Multidrug Resistance Profile of Some Bacterial Pathogens from KWASU Health Centre Surfaces and Mobile Phones of Health Workers

Abstract

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major public health challenge, and the direct and indirect transmission of these resistant pathogens can occur via healthcare centre surfaces and phones of healthcare personnels. This study aimed at investigating the multidrug resistance profile of pathogenic bacteria present on the phones of health officers and surfaces of the KWASU health centre, Malete. A total of 40 swab samples were obtained from phones and different surfaces in the centre, and cultured on selective media to obtain Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles revealed high levels of multidrug resistance among the tested pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus exhibited complete resistance to pefloxacin, zinnacef, amoxicillin, erythromycin, azithromycin, and cefuroxime, with low susceptibility (15–24%) to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, rocephin, and levofloxacin. Klebsiella pneumoniae showed multidrug resistance to more than three antibiotics, with total resistance to augmentin, pefloxacin, and ceftriaxone, and minimal susceptibility (0–24%) to the remaining agents. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was completely resistant to augmentin, streptomycin, cefuroxime, ceporex, and ceftriaxone, but remained susceptible to other antibiotics tested. In contrast, Escherichia coli showed partial resistance to augmentin (92.3%) and cefuroxime (69.3%), while exhibiting complete resistance to ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, ceporex, ceftriaxone, and streptomycin. The detection of MDR pathogens on these phones and surfaces calls for stricter disinfection practices, phone hygiene and routine antimicrobial surveillance practices.