Isolation and Identification of Bacteria Present on Frequently Used Fomites in University of Eastern Africa Baraton in Nandi County, Kenya

Magondu Richard Ngaru, Dr. Gracelyn Portia Ramesh & Dr. Sabella Jelimo Kiprono
Department of Biological Sciences and Agriculture, School of Science and Technology
University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya
Email: ngaru.richard@gmail.com

Abstract: Bacteria are found to be the ubiquitous microorganisms causing microbial contamination in indoor and outdoor settings. Fomites act as environmental reservoirs to increase the ability of pathogens to be transferred from host to host. The aim of this paper was to isolate and identify bacteria present on frequently used fomites in University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. Experimental research design was employed. Three hundred and sixty five (365) swabs were obtained in different facilities by swabbing of the toilet cistern handles, office doors faucets and shopping baskets. They were labelled with reference numbers and transported in peptone water transport medium to the Laboratory for analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the prevalence of bacteria types isolated from fomites. All values were expressed as means and findings were presented in the form of frequency tables. The study found out that cisterns had the greatest number of gram positive cocci followed by faucets and doors. Doors had the greatest number of gram negative cocci bacteria followed by faucets and cisterns. Cisterns had the greatest number of gram negative rod bacteria as compared to doors. Doors had gram positive rod bacteria. The gram positive bacterial isolates were Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus aureus. The gram negative bacterial isolates were Eschrichia coli and Morexella catarrhalis. The study recommended that there was need for further identification and characterization of the isolates to be conducted to confirm the presence of any other bacterial types that might be obtained from the fomites.