ABSTRACT

This study examines the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from primary school pupils in Umudike. One hundred samples for culture of ear and nose swabs (50 from nose and 50 from ear) collected from primary school pupil in Umudike were examined using the standard microbiological procedure to determine the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile was determined by modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. The susceptibility of S. aureus to 10 antimicrobial agents allowed for human therapy were examined. The result of this study shows that the nostrils of the case study had the highest frequency of occurrence (100%) of the isolate, while the ear demonstrated 40% case occurrence. The isolate demonstrated high level of susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (228%), Gentamycin (200%), Ampicillin (179%) and Erythromycin (168%), the test organism was considerably susceptible to Tetracycline (140%), and Amikacin (104%), while the isolate was highly resistant to antibiotics such as streptomycin (132%), Augmentin (128%). Changing patterns of Staphylococcus aureus resistance to drugs continues to pose a problem to health care providers globally despite the development of new antibiotics. These high rates of resistance have been attributed to factors such as misuse of these drugs by health professionals and unskilled practitioners among others. Thus, there is need for continuous and regular antimicrobial resistance surveillance in the country in order to guide empirical therapy and to provide adequate control strategies to combat this public health problem.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of contents v

List of Tables           vii

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0. Introduction

1.1. Background of Study - - - - - - - - 1

1.2 Aims and Objective of the Study - - - - - - - 3

1.3 Specific   Objectives - - - - - - - - - 3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0. Literature Review

2.1 General Concept about Staphylococcus aureus - - - - - - 4

2.2. Staphylococcal Pigments - - - - - - - - 6

2.3 Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus - - - - - - 6

2.4 Transimssin Of Staphylocococcus aureus - - - - - - 7

2.5 Clinical Syndromes of Staphylococcus aureus - - - - - - 7    

2.6 Some of the Infections Caused by Staphylococcus aureus ¬ - - - 8

2.7 Skin Infections- - - - - - - - - - 8

2.8 Bacteremia - - - - - - - - - - 10

2.9 Animal infections - - - - - - - - - 9

2.10 Some of the Virulence Factors Produced by Staphylococcus aureus - - - 10

2.10.1 Enzymes - - - - - - - - - - 10

2.10.2 Toxins - - - - - - - - - - 10

2.10.3 Super antigens - - - - - - - - - 10

2.10.4 Exfoliative toxins - - - - - - - - - 11

2.11 Treatment and Antibiotic Resistance - - - - - - - 11

2.12 Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus - - - 12

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Method

3.1 Ethical Consideration - - - - - - - - - 16

3.2 Study Population/Source - - - - - - - - 16

3.3 Collection of Samples - - - - - - - - 16

3.4 Sterilization of Materials - - - - - - - - 17

3.5 Media Preparation - - - - - - - - - 17

3.5.1 Microbiological Examination of Sample - - - - - - 17

3.5.2 Processing of Samples - - - - - - - - 17

3.5.3 Identification of Isolates - - - - - - - - 17

3.5.4 Gram Staining - - - - - - - - - 17

3.5.5 Catalase Test - - - - - - - - - - 18

3.5.6 Coagulase Test (Slide test) - - - - - - - - 18

3.6 Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing - - - - - - - 19

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results - - - - - - - - - - 20

CHAPTER FIVE

Discussion and Conclusion 

5.1 Discussion - - - - - - - - - - 31

5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - -- - 32

References - - - - - - - - - - - 34