Prevalence and Public Health Implications of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase and Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria on Healthcare Workers’ Lab Coats in Minna, Nigeria
1
Food Safety, Africa center of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing (CP) gram-negative bacteria have emerged as major global public health concerns due to their role in hospital-acquired infections and treatment failures. In healthcare settings, lab coats worn by healthcare workers (HCWs) may serve as reservoirs and vectors for these resistant pathogens. This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of ESBL- and CP-producing gram-negative bacteria contaminating HCW lab coats at IBB Specialized Hospital, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted from August to October 2025. A total of 228 swab samples were collected from the lab coats of HCWs and cultured on MacConkey agar. Bacterial identification followed standard biochemical procedures. ESBL and CP screening was performed using CHROME agar, with confirmation by the combination disk method and the modified carbapenem inactivation method, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, and associations between contamination and potential risk factors were assessed using Chi-square tests.
RESULTS:
Out of 228 samples, 108 (47.4%) were contaminated with bacteria. A total of 118 (51.8%) gram-negative isolates were recovered, dominated by Escherichia coli (24.6%, n=56) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.7%, n=36). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in 75 isolates (32.9%). Seventeen isolates (14.5%) were confirmed as ESBL producers, and 24 (10.5%) as CP producers. Bacterial contamination was significantly associated with gown type (p = 0.031), laundering habits (p = 0.035), number of gowns owned (p = 0.001), and washing frequency per week (p = 0.027).
CONCLUSIONS:
The study reveals a high prevalence of ESBL- and CP-producing gram-negative bacteria on HCW lab coats, indicating a potential source of hospital-acquired infections. Strengthening infection prevention and control measures, promoting regular laundering, and ensuring appropriate gown handling are crucial to minimizing cross-contamination and curbing the spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in healthcare facilities.
Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing (CP) gram-negative bacteria have emerged as major global public health concerns due to their role in hospital-acquired infections and treatment failures. In healthcare settings, lab coats worn by healthcare workers (HCWs) may serve as reservoirs and vectors for these resistant pathogens. This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of ESBL- and CP-producing gram-negative bacteria contaminating HCW lab coats at IBB Specialized Hospital, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted from August to October 2025. A total of 228 swab samples were collected from the lab coats of HCWs and cultured on MacConkey agar. Bacterial identification followed standard biochemical procedures. ESBL and CP screening was performed using CHROME agar, with confirmation by the combination disk method and the modified carbapenem inactivation method, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, and associations between contamination and potential risk factors were assessed using Chi-square tests.
RESULTS:
Out of 228 samples, 108 (47.4%) were contaminated with bacteria. A total of 118 (51.8%) gram-negative isolates were recovered, dominated by Escherichia coli (24.6%, n=56) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.7%, n=36). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in 75 isolates (32.9%). Seventeen isolates (14.5%) were confirmed as ESBL producers, and 24 (10.5%) as CP producers. Bacterial contamination was significantly associated with gown type (p = 0.031), laundering habits (p = 0.035), number of gowns owned (p = 0.001), and washing frequency per week (p = 0.027).
CONCLUSIONS:
The study reveals a high prevalence of ESBL- and CP-producing gram-negative bacteria on HCW lab coats, indicating a potential source of hospital-acquired infections. Strengthening infection prevention and control measures, promoting regular laundering, and ensuring appropriate gown handling are crucial to minimizing cross-contamination and curbing the spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in healthcare facilities.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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