Bacterial contamination of some hospital equipments in Kano, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

One hundred swabs of some hospital equipments that come in contact with patients were collected and analysed at five [5] different hospitals in Kano State, Nigeria. These were cultured on selective and enrichment media for the purpose of isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens. Plates with growth were Gram-stained and subjected to biochemical analysis. The results showed that 76% of the swabs were positive for bacterial growth. The isolated bacteria were Corynebacterium spp. [10%], Lactobacillus spp. [8%], Staphylococcus spp. [52%] and Streptococcus spp. [6%]. Isolation of potential pathogens on surface of hospital equipments indicated that these equipment predispose the patients to nosocomial infections, sometimes with lethal repercussion to both patients and healthcare providers