Abstract

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The human microbiome has been said to play an important role in disease development and overall health of the host which is affected by the different practices of the individuals ranging from the abuse of drugs, use of certain cosmetics, poor hygiene and a lack of preventive measure for infection which tend to alter the normal state and function of the microbiome. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of microbial isolates and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of these isolates from the nose, armpit and ear of students in selected faculties of Rivers State University. A total of 30 samples were collected at random using sterile swab sticks from selected body parts of students, including male and female and subjected to standard microbiological methods. A total of 42 isolates with the following genera Staphylococcus spp, Corynebacteriumspp, Klebsiella spp, Haemophilus spp and Moraxella spp were isolated. Staphylococcus spp has the highest prevalence (69%: 47.62%: 25%) in both males and females in the armpit, nose and ear respectively. This was followed by Corynebacterium spp with a prevalence of (19.05%; 23.08%: 0%) from the nose and armpit respectively with no occurrence from the ear. Haemophilus spp had the least prevalence, and occurred only in the ear samples. The organisms were more prevalent in females (50%) than in males (16.7%). The Results of the susceptibility pattern showed that Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus spp and Klebsiella pneumonia were 100% resistant to Ampiclox. Generally, all the organisms were highly susceptible to Levofloxacin (100%)> Gentamycin (100%) > Azithromycin (100%) and Ofloxacin (100%). Indiscriminate use of antibiotics should be discouraged and be personal hygiene encouraged

Keywords: Body parts, Microbiome, Prevalence, Students