Abstract
Fomites are inanimate objects that are capable of absorbing, harboring and transmitting infectious microorganisms. Paper currency, an exchangeable fomite, is constantly subjected to contamination. This study investigated bacterial contamination on the Saudi one Riyal paper note. Two hundred one Riyal bills (100 4 super(th) version and 100 5 super(th) version) were collected in the city of Jeddah for examination. The notes were examined for bacterial contamination using blood agar and MacConkey agar. Eighty-eight percent of the notes were contaminated with mixed ( greater than or equal to 2 types) bacterial growth. All 4 super(th) version notes had mixed bacterial growth: gram-positive bacilli (79%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (75%), Staphylococcus aureus (38%), Klebsiella spp (21%), Pseudomonas spp (19%), Escherichia coli (9%), viridans group streptococci (VGS) (8%), and non-hemolytic streptococci (4%). Seventy-six percent of the newer 5 super(th) version notes had mixed bacterial growth: gram-positive bacilli (68%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (64%), S. aureus (13%), Klebsiella spp (9%), Pseudomonas spp (5%), E. coli (2%) and VGS (2%). These results indicate the Saudi one Riyal paper note is commonly contaminated with bacteria, and may act as a vehicle for the transmission of potentially pathogenic bacteria. The more the bill had been handled the greater the contamination was.