BACTERIAL PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERNAL SURFACES OF LADIES HANDBAGS IN UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to isolate and identify the microbial pathogens in the internal surface of ladies handbags, in Umuahia, Abia State. One hundred and forty samples were collected from different groups of individuals which includes: Nurses, Workers, students and market women. Also the handbags from which the samples were collected includes: Leather, Cotton, Nylon and Polyester and velvet handbags. The bags were swabbed with sterile swab sticks, inoculated on different types of culture media and incubated at 370c for 24 hours.  Growth was observed after 24 hours. Gram stain and biochemical reactions were used in the identification of bacteria. In the course of the study, the following bacteria were isolated from the internal surface of the handbags Coagulase Negative Staphylococci 6 (2.6%), Esherichia coli 36(15.7%), Klebsiella spp 14 (6.1%), Staphylococcus aureus 49 (21.3%), Bacillus spp 48 (20.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa   5 (2.2%), Proteus spp 5 (2.2%), Streptococcus spp 51 (22.2%), Salmonella spp 3 (1.3%) and Enterococcus faecalis 13 (5.7%). Sensitivity test was carried out by disc diffusion technique and most of the isolates were sensitive to levofloxacin, gentamicin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and resistant to ampiclox, chloramphenicol, erythromycin. The spread of microorganism and prevention of nosocomial and community acquired infection from handbags can be minimized by washing and sun drying of the internal covering of the handbags, proper hand hygiene, as well as disinfection of the medical instrument like stethoscope, pens, mobile phones that are sometimes kept in handbags.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Certification                                                                                                                           ii

Dedication                                                                                                                              iii

Acknowledgements                                                                                                                iv

Table of Contents                                                                                                                   v

List of Tables                                                                                                                          viii      

Abstract                                                                                                                                  ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       Introduction                                                                                                                1

1.1       Background of the study                                                                                             3

1.2       Rationale of the study                                                                                                 3

1.3       Aims and objectives of the study                                                                               3

1.4       Significance of the study                                                                                            4

1.5       Limitation of the study                                                                                               4

CHAPTER TWO     

2.0       Literature review                                                                                                        5

2.1       Various bacteria contaminants associated with female handbags.                                    7

2.1.1    Coagulase negative Staphylococci                                                                             7

2.1.2    Klebsiella spp                                                                                                             8

2.1.3    Bacillus spp                                                                                                                8

2.1.4    Pseudomonas aeruginosa                                                                                           9

2.1.5    Proteus spp                                                                                                                 9

2.1.6    Staphylococcus aureus                                                                                              9

2.1.7    Escherichia coli                                                                                                          10

2.2       Handbags and hand hygiene                                                                                       11

CHAPTER THREE

3.0       Materials and method                                                                                                 13

3.1       Study area                                                                                                                   13

3.2       Materials                                                                                                                     13

3.3       Sample collection                                                                                                       13

3.4       Preparation of culture media                                                                                      14

3.5       Bacteria inoculation                                                                                                   14

3.6       Colony counting                                                                                                         14

3.7       Isolation and identification of bacteria isolate                                                           14

3.7.1    Gram stain                                                                                                                  15

3.7.2    Catalase test                                                                                                                15

3.7.3    Coagulase test                                                                                                             15

3.7.4    Citrate test                                                                                                                   16

3.7.5    Motility, indole, urease test (miu)                                                                              16

3.7.6    Triple sugar iron (tsi) test.                                                                                          16

 3.7.7   Antibiotic susceptibility testing                                                                                  17

3.7.8    Oxidase test                                                                                                                18

 3.7.9   Data analysis                                                                                                               18

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0       Results                                                                                                                        19

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0       Discussion                                                                                                                   32

5.1       Conclusion                                                                                                                  34

5.2       Recommendation                                                                                                       34

REFERENCES                                                                                                                     35

LIST OF TABLES

Table                                                               Title                                                                Page
1                      Number of hand bags analyzed from the sample areas.                                    20

2                      Prevalence of all isolates in the study and gram stain reaction                       21       

3                      Morphological characteristics of the isolates                                                 22

4                      Biochemical characterization of the bacteria isolates                                     23

 5                     Bacteria isolate from different types of handbags.                                        24

 6                     Incidence of multiple bacterial contamination                                               25

 7                     Relative abundance of bacteria isolate isolated from different

types of handbags.                                                                                          26

 8                     Relative abundance of bacteria isolate isolated from different

groups of individuals                                                                                      27

 9                     Antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria isolates from various

types of handbags.                                                                                          28

 10                   Degree of contamination of different types of handbags.                                    29

 11                   Degree of contamination of different groups of individuals.                             30

12                    Different types of cloth linings in the internal surface of handbags

analyzed.                                                                                                         31

CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

Microorganisms are ubiquitous. Microbes can be found everywhere, from the earth crust to the polar ice and oceans, to the bodies of plants and animals. Microorganisms are living things ordinarily too small to be seen without magnification, in terms of numbers and range of distribution, microbes are the dominant organisms on earth. A large and diverse group of microscopic organisms exist as single cells or cell dusters; which includes viruses that are microscopic but not cellular (Lynn et al., 2013).

Several studies have demonstrated colonization and contamination of objects such as door handles, mobile phones, money etc. Majority (80%) of infections are spread through hand contact with hands or other objects. Various gram negative bacteria and gram positive Cocci (GPC) were isolated from the daily used gadgets like computer, mobile phones, stethoscopes etc (Chandra et al., 2014).

Germs can survive in the microscopic grooves and cracks on surfaces and will go unnoticed. Oils in the skin, dust, grime, moisture and warmth from central heating systems provide an ideal environment for these germs to accumulate. Cold and flu viruses can survive on dry surfaces for more than 48 hours while some bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, can survive for months, soft wet surfaces, (particularly those with plenty food) are perfect for bacteria. Cloth, sponges and carpets that have gotten wet are excellent living places for bacteria because it protects them from exposure to the environment, dry air or sunlight (Samy et al., 2012).

Many investigators have studied solid surface bacterial infection in computer keyboard (Marsden, 2009). Mobile phones (Ulger et al., 2009). Computer keyboards and mice, elevator buttons and shopping carts (Al-Ghamdi et al., 2011) and currency notes (Yazah et al., 2012). According to (Samy et al., 2012), a low positive percentage (16%) results were detected from samples collected from pens and keyboards in the public halls. In contrast, sheet of protech IT hygiene (Technical release 1162; 2012) reported that there can be up to 400 times more bacteria on office desk and keyboards than toilet seats. In our point of view, the places of which the samples were collected, hygienic status of keyboards, cool of hall atmosphere could make such a difference. Datta et al., 2009 have isolated gram positive bacteria staphylococcus, enterococcus, micrococcus and streptococcus from mobile phones. In his study, a variety of media used in the isolation process to fulfill the requirement of bacteria from different sites (Datta et al., 2009).

In comparison to many other studies (Yazah et al., 2012) obtained gram positive and gram negative bacteria in their work, from currency notes and computer keyboards, curtains, cell phones, white coats and ties, respectively. Such regarding results were typical to our results, likewise regular cleanliness of contaminated sites with different disinfectants can minimize bacterial growth. It is extremely difficult to completely eliminate all bacteria from surfaces. Ladies handbags is also another important source for the growth of microorganisms usually, Handbag is one of the gadgets which are not shared or multipurpose, single use but due to its type of utilization, it is believed that, handbags are also an important environment for the growth of microorganisms (Chandra et al., 2014).

Bacteria that can cause severe gastroenteritis have been found on the internal surfaces of handbags (Chandra et al., 2014). This demonstrates that germs can be readily transferred from your hands to almost any frequently used surface. Although the role of fomites including handbags in the transmission of infectious diseases has for long remained controversial subjects.

Handbags contain several cosmetics items like face creams, lipstick, powder, partially consumed food items. In case of lactating women, handbag contains fresh/used diapers, milk bottles etc. In addition to all these, water bottles create moist environment in the handbags which is suitable for the growth of microorganisms, thus making internal surfaces of female handbag a viable model for the transmission of several disease causing organism.

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Handbags are commonly used multipurpose personal gadgets of females. Heavy bacteria contamination of the internal surface of ladies handbags is a major health hazard and of serious nosocomial importance in hospital settings. Bacteria harbored in the internal surface of ladies handbags plays an important role in the transmission of different diseases mechanically in health centers or hospitals, domestic dwellings, offices, markets etc.

1.2       RATIONALE OF THE STUDY     

Microorganisms can be found in the internal surface of ladies handbags. The unavailability of sufficient data to effectively correlate handbags to the transmission of several infectious diseases of man and animals and spread of pathogenic and drug resistant microbe prompted this study.

1.3       AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the presence of various populations of bacteria associated with the internal surface of ladies handbags.

The specific objectives are;

1)    To isolate and identify bacteria associated with the internal surface of ladies handbags

2)    To determine the bacteria diversity and frequency from the internal surface of handbags.

3)    To ascertain the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the bacteria isolate.

1.4       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be of great importance in the provoking renaissance of “handbag hygiene” among women and the general public at large. By enlightening them on the inherent mechanical role handbag play in the spread and transmission of disease causing organism.

1.5       LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This study was hugely incapacitated by the unavailability of typing sera which would have aided immensely in the determination of specific serotypes of E. coli with disease causing capabilities.

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