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Vol.4 , No. 4, Publication Date: Aug. 31, 2017, Page: 38-42
 students (thirty (30) males and thirty (30) females) in Federal University, Wukari to determine the fungi associated with leather shoes and the prevalence of the fungi. A total of fifty (50) isolates (twenty (20) from females and thirty (30) from males) were isolated using standard Microbiological techniques. These isolates belong to five (5) genera, namely: <i>Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Trichophyton</i> (A dermatophyte) and lastly, <i>Candida</i>. The genus <i>Aspergillus</i> had the highest isolate with 50% and 40% for males and females respectively. The different species isolates of Aspergillus include <i>Aspergillus niger</i>, <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> and <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>. The dermatophyte known as <i>Trichophyton rubrum</i> had lower number of isolate (1) 3.3% and (0) 0% for males and females respectively. The incidence of the other isolates was as follows: Candida was (4) 13.3% and (1) 5%, <i>Penicillium notatum</i> was (8) 26.7% and (1) 5% and lastly <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> was (2) 6.7% and (0) 0.0% for both male and female respectively. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of the students harboured the nonpathogenic fungi while only two percent (2%) harboured the pathogenic organism in their shoes. This low prevalence rate of the pathogenic organisms is due to the fact that pathogenic organisms are easier to isolate from the feet of the infected host. In conclusion, Leather shoes worn by students in Wukari harboured a number of fungi which have effect on the wearers and the shoe itself. Students and other individuals should always try to dry and clean their shoes after each use, to avoid dampness as this facilitate the growth of fungi. Those that are affected with the pathogenic fungi should try and seek for medical help immediately it is discovered. Proper methods of preserving the leather shoes including dehydration and use of antifungal agent should be developed. More studies should be conducted to determine the genetic status of the pathogenic strains which is hitherto non-pathogenic. Finally, further work should also be carried out to know the fungi associated with shoes worn at different times of the day to determine any relationship between organisms and the weather condition, that is, hot or cold weather.&picture=http://www.aascit.org/aascit/decorators/img/journal/903.jpg)
| [1] | Imarenezor Edobor Peter Kenneth, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria. |
| [2] | Olofinlade Olamide Gloria, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria. |
| [3] | Egwaikhide Peter Ajakaiye, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria. |
| [4] | Malu Samuel Peter, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria. |
A survey was carried out among sixty (60) students (thirty (30) males and thirty (30) females) in Federal University, Wukari to determine the fungi associated with leather shoes and the prevalence of the fungi. A total of fifty (50) isolates (twenty (20) from females and thirty (30) from males) were isolated using standard Microbiological techniques. These isolates belong to five (5) genera, namely: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Trichophyton (A dermatophyte) and lastly, Candida. The genus Aspergillus had the highest isolate with 50% and 40% for males and females respectively. The different species isolates of Aspergillus include Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus. The dermatophyte known as Trichophyton rubrum had lower number of isolate (1) 3.3% and (0) 0% for males and females respectively. The incidence of the other isolates was as follows: Candida was (4) 13.3% and (1) 5%, Penicillium notatum was (8) 26.7% and (1) 5% and lastly Fusarium oxysporum was (2) 6.7% and (0) 0.0% for both male and female respectively. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of the students harboured the nonpathogenic fungi while only two percent (2%) harboured the pathogenic organism in their shoes. This low prevalence rate of the pathogenic organisms is due to the fact that pathogenic organisms are easier to isolate from the feet of the infected host. In conclusion, Leather shoes worn by students in Wukari harboured a number of fungi which have effect on the wearers and the shoe itself. Students and other individuals should always try to dry and clean their shoes after each use, to avoid dampness as this facilitate the growth of fungi. Those that are affected with the pathogenic fungi should try and seek for medical help immediately it is discovered. Proper methods of preserving the leather shoes including dehydration and use of antifungal agent should be developed. More studies should be conducted to determine the genetic status of the pathogenic strains which is hitherto non-pathogenic. Finally, further work should also be carried out to know the fungi associated with shoes worn at different times of the day to determine any relationship between organisms and the weather condition, that is, hot or cold weather.
Keywords
Footwear, Leather, Shoes, Student, Fungi, Wukari
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