ASSESSMENT OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS OF EFFLUENT IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES OF CALABAR

ABSTRACT Healthcare facilities generate effluents that often contain a variety of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic residues, contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess the bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of effluents from microbiology laboratories at healthcare facilities in Calabar. Wastewater samples were collected using grab sampling methods and analyzed for bacterial load, species identification, and antibiotic susceptibility. The results revealed that the bacterial load in effluents varied significantly across samples, with some exhibiting extremely high counts, such as 5.0 x 10⁹ CFU/ml, indicating a high potential for environmental contamination. Pseudomonas sp was the most frequently isolated bacterium (24%), reflecting its ability to persist in water systems and its resistance to multiple antibiotics. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus sp each accounted for 20% of the isolates, with E. coli often indicating fecal pollution and Staphylococcussp being a major cause of hospital-acquired infections. Other isolates included Acinetobacter sp. (16%), Salmonella sp. (12%), and Klebsiella sp. (8%), each of which plays a critical role in healthcare-associated infections and environmental contamination. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed a concerning pattern of multidrug resistance (MDR) among the isolates. Many of the bacteria were resistant to commonly used antibiotics, including ampicillin, tetracycline, and cephalosporins. This high prevalence of MDR bacteria highlights the potential for hospital wastewater to serve as a reservoir for resistant strains, which may spread to the environment and pose risks to public health. The study showed crucial need for effective wastewater treatment systems in healthcare facilities to reduce the release of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic residues. Such measures are essential for controlling the spread ofantimicrobial resistance and protecting both the environment and human health.