Abstract
The presence of fungal species on skin and hair is a known finding in many mammalian species and humans are no exception. Superficial fungal infections are sometimes a chronic and recurring condition that affects approximately 10-20% of world's population. However, most species that are isolated from humans tend to occur as coexisting flora. This study was conducted to determine the diversity of fungal species from the hair and nails of 20 children (2-5) years and 20 male – female adults (10-20) years in the central region of Tripoli Libya during the period from of start November, 2021 to April 2022.This samples were cultured on tow types of nutrient media (SDA,PDA). Some samples were collected from 20 children (2-5) years old and 20 male and female adults (10-20) years old, then cultivated on Sabouraud's agar( SDA) and potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates method for isolation of keratinophilic and other fungi. Within incubation at 28 c for fungi were examined and identified and photographed microscopically . A total of 59 fungal species belonging to 7 genera were isolated and identified . The most widespread species were (Aspergillus. spp ) 47.5% followed by ; Alternaria alternate 17.1%, (Penicillium species) 15.2%, ( Ulocladium botrytis ) 10.2%, (Emericella sp ) 6.74%, and the less common isolated species were ( Trichothecium spp ) 1.7% ( Fusarium spp ) 1.7%. The results of this study showed that the isolated fungi from male hair were more than that of female ( 81.4% vs. 18.6% ) .