PREVALENCE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ON SOME OF CIRCULATING CURRENCY

ABSTRACT

This study was to enlighten the entire populace of the inherent risk that naira notes carry by being a universal medium for the transfer of harmful pathogenic organisms. A total eight (8) denominations of Naira notes (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 Naira notes) were obtained at strategic points within Umuahia metropolis. These naira note samples were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar using a pour plate technique. From the result of this study, a total of thirty four (36) bacteria isolates were isolated and identified as five (5) different bacteria species which included; Staphylococcus aureus 12(33.33%), E. coli 9(25.0%), Bacillus spp 7(19.44%), Enterobacter aerogenes 5(13.88%) and Micrococcus species 3(8.33%). These bacteria species were identified using biochemical tests, morphological characteristics, gram reactions and colony counts. The result from this study revealed that the lower denominations (₦5, ₦10, ₦20, ₦50, ₦100 and ₦200) had the highest microbial counts than the higher denominations (₦500, ₦1000). The reasons for this might be that the lower denominations are frequently exchanged and handled in petty and daily monetary transactions. The result of this study also showed that Staphylococcus aureus was widely distributed on the Naira notes amongst the various categories of individuals selected for the study, with 1000 naira having the highest prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus amongst the various individuals. Most of the bacteria encountered are members of the human flora. This suggests that humans are the major source of bacteria on Naira notes. . It is important that currency should not be stored in the wrong places like private parts shoes or stocks during usage to reduce the level of contamination of microorganisms of notes which is transferred from person to person and also butchers or meat sellers should not keep money on their work bench and wash their apron regularly.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                                                                  i

Certification                                                                                                                           iii

Dedication                                                                                                                              iv

Acknowledgement                                                                                                                  v

Table of Contents                                                                                                                   vi

List of Tables                                                                                                                          vii

Abstract                                                                                                                                  x

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       Introduction                                                                                                                1

1.1       Aim of Study                                                                                                              4

1.2       Objective of Study                                                                                                      4

1.3       Study Hypothesis                                                                                                        4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0       Literature Review                                                                                                       5

2.1       The Organism Staphylococcus aureus                                                                       5

2.1.1    Pathogenicity /Toxicity                                                                                              6

2.1.2    Mode of Transmission                                                                                                7

2.1.3    Mode of Reproduction                                                                                                7

2.1.4    Virulent Factors                                                                                                          7

2.2       Role of Staphylococcus aureus in Causing Disease                                                   9

2.2.1    Antibiotics Resistance and Sensitivity                                                                       10

2.3       Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus                                                                        11

CHAPTER THREE

3.1       Materials and Methods                                                                                               13

3.2       Study Area                                                                                                                  13

3.2       Sample Collection                                                                                                      13

3.3       Preparation of Samples                                                                                               13

3.3.1    Serial Dilution                                                                                                            13

3.3.2    Sterilization Method                                                                                                   14

3.4       Isolation of Bacteria from Collected Samples                                                            14

3.4.1    Gram Staining Techniques                                                                                         14

3.5       Biochemical Analysis                                                                                                 15

3.5.1    Oxidase Test                                                                                                               15

3.5.2    Catalase Test                                                                                                               16

3.5.3    Motility Test                                                                                                               16

3.5.4    Indole Test                                                                                                                  16

3.5.5    Citrate Utilization Test                                                                                               16

3.5.6    Coagulase Test                                                                                                           16

3.5.7    Urease Test                                                                                                                 17

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0       Results                                                                                                                        19

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0       Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations                                                        25

5.1       Discussion                                                                                                                   25

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                                  26

5.3       Recommendations                                                                                                      27

            References

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Money is an invention of the human mind or a legal tender in Nigeria and the world at large, before the introduction of money into this world, economic exchange was practiced by barter economy which involves the direct exchange of one good for certain amount of a different good, is a simple economy where people produce goods either for self consumption or for exchange with other goods which they want. However, the barter system is inconvenient as it involved much effort on the part of people in trying to exchange goods for services. The naira note is a mixture of 78% cotton and 25% linen (Gadsby, 1998), this money is in general use and therefore enjoys the backing of the federal government.

Paper currency is widely exchanged for goods and services in the world (Uneke and Ogbu, 2007). In Nigeria the currency notes are used for buying goods and services such as ready to eat food, clothes, utensils etc, from the market (Mensah et al., 2002).The raw material from which paper currencies are made also play a role in harboring high microbial load. Studies have shown that paper currencies are made of cotton and linen which usually offers surface area for microorganisms to reside on it. Nevertheless, polymer based paper currencies presented lower bacterial counts than the paper currencies.

The contaminated currency notes go in circulation and contaminate the hands of others transmitting pathogenic organisms in the process (Uneke and Ogbu, 2007, Mensal et al., 2002). The Nigerian currency notes are often dirty and even mutilated notes can be seen in circulation. The survival of various microorganisms on the money and their transmission via the hands of food vendors is often overlooked as enteric disease reservoir (Michaels, 2002). pathogenic microorganisms that may survive on the Nigeria currency notes may serve as a potential source of enteropathogens causing food poisoning because most Nigeria food vendors serve food with their hands and at the same time handle currency notes as they sell (Michaels, 2002; Cardoen, et al., 2009; Lamichhane, et al., 2009) such practices transfer bacteria from currency notes to humans through food (Lamichhane, et al., 2009; Ministry of health, 2007 and Reither, et al., 2007).

The official currency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the Naira notes. It is issued and regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria. In most day to day cash transactions, the Naira notes pass through the hands of many as against exchange dependent on double coincidence of wants (Ogunley and Moss, 2005). Thus, the Naira notes are widely exchange for goods and services, each currency is exchanged many times during the time it circulates (Michae, 2002). Currently, there are eight denominations of the Naira notes from ₦5, ₦10, ₦20, ₦50, ₦100, ₦200, ₦500 to ₦1000. The low denomination notes like ₦5, ₦10, ₦20, ₦50, ₦100 and ₦200 are the most common and more involved in daily cash transactions. They are common especially among the populace while the ₦500 and ₦1000 notes are commonly used among the wealthy and in corporate transactions (Okon et al., 2003).

Studies in different parts of the world have reported high rate of microbial contamination of currency notes in circulation (Charnok, 2005). The naira notes are commonly handled by various categories of people during transaction (Loyaro, 2007). Individuals handling the notes shed some of their body floral on the notes, leading to the spread of microorganisms among the handlers (Xu and Gibbons, 2005). The notes can be contaminated by droplets during coughing, sneezing, the saliva often used when counting the notes, dust, soil, water, wounds, micro-flora of the body of handlers (hand, skin etc), touching with previously contaminated hands or other materials and placement on dirty surfaces. Some money handling habits such as: Keeping Naira notes in brassiere, socks, pockets, under the carpets or rugs and squeezing in the hand, frequently introduce microbes to the notes (Haque and Itoda, 2003).

1.1       AIM OF STUDY

To determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus on some circulating currency in Umuahia.

1.2       OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

·       To isolate and identify Staphylococcus aureus from Naira notes

·       To determine the percentage (%) occurrence of the contamination.

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