Bacteriological Analysis and Plasmid Profiles of Surfaces of Some Hospital Kitchen Equipment in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

The surfaces of hospital kitchen equipment could be a major source of transmission of resistant pathogens to patients. Hence, the objective of this paper was to assess the bacteriological and plasmid profiles of surfaces of tables, sinks, chopping-boards, gas cookers and freezer handles hospital kitchen equipment in Benin City, Nigeria using appropriate standard microbiological techniques. Bacterial plasmids were isolated and separated using the agarose gel electrophoresis. Plasmid curing was performed using acridine orange. The antimicrobial sensitivity pattern showed that the bacterial isolates exhibited varying degree of resistance to the antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were highly resistant to the antibiotics, having multiple antibiotic resistances (MAR) index of 0.6. Micrococcus spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the least resistant to the antibiotics. Plasmid analysis revealed the presence of single and multiple-banded plasmids with sizes ranging from 100-1000bp. After curing, all the isolates (except S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa) were sensitive to all the antibiotics, indicating a significant reduction in antibiotic resistance after curing. The results revealed that plasmids played a significant role in conferring resistance on the isolates. Regular cleaning and disinfection should be strictly observed in hospital kitchens to prevent outbreaks and spread of resistant pathogens in hospitals.