Prevalence of keratinophiic fungi and other dermatophytes from soils of Nnewi in Anambra state, Nigeria
E.M., E., C.U., E., V.N., U., I.R., N. (2019). Prevalence of keratinophiic fungi and other dermatophytes from soils of Nnewi in Anambra state, Nigeria. EKB Journal Management System, 3(3), 379-386. doi: 10.21608/nrmj.2019.37211
Eze E.M.; Ezebialu C.U.; Unegbu V.N.; Nneji I.R.. "Prevalence of keratinophiic fungi and other dermatophytes from soils of Nnewi in Anambra state, Nigeria". EKB Journal Management System, 3, 3, 2019, 379-386. doi: 10.21608/nrmj.2019.37211
E.M., E., C.U., E., V.N., U., I.R., N. (2019). 'Prevalence of keratinophiic fungi and other dermatophytes from soils of Nnewi in Anambra state, Nigeria', EKB Journal Management System, 3(3), pp. 379-386. doi: 10.21608/nrmj.2019.37211
E.M., E., C.U., E., V.N., U., I.R., N. Prevalence of keratinophiic fungi and other dermatophytes from soils of Nnewi in Anambra state, Nigeria. EKB Journal Management System, 2019; 3(3): 379-386. doi: 10.21608/nrmj.2019.37211

Prevalence of keratinophiic fungi and other dermatophytes from soils of Nnewi in Anambra state, Nigeria

Novel Research in Microbiology Journal
Volume 3, Issue 3, May and June 2019, Page 379-386  XML PDF (203.48 K)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/nrmj.2019.37211
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Authors
Eze E.M. email 1; Ezebialu C.U.2; Unegbu V.N.3; Nneji I.R.4
1Department of Microbiology, Novena University, Ogume, Delta state, Nigeria
2Department of Microbiology, Godfrey Okoye University, Thinkers Corner Ugwumu-nike, Nigeria
3Department of Microbiology, Renaissance University, Ugboawka, Enugu State, Nigeria
4Department of Microbiology, Legacy University , Okija, Anambra State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study was carried out to isolate and identify the keratinophilic fungi and other dermatophytes present in soils of Otolo Nnewi, Nnewi north local government area, Anambra state, Nigeria. Eighty soil samples were collected from four habitats (playgrounds, abattoir, public parks, and poultry farms) of Otolo Nnewi; and were screened for the presence of keratinophilic fungi and dermatophytes, using hair baiting techniques for isolation of these fungi. Of which, 69 soil samples (86%) were positive for fungal growth. Fungal growth appearing on the baits after 2-4 weeks of incubation at 37°C were macroscopically and microscopically examined, and were also cultured on Sabroaud dextrose  agar (SDA). These fungal isolates were  identified on the basis of colony and microscopic features. A total of 150 isolates of keratinophiic fungi were detected. The isolated fungi were classified into 19 species belonging to 11 genera mainly; Chrysosporium indicum, C. tropicum, Aspergillus flavus, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton terrestre were isolated frequently. C. indicum (13%) was the most predominant isolated species; C. tropicum (12%) was the second, followed by A. flavus (11%). In the current study; M. gypseum (9.3%) was the most common isolated dermatophyte, followed by T. terrestre (6%) and T. rubrum (6%). M. canis was isolated only from soils of abattoir and public parks. Moreover, C. zonatum, T. mentagrophytes, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum were also isolated.  There was significant statistical difference (p<0.05) between the keratinophilic fungi and dermatophytes isolated from soil samples of  these different habitats.  Results obtained from this study indicated the wide occurrence of keratinophilic fungi  in the  studied area, which  were  potential agents of human and animals fungal diseases.
Keywords
Soil; Hair baiting; Keratinophilic fungi; Dermatophytes; Anambra state; Nigeria
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