Detection of Enteropathogenic Bacteria under Fingernails of Canteen Workers at Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor
Abstract: Food poisoning is a
major problem in Indonesia as most people do not clean under their fingernails
to remove bacteria. This study was designed to detect enteropathogenic bacteria
under the fingernails of canteen workers in Universitas Padjadjaran,
Jatinangor.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October−November 2014
at the Faculty of Medicine’s Microbiology Laboratory to detect enteropathogenic
bacteria under the fingernails of canteen workers in Universitas Padjadjaran,
Jatinangor. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, 30
canteen workers were selected by random sampling from three canteens. Samples
were collected from the fingernails of both the right and left hands by using a
cotton swab. Sixty specimens were cultured for identification of the
enteropathogenic bacteria by using gram staining method and biochemical tests.
Results: The highest percentage of enteropathogenic bacteria found under
the fingernails of canteen workers was Klebsiella pneumoniae with a percentage
of 45% followed by Enterobacter aerogenes with a percentage of 25.7%,
Salmonella paratyphii with a percentage of 9.7%, E. coli with a percentage of
6.4%, and Serratia sp, Proteus mirabillis, Klebsiella oxytoca and Shigella sp.
with a percentage of 3.2%.
Conclusions: The highest number of bacteria found under the fingernails
of the canteen workers is Klebsiella pneumoniae, followed by Enterobacter
aerogenes, Salmonella paratyphii and E. coli which has potential to cause
gastroenteritis if cross-contamination occurs between the fingernails and the
food.
Keywords: Canteen workers,
fingernails, Klebsiella pneumoniae, resistance
Author: Nalinie Nalammah
Nahenthran, Imam Megantara, Ardini S Raksanagara
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160249
