Evaluation of Antibiotic Resistance Pattern of Bacteria Obtained from Surfaces of Automated Teller Machines in Calabar South, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Money is an essential commodity in the life of humans and it is required to meet daily needs; as such, there is always a consistent usage of automated teller machines (ATM) to withdraw money to meet these needs. In this process, however, there is exchange of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes resulting from direct contact from the numerous users of these piece of equipment, especially with hands which are even known to be a ‘house’ of microorganisms. The study was carried out to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacteria present on Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in Calabar Communities in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty (150) samples were collected and analysed using standard microbiological procedures. Isolates were identified by microscopic, biochemical and carbohydrate fermentation characterizations. The susceptibility of the isolates to antibiotics was determined by the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results revealed that all ATMs harbored seven different species of bacteria namely <i>Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella</i> spp., and <i>Shigella</i> spp. However, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> was the most frequently occurring bacterial isolate (28.3%) followed by <i>Escherichia coli</i> (18.6%), <i>Bacillus</i> spp. (17.7%), <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (14.2%), <i>Salmonella typhimurium</i>. (9.7%), <i>Klebsiella</i> spp. (6.2%) and <i>Shigella</i> spp. (5.2%) respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility results showed a zone of inhibition ranging from 8mm to 45mm. The widest zone of inhibition (45mm) was recorded with Augmentin for <i>Salmonella typhimurium</i> while the least zone of inhibition (8mm) was recorded in Ampicillin for <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. All bacterial isolates showed a high level of resistance (6mm) to Nalidixic acid except <i>Klebsiella</i> spp. (10mm) and <i>Salmonella typhimurium</i>. Overall, Ceproflox and Quinolone showed the highest efficacy against the bacteria isolates followed by Augmentin and Tarivid. Heavy bacterial presence on ATM surfaces is evident from this study. Frequent disinfection of ATMs surfaces and their accessories along with periodic microbiological surveillance is thereby recommended.