Isolation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Bacteria from Bed Linens Used by Tertiary Students in Hostels
Ngozika. O. Achukwu
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) Enugu, Nigeria.
Nmesomma. G. Nnabuike
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) Enugu, Nigeria.
Robison. A. Mgbakogu *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) Enugu, Nigeria.
Blessing. C. Okpagu
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) Enugu, Nigeria.
Peter. U. Achukwu
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) Enugu, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Bed sheets and pillowcases are not often regarded as a source of pathogenic microorganisms with severe health implications. The purpose of this study was to isolate and identify bacteria from the hostel of tertiary students' bed sheets and pillowcases. A total number of 160 bed sheets and pillowcases from male and female students, 40 and 120, respectively, were swabbed aseptically using a sterile swab stick moistened with peptone water and immediately transported to the laboratory. A serial dilution was made to enumerate and isolate the organisms present. Gram staining and a series of biochemical tests were used to identify the isolates. Antimicrobial sensitivity was done using a disc diffusion test. Of the 160 samples collected, the bed sheet and pillowcase yielded 230 bacteria in total. The highest bacteria isolated was Bacillus spp (26.19%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.48%), and the least Enterobacter spp. 2.38%. Both pillowcases and bed sheets contain poly-microbial contamination, but there is more in the bed sheet (72.62%), and it is statistically significant. The mean microbial count ranges from 3.6 x 10^5 to 7.23x 10^8 CFU/ML. Most of the isolates demonstrated very high multiple-drug resistance. The findings showed that contaminated bed sheets and pillowcases are a probable route of microbial transmission and a health risk to users.
Keywords: Bed linens, bacteria isolation, antimicrobial, pathogenic microorganisms