Fungal assessment of artificial nails of female students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

This study was conducted to isolate and identify fungi from artificial female nails of female students. A total of ten nail samples were collected. The samples were collected from random female students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The experiment was carried out at the Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Faculty of Bioscience, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The isolated pathogens from finger nails include Cladosporium spp., Candida albicans, and Trichophyton spp. Highest contamination of Cladosporium spp. was isolated followed by Candida albicans and then Trichophyton spp. with low frequency. After the colonies were being isolated, they were further characterized on the basis of morphological and microscopic features including Lactophenol cotton blue stain and Germ tube test to identify fungi type. The frequency of occurrence of various fungal isolates in female artificial fingernails were attained showing a high level of Cladosporium spp. with 64%, followed by Candida albicans with 31% and Trichophyton spp. with the least occurrence of 5%. Fingernails remain one of the channels of food contamination and it serves as probable reservoir for pathogenic organisms in this study especially the females.