Determination of bacterial and fungal flora from headphones used by students in Rivers State University, Nigeria

Headphones are increasingly used by students and may harbor microorganisms due to frequent handling, skin contact, and environmental exposure. This study aimed to isolate and characterize bacterial and fungal flora associated with headphones used by students at Rivers State University. Ten (10) headphone swab samples were collected and cultured using Nutrient Agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar following standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic and antifungal susceptibility tests were performed on the bacterial and fungal isolates, respectively. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 4.3 × 105 to 2.07 × 106 CFU/ml of swab suspension, while total heterotrophic fungal counts ranged from 1.2 × 104 to 4.1 × 104 SFU/ml. Twenty-three (23) bacterial isolates belonging to six genera and eleven (11) fungal isolates belonging to four genera were identified. The bacterial isolates comprised Staphylococcus spp. 7 (30.4%), Bacillus spp. 9 (39.1%), Listeria spp. 2 (8.7%), Enterococcus spp. 1 (4.3%), Corynebacterium spp. 2 (8.7%), and Micrococcus spp. 2 (8.7%). The fungal isolates comprised Aspergillus spp. 4 (36.4%), Rhizopus spp. 4 (36.4%), Penicillium spp. 1 (9.1%), and Candida spp. 2 (18.2%). Bacillus spp. showed the highest susceptibility to levofloxacin 9 (100%) and erythromycin 8 (88.9%), but resistance to ceftazidime 7 (77.8%) and cefuroxime 6 (66.7%). Staphylococcus spp. showed high susceptibility to ciprofloxacin 7 (100%) and azithromycin 6 (85.8%), but resistance to ceftazidime 4 (57.1%) and rifampicin 3 (42.9%). Antifungal susceptibility was assessed using a modified agar-well diffusion assay with fluconazole, ketoconazole, and itraconazole at concentrations of 500 mg, 250 mg, 125 mg, and 62.5 mg. Rhizopus spp. showed resistance to fluconazole 3 (75%) and itraconazole, but susceptibility to ketoconazole 2 (50%). Candida spp. showed resistance to itraconazole 2 (100%) but susceptibility to fluconazole 1 (50%) and ketoconazole 1 (50%). The findings indicate that headphones can serve as potential vehicles for bacterial and fungal microorganisms. Although the small sample size limits conclusions regarding population prevalence, the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms highlights a possible public health risk among students. Improved hygiene practices and a non-sharing policy are recommended for headphone users.