Asian Journal of Research in Infectious Diseases

Stair rails are exposed surfaces that are often handled by various individuals who are assessing story buildings. This frequent use by different person makes it prone to contamination by various pathogenetic and non-pathogenic micro-organism. Many microorganisms play essential roles in ecological balance, nutrient cycling, and even human health, a subset—termed pathogenic microorganisms are capable of causing disease under certain conditions. These organisms can persist on inanimate surfaces such as stair railings, especially in environments conducive to microbial survival like high-humidity and poor ventilation settings. The aim of this study is to investigated the prevalence, identity, and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria recovered from stair-rail surfaces. The objectives of this study are to isolate the pathogens from the stir rails, determine the antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of isolates and compare isolate in various location. This study was carried out between August and December 2025 on various story buildings in a government public hospital after obtaining ethical clearance. Samples were collected on stair railings across several story buildings like Admin block, O and G building, laboratory complex, Record building, orthopaedic block, Casualty building and NHIS. Swab Samples were cultured on media (MacConkey, blood, nutrient) and isolates were identified by Gram staining, biochemical tests (catalase/coagulase, oxidase, urease, klinger iron agar) Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined following the Clinical and laboratory standards institute guidelines via the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method on Nutrient agar using eleven clinically relevant antibiotics (cloxacilin, gentamicin, erythromycin, ceftriaxone, cefixime, nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin and augumentin), with interpretations following  Sarker et.al (2014). Among the 46 stair-rail sites sampled, 32.6% yielded bacterial growth. Six species were identified: coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. (13.0%), Escherichia coli (10.9%), Pseudomonas spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia spp and Proteus spp. (each 2.2%). Proteus spp. displayed the highest overall susceptibility (90.9%), whereas Pseudomonas spp was the least susceptible (54.5%). Third-generation cephalosporins (ceftazidime, cefuroxime) and erythromycin inhibited all isolates, while ciprofloxacin showed only 60% efficacy. Multidrug resistance (resistance to ≥3 classes) was noted in 18.2% of Staphylococcus spp and 27.3% of Escherichia spp. These findings highlight stair rails as under-recognized reservoirs of potentially pathogenic and drug-resistant bacteria in university settings. To reduce transmission risk, we recommend routine environmental surveillance, targeted cleaning protocols, strategic placement of hand‐hygiene stations, and consideration of antimicrobial surface materials. Introducing such measures into campus health policies will fortify infection prevention and support global efforts to mitigate antimicrobial resistance.