Abstract

A SURVEILLANCE OF VIRULENT BACTERIAL ISOLATES AMONG THE RESPIRATORY INFECTED COTTON INDUSTRY LABOURS, TAMIL NADU

Hemalatha P*, Martin P, Senthilkumar B, Senbagam D, Rajasekarapandian M

ABSTRACT

This study is aimed to isolate and identify the most common bacterial pathogens causing upper respiratory tract infection among the people working in cotton industries. A total of 72 cotton industry labours clinical specimen were (nasal samples 20, throat samples 25 and sputum samples 27) collected in Salem District, Tamil Nadu. Of these 85% of nasal and sputum samples and 80% throat samples were found to be positive for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) by culture positive. The isolates were screened and identified on the basis of phenotypic characterization as Staphylococcus aureus (34.7%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33.3%), Streptococcus species (25%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (18%) and Escherichia coli (16.6%). Virulent bacterial isolates were determined by their ability to produce slime (biofilm), beta lactamase, protease, hydrolysis of starch and tween 80.

Keywords: Respiratory tract infection, virulence factors, cotton industry labours, bacterial pathogens.