ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF CIRCULATORY BACTERIA IN AIR IN MUHAMMAD KOBO HOSTEL
Abstract
Airborne microorganisms in enclosed environments, such as hostels, pose significant public health concerns due to their potential to cause infections, particularly among immunoicompromised individuals. The present study aimed to identify and characterize circulatory bacteria present in the air within Muhammad Kobo Hostel, Lapai, Niger State, to assess microbial contamination levels and their potential health risks. A total of 20 air samples were collected from different indoor locations within the hostel using sterile settle plates and air-sampling techniques. Samples were inoculated on nutrient agar and incubated at 37°C for 24–48 hours, followed by observation of colony morphology, Gram staining, and biochemical tests for bacterial identification.The results revealed diverse bacterial populations in the hostel air. A total of four bacterial genera were identified, including Escherichiacoli, Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcusaureus, and Bacillus spp., based on morphological and biochemical characteristics compared to standard bacterial atlases. Among the isolates, E. coli exhibited the highest prevalence (40%), suggesting potential fecal contamination of the environment. Streptococcus spp. accounted for 30% of isolates, followed by Staphylococcusaureus (20%), while Bacillus spp. was the least frequent at 10%. The predominance of E. coli and other pathogenic species indicates that the hostel air harbors organisms capable of causing respiratory, gastrointestinal, or opportunistic infections among residents.In conclusion, the study demonstrated that air in Muhammad Kobo Hostel contains significant populations of potentially pathogenic bacteria, reflecting inadequate ventilation and hygiene practices. To mitigate the associated health risks, it is recommended that hostel management implement regular cleaning protocols, improve ventilation systems, and educate residents on maintaining personal and environmental hygiene to reduce bacterial dissemination.
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