Number Of Viable Fungi Research Articles

Low-level LASER therapy accelerates fungal lesions cicatrization by increasing the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines.

Our study focused on the resolution of lesions caused by fungal infection using a subcutaneous air pouch model of infection. We evaluated cell profile and cytokines, fungi viability, and the presence of fibroblasts and fibrocytes at the site of infection. Inoculation of P. brasiliensis (Pb) was performed using a subcutaneous air pouch model and the LLLT irradiation was performed on alternate days on the rear paws of mice for 10days, after which the cells from the air pouch were collected and analyzed. In animals irradiated with LLLT, the influx of cells to the air pouch was reduced, but they were more activated and produced pro-inflammatory (IL-12, IL-17 and TNF-α) and neutrophil (PMN) activating cytokines (IL-8, GM-CSF and γ-IFN). A better resolution of the infection, evidenced by the reduction in the number of viable fungi with preserved morphology in the air pouch, and an increase in the number of fibrocytes, indicating a healing profile were also observed. LLLT decreased the influx of PMN, but those presents were highly activated, with increased fungicidal activity. LLLT irradiation also resulted in earlier cicatrization at the site of infection, leading to a better outcome of the infection. These data are favorable to the use of LLLT as a complementary therapy in PCM.

Study of murine experimental Jorge Lobo's disease by analysis of peritoneal lavage cells and footpad histopathology: early versus chronic lesions.

The murine model of Jorge Lobo's disease is characterized by histological alterations similar to those seen in human disease, including a large number of viable fungi. This study evaluated the immune response of mice with early and late macroscopic lesions (5 and 13 months post-inoculation [p.i.], respectively) by the analysis of peritoneal lavage cells and footpad (FP) histology. The FP of mice were inoculated with 1 × 10(6) fungi (viability index of 41%). At 5 and 13 months p.i., the granuloma mainly consisted of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, but a larger number of neutrophils was observed at 5 months and lymphocytes at 13 months. The number of fungi in the FP and fungal viability were 1.8 ± 1.1 × 10(6) fungi/ml and 38.5% at 5 months p.i. and 30.8 ± 11.7 × 10(6) fungi/ml and 9% at 13 months (P < .05). Higher production of H₂O₂, O₂(-), IL-10, and TNF-α were observed at 13 months (P < .05), but there was no significant difference in the production of NO, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-γ. The results showed significant differences between early and late lesions and support the use of BALB/c mice for evaluation of the different phases of infection.

Isolation and characterization of bacteria from ancient siberian permafrost sediment.

In this study, we isolated and characterized bacterial strains from ancient (Neogene) permafrost sediment that was permanently frozen for 3.5 million years. The sampling site was located at Mammoth Mountain in the Aldan river valley in Central Yakutia in Eastern Siberia. Analysis of phospolipid fatty acids (PLFA) demonstrated the dominance of bacteria over fungi; the analysis of fatty acids specific for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria revealed an approximately twofold higher amount of Gram-negative bacteria compared to Gram-positive bacteria. Direct microbial counts after natural permafrost enrichment showed the presence of (4.7 ± 1.5) × 108 cells g−1 sediment dry mass. Viable heterotrophic bacteria were found at 0 °C, 10 °C and 25 °C, but not at 37 °C. Spore-forming bacteria were not detected. Numbers of viable fungi were low and were only detected at 0 °C and 10 °C. Selected culturable bacterial isolates were identified as representatives of Arthrobacter phenanthrenivorans, Subtercola frigoramans and Glaciimonas immobilis. Representatives of each of these species were characterized with regard to their growth temperature range, their ability to grow on different media, to produce enzymes, to grow in the presence of NaCl, antibiotics, and heavy metals, and to degrade hydrocarbons. All strains could grow at −5 °C; the upper temperature limit for growth in liquid culture was 25 °C or 30 °C. Sensitivity to rich media, antibiotics, heavy metals, and salt increased when temperature decreased (20 °C > 10 °C > 1 °C). In spite of the ligninolytic activity of some strains, no biodegradation activity was detected.

Refurbishment works in a hospital during normal operation.

Background: Construction and renovation work in hospitals pose risks of fungal airborne infections for immunosuppressed patients. If possible, reconstruction work will be postponed to periods without patient treatment. However, in many situations urgent damage demands immediate refurbishment works before the transferring of patients to other wards or closure of wards is possible. Reported here are infection control related measures and implemented procedures after two incidents of water damage which occurred on a surgical ward and an intensive care unit at the University hospital of Essen.Methods: Between January and April 2009 and between September and October 2009, respectively, concentration of air-borne particles and number of viable fungi were measured at two surgical wards and one ICU. Preventive Infection Control Measures included erection of protective walls and HEPA filtration of air from the renovation area.Results: During the renovation work on the surgical ward concentrations of moulds and particles ≥5 µm were significantly higher on the left side of the renovation area than on the right side (p=0.036 and p<0.001). Concentrations of particles ≥1 µm and particles ≥5 µm on both sides of the renovation area were significantly increased when compared with the control ward on the same floor but not when compared with the control ward on the other floor. Particles of all size were significantly elevated on the ICU during the renovation work. Aspergillus fumigatus could neither be cultured of the air of cardiac surgery intensive care unit nor of the intermediate care unit (control ward). During renovation works there was no nosocomial mould infection of patients treated on the two wards.Conclusion: Provided that the renovation area is tightly insulated from the areas of patient care on a ward, closure does not seem to be necessary during renovation works because variation of airborne fungi is similar to that of outdoor or control air. However a multidisciplinary team should be established. This team should perform risk assessment and determine necessary protective measures before starting any construction, renovation or maintenance work in health care settings.

High-temperature Treatment for Efficient Drying of Bread Rye and Reduction of Fungal Contaminants

Mycotoxin-producing fungi are natural contaminants of cereals and their toxins are harmful to humans and animals. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is among the most important. Heat treatment by drum drying does not eliminate already formed mycotoxins but the technique can reduce the number of viable fungi on the grain. The aim of this study was to establish a drying regime that kills fungal propagules on rye without reducing its quality for baking. Special attention was paid to some important mycotoxin-producing species. As drying temperatures and retention time in the drum are essential, the drum drier must be equipped with an effective control unit. Two different control systems were tested. The results showed that fungi colonising the grain can be much more efficiently and precisely reduced by controlling the maximum grain temperature (MGT) than the fixed constant drying air temperature (FAT). Drum drying very efficiently reduced the fungal propagules colonising the grain, including the mycotoxin-producing Penicillium verrucosum, Fusarium avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. poae, F. sporotrichioides and F. tricinctum. Both temperature and retention time in the drum affected survival rate of the fungi. Using MGT, a retention time of 10·5 min and a temperature of 64 °C killed 99% of the yeast propagules and 98% of the filamentous fungi. Moisture contents were reduced to about 12%. A similar drying regime in a supplementary trial reduced the number of P. verrucosum contaminated kernels from more than 70% to 12% but confirmed that drum drying did not destroy already formed OTA. The combination of a high drying capacity and a short but efficient heat treatment was obtained by drum drying as opposed to on-floor, batch and ordinary continuous flow drying, and it reduced the risk of mould deterioration to almost zero when the grain was properly stored afterwards. At the same time a high quality for baking was maintained. The highest baking quality in rye was obtained at grain temperatures of about 62 °C and only at grain temperatures above 70 °C visual quality changes were detected.

Genes influencing resistance to Coccidioides immitis and the interleukin-10 response map to chromosomes 4 and 6 in mice.

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection that is endemic in the southwestern United States. Infection is more severe in blacks and Filipinos, which suggests that there is a genetic basis for susceptibility to this infection in humans. We found that there is also a difference in resistance to Coccidioides immitis infection among inbred mouse strains: B6 mice are susceptible, while DBA/2 mice are resistant (T. N. Kirkland and J. Fierer, Infect. Immun. 40:912-916, 1983). In this paper we report the results of our efforts to map the genes responsible for resistance to this infection in mice. Mice were infected by intraperitoneal inoculation, and 15 days later the numbers of viable fungi in their lungs and spleens were enumerated. We also determined the amounts of interleukin-10 mRNA made in the infected lungs. These three phenotypes were mapped as quantitative traits by using the 26 available lines of recombinant inbred mice derived from a cross between B6 and DBA/2 mice. The best associations were those between the regions near the Lv locus on chromosome 4 and the Tnfr1 locus on chromosome 6. We then infected backcross mice [(B6 x DBA/2) x B6] and confirmed these associations; 14 of 16 (87%) mice that were heterozygous at both Lv and Tnfr1 were resistant to infection, whereas only 4 of 16 (25%) mice that were homozygous B6 at both loci were resistant. These are the first genetic loci to be associated with susceptibility to C. immitis, but there may be additional genes involved in murine resistance to this infection.

Prevention of surface mold growth on Italian dry sausage by natamycin and potassium sorbate.

Inhibition of uncontrolled mold growth on three types of raw cured Italian dry salami was studied under commercial production conditions. Salami were dipped or sprayed with natamycin (pimaricin) or were given a combined organic acid-plus-potassium sorbate treatment. Acetic and citric acids potentiated the inhibitory effects of potassium sorbate significantly, but lactic and succinic acids showed little or no effect. Treatment of salami by dipping in 2.5% (wt/vol) potassium sorbate or 2,000 ppm (mg/liter) of pimaricin did not successfully prevent the growth of surface molds. At 10% potassium sorbate on all types of salami and at 2.5% sorbate on Casalingo salami, visual inhibition of mold growth was observed, but numbers of viable fungi on all salami types treated with 2.5% sorbate were not significantly (95% confidence) different from numbers found in the untreated controls. Pimaricin spray (2 X 1,000 ppm) was as good as or slightly better than 2.5% potassium sorbate, but greater concentrations of each were required to satisfactorily inhibit surface mold growth during the 25- to 50-day ripening period.

Ovine ill-thrift in Nova Scotia:I. The possible regulation of the rumen flora in sheep by the fungal flora of permanent pasture

SUMMARYThe growth of ewe lambs of the Shropshire breed declined and in some cases ceased at the end of July, when they grazed permanent pastures at the Experimental Farm, Nappan, Nova Scotia. This decline in growth coincided with a decrease of about three orders of magnitude in the numbers of viable rumen bacteria. At the end of July an increase of one to two orders of magnitude was observed in the numbers of viable fungi collected from the pastures. Lambs grazing pastures developed from tidal marsh of the Bay of Fundy had a better growth performance than lambs grazing adjacent pastures developed from mixed conifer-deciduous forest. The forest soils supported a greater fungal population than the marshland soil, and several species were found predominantly on the forest soil.