Bacteriological assessment and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from hospital door handles in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Hospital door handles are frequently touched by healthcare workers, patients, and visitors, making them potential reservoirs for the transmission of infectious agents. This study aimed to isolate and identify bacteria from door handles in selected hospitals in Port Harcourt and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Swab samples were collected from door handles in office, reception, and ward areas using sterile swabs moistened with normal saline. The samples were transported to the Microbiology Laboratory for analysis within 1-2 hours of collection. Isolation and identification of bacterial isolates were carried out using standard microbiological procedures, including morphological examination and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using standard laboratory methods. Data obtained were statistically analyzed, with significance set at p < 0.05. Bacterial counts ranged from 2.30 ± 0.14 × 10⁵ to 5.81 ± 0.28 × 10⁵ CFU/cm² in reception areas, 1.20 ± 0.12 × 10⁵ to 6.66 ± 0.21 × 10⁵ CFU/cm² in ward areas, and 3.58 ± 0.70 × 10⁴ to 1.62 ± 0.21 × 10⁵ CFU/cm² in office areas, with significant differences observed among locations. Eight bacterial genera were identified: Staphylococcus (15%), Bacillus (14%), Pseudomonas (14%), Escherichia coli (14%), Streptococcus (14%), Klebsiella (11%), Proteus (11%), and Alcaligenes (7%). Gram-negative isolates showed high resistance to Ceporex, Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime, Augmentin (100%), Streptomycin, and Gentamicin, while Gram-positive isolates were highly resistant to Azithromycin, Amoxicillin, Erythromycin, Ceftazidime, and Streptomycin (100%). Hospital door handles in Port Harcourt harbor significant levels of potentially pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, emphasizing their role in the transmission of nosocomial infections. Strengthening hand hygiene practices and providing hand sanitizer dispensers near doorways are strongly recommended.

Keywords: Hospital door handles, bacterial contamination, antibiotic susceptibility, nosocomial infections, antimicrobial resistance, healthcare-associated pathogens.