Date of Completion

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science

Keywords

blaGES genes, Bus air conditioners, gram-negative bacteria, Molecular detection, Multidrug-resistant bacteria, PITX-Indang, Cavite route, Quantitative polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aims to determine if multidrug-resistant bacteria are present in the air conditioners of buses traveling along the PITX-Indang, Cavite route, and to establish the correlation between cleaning frequency and the presence of Gram-negative bacteria. Samples were collected from the vents of bus air conditioners using a swab method on tryptic soy broth, while data on bus cleaning frequency were acquired through interviews with responsible air conditioner technicians. A total of 15 buses had been swabbed, but only 11 showed growth upon serial dilution on MacConkey agar plates. These samples and data were then subjected to one-time quantitative PCR and descriptive statistical treatment. The molecular detection, specifically targeting the blaGES genes, revealed that there were no multidrug-resistant bacteria in the bus air conditioners; however, the swab sample contained a number of gram-negative bacteria. Upon undergoing gel electrophoresis, all samples showed a band pattern. However, 13 samples resulted in a negative outcome, and 1 sample showed a result caused by contamination under molecular detection. Gram-negative bacteria found in the samples can be linked to bus companies' inconsistent and inefficient cleaning procedures. Even if there were no multidrug-resistant bacteria on the bus air conditioners, gram-negative bacteria might still be harmful to the health of both passengers and staff. In order to eradicate their presence and lower the potential risk to commuters, frequent cleanliness is thus advised.

First Advisor

Theo John M. Segismundo, RMT

Download

Share

COinS