Dermatophytes isolated from patients in University Hospital,Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

A total of 576 dermatophytes were isolated from patients with a variety of skin infections from January 1993 to May 2000. Ten species of dermatophytes were identified: Epidermophyton floccosum (0.7%), Microsporum audouinii (1.1%), M. canis (3.1%), M. gypseum (0.3%), Trichophyton concentricum (3.5%), T. equinum (0.2%), T. mentagrophytes (36.1%), T. rubrum (53.8%), T. verrucosum (0.2) and T. violaceum (1.0%). The body sites most frequently affected by dermatophytes were the buttocks, nails and trunk. Anthropophilic dermatophytes made up 60.1% of the isolates; the most common species was T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and M. canis were the two main zoophilic dermatophytes. T. mentagrophytes was isolated from all body sites except the scalp. M. canis was found to be associated with domestic dogs and was not isolated from ethnic Malays. The only geophilic dermatophyte was M. gypseum, an uncommon dermatophyte associated with tinea pedis.     

Antifungal Activities of Different Extracts of Marine Macroalgae Against Dermatophytes and Candida Species

Algae are bioactive natural resources, and due to the medical importance of superficial mycoses, we focused the action of macroalgae extracts against dermatophytes and Candida species. Seaweed obtained from the Riacho Doce beach, Alagoas (Brazil), were screened for the antifungal activity, through crude extracts using dichloromethane, chloroform, methanol, ethanol, water and chloroform and hexane fractions of green, brown and red algae in assays with standard strains of the dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum, T. tonsurans, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum and yeasts Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. guilliermondi and C. parapsilosis. The M44-A and M27-A2/M38A manuals by CLSI were followed, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged from 0.03 to 16.00 μg ml(-1), and an inhibition halo of 10.00-25.00 mm was observed for dermatophytes, while for yeast, it was from 8.00 to 16.00 μg ml(-1) and 10.00-15.00 mm. M. canis showed MIC of 0.03 μg ml(-1) and the largest inhibition halo in T. rubrum (25.00 mm) through the use of the methanol extract. For C. albicans, dichloromethane, methanol and ethanol extracts formed the largest inhibition halo. The ethanol extract was shown to be the best inhibiting fungi growth, and chloroform and hexane fractions of H. musciformis inhibited the growth of all dermatophytes and C. albicans, yielding the conclusion that apolar extracts obtained from algae presented the best activity against important pathogenic fungi.     

皮肤癣菌体外蛋白水解酶活性测定

目的观察皮肤癣菌的体外蛋白水解酶活性;比较分离自不同感染部位的红色毛癣菌的体外蛋白水解酶活性。方法实验菌株包括来自不同感染部位的红色毛癣菌22株、须癣毛癣菌3株、犬小孢子菌5株,进行体外培养,并利用9-羟基乙酚噻唑标识的酪蛋白和酶标仪检测真菌细胞外蛋白水解酶的活性。结果须癣毛癣菌的体外蛋白水解酶活性高于红色毛癣菌和犬小孢子菌（P〈0.05）,而红色毛癣菌和犬小孢子菌之间无差异（P〉0.05）。红色毛癣菌的细胞外蛋白水解酶活性在分离自浅部感染部位的菌株之间无差异（P〉0.05）,但高于引起毛癣菌肉芽肿的菌株（P〈0.05）。结论不同的皮肤癣菌体外蛋白水解酶活性可能不同;分离自不同感染部位的同一菌种的体外蛋白水解酶活性也有可能不同。     

Dermatophytes isolated from symptomatic dogs and cats in Tuscany,Italy during a 15-year-period

Between January, 1, 1986 and December, 31, 2000, dermatological specimens from 10.678 animals (7.650 cats and 3.028 dogs) were examined for dermatophytes. All the animals presented clinical signs of ringworm. Two thousand-four hundred fifty-six of the 10.678 (23%) examined animals scored positive for dermatophytes, 566 out of 3.028 canine (18.7%) and 1890 out of 7.650 feline specimens (24.7%). Microsporum canis constituted 83% and 97% of the isolated dermatophytes respectively in dogs and cats, M. gypseum represented 13% and 2.6% and T. mentagrophytes 5.5% and 0.2%. A sexual predisposition for mycotic infections was not observed. The animals with less than 1 year of age were more frequently infected. Canine toy breeds showed a significantly higher (P < 0.001) prevalence of infections by M. canis. Microsporum gypseum was mostly recorded from sporting (hunting) breeds [such as T. mentagrophytes (6.7%)]. Microsporum canis was isolated from long-haired cats with a ratio of 2:1 versus short-haired cats, while M. gypseum and T. mentagrophytes were never recovered from Persian cats. The annual distribution of the infections in dogs showed a significantly higher incidence for M. gypseum in summer versus winter and spring, while the recovery rate of M. canis from cats was very significantly higher in fall and winter than in summer and spring. Trichophyton mentagrophytes did not show a similar seasonal distribution.     

A compilation of published reports of mycoses in animals in India

The available published reports on animal mycoses in India and the fungal agents isolated from animal material are discussed.Among dermatophytes, the occurrence of Trichophyton verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. equinum, T. violaceum, T. simii, T. tonsurans, T. terrestre, T. ajelloi, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum and M. nanum has been reported. Cases of aspergillosis, candidiasis, phycomycosis, rhinosporidiosis, epizootic lymphangitis, mycotic abortions and mycotic mastitis have been recorded in animals in this country. However, there is no report of histoplasmosis, sporotrichosis, blastomycosis and coccidioidomycosis among animals from India.     

13 Years of veterinary mycological routine diagnostics. Isolation of dermatophytes in the years 1965-1977

Over a thirteen year period (1965 to 1977) a total of 4790 skin scrapings and hair samples of animals were examined mycologically. 887 strains of dermatophytes were isolated out of 885 of these samples (= 18,5%). Most frequently Trichophyton verrucosum was identified in samples from cattle, followed by Microsporum canis isolated from cats, dogs and zoo animals. T. mentagrophytes was mainly found on guinea pigs, chinchillas and dogs and T. equinum on horses. Although the total number of the samples examined within the last 8 years increased, the total of the dermatophytes isolated remained proportionately the same. The relative numbers of the various species of dermatophytes isolated did not change within the period of investigation.     

Synthesis, characterization and antifungal activity of a series of manganese(II) and copper(II) complexes with ligands derived from reduced N,N'-O-phenylenebis(salicylideneimine)

A series of manganese(II) and copper(II) complexes with reduced Schiff bases derived from o-phenylenediamine has been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, TG measurements, ESR, magnetic measurements, FTIR, UV-Visible spectra and conductivity. These complexes were found to be [MnL(H2O)n] and [CuL](H2O)n species with n=0-2. Their antifungal activity was evaluated on different human fungi including yeasts of the Candida genus (C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilopsis) some opportunistic moulds belonging to the Aspergillus (A. fumigatus, A. terreus and A. flavus), Scedosporium genus (S. apiospermum and S. prolificans) and some dermatophytes (M. gypseum, M. persicolor, T. mentagrophytes, M. canis and T. tonsurans). The manganese complexes showed a significant growth inhibition of the dermatophytes tested and fungi of the genus Scedosporium. This is very interesting as these fungi are usually poorly susceptible to current antifungal including Amphotericin B and Itraconazole chosen as reference in this study.     

In vitro activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium chrysogenum</Emphasis> antifungal protein (PAF) and its combination with fluconazole against different dermatophytes

Strains of five dermatophyte species (Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans) were selected for testing against Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein (PAF) and its combination with fluconazole (FCZ). Inhibition of microconidia germination and growth was detected with MICs of PAF ranging from 1.56 to 200 mug ml(-1) when it was used alone, or at constant concentration (100 mug ml(-1)) in combination with FCZ at from 0.25 to 32 mug ml(-1). The MICs for FCZ were found to be between 0.25 and 128 mug ml(-1). PAF caused a fungicidal effect at 200 mug ml(-1) and reduced growth at between 50 and 200 mug ml(-1). Total growth inhibition with fungistatic activity was detected at 64 mug ml(-1) of FCZ for M. gypseum, T. mentagrophytes, and T. tonsurans, and at 32 mug ml(-1) FCZ for M. canis and T. rubrum. PAF and FCZ acted synergistically and/or additively on all of the tested fungi except M. gypseum, where no interactions were detected.     

Glucose improves the in vitro viability of Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes

We describe simple and cost-effective methods using carbohydrates to improve the in vitro viability of dermatophytes. Glucose and sucrose in different concentrations (3, 6, 9 and 12%) were used to maintain fifteen strains of M. canis and T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes at 4 and -20 degrees C. The strains were phenotypically analyzed before storage and reevaluated at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months. At 1 and 3 months, any alterations in the viability or phenotype pattern of the stored strains were noted. At 6 months, both dermatophytes were 100% viable, when preserved in glucose (3, 6, 9 and 12%) at -20 degrees C. All T. mentagrophytes strains were also viable in sucrose (12%), at 4 degrees C and -20 degrees C. However, sucrose failed to improve the viability of M. canis at both temperatures. At 9 months, the higher viabilities without pleomorphism were seen for both dermatophytes preserved in glucose (9 and 12%) at -20 degrees C.     

Keratinophilic fungi on the hair of cows,donkeys, rabbits,cats, and dogs from the West Bank of Jordan

The mycoflora of hair of 111 cows, donkeys, rabbits, cats, and dogs were analysed and the frequency of occurrence and the relative importance value of the different fungal species isolated were calculated. Total numbers of species 56, 45, 48, 23, and 11 were recovered from cows, donkeys, rabbits, cats, and dogs respectively. The majority of the keratinophilic fungi isolated were either well-known mycotic agents or have been recovered from various animal and human lesions. These comprised 87.8%, 66.7%, 61.4%, 59.3%, and 55.2% of the hair mycoflora in cats, dogs, rabbis, cows, and donkeys respectively. Seven species of dermatophytes were isolated: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum, Microsporum gypseum, M. nanum, T. ajelloi, and M. canis. Cats harboured the largest number of dermatophytes (5 species), followed by cows (4 spp), rabbits (3 spp), and donkeys and dogs (1 sp). The role of these animals in the persistence and transmission of pathogenic fungi is discussed.     

Antifungal activities of the essential oils in Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. Et Perry and Leptospermum petersonii Bailey and their constituents against various dermatophytes

This study was carried out in order to investigate the potential of using plant oils derived from Leptospermum petersonii Bailey and Syzygium aromaticum L. Merr. Et Perry as natural antifungal agents. The antifungal effects of essential oils at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 mg/ml on the dermatophytes Microsporum canis (KCTC 6591), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (KCTC 6077), Trichophyton rubrum (KCCM 60443), Epidermophyton floccosum (KCCM 11667), and Microsporum gypseum were evaluated using the agar diffusion method. The major constituents of the active fraction against the dermatophytes were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The antifungal activities of S. aromaticum oil (clove oil) against the dermatophytes tested were highest at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml, with an effectiveness of more than 60%. Hyphal growth was completely inhibited in T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, and M. gypseum by treatment with clove oil at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml. Eugenol was the most effective antifungal constituent of clove oil against the dermatophytes T. mentagrophytes and M. canis. Morphological changes in the hyphae of T. mentagrophytes, such as damage to the cell wall and cell membrane and the expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum, after treatment with 0.11 mg/ml eugenol were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml, L. petersonii oil (LPO) was more than 90% effective against all of the dermatophytes tested, with the exception of T. rubrum. Geranial was determined to be the most active antifungal constituent of L. petersonii oil. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that clove and tea tree oils exhibited significant antifungal activities against the dermatophytes tested in this study.     

Keratinophilic fungi on sheep hairs from the West Bank of Jordan

The mycoflora of the hair in 285 sheep from the West Bank of Jordan was analysed and the frequency of occurrence and the relative importance value for different fungal species found were calculated. Ninenty six species which belong to 36 genera were isolated. Forty one of these species were either well-known agents of animal and human mycoses (Trichophyton verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum nanum, M. canis, and others), or have been isolated from human and animal lesions (Arthroderma cuniculi, A. curreyi, Chrysosporium tropicum, Acremonium kiliense, Aphanoascus fulvuscens, Aspergillus versicolor, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, and others). These pathogenic fungi comprised 75.4% of all fungi recovered from the hair of sheep. This animal seems to represent an adequate reservoir for several dermatophytes and several potentially pathogenic fungi.     

Updates on the Epidemiology of Dermatophyte Infections

The spectrum of dermatophytes isolated from skin lesions had changed in last 70 years. Before the Second World War in Germany, Microsporum audouinii and Epidermophyton floccosum ranked the first, whereas Trichophyton rubrum is the most common dermatophyte since the fifties of last century, accounting for 80-90% of the strains, followed by T. mentagrophytes. This evolution is typical for Central and North Europe and it needs to be connected with the increase in the incidence of tinea pedis. In contrast, in Southern Europe and in Arabic countries, zoophilic dermatophytes, such as Microsporum canis or Trichophyton verrucosum, are the most frequently isolated. In Europe, especially in Mediterranean countries, the incidence of M. canis infection has strongly increased during the recent years and this dermatophyte is now the most prevalent in tinea capitis in children. An analysis of the frequency and distribution of tinea pedis in different occupations and leisure-time activities as well as the routes of infection are reported. The spreading of this disease in most developed countries of the world represents a considerable economic problem, since it was accompanied by a parallel increase in the frequency of onychomycosis which implies, as tinea pedis, large financial charges. In poor developing countries, mycoses appear endemically, primarily with children, and their treatment often fails because of the lack of efficient antifungals. The particular epidemiological situations of dermatophytoses and the pathogenic spectrum of dermatophytes are examined at the example of numerous countries.     

Strains differentiation of Microsporum canis by RAPD analysis using (GACA)4 and (ACA)5 primers

Molecular analysis of dermatophytes (based on PCR fingerprinting) revealed high clonal differentiation between the genus and species. Microsporum canis (zoophilic dermatophyte, belonging to genus Microsporum), responsible for most cases of tinea capitis in children, tinea corporis in adults and dermatophytoses in cats, is very unique in comparison with other dermatophytes. Results of most molecular studies show that there is no clonal differentiation within M. canis as distinct from other species. The aim of this study was application of (GACA)4 repetitive primer and (ACA)5 primer for typing of M. canis strains isolated from human and animals in Central Poland. Fungal strains: 32 clinical isolates of M. canis, originated from patients from Central Poland; 11 strains isolated from infected cats (6) and dogs (7), reference strains of M. canis (CBS 113480), T rubrum (CBS 120358), T mentagrophytes (CBS 120357) and E. floccosum (CBS 970.95). The genomic DNAs of the strains were used as a template in RAPD reaction. No differentiation was observed for the analyzed M. canis strains using (GACA)4 and (ACA)5 typing.     

Antimicrobial activity of Hyptis ovalifolia towards dermatophytes

The essential oil and the aqueous, hexane and methanolic fractions from Hyptis ovalifolia leaves were evaluated for their antifungal activity in vitro against 60 strains of dermatophytes: 10 strains of Microsporum canis, 10 of M. gypseum, 20 of Trichophyton rubrum and 20 of T. mentagrophytes. The extracts inhibited growth of the dermatophytes tested at different concentrations. The most biologically active was the essential oil from the leaves which inhibited 57 isolates (95%) at a concentration of 500 g/ml.     

Antagonistic activity of bacteria from Bacillus genus against dermatophyte fungi

Antagonistic properties of the strain Bacillus subtilis IB-54 with respect to dermatophyte fungi Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes var. gypseum, Microsporum canis was studied. The studied strains of bacilli effectively inhibited growth and development of dermatophytes when were cultivated on the media containing different carbon sources. Experiments on laboratory animals showed that B. subtilis IB-54 displayed no virulence, toxicity, and toxigenicity and can be considered as perspective object for development of antimycotic drugs.     

Isolation of dermatophytes,Candida species and systemic fungi from dermatologic specimens in Montréal, 1963 to 1973.

Of 10 057 specimens of scrapings from skin, nails and scalp examined for dermatophytes, yeasts, pityriasis versicolor and systemic mycoses between 1963 and 1973, 30.4 percent were positive for fungi. Skin produced the highest proportion (68.6 percent) of positive scrapings, scalp the lowest (4.2 percent). Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant species (23.6 percent); of lesser prevalence were Microsporum canis (9.3 percent), T. mentagrophytes (8.4 percent) and Epidermophyton floccosum (4.8 percent). Double infections were encountered on 102 occasions; T. rubrum and Candida parapsilosis were the most frequent cohabiting species. The introduction in 1966 of periodic acid-Schiff staining for routine examination of scrapings resulted in better diagnostic results, particularly in the case of culturally nonproductive specimens and cases of pityriasis versicolor. Blastomyces dermatitidis and Cryptococcus neoformans were isolated from two patients in the course of routine investigation for dermatophytes.     

Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from floors in Roman primary schools

Keratinophilic fungi are present in the environment with variable distribution patterns that depend on different factors, one of which, of fundamental importance, is human and or animal presence. The present study was conducted in the environment and classrooms of schools in order to evaluate the relationship between the human presence and the presence of keratinophilic fungi. In order to achieve this goal, a new isolation technique was used. From 20 samples, 253 colonies of keratinophilic fungi were isolated. The results showed that species of the genus Chrysosporium were present in 100% of the samples, while Microsporum and Trichophyton species were present in 40% and 65% of the samples respectively. The percentage of three pathogenic species, M. canis (25), T. mentagrophytes (10) and M. gypseum (10) was significant. The other species isolated were: T. terrestre (55%), Trichophyton sp. (35%), M. cookei (25%) and T. ajelloi (10%). A correlation between the amount of gathered dust and the number of colonies of keratinophilic fungi isolated was not found.     

A short review on dermatophytoses of animals in Romania

Dermatophytoses of animals in Romania are reviewed. Ringworm infections have been found in cattle (whereT. verrucosum was the only isolated agent), horses (the causative organisms beingT. verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes andM. equinum), cats (dermatophytes isolated:M. canis andT. quinckeanum), dogs (M. canis andM. gypseum), fowlsT. gallinae). From the laboratory animals: guinea pigs (T. mentagrophytes, M. audouinii, T. rubrum), mice (T. quickeanum andT. mentagrophytes), rats (T. mentagrophytes), rabbits (T. mentagrophytes andM. canis) and hamster)T. mentagrophytes). Among the wild animals, only the chamois had a ringworm infection byM. gypseum, other large or smaller wild animals harboring only saprophytically some poozhilic and geophilic dermatophytes.     

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).