
	Research Journal of Microbiology
	Year: 2011 \| Volume: 6 \| Issue: 6 \| Page No.: 524-533

Arsenic Poisoning Alters the Composition of Skin Microbial Flora of Human

Anirban Jyoti, Tania Sultana Bonny and M. Anwar Hossain

Abstract: Arsenic toxicity causes immunosuppression and skin lesions in human beings. These two factors govern the composition of normal skin microbial flora. Therefore, the aim of the investigation was to determine, if there is any alteration of skin bacterial composition in arsenicosis patients compared to control healthy population. The microbial load and composition in skin swab samples, collected from three anatomical sites of 15 arsenicosis patients and 10 healthy control populations were analyzed by using culture techniques in nutrient agar and selective media. Finally, the organisms were identified by biochemical test and/or PCR methods. The results revealed that the total microbial count was much higher in arsenicosis patients over control populations. Composition of the bacterial isolates revealed that the Gram-negative bacterial load increased significantly in arsenicosis patients compared to control populations. In contrast, a decrease of Gram-positive bacterial load in arsenicosis patients was observed. Various genera of the Gram-negative bacteria- Proteus sp., Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter sp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., Moraxella sp., Klebsiella sp. and Neisseria sp. were isolated from arsenicosis and control individuals. The statistical calculation of the rate of occurrence of individual Gram-negative organism associated with the arsenicosis patients over control populations revealed that E. coli and Pseudomonas sp. (|Z| = 2.16) were the most predominant candidates. Other candidates like Acinetobacter sp., Moraxella sp., Klebsiella sp. and Neisseria sp. were found in arsenicosis patients but were absent in controls. The results clearly support our hypothesis and conclude that arsenic poisoning alters composition of skin microbial flora.

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How to cite this article:

Anirban Jyoti, Tania Sultana Bonny and M. Anwar Hossain, 2011. Arsenic Poisoning Alters the Composition of Skin Microbial Flora of Human. Research Journal of Microbiology, 6: 524-533.

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jm.2011.524.533

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