Isolation of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria from carpets of mosques in Tripoli, Libya

Isolation of potentially pathogenic bacteria from carpets in hospitals has been reported earlier, but not from carpets in mosques. The aim of the present study is to determine the pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria that may exist on the carpets of mosques in Tripoli, Libya. Dust samples from carpets were collected from 57 mosques in Tripoli. Samples were examined for pathogenic bacteria using standard bacteriological procedures. Susceptibility of isolated bacteria to antimicrobial agents was determined by the disc-diffusion method. Of dust samples examined, Salmonella spp. was detected in two samples [3.5%, 1 in group B and 1 in group C1], Escherichia coli in 16 samples [28.1%], Aeromonas spp. in one sample [1.8%], and Staphylococcus aureus in 12 samples [21.1%]. Multiple drug resistance was observed in>16.7% of E. coli and in 25% of S. aureus. Contamination of carpets in mosques of Tripoli with antibiotic-resistant pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria may pose a health risk to worshipers, particularly, the very young, the old and the immunecompromised.Worshipers are encouraged to use personal praying mats when praying in mosques

Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water Obtained from Mosques in Tripoli, Libya

This study was carried out to determine the bacteriological quality of drinking water provided for worshipers by Mosques in Tripoli and the susceptibility of isolated bacteria to antimicrobial agents. Water samples taken from 50 mosques were examined for coliform, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas sp. and fecal streptococci counts. Also, samples were investigated for the presence of Aeromonas sp., Klebsiella sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Isolated bacteria were tested for their resistance to antibiotics by the disc diffusion method. Mean counts for coliforms, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas sp. were 2.2 x 10[2], 6.2 x10[1], 2.5 x 10[3] and 2.8 x 10[2] respectively. Fecal streptococci not detected. E. coli was detected in 7 [14%] samples, Klebsiella sp. in 13 [26%], Aeromonas in 9 [18%] and Pseudomonas sp. in 32 [64%]. More than 79% of the bacteria examined were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Presence of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria is not uncommon in drinking water provided for worshipers by mosques in Tripoli, Libya and may pose a health hazard to users of such water, particularly the aged and the immunocompromised