O.I ENABULELE

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a major global health concern, particularly in bacterial pathogens associated with urine from asymptomatic students. This study investigated bacteria isolates from urine samples of healthy students, focusing on their prevalence, virulence characteristics and antibiotic resistance. Thirty-five (35) isolates were obtained and identified using selective media and biochemical tests, while virulence factors including haemolysis, capsule formation, serum resistance and gelatinase production were assessed by standard laboratory methods. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc
diffusion method. Results showed that Escherichia coli as the most prevalent bacteria 6 (26 %), followed by Staphylococcus aureus 3 (17 %), Streptococcus sp. 4 (13 %), Salmonella sp.3 (12 %) while Micrococcus sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis 2 (8 %) respectively. All isolates exhibited haemolytic activity, predominantly β-
haemolysin, except Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis. All isolates except Micrococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis produced capsule. Serum resistance assays revealed that E. coli, Streptococcus sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonasaeruginosa and Micrococcus sp. were resistant, while S. aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella sp. were sensitive. Gelatinase activity was confirmed in E. coli, S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella sp., but absent in Streptococcus sp. Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Micrococcus sp. Antibiotic testing showed the bacteria
isolates were not resistant to levofloxacin and gentamycin, while resistance was observed against other antibiotics tested. The pathogenic potential of bacterial isolates recovered from healthy individuals emphasized the need for continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance to prevent dissemination.

This present study focused on isolation and identification of bacteria isolated from urine sample of undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Benin City. A total of fifteen (15) urine samples were collected and transported to the laboratory for bacteriological analysis. The total bacteria count ranged from 6.2 × 10 5 CFU/ml - 8.0 × 10
5 CFU/ml. Bacterial species isolated includes Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Proteus mirabilis. E. coli was the most predominant isolate accounting for about (55%) followed by S. aureus (25%), S. saprohyticus (15%) and P. mirabilis (5%). The antibiotic susceptibility to antibacterial agent revealed that of S. aureus all the isolates were (100%) resistant to Zinnacef and Cephalexin while they were (100%) sensitive to ciprofloxacin. S. saprohyticus 15(100%) were resistant to cephalexin and (100%) sensitive to ciprofloxacin. E. coli and P. mirabilis susceptibility test revealed that 5(5%) of P. mirabilis showed resistance to Cephalexin and Septrin and was sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Amoxicillin and Augmentin. however, 55(100%) of E. coli were resistant to cephalexin, moderate sensitivity to septrin and (100%) sensitivity to
ciprofloxacin. The isolates were also tested for their ability to produce gelatinize. All bacterial isolates produced gelatinize. The ability of the bacterial isolates obtained to produce gelatinize is of a serious medical importance as this may have contributed to the multi-drug resistance of the isolates and as such, further research should be carried out to discover new antibiotics effective against these organisms.