Bacterial contamination of some hospital equipments in Kano, Nigeria

One hundred swabs of some hospital equipments that come in contact with patients were collected and analysed at five [5] different hospitals in Kano State, Nigeria. These were cultured on selective and enrichment media for the purpose of isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens. Plates with growth were Gram-stained and subjected to biochemical analysis. The results showed that 76% of the swabs were positive for bacterial growth. The isolated bacteria were Corynebacterium spp. [10%], Lactobacillus spp. [8%], Staphylococcus spp. [52%] and Streptococcus spp. [6%]. Isolation of potential pathogens on surface of hospital equipments indicated that these equipment predispose the patients to nosocomial infections, sometimes with lethal repercussion to both patients and healthcare providers

Evaluation of extended spectrum beta lactamases [ESBLs] production among Enterobacteriaceae isolates obtained from aminu Kano teaching hospital [AKTH], kano, Nigeria

Gram negative bacterial isolates in 404 gram quantity obtained from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital [AKTH], Kano, Nigeria, were subjected to biochemical characterization using standard procedures. All confirmed Enterobacteriaceae isolates were further subjected to screening for Extended Spectrum p-Lactamases [ESBLs] production using Double Disc Synergy Test [DDST] and National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards [NCCLS] test. Standard discs of Augmentin [AMC 30 ng [Oxoid, England]] and Cephotaxime [Ce 30 jig], Ceftazidime [Ca 30 ug] and Ceftazidime/Clavulanic acid [Cac 30 ng] [Hi-Media, India] were used in the screening. The results of DDST showed that 45 [11.39%] were ESBLs producers viz: Escherichia coli [16], Klebsiella species [14] and Proteus species [15] while that of confirmed ESBLs producers using NCCLS test was 24[6.08%]. These include; Escherichia coli [10], Klebsiella species [9] and Proteus species [5]. There exist significant differences in ESBLs production among the isolates when the results were subjected to chi-square statistical analysis. Detection of ESBLs among the clinical isolates is an indication of possible treatment failure using p-lactam antibiotics which is threatening to the current use ofp-lactam antibiotics in treatment of microbial infections