THE INCIDENCE OF FUNGI IN HUMAN AXILLARY HAIR AND THEIR TOXIGENIC POTENTIALITIES

The present study determined the incidence of fungi in 66 specimens of human axillary hair. Eleven genera, 22 species and 2 varieties were i solated. Penicillium funiculosum (32% of hair specimens) was the only fungus isolated in moderate incidence. Aspergillus fumigatus (21%), A. flavus (17%), A. niger (17%) and Chrysporium tropicum (12%) showed lo w incidence. However, Trichosporon catenulatum, Trichophyton mentagrop hytes, Candida albicans, Chrysosporium keratinophilum and Geotrichum c andidum were rare. Twenty-eight isolates (out of 57 tested isolates) b elonging to the most common fungal species (A, flavus, A. fumigatus an d P. funiculosum) recovered from axillary hair produced respective myc otoxins. The detected toxins were: aflatoxins B-1, B-2, G(1), G(2), gl iotoxin and ochratoxins A, B. The selective effects of Bac (sweet deod orant) on the mycelial dry weight, protease activity and mycotoxins pr oduction of some fungal species were also examined. At 1% concentratio n Bac inhibited the mycelial dry weight of all tested fungi and protea se activity of A. flavus and A. fumigatus. However, it promoted protea se activity of A. niger and P. funiculosum. The specific production of aflatoxins by A. flavus and ochratoxins by P. funiculosum showed thei r accumulation with Bac treatment.