ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA FROM UNDER FINGERNAILS OF STUDENTS OF BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY, MAKURDI
Abstract
The fingernail is a significant structure consisting of protein, keratin, and laminated layers. They function as a protective lamina and by acting as a counter-force to improve the feeling of the fingertip. This study was carried out to isolate and identify bacteria associated with the under fingernails of students in Benue State University, Makurdi. Fifty (50) swab samples were collected from under fingernails of students of Benue State university Makurdi. The samples were labeled and were immediately transported to the laboratory for bacteriological analysis. Manitol Salt agar, Eosin Methylene Blue agar, Xylose-Lysine Deoxycholate agar, Nutrient agar, MacConkay agar, Peptone Water, Triple Sugar Iron agar, Urea Agar Base and Simmon’s Citrate agar were prepared according to their various manufacturers’ instructions. The samples were inoculated into Trypticase soy broth and were incubated for 24 hrs. The broth cultures were sub-culture onto Manitol Salt agar, Eosin Methylene Blue agar, Xylose-Lysine Deoxycholate agar and MacConkey agar medium and were incubated for 24 hrs. The colonies obtained were sub-culture repeatedly to obtain pure isolates. The isolates were identified using Morphological and Biochemical tests. A total of 8 bacteria were observed which include Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratyphi A, Pseudomonas spp., Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Proteus spp. and Salmonella typhi with the total occurrence of 96(100%). S. aureus was the most occurring bacterium with the occurrence of 20(20.83%). The isolation of these bacteria from fingernails could be associated with hygienic status of the students, ignorance and keeping of long nails. Students who keep their nail unclean and who keep long nails are at greater risk of getting infected with numerous pathogenic bacteria as seen in this study. Frequent hand washing should be put in practice to curb the rate of fingernails contamination.
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