Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus on Noncritical Surfaces of the Laboratories of a Medical Laboratory Training Institution

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram positive bacterium that is frequently encountered on surfaces such as benches and skin. This organism being a normal flora of the skin is usually nonpathogenic but becomes pathogenic when found outside its normal flora where it can cause varying number of infections such as nosocomial infections and sepsis which may even lead to death if left untreated. This research was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus on noncritical surface areas including: Furniture, Doors and Windows of the laboratories of Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science & Technology Jos, Nigeria. Samples were processed, examined and analyzed accordingly. It was observed that out of the 120 samples examined, 8 were gram positive cocci in clusters under Gram staining examination Coagulase and catalase tests were positive indicating specific biochemical tests to identify the organisms in the 8 organisms as Stapylococcus aureus showing a prevalence rate of 6.67%. The 17 working Benches examined, 3(2.50%) were positive. Out of 75 Chairs examined, 5(4.17%) were positive. The 18 Windows examined, 10 Doors examined showed no growth for Staphylococcus aureus. Distribution according to laboratory sections showed that, out of the 95 samples in main laboratory, 6(5.00%) were positive. Out of the 14 samples examined in side laboratory one, 2(1.67%) were positive while none 0(0.0%) was positive out of 11 samples examined in side laboratory two. The isolation of Stapylococcus aureus from these locations stresses the urgent need for public enlightenment campaigns by the appropriate authorities to educate the laboratory workers as well as the masses on the etiological agents, the possible risk factors, routes of transmission and health implication of Stapylococcus aureus infection and ways of preventing these bacteria in the Laboratories especially in Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology Jos Nigeria.