Used Toothbrushes: Microbial Evaluation and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles of Associated Bacteria

Aims: Toothbrush has been universally accepted as the most effective tool for removing harmful plaque and bacteria from mouth. On average, colonization of bacteria is reduced by 88.8% as a result of brushing. Toothbrush if not properly taken care of before, during and after use may serve as a vector for the re-introduction of potential pathogens into the oral cavity.

This study therefore aimed at investigating the microbial quality of used toothbrushes among selected students of a Tertiary Institution in Ile-Ife, Nigeria as well as the antibiotic susceptibility profiles and adherence property of the associated bacteria.

Methodology: Fifty used toothbrushes were collected from students in sterile nylon and transported to Laboratory for processing within an hour of collection. The bacteria were isolated and characterized by conventional biochemical techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out using the disk diffusion test according to the Clinical and Standard Laboratory Institute guidelines. Phenotypic adherence property of the isolates was investigated using the Congo Red Agar (CRA) method.

Results: These revealed the presence of six genera of bacteria namely: Bacillus spp, Staphylococcal spp, Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, Citrobacter spp and Serratia spp. Bacillus flexus was the predominant Gram-positive species accounting for 30.9% while Klebsiella oxytoca accounts for 26.5% as the predominant Gram-negative species. All the isolates were multidrug resistant. However, 22% of the isolates were adherent as they produced black crystalline colonies in Congo Red agar.

Conclusion: The study concluded that toothbrush should be adequately taken care of to prevent it from serving as vector for infection and re-infection of mouth.