International Conference on
Clinical Microbiology and Immunology

Biography:

Abstract:

This research aims to survey the internal mycotic flora of Lizards and toads, including those responsible for exogenous and endogenous mycotic infections. The toad is a tailless amphibian belonging to the phylum – chordate, sub-class-Lissamphibia, Order-Anura and broken down into many families. Lizards are reptilians belonging to the order – Squamata and Suborder – Sauria. The fungal flora of the internal organs of forty (40) Lizards (Agama agama) and forty (40) toads (Bufo bufo) were reviewed. A total of four hundred and eighty (480) organ samples were obtained by dissection from the species of the animals under study. All the bufo toads were caught from swampy areas in Nnamdi Azikiwe University temporary site campus, Awka while the Agamid Lizard were likewise caught from residential areas in Ameyi and Amudo Communities, Awka, Anambra state. The toads and lizards that were caught and six (6) internal organs were removed from each animal. Similar thing was done with the Agamid Lizards. The sample were aseptically cultured on Sabourad’s Dextrose Agar (SDA) supplemented with 0.1% V/V Chloramphenicol. The Colonies observed were macroscopically, microscopically and culturally examined and then identified. RESULTS: A total of twenty (20) different species of fungi belonging to eleven (11) genera were recovered. These included Basidiobolus haptosporus 16 (40%); Candida albicans 20 (50%); Crytococcus neoformans 16 (40%); Trichosporon capitatum 8 (20%) and Penicillium spp 8 (20%). The most frequently recovered organism was Aspergillus flavus 48 (70%); and this was followed closely by Hansenula anomala 24 (60%). Other genera include Phialophora, Torulopsis, Rhodotorula, Cladosporium, Malassezia and other species of Candida and Aspergillus. 

CONCLUSION: Basidiobolus haptosporus is the most important fungus isolated from the stomach of lizards and toads. It is the etiological agent of subcutaneous phycomycosis, a mycotic disease reported from several countries in West. Candida spp are etiological agents of various forms of candidiasis reported in man and other animals. No animal used showed any sign of infection. Hansenula, Rhodotorula, Cryptococcus, Penicillin spp were also recovered from the internal organs of the amphibians and reptiles without any sign of infection. The occurrence of some organisms have been reported in many parts of the world especially Nigeria.