Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus on High-Touch Hospital Surfaces in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Yenagoa, Nigeria
Ebidor Lawani-Luwaji *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Joy Ogheneyenrowho Lucky
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: High-touch surfaces in healthcare facilities may serve as reservoirs for Staphylococcus aureus and contribute to the persistence and transmission of antimicrobial-resistant organisms within hospital environments.
Aim: This study determined the occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of S. aureus isolated from selected high-touch surfaces at a tertiary healthcare facility in Yenagoa, Nigeria.
Methods: Sixty environmental samples from high-touch surfaces were collected from outpatient and public health units of the health facility. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated and identified using standard microbiological methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion according to CLSI criteria.
Results: Of the 60 high-touch surface samples tested, 53 (88.3%) were positive for S. aureus. Among the 53 S. aureus isolates, resistance was highest against erythromycin (32.1%), followed by gentamicin (30.2%), azithromycin (22.6%), and levofloxacin (20.8%). Resistance to streptomycin was 11.3%, whereas amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, and cefuroxime each showed 7.5% resistance. Rifampicin had the lowest resistance rate (1.9%).
Conclusion: S. aureus was highly prevalent on the sampled high-touch surfaces, indicating contamination within the hospital environment. Although most isolates were susceptible to the antimicrobial agents tested, resistance varied, particularly to erythromycin and gentamicin. These findings highlight the importance of effective environmental hygiene and continued surveillance of S. aureus and antimicrobial resistance on frequently touched surfaces in healthcare facilities.
Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, antimicrobial susceptibility, antimicrobial resistance, high-touch surfaces, hospital environment, environmental contamination, healthcare-associated infections, infection prevention and control, environmental hygiene