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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
Isolation of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria from carpets of mosques in Tripoli,
Amal Rahouma1, Abdunabi Elghamoudi, Halima Nashnoush
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya.
Objective:
Isolation of potentially pathogenic bacteria from carpets in hospitals has been reported earlier, but not from carpets in mosques. The aim of the present study is to determine the pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria that may exist on the carpets of mosques in Tripoli, Libya.
Methods:
Dust samples from carpets were collected from 57 mosques in Tripoli. Samples were examined for pathogenic bacteria using standard bacteriological procedures. Susceptibility of isolated bacteria to antimicrobial agents was determined by the disc-diffusion method.
Results:
Of dust samples examined, Salmonella spp. was detected in two samples (3.5%, 1 in group B and 1 in group C1), Escherichia coli in 16 samples (28.1%), Aeromonas spp. in one sample (1.8%), and Staphylococcus aureus in 12 samples (21.1%). Multiple drug resistance was observed in >16.7% of E. coli and in 25% of S. aureus.
Conclusion:
Contamination of carpets in mosques of Tripoli with antibiotic-resistant pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria may pose a health risk to worshipers, particularly, the very young, the old and the immunecompromised. Worshipers are encouraged to use personal praying mats when praying in mosques.
Insights
Mosque carpets in Tripoli harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria like E. coli and S. aureus, posing health risks. Using personal prayer mats is recommended for worshipers to minimize exposure.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Public Health
- Environmental Hygiene
Background:
- Previous studies identified pathogenic bacteria on hospital carpets.
- Limited research exists on bacterial contamination of mosque carpets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria on mosque carpets in Tripoli, Libya.
- To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Dust samples were collected from 57 mosque carpets.
- Standard bacteriological procedures were used for bacterial isolation.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disc-diffusion method.
Main Results:
- Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Aeromonas spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were detected.
- E. coli was found in 28.1% and S. aureus in 21.1% of samples.
- Multiple drug resistance was observed in significant proportions of E. coli and S. aureus isolates.
Conclusions:
- Mosque carpets in Tripoli are contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- This contamination poses a potential health risk to mosque attendees, especially vulnerable groups.
- Worshipers are advised to use personal prayer mats to mitigate health risks.
