手，其中78%为男性。从受污染纸币中分离出15种不同的微生物，包括粪大肠菌群。几乎所有纸币中都检测到多重耐药菌，而超广谱β-内酰胺酶（ESBL）仅在50里亚尔纸币中发现。塑料纸币未显示细菌污染。钱包内表面的SEM图像显示生物膜中存在细胞外聚合物（EPS）以及球菌形细菌。为降低健康风险，建议用塑料货币取代纸币，并努力提高沙特民众对受污染纸币所构成危险的认识。
