Multiple Antibiotic Resistance of Airborne Bacteria in Outdoor Markets in Ado-Ekiti Metropolis

The emergence of multiple antibiotic resistant strains in the environment, particularly in a densely populated market is a problem to the infection management. The prevalence of antibiotic- resistant airborne bacteria was examined in five different outdoor markets in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The sample collection was taken between 3-5pm when activities at the market place were at the peak. The bacteria isolates were identified and their antibiotic susceptibility to fourteen different antibiotics was carried out. Six genera of bacteria were recovered, Staphylococcus (16.7%), Escherichia (18.6%), Pseudomonas (21.6%), Enterococcus (19.6%), Salmonella (10.8 %) and Klebsiella (12.7%). The airborne isolates showed the highest resistance to Pefloxacin (52.3%), followed by Augumentin (44.7%). The lowest resistance was to Erythromycin (5.8%). All of Salmonellae typhimurium, and Escherichia coli were multiple antibiotic resistant (MAR), while a great percentage of otherisolates were also MAR (Staphylococcus aureus (88.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (90.9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (92.3%), and Enterococcus spp (85%). These results show that the air in the outdoor markets studied was highly contaminated with a great diversity of MAR bacteria. The findings of this study will be helpful in the intervention of health officials and policy makers in decision making towards the effective control of infections caused by the airborne bacteria in the outdoor markets.