INVESTIGATION OF THE ANTIBIOGRAM PATTERN OF BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM POS MACHINES AROUND IGUOSA ENVIRONS TO OVBIOGIE, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

The pervasive use of Point of Sale (POS) machines in Nigeria, while facilitating economic convenience, presents a potential public health risk as high-touch surfaces for microbial transmission. This study was to investigate the antibiogram pattern of bacteria isolated from POS machines around Iguosa Environs to Ovbiogie, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A total of twenty (20) POS terminals were randomly selected for the study. Microbial samples were obtained from the screens and keypads using sterile swabs that were moistened with peptone water. The samples were analyzed in the lab through serial dilution, cultured on Nutrient Agar, and incubated at 37°C for a period of 24-48 hours. Bacterial isolates were purified and identified following standard cultural, morphological, and biochemical methods. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the isolates were assessed against a range of commonly used antibiotics employing the disc diffusion technique. The findings indicated a significant microbial presence, with bacterial counts between 1.2 × 10⁴ cfu/mL and 9.0 × 10⁴ cfu/mL. Five genera of bacteria were identified, with their percentage distribution as follows: Micrococcus spp. (23.80%), Bacillus spp. (22.22%), Corynebacterium spp. (22.22%), Staphylococcus spp. (15.87%), and Streptococcus spp. (15.87%). A considerable number of isolates displayed multi-drug resistance (MDR), with high levels of resistance noted against first-line antibiotics such as Ampicillin (AM) and Azithromycin (AZ). Specifically, Bacillus spp. Exhibited extensive resistance to several classes of antibiotics. Some isolates, however, were susceptible to antibiotics like Erythromycin € and Levofloxacin (LEV). In summary, this study indicates that POS terminals in the examined area are heavily contaminated with a variety of bacteria, including potential opportunistic pathogens, along with serious antibiotic resistance issues. These results highlight the potential of POS machines to act as spreading agents for infections within the community and the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.