ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA FROM SKIN UNDER WATCHES, RINGS, NECKLACE AND EARRINGS

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the microbial contamination from skin under jewelries. 80 samples of jewelries were evaluated using the standard microbiological methods. The bacteria isolates identified were Staphycoccus aureus, Micrococcus spp, Klebspella spp, Bacilcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Proteus spp and Escherichia coli. The total viable count ranges from 0.9 ×103 to 9.0×103 cfu, the total coliform counts ranges from 0.9 × 103 to 9.6 × 103 cfu Staphylococcus aureus had the highest percentage occurrences (32.3%) while proteus (3%) were the least predominant. The mean bacteria counts had no significant differences (P˃0.05). Regular hand washing and bathing always  necessary.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                                                                                                                                i

Certification                                                                                                                           ii

Dedication                                                                                                                              iii

Acknowledgements                                                                                                                iv

Table of contents                                                                                                                    v

Lists of tables                                                                                                                         viii

Abstract                                                                                                                                  x

CHAPTER ONE

1.1       Introduction                                                                                                                1

1.2   Aim and Objectives of the Study                                                                                   2

CHAPTER TWO

2.0      Literature Review                                                                                                        4

2.1         Skin Flora                                                                                                                   4

2.1.2    The Skin as a Milieu for Bacterial Growth                                                                5

2.1.3    Protection by Colonizing Bacteria                                                                             5

2.2       The Hands as Vectors of Microorganisms                                                                 6

2.2.1    Items That Inhibits Bacteria on the Human Skin                                                       7

2.2.1.1 Rings                                                                                                                           7

2.2.1.2 Wrist Watches and Bracelets                                                                                     8

2.3       Bacteria present on skin                                                                                             8

2.3.1    Gram-Negative Bacteria                                                                                             9

2.3.2    Gram Positive Bacteria                                                                                              9

2.4       Common Bacteria of the Human Skin                                                                       13

2.4.1    Staphylococcus Epidermidis                                                                                       13

2.4.2    Staphylococcus Aureus                                                                                               15

CHAPTER THREE

3.0       Materials and Methods                                                      17

3.1       Materials                                                                      17

3.2       Methods                                                                             17

3.2.1    Sample Collection                                                         17

3.2.2   Media preparation                                                    17 

3.2.3    Sample Preparation                                                           17

3.3       Bacteriological Analysis                                                                                           17

3.4       Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria                                                                18

3.4.1    Gram Staining                                                                                                             18

3.4.2. Cultural Characteristics                                                                                                18

3.5       Biochemical Test                                                                                                        19

3.5.1    Catalase Test                                                                                                               19

3.5.2    Methyl Red Test                                                                                                         19

3.5.3    Voges- Proskauer (Vp) Test                                                                                       19

3.5.4    Indole Test                                                                                                                  19

3.5.5    Citrate Utilization Test                                                                                               20

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results                                                                                                                              21

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation                                                                26

5.1 Discussion                                                                                                                         26

5.2 Conclusion                                                                                                                        27

5.3 Recommendation                                                                                                             28

REFERENCES                                                                                                                       29

APPENDIX                                                                                                                             34

LIST OF TABLES

Tables                              Tittle                                                            Pages

 4.1:            Total viable count and coliform count of bacterial isolates from Wrist watches, Rings, Earrings and Necklace       21                                                    

4.2:               Morphological and biochemical characteristic of isolates.                             24

4.3:               Frequency of occurrence of bacterial isolates from Wrist watches, Rings, Earrings and Necklace.                              25

CHAPTER ONE

1.1       INTRODUCTION

Microbiological standards in hygiene are necessary for a healthy life. However, practices that shift from normal standards of hygiene have been observed in both the developing and developed world (Ulger et al., 2009). This investigation confirms such a deviation, as a variety of bacteria was found on skin, under watches, mobile phones, bangles and earrings (Kilic et al., 2009). Mobile phones, Bangles, wristwatches and earrings have become an integral and indispensable part of daily life. Most adult and many children now own mobile phones use all this items. Bangle, wristwatch, earrings, and cell phone are the common accessories worn or carried by people in everyday life (Al-Abdalall, 2010). Personal accessories inhibit good hand hygiene, may reduce our grip or speed while doing various manipulations, may tear or puncture gloves, may interfere with putting on glove, can become caught in beddings, dressings and even machinery (Singh et al., 2010). Personal accessories are a breeding ground for various disease causing microorganisms and fungi (Kilic et al., 2009). Higher Bacterial colonization is seen on the hands of people with rings and other accessories, than one without. Rings may interfere with thorough hand washing. Wearing a single earring or a simple band found to be much less dangerous than wearing multiple rings or large rings with multiple stones or detailed scrollwork (Tagoe et al., 2011; Al-Abdalall, 2010). Elaborate hand jewelry, bracelets or bangles are known to interfere with active good skin hygiene.

The bacterial flora of skin under rings and watches are not predictable because changes encouraged by occlusion could be offset by the release of toxic metal ions, such as silver, copper and gold alloys (O'Hara et al., 2000). Microbes are present in and around the finger rings. In spite of hand washing, microbes persist. Items worn by humans are assumed to have an impact on the bacterial load on the hands. They can increase the rate of carriage of potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Coagulase positive Staphylococci, Gram‐negative bacteria and coliforms that could pose a threat to the immune-compromised persons (Barer, 2002). In some circumstances, a higher degree of safety is required, and antiseptic preparations are needed for the reliable killing of transient organisms. Bacteria comprise an extremely diverse and widespread group of organisms, capable of inhabiting ubiquitous environmental niche. They grow rapidly as a result of their simple structure and genetic organization (Barer, 2002). Many have simple growth requirements and can withstand harsh environmental conditions, adapted to growth on the skin of individuals (normal flora) and environmental surfaces. As consequence, there is a continuous exchange of flora between individuals and their environment (Engelkirk and Engelkirk, 2011). Normal human bacterial flora was previously considered to be non-pathogenic and disregarded. In recent years their clinical importance as opportunist pathogens is increasing. These organisms can cause community and hospital-acquired infections, frequently producing disease when transferred from healthy individuals to susceptible hosts. Both direct and indirect contact has been implicated in such instances for a variety of different organisms (Soto et al., 2006; Arora et al., 2009; Elkholy and Ewees, 2010). Indirect transmission via numerous objects such as objects, which have prolonged contact with the skin and those that are handled for extensive periods of time can transmit bacteria in health-care settings (Karabay et al., 2007; Kawo et al., 2009; Kilic et al., 2009).

1.2       AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this project is to isolate and identify bacteria from skin under watches, rings, necklace and earrings.

1.3 OBJECTIVES THE STUDY

Specific objectives are;

1.  Collection of swab samples from individuals using the items (watches, rings, Necklace and     earrings)

2. Isolation, identification and characterization of bacteria isolates from the samples.

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