Abstract
Objective: Isolation of potentially pathogenic bacteria from carpets in hospitals has been reported earlier, butnot from carpets in mosques. The aim of the present study is to determine the pathogenic and potentiallypathogenic 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 forpathogenic bacteria using standard bacteriological procedures. Susceptibility of isolated bacteria toantimicrobial 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 ingroup C1), Escherichia coli in 16 samples (28.1%), Aeromonas spp. in one sample (1.8%), and Staphylococcusaureus 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 andpotentially pathogenic bacteria may pose a health risk to worshipers, particularly, the very young, the old andthe immunecompromised. Worshipers are encouraged to use personal praying mats when praying in mosques.Keywords: pathogenic bacteria;antibiotic resistance;carpets;mosques;Tripoli;Libya