Ebubechi Uloma Okey-kalu - Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State Nigeria.
Emmanuel Nwankwo - Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State Nigeria.
Joan James Onyekwere - Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State Nigeria.
Mary Kalu - Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State Nigeria.

Background: This study evaluated the bacterial contamination and the antibiogram of bacterial isolates in Intensive Care Units in Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. Methods: Sterile swab sticks moistened with sterile water were used to swab the surfaces of the fomites, hands and anterior nares of healthcare workers and the samples were sent to the laboratory for analysis. Plasmid preparations was done with a QIAprep Spin Plasmid Kit. Antibiotic discs of prior resistance were aseptically introduced into the Muller Hinton agar plates, ensuring that the discs made appropriate contact with the surface of the agar. These were incubated for ۲۴ hrs at ۳۷ºC after which plates were examined for cured colonies. Results: The common bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, ۳۹(۴۳.۲%), Escherichia coli, ۱۶(۱۷.۹%), Pseudomonas spp, ۱۰(۱۱.۲%), Coagulase-negative Staphylococci, ۷(۷.۸%). Antibiotic sensitivity of the bacterial isolates was carried out using the disc diffusion method. Gram-negative bacterial isolates were more sensitive to Ofloxacin, Peflacine, Ciprofloxacin, and Streptomycin. Gram-positive bacterial isolates were more sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Rifampicin, Erythromycin, and Levofloxacin. However, Enterobacter spp. and Coagulase-negative Staphylococci were resistant to the drugs. The biofilm formation potential was observed in ۴۱(۴۶.۰%) bacterial isolates.  Extended Spectrum Lactamase (ESBL) producers among E. coli isolates was ۵۶.۲%, while Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas spp. isolates were ۳۳.۳% and ۴۰%, respectively, Plasmid profile was carried out on some of the bacterial isolates. Six E. coli isolates had plasmid size between ۵۰-۴۰۰ base pair; five S. aureus isolates had plasmid size between ۳۵-۱۵۰ base pair, two Proteus spp. and two Pseudomonas spp. isolates had no plasmid.   Conclusion: This study revealed the resistance of bacterial isolates after currying.

Bacterial isolates, Plasmid profile, Antibiogram, Intensive care unit