MICROBIOLOGY OF HUMAN AXILLA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ODOUR

Abstract

The axillary region is a specific habitat that differ significantly from other body parts because it habours hair follicles, sebaceous glands and a high density of sweat glands. In this environment nutrient are readily available, which allows for dense bacteria colonization. The formation of body odours is mainly caused by skin glands excretions and bacterial activity. Axillary samples were collected using sterile sticks moisten with saline water. Isolated microorganisms were identified and characterized. Staphylococcus spp has the highest population of microorganisms in armpits of the male examined. Staphylococcus load for male armpits examined ranged between 99.67x101and 171.67x101cfu/ml while Corynebacterium load ranged between 45.00x101 and 66.00x101cfu/ml. Fungi has the lowest load with a ranged between 15.00x101cfu/ml and 30.33x101cfu/ml also Staphylococcus spp. had the highest load count among other microorganisms isolated from female examined, with a ranged between 97.67x101cfu/ml and 152.67x101cfu/ml. Next to Staphylococcus spp. is with load range between 24.67x101cfu/ml and 39.33x101cfu/ml. Malassezia spp. population ranged between 12.00x101cfu/ml and 27.00x101cfu/ml. The antibiotics show varied zone of inhibition among the Staphylococcus isolates examined. Staphylococci spp. was found to be resistance to majority of the antibiotics while more than 50% susceptibility was observed in tested Corynebacterium. This study showed that bacterial load and gender are two dependent variables. The statistical analysis gives a chi-square value of 9.975 with a P-value 0.007. It was observed that bathing habit and bacterial load are two dependent variables, with a chi-square value of 14.374 and a P-value of 0.001 also shaving pattern of the armpit and the bacterial load of the armpit showed a significant relationship. Hygiene habit of bathing more than once daily and regular shaving of armpit hair can be of help to remove axillary sweat and armpit flora that are responsible for production of axillary odour. It is also important to take caution in the use skin antiseptics to prevent multiple antimicrobial resistant.