ABSTRACT

This project work was conducted to isolate and identify the microbial contaminants on barbering clipper blades in Umudike and its environs. Twenty Samples were collected from 10 different barbering salons. The samples were collected using a moistened swab sticks and were analysed using standard microbiological procedures. The total bacterial count before and after decontamination of the clipper blades ranged from 6.8x106 to 1.43x107, while the fungal count ranged from 4.5x106-1.2x107. A two-tailed test of the sample means was carried out using the t-distribution to determine the efficacy of the commonly used sterilization technique, which was not significant at P<0.01. Four bacterial and six fungal species were isolated and identified. The four bacteria isolated include; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus spp, while Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum canis, Rhizopus spp, Trichophyton spp, Mucor spp and Penicillium spp were the fungal isolates identified. The presence of these pathogens is an indication that barbering practice could be contributing to the spread of infection within Umudike and its environs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Certification i

Dedication ii

Acknowledgements iii

Table of Contents iv

List of Tables vii

Abstract viii

Chapter One

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Aim and Objection 3

Chapter Two

2.1 Literature Review 4

2.2 Scalp Infection 5

2.2.1 Tinea capitis (ringworm) 5

2.2.2 Dandruff and Seborrheic dermatitis 6

2.3 Folliculitis 6

2.4 Sycosis 7

2.5 Human Immunodefficiency Syndrome/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease

Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) 7

2.6 Impetigo            8

Chapter Three

3.0 Materials and Methods                 9

3.1 Collection of Samples             9

3.2 Sterilization of Materials             9

3.3 Media preparation             9

3.4 Microbiological Analysis             9

3.4.1 Preparation of Samples                                     9

3.4.2 Identification of Bacterial Isolates             10

3.5 Gram Staining                           10

3.6 Motility Test                                                 11

3.7 Spore Staining                         11

3.8 Biochemical tests             11

3. 8.1 Catalase test             11

3. 8.2 Coagulase test                         12

3. 8.3 Oxidase test             12

 3. 8.4 Citrate Utilization Test                         12

3. 8.5 Indole Test                         13

3. 8.6 Urease Test                         13

3. 8.7 Voges-Proskauer Test             13

3. 8.8 Methyl Red Test             14

3.9 Identification of Fungal Isolates 14

3.10 Statistical Analysis                  15

Chapter Four

4.0 Result             16

Chapter Five

5.0 Conclusion, Discussion and Recommendation             22

5.1 Discussion             23

5.2 Conclusion             23

5.3 Recommendation             24

Reference

LIST OF TABLES

Table Title Page

1 The total Bacterial counts of various Barbers’ hair clippers

2 The total fungal counts of various Barbers’ hair clippers 18

3 Characteristics of Bacteria isolates from Barber hair clippers in Umudike and its environs.

4 Characteristics of fungi on media Sabouraud Dextrose Agar

5 Percentage occurrence of bacterial and fungal isolates from the different barbering shops