Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile and Beta Lactamase Production of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Mobile Phones of Students from College of Natural and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram positive bacterium that is commonly found in both community and healthcare-associated infections. One of the most common mechanisms that S. aureus develops resistance against antibiotics, especially beta-lactam antibiotics, by producing beta-lactamase enzymes. Mobile phones serve as potential fomites for pathogens. The present study was conducted to ascertain the antibiotic sensitivity profile in beta-lactamase-producing S. aureus from mobile phones of some students from the College of Natural and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty (120) samples were randomly collected from the surface of mobile phones of some students using sterile swab stick, 40 each from the three faculties within the college. The samples were cultured and isolates were characterized using appropriate morphological and biochemical standard methods. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was evaluated using disc agar diffusion method as described previously. Beta-lactamase production was determined using starchiodometric methods. A total of 45 (37.5%) isolates were identified as S. aureus. The highest percentage, 18 (40.0%), was from the faculty of physical sciences. The result of antibiotic sensitivity revealed the highest susceptibility to Augmentin, Ofloxacin, and Perloxacin (91%), Ciprofloxacin (87%), and Ceptriazone (82%). The highest resistance was observed against Ampicillin (95%), followed by Cephalexin (73%), Cotrimaxazole (68%), Gentamycin, and Streptomycin (62%). Out of 35 resistant isolates, 91.4 % were found to be beta-lactamase producers. Statistically there is no significant difference in antibiotic resistance pattern across the faculties (P=0.56, F = 0.592). It was concluded that there is a high prevalence of S. aureus, and the production of Beta-lactamase enzyme is the most common biochemical mechanism by which S. aureus inactivates beta-lactam antibiotics. There is a need for physical and personal hygiene guidelines while using mobile phones to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.