TY  - JOUR
T1  - Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Enteric Pathogens Isolated from Nigerian Currency Notes
AU - C. Mofolorunsho, Kehinde AU - F. Aminu, Ruth AU - O. Obaje, Victor AU - O. Olowonibi, Olabisi AU - O. Ocheni, Hannah 
JO  - Research Journal of Medical Sciences
VL  - 15
IS  - 4
SP  - 72
EP  - 77
PY  - 2021
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-9346
DO  - rjmsci.2021.72.77
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjmsci.2021.72.77
KW  - Naira notes
KW  -antibiotic resistance
KW  -Enteric pathogens
KW  -Nigeria
AB  - Currency notes are exchangeable fomites
handled by many persons on a daily basis and have the
potential for carrying enteric pathogens on their surfaces.
Infections caused by these pathogens have a global impact
on public health. This study was aimed at analysing the
Nigerian currency notes Naira for the presence of enteric
bacteria, particularly drug resistant strains. A total of 64
Nigerian currency notes were randomly collected from
various sources. Samples were analysed using standard
microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial profiles of
bacterial isolates was determined using the Kirby-Bauer
modified disc diffusion method. Preliminary analysis
showed that 67.2% of the samples were contaminated.
The 100 Naira notes had higher contamination rates with
bacterial mean counts of 1.22&times;10<sup>10</sup> cfu mL<sup>&#146;1</sup>. Three
different species of enteric bacteria were isolated. The
predominant pathogens were <i>Escherichia coli</i> (44.2%)
and <i>Salmonella</i> sp. (44.2%). All isolates recovered were
100% susceptible to amikacin, gentamicin and
ciprofloxacin while 97.7% were resistant to penicillin.
<i>Escherichia coli</i> was resistant to ampicillin (100%) and
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (89.5%). This study
showed that the Nigerian currency notes harbour enteric
pathogens capable of causing serious infections to
handlers. Therefore, improved hygiene practices,
especially after handling currency notes should be
encouraged to prevent the spread of these pathogens.
ER  -