OCCURRENCE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS, ESCHERICHIA COLI AND KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE ON INANIMATE SURFACES OF PUBLIC RESTROOMS AT BOA VIAGEM BEACHFRONT, RECIFE/PERNAMBUCO

Public restrooms on the busy Boa Viagem beachfront in Recife, Brazil, are potential reservoirs for pathogenic bacteria, posing a significant public health risk due to high user turnover and humidity. This study aimed to isolate and identify Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus from high-touch surfaces (door handles, flush valves, faucets) in these restrooms and to evaluate their antimicrobial resistance profiles. Samples were collected from three restrooms using sterile swabs. Bacteria were isolated and identified through culturing, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and the Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index was calculated. The overall bacterial contamination prevalence was 50% (18/36). S. aureus was the most frequent (50%), followed by E. coli (27.8%) and Klebsiella spp. (11.1%). Faucets were the most contaminated surfaces. Alarmingly, 100% of S. aureus isolates were MRSA, and the Gram-negative isolates exhibited ESBL and suspected KPC production phenotypes. All isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) with high MAR indices. High-touch surfaces in these public restrooms are reservoirs for clinically relevant MDR pathogens. The findings underscore an urgent need for stringent cleaning protocols and public hand hygiene campaigns to minimize transmission and protect public health in this high-traffic tourist area.