ANTIBIOGRAM AND PLASMID IDENTIFICATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATED FROM AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES KEYPADS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS

The Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is likely to be contaminated with various microorganism due to their vast dermal contact by multiple users This study was aimed at isolating and identifying Escherichia coli from Automated Teller Machine (ATM) keypads in Enugu Metropolis, and to determine their antibiotic resistance patterns and associated plasmid profiles. The total of all banks were sampled, focusing on the keypad surface. Sterile cutting swab moistened with normal saline were used to sample the keypads, and the swabs were transported to the laboratory in sterile tubes. The swabs were cultured on eosin methylene blue (EMB) agar plates and incubated at 370C for 24 hours colonies with characteristics. E. Coli morphology were further streaked on eosin methylene blue (EMB) agar for Confirmation. Biochemical test include the Urease, Citrate, catalase and iodine confirmed the identity of the isolates. All physical and cultural were carried out on the isolation to identify the organism. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed high resistance levels to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, and erythromycin, while showing sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and levofloxacin. Plasmid profiling indicated the presence of multiple plasmids, the molecularrange of the band is 10 Kilo base. The study highlights the public health risk posed by contaminated ATM keypads and highlights the need for improved sanitation practices and monitoring of antibiotic resistance in environmental E. coli isolates.