ABSTRACT

Bacterial contamination of medicated eye glasses worn by members of the University community (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike) Abia State Nigeria was investigated using culture techniques. Of the one hundred and six samples screened [Handles (n=53), Lenses (n=53)] during the period of the research, ninety-nine (93.40%) were contaminated with bacteria. Escherichia coli(51.89%) was the most prevalent, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (28.30%) and Streptococcus species (16.98%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.21%) and Bacillus species (13.21%) were equivalent, and coagulase negative Staphylococcus (9.43%), while Klebsiella species (1.89%) were the least. Sex significantly affected the level of eye glass contamination in the sense that, eye glasses used by male were more contaminated (52.83%) than their female counterparts (26.42%). Workers had more contaminated eye glasses (47.17%) than students (32.08%). Handles were more contaminated (94.34%) than the lenses (92.45%) and this could be due to frequent contact of the handles with human hands, which are mostly contaminated and non-sanitized. The eye glass cleaners or disinfectants were not able to inhibit bacteria isolated from the eye glasses. The antibiotic used where able to inhibit the various bacteria isolated in a similar spectrum.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Certification  ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables vii

List of Figure viii

Abstract  ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Statement of Problem 2

1.2 Aim of Study 2

1.3 Objectives 3

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Ubiquity of microorganisms 4

2.1 Bacterial contamination of door handles/knobs in selected public 

Conveniences 4

2.1.1 Fungal contamination of eye lenses and frames of patients 10

2.2 Bacteria Associated With Medicated Eye Glasses 21

2.2.1 Escherichia coli (E. coli) 22

2.2.2 Klebsiella species 23

2.2.3 Staphylococcus aureus 23

2.2.4 Streptococcus species 24

2.2.5 Bacillus subtilis 24

2.2.6 Pseudomonas aeruginosa 25

2.2.7 Proteus species 25

2.3 The Effectiveness of Hand Hygiene in Reducing the Risk of Infections 

Which Includes Hand Washing And Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers. 26

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study Area 28

3.2 Collection of Samples 28

3.3 Sample Preparation 28

3.4 Culture Techniques/Media Preparation 28

3.5 Characterization and Identification of Organism 29

3.5.1 Gram Staining Technique 29

3.5.2 Biochemical Test 29

3.5.2.1 Catalase Test 29

3.5.2.2 Coagulase Test 29

3.5.2.3 Citrate Test 30

3.5.2.4 Motility, Indole, Urease Test (MIU) 30

3.5.2.5 Triple Sugar Ion Test 31

3.5.2.6 Oxidase Test 31

3.6  Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing 24

3.7 Antimicrobial Susceptibility Using Different Lens Cleansers 24

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results 33

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Discussion 40

5.2 Conclusion 43

5.3 Recommendation 43

REFERENCES