Isolation of fungi from European type public toilet seats in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

Many factors may contribute in the etiology of dermatophyte infections. Mycological study of the water closets in Alexandria City districts was done in a trial to clarify the role of the toilet seats in this regard. Unfortunately, the washing and cleaning facilities in all the studied water closets were found to be nearly nil. Some pathogenic yeasts and fungi, with many other saprophytic ones were isolated from the studied toilet seats. The potentially pathogenic yeast [C and ida albicans] was found with the highest frequency of isolation. Trichophyton rubrum was found to be second to it. The lowest one was found to be the trichophyton mentagrophytes. This may have a sort of relation to the transmission of the dermatophyte infection. Further and more extensive study, including the bacterial flora of the toilet seats may be recommended. Also, hygienic measures of all water closets should have a prime importance