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Mycoflora inhabiting water closet environments
1Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Egypt.
Mycoses
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Fungal species were identified in water closet (WC) sewage and air, with more found in the air. Most isolates from WC environments, including Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium, were urease producers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Mycology
Background:
- Water closets (WC) can harbor diverse microbial communities.
- Understanding fungal presence in WCs is crucial for public health and hygiene.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and quantify fungal species in WC sewage and air.
- To assess the urease-producing capability of isolated fungi and bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of fungal species from WC sewage and air samples.
- Enumeration of fungal and bacterial flora.
- Urease production testing for fungal and bacterial isolates.
Main Results:
- Sixty-six fungal species and two varieties from 31 genera were isolated.
- WC air samples contained a higher fungal load than sewage samples.
- Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium were the most prevalent genera in both environments.
- Acremonium, Alternaria, Emericella, Mycosphaerella, and Pleospora were dominant in WC air.
- Most fungal (65/67) and bacterial (35/36) isolates demonstrated urease production.
Conclusions:
- WC environments serve as reservoirs for a variety of fungal species, with implications for indoor air quality.
- The high prevalence of urease-producing microorganisms in WCs warrants further investigation into their role in sanitation and potential health impacts.