Evaluation of Bacteria Species Associated with the Skin and Oral Surface of Different Occupational Groups

Abstract

The normal human skin is colonized by huge numbers of bacteria that live as commensals on its surface. At times bacteria not normally found there may colonize the epidermis and lead rapidly to disease. The oral cavity is comprised of many surfaces, each coated with a plethora of bacteria, the proverbial bacterial biofilm. Some of these bacteria have been implicated in oral diseases such as caries and periodontitis, which are among the most common bacterial infections in humans. In addition, specific oral bacterial species have been implicated in several systemic diseases, such as bacterial endocarditis, aspiration pneumonia, osteomyelitis in children, preterm low birth weight, and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the bacteria species associated with the skin and orals of different occupational groups in Ekpoma. This study was carried out in the Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. Participants were selected from the list of five (5) different occupational groups (Students, Office workers, Bike riders, Food handlers and Brick layers) in Ekpoma. Informed consent was sought from the various individuals. A total of one hundred (100) samples were collected from different occupational groups in the study area. The sample analysis was carried out using standard methods. Results obtained showed the rate of bacterial isolates from the skin and orals of the occupational groups studied is 63% and 43% respectively. Out of the 20 samples collected from the skin of each occupations, 9(45%) were positive for students, 16(80%) were for bike riders, 8(40%) for office workers, 17(85%) were for food handlers and 13(33%) for bricklayers. Food handlers appeared to be the occupation with the highest bacterial isolates on the skin followed by bike riders, bricklayers, students and office workers being the least. While out of the 20 samples collected from the mouth of each occupations, 7(35%) were positive for students, 11(55%) were for bike riders, 4(20%) for office workers, 12(60%) were for food handlers and 9(45%) for bricklayers. Office workers the highest bacteria isolates in the mouth followed by bike riders, food handlers and students been the least. In order to meet the huge challenge of occupational safety in the 21st century, a coordinative and cooperative approach is required. This will be a major task of the public health community and will require the use of new methods of identifying, monitoring and assessing of skin and oral infections, including the wide application of the hazard analysis and critical control point system.