MICROBIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF PEDESTRIAN HANDRAILS OF AKWA IBOM STATE POLYTECHNIC, IKOT OSURUA
Abstract
Microbiological assessment of pedestrian handrails of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua was studied. Swab samples were collected from pedestrian handrails in Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua and were labelled A, B, C and D respectively. All samples were analyzed using standard microbiological procedures. The results revealed total bacterial count ranged from 25 cfu/cm2 to 67 cfu/cm2. The percentage occurrence of the bacterial isolates revealed that Staphylococcus sp. recorded the highest percentage occurrence of (33.9%) followed by Bacillus sp. (27.6%), Aeromonas sp. (22.8%) while Corynebcaterium sp. (15.7%) had the least percentage occurrence of (11.5%) respectively. The total fungal count ranged from 20 cfu/cm2 to 35 cfu/cm2. The bacteria identified were Staphylococcus sp., Aeromonas sp., Bacillus sp. and Corynebcaterium sp. The fungi identified were Aspergillus sp., Candida sp. and Penicillium sp. The percentage occurrence of the fungal isolates revealed that Aspergillus sp. and Candida sp. had the highest percentage occurrence of (37.5%) while Penicillium sp. had the least percentage occurrence of (25.0%) respectively. The antibiotics susceptibility profile of the bacterial isolates revealed that Staphylococcus sp. was sensitive to gentamycin (20mm) followed by azithromycin (18.5mm), ciprofloxacin (18mm), levofloxacin (17.5mm) but was resistant to erythromycin (14mm), rifampicin (12mm), ceftazidime (11mm), cefuroxime (10mm), streptomycin and amoxil (6mm) respectively. Bacillus sp. was sensitive to gentamycin and azithromycin (18mm) followed by levofloxacin (16.7mm), ciprofloxacin and erythromycin (16mm) but was resistant to ceftazidime (12mm), rifampicin (11mm), cefuroxime (10mm), streptomycin (9mm) and amoxil (6mm) respectively. Corynebcaterium sp. was sensitive to gentamycin (20mm) followed by azithromycin (18.5mm), ciprofloxacin (18mm), levofloxacin (17.5mm) but was resistant to erythromycin (14mm), rifampicin (12mm), ceftazidime (11mm), cefuroxime (10mm), streptomycin and amoxil (6mm) respectively. Aeromonas sp. was sensitive to gentamycin (19mm) but was resistant to tarivid (14.5mm), augmentin (9.5mm), ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, ampicillin, reflacin, nalidixic acid, septrin and ceporex (6mm) respectively. This study reflects the presence of pathogenic microorganisms suggesting the potential for transmission of infections, particularly in a communal environment frequented by numerous individuals. Hence, hygienic measures should be maintained especially hand washing, when coming in contact with public places to minimize the rate of microbial transfer through these surfaces.
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