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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Health risks in connection with fungi: a contribution to the assessment of fungi in the risk potential of safety provisions].

Fungi have been used for a long time in industrial production. Recent developments in biotechnology have lead to an increased awareness of possible health hazards connected with the use of microorganisms in industries. In order to avoid potential risks by appropriate protective measures it is necessary to assess the microorganisms, including fungi, with respect to their species-related risk potential. For this purpose, fungi were classified into three risk groups of which group I contains non-hazardous fungi and group III fungi with high risk. Most difficulties arise when it is to be decided if a fungus belongs to group I or group II which includes most pathogenic fungi. The present study was designed to provide data which facilitate the assessment of potentially hazardous fungi. It is based on the evaluation of the pertinent mycological literature as represented in the Review of Medical and Veterinary Mycology in the years from 1980 till 1989.

Biotechnology↗
PubMed1980

Thermophillic and thermotolerant fungi isolated from the thermal effluent of nuclear power generating reactors: dispersal of human opportunistic and veterinary pathogenic fungi.

Over a period of a year, samples of water, foam, microbial mat, soil and air were obtained from areas associated with the cooling canal of a nuclear power station. The seventeen sample sites included water in the cooling canal that was thermally enriched and soil and water adjacent to, upstream, downstream and at a distance from the generator. Air samples were taken at the plant and at various distances from the plant. Fifty-two species of thermotolerant and thermophilic fungi were isolated. Of these, eleven species are grouped as opportunistic Mucorales or opportunistic Aspergillus sp. One veterinary pathogen was also isolated (Dactylaria gallopava). The opportunistic/pathogenic fungi were found primarily in the intake bay, the discharge bay and the cooling canal. Smaller numbers were obtained at both upstream and downstream locations. Soil samples near the cooling canal reflected an enrichment of thermophilous organisms, the previously mentioned opportunistic Mucorales and Aspergillus spp. Their numbers were found to be greater than that usually encountered in a mesophilic environment. However, air and soil samples taken at various distances from the power station indicated no greater abundance of these thermophilous fungi than would be expected from a thermal enriched environment. Our results indicate that there was no significant dissemination of thermophilous fungi from the thermal enriched effluents to the adjacent environment. These findings are consistent with the results of other investigators.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1999

Natural (13)C abundance reveals trophic status of fungi and host-origin of carbon in mycorrhizal fungi in mixed forests.

Fungi play crucial roles in the biogeochemistry of terrestrial ecosystems, most notably as saprophytes decomposing organic matter and as mycorrhizal fungi enhancing plant nutrient uptake. However, a recurrent problem in fungal ecology is to establish the trophic status of species in the field. Our interpretations and conclusions are too often based on extrapolations from laboratory microcosm experiments or on anecdotal field evidence. Here, we used natural variations in stable carbon isotope ratios (delta(13)C) as an approach to distinguish between fungal decomposers and symbiotic mycorrhizal fungal species in the rich sporocarp flora (our sample contains 135 species) of temperate forests. We also demonstrated that host-specific mycorrhizal fungi that receive C from overstorey or understorey tree species differ in their delta(13)C. The many promiscuous mycorrhizal fungi, associated with and connecting several tree hosts, were calculated to receive 57-100% of their C from overstorey trees. Thus, overstorey trees also support, partly or wholly, the nutrient-absorbing mycelia of their alleged competitors, the understorey trees.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1971

Fungi isolated from flue-cured tobacco inoculated in the field with storage fungi.

Flue-cured tobacco inoculated in the field with A. amstelodami, A. flavus, A. ochraceus, A. repens, A. ruber, and a species of Penicillium was rarely invaded by these fungi. Regardless of inoculum, the predominant fungi reisolated from green tissue were species of Alternaria and Cladosporium. After curing, A. repens, A. niger, and species of Alternaria and a species of Penicillium were the most commonly isolated fungi. The fungus used as inoculum was not the predominant fungus reisolated from green or cured tissue. Conditions during handling and storage prior to marketing probably determine when storage fungi become associated with the leaf and which species becomes predominant.

Aspergillus↗
PubMed2003

[A simple method to identify pathogenic fungi in Sabouraud's glucose agar slant culture using fungi-tape and MycoPerm-Blue].

Pathogenic fungi can be identified by growth in special culture medium, colony appearance based on microscopic examination of conidia and hyphae, and by molecular biological techniques. However, these methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive. We describe a simple method for identification of pathogenic fungi from Sabouraud's glucose agar slant culture, using Fungi-Tape and MycoPerm-Blue. It is rapid and easy, and permits visualization of fungal morphology. Using the Fungi-Tape and MycoPerm-Blue technique, we correctly identified 47 of 66 samples, for a 73.4% concordance with conventional identification methods. It is also noteworthy that slides prepared using this method can be stored for long periods without deterioration.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1993

Fungi in space--literature survey on fungi used for space research.

A complete review of the scientific literature on experiments involving fungi in space is presented. This review begins with balloon experiments around 1935 which carried fungal spores, rocket experiments in the 1950's and 60's, satellite and moon expeditions, long-time orbit experiments and Spacelab missions in the 1980's and 90's. All these missions were aimed at examining the influence of cosmic radiation and weightlessness on genetic, physiological, and morphogenetic processes. During the 2nd German Spacelab mission (D-2, April/May 1993), the experiment FUNGI provided the facilities to cultivate higher basidiomycetes over a period of 10 d in orbit, document gravimorphogenesis and chemically fix fruiting bodies under weightlessness for subsequent ultrastructural analysis. This review shows the necessity of space travel for research on the graviperception of higher fungi and demonstrates the novelty of the experiment FUNGI performed within the framework of the D-2 mission.

Cosmic Radiation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurological syndromes associated with the ingestion of plants and fungi with a toxic component (II). Hallucinogenic fungi and plants, mycotoxins and medicinal herbs].

INTRODUCTION: A wide range of fungi and medicinal herbs, rich in hallucinogenic substances and widely used for mystic and medicinal purposes, can give rise to neurotoxic symptoms. DEVELOPMENT: We review the toxic syndromes that can arise from the ingestion of hallucinogenic fungi, cacti and plants, together with descriptions of cases of acute poisoning resulting from the use of medicinal herbs and from foodstuffs that are contaminated by mycotoxins. A series of different psychedelic fungi belonging to the Psilocybe, Panaeolus and Stropharia genera contain hallucinogenic alkaloids such as psilocybin. Some of the most notable plants displaying hallucinogenic and sedative properties are Papaver somniferum, Erytroxylum sp. and Cannabis sativa. Infusions of ayahuasca are obtained from the lianas and roots of different plants with psychoactive properties, such as Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, which contain alkaloids derived from tryptamine and from the beta carboline harmala. Peyote, a cactus rich in mescaline, and Claviceps purpurea (a fungus rich in LSD) are strong hallucinogens. We also examine ergotism and mycotoxicosis from Arthrinium sp. Poisoning from mycotoxin containing moulds on sugar cane can give rise to encephalopathy and late dystonia. Some of the more noteworthy medicinal plants for which neurological toxicity has been reported are Hypericum perforatum, kava kava (Piper methysticum), Aconitum sp. and Callilepis laureola. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the increasingly more widespread consumption of herbs and fungi and their potentially neurotoxic effects, in clinical practice there is a need to be aware of the neurological syndromes deriving from their use.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A nutrient medium for culturing fungi based on a flores chamomillae infusion. I. The nutrient capacity and capacities for selecting and recovering fungi from clinical samples of a medium with a flores chamomillae infusion].

The study suggests a new culture medium, of the Sabouraud type. The medium was tested for its nutritive and recovery properties of the fungi in clinical samples, in parallel to the classical medium Sabouraud with chloramphenicol (Sab. + C). The results obtained showed the following: the I.F.C. + C medium ensures optimum cultivation conditions of some fungi species, potentially pathogenic for man, has a high selectivity and the ability of making evident the fungi in different clinical samples at very near-related parameters practically identical with the parameters of the classical Sabouraud medium. These qualities, completed by the economical advantages and the availability of the raw material necessary for the preparation of the basic vegetal extract, recommend the use of the I.F.C. + C medium as a nutrient medium for isolation and cultivation of fungi.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗
PubMed1996

Further studies on Egyptian soil fungi: succession of sugar and osmophilic fungi in soil amended with five organic substrates.

The sugar and osmophilic fungal composition of soils amended with five organic substrates (newspaper, orange peel, bromegrass leaves, wheat straw and wood sawdust) was estimated after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks using the dilution plate method on glucose and 50% sucrose Czapek's agar media. Wheat straw was the best substrate for total counts of both sugar and osmophilic fungi followed by newspaper, bromegrass leaves, wood sawdust and orange peel. Wood sawdust supported the highest average counts of total sugar fungi, Fusarium, Mucor, Scopulariopsis, Trichoderma and Trimmatostroma spp.; Newspaper, of Aspergillus (8 spp.), Penicillium (4 spp.) and Chaetomium sp.; bromegrass leaves of Cladosporium sp., Humicola sp. and Sporotrichum sp.; orange peel, of Alternaria sp., Circinella sp. and Stachybotrys sp.; and wheat straw, of Botryotrichum sp. and Myrothecium sp. Bromegrass leaves and orange peel supported the highest average counts of total osmophilic fungi, Aspergillus (10 spp.), Cladosporium sp. Paecillomyces sp. and Rhizopus sp.; and of Stemphylium sp., Trichoderma sp., Humicola sp. and Circinella sp. respectively; wheat straw, of Epicoccum sp., Scopulariopsis sp. and Trichothecium sp.; newspaper, of Penicillium (4 spp.) and Alternaria sp.; and wood sawdust of Curvularia sp. and Fusarium (3 spp.). The best colonizers throughout the experimental periods were Aspergilus and Penicillium spp.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1985

Cultivation of fungi in synthetic and semi-synthetic liquid medium. I. Growth characteristics of the fungi and biochemical properties of the isolated antigenic material.

Four allergologically important fungi, viz. Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria Penicillium notatum, and Cladosporium herbarum, were cultured in a pure synthetic medium and the patterns of growth as characterized by the pH, protein and carbohydrate concentration of the culture fluid, were studied. A fumigatus and P. notatum showed a similar growth pattern, characterized by a rapid decrease in the pH of the culture medium (pH 7.4----4.0), while proteins were slowly released and saccharose poorly consumed. In contrast, A. alternata and C. herbarum demonstrated a different pattern of growth, in which the pH of the culture hardly changed during incubation. Enrichment of the synthetic medium with yeast extract greatly improved the growth of all four fungi, as was confirmed by the enhanced yield of antigenic material and strongly increased consumption of saccharose. The yeast extract especially changed the growth pattern of A. fumigatus and P. notatum, which now is characterized by three phases. Phase I: fall in pH of the growth medium and excretion of proteins; phase II: increase in pH and fall in protein concentration; phase III: stabilization of pH at alkaline values and renewed excretions of proteins. It is concluded that during cultivation of the fungi, the metabolic state of the culture changes, influencing the antigenic composition of the extracts obtained after different periods of cultivation.

Antigens↗
PubMed1990

[The lipids of mycelial fungi and the prospects for the development of microbial oleo-biotechnology. I. The lipids of mycelial fungi].

The importance of mycelial fungi as a source of lipids for development of modern oleo biotechnology is considered. For this purpose the data on fungal lipid composition and the main enzymes of fatty acid synthesis in fungi as compared with procaryotes and higher eucaryotes as well the data on the effect of a number of physicochemical factors on the yield and composition of the lipids of the micromycetes are presented. The information on the fungi producers according to the lipid composition able to substitute the vegetable oil and be the source of linolic, linolenic and arachidonic acids is put forward.

Biotechnology↗
PubMed1993

Studies of aquatic fungi. XIX. Aquatic fungi of the Rudawka River.

Studies of aquatic fungi were carried out in the annual cycle in the years 1987-1989 against a background of hydrochemical relations in the Rudawka River, a tributary of the Orlanka. 35 species of aquatic fungi were found, of which a prevailing number were reported many times in various water reservoirs. Such species, however, as Olpidium entophytum, Achlyogeton entophytum, Rhizidium verrucosum, Catenaria sphaerocarpa, Leptolegniella keratinophila and Zoophagus tentaclum are new to Polish hydromycoflora. In summer months (July-August) the mycoflora of this river was poor, the occurrence of various species of aquatic fungi increased in autumn and spring, and less so in winter.

Ecosystem↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of the toxicity of various lignin-related phenolic compounds toward selected fungi perfecti and fungi imperfecti.

A selection of 88 micromycetes belonging to various taxonomic groups was grown on malt-agar medium containing different lignin-related phenolic compounds (ferulic, protocatechuic, syringic and vanillic acids, catechol, guaiacol, and phenol) at concentrations ranging from 100 to 1000 mg/liter. Growth and morphological changes were recorded after 15 days of incubation. Behavior of fungi in contact with the different phenolics were compared. Some strains were very sensitive and might constitute specific or general bioindicators of pollution. The relationships between origin of isolates or constitutive phenoloxidase activity and resistance or sensitivity of fungi to phenolics were researched. No evidence of implication of these two parameters was found.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1999

Fungal extracellular polysaccharides in house dust as a marker for exposure to fungi: relations with culturable fungi, reported home dampness, and respiratory symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association between indoor fungal growth and respiratory symptoms. However, in only a few studies was fungal exposure actually measured. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the measurement by enzyme immunoassay of extracellular polysaccharides of Aspergillus and Penicillium species (EPS-Asp/Pen ) in house dust as a marker for fungal exposure and to study the relations between EPS-Asp/Pen levels and home dampness and respiratory symptoms in children. METHODS: Extracts of house dust samples from bedroom and living room floors and mattresses from homes of 31 children with chronic respiratory symptoms and 29 children with no chronic respiratory symptoms were analyzed for EPS-Asp/Pen. RESULTS: EPS-Asp/Pen were readily detectable (40 to 46,513 nanogram equivalent/g dust) in 161 house dust extracts, with highest concentrations in living room floor dust. EPS-Asp/Pen levels were 2 to 3 times higher on carpeted floors than on smooth floors. EPS-Asp/Pen were significantly correlated with total culturable fungi (r = 0.3 to 0.5) and with house dust mite allergens (r = 0.3 to 0.5). EPS-Asp/Pen levels in living room floor dust were positively associated with occupant-reported home dampness. This was not observed for EPS-Asp/Pen in bedroom floor and mattress dust. EPS-Asp/Pen levels in living room floor dust were positively associated with respiratory symptoms. EPS-Asp/Pen in bedroom floor and mattress dust showed a reversed association with respiratory symptoms, possibly because of allergen-avoidance measures taken in the bedroom. CONCLUSION: The enzyme immunoassay for fungal EPS-Asp/Pen may be a useful method for exposure assessment of indoor fungi.

Antigens, Fungal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A nutrient medium for culturing fungi based on a flores chamomillae infusion. II. The evaluation of the biological properties of fungi cultured on a medium with a flores chamomillae infusion].

The paper reports on the biological properties of Candida albicans (strain I.C. - 130) cultivated on a medium with infusion of Flores chamomillae (I.F.C.) in parallel to the same strain cultivated on the medium Sabouraud (control). The results obtained showed an identical phenotypical profile for the biological properties investigated (fermentation capacity of glucides, reduction of TTC, formation of chlamydospores on the PCB special medium, antigenic structure, sensibility to antifungal substances, virulence). The qualities of the I.F.C. medium for the optimum insurance of the metabolic requirements of the fungi, for their recovery from clinical samples with a high rate of positivity, for ensuring the maintenance of the main biological properties of the fungi, to which the economical advantages are added (low price, easy availability of the raw material simple and rapid preparation methodology) recommend its use in the clinical laboratory, instead of the classical Sabouraud medium to which it corresponds qualitatively.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF): name changes in fungi of microbiological, industrial and medical importance. Part 1.

This is the first of a series of reports bringing changes in the names of fungi of microbiological, industrial and medical importance to the attention of workers in these fields. The series is sponsored by the Division of Mycology of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) and prepared under the auspices of the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF).

Fungi↗
PubMed1986

International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF): name changes in fungi of microbiological, industrial and medical importance. Part 2.

This is the second in a series of reports bringing changes in the names of fungi of microbiological, industrial and medical importance to the attention of workers in these fields. The series is sponsored by the Division of Mycology of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) and prepared under the auspices of the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF). The first of this series of reports (which included an introduction to the series explaining the need for name changes) was published in Microbiological Sciences 3: 168-171 (1986).

Fungi↗
PubMed1977

[Hemoperfusion with coated activated charcoal for treating acute poisoning by remedies, plant protectants, and fungi. III. Fungi (author's transl)].

Four patients with foudroyant liver dystrophy due to ingestion of fungi of the Amanita phalloides species were treated by hemoperfusion with coated activated charcoal. Three patients survived the poisoning. One patient died in a coma due to hepatic disintegration with cardiac and respiratory insufficiency. One female patient suffering from hemolytic syndrome and acute anuresis due to ingestion of fungi of the Paxillus involutus species recovered completely after treatment of combinated hemodialysis and hemoperfusion. The first hemoperfusion in the patients with Amanita phalloides poisoning were performed two to three days after ingestion of the fungus. At that time there were only traces of amanitines in the blood of one of the surviving patients. These Amanita phalloides toxins were only detected in the first 24-hour urine in the other 3 patients. It is thus not to be expected that toxicologically relevant quanities of the toxins will be eliminated from the blood by hemoperfusion carried out two to three days following ingestion of the fungus, Amanita phalloides. No coherence of restitutio ad integrum and hemoperfusion could be pointed out in the female patients suffering from hemolytic syndrom and anuresis due to Paxillus involutus.

Adult↗