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20: Occupational Infections

Timur S. Durrani; Robert J. Harrison

INTRODUCTION

Occupational infections are human diseases caused by work-associated exposure to microbial agents, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It has been hypothesized that certain infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and cholera will become more prevalent with climate change. An infection is distinguished as occupational by some aspect of the work that involves contact with a biologically active organism. Occupational infection can occur following contact with infected persons or surfaces, as in the case of health care workers; with infected animal or human tissue, secretions, or excretions, as in laboratory workers; with asymptomatic or unknown contagious humans, as happens during business travel; or with infected animals, as in agriculture. See Table 20–1 for work-related pathogens by specific job title.

Table 20–1.Work-related pathogens by specific job title or broader occupational groups.
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Table 20–1. Work-related pathogens by specific job title or broader occupational groups.
Occupation Pathogen
Abattoir workers (Methicillin resistant) Staphylococcus aureus, (swine) influenza virus, Brucella spp, Campylobacter spp, Coxiella burnetii, Escherichia coli, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis E virus, Leptospira hardjo, Leptospira pomona, Streptococcus pyogenes, Toxocara canis
Airline personnel Hepatitis E virus
Animal carers Bartonella hensalae, Borrelia burgdorferi, Capillaria hepatica, Chlamydophila psittaci, hantavirus, influenza virus, Leptospira spp, simian foamy virus, simian parvovirus, simian type D retrovirus, Toxocara canis, Toxoplasma gondii
Archaeologists Coccidioides immites
Armed forces Leishmania spp
Childcare providers Cryptosporidium parvum, Cytomegalovirus, Giardia lamblia, hepatitis A virus, parvovirus, varicella zoster virus
Cleaners Hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Dental care workers Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV, etc
Divers Campylobacter jejuni, enteroviruses, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Farm laborers (animal handlers) (Methicillin resistant) Staphylococcus aureus, (swine and avian) influenza virus, Borrelia burgdorferi, Brucella spp, Campylobacter spp, Chlamydophila psittaci, Clostridium tetani, Coxiella burnetii, Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori, ­hepatitis E virus, Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, Mycobacterium bovis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxocara canis, Toxoplasma gondii, West Nile virus
Farm workers, animals (Methicillin resistant) Staphylococcus aureus, (swine and avian) influenza virus, Borrelia burgdorferi, Brucella spp, Campylobacter spp, Chlamydophila psittaci, Clostridium tetani, Coxiella burnetii, Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis E virus, Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, Mycobacterium bovis, Streptococcus suis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxocara canis, Toxoplasma gondii, West Nile virus
Farm workers, crops Borrelia burgdorferi, Clostridium tetani, Coxiella burnetii, Escherichia coli, Leishmania spp, Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxocara canis
Fishermen Anisakis simplex
Fishmonger Anisakis simplex
Forestry workers Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, Coxiella burnetii, hantavirus, Rickettsia conorii, Rickettsia helvetica, ­tick-borne encephalitis virus, Toxoplasma gondii
Funeral service workers Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Gardeners Francisella tularensis
Health care assistants Helicobacter pylori
Health care workers (Methicillin resistant) Staphylococcus aureus, Bordetella pertussis, cytomegalovirus, Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis E virus, human herpes virus, HIV, ...

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