Bacterial Isolates From Foot Wears Of Students Living In The Hostel Of Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike:- Orji, Juliet C

ABSTRACT ix This study was to isolate and identify bacterial species from foot wears. The samples collected were cultured on Nutrient Agar, MacConkey Agar, and Mannitol Salt Agar, using streak plate technique. The morphological characteristics, pigmentation on media, and microscopy methods reveals the major bacterial to be Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus aurues, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp and Micrococus spp and Serratia spp respectively. This , study revealed that the number of colonies was found higher in sandals of male student (6.8xl09cfu/ml). The slippers for male students and female students had less microbial load of 1.4xl09cfu/ml and 1.3xl09cfu/ml. The microbial loads of slippers for male and female , students were in the order of 1.4 xlO9 and 1.5 xlO9 (cfu/ml) respectively. With the percentage occurrence of each bacterium, Escherichia coli was the most predominant specie with a percentage value of 30.0%, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (21.6%) while the least bacteria specie isolate was recorded for Micrococcus spp at 3.3%. Strains ofEscherichia coli are widespread in the environment and can be cultured from foot wears and virtually all environmental surfaces. This study proved that footwear can be potential source of pathogens that may pose serious safety risks and may lead to its deterioration ifnot properly maintained. However, this has laid a foundation in this area by identifying and enumerating the bacteria present on the surface of various footwear types. Also the study has shown that the pattern and number of bacteria and the type of microbial communities found on the surface of different shoe types are considerably varied.