MICROBIAL LOAD AND PATHOGEN PREVALENCE ON TOILETS SEATS IN THE FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF DELTA, AGBOR
Abstract
This study investigated the microbial load and pathogen prevalence on toilet seat surfaces in the
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. A total of 18
swab samples were collected from toilet seats using sterile saline-moistened cotton swabs,
covering a 5 cm × 5 cm area on each seat. Seventeen samples were from various toilet seats, while
one served as a control. The swabs were cultured on nutrient agar, Salmonella-Shigella agar,
MacConkey agar, blood agar, and chocolate agar. Isolates were characterized using colony
morphology, haemolysis patterns, Gram staining, and standard biochemical tests. Results showed
that 94.1% (16/17) of the toilet seat samples had visible bacterial growth, with cream-colored,
round colonies being the predominant morphology. Gram staining revealed that 75% of isolates
were Gram-negative bacilli and 25% were Gram-positive cocci. Biochemical tests confirmed the
presence of Escherichia coli (43.8%), Enterococcus species (25.0%), Salmonella species (18.8%),
and Klebsiella species (12.5%). All isolates were non-haemolytic and oxidase-negative, with
100% showing sugar fermentation and 75% testing catalase-positive. The high prevalence of
enteric pathogens, particularly E. coli and Enterococcus, indicates significant fecal contamination
and suggests a potential health risk associated with the use of public toilet facilities in the faculty.
The findings highlight the need for improved hygiene practices, regular disinfection routines, and
awareness campaigns to minimize microbial transmission and promote environmental sanitation
within public restrooms in institutional settings.
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