BACTERIAL COLONIZATION OF THE HUMAN ARMPIT (A CASE STUDY OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS)

The human armpit is home to a diverse microbial community, with bacteria comprising a significant portion of this community. This study was carried out to determine bacterial colonization, factors that affect it, and the antimicrobial agents that can modulate it. Questionnaires on gender, age, use of roll on, bathing habit, and type of bathing Soap used, were administered to the participants. Swab samples from Akwa Ibom State University students were collected aseptically for microbiological analysis, which was carried out following standard procedures. The bacteria isolated include; Staphylococcus spp. 16(29.1%), Corynebacterium spp. 13(23.6%), Staphylococcus spp. 11(20%), Staphylococcus spp. 9(16.4%), and Micrococcus spp. 6(10.9%). Several factors were shown to affect bacterial colonization of the human armpit. Male participants had a higher average bacterial count (2.63×104 CFU/ml) than the females (2.35×104 CFU/ml). Participants aged 15 - 20years had the highest average bacterial count of 2.17×104 CFU/ml. Those who didn't use roll on had a higher average bacterial count (2.80×104 CFU/ml) than those who did (2.18×104 CFU/ml). Participants who had their baths more than once in a day had the lowest average bacterial count of 2.47×104 CFU/ml. Participants who used beauty soaps had an average bacterial count (2.58×104 CFU/ml) that was slightly higher than those who used medicated soaps (2.40×104 CFU/ml).The antibiotics susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates was tested. The bacterial isolates showed a high degree of susceptibility to Gentamicin (100%), Streptomycin (100%), and Ciprofloxacin (80%) and showed a high level of resistance to Levofloxacin (100%) followed by Chloramphenicol (50%) and Norfloxacin (80%). Good personal hygiene and proper use of antibiotics should be carried out to maintain microbial balance.