Antibiogram Analysis of Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Human Nails

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to isolate bacteria from human nails of public of Peshawar and perform antibiogram analysis of isolated bacterial species. METHODOLOGY For this study, a total of 25 samples were collected from nails of students of Abasyn University, Peshawar. These samples were cultured on Nutrient agar, Eosin Methyl Blue dye agar and Mannitol Salt agar and were identified by Catalase, Oxidase, Triple Sugar Iron, Citrate, and Indole tests. RESULTS It was found that 60% of collected hand samples were contaminated with 47% Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and 53% Escherichia coli (E. coli). Antibiogram analysis showed that the most potent antibiotic for E. coli and S. aureus was Ciprofloxacin (22mm and 26mm respectively) while less effective antibiotic was Cefixime having zone of inhibitions 13mm for E. coli and 10mm for S. aureus. CONCLUSION The results concluded that mostly the human nails are contaminated due to environmental factors and thus, require good hygienic practices to prevent different transmission of different infection.