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%).     

Distribution of keratinophilic fungi in animal folds in Kuwait

Soil samples from seventeen animal herds (camels, goats, sheep, cows) were surveyed for the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi. Twenty four species related to eleven genera were recovered on defated wool baits. Eleven Chrysosporium species were reported in the following order of dominance: C. keratinophilum, C. tropicum, C. indicum, C. queenslandicum, C. pannicola, C. carmichaelii, C. state of Arthroderma curreyi, C. zonatum, C. state of A. cuniculi and Chrysosporium state of Renispora flavissima. The Aphanoascus teleomorph of C. keratinophilum, C. indicum and C. tropicum were frequently reported in soils from cow and sheep folds. Scopulariopsis, Cephaliophora and Sepedonium, although not keratinolytic, were also recorded on wool baits of soils from cow herds which are slightly acidic. The frequency and distribution of these fungi are discussed in relation to animal species and the general ecological conditions of desert soils.     

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.     

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).     

Mycoflora of camel and goat hairs from Al-Arish,Egypt

The frequency of occurrence of fungi in 120 hair samples of camel and goat from four different localities of Al-Arish governorate was determined.Twenty-six genera and 54 species were collected from the two substrates and the most common genera were Chrysosporium and Aspergillus, followed by Cladosporium. From the preceding genera Chrysosporium keratinophilum, C. tropicum, C. indicum, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Also, other keratinophilic fungi were isolated such as C. luteum, C. pannorum, C. parvum, C. dermatitidis, C. inops, Arthroderma tuberculatum, Histoplasma capsulatum and Myceliophthora vellerea.     

Pathogenicity of some chrysosporium species isolated in France

In order to appreciate the pathogenicity of several geophilic Chrysosporium species (including Anixiopsis stercoraria, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, C. tropicum, C. pannorum, C. state of Arthroderma curreyi, C. state of A. multifidum, and C. state of A. tuberculatum), the authors have realized two series of experimental infestations. Inoculation of these fungi on the back of guinea pigs produced rare erythematous scaling lesions which spontaneously disappeared 3–5 weeks later. No real hair invasion was observed. In white mice, eight weeks after intraperitoneal inoculation, granulomas with necrotic center were observed in the peritoneal tissue with C. keratinophilum, C. tropicum, C. state of A. curreyi and C. state of A. tuberculatum. Conidia were often intact in necrotic centers and retrocultures were positive. With C. state of A. curreyi, spherical spores associated with rare budding cells were noted. The pathogenic role of these keratinophilic fungi is uncertain. However, their ability to remain viable for several weeks in skin and peritoneal tissue indicates that they could become pathogen in certain circumstances.This paper was presented at the X^th congress of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology at Barcelona, Spain from June 27 to July 1, 1988.     

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 and other moulds associated with air-dust particles from Egypt

One-hundred and eleven species and three species varieties belonging to 39 genera were collected from 50 dust samples on the five media used at 28°C. Using the hair-baiting technique with horse hair, 10 species ofChrysosporium were isolated:C. asperatum, C. state ofArthroderma tuberculatum, C. indicum, C. inops, C. keratinophilum, C. merdarium, C. pannorum, C. queenslandicum, C. tropicum andC. xerophilum. True dermatophytes were isolated:Trichophyton verrucosum andTrichophyton sp. Also, numerous fungi tolerating high levels of cycloheximide were encountered, such as members ofAcremonium, Aspergillus andPenicillium. On plates of glucose or cellulose Czapek-Dox agar (free from sucrose) the most frequent fungi were:Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A. flavus var.columnaris, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. ochraceus, A. sydowii, A. terreus, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium herbarum, Emericella nidulans, Fusarium oxysporum, Mucor hiemalis, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. oxalicum, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis andUlocladium atrum. On plates of 50% sucrose or 10 and 20% NaCl-Czapek's agar, some interesting species were frequently encountered:Eurotium amstelodami, E. chevalieri, E. halophilicum, E. montevidensis, E. repens, E. rubrum andScopulariopsis halophilica. The isolated, fungi have been tested for osmophilicity and halophilicity, they showed different rates of growth on sucrose and sodium chloride-Czapek's medium of various osmotic potential.     

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.

     

Keratinophilic fungi from the vicinity of meteorite crater soils of Lonar (India)

Thirty-two soil samples were collected from six sites in the vicinity of Lonar lake, a meteorite crater and screened for presence of keratinophilic fungi using hair baiting techniques for isolation. Seventeen isolates were recovered and identified. The cultures were identified by recognition of their 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 identification purpose. Seven species of four genera were isolated viz. Aphanoascus durus (9.38%), Aphanoascus punsolae (3.125%), Auxarthron kuehnii (3.125%), Chrysosporium indicum (25.00%), Chrysosporium tropicum (3.125%), Chrysosporium sp. (3.125%), Chrysosporium state of Ctenomyces serratus (6.25%).     

Morphological characterization of in-vitro human hair keratinolysis,produced by identified wild strains of Chrysosporium species

Chrysosporium species were isolated from soil and keratinized material. Primary isolation was performed following the general method of hair baiting on modified Czapek-agar media with washed, defated and sterilized human hair fragments added. Strains were maintained in test tubes of potato dextrose agar at 29 °C and cultivated on phytone yeast extract agar at 28 °C for 14 days for identification. Isolates were characterized using Van Oorschot's key. Keratinolytic activity was expressed following a subjective scale representing degree/severity of attack upon hair surface and presence of fungal structures observed in substrate. Culture results and characterization methods were effective for soil Chrysosporium strain isolation. A new hair attack mode is described. Of 71 keratinolytic fungal isolates, eight (12%) Chrysosporium species were identified. One keratinolytic Chrysosporium sp. isolate is yet to be identified.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The broad-scale distribution of microfungi in the Windmill Islands region, continental Antarctica

Microfungi were isolated from soils, mosses, algae and lichens in the Windmill Islands region of Antarctica. From a total of 1,228 isolates, 22 genera were identified. The most frequently isolated fungi from mosses were Mycelia sterilia (47% of total isolates), Phoma spp. (18%), Penicillium spp. (11%), Chrysosporium spp. (7%) and Thelebolus microsporus (6%). Mycelia sterilia, Penicillium spp., Mortierella spp., Chrysosporium cf. pannorum and Thelebolus microsporus were also frequently isolated from algae. Fungal distribution and diversity were poor in samples of lichens, compared to samples from mosses and algae. The frequency of occurrence of microfungi was most often associated with strong biotic influence. There was a marked increase in fungal diversity in human-disturbed sites. Twelve taxa were restricted to soils from near the Australian Casey Station, suggesting significant introduction of fungi into this environment by human activities. Away from the station, fungal distribution appeared to be related to substrata and nutrient status rather than dispersal opportunities. Suggestions for future research and the need for constant monitoring to clarify the role of human disturbance on Antarctic fungi are discussed. Received: 1 April 1997 / Accepted: 17 August 1997     

Keratinolysis and its morphological expression in hair digestion by airborne fungi

The morphological expression of keratinolysis in fungi isolated from the air of Torino (98 isolates belonging to 36 species) was studied. Light microscopy on whole material and on semithin sections, as well as scanning electron microscopy was used. There were 19 keratinolytically active species, with seven in the genusChrysosporium (C. indicum, C. keratinophilum, C. pannicola, C. tropicum, C. an.Arthroderma cuniculi, C. an.Pectinotrichum llanense, C. an.Renispora flavissima), four in the genusMalbranchea (M. arcuata, M. fulva, M. sulphurea, M. st.Uncinocarpus reesii), and three in the genusTrichophyton (T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. terrestre). In addition there wereAphanoascus fulvescens, Beauveria bassiana, Geomyces pannorum v.pannorum, Gymnoascus umbrinus andMyceliophthora vellerea. Most of these species were capable of developing structures related to surface erosion and radial penetration contemporaneously. HoweverGymnoascus umbrinus, Myceliophthora vellerea, an isolate ofC. indicum, C. tropicum andTrichophyton mentagrophytes demonstrated only surface erosion. Different isolates of one species can vary in their production of invasive structures and in degree of keratinolytic activity. Thus such activity, like many biochemical activities of fungi, does not appear to be a constant or rigorously species-specific character.     

Incidence of dermatophytes and cyclohexamide resistantfungi on healthy children hairs and nails in nurseries

In order to estimate the prevalence of dermatophytes and other fungi on healthy children hairs and nails, 92 hair samples and 85 nail samples (groups of 10 finger nails from each child) were collected from 5 nurseries (children aged 9 months up to 4 years) in Assiut city. From hair samples 22 species were collected, Trichophyton (2 species) and Microsporum (2 species) were the only recovered dermatophytes in addition to well known keratinophilic genus Chrysosporium (4 species). From nail samples, 18 species were identified, Trichophyton was represented by 4 species, Microsporum, 2 species and Chrysosporium, 4 species. Also, several other saprophytes and cycloheximide resistant fungi were isolated. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

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.     

The isolation of keratinophilic fungi from soil and wild animals in South Dakota

Hairs and skin scrapings from 224 wild animals representing 30 species were examined for the presence of keratinophilic fungi. Commercial agars and sterile soil plates moistened with water containing cycloheximide were utilized for culturing specimens. Keratinophilic fungi of the generaTrichophyton andChrysosporium were isolated from 26.8% of the specimens. Using the hair baiting technique of Vanbreuseghem, 54 soil samples were screened for keratinophilic fungi. Eighteen (33.3%) of the samples were positive for the genusTrichophyton. Microsporon spp. were not recovered from the animal hairs or soil samples.

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Zusammenfassung Haare und Haut von 224 wilden Tieren, von dreißig Arten, sind für das Vorkommen von keratinophilen Pilzen untersucht worden. Agar und sterile mit Wasser angefeuchtete Erdbodenplatten mit Cycloheximid sind für Kulturzwecke benützt worden. Keratinophile Pilze von den GattungenTrichophyton undChrysosporium sind von 26.8% der Proben isoliert worden. Mittels der Haarködermethode von Vanbreuseghem sind 54 Erdbodenproben für keratinophile Pilze untersucht worden. Achtzehn der Proben (33.3%) waren für die GattungTrichophyton positiv.Mikrosporon spp. wurden von Tierhaaren oder Erdbodenproben nicht erhalten.

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Approved by the director of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station as Journal Series No. 916.

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Formerly was of the staff of the Bacteriology Department at South Dakota State University.     

Species diversity of keratinophilic fungi in various soil types

Keratinophilic fungi are a highly specialized, keratin-degrading ecological group. They live in natural environments, mostly in the keratinrich remains of dead animal in the soil. We investigated species diversity in four types of soils with different physico-chemical properties. The strain material was identified based on morphological characters. Different representatives of Chrysosporium and geophilic dermatophytes dominated depending on soil pH. Geophilic dermatophytes were represented by one species, Trichophyton ajelloi, and the Chrysosporium group was represented by Chrysosporium keratinophilum. The frequency of Trichophyton ajelloi increased with an increase in pH, and it reached the maximum in strongly acidic soil (podzol), unlike the Chrysosporium group. The frequency of Chrysosporium keratinophilum was positively correlated with the content of humus, nitrogen, CaCO₃ and phosphorus in the soils.     

Keratinophilic fungi from Orissa, India, II: Isolations from feathers of wild birds and domestic fowls

Feather samples from 117 birds, representing 11 species, were examined for keratinophilic fungi. Of these, 63 (53.8%) were found to be positive. Nine species of fungi classified in 6 genera were isolated: Aphanoascus terreus (1.7%), Chrysosporium indicum (26.4%), Chrys. tropicum (11.1%) the Chrysosporium state of Aphanoascus spp. (2.5%), the Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma tuberculatum (3.4%), Ctenomyces serratus (0.8%), Gymnoascoideus petalosporus (7.6%), Malbranchea spp. (6.8%), Rollandina hyalinospora (6.8%). Passer domesticus (the house sparrow) harboured the largest varieties of keratinophilic fungi: the Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma tuberculatum was found to be associated with it selectively. The associations of these keratinophilic fungi with birds were non-clinical in nature.     

Incidence of Keratinophilic Fungi from the Selected Soils of Kaziranga National Park,Assam (India)

Seventy-eight soil samples were collected from the various locations in the vicinity of Kaziranga National Park (Assam), India, during April to October 2009 and screened for the presence of keratinophilic fungi using the hair baiting techniques for isolation. Thirty-nine isolates were recovered and identified by recognition of their macro- and micromorphological features. Their identification was also confirmed by the BLAST search of sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region against the NCBI/GenBank data and compared with deposited sequences for identification purpose. Eleven species related to seven genera were recorded viz. Aphanoascus durus (1.28%), Arthroderma tuberculatum (3.84%), Arthroderma corniculatum (1.28%), Chrysosporium indicum (16.66%), C. tropicum (3.84%), Ctenomyces serratus (5.12%), Keratinophyton punsolae (1.28%), Microsporum appendiculatum (1.28%), Microsporum gypseum complex (11.53%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (11.28%) and T. terrestre (2.56%).