ABSTRACT

There is a growing concern that hair barbing equipments could serve as a potential source of fungal infections. This project work was conducted to isolate and identify fungi from equipment used in barbing salons in Umuahia, Abia State. Five (5) salons were visited and a total of fifteen (15) samples were collected from all the main equipment (3 samples each of clippers, combs, and scissors) used in the salon and cultured on Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar (SDA). The results obtained showed the presence of dermatophytes which includes Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton Species. On clipper, M. audouinii was 100%, 80% on scissors and 80% on comb and it has the highest number of occurrence while Trichophyton species was not isolated from clipper but occurred 20% on scissors and 20% on comb. It was observed that though some forms of sterilization are practiced in the salon, not all equipments are subjected to proper sterilization.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables vii

Abstract                                                                                                                          viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Aim 3

1.2   Objectives 3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review 4

2.1 Dermatophytes 4

2.1.1 Microsporum (Microsporum audouinii) 5

2.1.2  Trichophyton (Trichophyton rubrum) 6

2.1.3  Epidermophyton 8

2.2  Diseases Associated with the Scalp Caused by Dermatophytes 8

2.2.1 Tinea capitis 8

2.2.2 Pathology 9

2.2.3  Tinea corporis 10

2.2.4 Tinea versicolor 11

2.2.5  Pityriasis versicolor 11

2.3 Treatment  12

2.4 Infection Control Measures 13

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Methods 15

3.1 Study Area 15

3.2 Sample Collection 15

3.3 Media Preparation 15

3.4 Isolation of Fungi 16

3.4.1 Identification of Fungi 16

3.4.2 Macroscopy 16

3.4.3 Microscopy 16

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results 17

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0    Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations 20

5.1 Discussion 20

5.2 Conclusion 21

5.3 Recommendations 21

References

Appendix