Isolation of Fungi from Infected Skin and Scalp

Abstract

The objective of this study was to isolate fungi from infected skin and scalp from persons suffering with dandruff. Skin scrapings were collected from patients of different ages and of both genders, suffering from various fungal diseases, and were transferred on to Sabouraud dextrose agar medium to isolate the fungi present in the infected tissues. The fungal colonies isolated were stained and observed microscopically to aid in their identification. Eight fungi were isolated from infected skin viz, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus oryzae, Ramichloridium schulzeri, Cladosporium, Trichophyton, Fusarium and Fonsecaea. Likewise, flakes were collected from the scalp of persons suffering from dandruff and grown on Sabouraud dextrose agar medium, Yeast extract mannitol agar (YEMA) medium and Corn meal agar medium to isolate fungi associated with dandruff. The fungal colonies isolated were stained and observed microscopically for their identification. Three fungi were isolated, Aspergillus niger, Trichophyton and Cladosporium.

Keywords: dermatophytes, opportunistic pathogens, infected skin, dandruff, immune-compromised