Quantitative and Qualitative Estimation of Bacteria Contaminating Human Hairs

Bacterial communities on various parts of the human body are distinct. We were the first to report the existence of a stable bacterial community on human scalp hair and demonstrated that an analysis of its structure by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) is helpful for individual discrimination. However, the ecology of the bacterial community on human scalp hair has not yet been elucidated in detail. We herein investigated the mode, quantity, and phylogeny of bacterial communities on the human hair shaft and root and showed the results obtained from one representative individual. Direct SEM observations of hair, without a pretreatment, confirmed the ubiquitous presence of bacteria-like coccoids and rods on the shaft and root of hair from the human scalp, with 105–106 cells cm−2 of hair and 107 cells cm−2 of hair, respectively. These values corresponded to the 16S rRNA gene copy numbers obtained by qPCR. These numbers were not significantly affected by detergent washing. These results represented those obtained from many individuals with different hair lengths, ages, and gender. The major OTUs on the human scalp hair shaft and root were the same and included two species of Pseudomonas (phylum Proteobacteria), Cutibacterium and Lawsonella (phylum Actinobacteria), and Staphylococcus (phylum Firmicutes). These results suggest that major bacteria on the human hair shaft are indigenous and derived from the hair root.

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“…Yun et al . reported bacterial contamination on sampled hair shafts maintained under a room air atmosphere for 1 week (35). Matard et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…S1 and Table S3). The electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic properties of hair appear to contribute to robust bacterial adhesion (17, 35). Scalp hair cuticles are suspected to be favorable sites for the adhesion of bacteria.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mode and Structure of the Bacterial Community on Human Scalp Hair

et al. 2019

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“…Variations in bacterial counts from the different samples reflects the life style of the individual and the kind of hair treatment. These high bacteria counts shows that human hair is highly contaminated with diverse microorganisms especially bacterial, some of which can be potential pathogens of public health importance [3]. This finding means that human hair in barbing salon represent potential source of bacterial contamination of either food or water.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The hair found on the head serves as primary sources of heat insulation and cooling (when sweat evaporates from soaked hair) as well as protection from ultra-violet radiation exposure [2]. Attitudes towards hair, such as hairstyles and hair removal, vary widely across different cultures and historical periods, but it is often used to indicate a person's personal beliefs or social position, such as their age, gender, or religion [3]. Shaving is accomplished with bladed instruments, such as razors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isoalation of Multidrug Resistant Bacterial Pathogens from Human Hair Obtained from Barbing Salons Located within Benin City, Nigeria

Evbuomwan

Chukwuka

Ebiala

2019

SAJRM

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This study was carried out to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens isolated from human hair in barbing salon. Hair samples were collected from ten different barbing saloons in Benin City and immediately transported to the laboratory for microbiological analysis using pour plate isolation method. Isolated bacteria were identified based on their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristic. Antibiotics sensitivity was carried out using commercially available antibiotic disks. Total bacteria counts ranged from 2.80x104±0.8cfu/g to 6.13x104±0.21 cfu/g. Bacterial isolated included Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus viridians and Corynebacterium sp. The least occurring bacteria were Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris with percentage distribution of 40% each while the most widely distributed was Corynebacterium sp. (80%). All the bacterial isolates were observed to be multiple drug resistant. The most effective drugs were sparfloxacin, perfloxacin, gentamicin, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. This study has shown that high densities of multiple drug resistant pathogenic bacteria are usually associated with human hair.

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“…The bacterial community structure of the human hair shaft has been profiled by thermal gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE), which revealed approximately 20 bacterial species including Pseudomonas sp. ( Yun et al, 2010 ). A metagenomics analysis of bacteria on human scalp hair revealed high diversity with 4,838 core bacteria and 1,220 transient bacteria ( Tridico et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacteria Display Differential Growth and Adhesion Characteristics on Human Hair Shafts

et al. 2018

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Apart from the skin surface, hair represents a significant tissue component with a capacity of bacterial interactions. New information can be obtained about hair function through the characterization of bacterial adherence, colonization, and responses to hair shafts per se. In this proof-of-principle study, we examine the growth kinetics of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli in the presence of human hair shafts. We explore the ability of these bacteria to adhere to and colonize hair shaft surfaces, as well as the resulting impact on the hair’s surface morphology. We show that hair shafts inhibit the growth of Gram-positive S. aureus and S. epidermidis, while the growth kinetics of P. aeruginosa and E. coli remain unaffected. Scanning electron microscope analysis and steeping studies show that P. aeruginosa and E. coli to adhere to and colonize on human hair shafts without significantly affecting the hair shaft’s surface morphology. P. aeruginosa produced a substantial amount of biofilm on the hair shaft surfaces, while E. coli specifically inhabited the edges of the cuticle scales. Taken together, our results demonstrate differences in bacterial responses to human hair shafts, which may provide novel insights into hair and scalp health.

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Quantitative and Qualitative Estimation of Bacteria Contaminating Human Hairs

Cited by 8 publications

References 32 publications

Mode and Structure of the Bacterial Community on Human Scalp Hair

Mode and Structure of the Bacterial Community on Human Scalp Hair

Isoalation of Multidrug Resistant Bacterial Pathogens from Human Hair Obtained from Barbing Salons Located within Benin City, Nigeria

Bacteria Display Differential Growth and Adhesion Characteristics on Human Hair Shafts

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