Ocular Sporotrichosis

Sporotrichosis is a subacute or chronic mycosis predominant in tropical and subtropical regions. It is an infection of subcutaneous tissue caused by Sporothrix fungus species, but occasionally resulting in an extracutaneous condition, including osteoarticular, pulmonary, nervous central system, and ocular disease. Cases of ocular sporotrichosis are rare, but reports have been increasing in recent decades. Ocular infections usually occur in hyperendemic areas of sporotrichosis. For its classification, anatomic criteria are used. The clinical presentation is the infection in the ocular adnexal and intraocular infection. Ocular adnexa infections include palpebral, conjunctivitis, and infections of the lacrimal sac. Intraocular infection includes exogenous or endogenous endophthalmitis. Most infections in the ocular adnexal have been reported in Brazil, China and Peru, and intraocular infections are limited to the USA and Brazil. Diagnosis is performed from Sporothrix isolation in the mycological examination from ocular or skin samples. Both sporotrichosis in the ocular adnexa and intraocular infection can mimic several infectious and non-infectious medical conditions. Ocular adnexa infections are treated with potassium iodide and itraconazole. The intraocular infection is treated with amphotericin B. This review describes the clinical findings and epidemiological, diagnosis, and treatment of ocular sporotrichosis.

Chromoblastomycosis Due to a Never-before-Seen Dematiaceous Fungus in a Kidney Transplant Patient

Chromoblastomycosis is a neglected fungal infection of the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue that predominates in tropical areas and results from the traumatic inoculation of environmental dematiaceous filamentous fungi. We describe the case of an immunosuppressed patient diagnosed with foot chromoblastomycosis due to an uncommon dematiaceous fungus. A 52-year-old Congolese kidney transplant woman presented with a painful lesion located on the foot. No trauma to the lower limbs was reported during the previous months. She lived in France and had not returned to the Congo over the previous eight years. Histology and mycological examination from skin biopsy revealed swollen dark filaments associated with dematiaceous muriform cells, pathognomonic of chromoblastomycosis. Cultures grew with dark pigmented colonies, yielding poor microscopic features. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the isolate was a member of Kirschsteiniotheliales (Dothideomycetes) and unrelated to the Chaetotyriales, of which most species commonly responsible for chromoblastomycosis belong. As there was no bone spreading, excision surgery of the entire lesion followed by liposomal amphotericin B therapy resulted in complete healing after six months. This original case illustrates the potential diversity of environmental dematiaceous fungi responsible for phaeohyphomycosis, especially chromoblastomycosis, and the need to send samples to mycology labs for appropriate diagnosis.

Phytosanitary monitoring of the narrow-leaved lupine collection of VIR in the northwest of Russia

Background. Narrow-leaved lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) is an important high-protein forage and green manure crop, also promising for food use. This is a plastic species produced under various ecogeographic conditions and the only cultivated species of lupine adapted to high northern latitudes – up to 60° NL. Gradual expansion of lupine production areas led to the accumulation of pathogens, damage to lupine crops by harmful organisms, and significant harvest losses. Breeding and cultivating resistant varieties is the most profitable and environmentally sound way to control diseases and pests. Studying the species composition of pathogens and searching for source material are the necessary stages of plant breeding for immunity.Materials and methods. A set of 101 accessions of L. angustifolius from the VIR collection were studied in the northwest of the Russian Federation (Pushkin, St. Petersburg) in 2019, and 62 accessions from the same set in 2020. Mycological examination of the affected leaves was carried out on potato sucrose agar medium under laboratory conditions. The degree of damage to plants by diseases and infestation by pests was assessed during the period of flowering, fruit formation and ripening using point scales.Results and conclusions. A wide range of harmful organisms were identified for their negative impact on the growth and development of narrow-leaved lupine plants. The dominant pest was the lupine aphid (Macrosiphum albifrons Essig), discovered in Russia for the first time. A whole set of fungal pathogens was identified, among which the most common and harmful were the causative agents of Fusarium, brown leaf spot, powdery mildew, gray mold, and Sclerotinia stem rot. Narrow-leaved lupine accessions with weak degrees of pathogenic damage were selected.

The spread of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis due to Sporothrix brasiliensis in Brazil towards the Northeast region

Background Sporotrichosis is a worldwide subcutaneous mycosis caused by Sporothrix spp. In the past, this infection was associated with armadillo hunting, horticulturists, miners, and gardeners, being considered an implantation mycosis acquired by plant debris injury. Nevertheless, since the late nineties, it has been considered a zoonotic disease in Brazil. Here we report a case series of 121 patients with cat-transmitted sporotrichosis seen in Northeast Brazil. Methodology/Principal findings Patient’s demographic, clinical data, and length of treatment were recorded. In addition, a mycological examination and further PCR confirmation of species identification were performed. One hundred and twenty two patients were diagnosed with subcutaneous sporotrichosis from October 2016 to December 2019, while PCR revealed that 71 of them were due to S. brasiliensis. The majority of the individuals were female (n = 86; 70.5%). Patient’s age ranged from 5 to 87 years old. The clinical forms found were lymphocutaneous (58.2%) and fixed cutaneous (39.4%). Interestingly, 115 patients reported previous contact with cats diagnosed with sporotrichosis. Patients were successfully treated with itraconazole and potassium iodide. Conclusions/Significance Our study adds important contributions for the investigation of the spread of cat-transmitted subcutaneous sporotrichosis in Brazil, specifically towards the Northeast region of a continental-size country. It will also help clinicians to be aware of the existence and importance to accurately diagnose sporotrichosis and treat patients with this infectious disease in the lowest income region of Brazil.

CLINICO-MYCOLOGICAL PROFILE OF DERMATOPHYTOSIS AND DERMATOMYCOSIS AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

This study was conducted to determine the common isolates causing dermatophytosis and other fungi causing dermatomycosis in patients presenting with skin lesions with or without involvement of hair and nails. A total of 75 patients were included in the study with 86 distinctive clinical lesions, of which Tinea corporis (46.7%,) was the most predominant followed by T. cruris (22.7%), T. unguium (14.7%) with a male to female ratio of 1.3:1. KOH mounts were made from samples and examined for fungal elements and samples were sent to Microbiology laboratory for culture, and identication among them 77.3% were skin scrapings alone and 14.7% were nail clippings along with skin scrapings and 8% were hair samples along with skin scrapings. Most common isolate was Trichophyton rubrum (40%) followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (17.3%), Trichophyton tonsurans (9.3%), Microsporum gypseum (4%) and no fungal growth was found in 17.3% of the samples. The study signies the importance of mycological examination in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis.

Prevalence and etiology of onychomycosis in patients with psoriasis: a single-center study

BACKGROUND: Changes in nails with psoriasis are observed in 8090% of patients. Pathological processes in the nail apparatus in patients with psoriasis are associated with both the underlying disease and the infectious nature. AIMS: To evaluate the clinical features of the affected nail plates in patients with psoriasis, the prevalence and etiology of onychomycosis in patients with psoriasis with altered nail plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 102 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, mild and moderate, stationary stage with altered nail plates were examined. A clinical and laboratory (microscopic and cultural) study of the affected nail plates was carried out. RESULTS: After mycological studies and physical examination of the affected nails of 102 patients, the following groups of nail diseases in patients with psoriasis were identified: psoriatic onychodystrophy (76; 74.5%) patients, onychomycosis (30; 29.4%) patients, traumatic onycholysis (4; 3,9%) patient, onychocryptosis (3; 2.9%) patients. 11 (14.5%) patients with psoriatic onychodystrophy had a complication in the form of a fungal infection. Distal-lateral subungual form of onychomycosis was detected in 17 patients (56.7%), total dystrophic form ― in 10 patients (33.3%), white superficial form ― in 2 patients (6.6%), proximal subungual form ― in 1 patient (3.3%). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of clinical and mycological examination of the affected nails of patients with psoriasis, it was revealed that 74.5% of patients have manifestations of psoriatic onychodystrophy, 29.4% ― onychomycosis. Among patients with psoriatic onychodystrophy, 14.5% had a complication in the form of a secondary fungal infection. The main causative agents of onychomycosis are Candida spp. (63.3%). The incidence of dermatophytes (Trichophyton spp.) Was 36.7% of the total number of cases. The main clinical forms of onychomycosis in patients with psoriasis are distal-lateral (56.6%), total dystrophic (33.3%).

MANAGEMENT OF FUSARIUM SPECIES ISOLATED FROM ZINGIBER OFFICINALE (GINGER) BY ESSENTIAL OILS

Mycological examination of 57 samples of Ginger revealed the occurrence of toxigenic Fusarium species (Fusarium verticililoides, F. oxysporum, F. solani and F. equiseti) with 44.9% of incidence. Fusarium species isolated in this study were treated with different concentration (1000 ppm, 1500 ppm, 2000 ppm, 2500 ppm) of five essential oils viz., Clove, Eucalyptus, Cedar wood , Peppermint and Lemon grass and the antifungal activity of each essential oils was evaluated. The results indicated that all essential oils exhibited anti-fungal activity at different concentrations. Peppermint oil was highly effective in inhibiting all the Fusarium species tested at 1500ppm and higher concentration. Lemongrass, Clove and Eucalyptus oils inhibited the fungal growth at 2000-2500 ppm. Cedar oil was less effective in inhibition of mycelial growth and sporulation of the Fusarium species tested. The present results reveals that essential oils can be used as natural fungicide at lowest concentrations for controlling Fusarium species in Ginger

Frequency of Candida Spp. On the Anterior and Posterior Surfaces of Tongue Among Healthy Denture and Non-denture Wearers

Background: oral Candidiasis is the most common opportunistic infection that could affect the oral mucosa. Studies to date did not compare the colony count of candida of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the tongue. Objectives: hence, this study was aimed to compare the Candida spp. on the anterior and posterior surfaces of tongue among healthy denture and non-denture wearers.Methods: in current cross-sectional study, oral specimens were collected from anterior and posterior tongue dorsa by swabbing for mycological examination. Samples were collected from 26 healthy denture wearers (DW) and 10 non-denture wearers (NDW). All samples were cultured on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar (S) and chloramphenicol (SC) and chloramphenicol and cycloheximide (SCC) mediums. Isolated colonies were counted. Germ Tube test was performed to determine the albicans species. Data was collected and entered in SPSS software version 17. Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon nonparametric tests were used for statistical comparison of data due to non-compliance with normal distribution.Results: the higher density of isolated colonies were seen in denture wearer group comparing to others (P Value = 0.031). There was a significant difference between candida colonization of anterior and posterior of tongue (P Value = 0.006). C. Albicans was the most common isolated candida species.Conclusion: mycological findings of this study revealed that presence of denture can increase colonization of candida on the posterior surface of the tongue. It could be an important guide in choosing the best form for medicine management of oral candidiasis.

Pseudotumoral actinomycotic mycetoma of the buttock in children: A case report

Mycetoma is a rare and neglected tropical disease among children. Extrapodal forms, in particular the buttock, are serious because they expose to visceral extension. We are reporting an observation remarkable for its clinical tumor presentation in a child. An 11-year-old boy was admitted at to the dermatology department for a buttock tumor that has been evolving for 2 years. Physical examination showed a multinodular, polyfistulized, and inflammatory tumor emitting red granules located in the buttocks. Mycological examination isolated Actinomadure pelletieri that confirms the diagnosis of actinomicotic mycetoma. The evolution, after a two-year follow-up, was positive under antibiotic therapy combining cotrimoxazol, clavulanic acid amoxicillin and streptomycin. Our observation is specific by the occurrence of a pseudotumoral actinomycotic buttock mycetoma in a child, the diagnostic delay and the favorable evolution without recurrence after a follow-up of 24-month.

Conventional and Molecular Identification of Mycotic Mastitis Caused by Candida in Farm Animals

Mycotic mastitis due to Candida is increasing and the identification of Candida species is crucial in choosing the ideal antifungal drugs. Identification of Candida to species level is essential as many non-albicans Candida developed drug resistance against antifungal agents. A total of 138 milk samples (24, 15, 46 and 53 from goats, sheep, buffaloes and cows, respectively) were streaked on plain plates of SDA and incubated. CHROM agar was used to differentiate Candida isolates. Mycological examination revealed the presence of yeast in 8.3, 6.7, 32.6 and 47.2% milk samples of goats, sheep, buffaloes and cows, respectively. The total isolation percent of yeast in all milk samples was 31.2%. Species identification of Candida in the present work using both CHROM agar and the bio-typing assay (API 20 C AUX) revealed the highest presence of Candida albicans (11.6%) followed C. glabrata (5.8%), C. tropicalis (5.1%) and C. krusei (2.9%). Multiplex PCR gave two different sized PCR products specific for every tested Candida isolates separately. It was concluded that phenotypic and biochemical assays are time-consuming and exposed to misdiagnosis. Whereas multiplex PCR is a genotypic-based technique that permits the identification of species that is difficult to be identified conventionally because of their abnormal morphology or biochemical features and also this assay is simple, easy and time saving so it is recommended to be implemented in clinical laboratories.