Are Fungi Isolated from Water and Fish Samples in Lapai-Agaie Dam, Nigeria Pathogenic to Human Health?

Abstract

The need to identify pathogenic fungi isolates from the water and its’ fishes, in Lapai-Agaie Dam that provides for both domestic and agricultural (irrigation and fisheries) activities in order to provide an understanding of the health implication of the isolates was the panacea for this study. Water samples were collected from four characterized sites while fish samples were obtained from the landing sites at the early hours (between 7000 and 8000hours). Standardized procedures for sample collections and fungi isolationand identification were adopted. Eight (8) and seven (7) species of freshwater fungi were isolated from the water and fish samples respectively. Seventeen (17) species of freshwater fishes were identified from the landing site. The most frequent isolates in water were Penicillium chrysogenum 11(26%) and Mucor varians 09(21%) while Aspergillus nidulans 1(2%) was the least in occurrence. P. chrysogenum, A. niger and A. fumigatus were the isolates common to both water and fish samples. The presences of these fungi in both media (water and fish) may pose health risk to the populace as the water is used for domestic activities; as some populace are in the habit of eating partially cooked fish called ‘half done’ as delicacy meal.