The investigation effect of storage place on bacterial contamination toothbrushes

Aim: Investigate and compare microbial contamination of toothbrushes, which kept in bathrooms with/without attached toilet.

Materials and Methods: Thirty adults (15 in each group), aged 18-25 years, requested to follow their normal oral hygiene practice for 3 months period. Research was carried out between January to June 2020. The 1st group kept brush in bathroom with attached toilet, on the other hand the 15 brushes were kept in bathroom without attached toilet after usage, and using different media (blood agar, MacConkay agar, Mantiol agar, E.M.B agar), incubated in 37c for 24 hours, some plats (blood agar) incubated in Candle jar 5%CO2 about 48-72 hours.

Results: 26(86.6%) of toothbrushes collected from samples were found to be contaminated with usual oral bacteria and 40(61.5%) isolated from toilets G1 and 25(38.4%) in bathrooms G2. A 34(51%) were found to be growth positive and 31(48%) were negative bacteria, were fairly close in both groups. Toothbrush was kept in bathrooms without attached toilets. Common Gram-positive bacterial isolates were Streptococcus spp. 36%, and Staphylococcus spp. 8%. Whereas Pseudomonas spp. 28%, while Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli recorded 20%, 8% respectively. Toothbrush was kept in bathrooms with attached toilets was Streptococcus spp. 27%, and Staphylococcus spp., showed nearly percentage 22%, while Klebsiella spp., E. coli 17.5 %, 10% respectively.

Conclusions: Toothbrushes should not be kept in bathrooms with/without attached toilets as it is prone for contamination, and should be kept in any type disinfectants such as 0.2% chorhexidine gluconate or 3% hydrogen peroxide for prevention of future infection.