A Microbial Safari at IIUM Kuantan
Have you ever paused to consider what might be lurking on the elevator buttons you press without a second thought? In the bustling academic environment of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in Kuantan, researchers embarked on a fascinating microbial safari—not in a jungle or forest, but across the elevator buttons of two major faculties. Their discoveries reveal an invisible world thriving in plain sight, one that connects us all through the simple act of pushing a button.
The significance of this research extends far beyond academic curiosity. In healthcare settings worldwide, hospital-acquired infections remain a pressing concern, with frequently touched surfaces acting as potential transmission points for pathogens . While many studies have focused on hospital environments, educational institutions—particularly those containing health sciences facilities—represent unique ecosystems where theoretical knowledge meets practical application.
An average person touches their face 15-20 times per hour, potentially transferring microbes from surfaces.
We inhabit a world teeming with microbial life, and our constructed environments are no exception. Bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms colonize surfaces we touch daily, forming intricate ecosystems that evolve based on human activity, environmental conditions, and surface materials.
Elevator buttons represent particularly interesting microbial habitats because they experience high-frequency touch from diverse individuals throughout the day, yet rarely receive the same regular disinfection as other high-touch surfaces in healthcare settings.
Common skin residents including both harmless species and potential pathogens like S. aureus 1 .
Known for forming resilient spores that survive harsh conditions in the environment 4 .
Gram-negative bacteria that can sometimes demonstrate concerning antibiotic resistance patterns 7 .
Another group of Gram-negative bacteria commonly found in human environments with potential health implications.
In 2018, researchers at IIUM Kuantan initiated a compelling investigation into the microbial contamination on elevator buttons across two key faculties: the Faculty of Dentistry and the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences 1 .
The researchers hypothesized that elevator buttons would harbor diverse bacterial communities, with contamination levels varying based on location and human traffic patterns.
The study accounted for potential variations in contamination throughout the day and between different buildings with distinct patterns of use.
Similar research conducted concurrently on elevator buttons at the Kulliyyah of Medicine and the Office of Campus Director at the same institution revealed that:
of sampled buttons showed bacterial growth 3
buttons with low contamination levels
buttons with medium contamination levels
buttons with high contamination levels
How researchers hunt and identify microbial contaminants from elevator buttons:
Using sterile cotton swabs moistened with nutrient broth, researchers carefully swabbed the surface of each elevator button in duplicate 1 .
Samples were transported to the laboratory and analyzed using the viable plate count method to enumerate bacteria 3 .
Researchers categorized contamination levels and used specialized media like Mannitol salt agar and MacConkey agar to isolate different bacterial types 1 .
Gram staining categorized bacteria, while PCR amplification of 16S rRNA genes allowed for species-level identification 3 .
The findings from this investigation painted a fascinating picture of the microbial ecosystem thriving on elevator buttons across IIUM Kuantan.
The research revealed that elevator buttons in both faculties exhibited medium to high levels of bacterial contamination 1 .
| Location | Low Contamination | Medium Contamination | High Contamination | Total Buttons Sampled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Dentistry | 56% | 24% | 20% | Not specified |
| Faculty of Allied Health Sciences | 52% | 26% | 22% | Not specified |
| Kulliyyah of Medicine* | 56% | 13% | 13% | 89 |
| Office of Campus Director* | 56% | 13% | 13% | 89 |
*Data from parallel study 3
The identification process revealed diverse bacterial species with different potential health implications:
| Bacterial Type | Specific Species | Potential Health Concerns | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gram-positive cocci | Staphylococcus aureus | Skin infections, more serious invasive infections | Most common |
| Gram-positive cocci | Coagulase-negative Staphylococci | Generally low pathogenicity, but can cause infections in compromised hosts | Second most common |
| Gram-negative rods | Various Enterobacteriaceae | Opportunistic pathogens; some may show antibiotic resistance | Less common |
| Gram-positive rods | Bacillus species | Generally environmental; some potentially pathogenic | Occasionally present |
The prevalence of Staphylococcus species is particularly noteworthy because S. aureus includes strains that can cause anything from minor skin infections to serious invasive diseases. While the study did not specifically test for antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA, other research has demonstrated that clinical environments can harbor such resistant pathogens 5 .
Conducting a sophisticated microbial investigation requires specialized tools and reagents:
| Reagent/Equipment | Primary Function | Specific Application in the Study |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrient agar | General-purpose growth medium | Initial cultivation and enumeration of bacteria from swab samples |
| Mannitol salt agar | Selective and differential medium for Staphylococci | Isolation and preliminary identification of Staphylococcus species |
| MacConkey agar | Selective and differential medium for Gram-negative bacteria | Isolation and differentiation of Gram-negative enteric bacteria |
| Gram staining reagents | Differentiation of bacteria based on cell wall properties | Categorization of isolates as Gram-positive or Gram-negative |
| PCR reagents for 16S rRNA amplification | Molecular identification of bacterial species | Genetic sequencing for precise species-level identification |
| Sterile cotton swabs | Sample collection | Gathering microorganisms from elevator button surfaces |
| Nutrient broth | Liquid growth medium | Moistening swabs before sample collection |
Reveal which bacteria are viable and capable of growth under laboratory conditions.
Can identify species that might be viable but not culturable under standard conditions.
The findings from the IIUM Kuantan study extend far beyond academic interest, carrying significant implications for public health practices and infection control protocols in educational and healthcare settings.
Previous research has demonstrated that various surfaces in dental settings can become contaminated with oral microorganisms and potentially contribute to cross-contamination 4 .
The CDC provides specific guidelines for environmental infection prevention and control in dental settings, emphasizing that clinical contact surfaces should be barrier-protected or cleaned and disinfected between patients 2 .
A more recent metagenomic analysis of contaminated lift buttons in a public hospital in Pahang revealed not only diverse bacterial communities but also the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes 7 .
The analysis revealed genes involved in antimicrobial resistance and multidrug efflux systems—mechanisms that bacteria use to evade the effects of antibiotics.
Implementing routine cleaning protocols using appropriate disinfectants.
Regular hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Using knuckles rather than fingertips to press buttons.
No-touch alternatives like voice activation or smartphone controls.
The investigation into bacterial contaminants on elevator buttons at IIUM Kuantan reveals a fascinating invisible world that thrives alongside our daily activities. This research demonstrates that seemingly mundane surfaces can serve as complex microbial ecosystems, reflecting the human activity that surrounds them while potentially acting as reservoirs for pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes.
As we continue to navigate shared spaces in academic, healthcare, and public settings, understanding these microbial dynamics becomes increasingly important. The findings from studies like these remind us of the interconnectedness of our built environments and microbial worlds—and the importance of simple public health measures like hand hygiene and regular surface disinfection.
The next time you press an elevator button, remember that you're not just engaging with a mechanical device—you're interacting with a microbial ecosystem that tells a story about human behavior, microbial adaptation, and the ongoing challenge of managing infection risks in shared spaces. This awareness, coupled with evidence-based infection control practices, can help us create healthier environments for everyone.