Identification of Bacteria from under Finger Nails

Abstract

This study was conducted to isolate and identify bacteria from human finger nails. A total of three nail samples were collected. The samples were collected from random people in which two of them were from females and one was from male. The isolated pathogens from finger nails include Bacillus species (2 isolates), coccus species (one isolate). Highest contamination of Bacillus species was isolated. After the colonies were being isolated, they were further characterized on the basis of biochemical characteristics including Indole test, Citrate test, Nitrate reduction test and Urease test. After that Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed to identify the resistance of a particular bacteria towards a given antibiotic i.e. Ampicillin, Chloromphenicol, Norfloxacin, Co-Trimoxazol and Ciprofloxacin. However the results obtained showed the resistance of isolates towards Ampicillin indicating the prevalance of potentially disease causing microbes under fingernails. This study showed the importance of nail hygiene.

Aktivitas Antimikroba Ekstrak Buah Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa) sebagai Hand Sanitizer Alami

“…Selain itu, beberapa bakteri juga ditemukan pada kuku tangan, seperti Bacillus sp. dan Coccus sp [6]. Mikroba tersebut dapat tertransmisikan dan menyebabkan beberapa penyakit, seperti: diare, cacingan, infeksi mata, infeksi saluran pernafasan, dan penyakit kulit [7], [8] [9].…”