Mycological Culture Research Articles

Microbiological culture combined with PCR for the diagnosis of onychomycosis: Descriptive analysis of 121 patients.

Onychomycosis is the most common nail pathology, involving various pathogens such as dermatophytes, moulds and yeasts. The objective of this study was to observe the prevalence of onychomycosis, analyse the most appropriate diagnostic test, and assess the distribution of pathogens based on age, sex, quarter of the year, duration of symptoms and previous treatment. Retrospectively, mycological culture and PCR data and results were collected from 121 patients. Of the 121 samples, 57% (69/121) tested positive when both microbiological study techniques were combined. The prevalence of onychomycosis was higher when PCR was performed (52.1%) compared to microbiological culture (33.1%). Among the 81 samples negative by microbiological culture, 31 were positive by PCR. Similarly, of the 58 samples negative by PCR, eight were positive by microbiological culture. Diagnostic accuracy data (with 95% confidence intervals) for PCR, using microbiological culture as the gold standard, were as follows: sensitivity of 0.8, specificity of 0.62, positive predictive value of 0.51 and negative predictive value of 0.86. The most frequently identified pathogen was Trichophyton rubrum, and the hallux nail plate was the most commonly affected location. However, no statistically significant associations were found between sex, age, quarter of the year and affected area with culture and PCR results. Combining microbiological culture and PCR can increase the detection rate of onychomycosis and help avoid false-negative results.

Rare Presentation of Chromoblastomycosis Due to Multiple Simultaneous Inoculations: A Case Report

Chronic infectious, granulomatous and suppurative dermatosis, classified among the subcutaneous mycoses, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and caused by the traumatic implantation of dematiaceous fungal species, where the presence of muriform bodies is an expression of the causal agent in the grafted tissue, are characteristic of chromoblastomycosis. Considered the second implantation mycosis in the world, it manifests itself with slow and progressive growth lesions of exophytic and verrucous plaques and black dots on the surface. The disease is considered a neglected and occupational disease, which occurs mainly among agricultural workers, coconut and babassu harvesters, lumberjacks, and traders of agricultural products. It is important to highlight that people at risk of contracting chromoblastomycosis work in tropical countries, where the temperature can be above 40 °C in summer, and generally refuse to wear protective equipment during the day (shoes, gloves, clothes, etc.), although they know that this type of prophylactic measure can prevent different types of diseases. These vulnerable people often live in low-income countries and sometimes live far from medical services and, once infected, do not seek medical attention. We report below an exuberant and unusual case due to multiple simultaneous inoculations on the back after the patient suffered an accidental fall while working on his farm. The diagnosis was established by direct mycological examination, histopathological examination, culture, microculture, and MALDI-TOF MS analysis that identified the agent of the Fonsecaea pedrosoi.

Diagnostic Performance of Direct Microscopic Techniques and Culture Media for Fungal Isolates from Hair Specimens

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of direct microscopic techniques and culture media for detecting fungal isolates in hair specimens.Study Design: Cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2021 to June 2021.Materials and Methods: A total of 207 hair specimens were collected from the patients with superficial mycoses of the scalp. The specimens were collected under aseptic techniques using clean glass slides and forceps which were processed for Potassium hydroxide mount and Calcofluor white staining. The mycological cultures were performed on a Dermatophyte test medium and Sabouraud Dextrose agar with and without antibiotics. The data was recorded and analyzed on SPSS version 21. The frequencies, percentages, means, and ratios were calculated using Descriptive statistics. The association between variables were analyzed by the Chi-square test and kappa index.Results: Potassium hydroxide mount revealed fungal spores and hyphae in 154(74.3%) specimens, while Calcofluor white staining showed fungal elements in 179(86.5%) specimens. Out of 207 specimens, 106(51.2%) were culture positive and 101(48.8%) were declared culture negative. Out of culture-positive specimens, dermatophytes were yielded in 61(57.5%) and non-dermatophytes in 45(42.5%) specimens. Among all culture media, the highest number of dermatophytes was yielded by plain Sabouraud dextrose agar (59; 96.5%), followed by dermatophyte test medium (55; 90%), and Sabouraud dextrose agar with antibiotics (54; 90.1%). On the contrary, the primary isolation of non-dermatophytes on the plain was Sabouraud dextrose agar s 32(71.1%), Sabouraud dextrose agar with antibiotics 31(68.2%), and dermatophyte test medium 13(28.8%).Conclusion: In our study, we found Calcofluor white staining technique as the most sensitive method to detect fungal elements from the given hair specimens. For mycological culture, all tested culture media were equally effective for the retrieval of dermatophytes. However, for non-dermatophytes, plain SDA and SDA with antibiotics were found to be better media for isolation.

Osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus terreus complex in a dog: a case report

BackgroundIn dogs, the most frequently reported mycosis associated with Aspergillus spp. are respiratory infections. Systemic aspergillosis is uncommon, with reported cases been associated with several Aspergillus species. Aspergillus terreus species complex are ubiquitous organisms, unfrequently associated with local or systemic disease in animals and humans, and treatment of osteomyelitis caused by this species is usually unfavorable.Case presentationThis case report describes the case of a 5-year-old dog, referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, with a history of lameness of the right thoracic limb. Radiographs and CT scan revealed two different lesions on right humerus and radio, which were biopsied. The samples collected were submitted to cytological and histopathological evaluation and bacterial and mycological culture. Environmental samples, including of the surgery room and of the biopsy needle were also evaluated for the presence of fungi. Regarding biopsy samples, bacterial culture was negative, but mycological analysis originated a pure culture of a fungal species later identified as Aspergillus terreus by Sanger sequencing. Results were compatible with histopathologic examination, which revealed periosteal reaction and invasion of hyphae elements. Also, mycological analysis of both environmental samples evaluated were negative. The virulence profile of the fungal isolate was phenotypically characterized using specific media, allowing to reveal its ability to produce several enzymes involved in its pathogenicity, namely lipase, hemolysin and DNAse, corresponding to a Virulence Index (V. Index.) of 0.43. The patient was submitted to itraconazole therapy for 8 weeks. After 3 weeks, the patient showed significant clinical improvement, and after 6 weeks no radiographic signs were observed.ConclusionsAntifungal therapy with itraconazole can contribute to the remission of canine infections promoted by Aspergillus terreus complex with a relevant V. Index.

Frequency of dermatophytes and yeasts on tegument of healthy dogs and cats

Skin is an organ that covers the body and acts as a protective layer against external aggressions. Changes in this organ, such as hair loss, evident blemishes, changes in skin pigmentation, and the presence of scaling or crusts, are the main signs of dermatological disease. The study aimed to verify the frequency of dermatophytes and yeasts in healthy cats and dogs. Samples of hair and shedding from 30 cats and 30 dogs were cultured on dermatophyte test medium and Sabouraud Dextrose agar enriched with yeast extract, thiamine, antibiotics (streptomycin and chloramphenicol) supplemented with cycloheximide and incubated at 25°C and 35°C for 10 days. The positive cultures were assessed macro and microscopically, and the fungi were identified by biochemical methods. It was found that 100% of the cats had a positive mycological culture for Microsporum canis, 33.33% for Microsporum gypseum, and 50% for Trichophyton mentagrophytes, with a prevalence of Microsporum canis (P>0.001). In dogs, 86.66% were positive for Microsporum canis, showing a predominance over the other fungal species (P<0.001). Malassezia pachydermatis was isolated in 50% of the dogs evaluated, although it was not found in cats, while positive cultures for Malassezia spp were found in 6.6% of cats and 26.66% of dogs. Candida albicans was isolated in samples of dogs and cats (26.66% and 33.33%, respectively). It was concluded that asymptomatic dogs and cats are carriers of agents of dermatophytosis and dermatomycoses and may be important sources of environmental spread and intra and interspecific infection.

Molecular identification of Brazilian Fusarium strains: sources of proteases with milk-clotting properties.

Fusarium is a genus of ubiquitous fungi that comprises mycotoxigenic animal and plant pathogens. These fungi have the ability to exploit a wide range of substrates and hosts, indicating their great potential for enzyme production; however, this aspect is understudied. Therefore, the present study aimed for revaluating the identity of twenty-three Fusarium strains maintained in the University Recife Mycology (URM) culture collection, Brazil, and to evaluate their potential for proteases production and the milk-clotting activity of these proteases. According to phylogenetic analysis of translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) gene partial sequences, these strains belonged to 12 species representing four species complexes: Fusarium concolor, F. fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, and F. oxysporum. Four of these species are putatively novel to science. Notably, novel associations of Fusarium spp. with certain hosts/substrates were documented. The proteolytic activity ranged from 1.67 U ml-1 to 22.03 U ml-1 among the evaluated fungal isolates, with specific proteolytic activity reaching 205.86 U mg-1. The values for coagulant activity and specific activity were up to 157.14 U ml-1 and 1,424.11 U mg-1, respectively. These results indicate the potential of URM Fusarium strains as a source for the production of enzymes of industrial interest. Additionally, they reinforce the importance of applying DNA-based methods for reviewing the identification of fungal strains preserved in biodiversity repositories.

Molecular detection and species identification of dermatophytes by SYBR-Green real-time PCR in house methodology using hair samples obtained from dogs and cats.

The classical dermatophytes diagnosis is based on mycological culture and microscopy observation both human and animal hair, skin and nail samples. The aim of this work was to develop the new in-house real-time PCR with pan-dematophyte reaction for detection and identification of the main dermatophytes directly from hair samples, providing a simple and rapid diagnosis of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats. An in house SYBR-Green real-time PCR was designed and used for detecting a DNA fragment encoding chitin synthase 1 (CHS1). A total of 287 samples were processed by culture, microscopic examination with KOH 10% and quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. Melting curve analysis of CHS1 fragment revealed to be reproducible, showing a single distinct peak for each species of dermatophyte, namely Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton verrucosum Microsporum canis and Nannizzia gypsea (formerly Microsporum gypseum). Then, out of the 287 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis, 50% were positive for dermatophytes by qPCR, 44% by mycological culture and 25% by microscopic examination. M. canis was identified in 117 samples tested by culture and 134 samples tested by qPCR, followed by N. gypsea in 5 samples (either tested by culture or qPCR) and T. mentagrophytes detected in 4 and 5 samples when tested by culture or qPCR, respectively. Overall, qPCR allowed the diagnosis of dermatophytosis in clinical samples. The results suggest this newly proposed in house real-time PCR assay can be used as alternative diagnosis and rapid identification of dermatophytes frequently associated to clinical hair samples of dogs and cats.

Evaluation of Partial Substitution of Cocoyam Starch as Alternative Gelling Agent in Culture Media for Cultivation of Fungi

Aim: In view of high cost of agar in Nigeria, the study evaluated the suitability of cocoyam starch and cocoyam starch-agar blends as alternative gelling agents in mycological culture media. Methodology: Media characteristics and ability of the media to support growth and sporulation of the test fungi A. niger and A. flavus were determined using standard procedures. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) served as the control medium. Results: Addition of cocoyam starch to the media did not significantly affect media clarity, viscosity, and ease of pouring. Media in which cocoyam starch made up 57% or less of the gelling agent solidified while those with higher contents of starch were either semi solid or watery. Mean radial growth ranges were 75.00 ± 0.70 – 84.00 ± 1.00 mm and 77.50 ± 0.50 – 86.50 ± 0.50 mm for A. niger and A. flavus respectively. Cocoyam starch-agar blend (4:3) medium produced significantly higher mean radial growth (84.00 ± 1.00 mm and 86.00 ± 0.50 mm for A. niger and A. flavus respectively) than all the other treatments (P = .05). Mean spore counts per mycelial disc of the various media ranged from 8.6×103 to 9.3×103 for A. niger and 7.9×103 to 9.5×103 for A. flavus. Though both fungi sporulated well on all the media, the PDA medium and the 2 g of cocoyam starch + 4 g of agar medium had significantly higher mean spore counts compared to the other media. Conclusion: The findings show that cocoyam starch can partially substitute agar as gelling agent in mycological culture media.

Galactomannan-Antigen Testing from Non-Directed Bronchial Lavage for Rapid Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Critically Ill Patients: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is associated with high mortality. For diagnosis, galactomannan-antigen in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is recommended, with higher sensitivity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Because of invasiveness, bronchoalveolar lavage might be withheld due to patients' or technical limitations, leading to a delay in diagnosis while early diagnosis is crucial for patient outcome. To address this problem, we performed an analysis of patient characteristics of intubated patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis with comparison of galactomannan-antigen testing between non-directed bronchial lavage (NBL) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A total of 32 intubated ICU patients with suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis could be identified. Mycological cultures were positive in 37.5% for A. fumigatus. Galactomannan-antigen in NBL (ODI 4.3 ± 2.4) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (ODI 3.6 ± 2.2) showed consistent results (p-value 0.697). Galactomannan-antigen testing for detection of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis using deep tracheal secretion showed comparable results to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Because of widespread availability in intubated patients, galactomannan-antigen from NBL can be used as a screening parameter in critical risk groups with high pretest probability for invasive aspergillosis to accelerate diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Bronchoalveolar lavage remains the gold standard for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis to be completed to confirm diagnosis, but results from NBL remove time sensitivity.

Interest of Dermoscopy for the Diagnosis of Onychopathy in an Infant

Aim: Onychomycosis is a rare pathology in infants which constitutes 15.5% of onychodystrophies in children, especially those with Down syndrome and the immunocompromised. Dermosocpy is an innocuous examination allowing to guide the clinical diagnosis and to avoid invasive examinations.
 Presentation of Case: 5-month-old infant presents with thickening of the thumbnail of the left hand with xanthonychia evolving for 20 days without notion of trauma. On clinical examination, xantho-pachyonychia of the thumbnail of the left hand was noted reaching the latero-distal part with subungual hyperkeratosis and peronyxis. Dermoscopy showed yellowish chromonychia, longitudinal striae, subungual hyperkeratosis with jagged edges. The mycological direct examination and culture was in favor of a Candida albicans infection The patient was put on an antifungal cream with improvement after 3 months.
 Discussion: The rarity of onychomycosis in infants can be attributed to several factors such as the difference in the structure of the nail plate, less exposure to trauma and rapidity of nail regrowth. The average age is 8 months, the sex ratio at 0.98 and the preferential location is the fingernails. Clinically the nail involvement is of the disto-lateral type with subungual hyperkeratosis and peronyxis. Dermatoscopy is a quick tool showing chromonychia, longitudinal streaks, subungual hyperkeratosis producing a “ruined appearance”, distal onycholysis with jagged edges and linear hemorrhages. Infant onychomycosis is most often of candidal origin (C. albicans). Topical antifungals (ciclopirox) are preferred.
 Conclusion: This case is being reported to highlight the important role of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of onychomycosis and thus prevent unnecessary biopsies.

Post-Traumatic Single-Digit Onychomycosis

Onychomycoses are a group of fungal nail infections commonly classified either according to the pathogenic fungus, to the duration of the disease or to the mode of fungal invasion. Most cases are diagnosed clinically, although there is a general consensus that the pathogen should be identified prior to initiating a treatment. However, this is often difficult as the classical mycologic methods of direct microscopy and culture frequently remain negative. We came across a particular subset of onychomycoses, which posed extreme diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Over a period of 15 years, 44 patients were seen in specialized nail clinics with a single nail dystrophy that was examined and treated in vain by many practitioners and dermatologists prior to their consultation. Of the forty-four cases, thirty-nine patients had a fingernail affected and five had a toenail affected. The nail was almost completely onycholytic, the nail bed visibly keratotic, the proximal nail fold smooth and shiny and slightly swollen. All patients except five brought the results of negative mycologic cultures. Thirty-four patients had received antifungal therapy, mostly topical, as a single nail would not qualify for systemic treatment according to most national and international guidelines. The diagnosis was finally confirmed by histopathology of the nail plate showing an invasive onychomycosis in all cases. After nail avulsion and combined topical and systemic antifungal therapy, thirty-six patients were cured, three were lost from follow-up, and five showed improved nails but not a complete clinical and mycologic cure. A single-digit nail disease raises the suspicion of a tumor or a trauma; although, in rare cases, diseases normally affecting several nails may only affect a single nail. Such a case should prompt the clinician to ask for a previous trauma to this digit and to intensify the search for a specific pathogen. This study also underlines the importance of histopathology for the diagnosis of onychomycoses.

Survey on Dermatophytes Isolated from Animals in Switzerland in the Context of the Prevention of Zoonotic Dermatophytosis

Most inflammatory dermatophytoses in humans are caused by zoophilic and geophilic dermatophytes. Knowledge of the epidemiology of these fungi in animals facilitates the prevention of dermatophytosis of animal origin in humans. We studied the prevalence of dermatophyte species in domestic animals in Switzerland and examined the effectiveness of direct mycological examination (DME) for their detection compared to mycological cultures. In total, 3515 hair and skin samples, collected between 2008 and 2022 by practicing veterinarians, were subjected to direct fluorescence microscopy and fungal culture. Overall, 611 dermatophytes were isolated, of which 547 (89.5%) were from DME-positive samples. Cats and dogs were the main reservoirs of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis, whereas Trichophyton benhamiae was predominantly found in guinea pigs. Cultures with M. canis significantly (p < 0.001) outnumbered those with T. mentagrophytes in DME-negative samples (19.3% versus 6.8%), possibly because M. canis can be asymptomatic in cats and dogs, unlike T. mentagrophytes, which is always infectious. Our data confirm DME as a reliable, quick, and easy method to identify the presence of dermatophytes in animals. A positive DME in an animal hair or skin sample should alert people in contact with the animal to the risk of contracting dermatophytosis.

Increasing incidence of Trichophyton tonsurans in Munich-A single-centre observation.

Tinea capitis and tinea corporis are highly prevalent fungal skin infections, which globally are mainly caused by Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum, respectively. While in the United States and Great Britain Trichophyton tonsurans is widely prevalent as a causative pathogen, it so far only plays a minor role in Germany. Since the frequency of pathogenic species varies regionally and temporally, this study assesses the proportion of Trichophyton tonsurans infections in the dermatology department of a large university hospital in Germany from 2019 to 2022 and thoroughly characterises the affected patient population. This retrospective study at the Technical University of Munich analyses mycological culture results regarding the identified dermatophyte and infection site. Detailed patient and disease-related information on Trichophyton tonsurans positive patients was obtained. In 2022, 23 patients of 111 dermatophyte culture-positive patients tested positive for Trichophyton tonsurans. This accounted for 20.7% and represented a tenfold increase from 2.1% in 2019. Contact sports were only practiced by 21.7% of patients, and no common hotspot or other linkage could be identified between the cases. Additionally, 47.8% of the patients received a systemic treatment, with 30.4% visiting the clinic more than three times. In 2022, 21.7% were diagnosed with a simultaneous infection of the capillitium and body, whereas this was only observed in 7.1% of cases in 2019 to 2021. This study suggests an increase of Trichophyton tonsurans infections via several routes of transmission.

First experience of Real-Time PCR method application for dermatophytosis diagnosis and its comparison with KOH-microscopy and mycological culture

First experience of Real-Time PCR method application for dermatophytosis diagnosis and its comparison with KOH-microscopy and mycological culture

Tinea capitis: new insights into an old disease

Tinea capitis is a superficial dermatophytic infection of the scalp. This common dermatosis occurs predominantly in children. The clinical manifestation of the disease is heterogeneous, and vary widely depending on the pathogenic fungal agent. Direct mycological examination and cultures are mandatory for an accurate diagnosis and species identification. Treatment should be both local and systemic, and ideally is tailored to the dermatophytic species identified by the laboratory diagnostic work up. Secondary prophylaxis through supplementary measures is crucial to avoid epidemic outbreak and patient reinfection.

Increased Severity due to Aflatoxin in Viral Cause of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Control Study

The objective of our study was to assess the presence of aflatoxin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma patients and their severity. This case control study was conducted in the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) Hyderabad and Nuclear Institute of Medicine and Radiotherapy (NIMRA) Jamshoro for the period of 02 years from March 2018 to February 2020. The calculated sample size was 218 subjects, 109 patients were diagnosed with cases of HCC (76 male and 33 female), and 109 were included as control. Control was selected from the relatives of the patients who were Viral Hepatitis-Negative. Non-probability convenience sampling was used. Majority of the cases and controls were for 40 to 49 years of age. Serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) was significantly high in 80 (73.4%) cases who were culture positive with (p=0.013). There is no association between the AG ratio and mycological culture media-positive cases. A strong correlation is observed between Viral Hepatitis infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Pakistan. The toxin produced by fungi has worse outcomes in patients with liver compromise especially hepatocellular carcinoma. The poor prognosis was observed in HCC and Liver Cirrhosis patients, especially in low-income countries where health services are poor. Therefore, preventive strategies need to be applied to control these toxins. Proper handling and cooking of common food and good hygiene, especially for high-risk patients, can help prevent and controlling the spread of these toxins. Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, aflatoxins, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Pakistan. https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.50.2.4

Could polymerase chain reaction be an alternative diagnostic method for dermatophytes?

Dermatophytosis are cutaneous mycoses caused by Microsporum spp., Trichophyton spp. and Epidermophyton spp. dermatophytes. Dermatophytosis resembles other skin diseases due to its various clinical manifestations such as multifocal alopecia, circular lesions, scaling, crusting, papular and pustular lesions, follicular obstruction, erythema, hyperpigmentation, miliary dermatitis and dystrophic nail growth, and its diagnosis is based on the use of many different methods. Generally used methods; clinical appearance, microscopic examination, examination with Wood's lamp and mycological culture but these methods have some disadvantages. Microscopic examination requiring expertise, fast and cost-effective method, but in some cases, microbiologists encounter specimens that are microscopically negative but give positive results in mycological culture. Examination with Wood's lamp can only be used for the diagnosis of M. canis and its specificity is low. On the other hand mycological cultures require a long time (3-6 weeks) to give definitive results, and their sensitivity may decrease due to common contaminant growth. Considering these reasons, new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods have been developed for the diagnosis of dermatophyte agents. Compared to other molecular methods, the PCR method is easy, fast and applicable for the identification of dermatophyte species that do not show typical morphological features. Although PCR-based diagnostic methods are widely used in humans in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis, its usefulness in dogs and cats has also been confirmed. As a result, the PCR method used in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis; it is emphasized that it can be used in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis due to the ease of obtaining samples, providing faster results compared to mycological culture, and not requiring expertise, and it is emphasized that new and different methods should be used in the diagnosis of diseases. In this study, it was aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the PCR method and its applicability in clinical practice, as well as mycological culture, which is frequently used in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis.

Pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are vehicles of pathogenic and allergenic fungi

Nowadays, rabbits and guinea pigs are frequently adopted as companion animals, representing a vehicle for the dissemination of potentially pathogenic and allergenic fungi to their tutors. This study aimed to characterize the cutaneous mycobiota of these species and evaluate the association between mycological cultures results and several variables related to these animals’ husbandry. Hair and scales samples (n=102) were collected from 32 rabbits and 19 guinea pigs: 51 by pulling hairs surrounding lesions and collecting scales (if lesions present) or along the body of the animal (if absent); the other samples were collected using Mackenzie’s technique. Samples were inoculated in Sabouraud Chloramphenicol Agar and Dermatophyte Test Media and observed daily during the incubation period. Isolated fungal species were identified based on their macro and microscopic morphology. A questionnaire was provided to the animal’s tutors to collect information on animal husbandry. The most frequently isolated species corresponded to saprophytic fungi, such as Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Scopulariopsis spp.; yeasts such as Candida sp. and Rhodotorula sp. were also found. Statistical analysis showed that a positive mycological culture was related with animal’s age and the administration of ongoing medication, while the number of isolated fungal species was related with animal’s species and outdoor access. These fungi have already been reported as responsible for mycotic infections in humans and animals, including dogs and cats, although they usually affect immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, these animals can represent a zoonotic risk, which may be related with animals age, species, ongoing medication and outdoor access.

Diversity of Biogenic Nanoparticles Obtained by the Fungi-Mediated Synthesis: A Review.

Fungi are very promising biological objects for the green synthesis of nanoparticles. Biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles using different mycological cultures and substances obtained from them is a promising, easy and environmentally friendly method. By varying the synthesis conditions, the same culture can be used to produce nanoparticles with different sizes, shapes, stability in colloids and, therefore, different biological activity. Fungi are capable of producing a wide range of biologically active compounds and have a powerful enzymatic system that allows them to form nanoparticles of various chemical elements. This review attempts to summarize and provide a comparative analysis of the currently accumulated data, including, among others, our research group's works, on the variety of the characteristics of the nanoparticles produced by various fungal species, their mycelium, fruiting bodies, extracts and purified fungal metabolites.

The rising menace of antifungal resistance in dermatophytes among the patients of tinea capitis.

To determine the epidemiological profile of dermatophytes among patients of tinea capitis and their susceptibility pattern to fluconazole and terbinafine. The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August to December 2019, and comprised samples of hair and skin from the scalp of tinea capitis patients regardless of age and gender. Demographic details were collected and the samples were processed for direct microscopy and mycological culture. Antifungal susceptibility testing for fluconazole and terbinafine was performed using broth microdilution method. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Of the 207 patients, 115(55.5%) were males, and 114(55.1%) were children. Alopecia was the most common presenting complaint 141(68.1%), while grey patch tinea was the most characteristic clinical form 53(25.6%). Dermatophytes were yielded in 61(29.5%) cases, non-dermatophytes were isolated in 45(21.7%) specimens, and 101(48.8%) were culture-negative. Among the dermatophytes, trichophyton violaceum was the most common pathogen 21(34.4%), followed by trichophyton mentagrophytes 18(29.5%). Resistance to fluconazole and terbinafine among dermatophytes was recorded in 12(19.7%) and 7(11.5%) isolates, respectively. The frequency of dermatophytes among tinea capitis patients was higher compared to non-dermatophyte species. Antifungal resistance was predominantly seen in trichophyton violaceum and trichophyton mentagrophytes.