BACTERIAL COLONIZATION OF HUMAN HANDS

ABSTRACT

Bacterial colonization of human hands poses significant public health risks, as hands can serve as vectors for the transmission of infectious diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the bacterial colonization of human hands, focusing on isolating and identifying bacteria, determining their prevalence, and assessing the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of the isolates. A total of 30 hand swab samples were collected aseptically from students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Samples were processed using microbiological techniques, including streak plating on MacConkey and blood agar. Isolates were identified based on morphological, Gram staining, and biochemical tests, with confirmatory identification guided by Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology.

The study revealed the presence of several bacterial species, including Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter spp., with the percentage occurrence of each isolate varying. The antibiotic sensitivity patterns of the isolates were also evaluated, indicating potential resistance to common antibiotics, raising concerns about the spread of drug-resistant pathogens through human contact. The findings of this study align with similar research conducted in various global regions, which also reported the colonization of human hands by pathogenic bacteria, underscoring the universal nature of this public health concern.

The results highlight the importance of proper hand hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infections. The study concludes that regular use of hand sanitizers and adherence to hand hygiene recommendations can significantly reduce bacterial colonization. Public education campaigns are recommended to raise awareness about the impact of poor hand hygiene and promote preventive measures, particularly in environments where the risk of transmission is high.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     Introduction

1.1     Aim and Objectives

CHAPTER TWO

2.0     LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1     Bacterial Contaminants Associated With Human Hands

2.1.1  Staphylococcus aureus

2.1.2  Escherichia coli

2.1.3  Bacillus species

2.1.4  Klebsiella Species

2.1.5  Staphylococcus epidermidis

2.1.6  Streptococcus Pyogenes

2.1.7  Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2.2     Microbial Flora on the Hands

2.3     Comparison of Bacterial Flora on the Hands of Healthcare Workers and Nonhealthcare Workers

2.4     Normal Bacterial Flora on Hands

2.4.1  Transient flora (transient microbiota)

2.4.2  Resident flora (resident microbiota)

CHAPTER THREE

3.0     MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1     Study Area

3.1.1  Collection of Samples

3.1.2  Sterilization of Materials

3.1.3  Preparation of Culture Media

3.2     Isolation of Bacteria Found on Human Hands

3.3     Identification of the Isolates from Human Hands

3.3.1  Gram Staining

3.3.2  Biochemical Test

3.3.2.1 Catalase Test

3.3.2.2 Indole Test

3.3.2.3 Citrate Utilization Test

3.3.2.4 Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S) Production Test

3.3.2.5 Starch Hydrolysis

3.3.2.6 Motility, Indole, Urease (MIU)

3.3.2.7 Coagulase Test

3.3.2.8 Oxidase Test

3.4     Percentage Occurrence of Isolates

3.5     Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0     RESULTS

4.1     Morphological Identification of Isolates

4.2     Differentiation of Isolates by Gram Stain Reaction

4.3     Biochemical Identification of the Isolates

4.4     Determination of Percentage Occurrence of Bacterial Isolates

4.5     Determination of Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing Of the Bacteria Isolates

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0     DISCUSSION CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1     Discussion

5.2     Conclusion

5.3     Recommendation

REFERENCES

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1:        Morphological Identification of Isolates

Table 4.2:        Differentiation of Isolates from Study by Gram Staining

Table 4.3:        Biochemical Identification of Isolates.

Table 4.4:        Percentage Occurrence of the Bacteria Isolates

Table 4.5:        Antibiotics Susceptibility of The Bacterial Isolates

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Hands play a major role in infection transfer both in health care institutions and other settings (Aiella et al., 2002). Hand hygiene is the most effective measure for interrupting microorganisms which cause infections within and outside the health care setting. In 2002, Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC) reviewed the recommendation for hand hygiene to include the use of alcohol-based products for standard hand hygiene (Boyce and Pittet 2002). Several studies have compared the bacterial flora on the hands of patient care and non-patient care personnel and patients versus health individuals. As lower level of hand hygiene are practiced outside the clinical setting, it was hypothesized that the hands of individuals in the non-health care systems would have higher overall bacterial count’s and fewer antibiotic resistance organisms than in health care workers. Despite the increased attention directed to hand hygiene the threat of infectious disease in developing countries remains very high. Studies have shown that there are about 2-3 million deaths worldwide each year from diarrheal diseases, (Aiello and Larson, 2002) many of which could have been prevented. Hand washing with soap has been estimated to save a million lives a year (Wendt, 2001). Limited or non-existence of basic sanitary infrastructures presents an extra hurdle in developing countries. This has differentiated the approach to hand hygiene in developing and developed countries. However, a new public health campaign amongst others led by the World bank and the water sanitation programme in collaboration with many other partners, has been set up to address increased hand hygiene in some developing countries. Another retraining factor of inadequate compliance to hand hygiene recommendation in developing countries is the lack of scientific evidence to basic question such as: How should hand be washed, when should they be washed, which product should be used and for how long (Della-Latta et al., 2003). Most hand hygiene data concerning microorganism are for bacteria, viruses are also extremely important and as far more difficult to investigate. The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the bacterial colonization of human hands and to provide evidence that adherence to hand hygiene practices result in a decrease in microbial load and infection.

As a result of the extent to which the human hands are being colonized by bacteria and also to determine hand hygiene practices among students in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. The findings of this study will help to eliminate sources of hand contamination by promoting the practice of keeping hands clean among MOUAU students.

The significance of any human endeavor is measured by its relevance to solving human problems. However, the study is significant by helping in recommending more reliable ways in reducing the rate of bacterial contamination on human hands and to provide evidence that adherence to hand hygiene practices result in a decrease in microbial load and infection.

1.1       AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate the bacterial colonization of human Hands, while the specific objectives are;

·       To isolate and identify the bacteria found on human hands.

·       To determine the percentage occurrence of isolates.

·       To carry out the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates

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