Snapshot Survey and Antibiotic Profiles of Staphylococcus Species from Selected Wells in Akungba-Akoko

The provision of safe drinking water remains a critical global challenge, particularly in rural communities that depend on groundwater sources.This study conducted a snapshot survey to determine the occurrence and antibiotic resistance profiles of Staphylococcus species in selected wells from Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria.Twelve well water samples were examined using standard microbiological methods, with antibiotic susceptibility testing performed using disc diffusion methods against six commercially available antibiotics: penicillin G, trimethoprim/sulphonamide, vancomycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, and chloramphenicol.Results showed that seven (58.33%) of the well water samples were contaminated with Staphylococcus spp., with 71% of isolates being coagulase-positive.Antibiotic resistance analysis revealed that 23.5% of isolates were resistant to penicillin G, 11.7% to tetracycline, and 5.9% each to vancomycin and streptomycin.No resistance was observed against trimethoprim/sulphonamide and chloramphenicol.These findings indicate that wells used as drinking water sources in Akungba-Akoko harbor antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus strains, posing potential public health risks through possible horizontal gene transfer to gastrointestinal tract bacteria in consumers.