A study on the Aetiology of skin infections and the prevalence of other skin diseases occurring in commercial fishermen.

Abstract

Introduction: Among many occupations in this world, commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous professions with many associated occupational health problems. Wounds sustained in marine environment are exposed to a milieu often countered in different settings. These include Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., Shewanella spp., Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Mycobacterium marinum, Streptococcus iniae, and other microbes. Failure to recognize and treat these uncommon pathogens in a timely manner may result in significant morbidity or death. Fishermen are also exposed to vulnerable infections in hands including salt-water boils and Staphylococcal infections.Materials and Methods:It is the prospective, Cross-sectional study with a study Population on Fisherman. 206 Fisherman will be examined for presence of skin infections and other associated skin disorders. Instruments Used: Swabs/ Pus samples were collected from the lesions and then processed in the Microbiology Lab. The samples were inoculated onto Blood Agar, Chocolate Agar and MacConkey Agar. If growth occurred, it was processed further for identification by performing Gram stain and relevant Biochemical tests. The Antibiotic sensitivity was also determined by the Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion method.Results: Of the 206 participants, 87 (42.23%) were male and 119 (57.76%) were females. After the samples has been taken from the age-wise injured/ulceration subjects and the culture has been isolated and checked for the resistance to varying antibiotics. The commonest skin condition was Scabies (17%), followed by Taenia and Polymorphic Light eruption (14% each), both in males and in females. Conclusion: Of the patients with skin lesions, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 2 patients with scabies and from 1 patient each with Furunculosis and Lichen Simplex Chronicus.