Antibiotic susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from nipple of breastfeeding mothers attending postnatal care at General Hospital Katsina

Several microorganisms may contaminate nipples of breastfeeding mothers and become potential to cause mastitis. The aim of this study is to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from nipples of breastfeeding mothers. Fourty (40) samples were collected using sterile one-use swab sticks from breast nipples of breast-feeding mothers at postnatal and immunization unit of General Hospital Katsina. The samples collected were inoculated on Nutrient agar and Mannitol salt agar by streak plate method. The cultured plates were then incubated for 24 hours at 37ºC after which the plates were observed for growth. Biochemical tests were carried out on the isolates to identify the bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out for the bacterial isolates using Disc diffusion method. The zones of inhibition observed were measured in millimetres. All the Fourty samples collected were culture positive. Staphylococcus aureus 34 (85%) was the most prevalent bacterium associated with nipple contamination compared to Pseudomonas aeruginosa 6 (15%). Breast-feeding mothers of 18 to 25 years, (75%) have the highest number of contaminated nipples with the bacteria. The antibiotics with highest sensitivity to Staphylococcus aureus was ciprofloxacin, while the ones with the least sensitivity were gentamicin and streptomycin. Staphylococcus aureus was completely resistant to Ampiclox and Cefuroxine. Similarly, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin, while the organism has least sensitivity to amoxicillin. The antibiotics with the highest sensitivity to both organisms are ciprofloxacin, followed by Perfloxacin and amoxicillin. Keywords: Breast nipple, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, antibiotic