Prevalence of Pathogenic Bacteria on Face Masks from Wet Markets in Makkah during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic compelled people worldwide to use face masks to limit the spread of the disease. Improper use of masks may increase the transmission of pathogenic bacteria, causing co-infection that may result in an increase in complications of COVID-19 and a rise in the death rate. This study aims to determine the presence of pathogenic bacteria on the surfaces of masks worn by workers while working at several markets (meat, fish, fruit, and vegetable markets) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pathogenic bacteria on the masks of some workers in different markets in Makkah were identified and confirmed by growth media and an automated system. Pathogenic bacteria were detected in 99% of the studied samples. The most commonly detected bacteria on masks were E. coli, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus. A few samples included additional bacterial species, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate harmful bacteria on the masks of a random group of non-healthcare workers. Improper mask use by various populations might result in significant cross-contamination with pathobionts. KEYWORDS COVID-19, face masks, bacterial contamination, infection, hygiene, wet market