Evaluation of Microbial Load in Oropharyngeal Mucosa from Tannery Workers

Abstract

BackgroundAnimal skin provides an ideal medium for the propagation of microorganisms and it is used like raw material in the tannery and footware industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate and identify the microbial load in oropharyngeal mucosa of tannery employees.MethodsThe health risk was estimated based on the identification of microorganisms found in the oropharyngeal mucosa samples. The study was conducted in a tanners group and a control group. Samples were taken from oropharyngeal mucosa and inoculated on plates with selective medium. In the samples, bacteria were identified by 16S ribosomal DNA analysis and the yeasts through a presumptive method. In addition, the sensitivity of these microorganisms to antibiotics/antifungals was evaluated.ResultsThe identified bacteria belonged to the families Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Neisseriaceae, Alcaligenaceae, Moraxellaceae, and Xanthomonadaceae, of which some species are considered as pathogenic or opportunistic microorganisms; these bacteria were not present in the control group. Forty-two percent of bacteria identified in the tanners group are correlated with respiratory diseases. Yeasts were also identified, including the following species: Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans, and Candida krusei. Regarding the sensitivity test of bacteria identified in the tanners group, 90% showed sensitivity to piperacillin/tazobactam, 87% showed sensitivity to ticarcillin/clavulanic acid, 74% showed sensitivity to ampicillin/sulbactam, and 58% showed sensitivity to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid.ConclusionSeveral of the bacteria and yeast identified in the oropharyngeal mucosa of tanners have been correlated with infections in humans and have already been reported as airborne microorganisms in this working environment, representing a health risk for workers.

Serum Immunoglobulin Levels and Complement Function of Tannery Workers in Bangladesh

“…Lower levels of IgA could increase the possibility of various nasal or air-borne infections, possibly caused by fungus and other opportunistic pathogens like Candida albicans . We found that about 14% of the tanners had fungal and bacterial infections on body surfaces, which was in agreement with a previous report that found tanners to be prone to fungal and other types of infection 33…”

“…We found that about 14% of the tanners had fungal and bacterial infections on body surfaces, which was in agreement with a previous report that found tanners to be prone to fungal and other types of infection. 33 …”

Cloning and characterization of short‐chain N‐acyl homoserine lactone‐producing Enterobacter asburiae strain L1 from lettuce leaves

“…Previous studies have shown that E . asburiae strains have been isolated from water, soil, food, and human sources, that is, blood culture, wounds, and exudates as well as from respiratory sources (Brenner, McWhorter, Kai, Steigerwalt, & Farmer, ; Castellanos‐Arévalo, Castellanos‐Arévalo, Camarena‐Pozos, Colli‐Mull, & Maldonado‐Vega, ; Khalifa, Alsyeeh, Almalki, & Saleh, ; Shin et al., ). Although its exact clinical value is yet to be discovered and very little is known about its pathogenicity and virulence, these findings suggested the clinical significance of E. asburiae .…”

Prevalence of Occupational Skin Diseases and its Predisposing Factors in Leather Tanning Workers of Southern India

“…5,13,35 The severity varies on individual physical characteristics including allergen sensitivity, immune capacity and exposure duration to the contaminants. 36 Occupational factors may play a synergistic role with pre-existing predisposition to allergy. 37 In present study the major chemicals reported to be handled by workers in pre-tanning and tanning process aredemonstratedas potential irritant and sensitizer.…”