Keratinophilic Fungi Isolated from Soil of School Playgrounds in Abakpa Nike Town, Enugu State, Nigeria

In nature, keratinous substrates are broken down by keratinophilic fungus and a major habitat for this fungus is the soil. Their ability to breakdown keratin contributes to the pathogenicity potential of many of these fungi. Their actions may lead to worsen of respiratory diseases and development of a condition known as dermatomycosis, in both humans and animals. This study was aimed at isolating Keratinophilic fungi from the soil of the school playgrounds which are located at Abakpa Nike, Enugu state, Nigeria. Forty (40) soil samples were obtained from ten different school playgrounds using the hair bait techniques (HTB). Twenty-four (60%) yielded fungal growth. The growth on the baits were sub cultured into plates of Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and identification of the isolates was based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. A total of 66 fungal isolates of 13 species from 5 genera were identified. Aspergillus flavus 13(32.5%) was the most dominant keratinophilic fungus, followed by Microsporum gypseum 10(25%), Aspergillus fumigatus 8(20%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Aspergillus niger 6(15%), Trichopyton equinum 5(12.5%), Microsporum ferrugineum and Fusarium 4(10%), Microsporum audounii 3(7.5%), Microsporum distortum and Microsporum cookie 2(5%) Alterneria 2(5%) and Microsporum terrestre 1(2.5%). The presence of keratinophilic fungi in school playground soils may present a serious risk to human health, especially for children and teenagers. The need for schools to practice and enforce hygiene protocols is important so as to curb the spread of these fungi and lower the risk of fungal infections.