O.C. UDINYIWE

Groundwater and borehole water remain a vital source of drinking water in many Nigerian cities, yet their quality is often compromised by physicochemical and microbial contamination. This study assessed the physicochemical and bacteriological analysis on water sources in University of Benin Ekenwan Campus Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A total of eighteen water samples
were collected from six hostel locations including Notre Dame, Uniben Table Water, Bore-hole source Water, Boy’s hostel, Postgraduate hostel, and Girl’s hostel, and analysed using the method of A.O.A.C. The microbiological analysis was analysed using standard microbiological methods. The results revealed that physicochemical analysis revealed that pH values of the
water ranged between 4.58 and 6.38, falling below the FEPA acceptable limit of 6.5–8.5. Most physicochemical parameters analysed were below permissible limits, however, iron (0.56–1.06 mg/L) and chromium (0.10–0.25 mg/L) exceeded the FEPA limits of 0.3 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L respectively. Microbiological results showed high contamination across hostel water samples. Presumptive coliform counts ranged from 6.67×10³ cfu/ml (Notre Dame) to 2.83×10⁴ cfu/ml (Boys hostel), aerobic bacterial counts ranged from 6.67×10³ cfu/ml (Notre Dame) to 8.67×10⁴ cfu/ml (Postgraduate hostel), while fungal counts ranged from 1.00×10¹ sfu/ml (Notre Dame) to 2.00×10² sfu/ml (Boys hostel). The microbial results exceeded WHO and FEPA permissible
standards. Identified bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium spp., Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Klebsiella aerogens, Enterobacter aerogens and Chromobacterium violaceum, Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Microsporum audouinii. Among bacteria, K. aerogens had the highest occurrence (21.9 %)
while A. hydrophila had the least occurrence (9.4 %). Among fungi, A. flavus (35.7%) was the most frequently occurring, while M. audouinii (14.3 %) had the lowest occurrence. Antibiotic sensitivity testing before plasmid curing showed multidrug resistance across isolates. Staphylococcus aureus displayed resistance to amoxicillin, augmentin, pefloxacin, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone, with the highest multidrug resistant index (MDRI) of 0.8. Pseudomonas fluorescens and Enterobacter aerogens each had an MDRI of 0.5, while Corynebacterium spp. and Chromobacterium violaceum exhibited MDRI values ranging from 0.2 to 0.3. After plasmid curing, resistance was lost in several isolates, with A. hydrophila, S. aureus, Corynebacterium spp., P. fluorescens, K. aerogens and C. violaceum showing susceptibility to tested antibiotics. This study demonstrated that while physicochemical parameters of water sources in Ekenwan Campus were largely within permissible limits except for iron and chromium, the
microbiological quality was grossly compromised. The detection of multidrug resistant organisms, both plasmid-mediated and chromosomal, highlights the public health risk associated with these water sources. The findings confirm that water supplied in these hostels is unsafe for direct consumption and requires adequate treatment and disinfection to reduce risks of waterborne infections and antibiotic-resistant outbreaks in the student community

The rapid adoption of cashless transactions in Nigeria, particularly in bustling commercial areas like the Uselu to Textile Mill Junction, Benin City, Edo State, has led to the widespread use of Point-of-Sale (POS) machines. These devices, frequently handled by multiple users with varying hygiene practices, have raised concerns about their potential as fomites for microbial contamination and the spread of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify bacteria associated with POS machines, determining their total heterotrophic count, assessing their distribution across different locations, and evaluating their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. Swab samples were collected from 20 POS machines (designated POS 1 to POS 20) during peak usage hour. The bacterial isolates were purified and identified based on standard cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The results revealed significant bacterial contamination, with total viable counts ranging from 5.0 ×10² to 8.1 × 10⁴cfu/ml. The predominant bacterial genera identified were Micrococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. Micrococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp had the same percentage occurrence of 21.67% being the most frequent bacterial isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility tests showed varying resistance patterns, with many isolates resistant to β-lactam antibiotics like ampicillin and ceftriaxone, raising concerns about the potential spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study highlights the urgent need for regular disinfection of POS machines, improved hygiene practices among users and operators, and public awareness campaigns to promote hand hygiene, the high microbial loads and presence of resistant strains underscore the public health risks posed by POS machines in high-traffic settings. These measures are critical to reducing the risk of fomite-mediated infections and combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in community settings like Uselu to Textile Mill Junction

The increasing use of Point-of-Sale (POS) machines as an alternative medium for financial transactions in Nigeria has greatly improved accessibility to cashless services but simultaneously raised public health concerns due to the frequent handling of these devices by multiple individuals under poor hygienic conditions. This study
was aimed at isolating, identifying and characterizing bacteria associated with POS machine keypads within the Textile Mill Road to Ogida Market axis of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A total of twenty (20) POS machines were randomly selected from different locations, including shops, roadside kiosks, and open market stores around the locations of sampling. Samples were aseptically collected using sterile cotton swabs moistened with physiological saline and transported under cold conditions (approximately 4 °C) to the Laboratory for analysis. The samples were inoculated on Nutrient Agar and MacConkey Agar for bacterial isolation. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for bacterial growth and 25 °C for 24–72 hours. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using the agar disc diffusion method with standard antibiotic discs. The result revealed that the total bacterial count ranged from 1.0 × 10³ to 7.7 × 10⁴ cfu/ml, indicating a significant level of microbial contamination. The bacterial isolated from all sampled POS are identified as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Corynebacterium spp., and Enterococcus spp. The frequency and percentage occurrence showed that Bacillus spp was 14 (26%), Staphylococcus spp 13 (26%), Enterococcus spp 10 (20%), Corynebacterium spp 13 (26%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that most bacterial isolates exhibited resistance to ampicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol but remained sensitive to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and gentamycin. The high prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria observed in this study suggests that POS machines may serve as potential reservoirs
and transmission routes for pathogenic bacteria, particularly in densely populated commercial areas where hygiene standards are low.