Prevalence of fungal organisms associated with skin infections in Ihiala local government area of Anambra state, Nigeria

Abstract

Forty-five skin specimens were collected from eight Hospitals in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria to determine the prevalence of fungal organisms associated with skin infections in the area. The samples were treated with potassium hydroxide and examined under the microscope, and cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar medium. Microscopic colony examinations were also performed using lactophenol blue. All the samples were positive for fungi and their distribution in various hospitals was determined. The prevalence values of the various fungal isolates were Trichophton (11.11%), Microsporum canis (6.66%), Trichophyton rubrum (6.66%), Trichophyton tonsurans (11.11%), Microsporum gypseum (11.11%), Candida albican (4.44%), Trichophyton schoenleinii (6.66%), Trichophyton violaceum (4.44%) Epidermopyton floccosum (6.66%), Trichosphyton begelii (8.88%) and Microsporum audouinii (22.22%). Microsporum audouinii, which accounted for (22.22%) was the most frequently occurring fungus and mostly infected children. Keywords: Fungus; skin infection; hospital; NigeriaInternational Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp 210-213