Abstract

DA SILVA PONTES, Z.B.V.  and  OLIVEIRA, A.C.. Dermatophytes from urban soils in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. Rev. argent. microbiol. [online]. 2008, vol.40, n.3, pp.161-163. ISSN 0325-7541.

A total of 68 soil samples was collected from "favelas" (slums), schools, public squares, beaches and vacant lots in the city of João Pessoa-PB, Brazil. A search for dermatophytes in these soils was carried out by using the Vanbreuseghem technique. As a result, 48 strains and 6 dermatophytes species were isolated. Trichophyton terrestre (25.0%), Microsporum gypseum (20.8%) and Anthroderma gypsea (2.1%) were identified among the geophilic species, and T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (37.5%) among the zoophilic species and T. tonsurans (4.2%), among the anthropophilic species. The growth of 75% of dermatophytes occurred in alkaline pH (7.02-9.00) and their presence in the soil should not be underestimated, since some of the identified species are aetiological agents of dermatophytoses in humans and animals.

Keywords : Dermatophytes; Keratinophilic fungi; Soil.

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