ASSESSMENT OF AIRBORNE PATHOGENS IN THE VICINITY OF MADONNA UNIVERSITY, ELELE RIVERS STATE
Abstract
Airborne microbial contamination constitutes a significant yet frequently overlooked dimension of environmental and public health, especially in densely populated institutional environments. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of airborne pathogens in the vicinity of Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of eight (8) air samples were aseptically collected from strategically selected locations using the passive plate sedimentation method. Nutrient Agar (NA), MacConkey Agar, and Mannitol Salt Agar were used to quantify bacterial colonies, while Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) was employed for the isolation and enumeration of fungal organisms. Sampling plates were positioned approximately 150–180 cm above ground level to simulate the average human breathing zone and were exposed for 30 minutes to allow gravitational deposition of airborne microorganisms. Following exposure, plates were promptly transferred to the laboratory for incubation bacterial cultures at 37°C for 24 hours and fungal cultures at room temperature for 72 hours. Subsequent sub-culturing, biochemical identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing were conducted in accordance with standard microbiological protocols. The mean bacterial load ranged from 35.5 ± 2.5 to 45.0 ± 3.4 CFU/m³, while the mean fungal load varied between 17.5 ± 1.5 and 23.8 ± 2.1 CFU/m³ across the sampling sites. Staphylococcus spp. exhibited the highest bacterial prevalence at Elele Roundabout 35(27%), while Escherichia coli were the least frequent 15(12.5%). Among fungi, Aspergillus spp. was predominant 40(32.5%), whereas Mucor spp. recorded the lowest occurrence 15(11.3%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that Bacillus spp. was most sensitive to Streptomycin (36.0 mm) and most resistant to Rifampicin (4.0mm). Staphylococcus spp. showed strong sensitivity to Streptomycin (35.0mm) and complete resistance to Levofloxacin (0.0 mm). Micrococcus spp. was highly sensitive to Streptomycin (33.0 mm) and resistant to Rifampicin (6.0 mm). Escherichia coli demonstrated the greatest sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin (27.0 mm) and resistance to Septrin (3.0 mm), while Pseudomonas spp. exhibited high sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin (30.0mm) and resistance to Septrin (2.0mm). These findings highlight a significant microbial presence in the ambient air, emphasizing the necessity for continuous air quality monitoring and the implementation of effective infection control measures within institutional environments.
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