Journals Information
Universal Journal of Microbiology Research(CEASE PUBLICATION) Vol. 3(4), pp. 56 - 59
DOI: 10.13189/ujmr.2015.030404
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Bacterial Contamination of Used Manual Toothbrushes Obtained from Some Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria
Onuorah Samuel 1,*, Obika Ifeanyi 2
1 Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
2 Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Used Toothbrushes serve as reservoirs for microorganisms and may play a major role in disease transmission in humans. Forty used manual toothbrushes obtained from some students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria were analyzed bacteriologically using standard microbiological techniques. The toothbrushes were used twice per day for one month by the students. The result showed that all the toothbrushes were contaminated with bacteria while the unused ones which served as controls were not contaminated. The bacterial isolates from the toothbrushes were Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter aurogenes. Staphylococcus aureus was predominantly isolated (30%) from the toothbrushes, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (18%), Streptococcus mutans (16%), Escherichia coli (8%) and finally Enterobacter aerogenes (6%). Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Escharichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes were detected in 60%, 45%, 50%, 25%, 20% and 10% of the samples respectively. In view of the fact that these organisms are pathogenic and could be a potential health hazard, adequate rinsing and air-drying of the toothbrushes before storage will minimize the incidence of these bacteria and the health risk associated with them.
KEYWORDS
Bacteria Contamination, Used Manual Toothbrushes, Students, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Onuorah Samuel , Obika Ifeanyi , "Bacterial Contamination of Used Manual Toothbrushes Obtained from Some Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria," Universal Journal of Microbiology Research(CEASE PUBLICATION), Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 56 - 59, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/ujmr.2015.030404.
(b). APA Format:
Onuorah Samuel , Obika Ifeanyi (2015). Bacterial Contamination of Used Manual Toothbrushes Obtained from Some Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria. Universal Journal of Microbiology Research(CEASE PUBLICATION), 3(4), 56 - 59. DOI: 10.13189/ujmr.2015.030404.