Yeast-like fungi recovered from normal human skin in Nsukka (Nigeria).

The incidence of yeast-like fungi on normal skin was investigated in 52 healthy Nsukka individuals comprising 21 adults, 24 children, and 7 infants. Eighty-six isolates of yeasts and 2 of Geotrichum candidum were recovered. The yeasts included Candida tropicalis-36 isolates, C. guilliermondii-3, C. parapsilosis-2, Candida spp. (unidentified)-16, Cryptococcus albidus-6, Trichosporon cutaneum-7, Trichosporon spp.-8 and Rhodotorula spp.-8 isolates. The isolates originated from various sites, predominantly from nails and finger clefts. The significance of the findings is discussed with particular reference to the absence of C. albicans and the frequent isolation of C. tropicalis, T. cutaneum and C. albidus.