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At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting of symbiotic fungi cultured by the fungus-growing ant Cyphomyrmex minutus.

A PCR-based fingerprinting technique based on amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) is used to screen symbiotic fungi of the fungus-growing ant Cyphomyrmex minutus for genetic differences. AFLP fingerprints reveal several fungal 'types' that (a) represent distinct clones propagated vegetatively by the ant, or (b) correspond to free-living fungi that may be acquired by the ant. Fungal types identified by AFLP fingerprints correspond to vegetative-compatibility groups established previously, suggesting that vegetative compatibility can be used as a crude indicator of genetic differences between fungi of C. minutus.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Pyroglyphid mites, xerophilic fungi and allergenic activity in dust from hospital mattresses.

Dust from mattresses of different composition and age was analysed for mites, xerophilic fungi and allergenic activity. The mites of the genus Demodex were the most abundant (58.2 per cent). Also pyroglyphid mites occurred commonly (36.6 per cent). Pyroglyphid mites were present in small numbers (mean: 1 specimen/0.2 g of dust) in 12 out of the 17 older polyester-foam mattresses. The 11 cotton-horsechair mattresses and the newly used polyester-foam mattresses (three tested) were without them. The dust from the cotton-horsehair mattresses had a significantly higher allergenic activity than from those of polyester-foam. Xerophilic fungi were isolated in three out of 31 mattresses. The species isolated belonged to the genus Aspergillus and Eurotium. E. repens occurred most frequently. Disinfection of mattresses was suggested to have a negative influence on the occurrence of mites and fungi.

Allergens↗
PubMed1989

Fungi isolated from lymph nodes of buffaloes.

A preliminary study was undertaken to investigate the occurrence of fungi in various lymph nodes of domestic buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), subjected to slaughter for human consumption at a local abattoir. Fungi could be demonstrated in 6 out 42 specimens when examined by mycological techniques. Molds were represented by 5 isolates viz., Aspergillus fumigatus (2), A. flavus, A. niger and A. terreus. Candida tropicalis was the only yeast isolate recovered from the lymph node. The significance of fungi in relation to meat inspection is discussed.

Abattoirs↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The spectrum of opportunistic filamentous fungi present in the CBS culture collection.

The mould collection of the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Baarn, The Netherlands, was screened for isolates originating from warm-blooded animals. The range of species indicates that distribution of clinically relevant, pathogenic or opportunistic strains over the fungal kingdom is non-random. Some opportunistic fungi possess adaptations to life under hostile environmental conditions, enabling them to survive inside the human body. Presence of melanin or carotene seems to be an important virulence factor. Opportunistic fungi which sporulate in submersion are able to disseminate or cause severe local mycoses when the aspecific immune system of the host is impaired. Mycoses caused by a few dimorphic fungi, mostly in their natural ecological niche living in association with vertebrates, are promoted by specific immune deficiencies.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Fungi in the home and hospital environment].

From the viewpoint of 40 years of experience in the field of medical mycology with the help of current topics the competence of the medical mycologist for evaluation of a presence of fungi in the home and hospital environment is commented. The topics considered are as follows: 1. The HIV-infected person and the habitat of Cr. neoformans; the predisposition for cryptococcosis and the CD4 lymphocyte count. 2. Invasive aspergillosis after heart transplantation; by exemplary cooperation between the heart surgeon and the medical mycologist it could be demonstrated that the frequently fatal invasive aspergillosis can be avoided. 3. Attention is drawn to the currently most interesting habitats of fungi in the home environment, i.e., biological waste and compost. It has been shown that among the various fungi, the causative agents of systemic mycoses may also be found.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

[Are there pathogenicity factors in fungi?].

Since many years so-called pathogenicity or virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria have been studied intensively. Whereas these factors are produced especially by obligate but also facultative pathogenic bacteria, their presence and function in pathogenic fungi is still a matter of debate. In this minireview we summarize some data about possible pathogenicity factors of Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. The production of adhesins, proteases and capsules contributes to the virulence of these fungi. As fungal infections usually affect immunocompromised patients, the immune status of the host plays a decisive role in addition to the virulence factors produced by fungi.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1998

Euphorbia hirta leaves and Musa sapientum fruits in culture media for fungi.

Two plant products, Euphorbia hirta leaves and fruits of Musa sapientum, were evaluated as principal ingredients for selective cultivation of fungi. Sapientum glucose agar supported the growth of both dermatophytic, yeast-like, and saprophytic fungi; growth on this medium compared favourably with growth on Sabouraud glucose agar, a standard mycological medium. Sporulation and pigment formation were stronger on sapientum glucose agar than on Sabouraud glucose agar, although fungal growth on the latter was more luxuriant. Addition of Euphorbia extract to mycological media remarkably enhanced fungal growth on the media, and concomitantly suppressed bacterial growth to a similar extent as did antibiotics. The results of this study suggest that Euphorbia sapientum glucose agar can safely be recommended as a cheap and efficient medium for routine isolation of fungi in both clinical and general mycological studies.

Agar↗
PubMed2001

Uncommon opportunistic fungi: new nosocomial threats.

During the past two decades opportunistic fungal infections have emerged as important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with severe underlying illnesses and compromised host defenses. While Aspergillus and Candida spp. collectively account for the majority of these infections, recent epidemiological trends indicate a shift towards infections by Aspergillus spp., nonalbicans Candida spp., as well as previously uncommon opportunistic fungi. Apart from an expanding number of different Zygomycetes, previously uncommon hyaline filamentous fungi (such as Fusarium species, Acremonium species, Paecilomyces species, Pseudallescheria boydii, and Scedosporium prolificans), dematiaceous filamentous fungi (such as Bipolaris species, Cladophialophora bantiana, Dactylaria gallopava, Exophiala species, and Alternaria species) and yeast-like pathogens (such as Trichosporon species, Blastoschizomyces capitatus, Malassezia species, Rhodotorula rubra and others) are increasingly encountered as causing life threatening invasive infections that are often refractory to conventional therapies. On the basis of past and current trends, the spectrum of fungal pathogens will continue to evolve in the settings of an expanding population of immunocompromised hosts, selective antifungal pressures, and shifting conditions in hospitals and the environment. An expanded and refined drug arsenal, further elucidation of pathogenesis and resistance mechanisms, establishment of in vitro/in vivo correlations, incorporation of pharmacodynamics, combination- and immunotherapies offer hope for substantial progress in prevention and treatment.

Critical Illness↗
PubMed2006

Microeukaryotic diversity in the extreme environments of the Iberian Pyrite Belt: a comparison between universal and fungi-specific primer sets, temperature gradient gel electrophoresis and cloning.

The Iberian Pyrite Belt extends from Portugal to Spain and is one of the most important pyrite regions in the world. Its aquatic reservoirs display extreme conditions characterized by low pH and high concentrations of heavy metals. In this study, the diversity of microeukaryotes was analysed at the abandoned mines of São Domingos (Portugal) and at Rio Tinto (Spain). DNA was extracted from water samples and a set of eukaryotic universal primers directed to the small subunit rRNA genes (rDNA) was used. The amplicons were analysed by molecular cloning and temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE). In addition, a fungi-specific primer set was also used in TGGE experiments. The fungi-specific primers contributed to a substantial increase in the number of fungal taxa found due, probably, to the relative low density of fungal structures. Several microorganisms, belonging (or closely related) to the ascomycetous yeast Pichia acaciae, the basidiomycetous yeasts Cryptococcus humicola and Cystofilobasidium bisporidii, the green algae Chlamydomonas noctigama and Chlorella protothecoides var. acidicola and some uncultured microeukaryotes were present at both localities, which suggests that specific microorganisms are adapted to the peculiar conditions of the Iberian Pyrite Belt extreme environments. However, in spite of the similarities, a higher algal richness was observed at S. Domingos, whereas for R. Tinto the richness of fungi was more prominent.

DNA, Ribosomal↗
PubMed2006

Antimicrobial activity in cultures of endophytic fungi isolated from Garcinia species.

The aim of the present study was to screen for antimicrobial activity in endophytic fungi isolated from surface sterilized leaves and branches of five Garcinia plants, G. atroviridis, G. dulcis, G. mangostana, G. nigrolineata and G. scortechinii, found in southern Thailand. Fermentation broths from 377 isolated fungi were tested for antimicrobial activity by the agar diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were obtained for crude ethyl acetate extracts. Seventy isolates (18.6%) displayed antimicrobial activity against at least one pathogenic microorganism, such as Staphylococcus aureus, a clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. The results revealed that 6-10%, 1-2% and 18% of the crude ethyl acetate extracts inhibited both strains of S. aureus (MIC 32-512 microg mL(-1)), Ca. albicans and Cr. neoformans (MIC 64-200 microg mL(-1)), and Microsporum gypseum (MIC 2-64 microg mL(-1)), respectively. Isolates D15 and M76 displayed the strongest antibacterial activity against both strains of S. aureus. Isolates M76 and N24 displayed strong antifungal activity against M. gypseum. Fungal molecular identification based on internal transcribed spacer rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that isolates D15 (DQ480353), M76 (DQ480360) and N24 (DQ480361) represented Phomopsis sp., Botryosphaeria sp. and an unidentified fungal endophyte, respectively. These results indicate that some endophytic fungi from Garcinia plants are a potential source of antimicrobial agents.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2002

Degradation of 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin by wood-rotting fungi, screened by dioxin degrading ability.

One hundred thirty-six strains of wood-rot fungi (74 strains, 66 species of 19 genera, and 62 unidentified strains) were screened for the dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) decreasing activity. It was observed that 20% of additional DD (1 micromol) disappeared in the cultures of eight strains belonging to four genera (Aleurodiscus (one strain), Ceriporia (one strain), Phanerochaete (one strain), Phlebia (five strains)) and four unidentified strains. These 12 fungal strains were used for the examination of the degradation of [U-14C]2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,7-diCDD). The fungi unidentified strain MZ-227, Phlebia sp. MG-60 and Phlebia lindtneri showed higher cumulative 14CO2 evolution rates than the other nine fungi. MZ-227, Phlebia sp. MG-60, and P. lindtneri converted 250 nmol of 2,7-diCDD to 196, 155 and 149 nmol of 14CO2, respectively, during a 30-day incubation period

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2006

Fungi growing on aromatic hydrocarbons: biotechnology's unexpected encounter with biohazard?

The biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons by fungi has traditionally been considered to be of a cometabolic nature. Recently, however, an increasing number of fungi isolated from air biofilters exposed to hydrocarbon-polluted gas streams have been shown to assimilate volatile aromatic hydrocarbons as the sole source of carbon and energy. The biosystematics, ecology, and metabolism of such fungi are reviewed here, based in part on re-evaluation of a collection of published hydrocarbon-degrading isolates obtained from authors around the world. Incorrect or outdated identifications in original publications are corrected by ribosomal DNA sequence analysis. The data show that many volatile-hydrocarbon-degrading strains are closely related to, or in some cases clearly conspecific with, the very restricted number of human-pathogenic fungal species causing severe mycoses, especially neurological infections, in immunocompetent individuals. Neurochemistry features a distinctive array of phenolic and aliphatic compounds that are related to molecules involved in the metabolism of aromatic hydrocarbons. Hence, there may be physiological connections between hydrocarbon assimilation and certain patterns of mammalian infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Discovery of synthetic penaeidin activity against antibiotic-resistant fungi.

Penaeidins are antimicrobial peptides from shrimp that are constituted by divergent classes of peptide isoforms in an individual organism. Penaeidin sequence variation suggests functional diversity in the host and promises differential activities if applied to treat infections in humans. We have synthesized isoform 4 of penaeidin class 3 from the Atlantic shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus, by native ligation using three peptide segments. Our synthesis approach led to the discovery of an irreversible side reaction that was successfully suppressed, a discovery, which has particular relevance to the synthesis of cysteine-rich peptides. The antimicrobial activity of full-length penaeidin and the N-terminal proline-rich domain of this isoform were compared with the corresponding peptides of penaeidin class 4 isoform 1 using a wide range of bacteria and fungi. New aspects of penaeidin function are reported that include activity against fungi of the phylum Basidiomycota (Cryptococcus strains), activity against fungi that are pathogenic to humans and effectiveness in the context of antibiotic resistance mechanisms (Cryptococcus and Candida spp.). The proline-rich domain of penaeidin class 4 shows the highest relative antimicrobial activity, while exhibiting no cytotoxicity to human monocytes, and therefore stands out as a potential peptide therapeutic.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Cephalosporin C acylase in the autolysis of filamentous fungi.

Cephalosporin C acylase activity was studied using fluorescamine determination of free--NH2 groups produced in the deacylation of cephalosporin C by the enzyme. Fourteen fungi from different genera were studied and low extracellular cephalosporin C acylase activity was found in the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. Forty one fungi of these genera were checked but not all presented acylase activity. The enzyme was generally found to be an extracellular enzyme and during the process of autolysis its activity increased with incubation time and with increasing pH of the medium. In no case was beta-lactamase activity detected. Penicillium rugulosum and Penicillium griseofulvum were identified as good cephalosporin C acylase producers. Deacetyl esterase activity was also detected in these fungi.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed1990

Pathogenic fungi in soils of Jabalpur, India.

Results of a preliminary survey of pathogenic fungi in soils collected from forest, riverside and residential garbage soil in Jabalpur, India, are reported. A total of 45 soils samples were examined, of which 39 (87%) were positive for fungi, 66 species of fungi classified in 35 genera were isolated: Chrysosporium (78%), Fusarium (69%), Aspergillus (47%), Microsporum (38%), Gliocladium (16%), Acremonium (11%), Penicillium (11%), Humicola (9%), Scopulariopsis (7%), Paecilomyces (7%), Cladosporium (7%); Chaetomium, Colletotrichum, Cunninghamella, Microascus and Rhizopus (4% each); Absidia, Aphanocladium, Arthrobotrys, Botryotrichum, Candida, Cephaliophora, Cephalosporium, Curvularia, Histoplasma, Mucor, Shanorella, Syncephalastrum, Thermomyces, Trichophyton, Trichothecium and Verticillium (2% each); mycelia sterilia (6%). Acremonium persicinum, Cladosporium trichoides and Shanorella spirotricha are new to India. A new species of Humicola has also been isolated.

Fungi↗
PubMed2005

Mutualistic fungi control crop diversity in fungus-growing ants.

Leaf-cutting ants rear clonal fungi for food and transmit the fungi from mother to daughter colonies so that symbiont mixing and conflict, which result from competition between genetically different clones, are avoided. Here we show that despite millions of years of predominantly vertical transmission, the domesticated fungi actively reject mycelial fragments from neighboring colonies, and that the strength of these reactions are in proportion to the overall genetic difference between these symbionts. Fungal incompatibility compounds remain intact during ant digestion, so that fecal droplets, which are used for manuring newly grown fungus, elicit similar hostile reactions when applied to symbionts from other colonies. Symbiont control over new mycelial growth by manurial imprinting prevents the rearing of multiple crops in fungus gardens belonging to the same colony.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Head-to-head comparison of the activities of currently available antifungal agents against 3,378 Spanish clinical isolates of yeasts and filamentous fungi.

We have compared the activities of posaconazole and other currently available antifungal agents against a collection of 3,378 clinical isolates of yeasts and filamentous fungi. A total of 1,997 clinical isolates of Candida spp., 359 of other yeast species, 697 strains of Aspergillus spp., and 325 nondermatophyte non-Aspergillus spp. were included. The average geometric means of the MICs of agents that were tested against Candida spp. were 0.23 microg/ml for amphotericin B, 0.29 microg/ml for flucytosine, 0.97 microg/ml for fluconazole, 0.07 microg/ml for itraconazole, 0.04 microg/ml for voriconazole, 0.15 microg/ml for caspofungin, and 0.03 microg/ml for posaconazole. Voriconazole and posaconazole were active in vitro against the majority of isolates, with resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole, and against Cryptococcus neoformans and other Basidiomycota yeasts. Posaconazole was the most active of antifungal agents tested against Aspergillus spp., with an average geometric mean of 0.10 microg/ml. It was active against Paecilomyces spp., Penicillium spp., Scedosporium apiospermum, and some black fungi, such as Alternaria spp. Multiresistant filamentous fungi, such as Scedosporium prolificans, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, and Fusarium solani, were also resistant to voriconazole, caspofungin, and posaconazole. Amphotericin B and posaconazole were found to be active against most of the Mucorales strains tested. Posaconazole and currently available antifungal agents exhibit a potent activity in vitro against the majority of pathogenic fungal species.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1986

Fungitoxic effects of nonprotein imino acids on growth of saprophytic fungi isolated from the leaf surface of Calliandra haematocephala.

Four saprophytic and pathogenic fungi were isolated from the leaf surface of Calliandra haematocephala, a tropical legume known to contain large amounts of rare nonprotein imino acids in its leaves and seeds. The fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sp., Curvularia sp., and Penicillium sp. were cultured in the laboratory and tested for susceptibility to leaf extracts of the host plant and to proline, pipecolic acid, cis-5-hydroxypipecolic acid, and 2,4-trans-4,5-cis-4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acid. Fungal spore germination and germ tube growth were measured. Aspergillus sp. was inhibited by plant extracts and by pipecolic acid and cis-5-hydroxypipecolic acid. Curvularia sp. growth was stimulated by plant extracts and by pipecolic acid. The other two fungi were unaffected by any of the treatments. The data indicate that imino acids may play a role in the specific resistance of Calliandra spp. to Aspergillus sp.

Aspergillus↗