PREVALENCE OF DERMATOPHYTES AND OTHER KERATINOPHILIC FUNGI FROM SOILS OF PUBLIC PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS OF RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA Authors: H. Rizwana, Amal Abdulaziz Al Hazzani, I. Siddiqui Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS) ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online) Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Pages: 948-953 Year: 2012 DOI: NA URL: https://doi.org/NA Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum Abstract:

In order to determine the incidence of dermatophytes and related keratinophilic fungi present in Riyadh soil, eighty soil samples were  collected .These samples were screened using hair baiting techniques for isolation. Out of a total 80 samples, 69 (86%) were positive for growth of keratinophilic fungi. Eleven genera and 19 species were isolated and identified, of which Chrysosporium indicum (33.75%) was the most predominant species isolated followed by C.tropicum (26.25%), Aspergillus flavus (17.50%), Microsporum gypseum (13.75%) and Trichophyton terrestre (11.25%). Garden soils, followed by playground soils were found to be the most suitable for fungal growth. Some of the other fungi isolated were C.zonatum , Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Fusarium moniliforme,F.solani ,Aphanoascus fulvescens etc. To our knowledge, this appears to be the first report concerning the isolation of keratinolytic fungi M. canis and Trichophyton terrestre from soils of Riyadh by hair baiting technique

Keywords: Playground, Garden, Keratinophilic fungi, Dermatophytes, Riyadh soils, Saudi Arabia.