Abstract

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Currency is one of the most potential vehicles in the transmission of pathogens. This study was designed to isolate, identify, and determine the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of bacterial pathogens isolated from different denominations of Naira notes. A total of sixty Naira note samples ranging from N100.00 to N1000.00 were randomly collected from meat vendors at the International and Kpirikpiri market, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Collected samples were analyzed using standard microbiological procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Results showed that bacterial counts ranged from 1.2 x 103 cfu/mL to 2.3 x 104 cfu/mL for N1000.00 and N100.00 Naira notes respectively. The bacteria isolated in this study were Escherichia coli (27.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.7%), Klebsiella species (16.7%), Salmonella species (22.2%), and Staphylococcus aureus(16.7%). The Gram-negative isolates (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella species, and Salmonella species) were highly resistant (75% -100%) to cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and ertapenem but susceptible (25% - 100%) to fluoroquinolones. Interestingly, S. aureus isolates were completely susceptible (100%) to gentamicin and amikacin but with a resistance percentage of 33.3% to oxacillin. This study has demonstrated that Naira notes are potential vehicles in the transmission of bacterial pathogens from person to person. From the foregoing, citizens are therefore advised to wash their hands regularly with soap and water after handling Naira notes

Keywords: Antibiotics, Naira notes, Resistance, Susceptibility