Microbial Contamination of Radiology Equipment: A Descriptive Study in Ghana

Nosocomial infections continue to impose significant clinical and economic burdens on patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Radiology equipment, accessories, and work surfaces can become contaminated with healthcare-associated pathogens due to frequent handling by healthcare personnel and patients. This study investigated microbial contamination on commonly used radiology equipment and surfaces at a major hospital in Ghana.

This descriptive microbiological study involved weekly swabbing of 10 radiology equipment/accessories and surfaces using sterile nylon swabs over a 4-week period. Swab samples were transferred into bijoux bottles containing peptone broth to enhance microbial growth. For bacterial isolation, samples were inoculated onto MacConkey and Blood Agar plates and incubated appropriately. Bacterial isolates were identified based on colonial morphology, Gram staining, and biochemical reactions. Fungal cultures were performed using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and incubated at 28°C for 7 days. Fungal isolates were identified using colonial morphology, tease mount preparation, and lactophenol cotton blue staining.

Microbial contamination was detected in 35 (87.5%) of the 40 samples analyzed. Identified bacterial isolates included coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus species, and Staphylococcus aureus. These organisms were isolated from the 35/43 cm cassette, x-ray tube head handle, horizontal bucky surface, and erect bucky surface. The highest bacterial colony count recorded was 1.2 × 10⁶CFU/cm². The 35/43 cm x-ray cassette demonstrated the highest level of contamination, accounting for 4 of the 9 bacterial isolates identified. Fungal isolates, including Neurospora species and Fusarium solani, were also detected.

Radiology equipment and surfaces harbored potentially pathogenic bacterial and fungal organisms, indicating their capacity to act as environmental reservoirs within radiology departments. The detection of both bacterial and fungal species on frequently touched radiology items highlights the need for strict adherence to infection prevention and control protocols to enhance the safety of both patients and healthcare professionals.