Isolation and Identification of Dermatophytic and Non-dermatophytic Fungi among Almajiri School Children in Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

Dermatophytosis and non-dermatophytosis remain significant public health concerns because of their high prevalence, increasing antifungal resistance, and the limitations of conventional antifungal drugs. This study aimed to determine the dermatophytic and non-dermatophytic organisms associated with skin infections among Almajiri schoolchildren aged 10–15 years. Fungal isolates were obtained from skin scrapings and identified using cultural, microscopic, and molecular techniques, including PCR amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene. A total of 14 fungal isolates, representing three fungal genera, were recovered. The genera isolated were Rhizoctonia, Aspergillus, and Trichophyton, with Aspergillus occurring most frequently. The fungal species isolated were Aspergillus fumigatus (42.85%), Trichophyton interdigitale (21.43%), Aspergillus niger (14.29%), Rhizoctonia spp. (14.29%), and Aspergillus flavus (7.14%). Molecular identification confirmed A. fumigatus, T. interdigitale, and A. niger with sequence identities of 98.69%, 99.54%, and 99.80%, respectively. These findings indicate the presence of dermatophytic and non-dermatophytic fungi among the sampled children and support the need for improved hygiene and laboratory-based diagnosis in Almajiri schools. The study concluded that non-dermatophytes were associated with skin infections among Almajiri schoolchildren aged 10–15 years.