Decreasing Prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microsporum canis</Emphasis> Infection in Korea: Through Analysis of 944 Cases (1993–2009) and Review of Our Previous Data (1975–1992)

Since 1957, Microsporum (M.) canis has been one of the common causative agents of dermatophytosis in Korea. We analyzed 944 patients infected with M. canis who attended outpatient clinic over a 17-year period (1993–2009). M. canis infections were diagnosed by mycological examinations, including direct microscopic examinations with 15% KOH and cultures on potato dextrose agar complemented with 0.5% chloramphenicol. Mycological examinations confirmed 164,903 cases of dermatophytosis, 944 (0.6%) of which were M. canis infections. The annual prevalence of patients with M. canis infection was the highest in 2002 (91 cases). Then, the prevalence of patients with M. canis infection markedly decreased until 2008 (15 cases). The ratio of male to female patients was 0.65:1, but the ratio in children under the age of 15 was 1.14:1 and was 0.20:1 in adults. Seasonally, 274 cases occurred in winter, showing higher incidence than in other seasons. There was a difference in the clinical forms of M. canis infections between children and adults; tinea (T.) capitis was the most common form in children, but T. corporis was the most common in adults. We demonstrate that the decreasing prevalence of M. canis infections over the study period has been noted in Korea.     

Lessons of a day hospital: Comprehensive assessment of patients with albinism in a European setting

Albinism is a rare genetic disease, comprising syndromic and non‐syndromic forms. We assessed clinical and genetic characteristics in a prospective evaluation of 64 patients (33 children and 31 adults) seen at a specialized day hospital. Causative genetic mutations were found in TYR (23/64, 35.9%), OCA2 (19/64, 29.7%), TYRP1 (1/64, 1.6%), SLC45A2 (12/64, 18.7%), C10orf11 (1/64, 1.6%), HPS1 (3/64, 4.7%), HPS5 (1/64, 1.5%), HPS6 (1/64, 1.6%) and GPR143 (2/64, 3.1%). Causative mutations remained undetermined for one patient (1.6%). Heterogeneity for hair and skin phenotype was noted across and within the different genotypes. Skin and hair hypopigmentation did not correlate with visual impairment. The diagnosis of unrecognized syndromic forms and of cases of ocular albinism in this prospective and comprehensive series of patients with albinism in a European setting is remarkable. Photoprotection was overall good but not optimal.     

Adult population parameters and life tables of an epilachnine beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on bitter cucumber in Sumatra

The population dynamics of an epilachnine beetle, which is closely related to Epilachna sparsaDieke (henceforth called “sp. C”) and feeds on bitter cucumber Momordica charantia, was studied by mark-recapture of adults and the construction of life tables. The study was repeated three times, i.e., March–May, July–September and October–December in 1982, in Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia. After the establishment of the host plants, adults of “sp. C” soon colonized, and each study period ended in the death of the plants due to defoliation by the larvae and adults. The estimated mean length of residence of adults ranged from 6–11 days, but this was probably much shorter than the actual longevity, because the adults were so active that they flew away, or dropped off the plants, when they were approached or slightly disturbed. Life tables indicated that egg mortality ranged from 17.8–53.9%, and a parasitic wasp Tetrastichus sp. B made up 41.1–64.2% of egg mortality. Two wasps, Tetrastichus sp. C and Pediobius foveolatus killed 1.2–19.4% (7.6–100%)^* of 4th instars and only the latter species attacked the pupae, killing 24.6–59.1% (45.1–72.4%). Parasitism and starvation by overcrowding contributed most to the total mortality from egg to adult emergence, which ranged from 89.4–99.5%. “Sp. C” had a higher diversity and level of parasitism than the Japanese species, E. vigintioctopunctata. The high dispersal power of “sp. C”, coupled with the prolonged l_x−m_x schedules shown under laboratory conditions, was advantageous for exploiting the food plant which was available throughout the year, but was rather patchily distributed in space.     

Fungi in the indoor environment of flour mill in Lucknow

Forty species of fungi were recovered from the indoor air of flour mills by exposing petri plates containing potato dextrose, czapek-dox, and sabouraud agar media for 5 minutes. A rotorod sampler was used. The fungal flora of the nearby outdoor environment was also studied for comparison. Species of genus Aspergillus dominated in the mills, being represented by 16 species including one ascosporic species. Other species were of genera Cladosporium and Fusarium. Variations in the fungal population in different months of the survey year were also observed.

Identifiable fungal spores recovered using the rotorod sampler were Alternaria (17% occurrence), Curvularia lunata (10.6%), C. letramera (10%), Cladosporium (19%), Drechslera sp. (9%), Epicoccum sp. (5%), Pithomyces sp. (3%), Nigrospora sp. (10.5%), Stemphylium sp. (4.5%) and Torula sp. (4.5%). Mycelial fragments and unidentifiable spores were also seen in abundance.

Varying allergic responses of patients tested intradermally for the antigens of six Aspergilli, viz., Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. melleus, A. niger, A. niveus, and A. terreus were also recorded.     

Aeromycoflora in the Central Milk Dairy of Calcutta, India

Intramural aeromycological survey was performed at the Central Milk Dairy, Calcutta, covering eight locations within the Dairyusing Burkard personal volumetric air sampler. The locations were butter cold storage (−2 °C), cold store (8 °C), packaging section (23 °C), milk processing section (24 °C), reconstituent of skimmed milk (24 °C), quality control lab (25 °C), raw milk reception (28 °C) and loading dock (26 °C). A number of fungal spores, conidia and mycelia were recorded in different rooms: the highest spore quantity was recorded in the packaging section (23 °C) and the minimum at the butter cold store (−2 °C). The dominant spores consisted of Aspergillus niger, A flavus,Cladosporium sp., Fusarium sp., Curvularia sp.,Alternaria sp., Torula sp., Myrotheciumsp., Helminthosporium sp., Periconia sp.,Nigrospora sp. and Pithomyces sp. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Keratinophilic fungi isolated from soils of Mumbai,India

Eighty-seven soil samples were collected from various areas of Mumbai and its vicinity to determine the prevalence of keratinophilic fungi. From the 55 positive samples (63.21%), a total of four genera with nine species were isolated viz. Chrysosporium indicum (28.73%),C. lobatum (2.29 %), C. sp.I (1.14%), C. sp. II (1.14%),C. tropicum (1.14%),C. zonatum (2.29%),Ctenomyces serratus (2.29%) Malbranchea aurantiaca (2.29%) and Microsporum gypseum complex (21.83%). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Differentiated ratings of perceived exertion at ventilatory threshold in children and adults

The purpose of this study was to examine overall, leg and chest ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) at ventilatory threshold (Th_vent) in 16 children (mean age 10.9 years) and 17 adults (mean age 24.3 years). Th_vent and maximum oxygen consumption (V˙O_{2 max} ) were measured during a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Overall, leg and chest RPE were obtained at the end of each exercise stage. V˙O_{2 max} was 49.9 (8.5) and 47.1 (6.1) ml · kg⁻¹· min⁻¹ [mean (SD)] in the adults and children, respectively (P > 0.05). Relative to V˙O_{2 max} , Th_vent was 61.7 (5.3)% in the adults and 64.7 (5.2)% in the children (P > 0.05). Overall, leg, and chest RPE values at Th_vent for the adults were 11.5 (2.6), 11.9 (2.5), and 10.5 (2.5), while for the children these values were 13.6 (2.2), 14.1 (2.2), and 12.6 (2.3), respectively. All RPE values were higher for the children (P < 0.05). These results suggest that children are able to discriminate levels of exertion in different parts of their body during graded exercise. Furthermore, children rate an intensity corresponding to Th_vent to require a greater overall, leg and chest effort than adults exercising at a similar intensity. This indicates that children experience more pronounced cardiorespiratory and muscular sensations during this type of exercise. Accepted: 19 February 1998     

Keratinophilic fungi isolated from soil of the Abruzzo National Park,Italy

One hundred sixty one soil samples from the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo were analyzed. The keratinophilic fungi present in the soil samples were isolated and classified with the hair-bait method. The most common was T. ajelloi (28.6% of the total samples) followed by Chrysosporium keratinophilum (14.3%), C. sp. (11.2%), C. asperatum and Trichophyton sp. (6.8%), T. terrestre (5.6%), C. pannorum and C. state of Ctenomyces serratus (3.7%), C. tropicum (3.1%), M. cookei (2.5%) and the C. state of Arthroderma tuberculatum (1.9%). Other species, not belonging to the dermatophytes, were also isolated. The absence of dermatophytes was correlated with low human and animal population density.Altitude and vegetation did not seem to influence their distribution.     

Role of opportunistic fungi in ocular infections in Nigeria

The importance of opportunistic fungal pathogens in causing ocular infections is emphasized. A study was conducted over a period of 4 years (1974–1977) to investigate the role of opportunistic fungi in causing mycotic keratitis and to elucidate certain aspects of epidemiology of this disease in Nigeria. Fifty-nine cases of corneal ulcers of suspected mycotic etiology were investigated. Fungal etiology was confirmed in 42 of these cases. The predominant etiological agent was Fusarium solani in 14 cases (33.33%) followed by Penicillium citrinum in 8 cases (19.04%) and Aspergillus fumigatus in 5 cases (11.90%). The yeasts were responsible for only 3 cases (7.14%) i.e. one each caused by Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii. Among the remaining 12 cases, one was caused by F. moniliforme, 3 by A. flavus, 2 each by A. niger, Penicillium expansum and Penicillium sp., and one each by Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium sp. The clinical features of the cases are briefly described.The incidence of mycotic keratitis in relation to sex, age, occupation, trauma and other factors has been analysed. Corneal trauma appeared to be an important predisposing factor as 27 (67.28%) of the patients gave a history of injuries to the eye. Notably, a large number of patients were farmers and trauma was most often from palm tree leaf, thorn, kernel or other plant objects. Topical application of corticosteroids or broad spectrum antibiotics did not seem to play an important role in the etiology of keratomycosis. Cases were recorded throughout the year although the number of cases was higher in the months of March –May, and November–December than that during the rest of the year.The isolates of the causative agents were studied in detail for their morphological and cultural characters. The isolates of F. solani grew well at 37°C and survived at 40°C for more than 3 weeks. In vitro drug sensitivity tests indicated good antifungal activity of pimaricin and econazole for F. solani, clotrimazole and econazole for Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus and Penicillium citrinum, and 5-fluorocytosine for Candida spp.Investigations on the incidence of fungi in normal healthy eyes of 450 persons comprising 204 adults and 246 children yielded 204 isolates belonging to 21 genera of fungi. Cladosporium was most frequent (12.88%) followed by Penicillium (10.22%) and Aspergillus (6.66%). Another important fungus was Fusarium represented by 10 isolates, viz. 4 of F. solani, 2 of F. moniliforme, 1 of F. exysporum, and 3 of Fusarium sp. The yeasts were represented by two isolates each of Candida tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis, C. krusei, Trichosporon sp and Cryptococcus albidus, and one of Candida guilliermondii. Successive culturing of fungi from normal eyes in a small group indicated that fungi occur in the outer eye generally as transients.The epidemiology of mycotic keratitis has been discussed in relation to the present findings and in comparison with observations of other investigators.     

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Carrying Supplementary Virulence Genes Are an Important Cause of Moderate to Severe Diarrhoeal Disease in Mexico

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) cause acute and persistent diarrhoea worldwide, but little is known about their epidemiology in Mexico. We determined the prevalence of bacterial enteropathogens in 831 children with acute diarrhoea over a four-year period in Yucatan, Mexico. Six DEC supplementary virulence genes (SVG), mainly associated with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), were sought in 3100 E. coli isolates. DEC was the most common bacterial enteropathogen (28%), surpassing Salmonella (12%) and Shigella (9%). Predominant DEC groups were diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) (35%), EAEC (24%), and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (19%). Among children with DEC infections, 14% had severe illness mainly caused by EPEC (26%) and DAEC (18%); 30% had moderate diarrhoea mainly caused by DAEC (36%), mixed DEC infections (33%) and EAEC (32%). DAEC was most prevalent during spring, while ETEC, EAEC and EPEC predominated in summer. EAEC was more frequent in children 6–24 months old than in those younger than 6 months of age (P = 0.008, OR = 4.2, 95% CI, 1.3–13.9). The presence of SVG dispersin, (aatA), dispersin-translocator (aatA), enteroaggregative heat-stable toxin 1 (astA), plasmid encoded toxin (pet), cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) was higher in DEC than non-DEC strains, (36% vs 26%, P <0.0001, OR = 1.5, 95% CI, 1.3–1.8). 98% of EAEC-infected children harboured strains with SVG; 85% carried the aap-aatA gene combination, and 33% of these also carried astA. 28% of both EPEC and ETEC, and 6% of DAEC patients had strains with SVG. 54% of EPEC patients carried pet-positive strains alone or in combination with astA; only this DEC group harboured cdt-positive isolates. All ETEC patients carried astA- or astA-aap-positive strains. astA and aap were the most common SVG in DAEC (3% and 2%) and non-DEC strains (21% and 13%). DEC carrying SVG are an important cause of moderate to severe bacterial diarrhoea in Mexican children.     

Endophytic fungi from leaves of Centella asiatica: occurrence and potential interactions within leaves

Fungal endophytes were isolated from leaves of Centella asiatica (Apiaceae) collected at Mangoro (middle eastern region of Madagascar, 200 km from Antananarivo). Forty- five different taxa were recovered. The overall foliar colonization rate was 78%. The most common endophytes were the non-sporulating species 1 (isolation frequency IF 19.2%) followed by Colletotrichum sp.1 (IF 13.2%), Guignardia sp. (IF 8.5%), Glomerella sp. (IF 7.7%), an unidentified ascomycete (IF 7.2%), the non-sporulating species 2 (IF 3.7%) and Phialophora sp. (IF 3.5%). Using sequences of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, major endophytes (IF > 7%) were identified as xylariaceous taxa or as Colletotrichum higginsianum, Guignardia mangiferae and Glomerella cingulata. Results from in vitro fungal disk experiments showed a strong inhibitory activity of the xylariaceous non-sporulating species 1 against G. mangiferae and C. higginsianum and of C. higginsianum against G. mangiferae. This can be explained by antagonism between dominant taxa.     

Isolation of opportunistic fungi from bronchoalveolar lavage of compromised hosts in Isfahan,Iran

In this study, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens from 247 immunocompromised patients were investigated for the incidence of opportunistic fungi. In the direct examination and culture of the specimens, 5 (2.02%) of filamentous fungi and 55 (22.26%) yeasts were isolated and identified as follows: Aspergillus fumigatus (2), A. terreus (1), A. nidulans (1), Mucorsp. (1), Candida albicans (29), C. glabrata (3), C. Parapsilosis (1), Trichosporon beigelii (1), Candida sp. (13) and unknown yeasts (8). In addition, one strain of Nocardia asteroides and two strains of Streptomyces sp. were isolated.     

Intestinal microsporidiosis in India: A two year study

Intestinal parasitic pathogens in HIV/AIDS patients include Cryptosporidium sp, Cystoisospora sp, microsporidia and less commonly other parasites. The two most common microsporidia causing intestinal infection are Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis. Most of the Indian studies for intestinal parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients have not included microsporidia, due to difficult staining and identification of the parasite. The aim of the present study was to find the prevalence of intestinal microsporidiosis and their species identification along with correlation of CD4 count with parasite positivity and diarrhoea in HIV positive individuals. Stool samples of 363 individuals including 125 HIV seropositive patients with diarrhoea, 158 HIV seropositive patients without diarrhoea, 55 HIV seronegative patients with diarrhoea and 25 healthy controls were obtained from various out-patient departments and in-patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital from August 2008 to October 2009. The stool samples were subjected to examination by wet mount, modified acid fast stain for coccidian parasites and multiplex nested PCR for microsporidia. The overall prevalence of all intestinal parasites among HIV patients in our study was 26.5%. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic pathogens in HIV positive patients with diarrhoea was 43.2%. Microsporidia were the most common parasites detected (14%) in all patients, while in HIV infected patients 15.9% patients had microsporidia infection. The most common species causing intestinal microsporidiosis in our study was E. intestinalis (10.5%). In HIV seropositive individuals with diarrhoea, E. intestinalis was 20.8% and E. bieneusi 8.0% while in HIV-seropositive individuals without diarrhoea, E. intestinalis was 3.8% and E. bieneusi 1.9%. E. intestinalis was present in 10.9% of HIV negative individuals with diarrhoea in whom E. bieneusi was not found. There was a significant association between CD4 count ≤ 200/μl and intestinal parasite positivity. Thus, it can be concluded that intestinal microsporidiosis is under reported but an important disease in India. The predominant species in our study is E. intestinalis , in contrast to other parts of the world where E. bieneusi is more common.     

Molecular phylogeny of Camponotus ants in Korea

The molecular phylogeny of 12 species of Camponotus ants in Korea was examined using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers as inputs for an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and cluster analysis to describe the relationships between species. For comparison, morphometric data (based on 10 morphological characters) were also gathered for phylogenetic analysis. Assessments of similarity between species were made, and the results of these assessments are compared for the molecular and morphological data sets. In the morphometric analysis, the following groups were identified: (i) C. atrox, C. kiusuensis, C. japonicus and C. concavus (93% similarity); (ii) C. sp. 1 (be diverging at 80% similarity); (iii) C. jejuensis, C. sp. 3, C. itoi, C. nawai and C. tokioensis (94.5% similarity); and (iv) C. nipponensis and C. quadrinotatus (94.5% similarity). Formica fusca was 73.5% similar to the 12 Camponotus species studied here. The group comprising C. nawai and C. tokioensis had the highest similarity index (97.36%), followed by the group comprising C. jejuensis and C. sp. 3 (95%), then C. atrox and C. kiusuensis (94.5%), and then C. nipponensis and C. quadrinotatus (93.5%). In the molecular analysis the following groups were identified: (i) C. atrox and C. jejuensis (30% similarity); (ii) C. concavus, C. japonicus and C. itoi (25% similarity); (iii) C. kiusuensis, C. nawai, C. sp. 3, C. nipponensis, C. quadrinotatus and C. sp. 1 (24% similarity); and (iv) C. tokioensis (be diverging at 23% similarity). The most closely related group in the molecular analysis was C. nawai and C. sp. 3 (75% similarity), followed by C. concavus and C. japonicus (50.5% similarity), then C. atrox and C. jejuensis (30%), and then C. quadrinotatus and C. sp. 1. Camponotus tokioensis was the least closely related to other species among the 12 species studied. Although C. jejuensis and C. tokioensis were found to be 93.6% similar on the basis of morphometric data, molecular data indicated only 23% similarity, the lowest similarity index between any two species considered here. Camponotus jejuensis has marked morphological similarities to C. tokioensis, but on the basis of molecular data gathered in the present study, we refute the proposal that they are synonyms or sister species.     

Role ofCandida in indirect pathogenesis of antibiotic associated diarrhoea in infants

One hundred and thirty seven isolates ofCandida species were isolated from antiobiotic associated diarrhoea cases and were examined to study the role ofCandida in the pathogenesis of diarrhoea in infants. The quantitative estimation of yeast population by simple gram stain smear revealed more than 70% of the cases had 3+ score. The isolates further screened for detection of-lactamases. Among the isolatedCandida sp,-lactamases was secreted byC. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei andC. parapsilosis. Further, 46% of theCandida isolates were found to be produced 741–1110 mU/ml of-lactamases, suggesting that these enzyme would inactivate penicillin group of drugs and cause failure in the therapy directed against other diarrhoegenic bacteria.Abbreviation AAD antibiotic associated diarrhoea     

Toxicological evaluation of multi-class pesticide residues in vegetables and associated human health risk study for adults and children

This article describes, for the first time in 10 years, the toxicological evaluation of pesticide residues in highly consumed vegetables (35 commodities) and health risk studies. Among 1075 vegetable samples consisting mainly of tuber, root, fruiting, and Brassica, 20% of samples contained 38 pesticides in the range of 0.005–18.7 mg/kg and 1% > maximum residue limits (MRLs). Organophosphates and chloronitrile were most frequently found (20%) in the pesticide class. The highest concentration of 18.7 mg/kg was noted for dichlofluanid. Fruiting vegetables (8%), especially tomatoes (5%), were the most contaminated, while multi-residues were determined in 5% of the samples. Risk assessment was performed by analytical results and consumption on the 97.5 percentile expressed as hazard index (HI) and hazard quotient (HQ). The highest chronic HI was calculated for diazinon in lettuce (32% Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) adults and 36% children) and for forbidden dieldrin in carrots (26%, 62% ADI). The highest acute HI was estimated for dichlofluanid in lettuce (69% Acute Reference Dose (ARfD)) for adults, whereas for children it was above the acceptance values of ARfD (168%). Organophosphate insecticides with common mode of action showed the greatest HQ (108% ADI). Vegetables may not be a serious problem for consumers, but investigations on pesticide residues are necessary to ensure food safety and the protection of human health, especially toward children who are more highly exposed to pesticides than adults.     

Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adults: a single pathogen but a different pathology

Background. The aims of this retrospective study were to ascertain in large series of children and adults: the relationship of the infecting strain to gastric mucosal lesions; and the relationship of the infecting strain to its duodenal localization. Materials and Methods. We studied 307 and 604 consecutive children and adults. In gastric mucosal samples H. pylori was cultured, genotyped and histologically assessed, while inflammation, activity and intestinal metaplasia were graded. In a subset of 171 patients H. pylori ureaseA (ureA) and cagA genes were amplified (PCR) using mucosal biopsies from the duodenum. Results. H. pylori infection was diagnosed in 40 children and 308 adults. cagA was identified in 50% and 65.5% of infected children and adults. Antral activity was associated with the density of infecting bacteria (p < .001) and with cagA (p < .01). Intestinal metaplasia was correlated with cagA (p < .001). The ureA gene was found in 56 duodenal samples from 82 H. pylori positive patients. Duodenal H. pylori ureA was significantly more frequent in patients with duodenal diseases than in those without (p < .01), cagA positive strains being mainly involved in the infection of this anatomical area (p < .01). Conclusions. A severe H. pylori‐associated gastritis is more prevalent when the density of infecting bacteria is high and when cagA positive strains cause the infection. The most virulent cagA positive H. pylori colonizes not only the gastric, but also the duodenal mucosa, which can be directly damaged by the bacteria itself or by its products.     

Virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria against the hazelnut weevil Curculio nucum

The virulence of different entomopathogenic nematode strains of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae, isolates from Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula), and their symbiotic bacteria was assessed with regard to the larvae and adults of the hazelnut weevil, Curculio nucum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The nematode strains screened included one Steinernema affine, five Steinernema feltiae, one Steinernema carpocapsae, one Steinernema sp. (a new species not yet described) and one Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. The pathogenicity of all the strains of nematodes was tested on larvae and only four of them on adults of the hazelnut weevil. Larval mortality ranged from 10% with S. affine to 79% with Steinernema sp. Adult mortality was higher in S. carpocapsae, achieving 100% adult weevil mortality. The pathogenicity of the symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus bovienii, X. kozodoii, X. nematophila and Photorhabdus luminescens was studied in larvae and adults of C. nucum. In the larvae, X. kozodoii showed a LT50 of 22.7 h, and in the adults, it was 20.5 h. All nematodes species except S. affine tested against larvae showed great potential to control the insect, whereas S. carpocapsae was the most effective for controlling adults.     

A world-wide survey of the microflora of Dactylis glomerata seed*

The fungal microflora of orchard (cock's-foot) grass seed (Dactylis glomerata L.) was determined for 140 samples obtained from thirteen countries. The microflora was assessed by visual examination of dry seed (20–50 x), by microscopic examination of centrifuged seed washings and by incubating seed on 2 % malt extract agar (MA) under a 10-day regime of diurnal cycling of temperature (23-9^oC/i8-3^oC) and near-ultraviolet radiation (12 h NUV/ 12 h dark). More than twenty-five species of potentially pathogenic fungi and forty species of saprophytes were detected. The pathogens included an Ascochyta sp., Botrytis cinerea, nine species of Drechslera including D. dactylitis (infested 23% of seed lots) and D. Useptatum (10% of seed lots), five species oiFusarium including F. avenaceum (5 % of seed lots), Lep-tosphaeria sp., Phleospora sp., Phoma sp., Phomopsis sp., Pyrenochaeta sp., Rhizoctonia sp., Rhynchophoma sp., Septoria sp. and Stagonospora sp. Many more fungi were identified from seed plated on MA and exposed to NUV than by examination of seed washings or visual examination of dry seed. Several of the fungi that were detected are known to produce mycotoxins.     

Management of post-harvest fruit spoilage fungi by some potential spice extracts

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of four spices (Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Capsicum annuum) against the important post-harvest spoilage fungi isolated from diseased fruits. In total, 276 isolates of post-harvest spoilage fungi were isolated from four different fruit types (Persea americana, Musa acuminata, Citrus sinensis and Lycopersicon esculentum), out of which 183 isolates were identified while 93 isolates were remain unidentified. The most dominant post-harvest spoilage fungus was Rhizopus sp. (26.45%), followed by Penicillium sp. (19.93%), Aspergillus sp. (10.86%) and Fusarium sp. (9.06%). Results of disc diffusion assay showed that ethanolic extract of C. zeylanicum was found to be most effective against Penicillium sp., followed by aqueous extracts of A. sativum. The ethanolic extract of C. zeylanicum in agar amended assay and minimal inhibitory concentrations were found to be very efficient (100% inhibition) against all the tested fungi. Results of in vivo study showed that pre-inoculated C. zeylanicum ethanolic extract and A. sativum aqueous extract were found effective in reducing the disease severity (6.24–13.67%) and (7.91–13.15%) against the Penicillium, Rhizopus, Aspergillus and Fusarium sp.