MICROBIAL EVALUATION OF USED WEAVON AND HAIR TOOLS GOTTEN FROM STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

The study evaluated the microbial contamination of used weavon and hair tools of students within Michael Okpara University Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. A total of ten (10) MOUAU students were randomly selected within Umudike. The bacteria species isolated include: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively, while the fungi species are Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhodotorula species and Mucor alternaria respectively. The total bacterial mean count recorded in this study was found to be higher in hair brush sample 2.10x105(cfu/g), while the weavon samples recorded the highest fungal counts at 3.14x105(cfu/g). From the findings in this study, it was observed that Staphylococcus aureus had the highest number and percentage of isolates in the samples at 8(44.4%), while Aspergillus flavus and Mucor alternaria 3(33.3 ) were the most predominant and frequently occurring fungal isolates from the samples. From the present study, the antimicrobial susceptibility and resistant patterns of bacterial isolates from the sample cultures revealed that Streptococcus spp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the highest (26mm) degree of sensitive to the antibiotics drug Streptomycin (30mcg), while Staphylococcus aureus showed high (0.0mm) degree of resistance to antibiotics drugs Norfloxacin (10mcg), Rifampicin (20mcg), Amoxicillin (30mcg), and Ampiclox (20mcg). It is concluded that the isolation of pathogenic bacteria (designated as objectionable microorganisms) from the weavon and hair brushes indicates that the weavon and hair brushes do not meet the stipulated microbiological quality standards in official monographs and can therefore serve as vehicles for the transmission of the detected pathogenic organisms.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                                                                i

Certification                                                                                                                           iii

Dedication                                                                                                                              iv

Acknowledgements                                                                                                                v

Table of Contents                                                                                                                   vi

List of Tables                                                                                                                          viii

List of Figures                                                                                                                         ix

Abstract                                                                                                                                  x

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       Introduction                                                                                                                1

1.1       Aim and Objectives                                                                                                    3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW                                                                      4

2.1       Normal Skin Flora                                                                                                      4

2.2       Skin Infections                                                                                                            5

2.3       Bacterial Contaminants Associated with Weavon and Hair Tools                                    6

2.3.1    Staphylococcus aureus                                                                                               6

2.3.2    Escherichia coli                                                                                                          8

2.3.3    Bacillus species                                                                                                          9

2.3.4    Klebsiella species                                                                                                       10

2.3.5    Staphylococcus epidermidis                                                                                       10

2.3.6    Pseudomonas aeruginosa                                                                                           11

2.4       Scalp Infection                                                                                                            12

2.4.1    Causes of Scalp Infections                                                                                         13

2.5       Bacterial Scalp Infections                                                                                           14

2.5.1    Folliculitis                                                                                                                  14

2.5.2    Scalp Impetigo                                                                                                            15

2.6       Treatment of Scalp Infection                                                                                      15

2.7       Infection Control Measures                                                                                        16

2.7.1    Cleaning                                                                                                                     16

2.7.2    Disinfection                                                                                                                17

2.7.3    Sterilization                                                                                                                17

CHAPTER THREE

3.0       Materials and Methods                                                                                               19

3.1       Study Area                                                                                                                  19

3.2       Collection of Samples                                                                                                19

3.3       Sterilization of Materials                                                                                            19

3.4       Preparation of Culture Media                                                                                     20

3.4.1    Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA)                                                                                         20

3.4.2    Nutrient Agar (NA)                                                                                                    20

3.4.3    MacConkey Agar (MA)                                                                                              20

3.4.4    Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA)                                                                               20

3.5       Bacterial Isolation                                                                                                       21

3.6       Purification of Bacterial Isolates                                                                                21

3.7       Identification of the Bacterial Isolates                                                                        21

3.8       Subculturing/Purification and Identification of Fungi Species                                    21

3.9       Identification of Fungal Isolates                                                                                 22

3.9.1    Wet Preparation                                                                                                          22

3.9.2    Colonial Morphology                                                                                                 22

3.10     Gram Staining                                                                                                            22

3.11     Biochemical Test                                                                                                        23

3.11.1  Catalase Test                                                                                                               23

3.11.2  Indole Test                                                                                                                  23

3.11.3  Citrate Utilization Test                                                                                               23

3.11.4  Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S) Production Test                                                                23

3.11.5  Motility Test                                                                                                               24

3.11.6  Voges-Proskauer Test                                                                                                 24

3.11.7  Urease Test                                                                                                                 24

3.11.8  Methyl Red Test                                                                                                         24

3.11.9  Coagulase Test                                                                                                           25

3.11.10 Oxidase Test                                                                                                              25

3.11.11 Sugar Utilization Test                                                                                                25

3.12     Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing                                                                                     26

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0       Results                                                                                                                        27

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0       Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations                                                        43

5.1       Discussion                                                                                                                   43

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                                  47

5.3       Recommendations                                                                                                      47

            References

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

The human hair is one part of our body that is always exposed to environmental pollutants, and also to fungal and bacterial contamination. Fungal disorders are emerging significant infections in the world (World Health Organization, 2005). In recent years, they have become an important clinical condition that deserves public health attention because of the fact that some of them are potentially harmful to human health (Lee et al., 2011). Keratinophilic fungi are usually isolated from the soil and from keratinous tissues such as the skin, hair and nails. This includes the dermatophyte Microsporum gypseum (Shukia et al, 2003), and some species of Aspergillus, Fusarium solani, and Bipolarisspicifera. (Zarrin, 2011) Bacteria, on the other hand were known to reside in the hair follicles, in which 85% of the bacterial population if found in the superficial layers of the skin and hair follicles (Lange-Asschenfeldt et al., 2011) Bacteria such as Micrococcaceae represents the most common isolated specie. (Lange-Asschenfeldt et al., 2011) The human hair is also a reservoir of bacterial including Staphycoccus intermedius and coagulase-negative Staphylococci, and Staphylococcus aureus. There were very limited reports on keratinophilic fungi and bacteria colonization on the hair (Jappe, 2003).

These health risks associated with hair and hair tools vary depending on the nature of the service, the tools and equipment that are used, the health status of the clients and service providers as well as the infection control procedures, such as piercing and hair dressing are clearly associated with bacterial, viral and fungal infections risks, even non-invasive procedures such as pedicures can result in infection (Stout et al., 2011). It is believed that any service with the potential to break the skin’s surface can be associated with infections and infections can then be transmitted to and between clients if proper infection control procedures are not implemented. It has observed that hairdressing operators and their clients are constantly being exposed to bacterial or fungal contamination during their services.

Microorganisms are everywhere including skin surfaces and hairs and are continually introduced into the environment and could therefore easily spread between clients and operators and transferred by contact with unwashed hands, soiled equipment or contact with blood and other body substances (De Souza and Shibu, 2004).  Infection can occur during hair dressing procedures since items such as razors, scissors, brushes, combs, clippers and hairpins can accidentally penetrate the skin. Blood and body fluids do not have to be visible on instruments, equipment or working surfaces for infection to be transmitted. Infections that can be spread I hairdressing premises include skin infections on the scalp, face and neck such as impetigo and fungal infections such as tinea capitits and ringworm (Barn and Chen, 2011). Burns can also occur during hair dressing procedures involving hot rollers, tongs and crimpers and when hair is being washed with contaminated water or when stationary or hand-held dryers are improperly used. There are reports of people who have been infected with head lice from direct hair-to-hair contact with someone who has head lice (Ruddy et al., 2011). Unfortunately, there are no established regulations, guidelines and best practices for many of these salons in our environment.

The skin is an integral and complex part of the human body. While the main function of the skin is to protect the internal body from infection, the skin itself is constantly colonized with a variety of microorganisms, which include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa (Oluwole et al., 2013). The typical skin microbiota is usually mutualistic or commensal; this means that the microbial population is beneficial or has no effect on the human body (Grice et al., 2008). However, there are instances where pathogenic microorganisms are present and can cause infections. Damaged skin is most susceptible to infections from these microbes. It is in the presence of pathogenic microorganisms that we see the progression of skin infections, such as acne and dermatitis (Grice et al., 2008). The complex nature of skin contributes to the microbial population present; these characteristics include moisture, temperature, pH, sebum content, and hair follicles (Grice et al., 2008). In addition to skin composition, there are several other factors that influence skin microbiota. These factors are host demographics, host genetics, transmission of non-resident microorganisms, environmental characteristics, and behavioral characteristics (Fredricks, 2001).

1.1       AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate the microbial contamination of used weavon and hair tools of students within Michael Okpara University Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, while the specific objectives are;

·       To isolate microorganisms found on used weavon and hair tools of MOUAU students.

·       To identify the isolated microorganisms from the used weavon and hair tools

·       To determine the percentage occurrence of various isolate from the used weavon and hair tools.

·       To determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the bacteria isolates.

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