Keratinophilic Fungi In Soil Research Articles

A Preliminary Study on the Occurrence of Keratinophilic Fungi in Soils of Bhandup Pumping Station

A Preliminary Study on the Occurrence of Keratinophilic Fungi in Soils of Bhandup Pumping Station

Identificação de fungos queratinofílicos obtidos do solo de recintos de mamíferos selvagens

RESUMO: O solo é o principal ambiente de ocorrência da maioria dos fungos e tem grande importância para suas atividades biológicas. Este habitat abriga especialmente fungos queratinofílicos, que fazem parte de um grupo de microrganismos capazes de produzir enzimas que degradam a queratina, destacando-se os dermatófitos, agentes de micoses em humanos e animais, sendo alguns responsáveis por infecções oportunistas. Com base no exposto, este estudo teve por objetivo detectar a ocorrência de fungos queratinofílicos em solo de recintos que abrigam mamíferos selvagens. Para isso, foram coletadas 395 amostras de solo do Parque Estadual de Dois Irmãos (PEDI), localizado na cidade de Recife - PE. As amostras foram processadas pela técnica de suspensão do solo e cultivadas em placas de Petri contendo Ágar Sabouraud Dextrose acrescido de cloranfenicol. A identificação dos fungos filamentosos foi realizada através de microcultivo em lâmina, baseando-se na observação de características macro e micromorfológicas das colônias. Como resultados, foram obtidas 233 Unidades Formadoras de Colônias (UFC), das quais 85 (36,5%) eram provenientes do solo que abrigava mamíferos da ordem Carnivora, seguido por 84 UFC (36%) em solo de mamíferos da ordem Primates. Em relação aos fungos identificados, observou-se uma maior ocorrência de Microsporum gypseum com 123 UFC (52,8%), seguido por Chrysosporium sp. com 28 UFC (12,0%) e Fusarium sp. com 10 UFC (4,30%). Animais que vivem em recintos contaminados podem ser portadores assintomáticos de muitas doenças fúngicas, atuando na transmissão para outros animais e seres humanos. Como forma preventiva, salienta-se melhoria nas condições higiênicas e de manejo.
 PALAVRAS-CHAVE: fungos, dermatófitos, micoses, animais selvagens.

Phylogeny and taxonomy of three new Ctenomyces (Arthrodermataceae, Onygenales) species from China.

Twelve Ctenomyces (Arthrodermataceae, Onygenales) strains were obtained and identified during a survey of keratinophilic fungi in soils from China. We used molecular identification combined with morphological evidence to delimit species, circumscribing five species in the genus. Three new species are herein described: C.albussp. nov., C.obovatussp. nov. and C.peltricolorsp. nov. We also described, illustrated and compared the novel species with related species in the morphology.

Isolation and Identification of Keratinophilic Fungi from Cattle House Soil in Khartoum City, Sudan

The present study was done to investigate the presence of keratinophilic fungi in soil, sixty soil samples were collected randomly from bovine farms in Khartoum state. Hair baiting technique was used for isolating the fungi. Plates which contain soil and children hair were then incubated at 28ºC for one month. Ten genera and fifteen species were isolated from cattle house soils. Aspergillus species represent the highest occurrence of isolates.

Distribution of Keratinophilic Fungi in Soil Across Tunisia: A Descriptive Study and Review of the Literature

Data on the frequency and distribution of keratinophilic fungi in soil of Tunisia are scanty. The present survey aimed to describe the distribution of keratinophilic fungi in soils collected in Tunisia. Keratinophilic fungi were isolated using Vanbreuseghem's hair-baiting technique from 354 soil samples collected in 15 governorates of Tunisia and identified according to their morphology with further DNA and MALDI-TOF analysis when necessary. Keratinophilic fungi were isolated from 46.3 % of the samples from 14 governorates. Chrysosporium keratinophilum was the predominant species (30.5 %) followed by Microsporum gypseum (27.4 %). Other isolated species included C. tropicum (14.0 %), C. indicum (11.0 %), Chaetomium sp. (4.9 %), Arthroderma curreyi, Arthroderma cuniculi (3.7 % each), C. merdarium (3.1 %), Anixiopsis stercoraria, C. parvum, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Auxarthron zuffianum (2.4 % each), Fusarium oxysporum, Aphanoascus verrucosus, Gymnascella dankaliensis (1.2 % each) and 12 other species (0.6 % each). Two to five distinct fungal species were associated with 11.5 % of the positive samples. Keratinophilic fungi were more frequently isolated in rural (54.8 %) than in urban (41.1 %) areas (p = 0.012). The highest (100 %) positive culture rate was noted in soil collected in stables. Keratinophilic fungi are frequent throughout Tunisian territory, particularly in soils with a high organic matter content that should be regarded as humans and animals mycoses reservoir.

Isolation and Investigation of Keratinophilic Fungi in the Parks of Municipality Districts of Tehran

Background: Keratinophilic fungi are a small but well-defined and important group of fungi that can degrade the hard keratin. So, keratinophilic fungi may be pathogenic with regard to keratinized tissues of human and animal. Objectives: In this study we took samples from the soil of Tehran parks, to investigate the role of keratinophilic fungi in soil, because of the frequent contacts of human being with soil, especially children. Materials and Methods: Two hundred soil samples from different parks were examined for the presence of geophilic keratinophilic fungi. Fungi were isolated from the samples by the method of hair baiting. Results: A total of 222 isolates of keratinophilic fungi were obtained. The following species were isolated: Acremonium (17.5%), Chrysosporium (12.6%), Fusarium (11.3%), Cunninghamella (11.3%), Microsporum gypseum (10.4%), Gliocladium (9.9%), Ulocladium (6.7%), Penicillium (4.0%), Aspergillus niger (3.6%), Aspergillus (2.7%), Alternaria (2.2%), Scopulariopsis (1.8%), Verticillium (1.8%), Mucor (1.3%), Drechslera (0.9%), Rhizopus (0.9%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (0.4%), Cladosporium (0.4%). Conclusions: The soil represents the main reservoir of keratinophilic fungi including dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes. Therefore, soil can be a source of infection for humans and animals. From the results presented in this study, an association exists between keratinophilic fungi and the soil of parks in municipality districts of Tehran.

Epidemiological investigation of keratinophilic fungi from soils of Djerba (Tunisia)

Epidemiological investigation of keratinophilic fungi in soil has been carried out in different parts of the world. However, our knowledge of the present occurrence and distribution of keratinophilic fungi in Tunisian soils remains unknown. This study was carried out to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of keratinophilic fungi in the soils collected in Djerba (South of Tunisia). One hundred and forty one soil samples were collected from various sites in Djerba and screened for the presence of keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes using hair-baiting technique. Fungi were identified using macro- and micro-morphological features. Among them, 29 (20.6%) soil samples were positive. Seven species were isolated in the following order of dominance: Chrysosporium keratinophilum (48.3%), Microsporum gypseum (41.4%), C. tropicum (10.4%), C. parvum (3.45%), C. anamorph of Anixiopsis stercoraris (3.45%), C. anamorph of Arthroderma cuniculi (3.45%) and Chaetomium sp. (3.45%). The association of M. gypseum and C. keratinophilum was detected in 13.8% of positive soils. Sixty-nine percent of fungi were found in organic matter rich soil. Our results revealed a higher prevalence of keratinophilic fungi in the regions far from the sea (33.3%) than in those near the sea (11.1%) with a statistically significant difference (P=0.001). All keratinophilic fungi were isolated from soils with pH ranging from 6.2 to 7.6. Our study showed that keratinophilic fungi were present in the various soils of Djerba. They may represent a risk to human health.

Prevalence of keratinophilic fungi in soils of St. Kitts and Nevis

Information on the prevalence of keratinophilic fungi in West Indies is scanty. Occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in soils of St. Kitts and Nevis has not been investigated previously. The prevalence of keratinophilic fungi was investigated in 108 samples of soils of varying habitats from St. Kitts and 55 such samples from Nevis by hair-baiting technique. Fungal growths appearing on the hair baits after four to eight weeks of incubation at room temperature were microscopically examined and cultured on mycological media. Cultures were identified on the basis of colonial and microscopic features. Forty-nine (45%) of the samples from St. Kitts and 38 (69%) from Nevis were positive for keratinophilic fungi. Microsporum gypseum complex, a well-known geophilic dermatophyte, was the most frequently recovered species being present in 15.7% of soils of St. Kitts and 40% of soils of Nevis. The next commonest species recovered was Chrysosporium indicum, represented by 15 (13.9%) isolates from St. Kitts and seven (12.7%) isolates from Nevis. Other infrequently isolated keratinophilic species included Chrysosporium tropicum, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, and unidentified Chrysosporium species. This study is the first of its kind in the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. A high incidence of M. gypseum complex in the soil of these islands is a noteworthy finding of public health significance.

Dermatophytes and related keratinophilic fungi in soil of parks and agricultural fields of Uttar Pradesh, India

Dermatophytes and related keratinophilic fungi in soil of parks and agricultural fields of Uttar Pradesh, India

Keratinophilic fungi in soil of potted plants of indoor environments in Kanpur, India, and their proteolytic ability

One hundred nine isolates of 10 genera representing 20 species of keratinophilic fungi were isolated from soil of planted earthen pots in indoor environments of 15 localities of Kanpur, India, by the hair baiting technique. Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii, and Botryotrichum piluliferum were found to release 698.66, 512.99, and 519.99μg/ml net protein, respectively, whereas Arthroderma cuniculi released the minimum, 107.99μg/ml. All other isolates were keratinolytically active.

Keratinophilic fungi in soil of potted plants of indoor environments in Kanpur, India, and their proteolytic ability

One hundred nine isolates of 10 genera representing 20 species of keratinophilic fungi were isolated from soil of planted earthen pots in indoor environments of 15 localities of Kanpur, India, by the hair baiting technique. Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii, and Botryotrichum piluliferum were found to release 698.66, 512.99, and 519.99μg/ml net protein, respectively, whereas Arthroderma cuniculi released the minimum, 107.99μg/ml. All other isolates were keratinolytically active.

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.

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.

The isolation of Histoplasma duboisii and keratinophilic fungi from soils of East Africa.

Isolation ofHistoplasma duboisii marks the first incidence of this African pathogen being found in the soil of Kenya. Investigation of keratinophilic fungi in soil from Kenya and Tanzania produced 27 isolates of dermatophytes belonging to the four known genera of this group.Trichophyton evolceanui was found in five of these samples. It is to be noted that localities frequented by wild and domestic animals produced a higher incidence of keratinophilic fungi than did the unshady, isolated areas.

The distribution of keratinophilic fungi in soils from New Zealand, and from two Polynesian islands.

(1) A total of 312 soils, 271 from New Zealand, 24 from Rarotonga, Cook Islands and 17 from Tokelau Islands was examined by the hair-baiting technique.

Isolation of Microsporum cookei from Soil Attaching to Animal Hoof

During a survey for the presence of keratinophilic fungi in soil attaching to the hoofs and claws of animals by means of a modified method of Vanbreuseghem's technique, an isolate of Microsporum cookei Ajello, 1959 was recovered from a soil specimen. This specimen had been collected from the hoofs of a horse, which were free from lesions. This was the first recovery of this fungus in Japan. The morphological characteristics of this isolate were described.