Isolation of Common Nosocomialpathogens from Gate Pass Used in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Bayero University Kano, Nigeria

Microbial contamination of fomites like gate pass is of public health concern as contaminated materials might act as vehicles for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. This study was carried out in February 2019 to September 2019 to isolate common nosocomial pathogens from gate passes used in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH). Fifty gate passes each from AKTH and BUK were investigated, the samples were screened for common nosocomial pathogens using culture, microscopy and biochemical test according to standard microbiological techniques. The results of the study revealed that 56 % of the gate passes were contaminated. Bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus 5 (10 %), Pseudomonas spp.5 (10 %), Eschericia coli 6 (12 %) and gram negative rods 8 (16 %) in AKTH while that of BUK were S. aureus 7 (14 %), Pseudomonas spp.6 (12 %), E. coli 8 (16 %) and Gram negative rods 11 (22 %) and P-value 0.0313. the contamination level of gate passes used in hospital (48 %) were not statistically different from gate passes used in school gate (64 %). Gate pass handled by drivers are contaminated due to large samples obtained from drivers. Conclusively, the study showed that gate pass used in hospital and non-hospital sources are contaminated with various bacterial agents including potential nosocomial pathogens, aseptic measures should therefore be employed to ensure the safety of handlers.