Microbial profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of microbes isolated from wash hand basins in covenant university

Abstract

Although, wash-hand basins aid in the disposal of washouts from contaminated hands, unsanitised basins can be a source of cross-contamination. The aim of this study was to analyse the microbial profiles and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of isolates from wash-hand basins in selected areas in Covenant University. A total of 70 swab samples were collected from wash-hand basins in the laboratories, cafeteria, and lavatories around the hostels and classroom areas. The isolates were identified based on their colonial, microscopic, and biochemical characteristics. The antibiotic susceptibility of selected isolates was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. A total of seven bacteria and nine fungal isolates were obtained from the swab samples. The most occurring bacteria and fungi were Staphylococcus aureus (100%) and Aspergillus sp. (88%), respectively. Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. were isolated from the wash-basins in the lavatories in the students’ hostel. A 100% sensitivity to amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was observed in the enteric bacteria. Pathogenic Staphylococcus sp. was sensitive to Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, and cloxacillin. Wash-hand basins could serve as a reservoir for the potential transmission of antibiotic-resistant organisms and may be of public health concern.