Isolation of Fungal Agents in Some Household Furniture in Owerri, South-East, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: The study was carried out to isolate fungal species in some household furniture in Owerri, Imo state Nigeria. Methods: One hundred and twenty (120) samples were collected randomly from 10 types of household furniture within 12 different homes located in Ikenegbu Owerri. The samples were processed using standard mycological methods for the isolation and identification of fungal agents. Results: Aspergillus niger species, Candida albicans, Penicillium marneffei species and Candida tropicalis were isolated from the one hundred and twenty (120) samples obtained from the furniture analyzed.  The bed swabs yielded the highest number of fungi; 11(91.7%), followed by the kitchen cabinet; 8(66.7%). Wardrobe 2 (16.7%) yielded the least number of fungi, followed by the sitting room upholstery; 3(25%). The fungal species with the highest frequency of occurrence is Aspergillus niger; 31(25.8%), while the Penicillium marneffei yielded 1(0.83%), the least frequency of percentage occurrence. Conclusions: Moist and damp environmental conditions favour the growth of these fungi, and adequate hygienic measures need to be adopted to ensure that the household furniture are kept dry at all times to prevent fungal colonization.