Investigation of enteric bacterial contaminations of school restrooms

In this research, it was aimed to discuss the existence of enteric bacterias in the doorway, faucet heads, toilet seat cover, siphon head and floor of some high school toilets in İzmir and discuss the measures that could be taken. In our study, swab samples taken from 4 high school toilets in İzmir province were used. Swab samples were taken from door handles from the main entrance of each toilet and the faucet heads, toilet covers, siphon heads and floors from February to April 2016, when the schools were open. The samples were then brought to the Routine Diagnostic Laboratory of the Adnan Menderes University, Veterinary faculty, Department of Microbiology and the presence of enteric bacteria in the samples was examined. Gram negative bacterial contamination was found in 83 out of 147 (56.5%) samples. E. coli was detected in 55.4% of the total Gram negative colonies. In addition, 12 % P. vulgaris and P. fluorescens, 7.3% A. hydrophila, 4.8% K. oxytoca, 3.7% E. cloaca and 2.4% K. pneumonia and E. aerogenes were detected. Most of the Gram-negative bacteria isolated in this study were enteric-origin microorganisms suggesting fecal contamination. When the results of the study are examined, it is considered that such collective toilets are always in contact with infection and cleaning of such places should be provided within the framework of appropriate procedures with highly planned disinfectants and cleaning agents.