Investigation of keratinophilic fungi in Laodicea's recreation warehouse

Abstract

Recreation ateliers in which archeological remnants are operated to be restorated to their original forms, are closed places with high humidity rates. The hands and the nails of archeology workers contact directly with the keratinophilic fungi during recreation facilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and distribution of keratinophilic fungi in Laodikeia antique city's recreation atelier (Pamukkale region; Aegean part of Turkey). A total of 18 archeological remnant samples were collected from Laodikeia recreation atelier during the digging period of 2006. The samples were screened for the prevalence of keratinophilic fungi by hair baiting technique and the isolates were identified by conventional mycological methods. Of the samples 38.9% (7/18) were found positive and the distribution of keratinophilic fungi were as follows; Chrysosporium spp. (22.2%) (two of them were C. keratinophilum), Aphanoascus spp. (11.1%), Auxarthron spp. (5.5%) and Trichophyton rubrum (5.5%). It was concluded that the patient histories including living and working conditions, may be helpful to identify the keratinophilic fungi growing on cycloheximide containing mycologic media and archeology workers should be informed for the diseases caused by environmental keratinophilic fungi.