Environmental Predominance and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Pseudomonas spp. Isolated from Female Public Washroom Toilet Seats in Dehradun, India

Background Pseudomonas spp. are opportunistic environmental bacteria capable of surviving on abiotic surfaces through biofilm formation, metabolic versatility, and tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. Their persistence on frequently touched public surfaces raises concerns regarding environmental contamination and the dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant organisms. Information on the occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility of environmental Pseudomonas isolates from female public washroom toilet seats in India remains limited. Objective This study aimed to determine the predominance of Pseudomonas spp. on female public washroom toilet seats in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, and to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the recovered isolates. Methods A cross-sectional microbiological study was conducted using 32 swab samples collected from female western-style toilet seats across seven public locations in Dehradun. Samples were cultured on CLED agar, and bacterial isolates were identified using Gram staining and conventional biochemical tests, including catalase, Simmons citrate, and Triple Sugar Iron (TSI) reactions. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method following CLSI guidelines using eight antibiotics. Results Among the 32 bacterial isolates recovered, Pseudomonas spp. accounted for 24 (75%), indicating clear predominance over other recovered organisms. All Pseudomonas isolates remained susceptible to amikacin, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin. Reduced susceptibility was observed for tetracycline, doxycycline, and tigecycline. Nitrofurantoin showed no activity against Pseudomonas , consistent with its intrinsic resistance profile. The predominance of Pseudomonas is likely associated with its environmental adaptability, including biofilm formation, desiccation tolerance, and persistence on frequently cleaned sanitary surfaces. Conclusion Female public washroom toilet seats can serve as environmental reservoirs of Pseudomonas spp. The predominance of these organisms and the observed reduction in susceptibility to several antimicrobial agents highlight the importance of environmental hygiene, continuous antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and routine monitoring of public sanitation facilities.