Isolation of Microsporum gypseum in soil samples from different geographical regions of Brazil, evaluation of the extracellular proteolytic enzymes activities (keratinase and elastase) and molecular sequencing of selected strains

ABSTRACT We studied the presence of botulinum toxin-producing clostridia in 2,009 soil samples from five geographical regions of Argentina. The prevalence was 23.5%, and the distribution was not homogeneous among the regions. We observed a great multiplicity of serological types and a higher prevalence in nonvirgin soils than in virgin soils.

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Prevalence of keratinophilic fungi in public park soils of Mumbai, India

Microbiology Research ◽

10.4081/mr.2012.e6 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sunil Kumar Deshmukh ◽

Shilpa Amit Verekar

Keyword(s):

Human Hair ◽

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Keratinophilic Fungi ◽

Shake Flask Culture ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

Public Parks ◽

Liquid Media ◽

Public Park

The parks of Mumbai are frequently visited by local residents every morning and evening. However, there are no reports on the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in these areas. The purpose of this research was to study the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in the public parks of Mumbai. One hundred soil samples were collected from five public parks: Kamla Nehru Park, Powai Garden, CD Deshmukh Garden, Five Gardens and Chota Kashmir. Keratinophilic fungi were isolated by the hair baiting technique using human hair as keratin bait. The cultures were identified using macroand micro-morphological features. Identification was also confirmed by the BLAST search of sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region against the NCBI/Genbank data and compared with deposited sequences. The ability of these fungi to use human hair was also evaluated by release of protein in liquid media. A total of 75 strains of keratinophilic fungi were recovered from 100 (75.0%) soil samples. The isolated fungi were composed of eleven species of eight genera: Arthrographis kalrae, Auxarthron conjugatum, Chrysosporium indicum, C. queenslandicum, C. zonatum, Gymnascella dankaliensis, G. hyalinospora, Microsporum gypseum (15.0%), Myriodontium keratinophilum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Uncinocarpus reesii. These fungi can release 148.8-307.6 μg/mL protein in liquid media when grown on human hair in shake flask culture and also decompose 16.2-38.6% of human hair after four weeks of incubation. Our study indicates that keratinophilic fungi are to be found in the soils of various public parks in Mumbai and that human hair can be a source of pathogenic fungi.

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Survey on the Presence of Bacterial, Fungal and Helminthic Agents in Off-Leash Dog Parks Located in Urban Areas in Central-Italy

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061685 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1685

Author(s):

Valentina Virginia Ebani ◽

Simona Nardoni ◽

Stefania Ciapetti ◽

Lisa Guardone ◽

Enrico Loretti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Samples ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Single Case ◽

Central Italy ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Microsporum Canis ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Dog Parks ◽

Parasitic Pathogens

Off-leash dog parks are designated public spaces where dogs can move freely, under their owners’ supervision. These areas, allowing animals to socialize and move freely, are fundamental for dogs’ welfare. However, different pathogens, even zoonotic, may be excreted by the attending animals and contaminate the environment. The aim of the present study was to verify the occurrence of bacterial, fungal and parasitic pathogens in off-leash dog parks located in Florence (central Italy). Between March and May 2019, 83 fecal samples, 43 soil samples and 23 water samples (from fountains and puddles) collected from 26 off-leash fenced areas were examined. Fecal samples scored positive for Yersinia spp. (n = 7), Listeria innocua (n = 4), Toxocara canis eggs (n = 2) and Ancylostoma caninum/Uncinaria stenocephala eggs (n = 1). Keratinophilic geophilic fungi (mostly Microsporum gypseum /A. incurvatum) were recovered from 43 soil samples belonging to 23 out of 26 parks, along with Microsporum canis in a single case. Prototheca spp. was never isolated from water samples, while Trichosporon sp. was cultured in two cases, alone and in association with Geotrichum candidum. These results show that dogs did not act as important carriers for the investigated bacterial and parasitic pathogens, although examined areas may represent a risk for the spreading of some dermatophytoses to both pets and their owners. Periodical examinations to assess the main bacteriological, parasitological and mycological pathogens in different samples collected in off-leash dog parks should be carried out in a One-Health perspective.

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In vitro susceptibility testing of Microsporum gypseum isolated from healthy cattle and soil samples against itraconazole, terbinafine, fluconazole and topical veterinarian drugs

Mycopathologia ◽

10.1007/s11046-005-0252-6 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 159 (3) ◽

pp. 377-380 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Alessandra Gonçalves Krakhecke ◽

Eurípedes Afonso ◽

Joseane C. Ferreira ◽

Regina Celia Candido

Keyword(s):

Susceptibility Testing ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

In Vitro Susceptibility ◽

Healthy Cattle ◽

In Vitro Susceptibility Testing

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Melanogenesis in dermatophyte species in vitro and during infection

Microbiology ◽

10.1099/mic.0.047928-0 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 157 (8) ◽

pp. 2348-2356 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Sirida Youngchim ◽

Soraya Pornsuwan ◽

Joshua D. Nosanchuk ◽

Wiyada Dankai ◽

Nongnuch Vanittanakom

Keyword(s):

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Proteolytic Enzymes ◽

Agar Plate ◽

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

Stable Free Radical ◽

Melanin Binding

Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that are the most common cause of fungal skin infections worldwide. Melanin has been isolated from several important human fungal pathogens, and the polymeric pigment is now recognized as an important virulence determinant. This study investigated whether dermatophytes, including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum gypseum, produce melanin or melanin-like compounds in vitro and during infection. Digestion of the pigmented microconidia and macroconidia of dermatophytes with proteolytic enzymes, denaturant and hot concentrated acid yielded dark particles that retained the size and shape of the original fungal cells. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy revealed that particles derived from pigmented conidia contained a stable free radical signal, consistent with the pigments being a melanin. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated reactivity of a melanin-binding mAb with the pigmented conidia and hyphae, as well as the isolate particles. Laccase, an enzyme involved in melanization, was detected in the dermatophytes by an agar plate assay using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) as the substrate. Skin scrapings from patients with dermatophytoses contained septate hyphae and arthrospores that were reactive with the melanin-binding mAb. These findings indicate that dermatophytes can produce melanin or melanin-like compounds in vitro and during infection. Based on what is known about the function of melanin as a virulence factor of other pathogenic fungi, this pigment may have a similar role in the pathogenesis of dermatophytic diseases.

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A Survey of Puerto Rican Soils for Entomogenous Nematodes Which Attack Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) (Coleoptera:Curculionidae)

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v67i3.7724 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 67 (3) ◽

pp. 311-316

Author(s):

J. Román ◽

J. B. Beavers

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rico ◽

Puerto Rican ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Sterile Soil ◽

Diaprepes Abbreviatus ◽

First Report ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Neoaplectana Carpocapsae Weiser

A survey was conducted to determine the presence of entomogenous nematodes which might parasitize Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) larvae in Puerto Rican soils. One larva (2.3%) was parasitized with Heterorhabditis sp. Poinar when 4-month-old larvae were placed in the soil at eight different sites throughout the Island. Soil samples, taken from sugarcane fields and pasture lands in five geographical regions during July and September 1980, and January and April 1981, and inoculated with D. abbreviatus larvae did not reveal entomogenous nematodes. In the laboratory, when Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser was introduced into sterile soil from these regions, 40% of the exposed D. abbreviatus larvae became infected. We believe this is the first report of the entomogenous nematode, Heterorhabditis sp., occurring in Puerto Rico.

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A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE OCCURRENCE OF KERATINOPHILIC FUNGI IN SOILS OF JAMAICA

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s0036-46652014000300009 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 231-234 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Harish C. Gugnani ◽

Soni Sharma ◽

Kharl Wright

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Keratinophilic Fungi ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

High Occurrence ◽

Public Health Significance ◽

Health Significance ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

Very High

This report represents the first study of keratinophilic fungi present in soils of Jamaica. Out of the 40 soil samples examined from different habitats, 30 (75%) were positive for the presence of keratinophilic fungi, yielding 36 isolates of keratinophilic fungi. Microsporum gypseum complex (represented by 16 isolates of M. gypseum, and four of M. fulvum) was most frequent, being present in 50% of the samples. A very high occurrence of this dermatophyte in Jamaican soil is of public health significance. The remaining isolates of keratinophilic fungi were represented by Chrysosporium spp (mainly C. indicum and C. tropicum) and Sepedonium sp.

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Examining Toxic Metals Contamination, Speciation and Geochemistry of Soil Impacted by Open Disposal of Waste Cathode Ray Tubes in Nigeria

Ovidius University Annals of Chemistry ◽

10.2478/auoc-2018-0011 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 77-84

Author(s):

Paschal Okiroro Iniaghe ◽

Gilbert Umaye Adie

Keyword(s):

Toxic Metals ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Cathode Ray Tubes ◽

Mn Oxide ◽

Flame Atomic Absorption ◽

Regulatory Limits ◽

Top Soil ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Environmentally Sound

Abstract In this study, soil contamination by toxic metals released from cathode ray tubes (CRTs) openly discarded within the vicinities of artisans’ workshops in Nigeria was assessed in order to ascertain the metal leaching potential of CRTs, mobility and bioavailability of the leached metals in soil. Furthermore, the ecological geochemistry of the impacted soils was carried out. Seventy soil samples were randomly collected from thirty five locations at depths 0 - 15 cm (top-soil) and 15 - 30 cm (sub-soil), respectively from two selected states each within five geographical regions of Nigeria. Environmentally available lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) were extracted from dried and sieved soil samples using aqua regia solution and were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Additionally, the metals were also sequentially extracted into five fractions and their concentrations determined using AAS. Concentration of Pb ranged from 0.4 - 6510 mg/kg with all top-soils exceeding the Nigerian NESREA regulatory limit of 164 mg/kg while Cd, Cr, Ni and Cu levels were within their respective regulatory limits. Geoaccumulation index values indicated that approximately 83% of all top-soils represented strong to extreme contamination by Pb while sequential extraction showed that majority of the extracted Pb was in the Fe-Mn oxide, residual and exchangeable forms. The results generally suggest that CRT disposal areas are highly polluted with Pb with significant amounts in bioavailable phases. Thus, waste CRTs are required to be managed in an environmentally sound manner to forestall any probable harm to ecological functioning of such areas.

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Genetic sequence analysis of Arthrobotrys thaumasia DS01 (Monacrosporium thaumasium): A new report from North Sumatra, Indonesia

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/912/1/012104 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 912 (1) ◽

pp. 012104

Author(s):

L D S Hastuti ◽

K Berliani ◽

M B Mulya ◽

A Hartanto ◽

S Pahlevi

Keyword(s):

Sequence Analysis ◽

Urban Area ◽

Species Identification ◽

Biocontrol Agent ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Genetic Sequence ◽

Molecular Sequencing ◽

North Sumatra ◽

Genetic Sequence Analysis

Abstract Exploration of nematode-trapping fungi (NTF) has been conducted previously in urban area, the Medan city, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The survey reported a number of NTF species inhabiting soil samples of organic wastes and decaying litter. Upon finding a suitable NTF isolate as nematode biocontrol agent, species identification is currently carried out based on molecular evidences. One morphotype named isolate DS01 is suspected as member of Arthrobotrys based on morphological characteristics. Molecular sequencing on rDNA or ITS-DNA region has successfully been performed. The genetic sequence was analyzed with database retrieved in NCBI, revealing the identity of A. thaumasia/M. thamasium. Based on recent findings, this is the first report on indigenous strain of A. thaumasia from Indonesia.

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