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

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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Prevalence of keratinophilic fungi in usar soils of Uttar Pradesh, India

Microbiology Research ◽

10.4081/mr.2011.e15 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 15 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sunil Kumar Deshmukh ◽

Shilpa Amit Verekar

Keyword(s):

Human Hair ◽

Uttar Pradesh ◽

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Keratinophilic Fungi ◽

Morphological Features ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

Alkaline Soils ◽

Trichophyton Terrestre ◽

Chrysosporium Tropicum

Alkaline soils commonly called as Usar soil having pH 7.5 to 11.0 is commonly found in regions having poor drainage and little percolation. These soils occupy vast tracts of barren lands in the northern parts of India. These areas are frequently visited by man and animals, however there are no reports on the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi from the Usar soils. The purpose of this research was to study the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in the alkaline Usar soil. To investigate the occurrence of soil keratinophilic fungi from Usar soil, 120 samples were collected from five districts of Uttar Pradesh viz. Lucknow, Bareilly, Azamgarh, Balia and Pratapgarh. Keratinophilic fungi were isolated by the hair baiting techniques using human hair as keratin bait. The cultures were identified using macro- and micro morphological features. Eighty-tow strains of keratinophilic fungi were recovered from 120 (68.33%) soil samples. The isolated fungi were composed of ten species of five genera viz. Chrysosporium indicum (19.16%), Microsporum gypseum (12.5%), Chrysosporium tropicum (10.0%), Chrysosporium pannicola (7.5%), Trichophyton terrestre (5.83%), Chrysosporium lucknowense (4.16%), Chrysosporium state of Ctenomyces serratus (3.33%), Gymnascella dankailensis (3.33%), Gymnoascus reessii (1.66 %) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (1.66 %). The presence of keratinophilic fungi in the Usar soils of Uttar Pradesh, India indicates that these fungi do occur at higher alkalinity.

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Polyhydroxyalkanoate/Antifungal Polyene Formulations with Monomeric Hydroxyalkanoic Acids for Improved Antifungal Efficiency

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10060737 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 737

Author(s):

Marina Pekmezovic ◽

Melina Kalagasidis Krusic ◽

Ivana Malagurski ◽

Jelena Milovanovic ◽

Karolina Stępień ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fungal Growth ◽

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

Medium Chain Length ◽

Gold Drugs ◽

Growth Inhibitory Activity ◽

Transdermal Application ◽

Antifungal Efficiency

Novel biodegradable and biocompatible formulations of “old” but “gold” drugs such as nystatin (Nys) and amphotericin B (AmB) were made using a biopolymer as a matrix. Medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHA) were used to formulate both polyenes (Nys and AmB) in the form of films (~50 µm). Thermal properties and stability of the materials were not significantly altered by the incorporation of polyenes in mcl-PHA, but polyene containing materials were more hydrophobic. These formulations were tested in vitro against a panel of pathogenic fungi and for antibiofilm properties. The films containing 0.1 to 2 weight % polyenes showed good activity and sustained polyene release for up to 4 days. A PHA monomer, namely 3-hydroxydecanoic acid (C10-OH), was added to the films to achieve an enhanced synergistic effect with polyenes against fungal growth. Mcl-PHA based polyene formulations showed excellent growth inhibitory activity against both Candida yeasts (C. albicans ATCC 1023, C. albicans SC5314 (ATCC MYA-2876), C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019) and filamentous fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 13073; Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 9533, Microsporum gypseum ATCC 24102). All antifungal PHA film preparations prevented the formation of a C. albicans biofilm, while they were not efficient in eradication of mature biofilms, rendering them suitable for the transdermal application or as coatings of implants.

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Incidence of Keratinophilic Fungi from Selected Soils of Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra State, India

Journal of Mycology ◽

10.1155/2014/148970 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sunil Kumar Deshmukh ◽

Shilpa Amit Verekar

Keyword(s):

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Keratinophilic Fungi ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

Its2 Rdna ◽

Blast Search ◽

Chrysosporium Tropicum

One hundred and fifty samples were collected from eleven districts of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state and screened for the presence of keratinophilic fungi using hair baiting technique for isolation. Seventy-one isolates were recovered and identified. The cultures were identified using macro- and micromorphological features. Their 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 for identification purpose. Thirteen species of eight genera were isolated, namely, Auxarthron conjugatum (2.00%), Chrysosporium indicum (14.00%), Chrysosporium evolceanui (2.66%), Chrysosporium tropicum (4.66%), Chrysosporium zonatum (1.33%), Chrysosporium state of Ctenomyces serratus (3.33%), Gymnascella dankaliensis (1.33%), Gymnascella hyalinospora (0.66%), Gymnoascoideus petalosporus (0.66%), Microsporum gypseum complex (9.33%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2.00%), T. terrestre (3.33%), and Uncinocarpus queenslandicus (2.00%). This study indicates that the soils of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra may be significant reservoirs of certain keratinophilic fungi.

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Survey of Keratinophilic Fungi from Feathers of Birds in Tuscany

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10121317 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 1317

Author(s):

Simona Nardoni ◽

Francesca Mancianti

Keyword(s):

Migratory Birds ◽

Bird Species ◽

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Keratinophilic Fungi ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis ◽

Chrysosporium Keratinophilum ◽

Trichophyton Terrestre

Although keratinophilic fungi on avian feathers have been widely described, data from European literature are quite lacking regarding Mediterranean countries. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the occurrence of fungal species on feathers of different avian species in Italy. A total of 378 feather samples from both aquatic (n = 254) and terrestrial birds (n = 124), for a total of 30 bird species, were cultured for keratinophilic fungi. Fungal isolates were recognized by their macro- and micro-scopical morphology, and results were corroborated by PCR and sequencing. Keratinophilic fungi belonging to 11 different species (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Trichophyton terrestre, Microsporum gypseum, Sepedonium sp., Chrysosporium pannorum, Myriodontium sp., Chrysosporium tropicum, Chrysosporium pruinosum, Chrysosporium luteum and Aphanoascus fulvescens) were isolated from 71 animals (18.8%). The frequency of isolation of keratinophilic species from terrestrial birds was significantly higher in waterfowl. Migratory birds in Italy have been proven to carry pathogenic fungi such as dermatophytes, (A. platyrhyncos, A. crecca, E. rubecula), besides saprophytic species.

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Isolation and Molecular Identification of Keratinophilic Fungi from Public Parks Soil in Shiraz, Iran

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2013/619576 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Keyvan Pakshir ◽

Moosa Rahimi Ghiasi ◽

Kamiar Zomorodian ◽

Ali Reza Gharavi

Keyword(s):

Its Region ◽

Keratinophilic Fungi ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

Public Parks ◽

Important Group ◽

Scedosporium Dehoogii ◽

Study Results ◽

Pcr Products ◽

Ph Range ◽

Bipolaris Spicifera

Introduction. Keratinophilic fungi are an important group of fungi that live in soil. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify keratinophilic fungi from the soil of different parks in Shiraz.Materials and Methods. A total of 196 soil samples from 43 parks were collected. Isolation of the fungi was performed by hair bait technique. The isolated colonies were identified by morphologic feature of macro- and microconidia and molecular method, using DNA sequence analysis. ITS region of ribosomal DNA was amplified and the PCR products were sequenced.Results. 411 isolates from 22 genera were identified.Fusarium(23.8%),Chrysosporium(13.13%),Acremonium(12.65%),Penicillium(12.39%),Microsporum gypseum(1.94%),Bionectria ochroleuca(1.21%),Bipolaris spicifera(1.21%),Scedosporium apiospermum(0.82%),Phialophora reptans(0.82%),Cephalosporium curtipes(0.49%),Scedosporium dehoogii(0.24%),Ochroconis constricta(0.24%),Nectria mauritiicola(0.49%),Chaetomium(0.49%),Scopulariopsis(0.24%),Malbranchea(0.24%), andTritirachium(0.24%) were the most important isolates. Most of the fungi were isolated from the soils with the PH range of 7 to 8.Conclusion. Our study results showed that many keratinophilic fungi isolated from the parks soil are important for public health and children are an important group at a high risk of being exposed to these fungi.

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Isolation and identification of the Myxobacterium Myxococcus fulvus from the Farms and study the inhibitory effect of cells and filtrates against pathogenic fungi

Baghdad Science Journal ◽

10.21123/bsj.9.1.36-44 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 36-44

Author(s):

Baghdad Science Journal

Keyword(s):

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Growth Conditions ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Growth Media ◽

Microsporum Gypseum ◽

High Concentration ◽

Isolation And Identification ◽

Special Growth ◽

The One

The study was performed to isolate and identify the Myxococcus fulvus from the one hundred samples of soils of farms. Special growth conditions had been used to support the growth of M.fulvus local isolates and suppressed the growth of other microorganisms like (Drying , High Temperature , High concentration of antibiotics and specific growth media ) M.fulvus isolates had been subjected to the morphological, cultural , biochemical examination for identification , as well as , study the inhibitory activites of cells and filtrates of localized isolates against some pathogenic fungi include (Trichophyton mentagrophytes , Microsporum gypseum , Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxyporum ) by using three methods :- Cup assay , well diffusion and mixed culture , Results obtaind could be summarized as follows :- 1. (20) out of (100) soil samples , M.fulvus isolated as fruiting bodies depending on baiting technique by bacterial bait. 2. The media casiton – yeast extract agar was suitable for obtaind the best growth of vegetative swarms as pure culture . 3. (8) local isolates were showed inhibitory effect against all of the tested pathogenic fungi . 4. The concentrated filtrates of (3) local isolates were showed highly inhibitory effect than their unconcentrated filtrates against all of the tested pathogenic fungi .

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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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In vitro virulence evaluation of clinical and environmental isolates of dermatophyte fungi

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v10i6.15699 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. e21110615699

Author(s):

Mário Mendes Bonci ◽

Mário Tatsuo Makita ◽

Clara de Almeida Mendes ◽

Daniel Paiva Barros de Abreu ◽

Laís Villar Ribeiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Keratinophilic Fungi ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Microsporum Canis ◽

Environmental Isolates ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Animal Hair ◽

Dermatophyte Infection

Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi and the causative agent of dermatophytosis in animals and people. In the pathogenesis of this disease, enzymes such as DNase, gelatinase, lipase, keratinase, elastase, and collagenase are highlighted. This work aimed to verify the production of these enzymes by clinical and environmental isolates of dermatophytes. Environmental strains were obtained by the Vanbreuseghem technique (1952), using soil samples from different Brazilian locations. The clinical samples were obtained from animal hair and crust sent to the Veterinary Microbiological Diagnostic Service/UFRRJ. The enzymatic evaluation of the dermatophytes was made by spectrophotometer absorbance readings (collagenase, elastase, and keratinase), degradation halo formation in Petri dishes (DNase and lipase) and tube liquefaction (gelatinase). The clinical isolates were Microsporum canis (11), Nannizzia gypsea (7), N. nana (2), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (4) and Trichophyton sp. (6). The environmental isolates were N. gypsea (25), N. nana (1) and Trichophyton sp. (4). There was no statistically significant difference in keratinase, elastase, lipase and gelatinase production between the clinical and environmental isolates groups. There was a statistically significant difference in collagenase and DNase production. It is concluded that both clinical and soil samples are capable of producing enzymes related to dermatophyte infection.

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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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High Parasitic Contamination of Soil Samples in the North of Iran: a Potential Risk of Parasitic Infection for Tourists

Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871526520666200602150446 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Beheshteh Haghparast-kenari ◽

Tooran Nayeri ◽

Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽

Mohammad Taghi Rahimi ◽

Ehsan Ahmadpour ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Contaminated Soil ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Parasitic Infection ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Human Society ◽

Public Parks ◽

The North ◽

North Of Iran

Background: Soil-transmitted parasites (STPs) are significant intestinal parasites that infect humans and animals and impose considerable burdens on human society and animal husbandry industries. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic elements of soil samples collected from the north of Iran. Methods: A total of 256 soil samples were collected from public parks, public places, vegetable gardens, sand heaps, and shadow areas near houses in the north of Iran and examined using the sucrose flotation method. Results: Out of 256 examined samples, 131 (51.2%) ones showed parasitic contamination including larvae (43%), oocysts (14.1%), and different eggs (6.6%). According to the results, the most and least common parasites observed in the samples were larvae (43%), as well as Toxascaris leonina, and Trichuris trichiura (0.4%), respectively. Moreover, the most and least contaminated locations were sand heaps (62.5%) and shadow areas near houses (45.6%), respectively. Regarding cities, Behshahr (68.3%) and Sari (67.5%) had the highest contaminated soil samples, whereas Chalus (37.5%) showed the lowest contamination. On the other hand, rural samples showed more contamination, compared to urban areas (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that the overall prevalence of STPs in examined areas and highly contaminated soil samples can be considered as a potential source of human contamination particularly tourists with STPs.

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