Isolation And Identification Of Bacterial Contaminants From Microscopes

ABSTRACT

Some parts of the microscope frequently touched with hands can act as vehicles for transmission of infections. The study analyzed forty (40) swab samples from microscopes routinely used in hospitals, clinics and medical laboratories within Aba and Umuahia for bacterial contamination. The samples were cultured on MacConkey, Blood and Mannitol Salt agar and incubated aerobically at 37oC for 24 hours. Isolation, identification and Antibiogram of isolates were done by standard microbiological techniques. A total of 17 bacterial organisms comprising five (5) bacterial genera were recovered from the microscopes in this study. Streptococcus species 7(41.2%), was the most frequently isolated organism followed by Staphylococcus aureus 4(23.5%), Pseudomnas aeruginosa 4(23.9%) and Bacillus species 1(5.9%) and Serretia species 1(5.9%). The fine and coarse adjustment knobs harbored more bacterial contaminants (69.2%) than other parts of the microscope samples - eye piece and stage condenser (30.8%). Results of the antibiotic susceptibility test of the isolates presents a general pattern of mild resistance to easily available, across counter drugs. All the isolates showed 100% sensitivity to Streptomycin. The level of contamination varied depending on the exposure of the environment; hence the low incidence of bacterial contamination could be due to regular cleaning of the microscope and use of hand gloves by the microscope users. Microscopes used in medical facilities should be cleaned regularly. ﾿

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover page ﾿ i

Title page ﾿ ii

Dedication ﾿ iii

Certification ﾿ iv

Acknowledgement ﾿ v

Table of contents ﾿ vi

List of tables ﾿ viii

Abstract ﾿ ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 ﾿ Introduction ﾿ 1

1.1 ﾿ Aim of study ﾿ 3

1.2 ﾿ Objectives of Study ﾿ 3

1.3 ﾿ Significance of study ﾿ 3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 ﾿ Literature review ﾿ 4

2.1 ﾿ Bacteria contamination and Health Dangers ﾿ 4

2.2 ﾿ Fomites and infection transmission ﾿ 4

2.3 ﾿ The Microscope ﾿ 9

2.4 ﾿ Types of microscope ﾿ 11

2.4.1 ﾿ Optical microscope ﾿ 11 ﾿

2.4.2 ﾿ X-ray microscope ﾿ 12

2.4.3 ﾿ Electron microscope ﾿ 12

2.4.4 ﾿ Fluorescence microscope ﾿ 14

2.4.5 ﾿ Scanning probe microscope ﾿ 15

2.5 ﾿ Components of the microscope ﾿ 16

2.6 ﾿ Care for the microscope ﾿ 17

2.7 ﾿ Common bacterial contaminants of fomites/microscopes ﾿ 18 ﾿

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 ﾿ Materials and Methods ﾿ 20

3.1 ﾿ Study Area ﾿ 20

3.2 ﾿ Collection of Samples ﾿ 20

3.3 ﾿ Preparation of Culture Media ﾿ 20

3.4 ﾿ Bacterial inoculation and isolation ﾿ 21

3.5 ﾿ Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing ﾿ 21

3.6 ﾿ Characterization and Identification of Organisms ﾿ 21

3.7 ﾿ Gram Stain ﾿ 21

3.8 ﾿ Biochemical Tests ﾿ 22

3.8.1 ﾿ Catalase Test ﾿ 22

3.8.2 ﾿ Coagulase Test ﾿ 22

3.8.3 ﾿ Citrate Test ﾿ 22

3.8.4 ﾿ Motility, Indole, Urease Test (MIU) ﾿ 23

3.8.5 ﾿ Triple Sugar Iron Test ﾿ 23

3.8.6 ﾿ Oxidase Test ﾿ 24

3.9 ﾿ Data Analysis ﾿ 24

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 ﾿ Results ﾿ 25

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 ﾿ Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation ﾿ 33

5.1 ﾿ Discussion ﾿ 33

5.2 ﾿ Conclusion ﾿ 35

5.3 ﾿ Recommendation ﾿ 35

References ﾿ 36 ﾿