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.     

Survey of keratinophilic fungi inhabiting Passer domesticus in two districts of Orissa,India

The distribution patterns of keratinophilic fungi isolated from Passer domesticus of a coastal (Puri) and an intercoastal (Dhenkanal) district were compared with respect to three parameters, season, age and sex. Irrespective of the parameters, Chrysosporium tropicum and Rollandina hyalinospora showed the highest frequency of occurrence. Their occurrence in the birds was not determined by any ecological or environmental condition in nature. Thus these fungi exhibited their ecological maturity or firm establishment in nature. The maximum fungal distribution occurred during the monsoon season and was minimal in the summer. Juvenile birds were active carriers of the fungi and the male birds harboured the maximum number of fungi. Thus male juvenile birds carried the maximum number of keratinophilic fungi during the monsoon season. The free-living P. domesticus enhances the degree of dispersal of keratinophilic fungi, it being in frequent contact with human artifacts, breeding in settlements and town gardens Eusynanthropic habit. The fungi so dispersed are called mesoornithochorus as their occurrence in birds is determined to a certain degree by avian habits.     

Keratinophilic fungi of school playgrounds in the Nablus area,West Bank of Jordan

The distribution of keratinophilic fungi in the soil of 57 school playgrounds in the Nablus area was studied with relation to human presence. A total number of 73 species was recovered. Thirteen of these species were dermatophytes and closely related fungi. The most common and frequent species of the latter fungi were: Arthroderma cuniculi (found in 32.1% of school playgrounds), Chrysosporium keratinophilum (32.1%), Microsporum gypseum (10.7%), T. terrestre (7.1%), and C. asperatum (7.1%). Twenty eight of the isolated species had been reported to be pathogenic; these comprised 64.3% of the keratinophilic mycoflora of school playgrounds.     

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 from 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 byMicrosporum cookei (21.7 %) and thenTrichophyton 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.     

Keratinophilic fungi isolated from children's sandpits in the Nablus area,West Bank of Jordan

The keratinophilic fungi of 29 sandpits from kindergarten schools and public parks in the city of Nablus was analysed to evaluate their role in the epidemiology of diseases caused by these fungi. Seventy two species were recovered 28 of which were common to both kindergartens and public parks sandpits. High percentage (57.4%) of fungal isolates found had been identified as the causes of various types of mycoses. Eight species of dermatophytes and closely related fungi were recovered, of which the followings were the most commonly found species in sandpits: Chrysosporium keratinophilum (20.7%), Microsporum gypseum (17.2%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (6.9%), and C. evolceanui (6.9%).     

Avian pox infection in different wild birds in India

Amplicons of fpv167 and fpv140, of 578 and 1,800 bp, respectively, characteristic of the avipox viral genes, were amplified by PCR using DNA from viruses isolated from eight Indian wild birds. BLAST and phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of the fpv167 and fpv140 amplicons indicated that Fowlpox virus (FWPV) was the nearest phylogenetic neighbour to the viral isolates, from two Indian peacocks (Pavo cristatus), two golden pheasants (Chrysolophus pictus), one silver pheasant (Lopahura nycthemera) and one sparrow (Passer domesticus). However, the two isolates from the Indian little brown dove (Stigmatopelia senegalensis) and the common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) formed a separate cluster with turkeypox and pigeonpox virus (PGPV) isolates when the phylogenetic tree was constructed using the sequence of fpv167. When the phylogenetic analysis was done using the fpv140 gene sequence both isolates formed a cluster with isolates of PGPV. Thus, the results support that fpv140 gene along with the fpv167 gene should be used for phylogenetic analyses of avipoxviruses for better discrimination of the viruses. Additionally, avian poxvirus isolated from wild birds of India were identical to those reported in Indian domestic birds, and phylogenetically related to avian poxviruses reported from different parts of the world. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular characterization of avian poxviruses infecting different wild birds in India. The study shows that FWPV and PGPV cause infection in wild birds irrespective of the species of birds indicating that these viruses are not species specific. Thus these viruses, which are not host specific have the ability to cause infection in game birds, endangered birds and domestic birds and therefore could spread easily.     

Taxonomic study of keratinophilic fungi isolated from soil and some mammals in France

In France, most of the researches have showed the distribution of dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi in the soil and in the coat of wild mammals. During these last years, we have also practiced numerous investigations about the distribution of such fungi. The isolated species are: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton terrestre, Trichophyton ajelloï, Trichophyton simii, Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum cookei, Microsporum nanum, Microsporum persicolor, Anixiopsis stercoraria, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Chrysosporium tropicum, Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma curreyi, Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma cuniculi, Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma tuberculatum, Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma multifidum, Ctenomycès serratus, Chrysosporium parvum, Chrysosporium indicum, Chrysosporium georgii, Chrysosporium merdarium, Chrysosporium asperatum, Chrysosporium pannorum.A key to these species is proposed: it attempts to provide an aid in identifying geophilic dermatophytes and related fungi (belonging to the Chrysosporium genus).     

Keratinophilic fungi from soil of Brittany,France

The Present work reports the study of the distribution of keratinophilic fungi isolated from 39 samples of soil collected in Brittany, France. Keratinophilic fungi were isolated from 35 (92.3%) of the samples studied. The most frequently found species wereFusarium moniliforme, Penicillium viridicatum and an unidentified species ofAcremonium. The other fungi isolated were members of the generaChrysosporium, Gliocladium, Mucor, Trichoderma andTrichophyton.     

Growth Characteristics and Enzyme Activity in Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Isolates

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 Nigerian soil

During a survey of keratinophilic fungi in Nigerian soil samples, twelve species of fungi were isolated. These included Chrysosporium keratinophilum, C. tropicum, Curvularia lunata, Microsporum audouinii, M. canis, M. fulvum, M. gypseum, M. vanbreuseghemii, Trichophyton ajelloi, T. mentagrophytes, T. soudanense and T. yaoundei. These keratinophilic fungi had a higher incidence by occurrence of individual species during the rainy season (May–October) than the dry season (November–April).     

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.     

THE CONTAMINATION OF BIRDS' FEATHERS BY FUNGI

Fungi have regularly been recorded on feathers removed from birds. Cellulose-decomposing spores which are merely carried on the feathers were common on birds sampled in Britain, but were fewer than expected on the basis of random distribution on birds sampled in India. Hyaline-spored fungi were less common on Indian birds, and more abundant on British birds than expected. Keratinophilic fungi, which are related to the dermatophytes, were particularly associated with related groups of birds: thus Turdus spp. regularly yielded Arthroderma curreyi, and partridges were contaminated with Ctenomyces serratus. Chrysosporium spp. were widespread on birds in India and Britain. Where associations have been shown, feather fats from these birds stimulate, or do not depress the growth of the keratinophilic fungi. Otherwise, feather fats were inhibitory to the fungi. The temperature relationships of the fungi, showing no growth at 40°C, would explain the restriction of the keratinophilic fungi to the outer, contour feathers, and of dermatophytes mainly to the non-insulated parts of the birds' surface.     

Keratinophilic fungi associated with starlings Sturnus vulgaris in Brittany,France

The occurrence of keratinophilic fungi on the feathers of 110 starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) was investigated in order to assess the part that these birds may have in spreading of fungi of medical interest. Thirty eight birds (26%) yielded keratinophilic fungi, primarily Chrysosporium species, but also Scopulariopsis brevicaulis and Trichophyton terrestre. We reviewed the pathogenicity of the isolated fungi. Starlings may spread the propagules of keratinophilic fungi but it is difficult to determine if their increasing numbers in cities can be of significance in the epidemiology of today's rare mycoses. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ecology of dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi in swimming pools and polluted and unpolluted streams

The biodiversity and richness of keratinophilic fungal communities including dermatophytes were assessed in three stream sites and three swimming pools in the Nablus district in Palestine, using hair baiting (HBT) and surface dilution plate (SDP) techniques, over 8- and 6-month periods, respectively. The effect of waste water effluent and selected ecological factors on these fungi in relation to species diversity and population densities were also considered. Fifty keratinophilic fungal species were recovered from the aquatic habitats studied, of which 42 were recovered from stream sites and 22 from swimming pools. Of these fungi 6 were either dermatophytes (Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes) or dermatophyte related species (Chrysosporium merdarium, Ch. tropicum, Ch. keratinophilum and T. terrestre). The most frequently isolated species in the three pools were Acremonium strictum and Cladosporium cladosporioides, using Sabouraud dextrose agar medium (SDA). The most abundant species were Acr. strictum, and Aspergillus flavus. However, only 4 species were isolated using the SDA medium amended with 5-flurocytosine (5-FC). The most frequent and abundant species in the three stream sites using SDA medium were Geotricum candidum, and Penicillium chrysogenum. The most frequent species in the three sites using the 5-FC medium, was Paecilomyces lilacinus. Using HBT, the most abundant and frequent species in the three stream sites were G. candidum, and Pa. lilacinus, on SDA medium, and Pa. lilacinus, and Gliocladium nigrovirens on the 5-FC medium. The 5-FC medium was more suitable for the isolation of dermatophytes and closely related species than the SDA medium; 6 were recovered on 5-FC, whereas only one on the SDA medium. Variation in the levels of keratinophilic fungal populations from the three stream sites sampled 5 times over an 8-month period, followed comparable fluctuation patterns. Waste water affected fungal population densities with the highest levels in the un-polluted stream sites, and lowest in the heavily polluted sites. Swimming pools, polluted and un-polluted stream sites were found to be rich in pathogenic and potentially pathogenic fungi.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mycoflora of camel and goat hairs from Al-Arish,Egypt

The frequency of occurrence of fungi in 120 hair samples of camel and goat from four different localities of Al-Arish governorate was determined.Twenty-six genera and 54 species were collected from the two substrates and the most common genera were Chrysosporium and Aspergillus, followed by Cladosporium. From the preceding genera Chrysosporium keratinophilum, C. tropicum, C. indicum, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Also, other keratinophilic fungi were isolated such as C. luteum, C. pannorum, C. parvum, C. dermatitidis, C. inops, Arthroderma tuberculatum, Histoplasma capsulatum and Myceliophthora vellerea.     

Keratinophilic Fungi Recovered from Muddy Soil in Cairo Vicinities,Egypt

One hundred samples of muddy soil were collected from seven areas in the vicinity of Cairo and screened for the presence of keratinophilic fungi by using hair baiting isolation technique. Forty isolates of keratinophilic fungi were recovered and identified by recognition of their cultures, macro- and micromorphological features. Their physiological and molecular characteristics were studied by determination of their ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q) composition and DNA sequences of (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and 18S rRNA region sequences. The Keratinophilic isolates were identified as Chrysosporium carmichaelii, C. queenslandicum, C. zonatum, C. indicum, Aphanoascus mephitalis, and Uncinocarpus reesii. Chrysosporium zonatum was the most prevalent species and represented 42.5% of the total number of isolates. Each of C. carmichaelii and C. queenslandicum were equal in their prevalence and represented 15%. C. indicum comes next constituting 12.5%; followed by Uncinocarpus reesii which represented 10%. The least prevalent species in our study was Aphanoascus mephitalis, which was represented only 5% of the total keratinophilic isolates.     

Keratinophilic fungi from soil of Tarragona,Catalunya

97 soils samples of Tarragona city and outskirts were analysed. We were isolated the following keratinophilic fungi: Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton ajelloi, Ctenomyces serratus, Malbranchea state of C. uncinatus, Chrysosporium tropicum, Chrysosporium evolceanui, Chrysosporium asperatum, Chrysosporium pruinosum (?), Auxarthron thaxteri, Gymnoascus petalosporus, Gymnoascus reesii, Chaetomium murorum, Chaetomium spirale and Chaetomium sp. On explaine the distribution of different isolated species.     

Keratinophilic fungi isolated from a small pool

The keratinophilic fungi occurring in the water of a small pool were examined by membrane filtration with monthly sampling throughout a year. Chrysosporium evolceanui, C. keratinophilum, C. tropicum, Trichophyton terrestre and Microsporum gypseum were the most frequently found species. The results of this survey are discussed.     

Occurrence of keratinophilic fungi anddermatophytes on domestic birds in Nigeria

Feathers, nails and beaks of one hundred and twenty common birds in Nigeria, Chicken [50], Ducks [20], Turkeys [15] and Pigeons[35], were examined using the soil plate technique for their mycoflora.15 species of fungi were recovered and they belong to the genera Chrysosporium, Trichophyton, Microsporum, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Penicillium and Trichoderma. Microsporum gypseum was the species most frequently isolated (35% of the samples). The most common genus was Chrysosporium and C. keratinophilum was the species with the highest frequency in the genus (28.3%). The species isolated included potential pathogens and mycotoxin producing fungi (Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium oxysporum). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi of children's sandpits in the city of Turin

Soils rich in keratinic residues constitute a permanent or occasional reservoir for dermatophytes and keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi, and are a source of potential infection for man and animals.The keratinolytic and keratinophilic mycoflora of 28 sandpits in Turin was studied to evaluate the risk of fungal skin infections that is run by children as they play in public parks and to lay the ground-work for a next epidemiological study of soil- and animal-inhabiting dermatophytes found in cities, and their impact on human dermatophytoses. Fifty seven species were isolated and a high percentage (52%) showed keratinolytic activity. Species of Microsporum, Trichophyton, Mariannaea, Aphanoascus, Chrysosporium, Malbranchea and Geomyces showed the most active keratinolysis.Work n. 315 performed under the auspices of the Centro di Studio sulla Micologia del Terreno del C.N.R. at the Dipartimento di Biologia vegetale dell Università di Torino.