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Indoor Fungal and Bacterial Contaminations on Household
Environment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Suaad S. Alwakeel
Botany Department, Girls College of Education, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
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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.
Key words: fungi, bacteria, carpets, Saudi Arabia.
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