Chrysosporium Indicum Research Articles

Fungi Associated with the Hairs of Goat and Sheep in Libya

The mycoflora on the hair in 25 samples of each of goats and sheep collected from Libya was analyzed using two isolation methods at 25°C. Seventy species and 3 varieties belonging to 31 genera were collected from the two substrates. The hairs of sheep were polluted with fungi than goat, contained high total counts and number of genera and species. Two species of true dermatophytes were isolated namely Trichophyton rubrum and T. terrestre. Several keratiophilic species were isolated of which Chrysosporium indicum, C. keratinophilum and C. tropicum were the most prevalent. The commonest saprophytes in order of frequency were members of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Emericella, Alternaria and Cochliobolus.

Keratinophilic fungi from selected soils of Bahrain

Eighty soil samples were collected from various sites of Bahrain and screened for presence of keratinophilic fungi using hair baiting techniques for isolation. Thirty-six isolates were recovered and identified. The cultures were identified using macro- and micromorphological features. Their identification was also confirmed by the BLAST search of sequences of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region against the NCBI/Gene bank data and compared with deposited sequences for confirmation. Eight species of five genera were isolated viz. Aphanoascus fulvuscence (8.75%), Aphanoascus punsolae (20.00%), Chrysosporium indicum (2.50%), Chrysosporium tropicum (2.50%), Chrysosporium zonatum (3.75%), Spiromastix warcupii (1.25%), Microsporum gypseum (3.75%), and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2.50%). In conclusion, our study indicates that keratinophilic fungi do occur in the various soils of Bahrain. Moreover, the narrow diversity and low density of keratinophilic fungi in the investigated soils is expected and is emblematic to other hot arid environments.

Keratinophilic fungi from the vicinity of meteorite crater soils of Lonar (India)

Thirty-two soil samples were collected from six sites in the vicinity of Lonar lake, a meteorite crater and screened for presence of keratinophilic fungi using hair baiting techniques for isolation. Seventeen isolates were recovered and identified. The cultures were identified by recognition of their macro- and micromorphological features. Their identification was also confirmed by the BLAST search of sequences of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region against the NCBI/Gene bank data and compared with deposited sequences for identification purpose. Seven species of four genera were isolated viz. Aphanoascus durus (9.38%), Aphanoascus punsolae (3.125%), Auxarthron kuehnii (3.125%), Chrysosporium indicum (25.00%), Chrysosporium tropicum (3.125%), Chrysosporium sp. (3.125%), Chrysosporium state of Ctenomyces serratus (6.25%).

Isolation of dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi from the vicinity of salt pan soils of Mumbai, India.

Soil samples from twenty salt pans and their vicinity around Mumbai and Thane were screened for the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes. Ten species classified in six genera were recovered using horse hair as bait. The isolated species were reported in the following order of dominance: Chrysosporium indicum (12.0%), Microsporum gypseum complex (7.2%), C. tropicum (5.6%), C. state of Ctenomyces serratus (4.0%), Trichophyton terrestre (3.2%), Malbranchea aurantiaca (2.4%), C. fluviale (1.6%), Uncinocarpus reesii (1.6%), Malbranchea sp. (0.8%), and T. mentagrophytes (0.8%).

Incidence of keratinophilic fungi from selected soils of Kerala state (India).

One hundred and fifty-eight soil samples were collected from various areas of four districts of Kerala and screened for prevalence of keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes. From the positive samples (60.75%), a total of eight genera with 15 species were isolated viz., Arthroderma simii (0.63%), Chrysosporium indicum (20.25%), C. keratinophilum (6.96%). C. lobatum (1.26%), C. pannicola (1.26%), C. tropicum (5.06%), Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma cuniculi (1.26%), Chrysosporium state of Ctenomyces serratus (2.53%), Gymnascella hyalinospora (1.26%), Malbranchea aurantiaca (0.63%) M. fulva (1.26%), Microsporum gypseum complex (12.65%), Pseudogymnoascus roseus (1.26%), Trichophyton mentragrophytes (1.26%), and T. terrestre (3.16%).

Invasion and biodegradation of hair by house dust fungi

The present investigation deals with hair degrading ability and release of protein from keratinous substrates in vitro by the action of 12 fungi isolated from the house dust of Kanpur, India with a view to explore their biodeteriorating ability. Twelve keratinophilic fungi were tested for their ability to colonize and invade human hair and to release protein in culture medium up to 30 days. Chrysosporium indicum and Microsporum gypseum colonized human hair as early as 6 days while Acremonium sp. (GPCK 533) took 24 days to colonize hair. Complete hair deterioration was observed in the case of C. indicum, C. tropicum and C. tropicum (atypical) at the end of 24 days. Acremonium sp. (GPCK 531) showed minimum hair invasion after 30 days. The greatest net amount of protein was released from the human hair by C. indicum and least by Acremonium sp. (GPCK 531).

Human hair colonizing fungi in water sediments of India.

Out of 144 samples of water sediments, 183 isolates belonging to 9 genera and 22 species were isolated. Fifty-nine isolates of Acremonium, 26 of Chrysosporium indicum, 22 of Chrysosporium keratinophilum, 17 of Malbranchea sp. and 10 of Microsporum gypseum were recovered. Acremonium implicatum, Chrysosporium georgii, Chrysosporium xerophilum and Geomyces pannorum were reported for the first time from India.

A statistical evaluation of the occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in Catalonian river sediments (Spain)

The study was to determine the concurrent effects of selected physico-chemical and microbiological factors on the qualitative and quantitative composition of keratinolytic fungi in sediments of Catalonian river mouths (Spain). The stepwise forward regression analysis was used. The results were compared with those obtained by the simple linear correlation method. On the basis of the data obtained, several groups of keratinolytic fungi were recognised. Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Aphanoascus fulvescens and Chryscsporium tropicum were associated with water pollution factors. The correlations of Chrysosporium anamorph of Arthroderma curreyi and Chrysosporium pannicola with the factors were much weaker. Chrysosporium europae was negatively correlated with water pollution factors. Chrysosporium indicum with its teleomorph Apharoascus terreus was rather unassociated with the degree of water pollution. The results were compared with those from a similar Polish study.

In vitro interactions between Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii and other fungi.

Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii has only recently been shown to occur naturally in soil admixed with bat guano in a bat cave. We report our observations on the in vitro interaction of Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii with other fungi recovered from the same habitat or other sources by employing co-culture technique and by investigating antibiosis between H. capsulatum var. duboisii and other fungi. The range of interactions varied from total overgrowth of Histoplasma by Aspergillus fumigatus and Microsporum gypseum, through partial antagonism by Lecythophora mutabilis, to mutual inhibition by Wangiella dermatitidis. Those fungi that exhibited a competitive advantage in terms of growth did not affect the viability of Histoplasma. Lysis and mycoparasitic structures were not observed in the co-cultures. However, the cultural filtrate of Chrysosporium indicum inhibited the growth of the Histoplasma strains. The results suggest the ability of H. capsulatum var. duboisii to co-exist with a variety of other potentially pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi in an ecological niche.

Keratinophilic fungi in soils of Yemen Arab Republic

Thirty-six species belonging to 15 genera of keratinophilic fungi were collected from 50 soil samples gathered from different places of Yemen by using hair fragments as baits at 28 °C. Six species of true dermatophytes were collected: Arthroderma lenticulare (= Trichophyton terrestre), Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. equinum, T. rubrum, T. soudanense and Microsporum gypseum. Numerous Keratinophilic fungi were isolated namely: Aphanoascus terreus (= Chrysosporium indicum), Aphanoascus species ( = C. tropicum), A. fulvescens ( = C. keratinophilum), Chrysosporium pannicola, C. pruinosum, C. carmichaelii, C. lucknowense, C. xerophilum, C. asperatum, Athroderma cuniculi ( = C. anamorph of Arthroderma cuniculi), A. curreyi ( = C. anamorph of Arthroderma curreyi) and Pectinotrichum Ilanense ( = C. anamorph of Pectinotrichum Ilanense). The commonest saprophytes in order of frequency were member of the genera Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Cunninghamella, Fusarium, Ulocladium and Macrophomina.

Occurrence of keratinolytic fungi and related dermatophytes in soils in Cairo, Egypt.

120 soil samples collected from various sites of Cairo were processed for the isolation of keratinophilic fungi by "ToKaVa" hair baiting technique. 22 species belonging to 6 genera were isolated viz.: Chrysosporium tropicum, C. indicum, C. keratinophilum, C. queenslandicum, C. merdarium, C. anamorph of Arthroderma curreyi, C. pannicola, C. lobatum, C. anamorph of Renispora flavissima, C. pseudomerdarium, Microascus mangini, Malbranchea gypsea, Ml. State of Uncicarpus reesii, Ml. State of Coccidioides immitis, Microsporum gypseum, Mr. distortum Mr. audouinii, Mr. fulvum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. terrestre, T. verrucosum and Epidermophyton floccosum. The frequency of occurrence of the isolated fungi was determined. Microsporum gypseum, Chrysosporium tropicum and Chrysosporium indicum were the most frequent species recovered from soil. Most species of keratinophilic fungi were isolated from university, public garden and zoo garden. The distribution of the isolates are discussed.

Keratin degradation by fungi isolated from the grounds of a gelatin factory in Jabalpur, India

The ability of five keratinophilic fungi, i.e., Chrysosporium indicum, Geotrichum candidum, Gymnoascoideus petalosporus, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, and Talaromyces trachyspermus, to digest human hair keratin in stationary culture has been studied. Degradation of human scalp hair was studied by determination of cysteine, cystine, inorganic sulfate, thiosulfate, total protein, keratinase and change in alkalinity of culture filtrate. Gymnoascoideus petalosporus showed maximum degradation as compared to remaining isolates when grown on human scalp hair as the sole source of nutrients ‘in vitro’.

Dermatophytes and Keratinophilic Fungi in Cats and Dogs Dermatophyten und keratinophile Pilze bei Katzen und Hunden

During an 11 month period from January to November 1987, dermatophytes and keratinophilic fungi were isolated from 70 (75%) of 93 cats and 62 (36.9%) of 168 dogs. The most common isolate was Microsporum canis from 54 (58%) cats and 33 (19.6%) dogs, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes from 5 (5.4%) cats and 9 (5.3%) dogs, Aphanoascus fulvescens (4 cats and 9 dogs), M. gypseum (5 dogs), Tr. terrestre (3 dogs) Myceliophthora vellerea (2 dogs) and Chrysosporium indicum, Chr. merdarium and Chr. tropicum from cats. Alternaria, Scopulariopsis, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Acremoniumspp., in descending frequency, were the most commonly found fungi in cats and dogs. The frequent infestation by the mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae on M. canis cultures suggest that mites may play a part in the carriage of fungi among animals. This mycophagous mite could disperse the fungi in animal hair by way of their fecal pellets during a transitory infestation. In this instance, the female mite can lay eggs and these could hatch on the animal's hair or in Petri dishes in which hair samples are cultured. In this event the future prospects of animal prophylaxis against dermatophytes could be made more effective by the regular use of acaricide agents on animal hair.

Keratinophilic fungi isolated from the air at Pavia.

The presence of keratinophilic fungi was revealed by sampling the air of Pavia (Italy) from March 1981 to February 1982. The species isolated were: Chrysosporium indicum , Geomyces pannorum var. pannorum , Microsporum gypseum, Myceliophtora vellerea and Trichophyton terrestre . Several filamentous fungi tolerating high levels of cycloheximide were also recovered.

Keratinolytic fungi in Egyptian soils.

The frequency of occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in seventy soil samples, collected from different sites in Upper Egypt and in the coastal area of the Mediterranean, was determined by baiting with human and animal hairs and pigeon feathers. Twenty-one species, in addition to an unidentified species, which belong to sixteen genera were collected. Chrysosporium indicum, C. Tropicum, C. keratinophilum, and Microsporum gypseum were the most frequent fungal species recovered from the baited soils. The soil samples collected from the salt marshes of the coastal Mediterranean area were completely free from any keratinolytic fungi, whereas the soil samples collected from cultivated soils contributed species, ranging from one to four species.

Keratinolytic fungi in Egyptian soils.

The frequency of occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in seventy soil samples collected from different sites in Upper Egypt and in the coastal area of the Mediterranean and baited with human and animal hair and pigeon feathers was determined. Twenty-one species in addition to an unidentified species, which belong to sixteen genera were collected. Chrysosporium indicum, B. tropicum, C. keratinophilum and Microsporum gypseum were the most frequent fungal species recovered from baited soils. The eight soil samples collected from the salt marshes of the coastal Mediterranean area were completely free from any keratinolytic fungi, whereas the sixty-two soil samples collected from cultivated soils contributed a species ranging from one to four species.

Keratinophilic fungi from Orissa, India, I: Isolation from soils.

Results of a preliminary survey of keratinophilic fungi in soils collected from five districts of Orissa, India, are reported. A total of 80 soil samples were examined, of which 51 samples (63.7%) were positive for keratinophilic fungi. Twelve species of fungi classified in seven genera were isolated: Aphanoascus reticulisporus (2.4%), Aph. terreus (1.2%), Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma tuberculatum (4.8%), Chrysosporium indicum (31.3%), Chrys. tropicum (18.0%), Chrys. evolceanui (1.2%), Gymnoascoideus petalosporus (9.6%), Microsporum gypseum (20.4%), Nannizzia spp. (3.6%), Pseudoarachniotus flavoluteus (3.6%), Pseudoarachniotus sp. (1.2%) and a new genus of gymnoascaceae (2.4%). Our isolation of Aph. reticulisporus is the first recorded in India.

Keratinophilic fungi from Orissa, India, II: Isolations from feathers of wild birds and domestic fowls.

Feather samples from 117 birds, representing 11 species, were examined for keratinophilic fungi. Of these, 63 (53.8%) were found to be positive. Nine species of fungi classified in 6 genera were isolated: Aphanoascus terreus (1.7%), Chrysosporium indicum (26.4%), Chrys. tropicum (11.1%) the Chrysosporium state of Aphanoascus spp. (2.5%), the Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma tuberculatum (3.4%), Ctenomyces serratus (0.8%), Gymnoascoideus petalosporus (7.6%), Malbranchea spp. (6.8%), Rollandina hyalinospora (6.8%). Passer domesticus (the house sparrow) harboured the largest varieties of keratinophilic fungi: the Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma tuberculatum was found to be associated with it selectively. The associations of these keratinophilic fungi with birds were non-clinical in nature.

Investigation of keratinophilic fungi from soils in western Australia a preliminary survey.

In order to determine which species of geophilic dermatophytes were present in Western Australian soils 299 samples were investigated. These samples were collected from a range of locations, 208 towns throughout the state and 91 samples from the Perth Metropolitan area. Most samples were collected from areas frequented by people and animals, such as home gardens, parks and animal yards. Of the total 299 soils, 271 (90.6%) yielded keratinophilic fungi. A total of 181 dermatophytes were isolated, and there were 205 isolations of other keratinophilic fungi. Microsporum gypseum (30.7%) was the most prevalent dermatophyte recovered from soil followed by Microsporum cookei (21.7%) and then Trichophyton ajelloi (8.0%). No other dermatophytes were recovered. Chrysosporium indicum was the most common of all the keratinophilic fungi and was isolated from 50.1% of the samples. Mixed growth was obtained from 33.5% of the soil samples.

Isolation of dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi from soils in India.

The distribution of keratinophilic fungi in Indian soils was studied. They were isolated from 180 (64%) out of 281 soil samples examined. The most dominant species was the conidial state of Keratinophyton terreum, which was isolated from 97 (34·5%) samples. Microsporum gypseum was isolated from 32 (11·3%) samples. Arthroderma quadrifidum, A. unicinatum, Chrysosporium keratinophilum and M. canis were isolated for the first time from Indian soils. The distribution of keratinophilic species in the plains of India is compared with that in the hills. Chrysosporium indicum and C. evolceanui are proposed as new combinations for Trichophyton indicum and T. evolceanui respectively.