Evaluation Of Bacterial Contamination On Toothpicks Sold In MOUAU Restaurants

ABSTRACT 

Bacterial contamination on tooth picks sold in MOUAU restaurants was carried out in this study. About forty (40) canteens and restaurants were evaluated in this study. Five (5) bacteria genera were isolated from this study, they includes Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Proteus, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus sp. The frequency of occurrence of the isolates from toothpick in this study shows that Staphylococcus aureus had the highest percentage occurrence of 25(65.99%) while Streptococcus sp.  1(2.6%), Klebsiella sp. 1(2.6%) and Proteus sp. 1(2.6%) had the lowest percentage occurrence while Escherichia coli had occurrence of 10(26.32%). The antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the toothpick isolates showed that the antibiotics; (Ciprofloxacin) CPX 20(80)% , (Gentamycin) CN 18(72)%, (Tarivid) OFX 20(80)% and (Streptomycin) S 18(72)% showed a good percentage sensitivity pattern against Staphylococcus aureus while Streptococcus sp, Klebsiella sp and Proteus sp showed higher resistance to all the antibiotics. Poor sanitation practices and personal hygiene have been incriminated as the main factors responsible for the high prevalence of microbial contaminants in this study.