ABSTRACT

Tools used in beauty salons can become contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms and can be potential reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms. This study was aimed at evaluating microbial contamination of beauty salons tools. A total of 30 samples were collected from five (5) hairdressing salons in Umudike, Umuahia metropolis with the aid of moistened sterile swab stick. Each of the diluted samples was inoculated on the media (Nutrient agar, Macconkey agar, Eosin Methylene Blue agar Sabouraud dextrose agar, and Mannitol agar) appropriately with a wire-loop using spread plate method. The plates were incubated at 370 C for 24hrs  for bacteria and fungi at 280C for 48hrs -72hrs. The bacterial isolates were identified based on their cultural and biochemical characteristics. A total six (6) bacteria isolates which belonging to the genera of  Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp, E.coli, Micrococcus luteus, Proteus sp and Serratia marcesens were isolated. A total of  four (4) includes Aspergillus niger, Rhodotorula sp, Fusarium oxysorum and Aspergillus flavus were isolated. The percentage occurrence of isolates from user hair brushes and clippers in barbing salons samples shows Pseudomonas sp had the highest occurrence (28.6%) followed by E.coli (21.4%), Micrococcus luteus (21.4%) , Proteus sp (14.3%), while Serratia marcesens (7.14%)and Bacillus sp (7.14%) had the least occurrence. The percentage occurrence of fungi isolates from user hair brushes and combs in beauty salon samples shows Aspergillus niger  had the highest percentage occurrence  (38.5%) followed by Rhodotorula sp (30.8%) while Fusarium oxysporum (15.4%)  and Aspergillus flavus ( 95.4%)  showed the lowest occurrence.. The isolation of pathogenic bacteria from hair brushes in this study indicate that hair brushes and hair tools in Hair dressing and beauty Salons could be colonized by pathogenic bacteria and can serve as vehicle of transmission of infectious diseases. Some of these organisms produce very toxic substances that could be very fatal. Hence, it is very important to sanitize the hairbrushes and other hair tools regularly to minimize the spread of these pathogens.