Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology

Nail polishes: Uncommon fomites for the transmission of pathogenic fungi

2^nd International Conference on Clinical Microbiology & Microbial Genomics

September 16-17, 2013 Hampton Inn Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Margarete Teresa Gottardo de Almeida

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Microb Biochem Technol

Abstract:

Nail polish is composed of a complex combination of substances including resins, plasticizers, solvents, thixotropic agents, minerals and synthetic pigments and natural agents for color and shine. According to common belief, nail polish contains chemicals that would eliminate the possibility of microbial contamination. This study evaluates the survival of fungi in nail polish. Three different colors (base, red and white) of four brands were evaluated. After sterility control, nail polishes were contaminated with Trichophytonrubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis and inoculated in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (DIFCO?). The survival of fungal species was verified over a 12-hour period, and in respect to possible chemical changes of nail polish, it was evaluated by repeating this contamination-testing procedure on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after opening the bottle. All fungal species survived in nail polishes. Fungal growth was evidenced on the first day, within 2 to 6 hours after the first inoculation. Independent of color and brand, higher growth rates were evidenced as the polish became older. Light colors - base and white ? had a higher level of fungal inhibition (43%) than red polish (37%). These data show that nail polish can be considered a vehicle for the transmission of fungi. Individual biological characteristics of fungal must be considered to survive in nail polish. All kinds of beauty appliances should not be shared in order to prevent onychomycosis.

Biography :

Margarete Teresa Gottardo de Almeida is biologist and received her Doctorate in Health Science, Medical Microbiology - Medical School of S?o Jose do Rio Preto City -Sao Paulo State- Brazil. She is manager of a Medical Mycology Laboratory developing researches with pathogenic fungus. She is Adjunct professor at FAMERP University, where she teaches a medical microbiology course on fungal and bacterial pathogens. She is also a Coordinator of two post-graduation courses in Medical Microbiology and Clinical Analysis ( lato sensu ), besides, she is professor of post- graduation courses ( stricto sensu ) in Bioscience Institute, Julio de Mesquita Filho University- UNESP. In the last 5 years, she has 21 publications (scientific journals and congress). Recently she is developing projects with herbal products as potential inhibitory action against fungal cell.