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PubMed1995

Biomass degrading enzymes from anaerobic rumen fungi.

Obligately anaerobic fungi are part of the natural microflora of the alimentary tract of many herbivorous mammals. They produce a complete set of polysaccharide hydrolytic enzymes which efficiently degrade plant cell-walls. This article summarizes the present work on biomass degrading enzymes with special emphasis on their cellulases, xylanases, and esterases from both monocentric and polycentric anaerobic fungi. The possibility of the cellulosome or xylanosome-like high molecular mass complexes in the fungi are also discussed.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1994

[The occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in the polluted environment of the Labedy District in Gliwice].

This study was undertaken to find relationships between the degree of bacteriological contamination with qualitative composition of potentially pathogenic keratinolytic fungal population in soil, sediment and air samples from the Labedy district in Gliwice (Poland). The examined soil samples were characterized by the predominance of Botryotrichum piluliferum, Chrysosporium anamorph of Arthroderma curreyi, Myceliophthora anamorph of Ctenomyces serratus, Chrysosporium pannicola and Trichphyton ajelloi. These species are typical for keratinolytic mycoflora in moderate climate soils, and their abundance was certainly resulted from the assembly of keratin remains in the soil environment. In the light of the weak bacteriological and mycological differentiation of the examined soil samples, however, it is difficult to determine categorically the extent to which the remains were originated from sewage via soil flooding by sewage or air transportation, or from the local human and animal population. Subsequently, the population of keratinolytic fungi in sediments was found to be clearly dependent of the degree of water contamination with sewage. In badly polluted sediments, Chrysosporium pannicola, Chrysosporium anamorph of Aphanoascus fulvescens, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Trichophyton ajelloi and Microsporum cookei were prevalent species. Keratinolytic fungi were only a small part of airborne fungal population in sewage bioaerosoles. Geomyces pannorum, a soil species better known by its celullotytic than keratinolytic properties, predominated in air samples. Some pathogenic species, such as Aspergillus flavus, Aureobasidium pullulans, Chrysporium anamorph of Aphanoascus fulvescens, Candida spp., Geotrichum candidum, Microsporum canis, Sporothrix schenckii and Trichosporon beigelii, were recovered in the present study. This confirms that the sewage-contaminated environments in an important storage place of pathogenic fungi, mostly from the opportunistic subgroup.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1993

Studies of aquatic fungi. XX. Seasonal changes of mycoflora in the pool in the palace park.

Studies of aquatic fungi were carried out in the annual cycle in the years 1987-1989 against a background of hydrochemical relations in the pool in the park of the Medical Academy in Białystok. 59 species of aquatic fungi were found, of which a prevailing number were reported many times in various water reservoirs of Poland. Such species, however, as Diplophlyctis complicata, Nowakowskiella atkinsii, Allomyces moniliformis, Pythium pulchrum, Zoophage phanera, Lemonniera filiforme and Tricladium patulum are new to Polish hydromycoflora. In summer months (July-August) the mycoflora of the pool was poor; the occurrence of various species of aquatic fungi increased in autumn and spring, and less so in winter.

Ecosystem↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The possibility of an etiopathogenetic role of the fungi isolated from the respiratory tract (author's transl)].

The large number of fungous strains isolated from specimens coming from the respiratory tract is a possible source of diagnostic failures. For an accurate diagnosis it is necessary to screen between fungi in a saprophitic and in a parasitic position. This is very difficult both for fungi, which are largely spread in the environment, like Aspergillus sp., and for fungi, which are commonly found on the mucous membranes, like Candida or Torulopsis sp. The actual pathogenetic activity of a fungous strain may be established on a mycological approach by means of an accurate taxonomic definition: only few species have pathogenetic possibilities: f.i. A. fumigatus, C. albicans. For a clinical-immunological approach are very useful the presence of debilitating diseases and the defectiveness of immunological tests, especially those of delayed hypersentivitity.

Antibodies, Fungal↗
PubMed1975

Study of atmospheric fungi in a big cereal silo over a period of one year.

A quantitative and qualitative study of the atmospheric fungi in a big silo was carried out over a period of one year (April 1973--April 1974). About 6 to 12 Petri dishes with Czapek medium were exposed for 5 minutes every month at different floors of the silo. The study showed:--a very high number of fungi colonies, reaching as many as 903 in March 1974 (a total of 60 min exposure); the dominant fungus was penicillium which was, however, overpassed in certain months by aspergillus (flavus and fumigatus) which in May 1973 reached about twice the incidence of penicillium. Cladosporium-hormodendron, the dominant fungus in our country, ranked third on the list, about the same as rhizopus nigricans and much before alternaria (less than 30 colonies per 60 min Aspergillus niger, actinomicetes, yeasts, etc. were found in an even lesser amount. It is assumed that the dominant fungi may play a part in the etiopathogeny of the bronchial asthma of workers in such silos but investigations should be furthered before reaching a final conclusion.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1993

Filamentous fungi and mycotoxin detected in coconut.

Fifty-nine species and one variety belonging to 25 genera of fungi were isolated from 25 coconut samples on glucose-Czapek's (25 genera and 55 species + 1 variety) and dichloran-glycerol (8 genera and 32 species + 1 variety) agar media at 28 degrees C. The common fungi on both media used were Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and Cladosporium cladosporioides. On glucose-Czapek's agar, A. flavus var. columnaris, P. oxalicum, Alternaria alternata, Rhizopus stolonifer and Trichoderma hamatum were recorded as common fungi while A. sydowii and Eurotium chevalieri were isolated with high frequency only on dichloranglycerol medium. Chromatographic analysis of the chloroform extracts of the coconut samples revealed that 5 out of 25 samples tested were naturally contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (15-25 micrograms/kg) and 3 samples contaminated with ochratoxin A (50-205 micrograms/kg).

Aflatoxin B1↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Incidence of fungi in shared-use cosmetics available to the public.

A survey was conducted to assess both the potential health risk from shared-use cosmetics caused by microorganisms and the microbial efficacy of preservatives in cosmetics. Samples of 3027 shared-use cosmetic products were collected from 171 retail establishments nationwide. Fungi were present in 10.4% of the products, and 3.9% contained fungal pathogens or opportunistic pathogens. The 423 fungal isolates identified represented 33 genera and at least 69 species. A disproportionately large share of the fungal isolates were from eye products; fewer were from lip products. Pathogenic or opportunistic pathogens made up 32.2% of the fungal isolates. A slightly lower percentage of samples that contained preservatives had fungi, a fact suggesting that preservatives reduce the incidence of fungi in cosmetics. Results of this survey indicate potential microbiological problems concerning the safety of shared-use cosmetics.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1995

Molecular and genetic control of chitin biosynthesis in fungi.

Chitin is the most important structural component of the cell walls of fungi. Its synthesis involves the transfer of N-acetylglucosaminyl residues from the universal donor UDPGlcNAC to the growing chain. This reaction is catalyzed by an ill-defined enzyme called chitin synthetase. By use of diverse techniques, including reverse genetics, it has been possible to isolate mutants affected in chitin biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo. These studies have permitted the identification of several genes that code for the catalytic components of the enzyme, and probably for ancillary reactions. In general, two types of genes have been identified in fungi. The so-called CHS genes, from which two families, and possibly three classes exist, code for chitin synthetases activated by proteases. All fungi thus far studied contain more than one CHS gene, which are normally dispensable. The second class are larger, essential genes coding for the catalytic polypeptide of chitin synthetases non-activated by proteolysis, and probably made of more than one polypeptide. These are labeled CSD2 or CAL1. It may be hoped that our knowledge of chitin synthetase will make them the most suitable targets for new strategies to control fungal infections.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

[Fungi and yeasts isolated in mycological studies in skin and nail infections in The Netherlands, 1992-1993].

OBJECTIVE: To describe fungi and yeasts isolated from skin and nail infections in the Netherlands. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS), Baarn, the Netherlands. METHOD: Results of mycological investigation of skin and nail samples in the period 1992-1993 were analysed. After a clinical diagnosis of mycosis, performed by dermatologists and general practitioners, material was sent to the CBS for mycological research. RESULTS: The clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis was rather accurate, especially if made performed by dermatologists. Mycoses of the skin were sometimes confused with other skin diseases. When microscopical observation showed a positive result, 93% of the cultures were positive as well. The main agent of onychomycosis was Trichophyton rubrum; T. mentagrophytes was more frequently isolated from tinea manuum/pedis and T. tonsurans from tinea corporis/cruris. Epidermophyton floccosum was only isolated from skin lesions and Microsporum canis, T. soudanense and T. verrucosum only from tinea corporis/cruris. The most important yeasts isolated were Trichosporon mucoides, Candida guilliermondii, C. parapsilosis, C. famata and Malassezia furfur. Other fungi isolated were either pigmented (melanin, carotene), thermophilic or belonged to the order of the Onygenales. CONCLUSION: Mycological research to confirm the clinical diagnosis of a skin mycosis is advisable. Species isolated differed in their predilection for different parts of the human body. Yeasts were mainly isolated as double infections. Apart from the dermatophytes there is a special group of fungi which can cause mycoses.

Dermatomycoses↗
PubMed1996

Interactions between selected geophilic fungi and pathogenic dermatophytes.

Interactions between selected geophilic fungi (keratinolytic and keratinophylic species) and pathogenic dermatophytes were examined in dual cultures on Sabouraud glucose agar (SGA). It was demonstrated that Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes together with T. mentagrophytes var., quinceanum are the species most sensitive to the influences of the geophilic fungi. Microsporum persicolor was found to be more resistant to these influences. Only a few geophilic species inhibited the growth of M. canis on SGA. Keratinophilic species, unable to initiate hair decomposition but utilize the products of this process, exerted the larger inhibitory effect on the pathogenic dermatophytes than keratinolytic fungi.

Arthrodermataceae↗
PubMed1995

In vitro susceptibility of filamentous fungi to itraconazole.

The in vitro activity of itraconazole was investigated against 25 clinical isolates of filamentous fungi by agar dilution method. The isolated included Aspergillus sp., hyalohypomycetes, dematiaceous fungi and zygomycetes. Intraconazole was more active, inhibiting 50% (MIC 50) and 90% (MIC 90) of the Aspergillus sp., at a concentration of 0.5 and 2.5 ug ml-1 (MIC range 0.1 and 5 micrograms ml-1) Ketoconazole (MIC range 0.5-10 ug ml-1) required 1 and 5 ug ml-1 for inhibiting 50% and 90% of the isolates. For the hyalophypomycetes and dematiaceous fungi, the MIC 50s for itraconazole were 1 and 0.5 ug ml-1 and Ketoconazole required 2.5 ug ml-1 for both the groups. For the zygomycetes, the MIC range and MIC 50s for Ketoconazole were 1-100 and 10 ug ml-1 whereas the values for itraconazole were 5- > 100 and > 100 micrograms ml-1.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acylase activity of mycophilic fungi].

The acylase activity was studied with 65 cultures of mycophilic fungi belonging to 56 species and 33 genera. Among these: 9 species displayed the acylase activity toward ampicillin; 8 species, toward phenoxymethylpenicillin; 6 species, toward benzylpenicillin; and 21 species manifested the complex activity. Many of the active species belonged to the bionecrotrophic group of mycophilic fungi, the number of necrotrophic fungi was less, while that of biotrophs and saprotrophs was even lower.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1998

Extracellular proteolytic enzymes of filamentous fungi.

This review involves generalized data on extracellular proteases of filamentous fungi. General characteristics of secreted proteases and their classification are considered. Analysis of the data available revealed that fungi secrete only serine, aspartyl, and metalloproteases. Nothing is known about secretion of cysteine proteases; some available data do not have clear experimental evidence. Physicochemical and kinetic properties of the most typical extracellular proteases of different classes and families are discussed in detail. Special attention is focused in the review on regulation of synthesis of extracellular proteases and participation of the secreted proteases of pathogenic fungi in the infection process in animals, insects, or plants.

Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occurrence of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi in an aviation fuel handling system and its relationship with fuel fouling.

Clean, dry and contaminant-free fuel is necessary for safe and economical aircraft operation. Microbial growth in aviation fuel handling systems can alter the quality of the product. This paper reports the occurrence of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi in a handling system of jet A-1 aviation turbine fuel. A total of 350 samples were collected during 1990-1996. The aerobic microorganisms in fuel samples were mainly fungi, 85% of samples containing < or = 100 cfu/l (range 0 (< 1 cfu/l) to 2000 cfu/l). The predominant fungi were Cladosporium and Aspergillus. Water was observed mainly in samples extracted from the drainage pipes of two tanks used frequently as intermediate storage tanks. The aerobic heterotrophic microorganisms found in water samples were mostly bacteria, counts varying from 100 to 8.8 x 10(7) cfu/ml, with 85% of samples containing 10(4)-10(7) cfu/ml. There was a preponderance of Pseudomonas spp. Bacterial contaminants belonging to the genus Flavobacterium and Aeromonas were also identified. Sulphate reducing bacteria were detected in 80% of water samples. It was not possible to assign a maximum microbial contamination level above which maintenance is required and it is suggested that analysis of successive samples from the same site are necessary for this purpose. Microbial sludges produced in the laboratory and collected from a contaminated tank bottom were analysed chemically. The data are presented and discussed. Samples collected from the supply pipes of tanks and refueller trucks during the period surveyed always met the standard specifications.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1996

[Scanning electron microscope sudy of the morphology of fungi isolated from patients at the Aristide La Dantec Hospital in Dakar, Senegal].

In order to improve the identification of fungi usually isolated among some patients at Dantec Hospital, a study by scanning electron microscopy has been carried out. It deals with four species of yeasts (Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Rhodotorula rubra Sacharomyces cerevisiae) six species of dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton soudanense, Trichophyton interdigitale, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton violaceum, Microsporum audouinii); two species of mildew, (Aspergullus flavus, Aspergillus niger) and one species of dimorphic fungi (Histoplasma duboisii). The yeasts get a smooth surface with, often, a mark of but on it. Microsporum canis presents some echinulate macroconidia. Trichophyton violaceum is characterized by the appearance of echinulate chlamydoconidium with a twofold bulge and Microsporum audouinii by a echinulate chlamydoconidium with a bulge only. Trichophyton rubrum presents macroconidia with smooth surface and in "sausage" form, as for Trichophyton soudanense it presents some arthroconidia that are cells which get more or less rectangular form and with smooth surface. Aspergillus flavus is characterized by the presence of a conidiophore with a verrucosis surface and an aspergillary head of about 36 microns having some spores with almost smooth inner surface. On the other hand, Aspergillus niger gets a conidiophore with smooth surface. As for Histoplasma duboisii, the surface of the chlamydoconidium presents some verrucosis that are real conidia in formation. The scanning electron microscopy enables use to discover the existence of characters that are likely to be used for the identification of fungi.

Dermatomycoses↗
PubMed1962

Psychrophilic and mesophilic fungi in fruit-filled pastries.

Surveys of the mold flora of frozen blueberry and cherry pastries were undertaken. Molds were enumerated by preparing pour plates of the blended product and incubating the plates at 0, 5, 10, and 20 C. In this manner, the total fungal content of the product could be ascertained from the 10 and 20 C plates, and the psychrophilic fungal population was represented by those fungi which grew at 0 and 5 C. The pastry portion, or crust, of the blueberry material was sampled separately from the filling portion. Certain differences in fungal flora were apparent. Aureobasidium pullulans was the dominant fungus in crust at all temperatures of isolation. However, Penicillium thomii proved to be the most common mesophilic fungus in the filling portion, and A. pullulans was the most common psychrophile in the filling. Aspergilli were quite common in the crust, but, in general, were absent from the fruit filling. Cherry pastries had a much smaller total fungal flora than did the blueberry product. However, A. pullulans again was the most prevalent fungus in cherry pastries at all temperatures of isolation. Certain differences in fungal flora were apparent in the two fruit products. Phoma spp. were almost completely absent in blueberries, but represented the second most common fungus in cherry pastries. Blueberry filling had 440 psychrophilic fungi per gram of sample (at 0 C), blueberry crust had 65 per gram, and cherry pastries had 77 per gram.

Ascomycota↗
PubMed2001

Comparative analysis of glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides from fungi by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry with low-energy collision-induced dissociation of Li(+) adduct ions.

Glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs) are a class of acidic glycosphingolipids (GSLs) expressed by fungi, plants, and certain parasitic organisms, but not found in cells or tissues of mammals or other higher animals. Recent characterizations of fungal GIPCs point to an emerging diversity which could rival that already known for mammalian GSLs, and which can be expected to present a multitude of challenges for the analytical chemist. Previously, the use of Li(+) cationization, in conjunction with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and low-energy collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/CID-MS), was found to be particularly effective for detailed structural analysis of monohexosylceramides (cerebrosides) from a variety of sources, including fungi, especially minor components present in mixtures at extremely low abundance. In applying Li(+) cationization to characterization of GIPCs, a substantial increase in both sensitivity and fragmentation was observed on collision-induced dissociation of [M + Li](+) versus [M + Na](+) for the same components analyzed under similar conditions, similar to results obtained previously with cerebrosides. Molecular adduct fragmentation patterns were found to be systematic and characteristic for both the glycosylinositol and ceramide moieties with or without phosphate. Interestingly, significant differences were observed in fragmentation patterns when comparing GIPCs having Manalpha1 --> 2 versus Manalpha1 --> 6Ins core linkages. In addition, it was useful to perform tandem product ion scans on primary fragments generated in the orifice region, equivalent to ESI-(CID-MS)(2) mode. Finally, precursor ion scanning from appropriate glycosylinositol phosphate product ions yielded clean molecular ion profiles in the presence of obscuring impurity peaks. The methods were applied to detailed characterization of GIPC fractions of increasing structural complexity from a variety of fungi, including a non-pathogenic Basidiomycete (mushroom), Agaricus blazei, and pathogenic Euascomycete species such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Sporothrix schenckii. The analysis confirmed a remarkable diversity of GIPC structures synthesized by the dimorphic S. schenckii, as well as differential expression of both glycosylinositol and ceramide structures in the mycelium and yeast forms of this mycopathogen. Mass spectrometry also established that the ceramides of some A. fumigatus GIPC fractions contain very little 2-hydroxylation of the long-chain fatty-N-acyl moiety, a feature that is not generally observed with fungal GIPCs.

Agaricus↗
PubMed1997

Cloning, sequencing, and transgenic expression of Podospora curvicolla and Sordaria macrospora eEF1A genes: relationship between cytosolic translation and longevity in filamentous fungi.

We have cloned and sequenced the gene encoding the translation elongation factor eEF1A from two filamentous fungi, Podospora curvicolla and Sordaria macrospora. These fungi are close relatives of Podospora anserina and also show senescence syndromes. Comparison of the sequences of the deduced proteins with that of P. anserina reveals that the three proteins differ in several positions. Replacement of the P. anserina gene by either of the two exogenous genes does not entail any modification in P. anserina physiology; the longevity of the fungus is not affected. No alteration of in vivo translational accuracy was detected; however, the exogenous proteins nonetheless promoted a modification of the resistance to the aminoglycoside antibiotic paromomycin. These data suggest that optimization of life span between these closely related fungi has likely not been performed during evolution through modifications of eEF1A activity, despite the fact that mutations in this factor can drastically affect longevity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗