Assessment of Gram-negative Bacterial Computer Keyboards at Universities -Khartoum State

Abstract

Computer continues to have an increased presence in almost every aspect of our occupational, recreational and residential environments. The objective of this study was to assess Gram-negative bacteria on computer keyboards at universities, Khartoum State. The study was conducted in the period March – August 2014. Computer keyboards were sampled in aseptic manner using sterile cotton swabs. The swabs were kept in 2ml of sterile normal saline, and then transported to the Research Laboratory. Bacterial load was carried out using pour plate technique. Isolated bacteria were identified by standard bacteriological methods, including colonial morphology, Gram stain and biochemical tests. The results revealed that out of 200 samples investigated, 131 yielded bacterial growth. the bacterial load was ranged from 3.0×103 to 7.87×104 CFU/ml. fourty isolates of Gram- negative bacteria were identified as follows: 27 (67.5%) Pseudomonas spp., 6 (15%) E. coli, 7 (17.5%) Klebsiella spp. The study concluded that contamination on computer keyboards was very high, thus hygienic level was very low. Using disinfection to clean keyboards surface it is highly recommended. Further studies to cover large area in Khartoum state using a lot of samples are required to validate the result of this study.