The distribution of keratinophilic fungi in soils from New Zealand,and from two polynesian Islands

Summary (1) A total of 312 soils, 271 from New Zealand, 24 from Rarotonga, Cook Islands and 17 from Tokelau Islands was examined by the hair-baiting technique.(2)Microsporon gypseum was isolated from 1.5% of New Zealand soils and from 36.6% of Pacific Island soils. The difference in incidence in the two areas is significant.(3)Keratinomyces ajelloi andMicrosporon cookei were recovered from 52.8% and 7.7% of New Zealand soils respectively but neither species was isolated from the Island samples.K. ajelloi was found to be significantly associated with strongly acid soils, andM. cookei with a farmyard substrate.(4)Trichophyton terrestre was isolated from 1.1% of New Zealand and from 12.2% of Pacific Island soils. Two strains ofChrysosporium keratinophilum were isolated from New Zealand soils and an unidentifiedChrysosporium from one Rarotongan sample.(5) The distribution of the different species is discussed and compared with those reported in surveys carried out in other countries of the Southern Hemisphere. The effects of ambient temperature, and source and pH of the soil, on the distribution of keratinophilic fungi are considered, but there is insufficient detailed evidence to determine the importance of these factors in the ecology of these organisms.     

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).     

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 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.     

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.     

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.     

Prevalence of superficial mycoses in the Aosta Valley Region of Italy from 1984 to 1989

Two hundred and thirty soil samples from different localities were examined for the presence of geophilic keratinophilic fungi. Six species namely Microsporum gypseum — 34 isolates, Chrysosporium keratinophilum –29, C. tropicum –20, Keratinophyton terreum –4, Trichophyton terrestre –8 and Chrysosporium species – 3 — were isolated. Most of these fungi were recovered from garden, field and river bank soil. The importance of these findings is briefly discussed.     

A preliminary note on inter-reaction of skin test sensitivity between Histoplasmin and Chrysosporin in experimental animals

Summary Species ofChrysosporium have been isolated from soil in Iran. Guinea pigs inoculated withChrysosporium keratinophilum gave a positive skin test to histoplasmin and vice versa. This would suggest thatChrysosporium species might be reponsible for positive skin tests to histoplasmin in areas known not to be endemic for histoplasmosis.     

Incidence of keratinophilic fungi from selected soils of Kerala state (India)

One hundred and fifty-eight soil samples were collected from various areas of four districts of Kerala and screened for prevalence of keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes. From the positive samples (60.75%), a total of eight genera with 15 species were isolated viz., Arthroderma simii (0.63%), Chrysosporium indicum (20.25%), C. keratinophilum (6.96%), C. lobatum (1.26%), C. pannicola (1.26%), C. tropicum (5.06%), Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma cuniculi (1.26%), Chrysosporium state of Ctenomyces serratus (2.53%), Gymnascella hyalinospora (1.26%), Malbranchea aurantiaca (0.63%) M. fulva (1.26%), Microsporum gypseum complex (12.65%), Pseudogymnoascus roseus (1.26%), Trichophyton mentragrophytes (1.26%), and T. terrestre (3.16%).This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Keratinolytic fungi in sewage sludge

Sewage sludge from the Upper Silesia Region of Poland were surveyed for keratinolytic fungi. Out of 100 Petri dishes examined, 89 were positive for these micro-organisms. Altogether, 185 fungal appearances belonging to 10 species were observed. Trichophyton terrestre with its teleomorph Arthroderma quadrifidum, T. ajelloi with A. uncinatum, Microsporum gypseum with Arthroderma sp., and Chrysosporium keratinophilum with Aphanoascus keratinophilus prevailed in the sludges. The sewage treatment technologies together with the sludge structure, humidity and pH were found to be critical factors determining the occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in the sludge environment. The qualitative and quantitative composition of keratinolytic fungi could be a useful tool in evaluation of sludge treatment processes.     

Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from soil in the vicinity of Bogota,Colombia

Soil collected from 54 areas in and around Bogota, Colombia were examined for the presence of keratinophilic fungi by theVanbreuseghem's hair baiting technique. The organisms isolated and frequency are indicated:Trichophyton terrestre, 33;T. ajelloi, 32;Chrysosporium keratinophilum, 30;Microsporon gypseum, 14; andM. fulvum, 1. The perfect stage,Nannizzia gypsea, 1; andArthroderma quadrifidum, 2; were observed growing on hair in three plates.The following organisms apparently have been reported for the first time from soil samples in Colombia:M. fulvum, T. ajelloi, T. terrestre, C. keratinophilum, N. gypsea, andA. quadrifidum.     

Untersuchungen zur Frage der Biologischen Regulation des Wachstums und der Verbreitung der Geophilen Dermatophyten im Erdboden

Zusammenfassung 1. Aus 200 verschiedenen Stellen eines Wiesengebietes mit dem Ausmaß von 10×100 m waren 600 Bodenproben untersucht worden. In 367 Proben (61,1%) wurde der NematodeDiploscapter coronata festgestellt.2. Der NematodeD. coronata verbraucht die vegetativen Teile der im Boden lebenden keratinophilen PilzeKeratinomyces ajelloi, Trichophyton terrestre, Arthroderma tuberculatum undChrysosporium sp. Dies verläuft auch in unsterilen Bodenproben. In denen, wo das Vorkommen desD. coronata besonders stark war, verhinderte er das Wachstum der Dermatophyten auch dann, wenn in die Bodenproben weitere sterile Haare zugegeben wurden.3. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die Mikrofauna des Bodens grundsätzlich die Verbreitung der keratinophilen Pilze auch in unsterilen Bodenproben regulieren kann.

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Summary 1. 600 soil samples from 200 different spots of one meadow covering the area 10 by 100 m were examined. In 367 samples (61.1%) the nematodeDiploscapter coronata was found.2. The nematodeDiploscapter coronata consumes the vegetative parts of the keratinophilic soil fungiKeratinomyces ajelloi, Trichophyton terrestre, Chrysosporium keratinophilum andArthroderma tuberculatum even in non-sterile soil samples. In samples in which its occurrence was especially frequent it stopped the growth of dermatophytes even if sterile human hair had been added to the sample.3. The results show that the soil microfauna can considerably regulate the spreading of keratinophilic fungi even in non-sterile soil samples.

     

Comparative efficacy and pathogenicity of keratinophilic soil fungi against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae

Out of seven fungal species belonging to four genera isolated from pond and wallow soils using feathers of Pavo cristatus as bait, four species viz., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Chrysosporium pseudomerdarium and Trichophyton ajelloi were most frequent. Chrysosporium and Trichophyton spp. were more pathogenic on Culex quinquefasciatus larvae than Aspergillus and Penicillium. The bioefficacy tests conducted as per the protocol of World Health Organization and the LC₅₀ values calculated by the Probit analysis showed that 3^rd-instar C. quinquefasciatus were more susceptible to the conidia of above fungi. Highest mortality was observed in the larvae of C. quinquefasciatus when exposed to T. ajelloi. The density of fungal conidia was greatest on the ventral brush, palmate hair and anal region of the mosquito larvae after exposing for 72 hours. The potentiality of these fungi for use in the control of C. quinquefasciatus is discussed which can be exploited as a suitable biocontrol agent in the tropics.     

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%).     

Keratinophilic fungi isolated from hospital dust and soils of public places at Gulbarga,India

Keratinophilic fungi were isolated from corridor dust of 11 hospitals and soils of 21 public places using a hair baiting technique. A total of 41 species belonging to 24 genera were recovered. Among the dermatophytes and related species, Microsporum gypseum was predominant, followed by Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, M. nanum and Ch. tropicum. Other species were represented by 32 species belonging to 21 genera. Most of the species isolated are known to be agents of human and animal infection or have been isolated from human and animal lesions. The fungi observed here are discussed in relation to their global distribution.     

Effect of soil fungistasis on zoopathogenic fungi

The inhibiting action of west-Siberian soils on spore germination and the growth and development of zoopathogenic fungi such as Emmonsia (Chrysosporium) crescens, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Beauveria bassiana, Metarrhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces farinosus, P. fumoso-roseus and Chrysosporium keratinophilum have been studied by the authors. The influence of carbon sources and the root exudates of plants on fungistasis have also been studied.     

Keratinolytic fungi in Egyptian soils

The frequency of occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in seventy soil samples collected from different sites in Upper Egypt and in the coastal area of the Mediterranean and baited with human and animal hair and pigeon feathers was determined.Twenty-one species in addition to an unidentified species, which belong to sixteen genera were collected.Chrysosporium indicum, C. tropicum, C. keratinophilum andMicrosporum gypseum were the most frequent fungal species recovered from baited soils.The eight soil samples collected from the salt marshes of the coastal Mediterranean area were completely free from any keratinolytic fungi, whereas the sixty-two soil samples collected from cultivated soils contributed a species ranging from one to four species.     

Keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi in the soils of Papua New Guinea

A study was made of soil samples collected during an expedition to the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Fungi were isolated from the samples by the method of hair baiting (To-Ka-Va). Of the 33 species isolated, about half showed keratinolytic activity. Such activity is previously unreported for Mucor hiemalis f. hiemalis, Myrothecium roridum, Paecilomyces carneus, P. marquandii, Penicillium brevicompactum, Rhinocladiella mansonii and Verticillium lecanii. The species most active keratinolytically were Chrysosporium an. Arthroderma cuniculi, C. an. A. curreyi, C. indicum, Myceliophthora vellerea and Trichophyton ajelloi. The spectrum of fungi with keratinolytic activity isolated from the different sites differed considerably according to the frequency of use by man, heaviest use being correlated with greatest activity. The pH of the soil (varying from 5.8–7.5) had little influence on the type of such fungi isolated.     

Keratinolytic Fungi in Egyptian Soils

The frequency of occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in seventy soil samples, collected from different sites in Upper Egypt and in the coastal area of the Mediterranean, was determined by baiting with human and animal hairs and pigeon feathers. Twenty-one species, in addition to an unidentified species, which belong to sixteen genera were collected. Chrysosporium indicum, C. tropicum, C. keratinophilum, and Microsporum gypseum were the most frequent fungal species recovered from the baited soils. The soil samples collected from the salt marshes of the coastal Mediterranean area were completely free from any keratinolytic fungi, whereas the soil samples collected from cultivated soils contributed species, ranging from one to four species.     

Molecular differentiation of Keratinomyces (Trichophyton) species

The taxonomy of the form-genus Keratinomyces (Trichophyton) within the group of the dermatophytes is based on morphological features which remain insufficient for the distinction of these anamorphic species. The three species included in the genus Keratinomyces, namely K. ajelloi, K. ceretanicus and K. longifusus were examined by means of their mitochondrial-like DNA diversity and compared to few other dermatophytes. The analysis of the mtDNA restriction fragments confirmed that the three species are different and well separate from the other dermatophytes.