ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH TINEA UNGUIUM AND TINEA CORPORIS INFECTIONS IN AKPABUYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.

Tinea unguium and tinea corporis are common fungal infections affecting the nails and skin, respectively, causing significant morbidity and economic burden worldwide. Despite prevalence, the etiology of this infection in Nigerian population are poorly understood. This study aimed to isolate and identify fungal pathogens associated with Tinea unguium and tinea corporis in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. A total number of 17 Samples (male = 10 (58.8%) and female = 7(41.2%) with suspected skin and nail infection were collected, the collected samples were processed using direct microscopic examination with 20% KOH wet mount, and inoculated on SDA and Corn meal media supplemented with 0.5g/1 Cylohexamide and 0.05g/L chloramphenicol. Fungi colonies were further identified microscopically using lactophenol cotton blue staining technique. Out of the 17 samples processed there was 7(41.2%) fungi growth rate recorded with male having 5(29.4%) and female having 2 (11.8%) growth rates. The result shows that fugal pathogens were isolate from 29.4% of patient with Tinea unguium, while 11.8% of patients with Tinea coporis had fungal pathogen identified. From the result its shows that a total number of 7 fungi pathongens were isolated which comprises of Aspergillus spp as the most common fungal species isolated with highest percentage of 41.2%, recorded. However, it is concluded that non dermatophyte fungi species that associated with Tinea unguium and Tinea corporis infection isolated and identify in Akpabuyo LGA.