Indoor fungal and bacterial contaminations on household environment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

This study was conducted to determine the microbial and inhabitant of household environment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Overall, a total of 180 samples were collected and analyzed for fungal growth, 160 house samples were obtained on BAP medium and PDA medium.

The Eastern Riyadh region turned out with the highest fungal isolates with 15/61 (24.6%).

Among the most common fungal isolates from bedroom carpets were Aspergillus niger (21.6%), Alternaria sp.

(15.7%), Aspergillus flavus (15.7%) Candida sp.

(11.8%), Cladosporium sp.

(9.8%) and Rhizopus sp.

(9.8%).

Other fungal isolates from bedroom carpets included Penicillium sp ( 5.9%)., Cunninghamella sp.(3.9%), Rhodotorula sp.(3.9%) and Aspergillus terreus (1.9%) Overall relative densities from all specimens obtained from household carpets, bedroom walls and carpet stores showed Alternaria spp.

as the most common fungal isolate (55.3%) followed by Aspergillus niger (29%), Aspergillus flavus (19.3%), Rhizopus spp.

(9.7%) and Penicillium spp.

(7.0%).

Other fungal isolates such as Candida spp., Cladosporium spp., Cunninghamella spp., Rhodotorula spp.

and Aspergillus terreus had less than 6% overall relative density.

From 40 carpet specimens collected for microbial analysis, 20 (50%) showed bacterial growth.

Bacillus spp.

was the most common isolated organism (35%) followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (10%), Epiococcus spp.

(10%), Corynebacterium spp.

(10%) and Bacillus polymyxa (10%).

Other bacterial isolates included Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides spp., Clostridium spp.

and Staphylococcus aureus .The presence of these fungal and microbial pathogens poses risk for individuals.

When possible, floor carpeting in homes should be minimized or avoided since this serves as habitats for opportunistic fungi and infectious agents that pose harm to one’s health.