Transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria through laptop keyboard among students of a tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria and the associated risk factors
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Abstract
In today’s technology world, the use of the laptop is a global practice. This device could be a means of transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria because of its regular use by man. This study therefore aims to determine the bacteria contamination of laptop keyboards with antibiotic-resistant strains among students of a tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria. A total of thirty four (34) laptop keyboard swab samples were collected from male and female students respectively. Standard bacteriological identification methods were employed to ascertain the identity of likely contaminants. The culture media used for isolation and identification procedures included: nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, mannitol salt agar and eosin methylene blue agar. Reactions to Gram staining and key biochemical tests were performed using standard protocols. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using the disc diffusion method to determine the susceptibility pattern of the isolates followed by extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) phenotypic test on the recovered isolates. A self-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on laptop usage from each participant. The distribution
of the isolates across both gender (Male vs Female) was 1:1 with the isolates: Staphylococcus aureus (72%), Escherichia coli (16%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10%) and Shigella spp. (2%). Multi-drug resistance to S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and E. coli with S. aureus, resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (59%), erythromycin (88%), ciprofloxacin (64%), and clotrimazole (52%) were observed. Klebsiella pneumoniae demonstrated resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (82%), ceftazidime (63%), and cefoxitin (55%). Finally,
in E. coli, resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime (100%) and imipenem (50%) was observed. A total of 2 (2.9%) of the isolates were ESBL-positive. Majority 50 (74%) of the students were between the ages of 20 – 24 years. Significant association (p < 0.05) was found between colonization of laptop keyboards by resistant isolates and sharing of laptops, use of laptops while eating and use of laptop in public gathering. With the high percentage of resistant isolates from laptop keyboards, good personal hygiene/sanitary measures or limited use of the laptop by students where possible is encouraged.
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