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ABSTRACT
Wig rental has become a fast growing market in the country today especially among University students as their wigs of choice have now become inaccessible to them due to its expensive nature. The present economic situation in the country also encourages increase in the rate of rent among students. The aim of this study was to assess the microbial flora associated with rented wigs. Samples were obtained from various rental shops close to the University of Benin, Benin City. and cultured. The presence of microorganisms was determined using standard procedures. Isolation and identification of bacteria were done to determine which wig sample contains the highest number of bacteria and pathogenic microbes. Culturing, Gram staining, lactophenol cotton blue staining (fungi) and biochemical tests were used for the identification of microorganisms. Bacteria and fungi was isolated from all the wigs. Bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus sp., Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp. were isolated. Result showed that the isolated fungi were Alternaria sp., Mucor sp., and Asperigillus sp. Pathogenicity test was carried out. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli showed full haemolysis, Streptococcus sp. showed partial haemolysis while, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella sp showed no haemolysis. These results shows the dangers associated with renting wigs and the importance of hygiene in the wig rental markets.
