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.
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