ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA FROM TOUCH SURFACES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN DINAJPUR TOWN

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate bacterial contamination on touch surfaces in the public transport system and buses of HSTU, Dinajpur, Bangladesh. For this study, a total number of 45 samples were collected from 15 buses in different places of Dinajpur. The total viable counts (TVC) in distinct locations of the bus (Grab rail, Armrest and Vinyl seat) samples were ranged from 9.7x104 CFU/g to 5.2x106 CFU/ml. A total of 60 bacterial isolates belong to seven genera (staphylococcus spp., Bacillus, spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas spp and Shigella spp.) were identified. Swab samples were examined using microbiological methods and different microorganisms were determined. The prevalence of Escherichia coli was 30%, staphylococcus spp. was 25%, Salmonella spp. was 15% Klebsiella spp. was 10%, Shigella spp was 10%, Pseudomonas spp. was 5%, and Bacillus spp. was 5%. Antibiotic sensitivity test showed that Staphylococcus spp, Salmonella spp and Bacillus spp and Shigella spp were resistant to Amoxicillin. Shigella spp and Pseudomonas spp were resistant to Erythromycin and Cloxacillin. Salmonella spp were resistant to Chloramphenicol. Klebsiella spp, E. coli and Pseudomonas spp were resistant to Cephalexin. Salmonella spp and Shigella spp were resistant to Cefaclor. Staphylococcus spp were resistant to Streptomycin. Klebsiella spp were resistant to Penicillin and Levofloxacin. E. coli was resistant to Amikacin and Ampicillin. Salmonella spp was resistant to Chloramphenicol. Frequent skin contact due to popularity and over-crowdedness of the buses, absence of routine cleaning of public buses, poor public sanitation practice and lack of consciousness among passengers can be attributed for the abundance of bacteria in the sampling locations. Hence, it is recommended that regular washing of hands with suitable disinfectants after travelling in public buses to avoid chance of transmission of these pathogens. In addition to that it is very important to make inspection regularly of these vehicles to ensure hygienic public transport.