Common fungi and major factors of the contamination of student dormitories indoor

Microbiological quality of environments is an important criterion that must be taken into account when indoor
workplaces are designed to provide a safe environment. Therefore the purpose of this study is to provide insight into how students are
exposed to fungal contamination of the dormitory indoor and to figure out the major possible factors that govern the contamination
levels.
Material & Methods: The study samples were obtained from two female dormitories of UMS University. The specimens were collected
by using sterile swabs from indoor environments such as rooms, kitchens, washrooms /bathrooms, corridors and study rooms. A
morphologic identification was performed using colony features and microscopic characteristics for the fungal isolates, and the findings
were confirmed by PCR-RFLP molecular method.
Results: Molds and yeasts were recovered from the indoor places including rooms, study room, kitchens and bathrooms from student
life areas of the dormitories. A total of 160 swab samples yielded fungal growth. The number of fungal colonies recorded was 458 cps
(colony per swab) included common mold: A. flavus (31.7%), A. fumigatus (28.7%), A. niger (5.8%) and yeasts: Candida albicans, C.
dubliniensis, C. krusei. The black fungi (dematiaceus fungi) were totally isolated 67 (11.5%) followed by other molds included
Penicillium (9.5%), Rhizopus (4.3%), Scopolariopsis (0.5%), Pseudoallescheria and Fusarium (0.35% each).
Conclusion: Our findings show that Aspergillus species are most common fungi contaminant dormitories indoor and kitchens contain
most species and numbers of molds