title: A preliminary study on the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in soils of Jamaica.
abstract: This report represents the first study of keratinophilic fungi present in soils of Jamaica. Out of the 40 soil samples examined from different habitats, 30 (75%) were positive for the presence of keratinophilic fungi, yielding 36 isolates of keratinophilic fungi. Microsporum gypseum complex (represented by 16 isolates of M. gypseum, and four of M. fulvum) was most frequent, being present in 50% of the samples. A very high occurrence of this dermatophyte in Jamaican soil is of public health significance. The remaining isolates of keratinophilic fungi were represented by Chrysosporium spp (mainly C. indicum and C. tropicum) and Sepedonium sp.
authors.affiliation: Windsor University School of Medicine, Cayon, St. Kitts (West Indies).
authors.forename: Harish C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Gugnani
authors.affiliation: Windsor University School of Medicine, Cayon, St. Kitts (West Indies).
authors.forename: Soni
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Windsor University School of Medicine, Cayon, St. Kitts (West Indies).
authors.forename: Kharl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007563:Jamaica; D007633:Keratins; D012988:Soil Microbiology
chemical_list: D007633:Keratins