Bacterial-fungal associations in the intestine under the conditions of colonization by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida

The composition of the fecal microflora in somatic patients and patients with enteric infections under the conditions of surpluscolonization by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida was analyzed. The study revealed that the high level of fungal contamination was linked with decreased colonization resistance of the intestine (deficiency in bifidoflora) and with the presence of opportunistic microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic and lactose-negative Escherichia coli, as well as nonfermenting Gram negative bacteria. The antilysozyme activity of enterobacteria was found to increase in the course of their joint cultivation with fungi of the genus Candida, that may be regarded as one of the mechanisms of the formation and maintenance of pathobiocenosis.     

Occurrence and the sensitivity to drugs of fungi other than Candida albicans isolated from the vagina

Frequency of occurrence of fungal species distinct from C. albicans isolated from vaginal mucosa and their sensitivity to antimycotic chemotherapeutics was determined. Material consisted of 452 fungal strains isolated from vagina from patients suffering from afflictions within genital area. Fungal strains isolated belonged to 13 genera. Fungi distinct from C. albicans constituted 27.1% of all the strains. Fungi the most frequently isolated from vagina belonged to following genera: T. glabrata 35.2% C. krusei 18.4% C. pseudotropicalis 15.2% S. cerevisiae 10.4%. In the majority of cases of vaginal infections caused by fungi distinct from C. albicans, Lactobacillus sp. was present and normal pH values of vaginal content 3/4 with variable number of leucocytes were observed. Evaluation of sensitivity to antimycotic drugs of fungal strains was performed by agar dilution technique. In this study the following chemotherapeutics were assayed: nystatin, pimaricin, amphotericin B, flucytosine, clotrimazole, miconazole and ketoconazole. It is worth to underline resistance of T. glabrata and S. cerevisiae to clotrimazole and ketoconazole. Moreover, resistance of strains belonging to genera C. krusei and C. pseudotropicalis to amphotericin B and C. krusei strains to nystatin and flucytosine was noted.     

Species and serovars of the genus Listeria isolated from different sources in Brazil from 1971 to 1997

Using phenotype techniques, characterization was made to species and serovar of 3,112 strains of Listeria, isolated from different sources of infection such as human (247-7.9%) and animals (239-7.6%), as well as from various routes of infection, including food (2, 330-74.8%) and environmental constituents (296-9.5%), all coming from different regions of the country and collected during the period 1971-1997. The following species were recovered in the cultures analysed: L. monocytogenes (774-24.8%), L. innocua (2, 269-72.9%), L. seeligeri (37-1.1%), L. welshimeri (22-0.7%), L. grayi (9-0.2%), and L. ivanovii (1-0.03%). L. monocytogenes was represented by ten serovars, the most prevalent being 4b (352-11.3%), (1/2)a (162-5.2%), and (1/2)b (148-4.7%). The predominant serovar in L. innocua was 6a (2,093-67.2%). Considerations about laboratory methods for diagnosis and epidemiological aspects are presented on the basis of the results obtained.     

Isolation of thermophilic fungal strains producing oxido-reductase and hydrolase enzymes from various Tunisian biotopes

The present study surveys 37 thermophilic fungal strains, that were isolated from various Tunisian biotopes such as litter, husk and compost, for their involvement in lignin degradation activities. Oxido-reductase and hydrolase activities were screened. Oxido-reductase activities, such as Extracellular Oxidase, Laccase, Tyrosinase and Peroxidase, were tested. Hydrolase activities, namely Lipase, Protease, Amylase and Cellulase, were also revealed. Strain ST26, isolated from locally made compost, and showed an important laccase activity with ABTS and DMP, was selected. Laccase activity of strain ST26 was 1575 U/l in liquid media. This strain was identified and was belonging to Scytalidium genus and more precisely to the specie Scytalidium thermophilum using 5.8S rRNA gene sequencing analysis.     

Hamatispora,a new genus of aquatic fungi in Microthyriales isolated from fallen leaves in Vietnam

A new aquatic fungus was isolated from submerged, decaying leaves collected at Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. The fungus produced hyaline, unique-shaped conidia consisting of a hook-shaped main axis and three arms at the helicoid part of the main axis. Based on its conidial development and morphological characteristics, Hamatispora phuquocensis was newly introduced. Phylogenetic analyses based on LSU nrDNA sequences showed that it clusters with Microthyrium spp. and belongs to Microthyriales. Furthermore, we generated ITS barcode for this hyphomycetous fungus.     

Comparative studies of the polysaccharides isolated from lichenized fungi of the genus Cladonia: significance as chemotypes

Beta-D-glucans of the laminaran type were prepared from 15 Cladonia spp., Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia boryi, Cladonia clathrata, Cladonia connexa, Cladonia crispatula, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia ibitipocae, Cladonia imperialis, Cladonia miniata, Cladonia penicillata, Cladonia salmonea, Cladonia signata, Cladonia substellata and Cladonia uncialis. They were extracted with 10% aqueous KOH at 100 degrees C, giving polysaccharides with varying yields and proportions of mannose, galactose and glucose. Their aqueous solutions were freeze-thawed giving precipitates of mixed alpha-glucan (nigeran) and beta-glucans, which were isolated and suspended in aqueous 0.5% KOH at 50 degrees C, which preferentially dissolved the beta-glucan. In the case of the C. uncialis product, it was subjected to methylation analysis, which gave rise to 2,4,6-tri-O-methylglucitol acetate only, corresponding to (1-->3)-linkages. Its specific rotation (+4 degrees ) and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were consistent with beta-linkages. 13C and (1)H-1 signals were observed, respectively, at delta 102.8 (C-1), 86.0 (C-3), 76.2 (C-5), 72.6 (C-2), 68.3 (C-4) and 60.7 (C-6), and 4.55 (H-1), 3.31 (H-2), 3.49 (H-3), 3.27 (H-4), 3.27 (H-5), 3.48 (H-6) and 3.72 (H-6'). Similar (13)C-NMR spectra were obtained from the glucans from the other 14 Cladonia spp. The beta-D-glucans of the laminaran type seems to be present in all Cladonia spp. being significant for chemotyping since it was observed in every species studied.     

Protein factors in extracts of ribosomes isolated from L-929 cells during various phases of the cell cycle

Centrifugal elutriation has been utilized in order to separate cultures of L-929 fibroblasts into subpopulations containing cells at different stages of the cell cycle. The subpopulations were characterized by Coulter counter volume determination, [3H]thymidine label into DNA and flow cytometry. When a population of early G1 cells was returned to roller culture it was shown to progress through the cell cycle in a synchronous manner. Ribosomal factor extracts were prepared from cells at various phases during the cell cycle. The amounts of protein in the extracts varied greatly, being lowest in early G1 phase and showing a peak during S phase. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that there were differences in the protein species present in the extracts. Some proteins were present in the same amounts throughout the cell cycle, whereas others appeared to show a form of cyclical behaviour.     

Characteristics of bacteria in the genus Proteus isolated from patients with sporadic and group intestinal diseases

The biochemical and biological properties of 148 Proteus strains isolated from patients both in sporadic intestinal infections and in a case of group infection in children's hospital was studied. The study revealed that the etiological factor of the group infection was P. mirabilis belonging to rare serovar 48:2. Proteus organisms isolated in sporadic infections belonged to a great number of serovars. No relationship between the isolated serovar and the nosological form of the intestinal disease was established. Among the Proteus strains under study, 82 strains showed atypical biochemical properties in 1 test or more. No correlation between the clinical diagnosis and the occurrence of atypical strains was established.     

Potential of ligninolytic enzymatic complex produced by white‐rot fungi from genus Trametes isolated from Bulgarian forest soil

Because of the crucial role of ligninolytic enzymes in a variety of industrial processes, the demand for a new effective producer has been constantly increasing. Furthermore, information on enzyme synthesis by autochthonous fungal strains is very seldom found. Two fungal strains producing ligninolytic enzymes were isolated from Bulgarian forest soil. They were identified as being Trametes trogii and T. hirsuta. These two strains were assessed for their enzyme activities, laccase (Lac), lignin peroxidase (LiP) and Mn‐dependent peroxidase (MnP) in culture filtrate depending on the temperature and the type of nutrient medium. T. trogii was selected as the better producer of ligninolytic enzymes. The production process was further improved by optimizing a number of parameters such as incubation time, type of cultivation, volume ratio of medium/air, inoculum size and the addition of inducers. The maximum activities of enzymes synthesized by T. trogii was detected as 11100 U/L for Lac, 2.5 U/L for LiP and 4.5 U/L for MnP after 14 days of incubation at 25°C under static conditions, volume ratio of medium/air 1:6, and 3 plugs as inoculum. Among the supplements tested, 5% glycerol increased Lac activity to a significant extent. The addition of 1% veratryl alcohol had a positive effect on MnP.     

Five novel species of the anamorphic genus Candida in the Cyberlindnera clade isolated from natural substrates in Taiwan

Twelve strains representing five novel yeast species were isolated from natural samples distributed in mountain areas in Taiwan during 2007 and 2009. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene revealed that these species are members of the Cyberlindnera clade. These five new species have a greater than 1% difference from their closest relatives in the sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and were well separated from their closest relatives in terms of physiological characteristics. Moreover, a sexual state could not be found in these five novel yeast species. Therefore, the scientific names of Candida maesa sp. nov. (type strain GJ8L01^T), Candida takata sp. nov. (type strain EN25S01^T), Candida taoyuanica sp. nov. (type strain GY15S07^T), Candida hungchunana sp. nov. (type strain NC3W71^T) and Candida stauntonica sp. nov. (type strain GY13L05^T) were proposed to accommodate these yeasts.     

A cytomorphological analysis of the adhesion of fungi of the genus Candida to human and animal epithelial cells

Morphological pattern of adherence of Candida genus fungi to human and animal epithelial cells have been studied using histological and cytological methods. The interspecific differences of epithelial adhesive properties were observed: in one case, the mucous membrane epitheliocytes of different localization had different adhesive properties. Adhesive properties vary significantly within one type of epithelial cells. In individual epitheliocyte, the adherence of fungal blastospores was nonuniform: the greater density was observed in peripheral areas of cytoplasm.