Microbial Pollution of Computer Keyboards in College of Sciences, Sirte University, Libya

Abstract

The paper aims to investigate microbial contamination in computer keyboards within the work environment at the Faculty of Sciences Sirte University, Libya. A total of 17 samples were collected by swabs from computer keyboards of work environments in some offices and departments at the College. The samples were distributed as follows: 6 computer keyboards from the Faculty administration, 6 computer keyboards from the offices of scientific departments,2 computer keyboards from Faculty Registrar, and 3 computer keyboards from Department of studies and examinations these swabs revealed growth of facultative aerobic, facultative anaerobe opportunistic pathogens, positive and negative gram. The highest contamination rates were found in the samples of the Department of Studies and Examinations and the offices of scientific departments this indicates that the student frequently visits these sections these microbes can live for over 24 hours. Furthermore, they are more likely to spread the infection in the environment. In this study Staphylococci aureus (5 isolates), then Staphylococcus epidermidis (60 isolates) were isolated in great numbers from the keyboard, Bacillus cereus (4 isolates), E-coli (1 isolates) and Fungus (30 isolates) fungi were also detected, but without species specification. The user's hands create computer contamination, thus cleaning hands with a disinfectant will stop the spread of many dangerous microorganisms.