Isolation and Identification of Fungi and Bacteria Microbiomes among Women Attending Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Nigeria

Abstract

Bacterial and fungi are the most dominant microbiomes which form part of the normal flora of the mouth, skin, gastrointestinal tract and the vagina. These organisms cause infections when their normal balance are altered. Fifteen  high vaginal swabs (HVS) samples were collected from women within  the  child bearing age; 15 -30 years in Ebonyi State Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The aim of the study was to isolate and identify bacterial and fungi pathogens associated with genital tract infections and examine their prevalence in the female cycle. Samples were obtained with swab sticks and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The organisms isolated were Aspergillus (41.1 %), Beauveria (11.7 %), Staphylococcus (5.8 %), Penicillium (5.8 %), Yeast (5.8 %)  Gibellula (5.8 %), Actinomycetes (5.8 %), Streptococcus (2.9 %), Cornularia (2.9 %), Gram +ve bacilli (5.8 %), Candida (2.9 %) and Indeterminate (2.9 %).  Aspergillus (41.1 %) and Beauveria (11.7  %) were the most prevalent fungi pathogens. Prevalence of Aspergillus was high during menstruation and ovulation periods in the female cycle with prevalence rate of 46.6 % and 38.8 % respectively. The research reveals that fungal organisms were more dominant among the subjects and could be the main cause of genital tract infection.

Keywords: Genital tract, vaginal swab, fungi, bacteria, patient, Ebonyi State