Isolation and identification of fungi from barbing equipments in some selected barbing salons in Ekpoma, Edo state

Fungal infections continues to be a problem all over the world, particularly in the developing countries, where poor living conditions and massive un-enlightenment prevails. Barbing shops/salons which are classified as personal service establishments and such services may pose potential health concerns to their clients including the risk of infection and sometimes injury. The aim of this research work is to isolate and identify fungi from barbing equipments in some selected barbing salon in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. Twenty-five (25) barbing salons were randomly selected from Ekpoma and environ. Sterile swab sticks were used to swab the barbing equipments (clippers, hair brushes, bench surfaces) from each barbing salon. A total of one hundred samples were collected. After collection, the samples were immediately sent to the laboratory for analysis. Out of the 25 swab samples collected from the barbing clippers, 1 (4.2%) yielded fungal growth while from the hair brushes and working benches, 2 (8.3%) each yielded fungal growth from each group. In the study, 4 fungi species were isolated which include, Aspergillus fumigatus 1 (20%), Penicillium chrysogenum 2 (40%), Trichophyton rubrum 1 (20%) and Acremonium spp 1 (20%).It was observed from the study that Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the barbing clippers, Penicillium chrysogenum was isolated from the hair brush while Trichophyton rubrum and Acremonium spp were isolated from the bench surface of the barbing salon, and the barbing aprons were free of fungal contaminants. From these findings, it is clear that hygienic practices in these barbing salons are far below expected standards. Thus, barbing salons equipments were found to be good medium of transfer of fungal diseases among most users of local barbing salons in Ekpoma and environs in Edo State, Nigeria.