Favour Chinonso LOUIS

Door handles in public spaces serve as potential reservoirs for microbial contamination, posing risks for the transmission of pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and assess the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial contaminants on door handles of selected banks within the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research was conducted across five banks within the university campus, selected due to their high patronage, which increases the likelihood of microbial contamination. Sterile swab samples were collected from both entrance and interior door handles of each bank over a two-week period, during peak business hours (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM). The collected swabs were transferred into sterile peptone water and transported to the microbiology laboratory within one hour for bacterial analysis. The total heterotrophic bacterial count (THBC) was determined using standard culture techniques, with counts ranging from 2.03 ± 0.03 × 10⁴ CFU/ml (Bank D) to 4.72 ± 0.31 × 10⁴ CFU/ml (Bank E). Biochemical and morphological characterization of isolates identified seven bacterial species, including Staphylococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter sp., Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella sp. The frequency of occurrence varied, with Escherichia coli having the highest prevalence (28%), followed by Staphylococcus sp. (20%), while Pseudomonas sp. had the lowest occurrence (12%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing against ten commonly used antibiotics revealed varying resistance patterns among isolates. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranged from 0.3 to 0.5, with the highest recorded for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., and Micrococcus sp. The results highlight significant bacterial contamination on frequently touched surfaces, emphasizing the need for regular disinfection and improved hygiene practices in high-contact public spaces.