Antibiotic Resistance in Nasal Isolate of Gas Flaring Workers in a Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

This study aimed to determine both the bacterial species colonizing the nasal cavity and the antibiotic resistance pattern of workers at a gas flaring company in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) of Delta State on a Microbiological and questionnaire level. Nasal swab samples were collected from 20 workers at a gas flaring company and inoculated into appropriate media. Isolates were identified following standard mi¬crobiological methods while antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method. Awareness of exposure to gas flared, attitude, knowledge, and antibiotic use were assessed with a structured questionnaire. Five bacteria species were isolated with Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pnuemoniae being the most common (n = 15; 25.4%). All gram-negative organisms isolated showed 100% resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, and gentamycin while greater than 80% resistance to erythromy¬cin and ofloxacin was observed in the gram-positive isolates. A major predictor of antibiotic resistance in the NDR is PM2.5, which has led to increased resistance observed. All the respondents were aware of their exposure to flared gas and wore masks. In spite, 40% developed respiratory disease Coordinated efforts of Niger Delta Governments are required to minimize the public health risks associated with PM exposure.