Metagenomic Sequencing Revealed the Potential Pathogenic Threats of Banknotes

Banknotes have long
been suspected to be biologically “dirty”
due to their frequent human contact, which may transmit human microbial
pathogens. Still, it is an unsettled issue whether the microbes on
banknotes pose a real threat to human health. In several previous
studies, metagenomic sequencing was used to reveal the diversities
of microbes on banknotes but live microorganism culture and functional
verification were lacking. In this study, we collected banknotes of
RMB in China as well as dollar bills in the United States and analyzed
the microbial biodiversity and drug resistance genes carried by the
identified microbes by metagenomic sequencing and in vitro culture
methods. We identified eight major genera of drug-resistant bacteria
through screening of 30 antibiotics, and the blood agar plate culture
uncovered six pathogenic fungal species. Numerous phage and six dangerous
viral sequences were also found. These results should substantiate
our concern about the potential risk of banknotes to human health.