IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FO R PURE & APPL. SC I VO L.22 (3) 2009 The Microbial Isolates of the Human Axilla Among Some Students and Employees of the College of Education –Ibn Al-Haitham, University of Baghdad I. A-J Ibrahim , S A-M AL- Hadaria Department of Biology, College of Education Ibn Al- Haitham ,University of Baghdad Abstract Body odour is the smell caused by bacteria feeding on sweat on the skin, especially in the armpit and groin area. Fifty-four volunteers from students and employees of college of Education Ibn Al- Haitham, were surveyed. Data were obtained concerning: subject details and microbial examination. The following conclusions were reached: 1) coagulase negative Staphylococcus was the most common isolate. 2) The most effective antibiotics were amikacin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, cephalothin, tobramycin, gentamycin respectively and were least sensitive to methicillin and penicillin G. 3) Alum zirconium and alum chlorohydrate were the most effective antiperspirants. Introduction The average person has 2.6 million sweat glands in his skin (1). Armpits odour, usually begins with puberty . There are two kinds of sweat glands in the human body, the apocrine glands, which secrete a milky fluid from the hair follicles, and the eccrine glands, which are the source of most perspiration (2). Eccrine sweat is composed of water, sodium, potassium, lactate, urea, ammonia, serine, ornithine, citrulline, aspartic acid, heavy metals, organic compounds and proteolytic enzyme (3). Apocrine glands also contain proteins and fatty acids, which make it thicker and give it a milkier or yellowish color (1). Microbes break down the apocrine secretions and release a chemical called 3- methyl – 2- hexenoic acid which produces a strong distinctive odour (4). Sweat can be made in response to nerve stimulation, hot air temperature and low exercise (1). Sweat as it is secreted by axillary glands is odorless (5).When droplets of apocrine sweat placed on the fore- arm, were inoculated with various bacteria, only diphtheroids generated typical body odour and cocci produced a sweaty odour attributable to iso- valeric acid (6). The present study was aimed toward the following objective: 1) Determination of the most prevalent bacterial armpit residues. 2) The susceptibility of bacterial isolates to antimicrobial agents. 3) Determination of the commercial deodorant and antiperspirant were mostly used by students and staff members. It was the first study in Iraq about this problem. Materials and Methods Subjects: Fifty-four male and female users of deodorant and antiperspirants from the College of Education Ibn Al- Haitham (student and staff) were included in this investigation. Three or four samples were taken from each user, left and right armpit, inflammation in back and chest and deodorant or antiperspirants container. Volunteers had been instructed to stop using deodorants for 24 hr. before sample collection. IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FO R PURE & APPL. SC I VO L.22 (3) 2009 Culture Technique and Microbiology Identification: Axillary bacteria and deodorant or antiperspirants surface were collected using cotton- swabs. Swabs were streaked over the surface of the blood agar, Mannitol salt agar, MacConky agar and Sabaroud agar. Conventional laboratory procedures for isolation and identification of microorganism were used according to the Baily and Scott΄s manual 2002 (7). Case Histories: Fifty-four users with deodorant and/or antiperspirants were asked to report their: - name, sex, age, marital status, occupation, type of deodorant and manufacturers, skin inflammation, any medical treatment. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing: All isolates were subjected for their response to antimicrobial agents according to the Microbiology manual (8). Antimicrobial discs (Bioanalyse) used were amikacin (30µg), ciprofloxacin (5µg), cephalothin (30µg), gentamycin (10µg), methicillin (5µg), pencillin G (10U), tobramycin (10µg) and vancomycin (30µg). Results and Discussion Case Histories: The initial study showed 86% of the volunteers complain from bad smell odour and 48% volunteers with back and chest skin inflammation. Other subject details are outlined in Table (1). No comparison studies were available. Bacterial Isolates: The axillary microflora is composed of four principle groups of bacteria (Staphylococcus, aerobic Coryneforms, Micrococcus and Propionibacteria) and the Yeast genus Malassezia (9, 10). Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was found to be the most prevalent organism isolated, which represented (78%), Micrococcus (9%), coagulase positive Staphylococcus (7.27%) and Corynebacterium spp. (5.95%) but all antiperspirant and deodorant containers were sterile (Table 2). Other study reported the presence of propionic acid in many sweat samples. This acid is a breakdown product of some amino acids by Propionibacteria, which thrive in the ducts of adolescent and adult sebaceous glands (11). Isovaleric acid (3-methyl butanoic acid) is the other source of body odour as a result of actions of the Staphylococcus epidermidis (12, 13). Our study revealed 26% of Staphylococcus isolated was B-hemolytic. Another research team from Swiss company showed Staphylococcus haemolyticus produced the most sulfurous scent (14). In vitro and In vivo studies by Rennie et al. and Natsch et al., revealed underarm odour that p roduced exclusively by aerobic Coryneform bacteria (15, 16). Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing: All armpit bacterial isolates, showed high sensitivity to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, cephalothin, tobramycin, and gentamycin respectively, and low sensitivity to methicillin and penicillin G (Table 3). Other previous report showed that untreated individuals carry a significant pool of single and multiple resistant Staphylococci of sufficient size to be readily disseminated by direct contact and desquamation (17). The rapid development of resistance to ciprofloxacin due to excretion of this drug into the sweat might be involved in the development of multiresistant S. epidermidis and possibly other skin bacteria in hosp itals and in communities with high use of ciprofloxacin or related drugs (18). Antiperspirants and Deodorant Testing: Different types of commercially available antiperspirants and deodorants were tested. According to the container instruction, it shows the most effective were aluminum IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FO R PURE & APPL. SC I VO L.22 (3) 2009 chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium, triclosan and ethanol (Table 4). The results of table (4) were derived from a questionnaire that was conducted during the research. According to cosmetic researchers information there are top five ingredients to avoid, Parabens (these preservatives come in several forms {methyl, ethyl, propyl & buty1} which had been found in breast cancer tumors), aluminum compound (It has been connected to alzheimer disease), triclosan (It’s a chemical that is classified as a pesticide by FDA),propelyn glycol and Talc (19). Deodorants mainly work on controlling the growth of bacteria on the skin and antiperspirants on the other hand, actually prevent the sweat coming out in the first place (3). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controls the active ingredients used in antiperspirant be legally classified as drugs. The ingredients are limited to aluminum chlorohydrat chloride, aluminum sulfate, and aluminum zirconium complexes. Most of these materials are supplied as powder typically used at levels of 8-25% based on the weight of the finished product (20). Today, sticks are the single most popular antiperspirant form (20). Our data show 40.6% of users p refer stick form Table(1) In conclusion, coagulase negative Staphylococcus was found to be the most predominant isolate among other armpit bacteria. Such isolates may be the main responsible of malodors. All antiperspirants & deodorants product available locally are not subjected to quality control. According to our research data, users need to be educated about the proper antiperspirant and deodorant and their use. References: 1. Freudenrich, C.C. (2000) How Sweat Works. http://halth.howstuffworks.com/sweat 1.htm 2.Bill Willis.(2001) Armpit Odour. http://www.worsleyschool.not/science/files/armpit/odour.htm1 3.Deja Lu. (2005) Health and Hygiene . http//deia-lu.org/archives/000011 4.Judith, W. (2006). Odour Causing Bacteria. Jan.20, http://www.cramscience.ca/es.php?=8 5.Shelley ,W.B., Hurley, H.J. & Nichols, A.C. Arch. (1953) Dermatol. Syphilol. 68,430-446. 6.Leyden, J.J.; McGinley, K.J. ;Hoelzle, E. Labows, J.N. & Kligman, A. (1981).The journal of investigation Dermatology. 77(5):413-416. 7.Bailey &Scott΄s. (2002). Diagnostic Microbiology. 11th edition. Mosby USA 8.Murray, P.R. & Baron, E.J. (1999). M anual of Clinical Microbiology.7th edition. 2. 9.Korting, H.C., Lukacs A. & Braun-Falco.(1988).Hautarzt. 39(9):564-568. 10.Taylor, D.; Daulby, A.; Grimshaw, S.; James, G.; Mercer J. & Vaziri ,S. (2003).Int. J.Cosmet. Sci. 25(3) :137-145. 11. Wikipedia Encyclopedia. Body odour. 17 Jun (2008). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/body_odor 12. Ara K., Hama, M.; Akiba, S.; Koike, K.; Okisaka, K. Hagura, T.; kamiga, T. & Tomita F. (2006). Can J. Microbiol. 52(4):357-364. 13. Marshall, J. ;Holland, K. T. & Gribbon E.M. (1988).J. Appl. Bacteriol. 65(1):61- 68. 14. Clark, A.J. (2004). Researchers identify new sulfur- containing scent in Sweat.7- Oct.. http://www.news_medical.net/ 15.Natch, A.;Gfeller ,H.;Gygax P.; Schmid, J. & Acuna, G. (2003), J.Biological Chemistry; 278(8): 5718-5727. 16.Rennie, P.J. Gower, D.B. & Holland, K.T. (1991). Br. J. Dermatol. 124(6): 596-602. 17. Cove, J.H.; Anne Eady E. & Cunliffe, W.J. (1990).J. Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 25:459-469. 18. Hoiby, N.; Jarlor, J.O.; Kemp, M. Trede M.Bangsborg J.M .,Kjerulf A., Pers C. & Hansen H. (1997). Lancet Jan.18: 349 (9046): 167-169. 19. Belger, M. (2007).Want a Fresh, Green Deodorant? Don’t Sweat It . Green Day – Today IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FO R PURE & APPL. SC I VO L.22 (3) 2009 show.com 20.Randy, S. Article. http://www.answers.com/topic/antiperspirant- deodorant_stick Table (1): Subject Details M. Mean ± standard deviation; St. student ; S. staff; Si. Single; M. Married Table (2): Type and Number of Isolates Bacterial isolates Staphylococcus Coagulase – ve Staphylococcus Coagulase +ve Micrococcus spp. Corynebacterium spp. Subjects number 86 8 10 6 *Total 110 *The no. of isolates refers to left and right armpit , chest and back inflammation and deodorant surface Table (3): Percentage of Bacterial Sensitivity to Antibiotics Antimicrobial Agents Staphy lococcus Coagulase – ve Staphy lococcus Coagulase +ve Micrococcus spp. Corynebac ter ium spp. Amikacin 100 100 100 100 Ciprofloxacin 80 100 66 .6 100 Cephalothin 93 .3 33 .3 100 100 Gentamycin 93 .3 100 33 .3 66 .6 Methicillin 20 33 .3 0 0 Pencillin G 10 0 33 .3 0 Tobramycin 73 .3 100 33 .3 100 Vancomycin 93 .2 33 .3 100 100 Change the type of deodorant % Smell odour % Occupation % Status % Age (yr)m Sex % Users (54) Stud. S. S. M. ♀ ♂ 44 .4 86 66 .7 33.3 65 35 24.1± 5.7 63 37 Do not use deodorant % More than one person use the same deodorant % Type of deodorant% Clinical symptom % alum spray liquid solid (sticks) 22 .2 37 7.4 26 26 40 .6 48 IBN AL- HAITHAM J. FO R PURE & APPL. SC I VO L.22 (3) 2009 Table( 4): Commercial Antiperspirants and Deodorants Available Product Type Manufacturer Active Ingrediant Rexona liquid Canada Aluminum Chlorohydrante Teen spirit ( Mennen) so lid(sticks) Jordan Aluminum Chlorohydrante Dove so lid (sticks) USA Aluminum Zirconium Gillette spry UK Triclosan AXE spry India Ethanol Gravity so lid(sticks) USA Triclosan Alum so lid(sticks) Local product Aluminum sulfate 2009) 3( 22مجلة ابن الهیثم للعلوم الصرفة والتطبیقیة المجلد دراسة المحتوى المایكروبي لمنطقة االبط لعدد من طلبة ومنتسبي كلیة ابن الھیثم -التربیة سندس عبد المھیمن محمد الحضریة ، بار ابراھیم اسراء عبد الج جامعة بغداد ،ابن الھیثم -كلیة التربیة ،قسم علوم الحیاة خالصةال ى د والمتغذیـة عـل واتج مـادة العـرق من المتعارف علیھ ان رائحة الجسم ناتجة عن تواجد البكتریا على سـطح الجـل ـن وبعـد ، ابـن الھیـثم –من طلبة وموظفین كلیـة التربیـة "امتطوع 54شملت الدراسة . في منطقة االبط واالربیة والسیما :لى نتائج الفحص المایكروبي تبین االتيالحصول على المعلومات الخاصة بالمتطوع واستنادا ا ــیوعا والســیما -1 ـر ش ـي االكـث ـرام ـھ ــبغ ـك ـة لص ــا الموجـب ـات ذيالبكتری ـا العنقودـی ــل التجلطــي الســالب بكترـی تفاع (coagulase-negative) . ـــة ان -2 ـــائج اختبـــار الحساســـیة للمضـــادات الحیوی ـت نت ,amikacin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycinاثبـت cephalothin, tobramycin, gentamycin ھي االكفأ في التأثیر ضد البكتریا المعزولة مـن منطقـة ـ ."ااالقل تاثیر methicillin, penicillinاالبط وأظھر اـل وم -3 انواالل ،تبین من خالل الدراسة ان كـال مـن ملـح االلومنیـوم زركونـی وم كلوروھایـدریت ھمـا المادـت االكثـر ومنـی . منع التعرقفعالیة في