| dc.description.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. | en_US |
