article · Asian Journal of Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Aims: This study investigated Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from fomites in emergency units of selected tertiary hospitals in Abuja Municipal Area, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, between December 2024 and April 2025. Methodology: A total of 350 environmental samples were collected from various fomites, including door handles, tap handles, nursing stations, sinks, beds, and mattresses across three hospitals: National Hospital Abuja (150 samples), Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja (50 samples), and National Trauma Centre, Abuja (150 samples). Isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques. Results: The occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus was 50 (14.3%). The nursing station had the highest occurrence (23.7%), while tap handles had the lowest (6.5%). The prevalence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) and extensive drug resistance (XDR) among the isolates was recorded at 70% and 12%, respectively. Disinfectant analysis indicated higher S. aureus prevalence in facilities using sodium hypochlorite. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin to have the highest sensitivity, while ampicillin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, erythromycin, and penicillin exhibited the highest resistance. The presence of such resistant strains is alarming, particularly in hospital environments where inadequate hygiene practices—especially in developing countries—may contribute to their spread. This emphasizes the need for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance to track the evolution of resistant strains in hospital settings. Potential intervention strategies are crucial to combat this rising threat. Conclusion: The high prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and alarming rates of multidrug-resistant strains in hospital fomites highlights urgent needs for improved infection control measures, antimicrobial stewardship, and regular AMR surveillance to mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens in healthcare settings.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.9734/ajrimps/2025/v14i3332
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
