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Types of Bacteria Found on Desks

If you are swamped with work and cannot bother to leave your desk during lunchtime, there's a high probability that you will grab a quick bite at your workstation. Perhaps next time, you should think twice before you do so. People's desks are among the filthiest places imaginable and play host to several types of bacteria. On top of this, people rarely clean their desks as well as the objects on them. Your fingers, food crumbs, and dead skin are all excellent carriers of a wide variety of harmful bacteria.

  1. Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci

    • The recent past has seen a steady increase in infections due to coagulase-negative staphylococci. Skin infections and urinary tract infections are among the most common phenomena observed at the onset of this infection. While the mortality rate caused by these bacteria is very low, it is still advisable to be cautious. Skin-to-skin or skin-to-fomite (inanimate carrier) contact can be counted as the prime causes of these infections. The keyboard and other objects on the desk serve as perfect hiding places for these organisms and any person using the devices can be exposed to the dangers they present.

    Diphtheroids

    • A large number of bacteria belonging to the genus "Corynebacterium" are classified as "diphtheroids." Some of these diphtheroids feature prominently in acne lesions and are a major factor involved in acne pathogenesis. Nearly 80 percent of the keyboards in use today contain diphtheroids. It poses a significant risk to patients who have weak immune systems, especially those suffering from Cancer or diseases that compromise the immune system.

    Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

    • Pseudomonas Aeruginosa can be counted among the type of bacteria that thrive on keyboard surfaces even after a standard wiping process. They are one of the leading causes of pneumonia, urinary tract infections and bacteremia. People with a healthy immune system are less susceptible to such diseases, but those with compromised or weak immune systems can be more susceptible. The mortality rate of people suffering from its symptoms low, however.

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