Microbial Contamination Of Multiple Users Of Hair Brushes And Clippers In Barbing Salons In Umuahia, Metropolis, Abia State.

ABSTRACT

A total of Ten (10) Samples were collected from barbing salons in Umuahia Metropolis with the aid of sterile swab stick and transported to laboratory for microbial analysis. The biochemical characterization of isolates revealed the genera of Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp, E.coli, Micrococcus luteus, Proteus sp and Serratia marcesens and the fungal characterization revealed the presence of Aspergillus niger, Rhodotorula sp, Fusarium oxyporum and Aspergillus flavus. The percentage occurrence of isolates from user hair brushes and clippers in barbing salons samples showed that Pseudomonas sp had the highest occurrence (25%) followed by E.coli 18.75%, Micrococcus luteus (18.75%) , Proteus sp (12.5%), while Serratia marcesens (6.25%) while Bacillus sp (6.25%) had the least occurrence. The percentage occurrence of fungal isolates from user hair brushes and clippers in barbing salons samples showed that Aspergillus niger (38.5%) had the highest percentage occurrence followed by Rhodotorula sp (30.8%) while Fusarium oxysporum (15.4%) and Aspergillus flavus (15.4%) showed the lowest occurrence from user hair brushes and clippers in barbing salons samples. Antibiotics sensitivity test of the isolated bacteria revealed that all the six recorded (100%) sensitivity on Ciprofloxacin and Gentamycin while Proteus sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coil were all resistant to Levofloxacin and Rifampicin respectively.