ABSTRACT
Handbag is an inanimate object, a commonly used multipurpose gadgets, which serve as a media for transportation of bacterial contaminants among individuals. Beta-lactamase enzymes, are important components of the antimicrobial resistance in Gram negative bacteria. This study determines the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria, recovered from female student handbags in Benin City. A total of 300 handbags from female students in Benin City were used for this study. The samples were collected from the interior, handle and base of students’ handbags with swab sticks moisted with sterile normal salines and were cultured on MacConkey agar and chocolate agar at 37℃ for 24 hours. The isolates were identified, using standard microbiological techniques. Colonial morphological, motility testing, wet preparation, Gram staining, and biochemical identification were performed in the identification of bacteria isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates include the use of several antibiotic discs such as the Gram positive multi-discs, Ceftazidime, Cefotaxime, and Augmentin. And was performed using Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method. The double disc synergy was used in detecting ESBL. The isolates recovered from female handbags included Staphylococcus aureus 23(18.9%), Bacillus species 32(26.2%), Escherichia coli 35(28.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 6(4.9%), Klebsiella pneumonia 16(13.1%) and Acinetobacter specie 10(8.2%). Majority of the isolates were resistant to Ceftriaxone and Erythromycin. The isolates were more susceptible to Azithromycin, followed by Levofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin. Escherichia coli was resistant to Augmentin (100%) produced ESBL. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to Augmentin and Cefotaxime (100%) each, produced ESBL. Acinetobacter specie was also resistant to Ceftazidime and Cefotaxime, (100%) each, produced ESBL. The prevalence of isolates that produced ESBL did not differ significantly (0.3011). ESBL non- producing isolates 41(61.2%) were generally more than ESBL producing isolates 26(38.8%) to the tested antimicrobial agents. In conclusion isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter specie were the most prevalence producers of beta-lactamase enzymes. A low prevalence of ESBL 26(38.8%) was observed among Gram negative bacteria isolates from female handbags in Benin City. It is also advisable to practice good hand and handbag and use of disinfectant is highly encouraged to reduce colonization of bacteria contaminants.
