Following invasion of the human body by bacteria, most bacteria produce substances that are toxic to the human body. In the fight against these infections, the production of antibacterial substances (synthetic compounds of different forms) has been a major step in solving this problem. In this study, three medicated soaps: Dettol, Pharmapur and Tetmosol were investigated for their antibacterial activity at different concentrations against Staphylococcus aureus using the disc diffusion method. Saline was used as a negative control and a readymade antibiotic impregnated disc (Ciprofloxacin) was used as a positive control. Bacterial identification was by standard microbiological techniques which included: Colonial examination, Gram staining and biochemical testing. Dettol medicated soap had the highest antibacterial activity (26mm at 1/10 soap dilution) while Tetmosol showed the least antibacterial activity (6mm at 1/103 soap dilution). S. aureus was found on 4 of the 6 samples that were analysed giving a prevalence of 66.67%. All the medicated soaps showed antibacterial activity which depended on the concentration (dilution) of soap sample on S. aureus; hence, the use of antibacterial soaps is recommended as a means of reducing risks of transmission and infection by bacteria.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 LITERATURE REVIEW
1.2.1: The skin and the normal skin microbiota
1.2.2: Burden, prevalence and epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus infections
1.2.3: Clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus Infections
1.2.4: Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to antibacterial agents
1.2.5: Prevention, control and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections
1.2.6: Medical relevance of medicated (antibacterial) soap
1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1.4 HYPOTHESIS
1.5 OBJECTIVES
1.5.1: General objectives
1.5.2: Specific objectives
1.6 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY
CHAPTER 2: MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 MATERIALS
2.1.1: Materials and instruments
2.1.2: Preparation of 70% alcohol
2.1.3: Preparation of soap solutions
2.1.4: Preparation of soap impregnated discs
2.1.5: Preparation of McFarland standard
2.1.6: Media preparation
2.1.6.1: Preparation of Mannitol salt agar
2.1.6.2: Preparation of Muller Hinton agar
2.2 METHODS
2.2.1: Sample collection and isolation of microorganisms
2.2.2: Identification and confirmation of isolates
2.2.3: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
CHAPTER 3: RESULTS
3.1: Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus on skin of subjects
3.2: Antimicrobial patterns
CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION
4.1 Conclusion
4.2 Recommendation
Objectives and Research Themes
This research aims to evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficacy of three commercially available medicated soaps (Dettol, Pharmapur, and Tetmosol) against Staphylococcus aureus, a prevalent skin pathogen. The study seeks to determine the prevalence of this bacterium on human skin and identify the most effective soap formulation for reducing potential infection risks.
- Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in human skin samples.
- Comparative analysis of antibacterial activity across different soap brands.
- Evaluation of inhibition zone diameters at various soap concentrations.
- Assessment of bacterial susceptibility to medicated soaps versus a positive control (Ciprofloxacin).
- Identification of key active chemical agents influencing antibacterial performance.
Excerpt from the book
1.2.6 Medical relevance of medicated (antibacterial) soap.
The medical importance of medicated soaps depends on their ability to either kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Some medicated soaps have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity on all types of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungi etc.) while other medicated soaps have activity against a limited group of microorganisms (narrow spectrum of activity). For a soap to be effectively used for the medical purposes, it should be able to ensure protection against a wide range of microorganisms. Soaps are water-soluble or insoluble cleansing agents made from animal and vegetable fats, oils and greases; or chemically, the sodium or potassium salt of a fatty acid formed by the saponification interaction of fats and oils with alkali. Based on the formulation and functional chemical constituents, soaps could be categorized as toilet soaps, antiseptic soaps or medicated soaps. The antiseptic and medicated soaps are made to fight pathogenic microbes and other germs due to special chemical additives in them while the toilet ones are made for conventional cleaning purposes (Ogunnowo et al, 2010).
Antibacterial soaps can remove 65 to 85% of bacteria from the human skin with Triclosan, Trichlorocarbanilide, and P-Chloro-in-xylenol (PCMX/Xylenol) being commonly used antibacterials in medicated soaps which elicit this effect (Osborne and Grube, 1982; Larson et al, 1989).
Although many people consider that an antimicrobial portion of soaps is effective at preventing communicable disease, recent studies have proven that too much of it can have an opposite effect spreading disease/infection instead of preventing them (Poole, 2002). According to Bettley (1960), some antibacterial soaps can cause nummular eczema, eczematous dermatitis, and eczematous eruption (Bettley, 1960).
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter introduces the role of skin as a barrier, the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus, and the public health necessity of using medicated soaps for infection control.
CHAPTER 2: MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the experimental design, including the preparation of soap solutions, bacterial cultivation techniques, and the use of the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method to test susceptibility.
CHAPTER 3: RESULTS: Presents the findings regarding the prevalence of S. aureus on test subjects and the comparative inhibitory zones observed for the three tested soap brands.
CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION: Analyzes the experimental results, attributes the varying antibacterial effectiveness to specific chemical ingredients like Triclosan, and provides final conclusions and recommendations.
Keywords
Staphylococcus aureus, Medicated soaps, Dettol, Antibacterial activity, Disc diffusion method, Skin microbiota, Nosocomial infections, Triclosan, Microbial resistance, Hygiene, Pharmapur, Tetmosol, Pathogens, Public health, Inhibition zone
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on investigating the antibacterial effectiveness of three specific brands of medicated soaps (Dettol, Pharmapur, and Tetmosol) against the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.
What are the central themes covered in the study?
The study covers skin microbiota, the clinical relevance of S. aureus, the mechanism of action of antibacterial soap ingredients, and standard microbiological testing procedures.
What is the main objective of the experiment?
The primary objective is to determine how effective these medicated soaps are at inhibiting S. aureus growth and to assess if there are significant differences in their antibacterial strength.
Which scientific methodology was employed?
The study utilized the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, involving the cultivation of S. aureus on Muller Hinton agar and measuring the zones of inhibition caused by different concentrations of the soaps.
What findings are presented in the main body?
The main body details the preparation of culture media, identification of isolates through biochemical tests, and statistical analysis of the antibacterial performance of the tested soaps.
Which keywords best describe the work?
Key terms include Staphylococcus aureus, medicated soaps, antimicrobial susceptibility, and disc diffusion method.
Why did Dettol show higher antibacterial activity compared to the other soaps?
The study attributes Dettol's superior performance to its unique formulation, specifically the inclusion of Triclosan, which is not present in the other tested brands.
What is the main conclusion regarding the tested soaps?
The author concludes that while all tested soaps show some degree of antibacterial activity, their effectiveness varies, and they can be used as a measure to prevent skin infections, though their long-term usage should be monitored to avoid resistance.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Chikaeze Akaolisa (Autor:in), 2018, Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of three types of medicated soaps on Staphylococcus aureus, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/389100
