The presence of some yeasts species in occupational dermatitis

The samples of skin lesions were collected from forearms, palms and phalanges of ten females working in a manufacturing section (clothes tailoring and assemblage) using imported textiles. The samples were examined for bacteriological and mycotic flora by using classical methods. The textile fragments of 1-2 square centimeters from four samples were investigated using the same classical methods. The gauze fragments were used as toxic negative control samples. In 6 out of 10 samples from cutaneous lesions, Candida albicans was isolated and in 5 samples Rhodotorula species was identified. The yeasts species were identified by cultural and biochemical characteristics. All C. albicans strains were positive for the germ tube test and produced spherical chlamydospores on corn meal agar. The Rhodotorula strains grew on Sabouraud agar pure orange-red pigmented and mucoid colonies of 2-3 mm diameter. The textile samples incubated on blood--agar (10% sheep blood) demonstrated a high toxic activity producing a surrounding beta-hemolysis area of 3-5 cm. This lysis of the sheep red cell was caused by an unidentified chemical agent. In our cases, dermatites were associated with chemical and yeasts agents. The chemical agents irritated and made the derma sensitive, favouring C. albicans and Rhodotorula species multiplication.