Abstract

*Lincy Sara Varghese, Treesa Nisha P. J., Sajitha K. R. and Divya Peter

ABSTRACT

Microbial interaction between human associated objects and the environment we inhabit is of great relevance to human health and disease transmission. Saprophytic bacteria and fungi may be transferred from floor surface to footwear. There is also the likelihood of transfer of pathogens from footwear to floor surface. In the current study the microbiome, particularly bacteria and fungi, present on 5 cm2 area of the inner surface of ladies footwear of various kinds and make was estimated by serial dilution and spread plate method. The microbial load obtained was higher for leather shoes, both for bacteria and fungi. A bacterial load of 318 x 105 cfu and fungal load of 16 x 107 cfu was obtained on the surface of leather shoes. The bacterial load was considerably higher for canvas and athlete shoes also (240 x 105 cfu and 167 x 105 cfu, respectively). The lowest levels of bacterial and fungal load were observed on the surface of plastic and rubber shoes. The bacterial count obtained for these shoes were 38 x 105 and 7 x 105 cfu, respectively. A higher load of fungi was observed on athlete shoes (67 x 105 cfu) followed by rubber shoes (57 x 105cfu). The mold levels on the surface of plastic and canvas shoes were of the order of 19 x 105 and 33 x 105cfu. A preliminary attempt was also made to identify the bacteria and fungi present on the surface of the footwear types using Gram staining and Lactophenol Cotton Blue staining, respectively. Gram positive cocci in clusters characteristic of Staphylococcus were identified from the surface of footwear made of leather, plastic, rubber and athlete shoes. Gram positive spore forming rods characteristic of Bacillus were identified from the surface of shoes made of leather. Gram negative rods were observed in all the footwear types except for that made of plastic. The fungus Aspergillus was found to be present on the surface of all the footwear types included in this study. A. niger was identified from rubber sandal and canvas shoes and A. flavus from canvas and athlete shoes. Penicillium was isolated from the surface of plastic, canvas and athlete shoes. Species of Helminthosporium was observed on the surface of athlete shoes.