I.B. IDEMUDIA

Fomites are generally considered as any inanimate object that can serve as a means of transferring pathogens to a new host. Table surfaces which are fomites can be a major source of spread of infectious diseases. The main aim of the study is to enumerate, isolate and identify bacteria from Environmental Management and Toxicology (EMT) students lecture tables at University of Benin as well as to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility test of the bacterial isolates. Samples were collected twice on a weekly basis using a sterile swab. Methods involved in the isolation and identification of the bacteria were serial dilution, Gram staining, biochemical test which include oxidase, catalase, indole, urease, sugar fermentation and potassium hydroxide test, as well as antimicrobial sensitivity test. The probable isolates identified were Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacter aerogenes, with the second week having a higher number of bacterial population and isolates. Unhygienic practices by the students accounts for these isolates.

The soil is a reservoir for various clostridial pathogens, with agricultural soils representing a major source of contamination for overlying crops and grazing livestock. Indigenous bacteria in the soil environment can produce a wide range of solvents and metabolites more efficiently. This study therefore was aimed at determining the antibacterial potential of crude metabolic extracts from Clostridium spp. isolated from cattle yards in Benin City, Nigeria against clinically relevant bacterial isolates. Soil samples were collected in triplicates each at 0-5 cm depth using soil Auger from cattle farmlands in Eyaen, Aduwawa 1, Aduwawa 2 and Dumez in Benin City Nigeria. Clinical isolates were collected from Medical Microbiology Laboratory, University of Benin
Teaching Hospital, Benin City Nigeria. The physicochemical parameters of the soil were analysed using standard methods. Minerals and heavy metals were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Bacteria were isolated using dilution technique and cultured on appropriate culture media followed by in-vitro screening for virulent factors. Isolated pathogens were subsequently assessed for antibiotic resistance to common antibiotics and resistance to crude metabolites using modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, while Clostridium species were further identified using molecular technique. The phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper where above the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) acceptable limit while electrical conductivity was below and potassium within FMEnv acceptable limit. The total Clostridium counts of soil samples ranged from 5.13±0.02 × 10 3cfu/g - 5.53±0.10 × 10 3cfu/g. The Clostridium isolates identified from the soil samples were Clostridium sporogens, Clostridium butyricum, Clostridium bolteae, Clostridium septicum, and Clostridium perfringens. Staphylococcus aureus was
found to exhibit positive characteristics for gelatinase, lipase, DNAse and hemolysin production. C. perfringenss and C. butyricum had the highest zone of inhibition against xi Escherichia coli (1.07±0.03 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (1.07±0.03 mm), while C. perfringens had the least zone of inhibition against P. aeruginosa (0.10±0.00 mm). Enterobacter aerogenes had the highest percentage antibiotic resistance (50%) which was against amoxicillin, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (42.1%) against parfloxacin. Clostridium species exhibit varying degrees of antibacterial activity against specific bacterial isolates which prove its potential therapeutic applications. Therefore, Clostridium species can be used commercially for the production of antibiotics after purification and proper standardization.

Public toilets are dynamic environments affected by both microbial load and indoor air quality from the occupants’ activities. Management at University of Benin faces a challenge when it comes to maintaining satisfactory air quality in the hostel toilets. Regular monitoring is therefore, necessary to evaluate air control effectiveness and to detect the irregular introduction of airborne microorganisms via occupants. The principal aim of this study is to assess the microbial quality of the air in some selected toilets at hall two female hostel, University of Benin by measuring indoor bacterial loads. Samples were collected from Female Student Toilets in Hall 2 Hostel, University of Benin by setting exposed plates for 15minutes. Bacteria were incubated at 37°C for
24hrs. The identified bacterial isolates were Escherichi contamination in the toilet. These findings underscore the importance of thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols in public toilets to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination and
subsequent infections.