Microorganisms associated with computer keyboards and mice in a university environment

Abstract

A study was carried out to isolate and to identify microorganisms associated with computer keyboards and mice in computer centers and cyber café located in Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria and its environs. Samples were collected from five different cyber café and computer centers. The samples were collected from three computer keyboards and mice in each cyber café and computer centers. The collected samples were inoculated on nutrient agar, MacConkey agar and potato dextrose agar by following standard methods. The isolates obtained were examined and identified by colonial morphology, Gram reaction and biochemical characteristics. Four bacterial and four fungal species were isolated from the samples. The bacterial isolates include Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus sp., Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus sp. The fungal isolates are as follows Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Penicillum sp. and Rhizopus sp. These microorganisms have pathogenic potential and hence their presence on such surfaces (computer keyboards and mice) may be additional reservoirs for the transmission of microorganisms and become vectors for cross-transmission of bacterial and fungal infections in the university and its environs.