Bacterial Contamination of User Interface of Automated Teller Machines (ATM) of Various Banks in Umuahia Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the bacterial diversity and degree of contamination obtainable on the ATM buttons as money is being collected and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates. Study Design:  Cross-sectional study including all ATM user interface in the banks within Umuahia metropolis. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state, between August 2015 and September 2015. Methodology: A total number of sixty-eight (68) samples were collected from 14 different commercial banks in Umuahia metropolis. Isolation and identification of bacteria were done by standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out by disc diffusion technique. Results: Nine (9) different organisms were isolated which include- E.coli (26.5%), S. aureus (17.6%), Bacillus spp (4.9%), Klebsiella spp (6.9%), Proteus spp (8.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.8%), Streptococcus spp (13.7%), Salmonella spp (4.9%) and Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (6.9%). Most of the isolates were sensitive to Ceftriaxone, Ciprofloxacin, Amoxicillin/Clavulanate and Gentamicin and resistant to Cotrimoxazole, Ampicillin and Cephalexin. Conclusion: The result of the study reveals that high levels of bacterial contamination were detected on ATM hardware user interface. This is of public health importance.