Distribution of keratinophilic fungi in desert soil of Kuwait.

Forty soil samples from different desert localities in Kuwait were surveyed for keratinophilic and geophilic dermatophytic fungi. Sixteen species classified in 9 genera were recovered on wool baits. Chrysosporium species were the most common fungi: Chr. tropicum (60%), Chr. pannicola (32.5%), Chr. queenslandicum (27.5%), Chr. keratinophilum (25%), Chr. indicum (20%) and the Chrysosporium anamorph of Arthroderma cuniculi. The second dominant genus was Malbranchea (27%) represented by two species; followed by Myceliophthora (10%). A number of cleistothecial keratinophilic species were also reported in restricted areas. Ctenomyces serratus Eidam and its Myceliophthora anamorph were new records to Kuwait. The frequency and distribution of these fungi have been discussed in relation to ecological conditions of desert soils.