Onychomycosis in Rome,Italy

This report presents the results of a study conducted between 1985 and 1994 on onychomycosis observed in the city of Rome. Six thousand six hundred and eighty eight patients were examined during this period. Among them 1,762 (26.3%) were affected by fungal nail infections. Because the etiologic agents could not be isolated in 105 cases (6%), the results refer to 1,657 subjects (24.8% of the total), presenting with positive microscopic and cultural examinations. Thirty eight patients (2.3%) had onychomycosis of both their hands and feet.From an etiological point of view, 59.1% of the nail infections were caused by yeasts, 23.2% were infected with dermatophytes and 17.6% by non-dermatophytic fungi. The etiology of onychomycosis of the hands differed from that of the feet. Yeasts were primarily responsible for onychomycosis of the hands (86.2%), while dermatophytes caused tinea unguium peduum (48%). Fungal fingernail infections by Candida spp. were the most common (50.3%), followed by those of the feet by dermatophytes (20%). Candida albicans was responsible for 70.6% of the hand infections but for only 15.9% of those of the feet. Trichophyton rubrum and T mentagrophytes were the most common dermatophytes, mainly causing toenail infections (23.4% and 21%, respectively), while Aspergillus spp., Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Acremonium spp. and Aspergillus niger were the most common non-dermatophytes observed.With regard to sex, the fungal nail infections were more widespread in women (72.1%) and in subjects of both sexes over the age of 50.     

Prevalence ofCandida ciferrii in elderly patients with trophic disorders of the legs

In order to define the prevalence ofCandida ciferrii in onychomycosis, the fungal biota associated with toe nail onyxis was examined in 50 elderly patients with trophic disorders of the legs and in 220 patients without clinical evidence of trophic disorders.Candida ciferrii was more frequent in the first group of patients since it was recovered from 24% of these patients, whereas its prevalence was only 1.4% in the control group. Moreover, the positivity of the direct examination of toe nail scrapings, the absence of any other associated pathogens, and the repeated isolation of this yeast species for some of the patients confirmed its pathogenicity.Abbreviations 5-FC 5-fluorocytosine - IHEM Institut d'Hygiène et d'Epidémiologie, Section Mycologie - YPDA yeast extract-peptone-dextrose-agar     

Toenail Onychomycosis in a Portuguese Geriatric Population

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of the nail but few data of mycological features in geriatric Portuguese population are yet available. The aim of this study was to perform a mycological examination and characterization of fungal nail pattern of a geriatric population from the north of Portugal clinically suspected of onychomycosis. A total of 108 patients attending the Podology Service in the Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave (Portugal) from October 2007 to January 2009 were enrolled. All were suspected of having onychomycosis by the abnormal appearance of their nails. From these, 59.3% were diabetic. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis was the more common clinical pattern followed by total dystrophic onychomycosis. In 21.3% cases, every nail in both feet had an abnormal appearance. In 86%, the hallux was involved in at least one foot. Fifty samples were culture positive, and fifty-four isolates were reported regardless of the questionable pathogenicity of the infectious agent. In three cases, clinical feature of the nail, direct microscopy, and culture were consistent with Scopulariopsis infection. Fusarium spp. were identified in three cases; however, only one isolate was preceded by the observation of branching septate filaments by direct microscopy. No mixed infections with dermatophytes were reported. Trichophyton rubrum was the dermatophyte most frequently isolated (83.3%) followed by Trichophyton interdigitale. In Portugal, onychomycosis is still viewed by general population as a cosmetic condition. Health risk is enhanced in geriatrics that only perceived the severity of their condition when experiencing further foot complications that include bacterial infection and pain.     

Medically important fungi found in hallux nails of university students from Cali, Colombia

The presence of medically important fungi was studied in hallux nails scrapings obtained from 504 students (204 males, 300 females) of three universities in Cali. Specimens were examined by direct microscopic examination and fungal culture. Medically important fungi were found in 49 (9.7%) students, 24 (4.8%) had onychomycosis while the rest did not have nail lesions. Trichophyton rubrum was the most commonly isolated fungi in students with lesions, where as T. mentagrophytes predominated in healthy nails. Most of the students with fungi were males. The prevalence of fungi was higher in individuals between 26 and 35 years. No association was observed between fungi and practicing sports or undergoing pedicures. These results suggest that dermatophytes can be found in healthy hallux nails, which can be reservoirs of pathogenic fungi.     

Onychomycosis caused by Chaetomium globosum Kunze

In this paper we report a case of onychomycosis caused by Chaetomium globosum. The patient had lesions of the fingernails of the left hand. The direct microscopical examination of the nails showed light-brown hyphae with thick-walled cells. The histopathological examination revealed thick aggregated hyphal element in the nail plate. Amongst the antimycotics tested oxiconazole with MIC values of 0.3 g/ml^–1 was found to be most effective in vitro against Chaetomium globosum.     

Fungi isolated from skins and pens of healthy animals in Nigeria

The mycoflora of 220 skin scrapings, hair, nail samples and pens’ materials of apparently healthy animals including cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs and dogs were determined. Twenty eight species of fungi belonging to ten genera were recovered. Chrysosporium spp. were the most common and C. keratinophilum was recovered from all animals. Dermatophytes which are known causal agents of dermatophytosis were also isolated indifferent frequencies (Microsporum gypseum, M. canis, Trichophytonmentagrophytes, T. rubrum). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A study of dermatophytosis in South West of Iran (Ahwaz)

Two hundred and seventy nine patients suspected of having fungal lesions were examined. Skin scrapping, hair samples and nail clippings were collected from patients. Direct and culture examinations were performed for all samples. About 115 cases of examined subjects had dermatophytosis. Dermatophytosis occurred mainly in adults males (20–29 years). Tinea cruris (24.3%) was the most common type of dermatophytosis followed by tinea pedis (16.5%), tinea corporis (14.8%), tinea ungium (13%), tinea capitis (11.3%), tinea faciei (11.3%), tinea manuum (7%) and tinea barbae (1.7%). Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the most prevalent species followed by Epidermophyton floccosum.     

Subungual myiasis in a woman with psychiatric disturbance

Myiasis is caused by the invasion of tissues or organs of men and animals by dipterous larvae. The disease is infrequent in Turkey. A case of a 65-year-old woman having been initially diagnosed with chronic psychosis, and found to have a left big toe nail invaded by the larvae of Calliphora spp., is presented. A total of 17 maggots were removed from the left big toe of the patient, which were then determined as Calliphora spp. The patient has undergone surgical withdrawal of both nails of her big toes, followed by the administration of oral prophylactic antimicrobial treatment.This is the second recorded case of subungual myiasis by Calliphora spp. in Turkey. Myiasis should be considered in patients with lower personal hygiene, especially with chronic psychiatric disturbances.     

Onychomycosis caused by Scopulariopsis brumptii

Scopulariopsis brumptii was isolated from nail lesions in left hand of a 42 year-old-farmer. The direct microscopic examination of the nail samples revealed light brown, septate, branched fungal hyphae along with thick-walled spherical cells. The histopathological examination showed involvement of internal phase of the nail plate. Amongst the antimycotics tested against S. brumptii In vitro oxiconazole was found to be the most active with MIC value of 10 g/ml^–1. This report documents the first instance of onychomycosis caused by S. brumptii.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Talaromyces indigoticus</Emphasis> Takada &; Udagawa,the First Record for Panama and the American Continent

In a survey of mycotic human skin and nail lesions in Chiriquí, Western Panama, Talaromyces indigoticus was isolated in one case. This ascomycete is characterised by formation of gymnothecia containing oval, spinose and yellow ascospores, which become blue in mounting fluids, and by short monoverticillate or biverticillate penicilli. It is here reported the first time for Panama and the American continent. Because the strain was isolated from an onychomycosis together with a dermatophyte and other fungal strains, the pathological impact of Talaromyces indigoticus is not evident.     

Fungistatic activity of the sternal gland secretion of the dampwood termite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zootermopsis angusticollis</Emphasis>

Summary In vivo and in vitro studies indicate that cuticular chemicals from the ventral region of the abdomen where the sternal gland of the dampwood termite Zootermopsis angusticollis is located have fungistatic properties. Germination rates of conidia of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae were significantly reduced from 91% (controls) to 38.5% after nymphs walked over conidia-seeded agar medium, but did not differ from controls when the sternal gland and surrounding cuticle were sealed with nail polish. In vitro studies show that germination of fungal conidia was also significantly reduced following incubation with cuticular extracts of either sternal or tergal segments suggesting that cuticular exudates in general may have antifungal properties. Extracts of sternites had greater fungistatic activity than extracts of tergites, but the difference was not statistically significant. Extracts of the sternal gland significantly reduced germination rates by up to 9%. Germination rates were significantly reduced when conidia were incubated with n-hexanoic acid, or its vapor. n-Hexanoic acid has been recovered from whole body extracts of Zootermopsis nevadensis and may indeed be a component of the sternal gland of Z. angusticollis. Here we suggest that sternal gland secretions in termites may have had the original function of controlling microbes within the nest and their prominent role in communication may have evolved secondarily.Received 18 April 2003; revised 20 November and 17 December 2003; accepted 19 January 2004.     

小金海棠果实表皮制片方法的比较研究

为了简便而快速制作适用于光学显微镜观测的苹果属植物果实表皮标本,采用7种方法分别对小金海棠果实表皮进行整体制片后于光学显微镜下观察其形态特征,比较制片效果。结果表明:用离析刮片法、指甲油印迹法、刮片法和煮沸剥离刮片法制备的标本在光学显微镜下均呈现出清晰结构,其中煮沸剥离刮片法的制片效果最佳。因此,煮沸剥离刮片法最适用于苹果属植物果实表皮整体制片,该方法操作简便且效率高。     

Degradation of keratinous materials by the plant pathogenic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrothecium verrucaria</Emphasis>

In this paper it is described for the first time the capability of Myrothecium verrucaria to grow in submerged and solid state cultures using poultry feathers as the only substrate. The fungus produced a protease with an unusual keratinolytic activity among plant pathogenic fungi. Its crude protease hydrolyzed keratinous substrates at pH 9.0 and 40 °C in the following order: poultry feather keratin > sheep wool keratin > human nail keratin > human hair keratin. Protease activity was highly sensitive to phenylmethyl sulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) indicating that the enzyme belonged to the serine protease family.     

Keratinolytic activity of Bacillus megaterium F7-1, a feather-degrading mesophilic bacterium

The aim of this study was to investigate environmental conditions affecting chicken feather degradation and keratinolytic enzyme production by Bacillus megaterium F7-1, a feather-degrading mesophilic bacterium. B. megaterium F7-1 degraded whole chicken feather completely within 7 days. The bacterium grew with an optimum at pH 7.0–11.0 and 25–40 °C, where maximum keratinolytic activity was also observed. The production of keratinolytic enzyme by B. megaterium F7-1 was inducible with feather. Keratinolytic enzyme production by B. megaterium F7-1 at 0.6% (w/v) skim milk was 468 U/ml, which was about 9.4-fold higher than that without skim milk. The amount of keratinolytic enzyme production depended on feather concentrations. The degradation rate of autoclaved chicken feathers by cell-free culture supernatant was 26% after 24 h of incubation, but the degradation of untreated chicken feathers was unsuccessful. B. megaterium F7-1 effectively degraded feather meal, duck feather and human nail, whereas human hair and sheep wool showed relatively low degradation rates. B. megaterium F7-1 presented high keratinolytic activity and was very effective in feather degradation, providing potential use for biotechnological processes of keratin hydrolysis.     

Chromosome numbers of miscellaneous Malagasy Acanthaceae

Meiotic chromosome numbers are reported for 12 species in eight genera of Acanthaceae from Madagascar. Chromosome numbers of 11 species are reported for the first time. Counts inMendoncia (n=19) andNeuracanthus (n=20) are the first for these genera. A new chromosome number (n=30) is reported inJusticia. Systematic implications of the chromosome counts are addressed and basic chromosome numbers for these eight genera of Malagasy Acanthaceae are discussed.     

Species ofUrocystis (Ustilaginomycetes) onAnemone in Japan

Three species ofUrocystis onAnemone (Ranunculaceae) are reported based on comparative morphology with specimens collected in Japan.Urocystis anemones, U. japonica, andU. pseudoanemones sp. nov. are separated by the number of ustilospores and sterile cells surrounding the ustilospores in the spore balls. Morphological characteristics, host plants and geographical distribution of these three species are also reported. Contribution No. 148, Laboratory of Plant Pathology and Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba, Japan.     

Retention of phytoalexin regulation in legume callus cultures

Legume callus cultures were examined to assess whether regulation of phytoalexin biosynthetic pathways is retained in cultured tissues. Callus tissue cultures ofCanavalia ensiformis (jackbean),Medicago sativa (alfalfa), and nine species ofTrifolium (clover) were established (six clover species for the first time) and maintained on modified Gamborg's B5 medium. Phytoalexins educed in cultures incubated for 48 h with an abiotic elicitor (3.15 mM HgCl₂) were detected by their antifungal activity and were purified by column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Following crystallization, phytoalexins were identified by ultraviolet and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. None of the treated cultures yielded the same complement of phytoalexins reported for fungal-inoculated leaves of the corresponding plants. Callus from all species exceptT. pratense yielded medicarpin, the only phytoalexin reported in treated leaves of all the corresponding plants. A second phytoalexin, maackiain, was found in treatedT. pratense andT. medium calli; maackiain has been reported in fungal-inoculated leaves of those plant species as well asT. hybridum. The phytoalexins sativan and vestitol were not found in treated callus tissues even though they were reported to be present in fungal-inoculated leaves of the same species. These results suggest that (a) the pathway for medicarpin biosynthesis is of central importance for this group of legumes, (b) some phytoalexin anabolic pathways contain metabolic blocks in cells of cultured tissue, and (c) the mechanism for regulating phytoalexin accumulation in tissues is not lost in culture. Contribution no 8113 of the US Regional Pasture Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, University Park, PA, USA     

Cyclodorippoid crabs from the Philippines collected by the PANGLAO 2004–2005 and AURORA 2007 expeditions

The cyclodorippoid crabs from the Philippines collected by the PANGLAO 2004–2005 and AURORA 2007 expeditions are reported. Five species of Cyclodorippidae are reported: Corycodus minax sp. nov., Ketamia depressa (Ihle, 1916), Krangalangia spinosa (Zarenkov, 1970), Tymolus bruceiTavares, 1991, and Xeinostoma sakaiiTavares, 1993. Corycodus minax is the second species of the genus to be recorded from the Philippines and is most similar to C. merweaeTavares, 1993, from South Africa. Krangalangia spinosa is reported for the first time from the Philippines. Sexual dimorphism in the length of the walking legs (pereopods 2 and 3) is reported for Tymolus brucei and may be a general feature of cyclodorippoids. One new species of Cymonomidae, Cymonomus liui sp. nov., is also reported, and is most similar to C. curvirostrisSakai, 1965, from Japan.     

中国纤细蛇根草(茜草科)的订正

通过标本考证和野外研究,证实中国文献记载的纤细蛇根草（Ophiorrhiza gracilis Kurz）实为尾瓣蛇根草（O. caudipetala Deb & Monda）错误鉴定,而后者之前仅被报道分布于印度,因此为中国新记录。尾瓣蛇根草具有明显不等大的对生叶片, 花冠裂片背部具长0.6~1 mm的角状突起,易与中国蛇根草属其它种类区分。     

Fusariosis in the shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus cultured in Israel

The first case of a mycotic infection in shrimp in Israel is reported. Fusarium solani produced a large melanized lesion in a specimen of Penaeus semisulcatus cultured at Eilat, on the Red Sea. Fungal hyphae elicited a strong hemocytic response in cuticular and connective tissues. In the underlying muscle, the inflammatory reaction appeared weaker, suggesting a gradual failure by the host to resist mycelial invasion. Three cases of human keratomycosis by F. solani have been reported in recent years in Israel, suggesting that handling infected shrimp may represent a hazard to aquaculturists.