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.

Three-gene phylogeny of the genus Arthroderma: Basis for future taxonomic studies

Arthroderma is the most diverse genus among dermatophytes encompassing species occurring in soil, caves, animal burrows, clinical material and other environments. In this study, we collected ex-type, reference and authentic strains of all currently accepted Arthroderma species and generated sequences of three highly variable loci (ITS rDNA, β-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-α). The number of accepted species was expanded to 27. One novel species, A. melbournense (ex-type strain CCF 6162T = CBS 145858T), is described. This species was isolated from toenail dust collected by a podiatrist in Melbourne, during an epidemiological study of four geographical regions of Eastern Australia. Trichophyton terrestre, Chrysosporium magnisporum, and Chrysosporium oceanitis are transferred to Arthroderma. Typification is provided for T. terrestre that is not conspecific with any of the supposed biological species from the former T. terrestre complex, that is, A. insingulare, A. lenticulare and A. quadrifidum. A multi-gene phylogeny and reference sequences provided in this study should serve as a basis for future phylogenetic studies and facilitate species identification in practice. Lay abstract The genus Arthroderma encompasses geophilic dermatophyte species that infrequently cause human and animal superficial infections. Reference sequences from three genetic loci were generated for all currently accepted Arthroderma species and phylogeny was constructed. Several taxonomic novelties are introduced. The newly provided data will facilitate species identification and future taxonomic studies.

Los animales domésticos (perros y gatos) como reservorio fúngico

En una investigación epidemiológica efectuada en la ciudad de Valparaíso y sus alrededores, entre los años 1985-86, se estudió mediante la técnica del tapete la presencia de hongos patógenos y oportunistas en 278 animales domésticos -191 perros y 87 gatos- sin lesiones clínicas aparentes de dermatofitosis en su pelaje.En los 191 perros, un 6,3% presentó dermatófitos zoofíficos (4 Trichophyton mentagrophytes y 8 Microsporum canis) y un 17,3% de dermatofitos geofílicos (2 Microsporum gypseum-fulvum complex, 6 Keratinomyces ajelloi y 24 Trichophyton terrestre). Los 87 gatos presentaron un 18,4% de zoofíficos (2 T. mentogrophytes, 14 M. canis) y un 12,6% de geofí1icos (1 M. gypseum-fulvum complex, 4 K. ajelloi y 4 T. terrestre).La mayor frecuencia de M. canis (16,1% en gatos y solo un 4,2% en perros}, indica que este agente es capaz de sobrevivir en el pelaje sin causar lesiones aparentes y debe considerarse la especie Zoo-antropofílica más común transmisible al hombre en la edad pediátrica.Entre los Onygenales e Hyphomycetes relacionados, la mayoría de los aislamientos corresponde a las especies de chrysosporium (30,9% del total de perros y 50,6% del total de gatos).Entre las especies fúngicas potencialmente patógenas, puede apreciarse una franca predominancia de los géneros Scopulariopsis, Altenaria y Aspergillus en perros y de Scopulariopsis y Alrernaria. en gatos. Phialophora verrucosa y Exophiala jeanselmei, se destacan como hallazgos interesantes

A preliminary study on the occurrence of Dermatophyles and other keratinophilic fungi in bottom sediments of rivers and lakes

Sam pies of bottom sediments from the Rivers Nacyna, Ruda and from an eutrophic reservoir holding cooling waters were examined for dermatophytes and correlated fungi. The species isolated were: <i>Trichophyton terrestre</i> complex, <i>T. ajelloi</i> (and its perfect form <i>Anhroderma uncinatum</i>). pathogenic strains of <i>T. mentagrophytes</i> and <i>Microsporum</i> cookei; also isolated were five species of the genus <i>Chrysosporium</i>.

Geophilic dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi in the nests of wetland birds

The frequency and species diversity of keratinophilic fungi in 38 nests of nine species of wetland birds were examined. Nine species of geophilic dermatophytes and 13 <em>Chrysosporium</em> species were recorded. <em>Ch. keratinophilum</em>, which together with its teleomorph (<em>Aphanoascus fulvescens</em>) represented 53% of the keratinolytic mycobiota of the nests, was the most frequently observed species. <em>Chrysosporium tropicum, Trichophyton terrestre</em> and <em>Microsporum gypseum</em> populations were less widespread. The distribution of individual populations was not uniform and depended on physical and chemical properties of the nests (humidity, pH).

DISTRIBUTION OF DERMATOPHYTES FROM SOILS OF URBAN AND RURAL AREAS OF CITIES OF PARAIBA STATE, BRAZIL

SUMMARY The dermatophytes, keratinophilic fungi, represent important microorganisms of the soil microbiota, where there are cosmopolitan species and others with restricted geographic distribution. The aim of this study was to broaden the knowledge about the presence of dermatophytes in soils of urban (empty lots, schools, slums, squares, beaches and homes) and rural areas and about the evolution of their prevalence in soils of varying pH in cities of the four mesoregions of Paraiba State, Brazil. Soil samples were collected from 31 cities of Paraiba State. Of 212 samples, 62% showed fungal growth, particularly those from the Mata Paraibana mesoregion (43.5%), which has a tropical climate, hot and humid. Soil pH varied from 4.65 to 9.06, with 71% of the growth of dermatophytes occurring at alkaline pH (7.02 - 9.06) (ρ = 0.000). Of 131 strains isolated, 57.3% were geophilic species, particularly Trichophyton terrestre (31.3%) and Mycrosporum gypseum (21.4%). M. nanum and T. ajelloi were isolated for the first time in Paraiba State. The zoophilic species identified were T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (31.3 %) and T. verrucosum (7.6 %), and T. tonsurans was isolated as an anthropophilic species. The soils of urban areas including empty lots, schools, slums and squares of cities in the mesoregions of Paraiba State were found to be the most suitable reservoirs for almost all dermatophytes; their growth may have been influenced by environmental factors, soils with residues of human and/or animal keratin and alkaline pH.

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

Alkaline soils commonly called as <em>Usar</em> 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 <em>Usar</em> 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 <em>Usar</em> 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. <em>Chrysosporium indicum</em> (19.16%), <em>Microsporum gypseum</em> (12.5%), <em>Chrysosporium tropicum</em> (10.0%), <em>Chrysosporium pannicola</em> (7.5%), <em>Trichophyton terrestre</em> (5.83%), <em>Chrysosporium lucknowense</em> (4.16%), <em>Chrysosporium</em> state of <em>Ctenomyces serratus</em> (3.33%), <em>Gymnascella dankailensis</em> (3.33%), <em>Gymnoascus reessii</em> (1.66 %) and <em>Trichophyton mentagrophytes</em> (1.66 %). The presence of keratinophilic fungi in the <em>Usar</em> soils of Uttar Pradesh, India indicates that these fungi do occur at higher alkalinity.

Mycological Study of Contaminated of the Burn Wounds in Baghdad City

This study included 150 swabs were taken from patients was sufferingfrom different burns. The most common fungi isolated from burn wound wereAspergillus spp. (44.0%) at 37o and (38.17%) at 25o which include Aspergillusniger (9.31%) at 37o and (12.42%) at 25o , Aspergillus fumigatus (4.34%) at 37oand (10.55%) at 25o and Aspergillus flavus (0%) at 37o and (9.93%) at 25o ,followed by Candida spp. (7.45%) at 37o and (7.45%) at 25o, Which includesBlastomyces dermatitidis (0.62%) at 37o and (0.62%) at 25o, Helminthosporum(0%) at 37o and (0.62%) at 25o, Trichophyton terrestre (0%) at 37o and (0.62%)at 25o and Microsporum ajelloi (0%) at 37o and (0.62%) at 25o.The results ofminimal inhibitory concentration of anti fungal agents against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata , Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis, Penicillium(1.66%) at 37o and (9.31%) at 25o, Alternaria (1.24%) at 37o and (3.72%) at 25o,Rhizopus (1.24%) at 37o and (2.48%) at 25o, Fusarium (1.24%) at 37o and(1.24%) at 25o, Mucor (0.62%) at 37o and (1.86%) at 25o, CladosporiumCarnoni (0%) at 37o and (1.86%) at 25o, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (0.92%) at37o and (1.24%) at 25o, Trichophyton rubrum (0%) at 37o and (1.24%) at 25o,Trichophyton verrucosum (0.62%) at 37o and (0.62%) at 25o, Candida albicansincreasing in order as 50  g /ml to Nystatin, 150 g /ml to Gention violet, 250 g /ml to Amphotericin–B, 300 g /ml to Clotrimazol, 950 g /ml to Benzoicacid and the later 1000  g /ml to copper Sulfate and Malachite green.