Banknotes as a Possible Vehicle for the Transmission of Human Pathogens

Abstract

Banknotes contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms either due to inappropriate handling or subsequent recontamination may become a contaminated inanimate surface with the possibility to transfer pathogens. Currency provides a good atmosphere for the growth of the microorganisms and works as a reservoir. Contamination may play an important role in the transmission of infection especially during outbreaks of infectious diseases. In this issue, Esmail et al. (2020) report a high level of bacterial and fungal contamination of all the banknote samples. The isolation of a huge number of pathogenic microorganisms from the circulating currency is alarming. In the future, more research should be conducted in the area of the adherence of microorganisms onto banknotes and study the infectivity of microorganisms after being adhered onto banknotes for certain periods of time. Another important future focus is using materials with antimicrobial activity for banknotes in order to enhance their antimicrobial properties without adding antimicrobial agents onto banknotes which can have possible harmful or toxic effects.