Used Female Underwear as Potential Carriers of Multi-drug Resistant and Beta-Lactamase Producing Bacteria causing Urinary Tract Infections: Efficacy of Hot Water Treatment

Authors

  • F. N. Afiukwa Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • C. A. Afiukwa Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • B. Oke Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • N. P. Nweze Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • O. L. Nweke Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v45i2.20

Keywords:

Used female underwear, UTIcausing bacteria, multidrug resistance, beta-lactamase, hot water treatment

Abstract

This study examined used female underwear for the presence of multidrugresistant and beta-lactamase-producing bacteria causing urinary tract infection and the efficacy of hot water treatment. A total of 60 samples (30 each of baby and adult female underwear) were bought from different selling points in the international market, Abakaliki. The samples were analysed using standard microbiological methods. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the isolates were determined using the Disc Diffusion method, and the isolates obtained were screened for beta-lactamase production using nitrocefin sticks. The results showed that a total of 60 isolates (10 Escherichia coli, 24 Klebsiella species, and 26 Staphylococcus species) were obtained before treatment with hot water, whereas only 12 isolates (8 Klebsiella species, 4 S. aureus, and no Escherichia coli) were obtained after treatment. Hot water reduced bacterial load by 80%. The antibiotic susceptibility test showed that the E. coli isolates were 100% susceptible to imipenem, whereas Klebsiella species and S. aureus were 87.33% and 73.07% susceptible to imipenem, respectively. The isolates were 100% resistant to all other antibiotics except meropenem and aztreonam (for E. coli and Klebsiella species), and trimetoprime and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (for S. aureus). Of the 60 isolates screened for beta-lactamase production (10 E. coli, 24 Klebsiella spp., and 26 S. aureus), 28 (46.7%), including (3 E. coli, 11 Klebsiella spp., and 14 S. aureus) were positive. In conclusion, this study reports that used underwear are potential carriers of beta-lactamase-producing urinary tract infection-causing bacteria and that treatment with hot water alone before use may not eliminate the pathogens. Therefore, we recommend that used clothes, especially underwear, be washed with hot water in combination with disinfectants to eliminate pathogens and avoid exotic infections that may be difficult to treat with commonly used antibiotics. 

         Views | Download: 40 / 0

References

Olajubu, F. A., Folorunso, V. T. & Olojede, O. (2017). The microbial diversity of fairly used wears sold in a Lagos market, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS), 12(2): 63-68. DOI:10.9790/3008-1202046368

Odum, E. I. & Idise, O. E. (2022). Microbiological assessment of female second-hand undergarments sold in Abraka, Nigeria. RSU Journal of Biology and Applied Sciences (RSUJBAS), 2(1): 1-11. https://jbasjournals.com/index.php/rsujbas/article/view/7/4

Agbulu, C. O., Gberikon, G. M. & Ajine, B. O. (2015). Isolation and characterization of microorganisms associated with second-hand female undergarments and children wear sold in Makurdi metropolis. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Science 4(1): 716-724. https://www.ijcmas.com/vol-4-1/Agbulu,%20C.O,%20et%20al.pdf

Rakhshanpour, A., Aghahossein-Shirazy, A., Shafiei, R. & Rahimi, M. T. (2021). Second hand clothes, a new threat for acquiring parasitic infections. Iran Journal of Public Health, 50(1): 211-212. doi: 10.18502/ijph.v50i1.5093

Osuntokun, O. T., Adu, B. O., Thonda, O. A., & Aladejana, O. M. (2022). Efficacy of newly emerging detergents, laundry bleach, and toilet soap against bacteria isolated from fairly used clothes, male/female underwear. South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology, 12(3): 13-43. DOI:

9734/SAJRM/2022/v12i330273

Khadri, H. & Alzohairy, M. (2010). Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of methicillin-resistant and coagulase-negative Staphylococci in a tertiary care hospital in India. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Science, 2 (4): 116-120. http://www.academicjournals.org/ijmms

Tekalign, K. & Bacha, K. (2013). Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among primary school children and pioneers in Jimma town, (South West Ethiopia. Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 12: 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-0711-12-11

Fowler, V. G., Boucher, H. W., Corey, G. R., Abrutyn, E., Karchmer, A. W., Rupp, M. E., Levine, D. P., Chambers, H. F., Tally, F. P., Vigliani, G. A., Cabell, C. H., Link., A. S. DeMeyer, I., Filler, S. G., Zervos, M., Cook, P., parsonnet, J., Bernstein, J. M., Price, C. S., Fätkenheuer, G. N. F., Gareca, M., Rehm, S. J., Brodt, H. R., Tice, A. & Cosgrove, S. E. (2006). Daptomycin versus standard therapy for bacteremia and endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. New England Journal of Medicine, 355(7): 653-665. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa053783

Back, E., Mollby. R., KaUser, B., Stintzing, G., Wadstrom, T. & Habte, D. (1980). Enterotoxigenic E. coli and other gram-negative bacteria of infantile diarrhoea: surface antigens, hemagglutinins, colonization factor antigen and loss of enterotoxigenicity. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 142: 318-327. DOI: 10.1093/infdis/142.3.318

Malnick, S., Bardenstein, R., Huszar, M., Gabbay, J. & Borkow, G. (2008). Pyjamas and sheets as a potential source of nosocomial pathogens. Journal of Hospital Infection, 70: 89-92. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2008.05.021

Osuntokun, O. T., Thonda, O. A., Akele, E. O., Adedokun, L. O., Adedayo, S. A. & Bello, O. A. (2021). Pathogenic bacteria found on surfaces of canned drinks and wines being sold in retail shops in Ondo state, Nigeria, health implications, food safety and quality assessment. South Asian Journal of Parasitology, 5(4): 68-94. https://journalsajp.com/index.php/SAJP/article/view/108.

Cheesbrough, M. (2006). District laboratory practice in tropical countries-part 2, 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Afiukwa, F. N., Iroha, I. R., Afiukwa, C. A. & Igwe, O. D. (2016). First report of blaCTX-M-extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli isolated from cloacal Swabs of birds in South Eastern Nigeria. International Archives of BioMedical and Clinical Research, 2(2): 35-39. DOI: 10.21276/iabcr.2016.2.2.8

National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) (2000). Performance standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. NCCLS approved standard M 100-S9, National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Wayne, PA, USA. DOI: 10.1128/jcm.38.9.3341-3348.2000

Iroha, I. R., Oji, A. E. & Esimone, C. O. (2008). Antimicrobial resistance pattern of plasmid-mediated extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing strains of Escherichia coli. Scientific Research Association, 3 (6): 215-218. http://www.academicjournals. org/SRE

Boryo, D. E. A. (2013). The effect of microbes on textile material: a review on the way out so far. The International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES), 2(8): 9-13. https://theijes.com/papers/v2- i8/Part.1/B028109013.pdf

Gaspard, P., Eschbach, E., Gunther, D., Gayet, S., Bertrand, X. & Talon, D. (2009). Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination of healthcare workers uniforms in long-term care facilities. Journal of Hospital Infection, 71:170–175. DOI:10.1016/j.jhin.2008.10.028

Zagar, D., Zore, A. & Godič, T. K. (2022). The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on the clothes of nursery teachers in daycare centres. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 132:4517–4530. DOI: Afiukwa et al: Used Female Underwear as Potential Carriers of Multi-drug Resistant and Beta-Lactamase 458 10.1111/jam.15520

Ayub, J., Hadia, F.,Ayesha,A., Nauman, R., Muhammad, H.A., Maria,A.S., Fawad, S. M., Saeed,A. M., Mehraj, G., Sarfaraz, A., Muhammad, K., Irfan, Z., Mahwan, U. R., & Ahad, M. (2022). Isolation and identification of potentially pathogenic bacteria from second hand items of flea market of District Haripur, Pakistan. Natural Volatiles and Essential Oils, 9(1): 1067-1076.

https://www.nveo.org/index.php/journal/article/view/4667/3787

Baharuddin, A. & Nurhatira, J. (2020). The existence of Staphylococcus aureus in imported clothing in Makassar City. International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research, 5(1): 191-197. https://ijshr.com/IJSHR_Vol.5_Issue.1_Jan2020/IJSHR0031.pdf

Published

2024-09-23

How to Cite

Afiukwa, F. N., Afiukwa, C. A., Oke, B., Nweze, N. P., & Nweke, O. L. (2024). Used Female Underwear as Potential Carriers of Multi-drug Resistant and Beta-Lactamase Producing Bacteria causing Urinary Tract Infections: Efficacy of Hot Water Treatment. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, 45(2), 450–459. https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v45i2.20

Issue

Section

Main Issues

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.