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Fungi on the claws of buffalo and cow in Egypt.

The frequency of occurrence of fungi in 120 claw samples of buffalo and cow from different localities at Assiut governorate was determined. Thirty-seven species which belong to twenty genera were collected from the two substrates and the most common genera were Chrysosporium (eleven species of Chrysosporium were isolated). Aspergillus and Scopulariopsis. From the preceding genera Chrysosporium sulfureum was common on cow claws but C. merdarium was slightly dominant on buffalo claws than on cow claws. Aspergillus flavus and A. niger were dominant on buffalo claws, but Scopulariopsis brevicaulis was prevalent on cow claws. Also other dermatophytes were isolated such as Trichophyton terrestre, T. rubrum, Histoplasma capsulatum, Phialophora gougerotii and Microsporum distortum.

Animals↗

Study of the conidial development and cleistothecium-like structure of some strains of Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Comparison with other close Dematiaeae.

The production of twenty-seven strains of Fonsecaea pedrosoi was studied. The denticulate type (asexual reproduction) showed three morphological variations: medium-size, long and sessile forms. These forms can be used to characterize the different strains isolated especially for epidemiological purposes. Only one strain (MR 1335) isolated from a chromomycosis case in Martinique showed a cleistothecium-like structure. This formation was compared to that observed in Phialophora verrucosa, another agent of chromomycosis, and to the cleistothecium of Dictyotrichiella mansonii, the perfect state of Wangiella mansonii which is a saprophyte fungus.

Chromoblastomycosis↗

Potted plants in hospitals as reservoirs of pathogenic fungi.

The soils of five potted plants cultivated within a hospital were investigated for the presence of fungal opportunistic pathogens of humans. A total of 16 potentially pathogenic species were isolated, including Aspergillus fumigatus at up to 53.5 colony-forming units (CFU) per gram dry soil and Scedosporium apiospermum (Pseudallescheria boydii) at up to 97.0 CFU/g. Other common species included Phialophora verrucosa and Fusarium solani. Scedosporium inflatum, a recently described emerging pathogen, is reported for the first time from an environmental source. The results of this study, in combination with previous case reports linking mycoses to potted plants and available information on the establishment and dispersal of fungal opportunistic pathogens in indoor habitats, indicate that indoor plant soils constitute a serious mycotic hazard to the immunosuppressed patient.

Aspergillus↗

Studies on pathogenic dematiaceous fungi. 1. Isolation from natural sources.

Two hundred and twenty-six samples of woody materials, vegetable matter and soil were processed by the direct plating and mouse inoculation technique for the isolation of pathogenic dematiaceous fungi. The species of fungi isolated were Fonsecaea pedrosoi - 13, Cladosporium carrionii - 7 and Phialophora verrucosa -4 isolates. The mouse inoculation technique was found to be much better than direct plating for the recovery of these fungi. Woody plant materials proved to be a good sample source for pathogenic dematiaceous fungi contributing about 90% of the isolates. All the isolates were pathogenic for mice as evidenced by the presence of dark nodular lesions containing fungal elements in the organs of experimentally infected animals.

Animals↗

Pyrene degradation by two fungi in a freshwater sediment and evaluation of fungal biomass by ergosterol content.

Mucor racemosus var. sphaerosporus and Phialophora alba were investigated for their abilities to degrade pyrene in a freshwater sediment, with or without glucose supply as nutrient or carbon source, during 90 days. The ergosterol contents in sediment were quantified to estimate fungal biomass and to assess the correlation between fungal activity and biodegradation of pyrene. Results showed that, in an heterogeneous environment, these fungi presented different abilities to degrade pyrene. P. alba increased the degree of pyrene degradation by 9%, compared to the native micro-organisms, but a supply of glucose acted as an inhibitor to pyrene disappearance. M. racemosus var. sphaerosporus was not efficient at sediment bioremediation (with or without glucose added), because it reduced the rate of pyrene degradation by the native microflora. In any case, there was no increase of ergosterol in boxes during bioremediation experiments. In our experimental conditions, ergosterol content could not be correlated to pyrene degradation.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Use of carbohydrate and nitrate assimilations in the identification of dematiaceous fungi.

A total of 61 isolates of dematiaceous fungi, including Exophiala jeanselmei, Wangiella dermatitidis, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Phialophora verrucosa, and a few isolates of related organisms were evaluated for their ability to assimilate 13 carbohydrates and sodium nitrate. Results indicated that patterns of assimilations can facilitate specific identifications when used with microscopic morphologic features. Eleven isolates of W. dermatitidis demonstrated negative results for nitrate assimilation, although most of the other fungi tested had positive reactions. The tests did aid in separating this very complex group of fungi.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in a renal transplant recipient: a case report and review of the literature.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by dematiaceous fungi has rarely been described in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of subcutaneous infection caused by Phialophora parasitica in a renal transplant recipient. The role of early identification of the offending fungal species followed by a wide local excision in the management of such patients has been discussed.

Adult↗

Cell-matrix patterns in the cutaneous lesion of chromomycosis.

Chromomycosis is a chronic fungal infection characterized by dermal fibrosis with persisting fungi in situ, generally leading to a verrucous skin lesion. The absence of good clinical results under specific treatment suggests irreversibility of the fibrotic lesion. Frozen and paraffin-embedded skin biopsies of eleven patients with chromomycosis due to Phialophora pedrosoi were studied by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Distinct cell-matrix patterns were found in different tissue localizations: neutrophilic abscesses with oedema and necrotic keratinocytes in the epidermis; dense connective matrix around inflammatory infiltrates, mainly composed of macrophages and giant cells, and organized granuloma in the dermis. Active fibroblasts and mast cells were constantly observed. The inability of fibrotic tissue to be remodelled seems correlated to the nature and the organization of the matrix components but, the factors triggering the initial fibrogenic events remain to be characterized.

Adult↗

Chromoblastomycosis--a clinical and mycological study of 71 cases from Sri Lanka.

Chromoblastomycosis, a well-documented chronic fungal infection, represents a specific clinical entity with typical warty cutaneous nodules and a worldwide distribution. Although more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, only a few reports are available from Sri Lanka or from Asia. Five etiologic agents of chromoblastomycosis have been recognized worldwide. Of these the majority of infections have been caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi. During the period from 1952 to 1962, only twelve culturally proven cases of this disease had been recorded from Sri Lanka. The fungus responsible was F. pedrosoi. The present report presents a study of the clinical and mycological features of 71 Sri Lankan patients with chromoblastomycosis for the 16-year period from 1978 to 1993. It documents three etiological agents. Culture identification was made in 69 cases. The three fungal species were Fonsecaea pedrosoi (64), Phialophora verrucosa (3) and a fungus compatible morphologically with F. compacta (2). The isolation of a fungus morphologically compatible with F. compacta is of significance since only 12 cases have been documented in the world's literature so far.

Adolescent↗

Chromoblastomycosis: a retrospective study of 325 cases on Amazonic Region (Brazil).

A retrospective study of 325 cases of chromoblastomycosis diagnosed in the last 55 years in the Amazon region was carried out by the main Mycology services of the state of Pará, Brazil (Department of Tropical Pathology--UFPA and Mycology Department of the Evandro Chagas Institute/FNS). The data obtained showed that: (a) the main age group affected by the diseases range from 41 to 70 years-old, (b) 86.1% of the patients were agricultural-workers, (c) 93.2% of them were males and (d) 80.7% showed lesions on the lower limbs (feet and legs). The diagnosis of 62% of the cases was confirmed by laboratory studies considering the tissue form in histopathological analysis. In 24% of patients (78 cases), the etiological agent was isolated and identified through culture. Fonsecaea pedrosoi was present in 77 cases and Phialophora verucosa in only one case.

Adolescent↗

Mycetomas in North India.

Of 60 clinically suspected cases of mycetoma, 20 were confirmed by cultural and histopathological methods. The feet were found to be affected in 70% of the cases. The age group most affected by the disease was 20-40 years. Men were involved in 18 while females were affected in 2 cases only. Actinomycetomas (70%) were found more often than eumycetomas (30%). Nocardia species were identified in 35% of cases and Madurella mycetomi in 25%. There were four cases (20%) where the etiological agents could not be identified; these were suspected to be due to Actinomadura madurae. A. pelletieri, A. madurae, an unidentified anaerobic actinomyces, and Phialophora jeanselmei, were identified in one case each.

Actinomycetales↗

Treatment of chromoblastomycosis with terbinafine: experience with four cases.

BACKGROUND: Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis that occurs more frequently in tropical and subtropical areas and is caused by a group of dematiaceous fungi. It is a difficult-to-treat mycosis with low cure rates and a high rate of relapses. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this trial is to prove the efficacy and tolerance of oral terbinafine in four cases of chromoblastomycosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included four cases of chromoblastomycosis, proved clinically and mycologically, that are presented herein; three of them caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi and one by Phialophora verrucosa. Two had a small extension and the other two were of medium and large extension. Oral terbinafine was administered at a dose of 500 mg/day, which was reduced to half in two of the cases once an 80% improvement had been reached; in the third case the initial dose was maintained, and in the fourth case the dose was increased to 750 mg/day. Three cases reached clinical and mycological cure in a mean treatment period of 7 months, the fourth case reached a significant improvement only after 1.2 years of treatment. The medication was well tolerated; no liver alterations occurred; only one patient suffered mild dyspepsia. CONCLUSION: Terbinafine at 500 mg/day doses represents one of the best treatments for chromoblastomycosis due to its efficacy and excellent tolerability.

Administration, Oral↗

Dematiaceous fungi are an increasing cause of human disease.

The dematiaceous fungi appear to be an increasing cause of human disease. At The Methodist Hospital, in Houston, Texas, five cases of serious disease caused by these fungi occurred between 1987 and 1992. Cerebral abscesses with Xylohypha bantiana followed treatment for lymphoma. An infection of the lower extremity with Exophiala jeanselmei var. castellanii followed cardiac surgery. Peritoneal growth of Alternaria tenuissima was a complication of peritoneal dialysis. Cerebral abscesses with Dactylaria gallopava occurred in a liver transplantation patient. A traumatic ankle wound contaminated with dirt led to an infection with Phialophora repens. All patients except the last were immunocompromised at the time of the infection; diabetics and patients on steroids may be at particular risk.

Adult↗

Early experience with itraconazole in vitro and in patients: pharmacokinetic studies and clinical results.

The efficacy of itraconazole, a new triazole antifungal agent, was studied in vitro and assessed in patients. The MICs of itraconazole for 16 strains of Aspergillus fumigatus were in the same range as those of amphotericin B: less than 0.09-0.36 microgram/ml vs. less than 0.09-0.78 microgram/ml, respectively. Eight adult patients with systemic fungal infections were treated orally with 100-200 mg of itraconazole two times a day. A patient with relapsing histoplasmosis (Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii) was cleared of the infection; a patient with arthritis of the knee due to Phialophora parasitica did not respond to treatment; four patients with semiinvasive pulmonary aspergillosis improved dramatically and were considered clinically cured; and two patients with aspergilloma improved. The duration of follow-up was one to nine months. Levels of itraconazole in body fluids were measured by a bioassay. Levels of drug in knee fluid were about 30% of the simultaneous levels in plasma. A progressive decrease in the level of itraconazole in plasma occurred in two patients, and a progressive increase in the levels occurred in five patients.

Adult↗

Investigating the genetic model for brown stem rot resistance in soybean.

Genetic analyses have indicated that brown stem rot (BSR) resistance in soybean is conferred by dominant alleles at three independent loci, the actions of which may be modified by linked or independent loci. A study was conducted to characterize the inheritance of BSR resistance in PI 567609, a soybean plant introduction from China. Segregating progeny from crosses of PI 567609 with BSR-susceptible and -resistant genotypes were evaluated for response to BSR-causal fungus, Phialophora gregata. Genetic analyses indicated that PI 567609 carries a single gene or cluster of linked genes for brown stem rot resistance, and that this gene (or cluster) is allelic to, or tightly linked to previously identified resistance genes, Rbs1, Rbs2, and Rbs3. Because previous allelism tests indicated that Rbs1, Rbs2, and Rbs3 were unlinked, and molecular mapping studies have indicated that Rbs1, Rbs2, and Rbs3 are linked on molecular linkage group J of soybean, a new model is proposed for BSR resistance. In this model, BSR resistance is controlled through the interaction of alleles at four independent loci, at least two of which are necessary to condition a resistance response. Functional redundancy at three of these loci allows any one of the three to interact with a fourth locus to confer resistance to BSR.

Models, Genetic↗

Subcutaneous black fungus (phaeohyphomycosis) infection in renal transplant recipients:three cases.

We describe three cases of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis developing in the lower limbs of renal transplant recipients shortly after transplantation. Each case presented with dark-colored nodules that subsequently ulcerated. Histopathologic examination revealed dematiaceous fungal hyphae with a surrounding granulomatous reaction. The fungi were subsequently identified as Alternaria alternatum in two cases and Phialophora richardsiae in one case. In one case, the lesions resolved during a prolonged (6-month) course of itraconazole without the requirement for surgical excision. In the other two cases, combined medical and surgical treatment resulted in cure. A review of the literature on phaeohyphomycosis is presented.

Aged↗

Role of the fungal cell wall in the granulomatous response of mice to the agents of chromomycosis.

Mice were given, intraperitoneally, inocula of a cell-wall preparation and fractions thereof from Fonsecaea pedrosoi, F. compactum, Cladosporium carrioni and Phialophora verrucosum. Large doses of cell-wall preparation, with or without trypsin treatment, produced a pronounced loss of body weight, a granulomatous reaction and, sometimes, death. After extraction of the cell wall preparation with 1N NaOH, three fractions were obtained: an alkali-insoluble fraction 1; an alkali-soluble acid-insoluble fraction 2; and an alkali- and acid-soluble fraction 3. Intravenous administration showed that only fraction 1 induced a granulomatous reaction and death in mice.

Animals↗

Phagocytosis, production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines by macrophages in the presence of dematiaceous [correction of dematiaceus] fungi that cause chromoblastomycosis.

Chromoblastomycosis is characterized by the slow development of polymorphic skin lesions (nodules, verrucas, tumores, plaques and scar tissue). Inside the host, infectious propagules adhere to epithelial cells and differentiate into sclerotic forms, which effectively resist destruction by host effector cells and allow onset of chronic disease. A cellular immune response against fungi is essential to control infection. Amongst the cells of the immune system, macrophages play the most important role in controlling fungal growth. In this study, we show that the fungicidal characteristic of macrophages is dependent on the fungal species that causes chromoblastomycosis. We began by observing that the phagocytic index was higher for Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Rhinocladiella aquaspersa compared with that of other fungi. Complement-mediated phagocytosis was more important for Phialophora verrucosa and R. aquaspersa and was inhibited by mannan when F. pedrosoi and R. aquaspersa conidia were phagocytosed by macrophages. We showed that macrophages killed significantly only R. aquaspersa. We also found that the phagocytosis of fungi has functional consequences for macrophages as phagocytosis resulted in down-modulation of MHC-II and CD80 expression as well as in the inhibition of the basal liberation of NO. However, the inhibition of the basal liberation of NO nor the down-modulation of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules were observed in the presence of R. aquaspersa.

Animals↗