Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus on Environmental Surface Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile and Identification in Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Maiduguri

Abstract

The paper examines the occurrence of Staphylococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis on door and toilet handles within the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Maiduguri. Sterile swabs were used to collect 20 samples with office and toilet handles and analyze them by means of microbiological and biochemical analyses. The findings showed that there was high contamination with S. aureus and S. epidermidis as the overwhelming isolates. The resistance to penicillin and oxacillin was high based on the antibiotic susceptibility tests with the high efficacy of linezolid and vancomycin towards these isolates. The results bring to the fore the possibility of such surfaces as reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, which can be dangerous to the population. The paper highlights the significance of rigorous sanitation, frequent disinfection and effective infection c2ontrol in the learning institutions. The findings also support the use of antibiotic stewardship programs to monitor the trend of resistance and encourage the use of antibiotics.

Introduction

Staphylococcus species are Gram-positive, catalase-positive, non-motile cocci commonly found as normal flora on human and animal skin, mucous membranes, and environmental surfaces. Although often harmless, they are opportunistic pathogens capable of causing a wide range of infections in humans and animals, including skin infections, food poisoning, toxic shock syndrome, endocarditis, septicemia, osteomyelitis, mastitis in dairy animals, and arthritis in poultry.

A major public health concern is Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a strain resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins. Resistance is largely due to the mecA gene, which alters bacterial cell wall targets and renders many antibiotics ineffective. Over time, Staphylococcus spp. have developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, including penicillin, methicillin, tetracycline, and erythromycin. Vancomycin has been used as a last-resort treatment, but vancomycin-intermediate and resistant strains have also emerged. MRSA spreads primarily through direct contact and contaminated surfaces (fomites), particularly in healthcare settings.

The genus Staphylococcus includes coagulase-positive species (CoPS), such as S. aureus, which are more pathogenic, and coagulase-negative species (CoNS), such as S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus, which are significant causes of hospital-acquired infections. Identification methods include selective media (e.g., Mannitol Salt Agar) and advanced tools such as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Virulence factors contribute significantly to pathogenicity. These include surface proteins (MSCRAMMs) that promote adhesion, extracellular enzymes (proteases, lipases, hyaluronidases), toxins (hemolysins, leukotoxins, exfoliative toxins, enterotoxins, and TSST-1), and immune evasion mechanisms such as SCIN and CHIPS that inhibit complement activation and neutrophil chemotaxis. Toxins like Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) are associated with severe skin infections and necrotizing pneumonia.

The study specifically addresses the public health risk posed by antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus spp. on frequently touched surfaces such as door and toilet handles in academic settings. It aims to determine the presence and antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus isolates in the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Maiduguri. The findings are intended to raise awareness, improve hygiene practices, guide infection control policies, and reduce the spread of multidrug-resistant strains in the community.

Conclusion

The research involved the examination of the occurrence of staphylococcus species and their susceptibility to antibiotics on staff door and toilet handles. The findings revealed that both surfaces had Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with S. aureus being more prevalent. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacteria isolate. Both species were very resistant to penicillin and oxacillin. They were however vulnerable to levofloxacin, linezolid and vancomycin. The results suggest the necessity of better hygiene practices and antibiotic stewardship.

References

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Copyright © 2026 Saalah Yakubu Saalah, Hauwa Adam Alfaki, Aliyu Hassan Muhammad, Abdulsalam Mala Yakubu, Umar Jiddum Jidda, Abba Jato Ibrahim, Ishaq Iliyas, Khalli Nasir Othman. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.