Unseen Threats in Circulation: Pathogenic Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance on Pakistani Currency Notes

Microorganisms are ubiquitous, colonizing various environments, including the human body and frequently handled surfaces such as paper currency. Banknotes act as potential vectors for disease transmission, as they continuously circulate among individuals, increasing the risk of cross-contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. This study investigated the bacterial contamination of Pakistani currency notes, analyzing fifty (50) banknotes collected from diverse sources in District Abbottabad, including butcher shops, vegetable markets, fish markets, taxi drivers, university canteens, banks, students, and patients. Paper currency of 10, 20, 50, and 100 PKR denominations were randomly collected in sterile polyethylene bags and transported to the Microbiology Laboratory at Abbottabad University of Science and Technology for microbial analysis. Standard microbiological techniques were employed for the isolation, biochemical characterization, and identification of bacterial species. The results revealed the presence of various pathogenic bacteria, with the following distribution: Staphylococcus aureus: 33.3% (butcher shops), 20% (canteens), 13.3% (taxi drivers), 13.3% (fish markets), 13.3% (biryani shops), 6.6% (general stores). Bacillus spp.: 50% (butcher shops), 50% (general stores). Klebsiella pneumoniae: 18.5% (canteens), 14.2% (general stores). Vibrio spp.: 14.2% (butcher shops), 14.2% (fish markets). Escherichia coli (E. coli): 14.2% (butcher shops), 14.2% (fish markets). The findings indicate that Pakistani currency notes are frequently contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, posing a potential public health risk. Notably, lower-denomination banknotes exhibited higher contamination levels than higher-denomination notes, suggesting increased microbial exposure due to frequent handling and circulation. Strict hygiene measures and public awareness regarding currency handling are essential to minimize microbial transmission and safeguard human health.