Isolation and Characterization of Multidrug Resistant Bacterial Pathogens Present in Hospital Environment within Awka Metropolis

Abstract

The contamination of hospital environment by bacterial organisms plays a vital role in the spread of nosocomial infections. This study was conducted to determine bacterial contamination, bacterial profiles, antibiotic susceptibility pattern and plasmid profiles of bacterial isolates from hospital air, water and fomite environment within Awka. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Crest Specialist Hospital, Regina Caeli Specialist Hospital and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Medical Centre, Awka. Using random sampling techniques (surface, air and water), culturing, Gram staining, antibiotic susceptibility test, biochemical tests and molecular identification, bacterial organisms from surrounding air, water and fomites were isolated and identified. A total of 112 samples were collected from the three hospitals. Of all the samples, 110 (98.2%) showed positive for bacterial growth. A total of 40 bacterial isolates underwent antibiotic sensitivity testing, of which 6 (15%) showed multidrug resistance. Bacterial organisms isolated from Regina Caeli Hospital showed the most resistance to the antibiotic drugs (41.8%), followed by Crest Specialist Hospital (30.9%) and then UNIZIK Medical Centre (27.3%). Interestingly, there was 100% sensitivity of isolates to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, augmentin (amoxicillinclavulanate), rifampicin and septrin. Out of the six multidrug resistant isolates, Staphylococcus hominis strain PCP01, Myroides odoratimimus subsp. xuanwuensis strain M2S3B6 and Bacillus cereus strain DS-2 were identified using DNA sequencing and PCR. The three identified microorganisms are opportunistic pathogens. While S. hominis has no plasmid, both M. odoratimimus and B. cereus showed the presence of plasmids. With proper prevention practices such as; disinfection of hospital surfaces, proper personal hygiene of health care workers, special air handling and ventilation and wearing of facemask within the hospital environment, possibilities of nosocomial infections can be reduced drastically, especially in Africa. Keywords: Isolation, Characterization, Multidrug Resistant and Bacterial