Heavy Metal Resistance among Kelbsiella Isolates in Some Parts of Southwest, Nigeria

In this study, the heavy metal resistance among Klebsiella isolates in some parts of SouthWest Nigeria was investigated. A total of nine hundred and seventy (970) clinical specimens were collected out of which 544 isolates were recovered. The specimens were collected from four different states namely; Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, and Osun state. Comparing the percentage relative distribution, Lagos state had 72.5% which was the highest while the lowest came from Osun state with 43.6%. Forty (40) isolates randomly selected from the states were screened for metal resistance using pour plate method. The metals used were copper, lead, zinc, magnesium, mercury and nickel. Resistance was 100% in lead and zinc, and also high (87.5%) with mercury and nickel (80.0%). Only magnesium (50.0%) and iron (40.0%) had resistance at lower ranges. This work suggested that the presence of these metals at this concentration (25 mg/mL) in hospital environments would not have significant effect on the occurrence of Klebsiella.