ABSTRACT
Banking activities which involve the use of counting machines, Automated teller machines, and exchange of naira notes play potential roles in the spread of infectious microorganisms. This study aimed at determining the microbial status of banks within Ekiti State University campus. A total of 96 samples were collected from six different banks’ in–door air, ATM, counting tables and Money counting machines in Ekiti State University campus. The samples were collected both in the morning and afternoon. Bacteria and fungi were isolated from the samples using serial dilution and pour plating methods. The isolates were identified based on morphological and biochemical characterization. Susceptibility pattern of the isolates to different classes of antibiotics (Penicillins, Quinolones, Macrolides, Aminoglycosides, Fluoroquinolones and Sulfonamides) were determined using agar disc diffusion method. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in bacteria counts on all the equipment analyzed in all the banks except Heritage bank. Analysis of variance also revealed significant difference in the bacteria counts from the banks in the morning and in the afternoon (p<0.05). Bacteria and fungi isolated from the samples belonged to the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Escherichia Serratia, Pseudomonas, Proteus Bacilllus, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Mucor and Fusarium where bacteria group dominated with 65% while their fungal counterparts were 35% of the total isolates. Escherichia coli had the highest percentage occurrence of 18.6%, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (15.2%) while Proteus sp. had the lowest occurrence (1%). The isolates exhibited resistance to Augmentin (100%), Erythromycin (100%), Amoxycillin (96%), Cotrimoxazole (96%), Chloramphenicol (86%), Streptomycin (72%) and Gentamycin (58%) while their growths were inhibited by Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Prefloxacin and Septrin. Plasmid analysis of the resistant strains showed that the isolates lack plasmids. The presence of potential pathogens in the banks and multiple antibiotic resistance displayed by the isolates constitutes risk to the public health. Hence, measures such as thorough hand washing with soap and hand sanitization after using the bank and its facilities should be emphasized.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Peritonitis is the most important complication of CAPD, often leading to failure of the technique and recourse to hemodialysis. Staphylococci is the most common organism in bacterial peritonitis associated with CAPD. The importance of the skin as a source of peritonitis causing isolate is suggested. We investigated the importance of anterior nares, hands and catheter exit-site skin as a source of peritonitis in CAPD patients by comparing the plasmid analysis with the bacterial protein analysis. METHODS: Thirty patients were suffered by peritonitis which was caused by S. aureus were studied. At presentation with an episode of S. aureus peritonitis, peritoneal dialysates, anterior nares, hands and catheter exit-site skin cultures were obtained. Antibiotics-sensitivity tests was performed and antibiogram of S. aureus which was cultured from peritoneal dialysates was compared with that from the skin. The similar antibiogram was identified in sixteen patients. The isolates were typed by rapid plasmid screen analysis and by means of visual comparison of autoradiographs of 35S-methionine staphylococcal protein analysis. RESULTS: The same plasmid analysis pattern of S. aureus isolated from the skin as that from the peritoneal dialysate was observed in 7patients and bacterial protein analysis pattern in 3patients. In seven patients who had the same plasmid analysis patients, three patients had the same plasmid analysis pattern of S. aureus from peritoneal dialysate as that from anterior nares and four patients had the same plasmid analysis pattern as that from the isolates of the exit-site skin. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the epidemiological link between carriage of S. aureus and peritonitis in CAPD patients and clinical usefulness of plasmid analysis for the delineation of focus of infection.