Mycoflora of the human dermal surfaces

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Human Dermatology

Background:

• The human skin harbors a diverse mycoflora, influenced by geographic location and environmental factors.
• Understanding the composition of fungal communities on human skin is crucial for public health and disease prevention.
• The Amazon basin, with its unique biodiversity, presents an underexplored region for studying human-associated fungal populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mycotic flora of the scalp and interdigital areas of the hand and foot in healthy individuals from three Amazonian communities.
• To identify fungal species present and assess their potential pathogenicity.
• To compare the human dermal mycoflora with the soil mycoflora in the same regions.

Main Methods:

• Microscopic examination of epidermal scrapings from 1296 participants.
• Cultural isolation of fungi using Mycosel agar.
• Identification of recovered fungal genera and species.

Main Results:

• No macroscopic or microscopic evidence of fungal infection was found in any participant.
• Fungi were recovered from 133 (10%) individuals, with 143 isolates representing 13 genera and 39 species.
• Yeasts constituted 85% of the recovered fungi, with 75% possessing pathogenic potential, including Candida albicans and Aureobasidium pullulans.
• A mosaic distribution of fungi was observed across anatomical sites and study areas.
• Significant differences in species composition were noted between human dermal and soil mycoflora.

Conclusions:

• Healthy individuals in Amazonian communities harbor a diverse mycoflora, predominantly yeasts, with some having pathogenic potential.
• The distinct composition of human dermal mycoflora compared to soil mycoflora suggests specialized environmental niches.
• Further research is warranted to understand the ecological dynamics and health implications of skin-associated fungi in tropical regions.