Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Enteric Bacteria on Selected Fomites in the Pediatric Ward of General Hospital, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

Enteric infections remain a major global public health concern, particularly affecting children under the age of five. The growing burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among enteric pathogens further complicates treatment and control efforts. This study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of enteric bacteria isolated from high-touch surfaces in the pediatric ward of General Hospital, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. A total of 30 swab samples were obtained from frequently contacted fomites within the ward. Bacterial isolation, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing were carried out using standard microbiological techniques. Four enteric bacterial species were identified which include Escherichia coli (37.5%), Salmonella typhi (30%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (20%), and Shigella dysenteriae (12.5%). Notably, all isolates exhibited complete (100%) resistance to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and amoxicillin, reflecting a high prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR). These findings underscore the potential role of contaminated hospital surfaces in the transmission of healthcare-associated infections and highlight the urgent need for routine environmental monitoring, strict infection control practices, and robust antimicrobial stewardship programs to curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance in clinical settings.