2024, Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A
Antibiogram of bacteria isolated from palms of food handlers in Rivers State University
Author(s): Okpuruka, Confidence Chizorom, Sokari TG and Amadi LO
Abstract: Multi-drug resistance has become a major public health threat, especially with the continuous emergence of resistant isolates causing delayed hospital stay. The study evaluated the antibiogram of bacterial isolates from the palms of food handlers at Rivers State University. The samples were collected by swabbing the hands of food handlers within the campus. The total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), coliform and staphylococcal loads were done using the spread plate count method and the isolates were identified using phenotypic and biochemical methods. The antibiogram was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Plasmid profiling of antibiotic-resistant genes (oxa-48 and QNRB) was determined using gel electrophoresis. Results showed that the THB load of the food handlers' palms ranged from 2.9x103 to 1.20x105 CFU/cm2. There was a significant difference (0.05) in the THB across the vendors. The staphylococcal counts of the food handlers' palms ranged from p<0 to 5.2x102 CFU/cm2 while the coliform counts ranged from 0 to 7.4x102 CFU/cm2. The percentage occurrence of the isolates was Escherichia coli 20(19.5%), Staphylococcus spp. 17(16.7%), Acinetobacter 3(2.9%), Bacillus 8(7.8%), Campylobacter 2(2.0%), Corynebacterium 7(6.9%), Enterococcus 3(2.9%); Micrococcus 4(3.9%), Pneumococcus 1(1.0%), Proteus 8(7.8%), Pseudomonas 7(6.9%) and Klebsiella spp. 14(13.7%). The antibiogram showed that the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance and high resistance was observed both in beta-lactam antibiotics and quinolones. Gentamycin was more effective in the control of both gram-negative and positive bacteria. Oxa-48 and QNRB genes were detected in most of the isolates which could have contributed to their resistance.
Pages: 47-53 | Views: 98 | Downloads: 64
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How to cite this article:
Okpuruka, Confidence Chizorom, Sokari TG, Amadi LO. Antibiogram of bacteria isolated from palms of food handlers in Rivers State University. J Adv Microbiol Res 2024;5(1):47-53.
