Toothbrushes as fomites

Abstract

A. Osho, B. T. Thomas*, Y. A. Akande and R. D. Udor

The role of toothbrushes in the cleanliness of the oral cavity cannot be overemphasized, but its importance as fomites in our homes cannot also be underestimated. This research was aimed at determining the probable role of toothbrush as fomite and quantifies the level of bacteria associated. A total of twenty toothbrushes of the same brand and type used by different individuals were collected and processed using standard microbiological techniques. Results from this study, revealed that none of the toothbrushes were found to be bacteria free. The isolated bacterial flora of toothbrushes were Escherichia coli and Enterococcus species 2 (10%), Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus 4 (20%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 8 (40%). In all, twenty strains of bacteria belonging to five different species were recovered from the toothbrushes. It was concluded, that toothbrushes can serve as fomites in various homes especially, if proper care and use of this device is not implemented.