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PubMedDate not supplied

[Onychomycoses caused by non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi in Cádiz].

BACKGROUND: The incidence and clinical significance of other than dermatophytes fungi or moulds causing onychomycosis is unknown, because they may be colonising organisms rather than pathogen. This report presents the results of a study conducted between 1997 and 1999 to determine the incidence and aetiology of onychomycosis by non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi in the population of Cádiz (Spain). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Diagnosis of onychomycosis was performed by direct microscopic examination, culture and, some times, by histologic examination, on samples from 610 patients with clinical suspected fungal nail infections. RESULTS: Among 196 (32%) cases of ungual mycosis detected, 29 (15%) of them were caused by non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi, presenting positive direct microscopy and repeated cultures. Superficial and distal onychomycosis were the most frequent clinical types. Twenty two patients had onychomycosis of toenails. The highest incidence was found in women and subjects over the age 40. Scopulariopsis spp. (n = 11), Aspergillus spp. (n = 6), Alternaria spp. (n = 5) and Fusarium spp. (n = 4) were the most common fungi. Occasionally, Acremonium spp. and Scedosporium spp. were isolated. CONCLUSION: The incidence of onychomycosis caused by opportunistic fungi is not well known. For their diagnosis, it is important to select correctly the appropriate site for specimen collection, as well as direct microscopy and fungal cultures. The incidence of onychomycosis is high in Cádiz (Spain), being higher in women and older people. Predispondent factors are not always identified in the patients. Toenails were infected more than fingernails in both sexes. The results of our study suggest that Scopulariopsis spp. is an important agent of onychomycosis. Epidemiological investigations should be performed in every country in order to determine the fungal species responsible of onychomycosis.

Female↗
PubMed2000

Pathogenesis II: fungal responses to host responses: interaction of host cells with fungi.

Most of our knowledge concerning the virulence determinants of pathogenic fungi comes from the infected host, mainly from animal models and more recently from in vitro studies with cell cultures. The fungi usually present intra- and/or extracellular host-parasite interfaces, with the parasitism phenomenon dependent on complementary surface molecules. Among living organisms, this has been characterized as a cohabitation event, where the fungus is able to recognize specific host tissues acting as an attractant, creating stable conditions for its survival. Several fungi pathogenic for humans and animals have evolved special strategies to deliver elements to their cellular targets that may be relevant to their pathogenicity. Most of these pathogens express surface factors that mediate binding to host cells either directly or indirectly, in the latter case binding to host adhesion components such as extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which act as 'interlinking' molecules. The entry of the pathogen into the host cell is initiated by fungal adherence to the cell surface, which generates an uptake signal that may induce its cytoplasmic internalization. Once this is accomplished, some fungi are able to alter the host cytoskeletal architecture, as manifested by a rearrangement of microtubule and microfilament proteins, and this can also induce epithelial host cells to become apoptotic. It is possible that fungal pathogens induce modulation of different host cell pathways in order to evade host defences and to foster their own proliferation. For a number of pathogens, the ability to bind ECM glycoproteins, the capability of internalization and the induction of apoptosis are considered important factors in virulence. Furthermore, specific recognition between fungal parasites and their host cell targets may be mediated by the interaction of carbohydrate-binding proteins, e.g., lectins on the surface of one type of cell, probably a parasite, that combine with complementary sugars on the surface of host-cell. These interactions supply precise models to study putative adhesins and receptor-containing molecules in the context of the fungus-host interface. The recognition of the host molecules by fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Histoplasma capsulatum, and their molecular mechanisms of adhesion and invasion, are reviewed in this paper.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Biological effect of space flight on edible fungi onboard recoverable scientific satellite].

In order to breed good variety of edible fungi and provide data of cultivation of edible fungi in Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) in the future, 2 species of the edible fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus and Flammulina velutipes )were carried into space by a recoverable scientific satellite. A series of biological tests and cultivation experiments were done with the mycelia and sporocarp of these edible fungi. It was demonstrated that the edible fungi recovered from the satellite have superior characters such as: earlier sporocarp production, higher yield, higher transformation rate of raw fiber and organic matter and higher content of polysaccharide and endogenous hormones than the control.

Abscisic Acid↗
PubMed2003

[Prevalence of mycelial fungi in hematological hospital].

AIM: To study prevalence, quantity and species of mycelial fungi in the air of a hematological hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Air samples in the hematological departments were taken monthly by PU-1B device in the volume 250 l/min. Seeding and identification of mycelial fungi were made on the Chapeck medium. RESULTS: Tests for mycelial fungi in the air was 95%. Dominating species were the following: Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., Aspergillus spp. The fungal contamination was seasonal. Maximal isolation of Penicillium spp was seen in winter and autumn. Aspergillus spp. is represented with 13 species of which most frequent were A.versicolor, A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. ochraceus, A. flavus. Pathological material from 19 patients contained Aspergillus spp.: A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger. The isolation peak was in autumn-winter and coincided with maximal isolation of fungal spores from the air. The analysis of air samples taken in the wards where patients had Aspergillus spp. in biomaterials showed that concentration of spores Aspergillus spp. was higher than in nearby wards and corridor: 45.6 CFU/M3 vs 18.8 CFU/m3 and 24.7 CFU/M3, respectively. However, morphologically identical strains (patient-air) were recognized only in 4 cases from the nearby wards and corridor. None of the air samples taken in the ward of the patient contained identical species. Minimal amount of the spores of micromycetes was registered in the wards furnished with ventilation with laminar air flow. Most contaminated was the air of 4 bed wards in the old building. CONCLUSION: Mycological monitoring of the air in hematological departments determined the structure of mycelial fungi complexes. Though ambient air in the wards is full of fungi, detection of morphologically identical strains causing invasive mycosis in immunocompromised patients is rare. Further studies are necessary.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed2003

[Effects of different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on Tagetes erecta growth and diesel degradation].

The effects of G. mosseae, G. geospora, G. constrictum and bacteria on diesel tolerance of Tagetes erecta were investigated under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that AM fungi could still develop mycorrhizal assosiations with mum when the diesel concentration was 5,000 mg.kg-1. White mum was better than yellow mum in diesel tolerance, with 63.1% total biomass increased. The colonization rate of inoculating AM fungi treatment was 3.5%-29.9% higher than the control. G. mosseae and G. geospora were better strains, their biomass increasing 9.0% and 42.7% than the control, respectively, while the effect of inoculating mixed AM fungi was not obvious. Bacteria inhibited the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on white mum, but promoted the vegetative and reproductive growth of mycorrhizal mum. Among 5 inoculation treatments, treatments of inoculating G. geospora and inoculating mixed AM fungi and bacteria were better, with 16.51% and 14.05% more diesel degradation rate than that of the control, respectively.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2005

[Effects of AM fungi on drought tolerance of citrus grafting seedling trifoliate orange/cara cara].

With pot experiment in a greenhouse, this paper studied the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glomus mosseae on the drought tolerance of citrus grafting seedling trifoliate orange/cara cara under natural water stress and rewatering. The results showed that inoculation with AM fungi significantly increased the plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and shoot length of test seedling. At the 4th day of rewatering, mycorrhizal plant had significantly higher root soluble protein content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities than non-mycorrhizal plant. An interaction between water and AM fungi could significantly promote leaf SOD activity. During natural water stress and rewatering, AM fungi inoculation could decrease the leaf content of malondialdehyde (MDA), increase those of soluble sugar and soluble protein, and enhance the activities of SOD, peroxidase (POD) and CAT. As a result, the capability of osmotic adjustment and protective recovery, and thus, the drought tolerance of mycorrhizal citrus grafting seedling were improved. The mechanism that AM fungi could enhance the drought tolerance of host plant might be related to the protective system of host plant.

Citrus↗
PubMed1990

[Identification and susceptibility of clinically isolated yeast-like fungi].

We studied the identification and susceptibility of clinically isolated yeast-like fungi at Showa University Hospital from April 1988 to March 1989. Clinically significant of yeast-like fungi were observed in 7.1% of specimens from outpatients, 13.0% of inpatients. In both outpatients and inpatients, yeast-like fungi were isolated mainly from sputum and urine. But, one third of them were considered as non-pathogenic and not identified. The species of isolates were, Candida albicans 57%, Candida tropicalis 14% and Candida glabrata 8% in both inpatients and outpatients, and these species shared most part. The isolation frequency of Candida parapsilosis was higher in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen than the others. The susceptibility test by agar dilution method indicated most of the isolates were susceptible to Amphotericin B and Miconazole (MIC less than or equal to 25 micrograms/ml). There was no difference in MIC between predominantly isolated fungi and commonly isolated fungi. Notably, isolates from blood and CSF showed a significant high tolerance against Amphotericin B and Miconazole than from the other specimens. The MICs of Fluconazole were shown to be very high (greater than 100 micrograms/ml) in normal Sabouraud agar, were decreased dose-dependently by human sera in the medium. These findings indicated the component(s) of sera enhanced the anti-fungal activity of Fluconazole.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1982

The role of wild animals in the ecology of dermatophytes and related fungi.

The problems associated with infections by dermatophytes and related fungi are discussed. Published and unpublished surveys of 1 481 wild animals of the orders Carnivora, Ungulata, Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Insectivora and Chiroptera and of 29 birds proved to be positive for fungi which were classified as potentially pathogenic zoophilic, potentially pathogenic geophilic and normally non-pathogenic geophilic. Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes was isolated from 11% of rodents; the fungus was also isolated from Insectivora, the hare and the ibex. T. mentagrophytes var. erinacei was reported in the hedgehog. Microsporum canis was reported in rodents from anthropogenic areas. M. gypseum was reported in Ungulata, Lagomorpha and Rodentia; other geophilic fungi were found in all the orders investigated, with the exception of Chiroptera which proved to be constantly negative. The relationship between the presence of animals and the "animalization" of the environment, and the consequent presence of geophilic fungi is discussed. It is concluded that wild animals may play a role as carriers of dermatophytes and related fungi, may create environmental conditions favourable to their growth and may help to monitor the presence of a fungus in a given area.

Animal Population Groups↗
PubMed1993

[Characteristics of fungi and attempts of their elimination from the oral cavity in children treated with orthodontic appliances].

Microbiological evaluation of oral cavity was performed in 112 children, aged 6-18 years, with retrogenic defects (group I) and other defects (group II). The material for microbiological investigation consisted of contents of oral cavity cultured on the Sabouraud broth. Isolated abacterial strains of fungi were differentiated according to their morphological and biochemical properties. Among isolated fungi, independently of the bite defects and age of children, highest percentage of strains of Candida albicans was noted. Remaining species represented genus Candida (C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. pseudotropicalis, C. zeylanoides), Geotrichum (G. candidum), Rhodotorula (R. rubra) and Trichosporon (T. cutaneum). Fungi were present in oral cavity in 45% (age 6-8 years) and 36.4% (age 9-18 years) of group I patients. In group II these percentages were respectively 15.2 and 58.7. In control groups occurrence of fungi was 3-4 times lower. Despite application of disinfectants and treatment with nystatin, frequency of isolation of fungi did not change.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

[Cleavage of alpha-L-arabinofuranoside, beta-D-glucopyranoside and beta-cellobioside of 4-nitrophenol by enzymes of various fungi - a contribution to increase the selectivity of tumor therapy].

To carry out long-term experiments as part of a therapy concept of malignant tumours using inactive transport forms of cancerostatic substances and their specific cleavage in the acidic pH region of the tumours by application of extraneous enzymes, we require enzymes with similar catalytic and pharmacokinetic properties which differ from each other in immunological respect. In the search for such enzymes, the alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases from 12 different fungi, among them 9 basidiomycetes, were studied. The enzymes mentioned were demonstrable in all fungi. Optimum pH values ranged between 2.5 and 5.5. The Km values for the cleavage of alpha-L-arabinofuranoside were, in most cases, 0.5 to 1.8 moles-liter-1-10(-3). With regard to pH dependence, the alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases of most of the fungi investigated proved adequate for the long-term trials envisaged. 4-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and -beta-cellobioside were also cleaved by enzyme preparations of all the 11 fungi investigated. The beta-D-glucopyranosidases showed a less favourable pH dependence than the alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases. The cleavage of 4-nitrophenyl-beta-cellobioside, on the contrary, showed mostly a comparatively favourable pH dependence. On the basis of the coinciding optimal pH values and the occurrence of 4-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside as an intermediate product in the cleavage of the corresponding cellobioside, we assume that both substrates are cleaved by beta-glucosidase. Because the occurrence of the glucoside during the cleavage of cellobioside is undesirable for the therapeutic trial, a method is proposed for selection of an appropriate cellobioside splitting enzyme basing on the present studies and the relevant literature.

Aspergillus niger↗
PubMed1983

Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from floors in Roman primary schools.

Keratinophilic fungi are present in the environment with variable distribution patterns that depend on different factors, one of which, of fundamental importance, is human and or animal presence. The present study was conducted in the environment and classrooms of schools in order to evaluate the relationship between the human presence and the presence of keratinophilic fungi. In order to achieve this goal, a new isolation technique was used. From 20 samples, 253 colonies of keratinophilic fungi were isolated. The results showed that species of the genus Chrysosporium were present in 100% of the samples, while Microsporum and Trichophyton species were present in 40% and 65% of the samples respectively. The percentage of three pathogenic species, M. canis (25), T. mentagrophytes (10) and M. gypseum (10) was significant. The other species isolated were: T. terrestre (55%), Trichophyton sp. (35%), M. cookei (25%) and T. ajelloi (10%). A correlation between the amount of gathered dust and the number of colonies of keratinophilic fungi isolated was not found.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Effect of cadmium on growth of potentially pathogenic soil fungi.

The effect of Cd on the mycelial growth of some potentially pathogenic soil fungi was investigated. Sixty-four strains from twenty-five fungal species were tested for their susceptibility to Cd. Final colony diameter, radial growth rate and final dry mass of mycelium (for Cd: 1-200 ppm) were measured. EcD50 values were calculated from these parameters. The intra- and interspecific variability in the results obtained is presented. Among the keratinolytic fungal group, the general Arthrographis, trichophyton and Chrysosporium (including Chrysosporium anamorph of Aphanoascus reticulisporus) were the most resistant to Cd. T. mentagrophytes was the most sensitive of all Trichophyton species tested. Among the nonkeratinolytic fungal group, the genera Pseudallescheria, Absida and Rhizopus were highly resistant to Cd. Strains of Aspergillus were more resistant to Cd than strains of Penicillium. Zygomycetes were more resistant to Cd than Ascomycetes with Fungi Imperfecti. Nonkeratinolytic fungi showed higher resistance to Cd than keratinolytic fungi. The two last differences resulted from the extremely high EcD50 values for R. oryzae and A. corymbifera.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro susceptibility of public indoor swimming pool fungi to three disinfectants.

The floors of indoor swimming pools are contaminated by yeasts, dermatophytes and other saprophytic species. Previous epidemiological studies have revealed that the fungi persist even after cleaning. Three disinfectants were tested in vitro against fungi standard isolated from swimming pool floors. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests and AFNOR standard T72-201 were carried out. Adilon and Decalcite, commonly used in swimming pools, were ineffective against most of the fungi, while Nobactel, recommended elsewhere, was particularly effective against the studied fungi. In addition to the necessary technical modifications of the methods, this study highlights the need to choose effective antifungal compounds and to alternate cleaning products to minimize acquired resistance.

Arthrodermataceae↗
PubMed1986

Growth characteristics of selected fungi on polyvinyl chloride film.

The objective of this study was to determine if plasticized polyvinyl chloride film would support the growth of any of nine species of fungi. The film was suspended in distilled water with no nutrients or with glucose or ammonium sulfate. Spores of each of the test species were inoculated into the suspension medium, and the mixture was incubated at 30 degrees C for up to 18 weeks. Most species were found to be capable of utilizing the film for carbon or nitrogen when the other nutrient was supplied. Only two species, Aspergillus fischeri and Paecilomyces sp., were found to be capable of utilizing components of the film without added nutrients. Components of the polyvinyl chloride film were then incorporated into mineral salts medium to determine if these components could serve as carbon sources in the presence of ammonium nitrate. The only component found to be utilized by all the fungi as a carbon source was epoxidized oil, a plasticizer-stabilizer. Calcium-zinc stearate was an available carbon source for all except the Penicillium and Verticillium strains. The only other component utilized was a stearamide, which was metabolized solely by the Aspergillus sp. Only the stearamide contained enough nitrogen to serve as a primary source in the film. The compound, however, did not support growth of fungi in the presence of glucose. It was theorized that either the nitrogen of the stearamide was more readily available to the fungi in the whole film due to the presence of trace nutrients or the nitrogen was supplied by exogenous sources.

Aspergillus↗
PubMed1992

Effects of culture media on the in vitro susceptibility of selected opportunistic fungi to fluconazole and itraconazole.

The sensitivity of 23 isolates of opportunistic fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus (5), A. flavus (5), A. niger (5), Pseudallescheria boydii (5), Alternaria alternata (2) and Xylohypha bantiana (1), was investigated against fluconazole and itraconazole, using Sabouraud's dextrose broth (SD) and a high-resolution (HR) medium (Pfizer, Inc.). The procedure followed was a standard tube dilution (1 ml/tube) method. Candida albicans Y01 09 was included as reference strain to monitor quality and reproducibility. Results indicated that the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of fluconazole for all Aspergillus spp. and C. albicans were greater than or equal to 100 micrograms/ml in SD medium, whereas, for P. boydi, A. alternata and X. bantiana, the MICs were 50 micrograms/l. The MICs of itraconazole in SD medium were less than 0.195-1.56 micrograms/ml for the fungi tested. In HR medium, the MICs of fluconazole for the Aspergillus spp, were greater than or equal to 100 micrograms/ml, and those for P. boydii, A. alternata and X. bantiana were 0.78, 50 and 50 micrograms/ml, respectively. The MICs of itraconazole for all fungi ranged from less than 0.198 to 0.78 micrograms/ml in the HR medium. The values for the reference strain were 1.56 and 100 micrograms/ml in the HR medium for fluconazole and itraconazole, respectively. The HR medium was more suitable for testing P. boydii against fluconazole. This culture medium did not appear to significantly affect the MICs of itraconazole as compared to those of fluconazole, for the fungi investigated.

Alternaria↗
PubMed2001

Epidemiological study of pathogenic fungi in China: 1986 and 1996.

OBJECTIVE: An annual decade epidemiological survey of pathogenic fungi of inpatients or outpatients includes more than 25 provinces in China has been done in 1986 and 1996. METHODS: In 1986, there were a total of 9096 strains of pathogenic fungi collected from more than 41 units of 25 provinces in China. 10 years late, 18,085 strains of pathogenic fungi from 41 units of 25 provinces were collected from January 1st to December 31st in 1996. RESULTS: The results showed that during this decade the prominent pathogenic fungus was Trichophyton rubrum, but its ratio gradually decreased. On the contrary, Candida albicans gradually increased in its ratio from 5th in 1986 to 2nd in 1996. CONCLUSION: The pathogenic fungi in China have changed greatly in the past decade from 1986 to 1996.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1992

On the mechanism of penetration of ovicidal fungi through egg-shells of parasitic nematodes. Decomposition of chitinous and ascaroside layers.

The decomposition of egg-shells of Ascaris lumbricoides L. was studied microscopically using topochemical methods in a set of 32 strains of soil ovicidal fungi. It was found that even fungi displaying minimal chitinolytic activity in tests on purified chitin in vitro are able to dissolve chitin of egg-shells during the attack on live eggs. Fungi without any chitinolytic activity penetrate probably only the mechanically damaged eggs. None of the studied fungi was capable of degrading enzymatically the glycolipid (ascaroside) layer of the egg-shell which remained intact after digestion of all other components of the egg.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Occurrence and morphology of some predatory fungi, amoebicidal, rotifericidal and nematodicidal, in the surface waters of Białystok region].

Studies concerned the occurrence of some predatory fungi in the surface waters: springs, rivers, lakes and ponds of Białystok region, collected in years 1999-2002. The following species of predatory fungi, amoebicidal, rotifericidal and nematodicidal were found: Arthrobotrys oligospora Fresenius, Zoophagus insidians Somlnestorff, Somnuerstorffia spinosa Arnaudov, Dactylaria brochopaga Drechsler, Euryancale sacciospora Dreschler and Zoopage phanera Drechsler. Physico-chemical parameters of waters in basins and water-courses did not prove important effect on existence of fungi. A little more species of predatory fungi were recorded in samples of water in early spring and late autumn.

Animals↗