Bacteriological Profile of Wounds Due to Occupational Injuries among Fisherman Community of Puducherry, India

Abstract

Introduction: Fishermen are more prone to wound infections because of their working environment. Secondary bacterial infection due to poor sanitary conditions among such a community can result in further contamination of the wound, which leads to surgical removal of damaged tissue and amputation. Aim: To determine the bacterial profile and antimicrobial resistance pattern of wound due to occupational injuries in the fishermen community of Puducherry, India and to analyse their health-seeking behaviour. Materials and Methods: About 292 Pus/wound swab were collected from wound infections of fishermen who were actively involved in fishing and fishing-related activities in and around Puducherry, India. The wound swabs were inoculated on to Blood agar, Chocolate agar, MacConkey agar, Thioglycolate broth for phenotypic characterisation and antimicrobial sensitivity test of the isolated pathogen was performed. Additional information regarding socioeconomic status, details of injury, fishing methods employed and health-seeking attitude was collected and analysed. Results: In the present study 162 (55.5%) of the samples showed the single type of growth. Interestingly 47 (16.1%) showed polymicrobial growth. The most common pathogen isolated was Staphylococcus aureus 136(53.1%) followed by 34(13.3%) Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. (CONS), 23 (9.0%) Pseudomonas spp., 22(8.6%) Streptococcus pyogens, 20(7.8%) E.coli and other pathogens isolated were Klebsiella pneumoniae 6 (2.3%), Proteus spp. 5(1.90%), Enterococcus spp. 3 (1.20%), Diphtheroids 3 (1.20%), Enterobacter spp. 2 (0.80%) and Streptococcus spp. 2 (0.80%). Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) revealed 83 (61.0%) of Staphylococcus aureus and 11 (32.3%) CONS were methicillin resistant. 14 (60.9%) of Pseudomonas spp., 11 (55.0%) of E.coli and 2 (33.3%) of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL). Conclusion: Present data suggest the majority of the isolates were organisms causing secondary bacterial infection mainly due to lack of first aid and poor access to tertiary care hospitals. The percentage of drug resistance was higher in this community which is of major concern. Most fishermen living in the coastal areas of Puducherry were of traditional type still following olden methods of fishing. Hence, steps must be taken to educate and provide basic aids for such socially marginalised population in order to prevent further complications and for the betterment of their lifestyle.

Keywords

• antibiogram
• antimicrobial susceptibility testing
• bacterial pathogens
• blood agar
• wound infection