ABSTRACT
This study evaluates antibiotics susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates associated with naira notes of different denominations amongst students of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to isolate bacteria species from different denominations of naira notes (₦5, ₦10, ₦20, ₦50, ₦100, ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1,000) using standard microbiological techniques, determine the morphological bacteria of swab samples from naira notes on nutrient, MacConkey, Eosin-Methylene Blue, and Mannitol salt agars, to identify bacteria isolates randomly selected from the aforementioned agar plates, to determine the antibiotics susceptibility profile of selected bacteria isolates, and to identify the possible risk factors associated with naira notes contamination among Benson Idahosa University students via analysis of results from administered questionnaire. The result showed the presumptive bacterial species isolated from different denominations of naira notes. All 50 naira notes (100%) were found to be contaminated. Bacteria species across three (3) genera (Staphylococcus, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas) were isolated from the 50 contaminated naira notes Table 1. Of the 50 isolates, 36(72%) were Gram-positive bacteria, whereas 14(28%) were Gram-Negative bacteria. The naira notes were most frequently contaminated with Staphylococcus 21(42%), followed by Bacillus 15(30%) and Pseudomonas 14(48%). The S. aureusisolates in this study were generally resistant to ofloxacin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and vancomycin (61%, 66%, 52%, 57% respectively). However, the organisms were relatively more sensitive to gentamycin (47%). Bacillus species in this study were mostly resistant to ciprofloxacin (53%) and gentamycin (53%). Consistent with the observation of this study, Pseudomonas isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin. In conclusion, naira notes in circulation among students of Benson Idahosa University were potential vehicles for the transmission of multidrug resistant bacteria pathogens of potential public health importance.
