Survey of Keratinophilic Fungi from Feathers of Birds in Tuscany

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.

Fungal dermatitis by Scopulariopsis brevicaulisin Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

Fungal dermatitis is classified into superficial, cutaneous and subcutaneous mycoses. However, the incidence of fungal dermatitis in small mammals is relatively low. Among rodents guinea pig the most affected specie, however it usually has an asymptomatic pattern. The present text reports an unusual case of fungal dermatitis in Caviaporcelluscaused by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis. The animal was received with complaint of alteration of coat around the neck, as well as report of incorrect feeding management. During the physical examination the presence of a dry and crusty dermatitis, negative on fluorescence test of wood. Samples of blood, skin, scabs and hair were collected for parasitic and mycological analysis. The hematological evaluation showed only a discrete eosinophilia; no ectoparasites were observed, but it was noticed the presence of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis. The animal underwent terbinafine and griseofulvin protocol, with total regression of the lesions after 30 days. S. brevicaulis is an unusual geophilic fungus causing animal mycosis, presenting more pathological reports in human mycoses, thus, representing a zoonotic potential. According to the clinical findings and results obtained from mycology assay, it was diagnosed dermatitis by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, secondary to nutritional deficiency. The combined use of topical terbinafine with systemic griseofulvin was efficient in the treatment. Finally, it was recommended a dietary correction.

Taxonomic and phylogenetic insights into novel Ascomycota from contaminated soils in Yunnan, China

Industrial soil contamination negatively affects flora and fauna in the soil. Nevertheless, some fungi have the ability to survive in such polluted soils. In this study, we isolated fungal strains from polluted soils in industrialized areas of Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China. Fungal strains underwent morphological observations, subjected to phylogenetic analyses and subsequently described using morphological characterizations and multigene phylogenetic inferences. The molecular data of partial nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) (LSU, SSU and ITS) and protein-coding genes (tef1-α, rpb2 and btub) were used to resolve the phylogeny of newly generated sequences. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses were constructed to clarify phylogenetic affinities. Based on the biphasic approach of incorporating morphology and molecular data, we introduce one new species, Juxtiphoma yunnanensis sp. nov. (Didymellaceae, Pleosporales), two new records viz. Lecanicillium dimorphum (J.D. Chen) Zare & W. Gams (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (Sacc.) Bainier (Microascaceae, Microascales) inhabit polluted soils in China.

Case Report: Successful Management of Refractory Keratomycosis in an Alpaca Using Penetrating Keratoplasty and Combination Antifungal Therapy (Caspofungin 0.5% and Terbinafine 1%)

Fungal keratitis is a common disease in certain parts of the world and affects several species, including equids, camelids, and homo sapiens, leading to blindness or loss of the eye if the infection is not adequately controlled. Reports of clinical use of antifungals caspofungin and terbinafine are limited across both veterinary and human medical literature. The alpaca presented in this case demonstrates that deep keratomycosis can be caused by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis and Fusarium verticillioides, two previously unreported fungi to cause keratomycosis in camelids. This report demonstrates successful management with a combination of surgery and topical ophthalmic treatment with caspofungin 0.5% solution and terbinafine 1% dermatologic cream, after initially failing treatment with topical voriconazole 1% solution. Combination therapy appears more effective than monotherapy with some fungal organisms, and synergy between antifungal agents is thought to play a role in the success of combination therapy. Surgery to remove the bulk of the fungal infection is especially helpful in cases that fail initial medical therapy.

Lignocellulosic Waste Degradation Potential of Some Cellulolytic Fungal Strains Isolated from Putrid Fruits

Fungi are plentiful in nature and they are found growing on wastes of wood materials. These wastes are equally found in our environment with no usefulness. The aim of this study was to exploit the probability of the isolated fungi from fruits to produce cellulase from wastes of lignocellulosic materials. Cellulase- producing fungi were isolated from fruits (tomato, banana, plantain). The organisms were screened for cellulase production. Culture conditions were optimized with pH, temperature and carbon. Cellulase was produced using lignocellulosic wastes; sawdust, corn cob, sugarcane bagasse. Six cellulase producers were isolated, four of which were selected for synthesis and quantification of the cellulase. The fungi were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae4, Trichoderma species1 and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis1. Of all the tested substrates used in this study, pretreated sugarcane bagasse at 3% w/v concentration with Scopulariopsis brevicaulis gave highest cellulase production 18.18 U/mL at 40°C, 5day incubation time and pH 5, followed by Trichoderma with 12.39 U/mL. These fungi are good potentials cellulase producers that can be considered at industrial level.

Evaluation of cytotoxic potential of L-asparaginase from Scopulariopsis brevicaulis on cell lines in vitro

Introduction and Aim: This study reports the cytotoxic potential of L-Asparaginase isolated from the fungus Scopulariopsis brevicaulis. Materials and Methods: Extracellular L- Asparaginase was isolated from Scopulariopsis brevicaulis and purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by dialysis, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Varying concentrations (31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 µg/ml) of purified L-Asparaginase was tested on MCF7, HeLa, HepG2 and 3T3L1cell lines by MTT assay. Curcumin was maintained as a positive control. Results: Minimum inhibition of 23.57% was observed at an enzyme concentration of 31.25 µg/ml and maximum inhibition (66.41%) was observed at 500 µg/ml against MCF7 cell line. Minimum inhibition of 2.87% was observed at an enzyme concentration 31.25 µg/ml and maximum inhibition (58.49%) was observed at 500 µg/ml against HeLa cell line. Minimum inhibition of 4.58% was shown at an enzyme concentration of 31.25 µg/ml and maximum inhibition (46.14 %) was observed at 500 µg/ml against HepG2 cell line. Minimum inhibition of 1.4% was shown by enzyme concentration 31.25 µg/ml and maximum inhibition (50.9%) was observed at 500 µg/ml against 3T3L1 cell line. Conclusion: We report for the first time the cytotoxic potential of L-Asparaginase from Scopulariopsis brevicaulis.