Fungal infections such as Aspergillosis and Candidiasis have been given less priority in the diagnosis of respiratory disorders compared to other respiratory tract infections. The research is therefore aimed at screening for Aspergillus and Candida infections among patients with pulmonary symptoms that attend Infectious Diseases Hospital, Kano between April and October, 2011, in order to ascertain the endemicity of the infection and the risk factors and groups associated with the diseases. Two hundred sputum samples were investigated by cultivation on Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar containing antibiotic and examination for the fungal elements. Fungal identification was carried out by direct microscopy and colony morphology. Dalamau plate technique and Germ-tube tests were employed to differentiate yeasts. Of the 200 samples examined, eighty subjects (40.00%) were found to be positive of which 49 (61.25%) were males and 31 (38.75%) were females; 41 (51.25%) were positive with Aspergillus spp where as 39 (48.75%) were found to be positive with Candida spp. Among the Aspergillii, A. niger was the most prevalent (21.25%) while among the candida; C. albicans was the most prevalent (35.00%). Significant association was found between the fungal vulnerability with age and prolonged antibiotic usage. Aspergillus and Candida species were found to preferentially result to or rather complicate bronchopulmonary diseases, hence fungal infections need to be explored in patients with the disorders.
