Prevalence of Multi-Drug Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Potable Water in Ado Ekiti

The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in drinking water is a concern because of its potential to cause human infection and also because of their potential of acquiring resistant genes. In this study, the prevalence of Multi-Drug Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from potable water in Ekiti State was evaluated. Twenty (20) water samples were aseptically collected for this research from different houses within Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State with the aid of the GPS coordinates. The physiochemical parameters which includes the pH and Turbidity was observed and recorded immediately after sample collection A pour plate culture method was adopted to identify distinct colonies after which, 40 different presumptive isolates were subcultured, an average of one isolate per sample for further identification. The isolates were first identified by Gram Stain and further subjected to standard biochemical tests which was based on the metabolic activities of various isolates. Sulfur Indole and Motility Agar were used to identify Staphylococcus aureus strains. Out of the 40 isolates, a total of 34 isolates were identified and recorded with a specified Isolate ID number. The isolates were further subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test using MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) method for the phenotypic identification of susceptibility. The antibiotics Ceftazidime, Cefuroxime, Cefixime, Gentamicin, Ofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Nitrofurantoin and Augmentin aided this phenotypic assessment. Out of the 34 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 11.76% were resistant to four antibiotics used, 14.70% were resistant to up to three antibiotics, 20.59% were resistant to up to two antibiotics, 52.94% were resistant to only one antibiotic, none of the isolates were resistant to more than four antibiotics. Resistance to Augmentin was common while Gentamicin was the lowest. The Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) phenotype of all the isolates showed an overall prevalence of 47%. The pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus carrying the higher percentage of MDR phenotype in the drinking water samples pose a serious health threat to the surrounding communities. Therefore, adequate intervention is needed to prevent the spread of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria to human communities.