Agersew Alemu^1,, Degisew Misganaw¹, Yitayih Wondimeneh¹

Background: The microorganisms can found in every environment and pathogenic bacteria pose serious health problems. Computer keyboards and mice have been documented as an environmental object or fomites serving as sources of microorganisms particularly in the hospital setting. According to some reports, due to the application of the computer in the hospital environment, cross contamination of microorganism from healthcare provider to the patient is common. Objective: the aim of this study was to assess bacterial isolates and their drug susceptibility patterns from computer keyboards and mouse from Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in Gondar University Hospital from April 30 to June 30/ 2013. Samples were collected from computers located in Gondar University Hospital by using sterile cotton swaps. Then the collected samples were inoculated on BAP, CAP and MAC media. The bacterial isolates were examined and identified by colonial morphology, Gram reaction and biochemical characteristics. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done by disc diffusion method. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 20 and P – values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Result: Growth was seen in all samples. From the total bacterial isolates, 208 (60.5%) were Gram positive bacteria and 136 (39.5%) were Gram negative bacteria. The isolates included Coagulase negative staphylococcus (CoNs), Bacillus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. Providential spp., Citrobacter spp. Enterobacter spp, E.coli, Acenitobacter spp, Seratia spp P. aeruginosa, and Proteus spp. It is very dreadful to observe that some of these bacteria are highly resistant to the commonly used antibiotics. Moreover, multidrug resistance was observed. Conclusion: Isolation of bacteria from “high-touch” surfaces such as computer keyboardsa and mice is indicative of the need for awareness on cleaning of such surfaces or disinfection and adequate hand hygiene. These bacteria identified have pathogenic potential and hence their presence on computer surfaces may be additional reservoirs for the transmission of microorganisms and become vectors for cross-transmission of bacterial infections in the hospitals/health care setting and its surroundings.

computer keyboard, mice, bacterial profile, antimicrobial resistant, Ethiopia