HOSTEL DRAINS IN UNIVERSITY OF BENIN,

Wastewater drains within university hostels can serve as reservoirs for various microorganisms, including opportunistic pathogens that pose significant health and environmental risks. Among these microbes, Klebsiella species—especially Klebsiella oxytoca—are notable for their ability to survive in damp environments and their resistance to multiple antibiotics. This study aimed to isolate and identify Klebsiella spp. from wastewater drains in male hostels (Hall 3 and Hall 4) at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Wastewater samples were aseptically collected from four designated drain points—two each from Hall 3 and Hall 4—using sterile 500 mL bottles. The samples were transported in ice-packed coolers to the Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, for bacteriological examination. Standard microbiological methods were used to enumerate, isolate, and identify bacterial species based on their cultural, morphological, and biochemical features. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 4.82 to 4.87 Log₁₀ CFU/mL, reflecting high microbial loads in all the sampled drains. Total Klebsiella counts varied between 5.75 to 6.00 Log₁₀ CFU/mL, with the highest found at Hall 4 Point A and the lowest at Hall 3 Point A. The identified bacterial isolates included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Notably, Klebsiella oxytoca appeared consistently across all sampling points, indicating its strong adaptability to wastewater environments. The findings underscore that hostel drainage systems can act as reservoirs and transmission routes for potentially pathogenic and environmentally persistent bacteria. Regular sanitation and effective wastewater management are therefore essential to minimize environmental contamination and associated public health risks.