Abstract
The skin microbiome is very diverse. Fungi are a mandatory part of it. The biological role of non-dermatophytic keratinolytic saprophytic fungi is in the decomposition of keratinized skin debris and its appendages in the soil. Non-dermatophytickeratinophils inhabiting human skin may be potential causative agents of opportunistic skin mycoses, making the findings relevant. The aim of the study was to study the microbial landscape of the skin of the hands of adolescents among schoolchildren and students and the keratinophilic properties identified by micromycetes. The object of the study were 43 healthy adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, from whom samples of biomaterial were taken. The health status of young people with physical inactivity, vitamin deficiencies, cases of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections was studied by questionnaires. A high rate of carriage of all representatives of pathogens of skin mycosis was established in school-age boys with prevalence of mold (61.5%) and yeast (66.7%) fungi. Among students, carriers of classical dermatophytes were mainly girls (80.0%), mold and yeast fungi - mainly young men (64.0%). A total of 35 isolates were isolated, 13 species of fungi were identified to the genus: Penicillium spp. (11%), T. rubrum (11%), Alternaria spp. (6%), T. mentagrophytes (8%), T. verrucosum (6%), A. niger (9%), A. flavus (3%), M. сanis (3%), Ch. globosum (3%), A. pullulans (3%), Cladosporium spp. (3%) and others. The study of keratinophilic properties of micromycetes isolated from adolescents showed their presence in 71.4% of strains. The keratinophilic properties of micromycetes were confirmed by abundant mycelial growth, active spore formation, and accumulation of spores both on the surface of the cuticle (ectothrix) and in the thickness of the hair (endothrix), which were detected by microscopy.