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Antibacterial activity of chloroxylenol and thymol against pathogenic bacteria isolated from under long nails
M O I Albureikan1, L M A Alotaibi
1Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdelaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia. malboraikan@kau.edu.sa.
Objective:
Fingernails are a perfect area for harboring bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., and Escherichia coli. These bacteria under the long nails may cause diseases due to the contact of nails with food or while biting the nails. Our study aimed to compare the antibacterial activity of chloroxylenol and thymol, two different detergent ingredients, on microorganisms isolated from long fingernails. This study was performed to raise awareness of the dangers of long nails and the importance of good nail hygiene.
Patients And Methods:
The present study was performed on female students at the Faculty of Science, King Abdelaziz University. Bacteria were isolated from under one finger nails and cultured on both McConkey agar and mannitol salt agar. After incubation, we isolated bacteria on nutrient agar. After that, we conducted several tests to determine the isolate type. Finally, we prepared three different concentrations of chloroxylenol and thymol to compare their effect on the isolated bacteria using antibacterial activity on Mueller-Hinton agar.
Results:
Two types of bacteria were isolated, pathogenic bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus and non-pathogenic bacteria called Staphylococcus epidermidis. Staphylococci have more sensitivity to chloroxylenol than thymol. In addition, chloroxylenol, at high concentrations had a more powerful antibacterial effect.
Conclusions:
The results emphasized that fingernails could harbor pathogenic bacteria which are difficult to remove. Perfect hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of diseases.
Insights
Long fingernails can harbor dangerous bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. Chloroxylenol showed greater antibacterial activity against these nail microbes compared to thymol, highlighting the need for diligent nail hygiene.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Fingernails, particularly when long, serve as reservoirs for pathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli.
- These microorganisms under nails can lead to disease transmission through food contact or nail-biting behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the antibacterial efficacy of chloroxylenol and thymol, common detergent ingredients, against bacteria isolated from long fingernails.
- To underscore the health risks associated with long fingernails and promote awareness of essential nail hygiene practices.
Main Methods:
- Bacteria were isolated from subungual debris of female university students.
- Isolated bacteria were identified, and their susceptibility to varying concentrations of chloroxylenol and thymol was assessed using the Mueller-Hinton agar diffusion method.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus aureus (pathogenic) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (non-pathogenic) were the primary isolates.
- Staphylococci exhibited greater sensitivity to chloroxylenol than to thymol.
- Higher concentrations of chloroxylenol demonstrated a more potent antibacterial effect.
Conclusions:
- Fingernails can harbor persistent pathogenic bacteria, emphasizing the challenge in their complete removal.
- Maintaining impeccable hand and nail hygiene is crucial for preventing the dissemination of infectious diseases.
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