Determination Of Fungal Contamination In Casual Sports Type Shoes

In this study, it was intended to determine of fungal contamination in casual sports type shoes. The samples were taken by using moistened swap sticks from the inside of the 50 pairs of sports type shoes. Samples were inoculated to petri dishes containing Rosebengal Chloramphenicol Agar and they were incubated at 280C for two weeks. The growing fungi colonies were counted and were taken to petri dishes containing Czapek Dox Agar and Malt Extract Agar for identification and they were incubated for 7-14 days. After incubation, obtained fungi were diagnosed for macroscopic and microscopic features by analyzing the relevant references. 15 fungal species belonging to genera of Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium, Phoma and Trichophyton were obtained. Penicillium was found dominantly in terms of the number of species and Cladosporium was found in high frequency in terms of the number of colony. 35 pairs of casual sports type shoes were found clean regarding to fungal contamination. The isolated fungi from shoes are world-wide spread fungi. Except the Cladosporium the others cause various mycosis and mycotoxicosis in humans. They can transmit from shoes to feet and to other parts of the body and they can cause infections which can effect the health of feet and body. Therefore, suitable shoes should be chosen carefully and individual hygiene should be regarded