MICROBIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF HANDRAILS AND DOOR KNOBS OF A TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN IGBESA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The increasing prevalence of epidemic outbreaks of certain diseases and their spread across communities has become a significant public health concern. The daily use of door handles and hand rails, including door handles and knobs, is a significant source of microorganisms, other fomites are utensils, furniture, door handles of conveniences, showers, toilet seats, hand rails, lockers, chairs and tables which can contaminate various aspects of our lives, including our bodies, homes, workplaces, and environment. A total of fifty (50) samples collected from different buildings within the Crawford University campus were analysed and thirty (30) bacteria isolates were obtained. The isolated bacterial contaminants were Staphylococcus aureus (43.3%), Escherichia coli (23.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (20%), Bacillus species (13.3%). This result implies that the majority of bacteria, transmitted through railings, door knobs and handrails are human pathogens (e.g. Staphylococcus species, Bacillus species and Klebsiella species) while some are opportunistic pathogen (e.g. Escherichia coli). The antibiotic sensitivity pattern shows that 55.7% of the Gram-positive bacteria are susceptible to Cipfloxacin while 25.5% of them are resistant to Chloramphenicol.