Bacteria contamination of Nigerian currency notes from traders in Delta State University Campuses, Abraka

Abstract

The public health significance of bacterial contamination of Nigerian currency notes from traders in Delta State University Campuses, Abraka was studied and a total number of fifty (50) naira notes consisting of ten (10) pieces of each lower denomination (₦20 - ₦500) were collected from traders within the University campuses at Site I and II where commercial activities are high. Relevant bacteriological and biochemical techniques were carried out to isolate, characterize and identify the bacterial isolates. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was employed for the analysis of antibiotic susceptibility profile for both Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial isolates. Studies on isolation of bacteria in this investigation indicated the presence of Klebsiella sp., Bacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Proteus sp. It was observed that S.
aureus (31%) had the highest prevalence rate, followed by E. coli (21%) while Proteus sp. (5%) and Streptococcus sp. (5%) both had the lowest prevalence rate. Results for the Gram positive antibiotic susceptibility test showed that isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (100%), followed by gentamycin (67%) and zinnacef (67%) while septrin (0%) appeared to be the least susceptible antibiotic. The percentage antibiotic susceptibility profile for the Gram negative bacterial isolates also showed that the isolates were sensitive to septrin (100%) followed by ciprofloxacin (75%) while the least susceptible Gram negative antibiotics includes: Augmentin (25%), gentamycin (25%) and amoxicillin (25%). The study showed that naira notes in circulation by traders in Delta State University Campuses are contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria species and this contamination may play a
significant role in the transmission of infectious diseases. However, findings from the study and information on the result of the antibiotic susceptibility profile will help educate the university community as well as the public in extension, on the precautionary measures to adopt for safety, also the best drug of choice to consider for the treatment of bacterial infections arising from improper handling of naira notes