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PubMed1987

[Observation on fungi within urinary stones].

We examined the fungi within the urinary stones of two cases by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In one case, fungal elements, hyphae and spores, were found in some layers within a bladder stone. This patient probably had a history of fungal urinary infection. In another case brown hyphae suggesting dematiaceous fungi were found in the surface and peripheral layers of a kidney stone. This maybe due to contamination of the fungi after removal of the stones. These fungi invaded into interstices of the apatite crystals within the stone as in the tissue.

Fungi↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Preliminary study on the concentration and species composition of bacteria, fungi and mites in samples of house dust from Silesia (Poland).

Twenty-one samples of house dust collected from dwellings situated in Upper Silesia (Poland) were subjected to bacteriological, mycological and acarological examination. Moreover, in two samples the concentration of bacterial endotoxin was estimated by the use of Limulus test. The mean concentration of bacteria in the examined samples was 2831.9 thousands cfu (colony forming units) per gram, that of fungi - 28.4 thousands cfu per gram, and that of mites - 51.5 specimens per gram. No significant correlation could be found between the numbers of these three components of house dust. Two examined samples of house dust contained high amounts of bacterial endotoxin which are comparable to the concentration of endotoxin in agricultural dusts, and could be of immunopathogenic significance. In the bacterial flora of the examined house dust samples, staphylococci prevailed in 45.9% of all isolates, streptococci (23.2%), corynebacteria (13.9%) and spore-forming bacilli (12.2%). Among fungi, the most numerous were strains of the genus Penicillium (39.4%), yeasts (29.5%) and strains of the genus Aspergillus (8.4%). Both bacteria and fungi comprise species that are known for their allergenic properties. The mite fauna of the examined samples was dominated by Dermatophagoides farinae (62.7% of all specimens) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (30.4%); both species are known as important allergens of house dust. The results hitherto obtained indicate the potential significance of all the investigated components (bacteria, fungi and mites) in causing allergy to house dust.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

[Osteoarthritis caused by dematiaceous fungi. Apropos of 3 cases].

Three cases of osteoarthritis due to dematiaceous fungi are reported. The first case, a Drechslera longirostrata spondylitis complicating prosthetic valve fungal endocarditis responded only to the association of Amphotericin B and Ketoconazole. The second patient had chronic osteoarthritis of the knee due to Phialophora parasitica resistant to medical and surgical treatment after renal transplantation. These two cases are the first and the second known reports of clinical infection with these fungi. The third patient had osteoarthritis of the patella complicating a skin infection by a thorn prick. This was cured by surgical excision and 3 months' medical treatment. These cases of infections osteoarthritis of the knee followed subcutaneous abscesses. Deep tissue infections with dematiaceous fungi with osteoarthritic involvement are very rare (6 cases of Drechslera and 8 cases of Phialophora have been reported). These fungi are opportunist saprophytes of plants in subtropical regions. They are characterised on culture by their brown and black pigmentation and microscopy shows septated filaments. Cutaneous effraction is the usual portal of entry in man; patients commonly have depression of their immune systems. Osteoarthritis is generally due to local extension of a subcutaneous abscess. The functional sequellae can be very serious. Treatment comprises surgical excision of the infected tissues with antifungal drugs which may have to be given in association.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

[Studies on habitat of fungi on glass fibre wallpaper (author's transl)].

The fungi strains Alternaria tenuis C.G. Ness and Ulocladium alternariae (Cke.) Simmons could be isolated from black coloured glass fibre wallpaper. It was investigated that glass fibre wallpaper and covering pastes were not substrate medium but were settled by fungi when there were nutrition substances under or in the air volume of the wallpaper. Both isolated fungi strains converted carboxymethyl-cellulose as alone C- and energy source. The fungicide Smotilon AM limited the spore germination growth of both strains with 0.5% solution. The formation of the biotop glass fibre wallpaper for fungi was discussed.

Alternaria↗

PubMed1980

Cellulolytic activities of fungi destroying ancient books.

Fungi isolated from destroyed ancient books were found to produce active cellulolytic enzymes on various cellulosic substrates. The activity of enzymes from different fungi depended on time of growth and temperature and was independent of growth rate. The isolated fungi degraded cellulose faster at 15 degrees C than at 28 degrees C. The different cellulolytic activities of the fungi may reflect their varied roles in the decomposition of ancient paper.

Ascomycota↗

PubMed1984

Effect of aponin, a substance from a green alga Nannochloris species, on the spore germination of two fungi.

Fungistasis which occurs in soil has also been reported to exist in seawater. Nannochloris sp. (Chlorophyta) found along the west coast of Florida, has been shown to elaborate a compound which is cytolytic towards Ptychodiscus brevis, the Florida red tide organism. Aponin, a chloroform extract containing the cytolytic compound or compounds, was tested on the spore germination of two fungi, Dendryphiella salina, a facultative marine organism and Curvularia sp. a terrestrial one. Aponin was stimulatory towards D. salina at all concentrations tested, while Curvularia sp. was stimulated at the highest concentration used but inhibited at the lower concentrations. The culture age of the two fungi did not alter the relative sensitivity of both fungi towards aponin but the germination percentage of Curvularia sp. was affected by the culture age. An aqueous extract of Nannochloris sp. was also tested on the two fungi and was shown to be inhibitory to both. The results seem to indicate that more than one compound from Nannochloris sp. is capable of affecting spore germination indicating that this alga might be playing a role in the reported fungistasis in seawater. Gulf seawater was tested and found to have little if any fungistatic activity.

Chlorophyta↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Lipid composition of certain predatory species of fungi of the genus Arthrobotrys].

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the composition of the medium on the biosynthetic activity of fungi belonging to the genus Arthrobotrys, the content of different lipid fractions in them, and their fatty acid composition. The following fractions typical of the majority of microbial species were found in the lipid composition of these predaceous fungi: phospholipids, monoglycerides, diglycerides, sterols, free fatty acids, and triglycerides. The fungi were capable of accumulating from 2.4 to 13.2% of lipids in the mycelium. The elevated synthesis of lipids was observed in Arthrobotrys longa 14 and A. musiformis 123 in the modified Meise medium and in wort. The content of lipids in the mycelium was low and the fractions of phospholipids and sterols prevailed upon the growth in chemically defined media. The content of triglycerides was high when the fungi grew in the Meise medium and wort. The fatty acid composition of lipids was identical in all of the studied cultures. The principal saturated fatty acids were myristic, palmitic and stearic. Among unsaturated fatty acids, a high content of oleic and linoleic acids was registered.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed1994

[Contamination of archives by filamentous fungi and their evaluation for potential pathogenicity].

The results of microbiological examinations of dust samples collected from mortgage registers in the court archives are presented. In the samples examined filamentous fungi of Penicillium genus were observed as well as Cladosporium herbarum, Geotrichum candidum, Cephalosporium glutineum, Mucor racemosus, Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus niger. Filamentous fungi of Penicillium genus occurred in the highest concentration accounting for 350,000 CFU/g. The levels of the remaining fungi were lower--they ranged from 500 CFU/g to 100,000 CFU/g. The concentration of filamentous fungi observed in archives can create health risk for workers.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMed1994

[Airborne fungi during the last ten years in Sagamihara].

Airborne fungi have been surveyed every week during the 10 years from 1983 to 1992 in Sagamihara. This is a follow up of a 1970 and a 1980 survey at the same sampling station (19.5 m above the ground), using the same gravity potato dextrose agar plate. There were two peak seasons during tsuyu (rainy season; June) and autumn (September to October). The most predominant fungi found, except for yeasts and non-sporulated fungi, were Cladosporium (2 seasons) and Alternaria (more frequently in tsuyu). These were followed by Epicoccum (tsuyu), Aureobasidium, Curvularia (summer), Ulocladium (autumn), Penicillium, Arthrinium, Nigrospora (summer), Fusarium, Trichoderma, Pestalotia in decreasing order of their total frequency throughout the 10 years. The most common fungi found during the most years were different from those found during 1970, particularly in the frequency of Aspergillus and Penicillium, but similar to those during 1980 in Sagamihara as well as in most areas of Japan.

Air Microbiology↗

PubMed1993

[Search for convergence between values of indicators for evaluating oral cavity status as recommended by WHO and presence of fungi or Trichomonas tenax].

There is a lack in the literature of publications analyzing values of indicators for evaluation of oral cavity status, namely: PUW number (cariogenic indicator), Russell's indicator (changes in the paradontium) and Greene-Vermillion indicator (hygiene) recommended by WHO. This prompted the study for search of convergence between values of listed indicators and presence of fungi in ontocenosis of oral cavity in patients reporting to the stomatologist because of several reasons. Among 355 patients in oral cavity of whom presence of fungi was detected, the highest frequency of this invasion was noted in patients with diseases of the paradontium, while lowest percentage was noted in patients with confirmed caries. Convergence between values of tested indicators and presence of fungi was evaluated by application of convergence coefficient of Yule and the Pearson's test (Chi2). No significant correlation between presence of fungi and changes in the oral cavity was found.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Library fungi at the University of São Paulo and their relationship with respiratory allergy.

In this study, we investigated the fungi most frequently found in the air and the books of 28 libraries at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. In a second phase, 314 librarians were questioned about the presence of asthmatic or rhinitic symptoms, and the relationship with the site of work. Forty-nine percent of them reported this type of symptoms and 80% related them to the place of work. In the third stage, librarians underwent intracutaneous tests against the 20 fungi most frequently isolated in libraries. Eighteen librarians presented positive tests, 12 of whom reported rhinitis and 6 of whom were asymptomatic. In 19.5% of symptomatic patients wheals > 15 mm were observed after 6 h, while 9% of the asymptomatic patients presented similar wheals. Fourteen librarians with positive tests underwent tests with each of the 20 fungi constituting the pool. The airborne fungi isolated in libraries are likely to be found anywhere in the city of São Paulo, but they are likely to be present in higher concentrations in libraries, subsequently producing respiratory allergies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Sorption of cadmium by filamentous soil fungi.

The article presents the evaluation of the short-term sorption of Cd by selected soil fungi. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm method for metal sorption modelling was applied. Fungal strains belonging to two classes, Zygomycetes and Ascomycetes, were used. Altogether, six species from Ascomycetes (A. niger, A. nidulans, Ps. boydii, T. koningii, P. janthinellum, P. verrucosum) and three from Zygomycetes (R. rhizopodiformis, R. oryzae, R. pusillus) were examined. These fungi were selected for experiments due to the differences in their cell wall compositions. The walls of Ascomycetes and Zygomycetes are in the chitin-glucan and in the chitosan-chitin groups, respectively. It was found that the biomass of A. nidulans and R. pusillus displayed the relatively high Cd sorption capacity. The sorption of Cd was similar among the fungi investigated. The metal accumulation by these fungi increased with increasing concentrations of Cd. The binding of Cd to the fungal biomass was an extremely rapid process. During the first 5 minutes, 72.75% of Cd was taken up by the fungal biomass. The fungal Cd sorption was increased in low pH (range from 3 to 5).

Adsorption↗

PubMed1998

[Classification of microscopic fungi from the aspect of risk of infection in laboratory personnel].

The authors submit information on a new categorization of microscopic fungi causing human mycoses, as well as criteria of their classification in bio-risk groups (BioSafety Level-BSL) proposed by the European Confederation of Medical Mycology. According to the risk of infection of laboratory workers during handling of cultures isolated from biological specimens almost 400 species of fungi were divided into three groups (BSL 1 and BSL 2-fungi which can produce systemic infections in subjects with immunodeficiencies, or superficial infections in healthy subjects, BSL 3-fungi which can produce severe systemic infections also in healthy subjects). At the same time they express reservations to the classification of some species into groups.

Fungi↗

PubMed1998

Fate of transforming DNA in pathogenic fungi.

Genetic engineering is an important tool in helping us to define the molecular basis of pathogenicity and is also useful in helping us to identify new therapeutic targets in pathogenic fungi. Molecular genetic manipulation of micro-organisms requires the development of plasmid-mediated transformation systems that include: (i) infusion of exogenous DNA into recipient cells, (ii) expression of genes present on the incoming DNA, and (iii) stable maintenance and replication of the inserted DNA leading to expression of the desired phenotypic trait. Transformation systems have been developed for only a handful of fungi that are pathogenic to humans including several species of Candida, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces derrmatitidis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Wangiella dermatitidis (Exophiala dermatitidis) and Coccidioides immitis. Except for Candida species and A. fumigatus, where passage of exogenous DNA into recipient cells has been achieved readily using methods developed for transformation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus nidulans, respectively, development of transformation systems in other pathogenic fungi has been delayed considerably and has only been possible recently with the introduction of electroporation and biolistic methods. Conventional spheroplasting methods or cell wall permeabilization methods using lithium acetate have not been successful for transformation of C. neoformans and work with only low efficiency in H. capsulatum. The fate of incoming DNA varies greatly in these pathogenic species regardless of their phylogenetic relationships. Understanding the fate of incoming DNA is critical for the construction of transforming vectors and the molecular manipulation of the organisms. In this symposium, recent advances in molecular genetic systems including transformation systems, the fate of incoming DNA and strategies for targeted integration are discussed in relation to four pathogenic fungi.

DNA, Fungal↗

PubMed1998

Biosafety considerations in handling medically important fungi.

Over 500,000 workers in the USA alone are employed in laboratories that range from small physician offices to large clinical laboratories handling microbes for comprehensive research and/or diagnostic work. These workers are exposed to a variety of potential occupational health risks such as exposure to infectious clinical materials, environmental specimens, cultures, complex and inflammable chemicals, radiation, and electrical and mechanical hazards. As members of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology, we have no policy statement on biosafety standards for handling medically important fungi. The intent of the symposium is to cover some of the important aspects of biosafety; (1) standards in handling dimorphic fungal pathogens; (2) the principles and criteria of biosafety levels and classification of known medically important fungi, aerobic actinomycetes, environmental fungi according to their biosafety levels; (3) medically important fungal waste and its safe disposal; and (4) biosafety and regulatory considerations in handling and mailing medically important fungi in a culture collection.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Good fungi gone bad: the corruption of calcineurin.

Calcineurin is a Ca(2+)/calmodulin-activated protein phosphatase that is conserved in eukaryotes, from yeast to humans, and is the conserved target of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK506. Genetic studies in yeast and fungi established the molecular basis of calcineurin inhibition by the cyclophilin A-CsA and FKBP12-FK506 complexes. Calcineurin also functions in fungi to control a myriad of physiological processes including cell cycle progression, cation homeostasis, and morphogenesis. Recent investigations into the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, two fungi that cause life-threatening infections in humans, have revealed an essential role for calcineurin in morphogenesis, virulence, and antifungal drug action. Novel non-immunosuppressive analogs of the calcineurin inhibitors CsA and FK506 that retain antifungal activity have been identified and hold promise as candidate antifungal drugs. In addition, comparisons of calcineurin function in both fungi and humans may identify fungal-specific components of calcineurin-signaling pathways that could be targeted for therapy, as well as conserved elements of calcium signaling events.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed1991

Use of alpha-aminoadipate and lysine as sole nitrogen source by Schizosaccharomyces pombe and selected pathogenic fungi.

alpha-Aminodipate, an intermediate of the lysine biosynthetic pathway of fungi, or lysine when used as the sole nitrogen source in the medium was growth inhibitory and toxic to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and pathogenic fungi Candida albicans, Filobasidiella neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus grew in the medium containing alpha-aminoadipate as the sole nitrogen source. C. albicans, A. fumigatus, and one of the strains of F. neoformans also grew in the medium containing lysine as the sole nitrogen source. When grown in the alpha-aminoadipate medium, only S. pombe accumulated a significant amount of alpha-ketoadipate in the culture supernatant. Also, 14C-alpha-aminoadipate was converted to 14C-alpha-ketoadipate in vivo. In the ammonium sulfate medium, S. pombe cells converted 14C-alpha-aminoadipate to lysine. The levels of glutamate-alpha-ketoadipate transaminase, an enzyme responsible for the conversion of alpha-aminoadipate to alpha-ketoadipate, and alpha-aminoadipate reductase, an enzyme required for the conversion of alpha-aminoadipate to lysine, were similar in S. pombe cells grown in the alpha-aminoadipate or ammonium sulfate medium. However, the level of homoisocitrate dehydrogenase, an enzyme before the alpha-ketoadipate step, was twelvefold lower in S. pombe cells grown in the alpha-aminoadipate medium compared to the level in cells grown in the ammonium sulfate medium. Pathogenic fungi used in this study did not accumulate alpha-ketoadipate and alpha-aminoadipate-delta-semialdehyde when grown in medium containing alpha-aminoadipate and lysine, respectively, as sole nitrogen source. However, only pathogenic fungi used both lysine and alpha-aminoadipate as sole nitrogen source. This unique metabolic property could be useful for the identification of these pathogens.

2-Aminoadipic Acid↗

PubMed1997

Dilution rate increases production of plant cell-wall degrading enzymes by anaerobic fungi in continuous-flow culture.

The gut anaerobic fungi,Neocallimastix hurleyensis and aOrpinomyces sp., were grown in 100 mL batch and continuous-flow cultures on wheat straw at a concentration of 80 g dry matter/L of culture liquid. In batch cultures,N. hurleyensis and Orpinomyces sp. degraded only ca. 9% and 5% of the wheat straw, respectively. In continuous-flow cultures, however, the two fungi degraded 52-56% of the apparent dry matter of wheat straw. Both fungi were able to produce greater quantities (up to x 30) of cell-wall degrading enzymes (CMCase, xylanase, beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase) in continuous-flow cultures than in the corresponding batch cultures. Increasing the dilution rate in continuous-flow culture resulted in the production of increased enzyme activity for all the measured cell-wall degrading enzymes, with proportional relationships between dilution rate and the cumulative activities of beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase. Dilution rates, however, had no consistent effect on the cumulative production of the fermentation end-products, acetate, formate, D- and L-lactate from both fungi. In addition to acetate and formate,N. hurleyens is produced D- and L-lactate in both batch and continuous-flow cultures, whereas only trace amounts of L-lactate were detected in the Orpinomyces sp. cultures.

Journal Article↗