Identification of Bacterial Isolates from Hand Dryers of Malls Toilets in the City of Baghdad and Detection of their Virulence Factors

Abstract

Background: High incidence of microbial transmission occurred in public places which are usually occupied by many individuals such as, hospitals, clinics, restaurants, fitness clubs, supermarkets and malls. Bacterial communities colonize all surfaces and items that existed within these places more than other locations used by limited numbers of people. One of these items is the hand dryer that is considered an essential device of modern toilets in public buildings. Objective: This study aimed to isolate and identify different bacterial species from the hand dryers in ladies' toilets located at a shopping mall in the city of Baghdad. Also aimed to investigate several virulence factors produced by bacterial species isolated in this research such as biofilm formation, hemolysin, and protease. Methods: Thirty-five bacterial species were isolated by the exposure of nutrient agar plates to the air emitted from three different types of hand dryers located in mall toilets. These isolates were identified based on cultural, morphological characteristics and the Vitek test. Only thirteen isolates were investigated for the production of several virulent factors including, biofilm formation, hemolysin and protease. A total of eleven bacterial species were distinguished in this study. Four different species were recognized as Acinetobacter baumannii, Kocuria kristinae, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. At least one virulence factor was detected in each of these species. Conclusions: Isolation of several bacterial species from hand dryers indicates that these devices are contaminated. As well, several virulence factors were found in these species. Therefore, hand dryers have to be located outside the toilet area to avoid contaminating it from the air of the toilet room, toilet items, and surfaces.