ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to determine rate of bacterial contamination of bags of students of MOUAU. The study was carried out in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike among male and female students. A total of one hundred (100) samples were collected from male and female students of MOUAU. The samples were screened for bacteria by Standard Microbiological methods.. From the result of the analysis Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated bacteria in both male and female bags at 18 (52.0%) male, 22 (41.5%) female followed by Bacillus 10 (29.4%) male and 13 (24.5%) female. It was therefore recommended that students should use good sanitizers to wash their bags to avoid easy transfer of the contamination of bacteria and the school should build more halls to reduce overcrowding of student and thereby reducing the rate of bacterial contamination.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement
v
List of Tables
vi
Table of Contents
vii
Abstract
ix
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background of the
Study 1
1.2 Statement
of the Problem 2
1.3 Objective
of the Study 3
1.4 Research
Questions 3
1.5 Scope
of Study 4
1.6 Significance
of Study 4
1.7 Limitations
of the Study 4
1.8 Key
Definition of Terms 5
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE
2.1 Literature Review 6
2.1.1
Structure 6
2.1.2
Classification 7
2.1.3
Reproduction 9
2.2
Bacteria in Human Health and Disease 10
2.2.1 Antibiotic resistance 11
2.3 Effects
of Bacteria on Their Human Host 11
2.3.1 Bacteria affect host-cell pathways 12
2.3.2 Bacteria Affect Human Genes and Gene
Expression 13
2.4 Types of
Contamination 15
2.4.1 The Effects of
Contamination 16
2.5 Contamination Control 16
2.5.1 Function 16
2.5.2 Usage 17
2.5.3 Types of
contamination control 18
2.6 Testing of Bacteria 21
2.6.1 Streak Plate
Procedure: Isolation of Bacterial Colonies Using the Quadrant Method 21
2.6.2. Pour Plate Procedure:
Enumeration of Bacterial Cells in a Mixed Sample 25
2.6.3. Spread Plate Procedure: Formation of Discrete Bacterial
Colonies for Plate Counts, Enrichment, Selection, or Screening 26
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Collection
of Samples 31
3.2 Media
Preparation 31
3.3 Isolation,
Characterization and Identification of Bacterial Isolates 31
3.4 Gram
Reaction 32
3.5 Endospore
Formation Stain 33
3.6 Biochemical
Test 33
3.7 Indole
Test 33
3.8 Citrate
Utilization Test 34
3.9 Coagulase
Test 35
3.10 Catalase
Test 36
3.11 Urease
Test 36
3.12 Triple
Sugar Ion Test (TSI) 37
3.13 Antibiotics
Susceptibility 38
CHAPTER
FOUR
RESULTS
4.1 Results 39
CHAPTER
FIVE
CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion 45
5.2 Recommendations
45
REFERENCES
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Sources of Samples 40
Table 2: Frequency of Occurrence of Bacterial Isolates 41
Table 3: Antibiotics Susceptibility Pattern of the Isolates (Male) 42
Table 4: Antibiotics Susceptibility Pattern of the Isolates (Female) 43
CHAPTER ONE
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of the Study
Bacterial
contamination is a situation which occurs when bacteria end up in a location
where they are not supposed to be. It is often used to refer to contamination
of food by bacteria which can cause disease, but can also occur in other
settings. This situation is not desirable, because it can pose a health threat
and cause other problems. As a result, steps are taken to avoid contamination
in settings where it can become an issue.
In the case of food,
bacterial contamination can happen at many steps along the supply chain from producer
to dinner table. Bacteria can be present in the water and soil, and ride along
with crops. They can also be transferred from people who handle the food, or
introduced to food via dirty equipment, ranging from fouled packaging equipment
to dirty pans in a restaurant. Contamination with bacteria at home often occurs
as a result of leaving food out on the counter, not keeping food cold, or
failing to wash hands before handling food. Once in the food, the bacteria can
multiply, making the leap to a human host when someone consumes the food.
(Michael, 2010)
Bacterial
contamination can also be a problem in medical clinics, operating rooms, and
other health care settings. The bacteria can be transferred from patients or health care providers, and they may end up on surgical instruments, medical equipment, door
knobs, and numerous other sites. In health care settings, this is an especially
big issue because sick people are at risk of becoming more sick if they are
exposed to harmful bacteria.
In scientific
research, bacterial contamination of specimens can be an issue, as can
contamination of specimens taken for analysis by a pathologist (Koch, 2003). The presence of unwanted
bacteria can foul an experiment, throw off pathology
results, or simply confuse a researcher. Bacteria spread readily through labs
via a variety of surfaces, including equipment which is not properly
sterilized, dirty hands, and through ventilation systems.
Prevention of
bacterial contamination can be challenging. Keeping spaces clean and observing
proper handling procedure is a big part of prevention. Simple steps like
washing hands, dipping shoes in an antibacterial bath after exiting a patient's
room, and wearing gloves to handle specimens can cut down a great deal on the
risk of passing bacteria from one place to another (Koch, 2003). It is also important to conduct regular testing to
check for bacterial contamination so that it can be identified before it makes
someone sick or causes problems with an experiment or test.
1.2 Statement of
the Problem
With the yearly increasing population of MOUAU, the
rate of bacteria contaminated by bags carried by students increases as well. In
everyday life of students, bacterial contamination has become common due to the
crowd rate of the school, in lecture halls, canteens, and even on the road.
Bacterial contamination can be transferred from one student’s bag to another by
simple means commonly by touch. Therefore, this study examines the rate of
these bacterial contaminations and how it may affect students. (Woese, et
al, 1990)
Students’ bags
can be a breeding ground for dangerous food-borne bacteria and pose a serious
risk to public health, according to a joint food-safety research report issued
today by the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University in California. And
by the reason of this research, most students are unaware of the risks of bacteria
contaminated by these bags. Bacteria levels found in students’ bags are
significant enough to cause a wide range of serious health problems and even
death. They are a particular danger for young children, who are especially
vulnerable to food-borne illnesses.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The general objective of this study is to determine
the bacterial contamination of Students’ school bags in MOUAU.
Other specific objectives are to:
1. Determine
the sources of bacterial contamination of students’ school bags in MOUAU.
2. Evaluate
the amount of bacterial contamination found on MOUAU students’ school bags.
3. Determine
the effects of bacterial contamination of MOUAU students’ school bags.
4. Provide
solutions to the possible effects of bacterial contamination on students.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following formulated research questions were used
for the successful completion of this project.
1. Can
bacterial contamination be found in school bags of students?
2. What
is the level or amount of bacterial found on school bags of students?
3. What
are the effects of bacterial contamination on students?
4. In
what ways can effects of bacterial contamination be prevented or cured?.
1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY
This study is limited to the analysis of the rate of
bacterial contamination of school bags of students of MOUAU.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This study will provide knowledge mainly on the
bacterial contamination of bags of students and how it affects their health. It
will help to assess the various characteristics of bacteria, it effects on
human health and how it can be prevented.
This study will enlighten students on proper use of
bags as well as protective measures for possible bacterial contaminations that
may be unsafe for the health. It will help to direct students of the need for
good hygiene and sanitation in the care of their bags and health as a whole. (Health Canada, 2010)
The result from this study will be helpful to medical
personnel to counsel and direct patients and students on the effects of
bacterial contamination and ways to avoid them.
1.7 LIMITATIONS OF
THE STUDY
As a graduating student, the researcher faced some
problems in the course of completing this project work. It may be impossible to
take good care all problem involved, the only thing a Researcher can do is to
consider those factors that are essential to Research. The actual limitation of
the study is the financial constraints as well as time constraints due to other
academic pressure.
1.8 KEY DEFINITION OF TERMS
Bacteria: Bacteria are microscopic
living organisms, usually one-celled, that can be found everywhere. They can be
dangerous, such as when they cause infection, or beneficial, as in the process
of fermentation (such as in wine) and that of decomposition. It also means a
single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking
chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for
biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered to be plants
Contamination: Contamination is the
unwanted pollution of something by another substance. When a nuclear power
plant leaks radiation into the atmosphere, for example, it causes a
contamination of the surrounding area. Contamination can also be used to refer
to abstract ideas and concepts rather than to just physical things. The French
complain that the increasing adoption of English words is a contamination of
their linguistic heritage, and many parents today think rap music is a
contamination of the public culture.
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