Multidrug Resistance Profiling of Some Bacterial Pathogens from Mobile Phones of Health Workers and Surfaces of Kwara State University (KWASU) Health Centre

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major public health challenge, and the direct and indirect transmission of these resistant pathogens can occur via healthcare centre surfaces and the phones of healthcare personnel. This study aimed to investigate the multidrug resistance profile of pathogenic bacteria present on the phones of health officers and surfaces of the KWASU health centre, Malete. A total of 40 swab samples were obtained from phones and different surfaces in the centre, and cultured on selective media to obtain Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli with a prevalence of 100%, 50%, 50% and 65% prevalence, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed widespread MDR among the isolates. Staphylococcus aureus exhibited 100% MDR, with complete resistance to pefloxacin, cefuroxime, amoxicillin, erythromycin, and azithromycin, and reduced susceptibility (15–24%) to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone (Rocephin), and levofloxacin. Klebsiella pneumoniae also showed 100% MDR, displaying total resistance to augmentin, pefloxacin, and ceftriaxone, and minimal susceptibility (0–24%) to other agents. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was completely resistant to augmentin, streptomycin, cefuroxime, ceporex, and ceftriaxone, indicating moderate to high MDR prevalence among its isolates. Escherichia coli demonstrated high MDR prevalence, with partial resistance to augmentin (92.3%) and cefuroxime (69.3%), and complete resistance to ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, ceporex, ceftriaxone, and streptomycin. The detection of MDR pathogens on these phones and surfaces calls for stricter disinfection practices, phone hygiene and routine antimicrobial surveillance practices.