Growth Characteristics and Enzyme Activity in Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Isolates

Eighty soil samples were collected from various sites of Bahrain and screened for presence of keratinophilic fungi using hair baiting techniques for isolation. Thirty-six isolates were recovered and identified. The cultures were identified using 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 confirmation. Eight species of five genera were isolated viz. Aphanoascus fulvuscence (8.75%), Aphanoascus punsolae (20.00%), Chrysosporium indicum (2.50%), Chrysosporium tropicum (2.50%), Chrysosporium zonatum (3.75%), Spiromastix warcupii (1.25%), Microsporum gypseum (3.75%), and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2.50%). In conclusion, our study indicates that keratinophilic fungi do occur in the various soils of Bahrain. Moreover, the narrow diversity and low density of keratinophilic fungi in the investigated soils is expected and is emblematic to other hot arid environments.     

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%).     

Keratinophilic fungi inhabiting floor dusts of student houses at the South Valley University in Egypt

Keratinophilic fungi include true fungi that vigorously degrade keratin as well as a number of important human pathogenic dermatophytes. We identified 41 species and one variety belonging to 19 genera in 50 floor dust samples following culture on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar medium at 28°C. Dermatophytes and closely related fungi were represented by six species—Aphanoascus fulvescens, Aphanoascus sp., Arthroderma cuniculi, Chrysosporium lucknowense, Gymnoascus uncinatus and Trichophyton rubrum. There were 35 species and one variety of other fungal species, with members of Aspergillus and Penicllium being the most prevalent. Twenty-seven species and 1 variety belonging to 14 genera were identified from 24 dust samples gathered at 2-week intervals from male student housing at El-Kenose during January–December 2005 that had been cultured on Sabauraud’s dextrose agar at 28°C. The monthly counts of keratinophilic fungi showed irregular fluctuations, with a peak in April and the lowest point in November. Dermatophytes and closely related fungi were represented by Aphanoascus fulvescens, Aphanoascus sp., Chrysosporium lucknowense, Gymnoascus uncinatus, and Trichophyton rubrum. In conclusion, the study reports the incidences of some dermatophytes found in the floor dust of student houses of South Valley University, Egypt.     

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 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.     

Isolation of Dermatophytes and other Keratinophilic Fungi from the Vicinity of Salt Pan Soils of Mumbai,India

Soil samples from twenty salt pans and their vicinity around Mumbai and Thane were screened for the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes. Ten species classified in six genera were recovered using horse hair as bait. The isolated species were reported in the following order of dominance: Chrysosporium indicum (12.0%), Microsporum gypseum complex (7.2%), C. tropicum (5.6%), C. state of Ctenomyces serratus (4.0%), Trichophyton terrestre (3.2%), Malbranchea aurantiaca (2.4%), C. fluviale (1.6%), Uncinocarpus reesii (1.6%), Malbranchea sp. (0.8%), and T. mentagrophytes (0.8%).     

Keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi of children's sandpits in the city of Turin

Soils rich in keratinic residues constitute a permanent or occasional reservoir for dermatophytes and keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi, and are a source of potential infection for man and animals.The keratinolytic and keratinophilic mycoflora of 28 sandpits in Turin was studied to evaluate the risk of fungal skin infections that is run by children as they play in public parks and to lay the ground-work for a next epidemiological study of soil- and animal-inhabiting dermatophytes found in cities, and their impact on human dermatophytoses. Fifty seven species were isolated and a high percentage (52%) showed keratinolytic activity. Species of Microsporum, Trichophyton, Mariannaea, Aphanoascus, Chrysosporium, Malbranchea and Geomyces showed the most active keratinolysis.Work n. 315 performed under the auspices of the Centro di Studio sulla Micologia del Terreno del C.N.R. at the Dipartimento di Biologia vegetale dell Università di Torino.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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 survey of keratinophilic fungi as a tool for hen feather utilization

One hundred keratinophilic fungi belonging toAcremonium, Aphanoascus, Amauroascus, Botryotrichum, Chrysosporium, Ctenomyces, Gymnoascus, Malbranchea, Microsporum, Narashimella andVerticillium were tested for their potential to utilize hen feathers as keratinous waste.Acremonium sp. 2 andChrysosporium europae released 494.33 and 457.33 μg/ml protein from feathers respectively.Microsporum gypseum released 698.66 μg/ml protein from feathers. Some of these keratinophilic strains other thanMicrosporum may prove beneficial as tools for rapid utilization of not only feathers but other hard keratinous substrates and their end product may be of industrial importance.     

Taxonomic studies on new or critical fungi of non-pathogenic Onygenales 4

Three noteworthy taxa of soil-borne onygenalean fungi are described and illustrated:Kraurogymnocarpa trochleospora, comb. nov.,Kuehniella aurea, comb. nov., andNannizziopsis albicans. In addition,Aphanoascus boninensis, which was previously described as a new species, is considered to be a synonym ofUncinocarpus orissi.     

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%).     

Keratinophilic fungi from soil of Brittany,France

The Present work reports the study of the distribution of keratinophilic fungi isolated from 39 samples of soil collected in Brittany, France. Keratinophilic fungi were isolated from 35 (92.3%) of the samples studied. The most frequently found species wereFusarium moniliforme, Penicillium viridicatum and an unidentified species ofAcremonium. The other fungi isolated were members of the generaChrysosporium, Gliocladium, Mucor, Trichoderma andTrichophyton.     

Occurrence of keratinophilic fungi on Indian birds

Keratinophilic fungi were isolated from feathers of most common Indian birds,viz. domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus), domestic pigeon (Columba livia), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), house crow (Corvus splendens), duck (Anas sp.), rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri). Out of 87 birds, 58 yielded 4 keratinophilic fungal genera representing 13 fungal species and one sterile mycelium. The isolated fungi were cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar at 28±2°C.Chrysosporium species were isolated on most of the birds.Chrysosporium lucknowense andChrysosporium tropicum were the most common fungal species associated with these Indian birds. Maximum occurrence of fungi (47%) was recorded on domestic chickens and the least number of keratinophilic fungi was isolated from the domestic pigeon and duck. The average number of fungi per bird was found to be the 0.44.     

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.     

Incidence of keratinophilic fungi in the soil of primary schools and public parks of Madras city,India

The pattern of incidence of keratinophilic fungi inhabiting the soil of 30 primary schools and 15 public parks in the city of Madras was studied using hair baiting technique. A total number of 31 species belonging to 15 genera were recovered, 16 of which were common to both the school and public park soil. Dermatophytes and closely related species were represented by 9 species, of which the following were the most commonly found species in soil: Chrysosporium tropicum (62.2%), C. keratinophilum (48.8%), M. gypseum (48.8%), C. pannorum (40%), T. mentagrophytes (37.7%), T. terrestre (31.1%) and C. anam. A. cuniculi (24.4%). The fungi encountered have also been discussed in relation to their global distribution. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hair and scalp mycobiota in school children in Nablus area

Hair and scalp mycobiota of 1389 clinically normal children aged 6–12 years attending 12 schools in the Nablus District, Palestinian Authority, was assessed on three occasions over 8-month period (October 1998–May 1999) using the hair brush technique. One hundred and one fungal species belonging to 33 genera were recovered: 6 dermatophytes, 16 dermatophyte-like keratinophilic fungi, and 79 other keratinophilic fungal species. Species varied considerably in their frequency of occurrence and abundance based on their relative importance values (RIVs). The most frequent and abundant species were: Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cl. herbarum, Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus flavus. Microsporum canis, Aphanoascus fulvescence and Chrysosporum sulfureum were the most frequent and abundant species of all dermatophytes and dermatophyte-like keratinophilic fungi recovered. The most frequent and abundant dermatophytes in different communities were M. canis in rural (RIV 0.87) and urban children (0.45), and Trichophyton violaceum (1.41) in refugee camp children. Chrysosporium species were the most frequent and abundant dermatophyte-like keratinophilic fungus in children from all localities followed by Aphanoascus fulvescence. Comparable results on the frequency and abundance of human hair and scalp mycobiota component fungi were obtained based on age group and sex of children. Higher number of species was recovered in spring months (73 species) than in autumn (57) and winter (44) months. Similar occurrence pattern was also noted for dermatophyte-like keratinophilic species and dermatophytes. Higher percentages of children with moderate (11–50) and heavy (≤ 50) spore loads (7.54 and 0.73, respectively) were found in urban school children community than in rural and refugee camp school children (4.7 and 0.1, respectively). Also significantly higher light (1–10) spore load percentages were found in rural (63.67) and refugee camp (62.9) than in urban children (52.6). Of all localities, school children with light spore load comprised the highest percentage of the children examined (37.4), followed by moderate (6.13), and heavy (0.41) spore load categories. However, children with undetected spore load comprised 36.05% of all children. Spore load distribution did not show clear seasonal variations in the study period. Higher percentages of moderate and heavy spore loads were found in male children (8.72 and 0.69, respectively) than in female children (3.4 and 0.1, respectively). However, higher percentages of undetected (38.3) or light spore loads (58.4) were found in females than in males (34.04 and 56.53, respectively). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.