Heavy metal resistance in bacterial pathogens at Al-Baiji refinery.

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Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Estimation of resistance to heavy metals of bacterial pathogens causing respiratory infections among workers of al-baiji oil refinery in iraq
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Original source:

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Author:

Mohemid M. Al-Jebouri,Abdeljalil H. Al-Samarrai, and Riydh A. Abdeljabar


World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:

(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)

Full text available for: Estimation of resistance to heavy metals of bacterial pathogens causing respiratory infections among workers of al-baiji oil refinery in iraq

Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research

Copyright (license): WJPR: All rights reserved


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Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The presence of heavy metals in industrial environments, particularly oil refineries, poses significant health risks to workers, leading to various respiratory infections. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of bacterial pathogens causing respiratory infections among employees at the Al-Baiji Oil Refinery in Iraq, and to compare this resistance with that of similar bacteria isolated from patients in hospitals. The authors hypothesized that exposure to heavy metals could contribute to increased virulence and resistance to both heavy metal contamination and antibiotics.

Heavy Metal Resistance Among Bacterial Pathogens

The study revealed a notable disparity in the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for six heavy metals—cadmium, copper, nickel, lead, vanadium, and zinc—between bacteria isolated from refinery workers and those from hospital patients. Refinery isolates demonstrated a significantly higher resistance, with 73% exhibiting elevated MICs compared to only 27% from hospital bacteria. This suggests that the contaminated environment of oil refineries plays a crucial role in amplifying the resistance of bacterial strains.

Health Implications of Inhalation Exposure

The inhalation of metal particles has been highlighted as particularly hazardous, presenting a more immediate threat to respiratory health compared to other exposure routes, such as ingestion or dermal contact. The finding emphasizes the vulnerability of refinery workers, especially those with shorter employment durations. These employees are at increased risk for respiratory infections, partially due to higher metal exposure, resulting in more virulent bacterial strains in their respiratory flora.

Microbial Adaptation to Contaminants

An important aspect of the study is the relationship between heavy metal resistance and antibiotic resistance among bacteria. It was observed that resistance to heavy metals often correlates with increased resistance to antibiotics, likely due to the shared genetic mechanisms on plasmids. This adaptive response enables bacteria to survive in highly contaminated environments, such as oil refineries, and reinforces the necessity for effective monitoring and intervention strategies to protect worker health.

Conclusion

This research underscores the critical interplay between environmental contaminants and microbial behavior, particularly the enhanced resistance of bacterial pathogens in pollution-affected areas like oil refineries. The findings advocate for increased scrutiny of workplace safety and health regulations concerning exposure to heavy metals in industrial settings. Future efforts must focus on mitigating these risks to safeguard the health of workers and the wider community.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What was the main aim of the study conducted?

The study aimed to assess the variation of heavy metal resistance among bacterial pathogens isolated from oil refinery workers compared to those from hospital patients.

What methodology was used to collect samples for the study?

Two hundred samples were taken from patients with respiratory infections among oil refinery workers and an equal number from hospitalized patients as control samples for comparison.

What were the main findings regarding heavy metal resistance?

The study found that 73% of the highest MIC values were from refinery isolates, indicating increased resistance compared to only 27% from hospital isolates.

Which bacterial species showed the highest resistance to cadmium?

The study indicated that Pseudomonas spp. isolated from refinery workers exhibited the highest resistance to cadmium compared with the same species from hospital patients.

How did the exposure to heavy metals affect the bacterial strains?

Continuous exposure to heavy metals in the refinery environment likely resulted in bacteria developing higher resistance, indicating increased virulence compared to those from less contaminated sites.

What ethical considerations were taken into account for this study?

The study obtained ethical clearance, ensured voluntary participation, and guaranteed participants' privacy without exposing them to physical or psychological harm.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Heavy metal resistance in bacterial pathogens at Al-Baiji refinery.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Table:
Table refers to a systematic arrangement of data in rows and columns, typically used in research papers to present results clearly. In this study, tables summarize the maximum values of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for heavy metals across different bacterial species isolated from refinery workers and hospital patients, enhancing comprehension of the study's findings.

2) Study (Studying):
Study signifies a systematic investigation aimed at discovering or interpreting facts, including research conducted on heavy metal resistance among bacterial pathogens. This study highlights the variations in metal resistance between bacteria from oil refinery workers and hospital patients, shedding light on environmental impacts on microbial virulence.

3) Drug:
Drug denotes a substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. In this research context, the relationship between heavy metal resistance in bacteria and potential implications for antibiotic treatment reveals the complexities of treating infections caused by virulent strains in contaminated environments.

4) Baiji:
Baiji is a reference to Al-Baiji, a town in Iraq where the study was conducted involving oil refinery workers. The environmental conditions and exposure to heavy metals in such industrial settings are central to understanding the increased virulence of bacterial pathogens among the local population affected by respiratory infections.

5) House:
House in this context may refer to a structure for habitation or, figuratively, represent a place of healing and treatment. Hospitalized patients under the study received treatment for respiratory infections, reflecting the critical importance of healthcare environments and the contrast between industrial versus clinical settings in disease prevalence.

6) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Antibiotic indicates a class of drugs used to treat bacterial infections. The study explores the connection between heavy metal resistance and antibiotic resistance, suggesting that bacteria exhibiting tolerance to metals may also possess mechanisms for resisting antibiotics, leading to challenging treatment scenarios for healthcare providers managing infections.

7) Medicine:
Medicine refers to the science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. This study's implications touch on medical practice, particularly how emerging resistances in bacterial species due to environmental factors can complicate treatment options and impact public health outcomes in industrial regions.

8) Species:
Species denotes a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. The research identifies various bacterial species, emphasizing the differential resistance to heavy metals, which can inform strategies for managing infections in workers exposed to contaminated environments, thus affecting treatment protocols.

9) Human body:
Human body represents the biological entity impacted by various environmental factors, including pollution from heavy metals. Understanding how the inhalation of toxicants affects respiratory health in refinery workers emphasizes the need for comprehensive health strategies and awareness regarding industrial hazards in maintaining overall human well-being.

10) Education:
Education refers to the process of enhancing knowledge, skills, and awareness among individuals. In this study, the importance of health education is noted, particularly regarding the prevention of infections resulting from exposure to heavy metals, highlighting the necessity for informed practices among workers and broader communities.

11) Teaching:
Teaching implies imparting knowledge or skills to others. The concept connects with health education's role in informing refinery workers about the risks associated with their environment. Effective teaching strategies can lead to improved awareness and behavior, ultimately reducing the incidence of respiratory infections in exposed populations.

12) Relative:
Relative indicates a connection or comparison between entities. In this context, it relates to the relative resistance of bacterial pathogens from refinery workers versus hospital patients. Such comparisons provide insight into how environmental conditions influence bacterial virulence and resistance profiles, critical for effective public health responses.

13) Company:
Company refers to an organization, particularly one involved in industrial activities. The North Refineries Company, where study participants work, exemplifies an environment with heightened exposure to heavy metals, emphasizing the industrial backdrop against which the study examines bacterial resistance and health outcomes among workers.

14) Surface:
Surface can refer to an area exposed to environmental factors. The study implicitly addresses the interaction between heavy metals accumulating on surfaces in refinery environments and how they affect the microbial communities present in the respiratory tracts of workers, underlying the importance of surface contamination in health outcomes.

15) Aureus:
Aureus relates to Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterial pathogen known for its antibiotic resistance. In the study, assessing resistance levels to heavy metals among various species, including Staphylococcus aureus, highlights concerns about treating infections, especially in industrial settings where exposure could enhance virulence.

16) Medium:
Medium denotes a substance in which organisms grow or are cultured in laboratory settings. In this research, different culture media were utilized to isolate bacterial pathogens, emphasizing the critical role that the choice of medium plays in studying microbial responses to heavy metals and antibiotics determined by their growth conditions.

17) Blood:
Blood refers to the bodily fluid transporting nutrients and oxygen through organisms. Blood agar, a specific growth medium used in the study, provides necessary nutrients for bacterial pathogens. It is significant in examining bacteria's characteristics and assessing their health risks in respiratory infections, especially in industrial workers.

18) Hand:
Hand represents a limb that can symbolize action or touch. In the context of this study, hand hygiene emerges as a critical factor in preventing infection transmission, particularly in occupational settings where workers are exposed to heavy metals and pathogens, stressing the importance of personal health practices among employees.

19) Fossil fuel:
Fossil fuel represents natural fuels formed from the decomposed remains of ancient organisms, commonly associated with energy production. The study mentions fossil fuels concerning pollution in oil refinery environments, linking such pollution to increased heavy metal exposure, which can exacerbate health risks, particularly respiratory infections among workers.

20) Discussion:
Discussion signifies a section in research where findings are analyzed and interpreted. This section allows the authors to contextualize their results within the broader implications of heavy metal resistance among bacterial pathogens, guiding future research and public health policies tailored to mitigate risks in industrial environments.

21) Activity:
Activity relates to behaviors or processes that occur within a biological system. The study examines bacterial activity in response to heavy metals, assessing how resistance mechanisms are activated or evolved in contaminated environments, providing insights into the dynamics between bacteria and pollutants affecting public health.

22) Dealing:
Dealing indicates managing or handling situations or problems. In this context, it refers to healthcare providers' challenges in dealing with infections caused by heavy metal-resistant bacteria, necessitating advanced strategies for diagnosis and treatment, particularly in areas heavily influenced by industrial pollution and its health ramifications.

23) Science (Scientific):
Science refers to the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation. This research embodies scientific inquiry, focusing on the mechanisms underlying heavy metal resistance in bacteria, emphasizing the relationship between environmental factors and public health, essential for developing effective interventions in industrial settings.

24) Nature:
Nature conveys the inherent characteristics or qualities of an entity. The study reflects on the natural responses of bacteria to heavy metals in polluted environments, addressing how such adaptations challenge traditional understandings of infection rates and necessitate innovative approaches to public health in contaminated regions.

25) Water:
Water is a vital resource for life, often affected by industrial pollution. The study indirectly addresses water quality issues in environments around oil refineries, implying that contaminated waterways contribute to the overall health challenges workers face, particularly regarding heavy metal exposure linked to respiratory infections.

26) Storm:
Storm signifies a natural disturbance characterized by disruptive weather patterns. While not directly mentioned in the study, the concept of storms can metaphorically represent the tumultuous impact of environmental changes on public health, highlighting how such phenomena may exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in industrial workers regarding respiratory health.

27) Male (Mālē):
Male denotes a biological sex typically associated with certain physical characteristics. The study predominantly includes male subjects among refinery workers, underscoring demographic considerations in research that examine the unique health risks associated with gender, particularly in industrial settings where exposure to pollutants is a significant concern.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Heavy metal resistance in bacterial pathogens at Al-Baiji refinery.’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Informed consent, Health education, Industrial pollution, Hazardous chemicals, Environmental Contamination, Heavy metal, Ethical approval, Clinical microbiology, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Biochemical reaction, Oil refinery, Bioremediation, Minimal inhibitory concentration, Environmental microbiology, Bacterial pathogen, Bacteria isolation, Heavy metal resistance, Bacterial virulence, Environment of oil refinery, Exposure to contaminants, Pseudomonas spp., Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Coagulase negative Staphylococci, Toxicant, Respiratory infection, Lower respiratory tract infection, Control sample, Voluntary participation, Continuous exposure, Resistance to heavy metals, Patients of refinery, Patients hospitalized, Metal tolerance level, Bacteria isolated, Swabs from URTIs, Sputa from LRTIs, Transport medium swabs, Transport in screw-capped vials, Heavy metal-tolerant bacterial strains, Highest values of MIC, Selective pressure phenomenon, Contaminated ambient, Oil derivatives, High rates of oil spillage, Environment of refinery, Environmental point of view, Bacterial groups classified, Maximum Values of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration, Isolates of refinery, Isolates of hospital, Bacteria isolated from patients, Inhalation of metal particles, Short employment, Higher Studies in College of Medicine, Bacterial groups, Metal responsive genes.

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