Isolation and Identification of Bacteria Associated with the Palms of Primary School Pupils in Wukari, North East, Nigeria
[1]
Imarenezor Edobor Peter Kenneth, Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria.
[2]
Ubandoma Andefiki, Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria.
[3]
Ade Tolulope Iorwuese, Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria.
Bacterial load on the palms of one hundred and twenty (120) primary school pupils from four different schools (East Primary School, Unique Comprehensive School, Ebenezer Primary School and Fuwukari Staff School) in Wukari, North East, Nigeria was studied. The aim was to isolate and identify bacteria associated with palms of primary school pupils. Swabs were collected from both palms of all the pupils comprises of 60 males and females each of the study population. Standard bacteriological techniques were implored for the isolation, identification and antibiotic sensitivity test of the pathogens isolates. The results showed various isolates of Staphylococcus aureus 76 (35.7%), Shigella dysentriae 34 (13.5%), Staphylococcus epidermidis 48 (14.9%), Escherichia coli 51 (17.4%), and Enterococcus faecalis 46 (14.8%). Staphylococcus aureus 76 (35.7%) and Escherichia coli 51 (17.4%) were the most frequently isolated pathogens. The isolation of Shigella dysentriae 34 (13.5%) and Enterococcus faecalis 46 (14.8%) is of public health important as the isolation of this pathogens showed improper disposal of faecal wastes around the school surrounding or premises and also lack of proper clean up after visit to the rest rooms by the pupils. Subjecting these isolates to some selected antibiotics, the pathogens were susceptible to Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin, Erythromycin, Chloramphenicol, Streptomycin, while resistant to Augmentin, Amoxicillin, and Ampiclox. This researched showed that the pupils hands were contaminated with pathogens as a result of poor personal hygiene and sanitation. To these end, school authorities are advised to keep soaps and water in accessible locations for hand washing, parents on their part should provide hand washing facilities for their children at home why Government should enact laws that will make provision of washing hand facilities in all public places mandatory for it citizens.
Isolation, Identification, Bacteria, Primary, School, Pupils, Wukari
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