Mucormycosis: A challenge with COVID-19

Mucormycosis is an aggressive opportunistic fungal infection caused by fungi of the Phycomycetes class including Rhizopus species and Mucor species. The pathogen can be present in the environment, on the skin, and in the orifices of the body. There are several types including Rhinocerebral, Pulmonary, Gastrointestinal, Cutaneous, and Disseminated Mucormycosis.1 The spores infect the paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx, extending to the orbit and brain cavity in persons who have reduced cellular and humoral defenses. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a surge in the cases of rhino-orbital mucormycosis has become a life-threatening combination. Early diagnosis and intervention in the only way to save the vision and life of the affected patient.

Novel Mucor species (Mucoromycetes, Mucoraceae) from northern Thailand

Mucor species are common fast-growing fungi found in soil. Two new species of Mucor and one new geographical record of M. nederlandicus were collected from northern Thailand and are described in this study. Evidence from morphophysiological data and phylogenetic analysis supports the introduction of the new taxa. Phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (LSU) data showed that the new isolates cluster distinctly from other Mucor species with high or maximum bootstrap support. Mucor aseptatophorus is characterized by aseptate sporangiophores, globose columella, resistant and deliquescent sporangia, has sympodial, and monopodial branches and shows growth at 37 °C. It also differs from M. irregularis in having smaller sporangiospores, and larger sporangia. Mucor chiangraiensis has subglobose or slightly elongated globose columella, produces hyaline sporangiospores, and resistant and deliquescent sporangia. Furthermore, this species has wider sporangiophore, smaller sporangia and lower growth than M. nederlandicus. A detailed description of the species and illustrations are provided for the novel species.

Awareness Toward Mucormycosis Attack for COVID Patients

Risk groups for mucormycosis include persons with immunosuppressed immune system and uncontrolled diabetes. The patients suffering from corona virus or post covid patients have been found to be entrapped with this fungal infection due to suppression in the immune system. Also the major attack was reported in those patients who were in Intensive Care units. It arises due to the fungal infection of various species and can occur simultaneously with covid. The development of black fungus mostly affects lungs, eyes, brain, and skin and is not at all contagious. Proper diagnostic can only predict that the patient is in invasive attack of which mucor species. It is better to take prevention by wearing medicated masks, hand gloves, wearing glasses, avoid dusty and damp places.

Mycological Assessment of Deteriorated Lycopersicum esculentum Fruits Sold in Wukari Nigeria

Lycopersicum esculentum (Tomato) fruits are widely consumed in raw and processed forms owing to their high nutritional value. However, high water content makes them more prone to microbial attack especially spoilage by fungi. In this study, fungi associated with deteriorated tomato fruits sold in Wukari, Nigeria were assessed. A total of thirty (30) deteriorated tomato fruits were collected, ten (10) each from the three markets (Federal University up-gate mini market, New market and Yam market) and assessed for fungi using standard microbiological methods. The result shows that fungal load in all the markets ranged from 1.0 × 105 sfu/g to 3.0 × 105 sfu/g and Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhodotorula species, Mucor species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Fusarium species were isolated from the various samples. The percentage occurrences of the various isolates on the samples show that Aspergillus niger was the most frequent (63.33%), followed by Fusarium species (43.33%), Aspergillus flavus (33.33%), Mucor species (26.67%) and Rhodotorula species (23.33%) while Saccharomyces cerevisiae (10.00%) was the least. In each sampling location, the percentage occurrences of all the species were highest at Yam market site (35%), followed by Federal University up-gate mini market (33.33%) while New market site was the least (31.67%). The pathogenicity result showed that the healthy tomato fruits after being inoculated with these fungi isolates deteriorated spontaneously through the period of 5 days and the organisms were recovered after culture on freshly prepared nutrient medium. Some of these organisms are known to be human pathogens, hence care must be taken when handling and using deteriorated tomatoes to avoid infections from these organisms.

Enumeration, Antagonism and Enzymatic Activities of Microorganisms Isolated from Railway Station Soil

Soil is the well-known hotspot for microbial diversity. Therefore, for our investigation, we isolated, characterized, and identified microorganisms from railway station soil. Sampling was done subsequently after every 15 days interval, and from two different soil depths i.e. 0-15 cm and below during March to May of 2013. Further, soil isolates were examined for their antagonistic activity, against four soil born plant pathogens namely,Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium f sp pisi, andSclerotinia sclerotiorum. Subsequently, isolates were screened for the presence of amylases, proteases, lipases and cellulases. For each interval of soil sampling, a gradual reduction in the microbial count was noticed from month March to May. Mucor species was observed only in the rainy days. The most promising enzymes producers wereBacillus sp., Aspergillus and Penicillium sp. Overall, the fungal isolates were better producers of enzymes as compared to bacterial isolates.

Pattern of skin fungi in palmar arsenical keratosis

<p class="Abstract">The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of fungi in palmar arsenical keratosis. The skin swab was taken from the five different sites (palm, dorsum, axilla, front and back of the chest) of arsenicosis patients (n=37), arsenic exposed volunteers (n=20) and healthy volunteers (n=20) of an arsenic endemic area. Fungi were cultured in the Sabouraud dextrose agar media. The skin of the healthy volunteers contained only four species of fungi: Aspergillus, Dermatophytes, Mucor and Fusarium. The incidence of each fungus was low (0-4 out of 20 cases). The chronic exposure to arsenic did not alter the pattern of fungi. However, the patient of arsenicosis showed increased inci-dence of Aspergillus and Dermatophytes species and decreased incidence of Mucor species. The supplementation of iron and folic acid to the patient for 12 weeks reduced the incidence of Aspergillus (only in axilla), Dermatophytes (only in palm) and increased the incidence of Mucor (all the sites except palm). In conclusion, skin fungi are altered in arsenicosis irrespective of intake of high concentration of arsenic.</p>