Abstract

---

The prevalence of non-dermatophytic moulds from air and soil samples from six cattle markets in Abia and Imo state, Nigeria were carried out simultaneously. A total of 60 (sixty) samples of air and soil were analysed. The settlement plate technique, tube dilution method and hair baiting technique were evaluated for the air and soil for the presence of keratinophilic fungi. Different species of 13 non dermatophytic moulds were identified and all occurred at different points of collection from the markets.The most frequently isolated species from air samples were Aspergillus welwitschiae, Absidia corymbifera (20%) respectively in Abia state and Fusarium linchenicola, Absidia corymbifera (20.6%) respectively in Imo state. For soil samples; Absidia corymbifera (29%) and Aspergillus flavus (21%) were frequently isolated in Abia and Imo staterespectively,while for hair bait; Aspergillus flavus, Absidia corymbifera(26%)respectively in Abia state and Aspergillus welwitschiae(20%) in Imo state. The least isolate from air samples were Aspergillus sydowii (3.3%) and Cladosporium tenuissinum (3.0%), for soil samples; Aspergillus sydowii (3.0%) and Aspergillus sydowii (3.0%), while for hair bait; Penicillum citrinum, Aspergillus aculeatus (6.0%)respectively and Penicillum citrinum, Cladosporium tenuissinum (2.2%)each in Abia and Imo state respectively. According to the study, there was a significant keratinous fungal deposition in the soil of the cattle market area as a result of mechanical activity nearby. Spores from agitated fungi may have caused a significant suspension of these spores in the atmosphere, which might constitute a serious health risk to anybody who operate in such environments

Keywords: Air, cattle market, Nigeria, non-dermatophytic moulds and soil