ANTIBIOGRAM OF BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM STOOL OF STUDENTS OF ISA MUSTAPHA AGWAI I, POLYTECHNIC LAFIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among enteric bacteria poses a serious threat to public health, particularly in academic environments where young adults live in close contact. This study investigated the antibiogram of bacteria isolated from stool samples of students at Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia. Stool specimens were collected, cultured on selective media, and subjected to biochemical characterization and antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The bacterial isolates included Escherichia coli (40%), Salmonella spp. (20%), Shigella spp. (15%), Staphylococcus aureus (15%), and Klebsiella spp. (10%). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles revealed complete resistance to ampicillin and high resistance to tetracycline (75%) and sulfamethoxazoletrimethoprim (60%). Conversely, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gentamicin, and ceftriaxone showed high activity against most isolates. The findings highlight the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria within the student population, suggesting a significant public health risk due to the gastrointestinal tract serving as a reservoir for resistance genes. Continuous surveillance, strict regulation of antibiotic use, and improved hygiene practices are recommended to curb the spread of resistance in such communities.
Keywords: Antibiogram, Antimicrobial resistance, Enteric bacteria, Multidrug resistance, Stool isolates.
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