Diversity of Microbes on the Steering Wheels and Door Handles of Commercial Taxis Around KNUST Campus

Inanimate objects known as “fomites” can harbour microorganisms and act as possible conduits for disease transmission. Since most people spend their time outside, they come into contact with the built environment and objects such as doorknobs, countertops, car doors which tend to be significant source of contamination. Humans leave their own microbial imprints on objects, which others acquire by touching or inhaling. This study was to isolate, characterize and determine the bacteria load on the steering wheels and door handles of commercial taxis around the KNUST campus. A total of thirty (30) samples from fifteen (15) randomly selected cars were used. Using sterile swab sticks, samples were taken from the door handles and steering wheel of each car and analysed with standard methods. A total of 293 bacteria were isolated on both steering wheels and door handles. On door handles, there were more isolates than on steering wheels. Bacteria numbers ranged from 2.35 × 106 to 2.35 × 109 CFU/ml on steering wheels and 2.75 × 106–9.15 × 108 for door handles. Bacillus spp. was predominant on the door handles of the commercial taxis. Isolation rate for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was 0.4%; and 18% respectively. This study concludes that cars act as a potential source of contamination with many commensals and harmful microbes which are sources of transmission of many diseases.