Evaluation of Micro-Pathogens Associated with Nigerian Currency (Naira Notes)

Evaluation of micro-pathogens associated with the Nigerian Currency (Naira note) was examined using the standard microbiological techniques. The bacterial load of the Naira notes ranged from 4.0±0.6x103 cfu/ml to 50.0±0.1x103 cfu/ml which differed significantly (p<0.05) when compared with the control sample which had no bacterial growth. The fungal count of the Naira notes ranged from 3.0±0.9x103 cfu/ml to 23.0±0.1x103 cfu/ml. The following microbial species were isolated with a varying prevalence; Bacillus species 41 (10.3%), Klebsiella species 37 (9.3%), Proteus species 29 (7.3%), Corynebacterium species 28 (7.0%), Staphylococcus epidermidis 24 (6.08%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus 44 (11.0%), Staphylococcus aureus 31 (7.8%), Clostridium species 18 (4.5%), Micrococcus species 16 (4.0%), Escherichiacoli 15 (3.8%), Fusarium species 15 (3.8%), Penicillium species 13 (3.3%), Aspergillusfumigatus 12 (3.0%), Aspergillus flavus 11 (2.8%), Rhizopus species 5 (1.3%), Aspergillus niger 31 (7.8%) and Mucors species 29 (7.3%). The different denominations of the Naira note showed that 20 Naira recorded the highest microbial isolate of 81(20.3%), followed by 10 Naira note 70(17.5%) while the least was 1000 Naira note 18(4.5%). The different denominations of the Naira note showed that 20 Naira had the highest occurrence of bacteria (58) and fungal occurrence of 23, the least was 1000 Naira which recorded the occurrence of 13 and 5 for bacteria and fungi, respectively. The study showed that Naira notes are commonly contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms of public health importance. Therefore, the Nigerian currency (Naira note) should be handled with care so that it will not be a vehicle for disease transmission.