ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGI PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH TINEA CORPORIS IN CALABAR.

Tinea corporis, an infection of the skin, is one of the most common dermatophytosis and represents a major public health issue among children mainly in African and Caribbean regions. Tinea corporis is present worldwide. It is defined explicitly by the location of the lesions that may involve the trunk, neck, arms, and legs. Tinea corporis is most commonly caused by various species of dermatophytes which include Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton and a non dermatophyte such as Aspergillus. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify fungi pathogens associated with Tinea corporis in Obubra L.G.A. A total number of 20 skin scrapping sample were collected, were male 9 (45.9%) and female 11 (55.0%). Sample were process using direct microscopic examination with 20% KOH wet mount, and inoculated on SDA and Corn meal media supplemented with 0.05g/l Cyclohexamide and 0.05g/L chloramphenicol. Fungi colonies where further identified microscopically using lacto phenol cotton blue staining technique. Out of the 120 samples process there was 19(95%) fungi growth rate recorded with male having 8(88.9%) and female having 11(100%) growth rate. From the result its shows that a total number of 19 fungi pathogens were isolated which comprises of Aspergillus spp having the highest occurring (55.9%) followed by Trichophyton rubrum 46.2%, and Epidermophyton floccosum species had the growth rate of 9.1% recorded least. However, it is concluded that dermatophyte and non dermatophyte fungi species that associated with tinea corporis infection isolated and identify in Obubra L.G.A, Cross River state.