Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus on Paper Currency Notes

The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in paper currency. The paper currencies in circulation in Pokhara Metropolitan City were inspected. Bills of various denominations (Rs 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000) were collected from five different locations; namely Food and Vegetable Shop, Bus conductor, Hospital Pharmacy, Butcher Shop and Grocery Shop. Collected sample were cultured and incubated for 24 hours at 37 oC in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) Broth. The inoculums were further cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) and Blood Agar (BA) media to obtain colonies, which were examined and evaluated for various parameters like gram staining and biochemical tests for identification. Then, antibiotic susceptibility test of the isolates was performed using standard procedures. A total of 35 sample of paper currency were processed, all of which showed positive growth. Out of 86 total isolates, 21 (24.42%) were Staphylococcus aureus followed by Coagulase Negative Staphylococci 19 (22.09%), Diptheroids 14 (16.3%), Bacillus spp 13 (15.11%), Micrococci 9 (10.46%), Streptococcus pneumonia 4 (4.65%), Viridans Streptococcus 4 (4.65%) and Streptococcus pyogenes 2 (2.32%). The total prevalence of MRSA in this study was 7 (33.33%). Paper currency contaminated with MRSA poses a high threat to those handling the bills as well as the community. Thus, this study suggests proper hygiene measures to be adopted after handling of paper currency to minimize the risk of contamination and emergence of diseases.