ISOLATION OF MICROORGANISMS FROM THE HUMAN NOSE AMONG STUDENTS OF SOKOTO STATE POLYTECHNIC

Abstract

The human nasal cavity serves as a critical ecological niche for a diverse array of microorganisms, including both commensal and pathogenic bacteria and fungi. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize the microbial flora present in the nasal passages of students at Sokoto State Polytechnic, Nigeria, while also assessing antibiotic resistance patterns and associated risk factors. A total of 100 nasal swab samples were collected from randomly selected healthy students, cultured on selective and differential media, and subjected to standard microbiological and biochemical identification techniques. The study revealed a high prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (45%), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (30%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (15%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10%). Fungal isolates included Candida albicans (8%) and Aspergillus species (5%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated concerning resistance patterns, with S. aureus exhibiting 85% resistance to penicillin but 90% sensitivity to gentamicin. Risk factor analysis indicated that poor hand hygiene (OR = 3.2, p = 0.01) and recent antibiotic use (OR = 2.5, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with nasal colonization by pathogenic bacteria. These findings underscore the importance of nasal microbiota in public health, particularly in densely populated academic environments where microbial transmission risks are heightened. The study recommends enhanced hygiene education, routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and further surveillance for methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (MRSA) in the student population.