The prevalence and resistivity pattern of <i>Staphylococcus Aureus</i> isolates from apparently healthy University students in Ekpoma, Edo, Nigeria

Abstract

Based on reported cases of increased multi-antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus, this study investigates the prevalence and resistivity pattern of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from ear and nasal swabs of apparently healthy students. A total of 100 samples comprising 50 nasal and 50 ear swabs, were collected randomly from students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. The samples were inoculated on Mannitol salt agar and then incubated for a period of 18-24 hours following standard laboratory procedures. The results showed that the isolates obtained from cultures of nose and ear swabs included Staphylococcus aureus (66.70%; 44.40%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (55.6%; 33.3%), and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (60%; 40%) respectively. However, the level of resistivity to Methicillin by Staphylococcus aureus amongst the sampled population was observed to be 44.4% for ear swabs and 66.7% for nose swabs. Interestingly, microbial resistance was higher for Ampicillin than Methicillin, while Tetracycline, among other antibiotics, was the most effective to both ear and nose isolates. Thus, the treatment for Staphylococcus aureus with Methicillin and other related antibiotics should be limited or controlled by susceptibility test results. It is also recommended that complete doses of appropriate antibiotics should always be taken to avoid the emergence of resistant strains.

Keywords: Methicillin, Staphylococcus aureus, Antibiotics, Antibiotic resistance,