Antibiotic Susceptibility of Escherichia coli Isolated from Rodent Droppings
Amarachi (B.) Nwokoro *
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Madukwe Mary-Cynthia Nneka
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Juliana C. Omire
Department of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Asuzu, Eleanor Nneka
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Ijeoma (G.) Chukwuemeka
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Queeneth (C.) Onuoha
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Christopher Chike (A.) Okereke
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Chiamaka (C.) Ogujiuba
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Chigozie (C) Ukachukwu
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Mary Rose Ogechi Echeta
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Computing (FOSC), University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Nigeria.
Chinwendu (L.) Opara
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Uzochukwu. G. Ekeleme
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study evaluated the antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolated from rodent droppings. A purposive sampling technique was adopted in the selection of the rodent droppings. One hundred and fifteen (115) different rodent droppings were collected from nine locations in the environment of Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Owerri, using sterile containers. Standard microbiological methods were adopted in the isolation and identification of Escherichia coli from the rodent droppings. Disc diffusion technique was adopted in the determination of the antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli. Out of the One hundred and fifteen (115) samples analyzed, Escherichia coli occurred in 68 rodent droppings samples (60.0%). Antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli revealed zones of inhibition ranged 8 mm to 26 mm with some of the isolates being resistant to some antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ofloxacin, streptomycin, gentamycin and septrin. Therefore, to prevent possible microbiological contaminations, safety issues for the environment and uncovered foods kept in the hospital should be properly checked before use.
Keywords: Antibiotic, susceptibility, Escherichia coli, rat droppings