Predominance of Keratinophilic Fungi and Dermatohytes Species in Dumpsite Locations in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study determined the predominance of keratinophilic fungi and dermatophytes species in dumpsites located within four geopolitical zones of Ogun State, Nigeria using the traditional hair baiting technique. The physiological condition of the soil samples was analyzed to understand the role of ecophysiological parameters on the growth and survival of the inherent organisms of the studied sites while the identification of isolated organisms was carried out based on both micro and macro morphological parameters. A total of ninety four (94) strains of filamentous fungi belonging to thirteen(13) different species namely Lichtheimia corymbifera 6.3 (3.19%), Aspergillus carbonarius 1 (1.06%), Aspergillus flavus 1 (1.06%), Aspergillus fumigatus 21(22.34%), Aspergillus niger 11(11.70%), Aspergillus terreus 9(9.58%), Aspergillus versicolori 1(1.06%), Epidermophyton floccosum 6(6.38%), Microsporum gypseum 15(15.96%), Penicillium chrysogenum 4(4.26%), Trichoderma longibrachiatum1(1.06%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes 16(17.02%) and Trichophyton rubrum 5(5.33%) were identified from the sampled dumpsites. All the isolated organisms grew in pH value ranging between 5.8 and 9.1. The Shannon index of diversity was found to be approximately 1.98 while both specie’s richness and percentage of specie dominance were 13 and 22.3%, respectively. In conclusion, the dumpsites sampled showed evidence of keratinphilic fungi prone environment and should be given appropriate health attention to avoid this public health nuisance being a vehicle for the transmission of infectious diseases.