Date of Completion

2025

Document Type

Research Project

Degree Name

Grade 12

Keywords

Aerobic bacteria, Antibiotic resistance, High-touch surfaces, Public sanitation

Abstract

High-touch surfaces, such as staircase handrails, can harbor harmful microorganisms, which is a risk for disease transmission. In an institutional environment, where human touch is common, maintaining proper sanitation practices is essential to prevent microbial contamination. There is also a need to enhance sanitation practices in shared institutional environments. Currently, there is a lack of studies that explore the microbial presence and antibiotic profiling patterns on these surfaces. To address this research gap, this study investigated the average bacterial load, colony morphology, and antibiotic profiling patterns of aerobic bacteria isolated in the staircase handrails of Lourdes E. Campos Building at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI). The bacteria were gathered using the swabbing method, which is then followed by serial dilution, CFU counting, pour and streak plating, and finally colony morphology analysis. Furthermore, the use of VITEK Analysis was also present and the Kirby-Baur disk diffusion method to assess the antibiotic profiling patterns. The results then concluded that the Colony Forming Units (CFU/mL) were 2.1 × 10² and 3.1 × 10², with the most prevalent species being Staphylococcus conhii. All isolates were found as susceptible from the selected antibiotics. These findings suggest that S. conhii is the most common bacterial species in the staircase handrail. Continued microbial surveillance and sanitation practices are recommended to minimize the risk of resistance development over time.

First Advisor

Ramgie M. Bartolata, LPT

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