Potential pathogenic bacterial contaminants of shared utility devices in a university setting at Al-Hofuf, Saudi Arabia

The microbial contamination of shared devices in work places could serve as potential sources for community acquired infections. This study investigated the potential bacterial pathogens in a university work place. Swab samples collected from office and toilet doors handles/knobs, washroom tap heads, elevator buttons and computer keyboards were plated out and isolates were identified using the Vitek 2 compact automated system. Antibiotic susceptibility test as well as the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICS) were also determined using the Vitek 2 system. The results obtained showed all objects from which samples were collected had microbial contamination. The isolates constituted of Staphylococcus aureus (4.02%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (18.59%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (21.10%), other Staphylococcus spp. (51.76%), Enterococcus faecalis (2.01%), Enterococcus spp. (1.51%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (0.50%), Streptococcus sanguins (0.50%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.03%), Pseudomonas stutzeri (3.5%), Pseudomonas luteola (10.53%) and Pantoea spp. (72%). Multidrug resistance to antibiotics was observed by the isolates to major groups of antibiotics. The results therefore indicated the presence of Multi-antibiotic resistant bacterial strains among shared items in a work place setting and this could be a source of potential infection in the university community.   Key words: Pathogenic isolate, bacterial contamination, Vitek, University, community infection.