Abstract

IDENTIFICATION OF MICROFLORA AND DERMATOPHYTES ON SKIN SURFACE OF SANITARY WORKERS

Sandhya Yadav, Shazia Mansoor, Alibha Rawat, Asha Agarwal, Rupa Guha Nandi and N. Ganesh*

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is a disease caused by dermatophytes, which attack and grow on dead animal keratin. Its management is a concern of global importance and a public health burden. Dermatophytes belong to three genera, namely, Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. Poor socioeconomic status, high population densities, and poor sanitary conditions are some of the factors responsible for the high prevalence of dermatophytosis in many developing countries. Dermatophytes are prevalent causes of cutaneous mycoses and, unlike many other fungal pathogens, are able to cause disease in immunecompetent individuals. They infect keratinized tissue such as skin, hair, and nails, resulting in tinea infections, including ringworm. One of the most vulnerable populations who routinely get exposed to infections is that of sanitary workers by virtue of their occupation. These health hazards include exposure to harmful microbes, gases such as methane and hydrogen sulphide, cardiovascular degeneration, musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritic changes and intervertebral disc herniation, infections like hepatitis, leptospirosis and helicobacter, skin problems, respiratory system problems and altered pulmonary function parameters. The current review explores the studies done to assess the risk evaluation of microflora and dermatophytes in sanitary workers and relevant studies from PubMED, EMBASE and Cochrane database have been summarized, analyzed and cited here.

Keywords: Dermatophytes, dermatophytosis, keratin, sanitary workers, cutaneous mycoses, developing countries.