ENUMERATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA ON USED HANDKERCHIEFS IN MALES

ENUMERATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA ON USED HANDKERCHIEFS IN MALES

ABSTRACT

The enumeration, identification and characterization of bacteria on used handkerchiefs in males was carried out. A total of forty (40) handkerchiefs were collected across the levels from the male students of Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin. The handkerchiefs were soaked in a sterile water and the specimen (bacteria) were cultured on nutrient agar, blood agar, and MacConkey agar for the enumeration, identification and recovery of bacteria present. For enumeration, 37 cultures yield countable growths and 3 cultures yielded no growth.  For identification and characterization, the positive growth was identified and characterized using standard protocols.  One out of forty (40) cultures yielded serratia species, sixteen cultures yielded Streptococcal species, nine cultures yielded Staphylococcus epidermidis, eight cultures yielded Staphylococcus aureus, and three cultures yielded staphylococcus saprophyticus. On the whole, the bacteria, showed different growths in different media and as well different reactions to different biochemical tests.