Zeitschrift für Infektionskrankheiten und Präventivmedizin
Offener Zugang
ISSN: 2329-8731
ISSN: 2329-8731
Joseph Omololu-Aso, A. Oyinloye, Oluwaseun O. Omololu-Aso, Oluwagbenro Adesunloro
Staphylococcus aureus, gram positive cocci has been recognized to be an important pathogen in both the community and the hospital. Staphylococcus aureus has contributed to the global food borne illnesses and food poisoning as well as the hospital acquired infections. Although Staphylococcus aureus can be carried by humans, especially in the nasal cavity, this organism can pose threat to human life. The emergence of the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus is at an alarming rate. The aim of this study is to determine the microbial colonization of nasal cavity with emphasis to Staphylococcus aureus, to detect the routes of transmission of staphylococcal infection in the community and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates recovered to various antibiotics used among these food handlers in Shomolu Local Government, Lagos State, Nigeria. A total of 35 samples was collected from various food handlers and was analyzed using standard conventional methods and materials in order to isolate, identify and carry out the antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Subsequent culturing using nutrient broth was carried out. Nutrient agar, mannitol salt agar was used for the isolation process. Biochemical Tests such as catalase test, coagulase test, DNase test, Antibiotic sensitivity test was carried out to identify the isolates. The microscopy analysis was also carried out for identification of the isolates. Strict sterilization processes of cultures and materials were employed. The appropriate media was used throughout the bench work. The antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted using Kirby and Bauer disc diffusion method and the results were determined using the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) 2016 guide. Out of 35 samples collected, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 19 samples. The females had a percentage of 73.7% and the males had a percentage of 26.3%. From the antibiotic sensitivity test the Staph aureus isolates were found to be highly susceptible to Ciprofloxacin (63.15%), Streptomycin (68.42%), Pefloxacin (68.42%), and Zinnacef (68.42%), a lower percentage of susceptibility was observed in Septrin (57.89%). These isolates were highly resistant to Amoxicillin (84.2%), Erythromycin (73.68%), Ampiclox (63.15%), a lower resistance was observed in Gentamycin (57.89%), Rocephin (56.25%) The social characteristics also gotten from the food handlers showed that the highest age range of the food handlers was 29-39 with a percentage of (42.8%), and the lowest range was of the age range 18-28 (14.3%) the food handlers involved more females (88.6%), males(11.4%). The educational status of the food handlers was mostly of a school cert (62.8%), a percentage of 91.43% was not certified in food handling, also hand washing habit after touching the nose was 34.28%, and hand washing habit before preparing food was (85.71%). The presence of drug-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from this nasal swabs pose a great threat to public health. A food handler may contaminate food from the enterotoxin producing Staph aureus thereby causing staphylococcal food poisoning outbreak in these community. Therefore, a very good hygiene is required especially when handling food, usage of protective gadgets like apron, gloves when handling food should be employed.