The isolation of keratinophilic fungi from African soils

Summary Twenty-seven soil samples from Kenya and 9 from Egypt were investigated for the presence of keratinophilic and pathogenic fungi. No systemic pathogenic fungi was obtained, while a total of 25 dermatophytes belonging to four species was isolated. The majority of the Kenya isolates belonged toM. gypseum, while Egyptian isolates belonged toT. mentagrophytes. Shady sites frequented by humans or animals produced higher incidences of dermatophytes in Kenya than those of the unshady isolated areas.     

Further studies of the keratinophilic fungi in African soils

Sixty-eight soil samples from Kenya and nine from South Africa were tested for their keratinophilic and systemic fungi. Also, 150 types of hair were tested to find which would produce the best results for isolating fungi from soil, using the hair-bating technique. Hair from mature male baboons was found to be superior over all others in trapping keratinophilic fungi from experimentally infested soil. Thirty-three isolates of keratinophilic fungi were obtained, withChrysosporium sp. the most frequently isolated fungus, followed byM. gypseum. Systemic pathogenic fungi were absent from samples taken in these studies, as ascertained by mouse inoculation. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between the locality and the inhabitants, with either the number or the species of keratinophilic fungi isolated.

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Zusammenfassung Achtundsechzig Bodenproben von Kenya und von Südafrika wurden für keratinophile und System-Pilze untersucht. Auch 150 Haartypen wurden untersucht, um herauszufinden, welche die besten Ergebnisse für die Isolierung von Pilzen vom Boden mittels der ToKaVa Methode liefern würden. Haare der erwachsenen, männlichen Paviane waren bei weitem allen anderen Haaren überlegen für die Isolierung keratinophiler-Pilze vom Boden. Dreiunddreißig keratinophile Pilze sind isoliert worden, wobeiChrysosporium spp. die häufigsten waren.M. gypseum war das nächste. Systemische, pathogene Pilze waren in diesen Untersuchungen abwesend, wie es durch Mausimpfungen festgestellt wurde. Es gab auch keine bedeutende Korrelation zwischen Lokalität und Einwohnerschaft weder nach der Zahl noch nach der Art der isolierten, keratinophilen Pilze.

     

The occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in queensland

Summary Keratinophilic fungi have been isolated and identified in soil samples from 233 sites in Queensland and 12 from the Northern Territory. Total numbers of the fungi isolated are given, together with their occurrence in various broad types of locality.It is noted that populated localities produced a higher incidence of keratinophilic fungi than remote areas. Exceptions to this were found in beach sand, 17 samples of which produced only two growths ofChrysosporium species and no potentially pathogenic fungi.Culture technique, and the method of examination of colonies are discussed, and the morphological features of several of the more commonly occurring species are described.Isolates ofChrysosporium tropicum were made from two samples, one from Alice Springs and one from Brisbane. This is the first time this fungus has been reported in Australia.     

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 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 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.     

Survey of human pathogenic actinomycetes and fungi in soil from Rome and other Italian areas

As part of a study sponsored by the Ministry of Health of Italy, a research program on pathogenic actinomycetes, keratinophilic and pathogenic fungi in soil was carried out. Two hundred soil samples, collected from different areas of the city of Rome, Calabria, Emilia Romagna, Latium, Apulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Umbria, were examined by several techniques to detect the widest possible variety of pathogenic actinomycetes and fungi. Seven isolates ofNocardia asteroides, four ofActinomadura madurae and one ofNocardiopsis dassonvillei were isolated for the first time from soil in Italy. In addition, numerous isolates ofPetriellidium boydii, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger and keratinophilic fungi of the generaMicrosporum, Trichophyton andChrysosporium were also recovered.Presented at the VII Congress of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology, Jerusalem, Israel, 11–16 March, 1979.     

嗜角蛋白真菌的界定、研究方法及其应用价值

嗜角蛋白真菌(keratinophilic fungi)是指能降解角蛋白并能利用其作为唯一营养源的真菌类群,大部分隶属于爪甲团囊菌目(Onygenales)、散囊菌目(Eurotiales)和肉座菌目(Hypocreales).由于该类群分布广、种类多、营养方式多样,其研究方法和技术手段也在不断进步,加深了其研究的深度...     

Diversity of keratinophilic mycoflora in the soil of Agra (India)

Diversity of keratinophilic mycoflora in the soil of Agra was under observation for 1 year (July 2001-June 2002) and isolation of keratinophilic fungi was followed by the hair-baiting method. The frequency of occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in 284 soil samples collected from various hospitals, cattle yards, poultry farms, crop fields and playgrounds was determined, 204 samples (72%) having been found to be positive. A total of 33 species classified into 11 genera (Acremonium, Aspergillus, Chrysosporium, Emmonsia, Geomyces, Keratinophyton, Microsporum, Myceliophthora, Penicillium, Sporotrichum, Trichophyton) were encountered from the soil samples. Sporotrichum spp. were found to be the most dominant species followed by Trichophyton simii. The parameter of keratinophilic fungi found in the samples studied ranged from 62 to 80% where playgrounds yielded the maximum number of species (80%) while the least dominating soil was hospital soil (62%). Among all the baits used maximum fungi occurred on human hairs (82%) followed by chicken feather (74%), wool (61%) and the least on horns (45%). The spectrum of keratinophilic fungi isolated from different sites differed considerably according to the frequency of use by humans.     

Keratinophilic fungi on the hair of goats from the West Bank of Jordan

The mycoflora of the hair in 178 goats from the West Bank of Jordan was analysed and the frequency of occurrence and the relative importance value for the different keratinophilic fungi found were calculated. One hundred and seven species which belong to 38 genera were isolated. Thirty six of these species were either well recognised agents of mycoses (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum, and M. nanum), or have been frequently isolated from human and animal lesions (Arthroderma spp., Acremonium kiliense, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium carionii, and several other species). These potentially pathogenic fungal species comprised 66.9% of all keratinophilic fungi found on the hair of goats. The role of this animal as a reservoir for dermatophytes and other potentially pathogenic fungi is discussed.     

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.     

A ten years survey of Romanian soil screening for keratinophilic fungi (1958–1967)

Summary Out of 750 soil samples collected from various regions of Romania, during 1958–1967, a positive percentage of 86 was positive for keratinophilic fungi. Among the 13 isolated species, the most prevalent wereM. gypseum (54.6 %),C. keratinophilum (40.1 %) andK. (T.)ajelloi (27 %). BesideT. terrestre, found in 8.9 % of the examined soil samples, the percentage of the remaining species is low, not exceeding 4 %. In order of frequency:C. (T).evolceanui (3.2 %),M. cookei (2.2 %),T. mentagrophytes (2 %),T. quinckeanum (0.9 %),C. (T.)indicum (0.6 %). There have been also isolated, but only once;M. canis, A. multifidum, T. georgiae andT. vanbreuseghemii.The studies carried out on the immunobiological properties of the Romanian soil isolates (including intracutaneous tests, serological reactions and therapeutic efficiency), have showed a close relationship between these fungi and the common pathogenic dermatophytes. The pathogenic power of the keratinophilic fungi is briefly discussed.     

Fungi colonizing hair-baits from three coastal beaches of Mexico

The abundance of hair-bait colonizing fungi was investigated on the beaches of Caracoles, Mocambo, and lcacos, located on the coasts of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean, respectively. On each beach a sample of sandy soil was collected. The samples were analyzed by two selective isolation methods for keratinophilic fungi resulting in a total of 544 occurrences. A total of 17 species was found, of which 4 were ascomycetes and 13 hyphomycetes.Gymnascella dankaliensis andAspergillus terreus were the most abundant.Arthroderma curreyi andChrysosporium tropicum were found in low percentages in this survey. From the three beaches sampled, Icacos beach, on the Pacific Ocean coast had the highest number of isolated species.     

Some observations on fungal succession during decomposition of wool in soil

Fungal succession on woolen baits was studied under laboratory conditions for more than one year. It was found that the initial colonizers on woolen baits are non-keratinophilic fungi, while the late colonizers are keratinophilic fungi. Six phases in total were observed during fungal succession. The successional trends obtained during decomposition of wool in soil samples collected from plain and hilly areas were almost the same, except for the dominant colonization in the last phase, which was constituted byChrysosporium tropicum for the plain, butMicrosporum gypseum andM. fulvum for the hilly area.     

Keratinophilic fungi of poultry farm and feather dumping soil in Tamil Nadu,India

Soils of 10 poultry farms from Namakkal and 12 feather dumping sites from Chennai were studied for the presence of keratinophilic fungi. A total of 34 species belonging to 19 genera and one non-sporulating fungus were recovered. Sixteen species of fungi and one non-sporulating fungi were common to both sites, eight species were specific to Namakkal and nine species were specific to Chennai. Dermatophytes and closely related fungi were represented by six species belonging to five genera. Fungal species commonly found in the soil samples included Chrysosporium keratinophilum (73%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (68.2%), Microsporum gypseum (64%), Myceliopthora vellerea (32%), Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma tuberculatum (27.3%) and Geomyces pannorum (23%). Non-dermatophyte fungi were represented by 28 species belonging to 14 genera and one non-sporulating fungus.     

Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from floors in Roman kindergarten and secondary schools

We examined the dust collected from the floors of forty classrooms, twenty in kindergarten schools (children aged 2–5) and twenty in secondary schools (students aged 11–14) in order to determine the diffusion of keratinophilic fungi in respect to such different factors as human presence and children's age. In the kindergarten schools 268 colonies of keratinophilic fungi were isolated: 50 were Microsporum, 6 Trichophyton and 212 Chrysosporium species. Members of the Chrysosporium genus were found the widely diffused. It is interesting to note the isolation of M. gypseum in two schools. In the secondary schools 847 colonies of keratinophilic fungi were isolated: 727 were Chrysosporium, 81 Microsporum, 38 Trichophyton and 1 Epidermophyton species. Again the Chrysosporium species were the most widely diffused. It is remarkable to point out the isolation of pathogenic species such as Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and the rather rare Microsporum vanbreuseghemii.     

Keratinophilic fungi from urban soils of Barcelona,Spain

Fifty soil samples of urban soils of Barcelona (Spain) were analyzed. We isolated the following keratinophilic fungi: Trichophyton ajelloi, Microsporum gypseum, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, C. evolceanui, C. tropicum, C. indicum and C. asperatum.     

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 in soil of potted plants of indoor environments in Kanpur,India, and their proteolytic ability

One hundred nine isolates of 10 genera representing 20 species of keratinophilic fungi were isolated from soil of planted earthen pots in indoor environments of 15 localities of Kanpur, India, by the hair baiting technique. Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii, and Botryotrichum piluliferum were found to release 698.66, 512.99, and 519.99 μg/ml net protein, respectively, whereas Arthroderma cuniculi released the minimum, 107.99 μg/ml. All other isolates were keratinolytically active.