ABSTRACT

total of 80 Nigerian currency of different denominations (NS, NI 0, N20, N50, N100, N200, N500, and 000) were randomly collected from different occupational groups (petty traders which includes; meat sellers. fish sellers, vegetable sellers and food vendors) and non-artisans groups (hospital, students, bus conductors, pastors, office workers and banks) in Umuahia metropolis in Abia State, Nigeria; They were malyzed microbiologically for the prevalence of Staphylococci using mannitol salt agar. Nutrient agar vere used for assessment of antibiotic profile of isolated staphylococci. The result also revealed the 1rcsence of 3 different species of Staphylococcus with S. epidermidis being more prevalent. On mannitol agar, Staphylococcus epidermidis (53%), Staphylococcus aureus (42%) and Staphylococcus r,prophyticus (5%) were isolated. Bank notes collected from petty traders were more contaminated than on-artisans occupational groups. The prevalence of staphylococci was more in lower denomination bank than in higher ones. The isolated S aureus were more resistant to Penicillin and Cloxacillin, highly nsitive to Ciprollaxin and Gentamicin. S. epidermidis were resistant to Penicillin and Tctrncycline, then sensitive to Gentamicin and Augumentin while S. saprophylicus were sensitive to Augumentin and proflaxin, more resistant to Tetracycline, Penicillin and Chlorophcnical. The study suggested that culating bank notes are commonly contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms and this ntamination may play a significant role in the transmission of staphylococci and other harmful CI'0organisms, and also poses an antibiotic resistant threat. Great care should be taken during handling of and preparation of food to avoid cross contaminations.