Antifungal Potency of Some Antifungal Chemotherapeutics and Antidandruff Solutions against Dermatophytic Flora from Local Hairdressers’ Tools in Awka, Nigeria

Dermatophytes produce spores that can survive for a long time on fomites such as hairdressing tools (combs, scissors, clippers and hairpins). These fomites intend serve in the transmission of dermatophytosis. This study was aimed at evaluating and comparing the antifungal efficacy of some antifungal chemotherapeutics and antidandruff solutions against dermatophytic flora of hairdressers’ tools in Eke-Awka Market in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of forty-five (45) samples were collected by swabbing the hairdressing tools of the local hair dressers using sterile swab sticks. The antifungal drugs (Ketoconazole, Miconazole and Griseofulvin) and the antidandruff solutions (Shampoo and Conditioner) were also bought from Eke-Awka Market. The samples where inoculated into sterile Sabouraud Dextrose Broth base in test tubes and incubated at 25-27ºC for 5-14 days. After incubation, the test tubes with visually observed growth (turbidity) were subsequently plated out by streaking on freshly prepared Sabouraud Dextrose Agar supplemented with Chloramphenicol (50µg/ml) and incubated at 25°C for up to 7-14 days. Identification was done using standard methods. Agar well diffusion method was employed for the in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing using different concentrations of both the antifungal drugs and antidandruff solutions obtained using double fold serial dilutions. Twenty Four (24) dermatophytes were isolated and identified. The isolates included Microsporum ferrugineum 6 (25%), Microsporum gypseum 3 (12.5%), Micosporum audouinii 6 (25%), Trichophyton schoenleinii 5 (20.8%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes 4 (16.7%). The percentage susceptibility pattern of the isolates showed that 60℅ of the isolates were susceptible to Ketoconazole, 40℅ respectively susceptible and susceptible doze dependent to Miconazole and 100℅ resistant to Griseofulvin. For the antidandruff solutions, 20℅ of the isolates were susceptible to hair shampoo while 100℅ were resistant to hair conditioner. The results of this study showed that dermatophytes are prevalent on the tools used by local hair dressers and also that the antifungal drugs had better activity on the isolates than the antidandruff solutions used. Also, based on this study, ketoconazole is recommended for dermatophytosis. There is therefore need to educate the populace on the health hazards associated with sharing local hair making tools and the need for clients to have their personal hair making tools.