MULTIPLE ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS SPP. FROM DOOR HANDLES OF OFFICES IN CALEB UNIVERSITY

Studies have indicated Staphylococcus spp. as the leading cause of skin infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus spp. from door Handles of Offices at Caleb University. Twenty samples were obtained from the admin building of the Caleb University, Lagos state. Sterile swab-sticks was used for the collection of specimens. The samples were directly plated on Mannitol Salt Agar and incubated at 37 °C for 18–24 h. An antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute’s guidelines. Of all the isolation 60% were S. aureus and 40% S. epidermidis were isolated. Staphylococcus spp isolates were resistant to all the antibiotics used. The percentage of isolates resistant to Ofloxacin, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Cefixime, Levofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin,Azithromycin, Cefuroxime, Augmentin, Erythromycin, Imipenem, Gentamicin were 38.9%, 100.0%, 38.9%, 100%, 33.33%, 100%, 50%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 77.78%, 83.33%, 66.67% respectively. There were high levels of contamination of Staphylococcus spp. on door handles of the Offices at Caleb University. Staphylococcus species isolated had varied rates of resistance to the antibiotics used in this study. There is a need for periodic surveillance and monitoring of Staphylococcus spp. in the school environment as well as regular and effective cleaning of the offices door and contact surfaces in Caleb University. Further studies are needed, not only in Caleb University, but across Nigerian University offices, to understand the extent to which Staphylococcus spp. isolated from contact surfaces in the school environment.