Pet Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) and Guinea Pigs (Cavia Porcellus) are Vehicles of Pathogenic and Allergenic Fungi

Background: Nowadays, rabbits and guinea pigs are frequently adopted as companion animals, representing a vehicle for the dissemination of potentially pathogenic and allergenic fungi to their tutors. This study aimed to characterize the cutaneous mycobiota of these species and evaluate the association between mycological cultures results and several variables related to these animals’ husbandry. Hair and scales samples (n=102) were collected from 32 rabbits and 19 guinea pigs: 51 by pulling hairs surrounding lesions and collecting scales (if lesions present) or along the body of the animal (if absent); the other 51 samples were collected using Mackenzie’s technique. Samples were inoculated in Sabouraud Chloramphenicol Agar and Dermatophyte Test Media and observed daily during the incubation period. Isolated fungal species were identified based on their macro and microscopic morphology. A questionnaire was provided to the animal’s tutors to collect information on animal husbandry.Results: Most frequently isolated species corresponded to saprophytic fungi, such as Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Scopulariopsis spp.; Candida sp. and Rhodotorula sp. were also found. Statistical analysis showed that a positive mycological culture was related with animal’s age and the administration of ongoing medication, while the number of isolated fungal species was related with animal’s species and outdoor access.Conclusions: These fungi have already been reported as responsible for mycotic infections in humans and animals, including dogs and cats, although they usually affect immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, these animals can represent a zoonotic risk, which may be related with animals age, species, ongoing medication and outdoor access.

Sanitary dangerous filamentous microorganisms in soils of the city of Voronezh

On the example of urban soils of the city of Voronezh there was revealed dependence of the degree of the disturbance of complexes of filamentous microorganisms on soil contamination levels. For the complex of micromycetes in the recreational area of the city disturbances are reversible and correspond to the adaptive range of "stress". In the transport an irreversible transition originates to the adaptive range of "resistance". There are accumulated toxigenic, opportunistic and allergenic fungi species that is harmful to the health of the urban population. The complex of soil actinomycetes is more sustainable. Microbiological indices (lists of indicative species offungi) should be used for the monitoring of urban soils.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with asthma: Results of a prospective study

Aim. To estimate the frequency of fungal sensitization and the incidence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in asthmatic patients. Subjects and methods. A total of 140 asthmatic patients were examined. They underwent allergologic (skin tests for fungal allergens, estimation of total and fungal allergen-specific IgE levels) and mycological (microscopy and inoculation of respiratory biosubstrates) examinations. Chest computed tomography, when indicated, was done. A group of patients with ABPA and that of patients with severe asthma and fungal sensitization were identified. Results. The frequency of fungal sensitization in asthmatic patients was 36%; the main allergenic fungi were Aspergillus and Alternaria. The incidence of ABPA was as high as 4% in the patients with asthma and 11% in those with severe asthma and fungal sensitization. Conclusion. The given current diagnostic criteria will assist practitioners to identify ABPA, to prevent its progression, and to initiate specific anti-inflammatory and antifungal therapy in due time.

Fungal colonization of wood and wood products inside the buildings of Sari, northern Iran

Fungi are placed in the kingdom Mycota and can colonize wood and wood products. Colonized fungi liberate spores in to the air, and spores can be transported over long distances by air currents. Fungal spores can contain multiple dangerous components such as allergens, antigens and mycotoxins. This study was designed to describe the type and frequency of fungal coloni-zation on wood and wood products inside the buildings of Sari, northern Iran. In this study 17 samples were collected from wood and wood products. The fungal diversity of these samples was investigated by culture-based methods. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Eight fungal genera and 1739 fungal colonies were recognized. The most dominant fungi were Aureobasidium (45%), Cladosporium (37.38%) and Penicillium (8.91%). In conclusion, the results of our study showed that wood and wood products can be colonized by Toxigenic and allergenic fungi including: Aureobasidium, Cladosporium and Penicillium. These fungi can cause damage to woods and change the appearance of wood product. Therefore, it is necessary to pre-vent the growth of fungi on wood and wood products.

Diurnal variations of airborne fungal spores concentration in the town and rural area

Airborne fungal spores were monitored in 2001-2002 in Rzeszów (town) and its neighborhood. The aim of investigations was to ascertain if there were differences in diurnal variations of airborne fungal spores concentration between town and rural area. The sampling was carried out using volumetric method. Traps were located at the same heights - app. 12 m. Airborne spores were sampled continuously. Microscopical slides were prepared for each day. Analysis was carried out on one longitudinal band of 48 mm long divided into 24 segments corresponding following hours of day. The results were expressed as mean number of fungal spores per cubic meter per 24 hours. For this survey, five geni of allergenic fungi were selected: <i>Alternaria</i>, <i>Botrytis</i>, <i>Cladosporium</i>, <i>Epicoccum</i>, <i>Ganoderma</i>. The concentrations of their airborne spores were high or very high. It was calculated theoretical day, where the hourly count was the percentage mean of number of spores at that time every chosen day without rainfall from 2001 and 2001 years. The diurnal periodicity of <i>Alternaria</i>, <i>Cladosporium</i>, <i>Epicoccum</i> and <i>Ganoderma</i> showed one peak, while <i>Botrytis</i> two. Anamorphic spores peaked in the afternoon, while their minima occurred in the morning. The highest concentrations of <i>Ganoderma</i> basidiospores were at down or at night, but minima during the day. There were no clear differences in the peak values between two studied sites. The results indicate that maximum concentrations of all spores generally occurred a few hour earlier in the rural area than in the town. Probably, in the rural area airborne spores came from many local sources and their diurnal periodicity reflected rhythm of spore liberation. Towns are characterized by specific microclimate with higher temperature and wind blowing to the centre. In Rzeszów fungal spores could be transported outside and carried out by wind from distant sources. This study showed, among others, that habitat conditions are an important factors influenced diurnal periodicity of airborne fungal spores.

Aeromycoflora in Outdoor Environment of Timisoara City (Romania)

An aeromycological study to identify and quantify allergenic fungi and their fluctuations was conducted at Timisoara. The diversity of the aeromycoflora in this study, based on the recovery of fungal propagules by the volumetric sampling method was conducted for 30 days using the Lanzoni sampler. The study showed that the most prevalent (major components) fungal spores in the air of Timisoara were Cladosporium spp., Drechslera/Helminthosporium spp., Alternaria spp. and Epicoccum spp. The abundant genera were Cladosporium, Fusarium/Leptosphaeria, Drechslera/Helminthosporium, Alternaria and Torula. Cladosporium was the most abundant fungal spore type (41%) collected throughout the period of study reaching.