Antigenic relationships among Cladosporium species of medical importance

We analyzed the exoantigens of 54 isolates belonging to the pathogenic Cladosporium species. Cladophialophora ajelloi was found to be antigenically identical to Cladosporium carrionii. All human and cat isolates of C. bantianum and C. trichoides were found to share the same antigens. Although cross-reactions were observed among the four species of Cladosporium: C. carrionii, C. bantianum, c. herbarum, and C. cladosporioides they were identified and differentiated specifically with four monospecific factor sera obtained through absorption procedures. The exoantigen serologic procedure also permitted us to identify cultures of these four Cladosporium spp. within 8 days.     

Virulence and antifungal susceptibility of environmental and clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from Puerto Rico

A case of cerebral cladosporiosis caused by Cladosporium trichoides (bantianum) now known as Xylohypha bantiana is described and illustrated. Predisposing debilitating diseases were not detectable. The Cladosporiosis diagnosis was based on visualisation of hyphal element in direct Gram's stain, direct KOH preparate of pus from brain abscess and on repeated successful cultivation of Cladosporium trichoides from specimen and by histopathology. Following surgery and anti-fungal chemotherapy the patient was cured.     

Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladosporium bantianum in Kerala (India)

A case of phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladosporium bantianum is reported from India for the first time. It is also the first known case of infection involving the foot caused by this fungus. The cultural characteristics and animal pathogenicity of the isolate are described.     

Experimental central nervous system phaeohyphomycosis following intranasal inoculation of Xylohypha bantiana in cortisone-treated mice

Experimental central nervous system (CNS) phaeohyphomycosis was established in cortisone-treated mice following intranasal exposure to conidia of Xylohypha bantiana (Cladosporium bantianum, C. trichoides). X. bantiana was recovered from the lungs of 78% of intranasally inoculated normal mice sacrificed within the first 3 days of infection and from 15% at day 28. The fungus was not recovered from the brains of normal mice. In contrast, X. bantiana was recovered from only 33% of the lungs of cortisone-treated mice within the first 3 days of infection. However, the fungus was recovered from the brains of 11% of cortisone-treated mice sacrificed or dying over a 28 day period. Histologically and temporally the CNS disease in cortisone-treated, intranasally inoculated mice was consistent with hematogenous dissemination from a primary pulmonary focus.     

Pathogenicity of a fungus resembling Wangiella dermatitidis isolated from edible mushrooms.

A fungus resembling the human pathogen Wangiella dermatitidis (Kano) McGinnis, a dematiaceous hyphomycete, was recovered from imported desiccated "black fungus" mushrooms (Auricularia polytrichia (Mont.) Sacc.), a food item popular in Far Eastern cuisine. Except for its conidia, which are mostly reniform to allantoid rather than ovoid as is characteristic for W. dermatitidis, and the undecided mode of conidiogenesis, the isolate closely resembles W. dermatitidis in gross and microscopic morphology, thermotolerance, and general and neurotrophic infectivity patterns in mice injected intraperitoneally. The foodborne isolate was also infective for infant mice inoculated by oral intubation. The systematic position of the isolate is still under investigation. There has been no previous report of W. dermatitidis or of a fungus resembling it occurring in or on foods or of the infectivity of a fungus for a mammalian host by oral intubation.     

Pathogenicity of a fungus resembling Wangiella dermatitidis isolated from edible mushrooms

A fungus resembling the human pathogen Wangiella dermatitidis (Kano) McGinnis, a dematiaceous hyphomycete, was recovered from imported desiccated "black fungus" mushrooms (Auricularia polytrichia (Mont.) Sacc.), a food item popular in Far Eastern cuisine. Except for its conidia, which are mostly reniform to allantoid rather than ovoid as is characteristic for W. dermatitidis, and the undecided mode of conidiogenesis, the isolate closely resembles W. dermatitidis in gross and microscopic morphology, thermotolerance, and general and neurotrophic infectivity patterns in mice injected intraperitoneally. The foodborne isolate was also infective for infant mice inoculated by oral intubation. The systematic position of the isolate is still under investigation. There has been no previous report of W. dermatitidis or of a fungus resembling it occurring in or on foods or of the infectivity of a fungus for a mammalian host by oral intubation.     

Taxonomy and morphology of dematiaceous fungi isolated from nature

The Hughes system of classification was applied to the identification of dematiaceous fungi isolated from nature. The majority of the isolates encountered could be identified with this system using brightfield microscopy. However, phase contrast microscopy was needed to determine the mode of conidial ontogeny with some species of Phialophora, Exophiala and Wangiella. The identifications based upon phase contrast microscopy were confirmed using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Scanning electron photomicrographs are presented for Bispora betulina, Cladosporium trichoides, Exophiala jeanselmei, Phialophora revens, P. verrucosa and Wangiella dermatitidis. SEM observations of W. dermatitidis support the present classification of this organism as proposed by other workers. It is suggested that the Hughes system of classification and phase contrast microscopy be used to facilitate identification of isolates of dematiaceous fungi encountered in the clinical laboratory.     

A New Thermophilic Species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Conidiobolus</Emphasis> from India

A Conidiobolus isolate growing optimally at 40°C was isolated from decomposing leaf litter and has been designated as a new species, Conidiobolus thermophilus. Colony growth, conidial discharge and smooth zygospore formation was rapid at 40°C, while comparative growth at 35 and 45°C was slower. On the basis of its thermophilic character and morphological distinctness from all other species, the isolate is considered as a species new to science. There have been no published reports of any thermophilic or thermotolerant strains of Conidiobolus. The present fungus was isolated as part of an ongoing programme of selective isolation of unusual/rare thermophilic fungi from compost and decomposed terrestrial plant materials.     

The influence of sucrose and wheat root exudates on the germination and growth of conidia ofFusarium culmorum (W.G.S.M.) Sacc

Summary It is shown in these studies that the germination of the conidia ofFusarium culmorum (W.G.Sm.) Sacc. is influenced by both constitutive and exogenous factors. In a dense suspension, selfinhibited spores are induced to germinate by dilution with distilled water and by suspending in either sucrose solution or wheat root exudates. The exudates not only stimulate conidial germination but also promote subsequent growth of the fungus. The significance of this in pathogenesis is discussed.     

一个分离自冬虫夏草的金孢霉新种

从采自四川理县米亚洛的冬虫夏草(Cordyceps sinensis(Serk.)Sacc.)内菌核中分离得一金孢霉新种,中国金孢霉(Chrysosporium sinense Liang)。此菌与本属已知种的鉴别特征是:形成较多孢梗束,生长最适温低于20℃且大量形成壁光滑的间生分生孢子。本文还对虫草无性型的确定作了扼要地讨论。     

Morfologia di Neobarclaya Natalensis Syd.

Summary

The morphology of Neobarclaya natalensis Syd., parasite on the leaves of Syzigium guineense DC., is described. Some characters are esp. stressed, such as the shape of the acervula, their position within the host tissues, some morphological peculiarities of the conidia, the nature and localization of their pigment.

Considerations on the systematic position of the fungus are exposed and the original diagnosis of J. B. Ellis and B. M. Everhart is enlarged and emendated.

Some morphological relations between the fungus under examination and the genera, esp. Melanconiales, showing dark, pluriseptate, appendaged conidia, are discussed.

Systematical and morphological considerations are then reported on the other two species of the genus Neobarclaya Sacc.: N. primaria (Ell. and Ev.) Sacc. and N. flagellifera (Ell. and Ev.) Sacc., the first of which is to be considered as the type species of the genus and the second one, due to its single apical seta, is segregated from Neobarclaya as the type species of a new genus of Melanconiales: Uniseta, which is different from Neobarclaya because of the above mentioned character, from Monochaetia Sacc. because of its 2-cellular conidia and from Monotrichum Gaüm. because of the dark pigment present in its conidia.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Plectosphaerella cucumerina</Emphasis> as a bioherbicide for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cirsium arvense</Emphasis>: proof of concept

Plectosphaerella cucumerina (Lindf.) W. Gams was evaluated as a bioherbicide for Cirsium arvense L. (Scop.) using a Canadian and a New Zealand isolate. Both isolates defoliated C. arvense when applied at 10¹³ conidia ha^?1 in water volumes ranging from 250 to 6400 l ha^?1 with a rapid decline in effect with declining conidial dose. Repeat application and the addition of the adjuvant Pulse^® penetrant to the conidial suspension increased the disease severity in C. arvense. Maximum disease occurred at 20 °C with a 48 h post-application dew period. The experiments demonstrate that P. cucumerina can defoliate C. arvense under the environmental conditions of temperate pastures where the weed is problematic. The results also show that modifications to formulation and strategic application may reduce the 48 h dew period requirement and risk to non-target species respectively, supporting the conclusion that the fungus has potential as a bioherbicide for C. arvense.     

菜豆炭疽菌有性态研究

在引起菜豆炭疽病的 Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. Et Magn．)Br. EtCav．大量培养物中,发现一个在低温培养保存中丧失产生分生孢子能力而仅产生子囊壳的菌系。对其形态学、培养特征、单子囊孢子培养的研究及与有关种的形态比较结果表明,这个源于分生孢子的子囊菌培养物是菜豆小丛壳Glomerella lindemuthianum Shear。这个培养物经人工接种菜豆,再分离时首先产生无性态分生孢子,经数代培养又回复有性态,表明有性过程的产生是同宗配合的。这种有性与无性阶段之间的交替和联系,证明这是一个全型态真菌,即菜豆小丛壳 G. lindemuthianum 是无性态荣豆炭疽菌C．Lindemuthianum 的有性态。     

Conidial surface ultrastructure of human-pathogenic and saprobicCladosporium species

Freeze-fracturing of outer wall layers ofCladosporium conidia revealed two types of ultrastructure, coinciding with taxonomic characteristics. The outer conidial layers were essentially smooth in the human pathogenic species,C. bantianum, C. carrionii, andC. trichoides. In contrast, mosaic arrays of rodlets on conidia were observed with freeze-fracturing in the saprobic species,C. cladosporioides, C. coralloides, C. herbarum, C. sphaerospermum, andC. variabile. Conidia ofC. elatum were an exception among the saprobic species as they had smooth surfaces. The present study supports the suggestion that the human pathogenicCladosporium species should be transferred to another genus.     

Potential of some Metarhizium anisopliae isolates for control of Culex quinquefasciatus (Dipt., Culicidae)

Abstract: The potential of some isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana for use in the integrated management of Culex quinquefasciatus was evaluated. Metarhizium anisopliae isolate 1037 was selected in initial bioassays with a 50% lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of 1.97 × 10⁴ conidia/ml. This fungus caused higher mosquito larva mortality when applied as a conidial suspension to the surface of the water than as dry conidia, with a time to 50% lethal (LT₅₀) of 1 day compared with 3.6 days for the dry conidial application. However, results with UV- and heat-inactivated conidia did not confirm a possible role of fungal toxins in causing mortality when ingested by C. quinquefasciatus larvae. Metarhizium anisopliae did not remain active for as long as the bacterium Bacillus sphaericus isolate 2362. At 24 h after application, the fungus-induced mortality on mosquito larvae was significantly lower than the mortality caused by the bacterium. By the second day, almost no activity by the fungus was observed. Results suggest that M. anisopliae isolate 1037 has potential for use in mosquito control programmes.     

中国拟青霉新种及其与虫草的关系

从虫草[Cordyceps sinenisis(Berk.),Sacc.]上分离到中国拟青霉新种(Paecilomyces isnenisisp.nov.),对它进行了培养和形态学研究。中国拟青霉与蛹草[cordyceps militaris(L·)Liak]的无性阶段形态非常类似,但在分生孢子形态,分生孢子和瓶梗的量度上有所不同,且两者的寄主及生境不同,故定为新种。不仅可从长子座的殭虫获得其纯培养物,也可从不长子座而长孢梗束的虫草纯化培养获得。纯培养物的形态和天然虫体的孢梗束完全相同,故认为它可能是虫草的无性阶段。