Diversity and Antibiotics Susceptibility of Bacterial Species on Hand Surfaces in Public Buses Plying Kenyatta National Hospital Route 7c in Nairobi

Aims: To determine the pathogenic and the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates on hand surfaces in public buses in Nairobi.

Study Design: A random sampling technique was utilized and targeted public buses plying Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) 7C route.

Place and Duration of Study: Bacterial isolates were obtained from hand surfaces in public buses in Nairobi during a three-month period, May-July 2015.

Methodology: A total of 30 swab samples were collected using sterile moist cotton swabs then cultured on three media including MacConkey agar, Mannitol salt agar and Eosin Methyl Blue agar (EMB). Characterization of isolates was by morphological and biochemical features. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile tests using eight antibiotics including tetracycline, sulphamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, gentamycin, ampicillin, co-trimoxazole and streptomycin was also undertaken.

Results: A total of 45 isolates indicated the following prevalence: Staphylococcus aureus 33%, Escherichia coli 24%, Staphylococcus epidermidis 18%, Klebsiella species 11% and Pseudomonas species 13%. The antimicrobial resistance profiles indicated E. coli isolates had the highest resistance to five antibiotics, Klebsiella spp. to four, Staphylococcus aureus to three, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas spp. each to only one antibiotic. Isolates were predominantly resistant to ampicillin (100%) followed by co-trimoxazole and streptomycin but were instead sensitive to gentamycin followed by tetracycline, sulphamethoxazole and chloramphenicol.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate serious health risks posed to the community by potentially pathogenic and antibiotic resistant bacterial species on hand-touch sites in public buses. Therefore, this study creates awareness of the need for stringent sanitary measures in public buses and hygienic practices among commuters to forestall transmission of community acquired infections.