Bacterial and fungal endophthalmitis in upper Egypt: related species and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To study risk factors, contributing factors of bacterial and fungal endophthalmitis in Upper Egypt, test the isolated species sensitive to some therapeutic agents, and to investigate the air-borne bacteria and fungi in opthalmology operating rooms. METHODS: Thirty one cases of endophthalmitis were clinically diagnosed and microbiologically studied. Indoor air-borne bacteria and fungi inside four air-conditioned operating rooms in the Ophthalmology Department at Assiut University Hospitals were also investigated. The isolated microbes from endophthalmitis cases were tested for their ability to produce some extracellular enzymes including protease, lipase, urease, phosphatase and catalase. Also the ability of 5 fungal isolates from endophthalmitis origin to produce mycotoxins and their sensitivity to some therapeutic agents were studied. RESULTS: Results showed that bacteria and fungi were responsihle for infection in 10 and 6 cases of endophthalmitis, respectively and only 2 cases produced a mixture of bacteria and fungi. Trauma was the most prevalent risk factor of endophthalmitis where 58.1% of the 31 cases were due to trauma. In ophthalmology operating rooms, different bacterial and fungal species were isolated. 8 bacterial and 5 fungal isolates showed their ability to produce enzymes while only 3 fungal isolates were able to produce mycotoxins. Terbinafine showed the highest effect against most isolates in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: The ability of bacterial and fungal isolates to produce extracellular enzymes and mycotoxins may be aid in the invasion and destruction of eye tissues. Microbial contamination of operating rooms with air-borne bacteria and fungi in the present work may be a source of postoperative endophthalmitis.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of new wood- and soil-inhabiting Sporothrix species in the Ophiostoma stenoceras-Sporothrix schenckii complex.

Sporothrix, one of the anamorph genera of Ophiostoma, includes the important human pathogen S. schenckii and various fungi associated with insects and sap stain of wood. A survey of fungi from wood utility poles in South Africa yielded two distinct groups of Sporothrix isolates from different geographical areas. DNA sequence and morphological data derived in this study showed that isolates in these groups represent two novel species in the S. schenckii-O. stenoceras species complex. A new species isolated from pine poles and rosebush wood and phylogenetically closely related to S. pallida is described here as Sporothrix stylites. Phylogenetic analyses also confirmed the synonymy of S. albicans and S. nivea with S. pallida. Sporothrix stylites and S. pallida also are related closely to the isolates from soil, previously treated as "environmental" isolates of S. schenckii. Soil isolates are clearly distinct from human isolates of S. schenckii. We describe the former here as Sporothrix humicola. The isolates from eucalypt poles group peripheral to most other species in the S. schenckii-O. stenoceras complex and are newly described as Sporothrix lignivora. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences of isolates from soil and wood together with those of clinical isolates showed that the human-pathogenic strains form an aggregate of several cryptic species.

Effect of two systemic fungicides on cellulose decomposing fungi of tomato plants and on some enzymatic activities.

Kocide 101 (77% cupric hydroxide) and Ridomil plus (15% metalaxyl and 35% copper oxychloride) were used in the treatment of tomato plants. The two fungicides exerted a depressive effect on the total counts and on the individual cellulose decomposing fungal species associated with the roots and shoots of tomato. When these fungicides were incorporated in the liquid culture medium specified for growth and extracellular enzyme production by some selected fungal species, there was a significant reduction in mycelial growth as well as in amylase, cellulase, lipase and protease production by the fungi tested, particularly at the higher doses (200-400 ppm). Exceptions were observed with lower doses (50 and 100 ppm) especially in case of Aspergillus flavus, Cunninghamella echinulata, Penicillium chrysogenum and Fusarium oxysporum grown for amylase or cellulase production.

Synthesis and in vitro antifungal activity of some N,N-disubstituted dithiocarbamic acid esters derived from 2-methylquinazolinones.

A series of 2-[(N,N-disubstituted thiocarbamoylthio)methyl]quinazolinones 9a-g; 10a; 10d; 11a-d and 12a were synthesized and evaluated for potential antifungal activity against a variety of fungal species. The synthesis of the target compounds was achieved by reaction of the potassium salts of disubstituted dithiocarbamic acids 8a-g and the respective 2-bromomethyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone 4 or 3-aryl-2-chloromethyl-4(3H)-quinazolinones 5-7. The dithiocarbamic acid derivatives were synthesized in a one step reaction from the appropriate amine, alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution and carbon disulfide. TLC and elemental analyses ascertained the purity of the synthesized compounds and their structures were confirmed by IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. 2-Methyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone 2, the precursor of the 2-bromomethyl intermediate 4, was selected as representative example for detailed spectroscopic investigations, including 300 MHz 1H- and 13C-NMR in addition to HH COSY; APT and 1H13C HETCOR spectra, with the aim of establishing correct assignment of the spectral data of related compounds. The synthesized disubstituted dithiocarbamates 9a-g; 10a,d; 11a-d and 12a as well as tolnaftate and clotrimazole, as reference drugs, were tested in vitro at 2 and 5% concentrations against 23 pathogenic fungi. The study revealed that compound 9a exhibited broad spectrum inhibitory activity that is superior or comparable to that of the reference drugs against the tested fungal isolates. Selective fungistatic activity against Candida species was elicited by compound 9e and against Microsporum species as well as Trichophyton mentagrophytes was also observed for compound 9g. As a general pattern it might be postulated that some of the synthesized dithiocarbamate derivatives showed broad spectrum antifungal activity as compared with tolnaftate, the clinically used thiocarbamate compound, and also exhibited comparable activity to clotrimazole against Candida species and F. Solani.

Effect of soil treatment with the organophosphorus insecticide Profenfos on the fungal flora and some microbial activities.

Tests were conducted to determine the effects of Profenfos [(0-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenyl) 0-ethyl S-n-propyl-phosphorothioat] on fungal populations and some activities in soil. Profenfos (at 5.4 micrograms active ingredient/g dry soil), has a significant adverse effect on the count of total fungi after 2, 4 and 6 weeks after treatment. This effect was completely alleviated after longer incubation. Incorporation of this insecticide into the agar medium inhibited the total count of soil fungi at 6.4 and 38.4 micrograms ml-1. Initial activation followed by a decrease in CO2 output occurred in soil treated with 5.4 micrograms a.i./g. The two doses of Profenfos accelerated urease activity for 6 weeks after soil treatment, but inhibited the enzyme activity after longer periods. An inhibitory effect on nitrate reductase activity was observed with some insecticide treatments in the early stages of incubation followed by an activation in certain cases.

Some ecological and physiological studies on bacteria isolated from salt-affected soils of Egypt.

Members of Bacillaceae, Rhizobiaceae, actinomycetes and others were isolated from cultivated and non-cultivated saline soils. The high population of bacteria and actinomycetes were almost coincided with the relatively high levels of organic matter whatever the degree of soil salinity. Bacillus stearothermophilus and B. subtilis were more frequently isolated than other Bacillus species. Most of Rhizobium isolates were salt tolerant being able to grow in media containing 3% and 6% NaCl. The abilities of different bacterial isolates to attack citrus pectin, soluble and insoluble forms of cellulose were also tested.

Some physiological studies on fungi isolated from poultry feedstuffs.

A total of 506 isolates of mesophilic, thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi isolated from the poultry feed ingredients included soybean meals, ground maize, cottonseed cake, wheat bran and fish meal, on glucose-Czapek's agar, Littman oxgall agar at 28 degrees C and yeast starch agar (YPSs) at 45 degrees C, were screened for their ability to produce hydrolytic protease enzyme on solid media. Most of the fungal isolates were able to produce such enzymes but with variable capabilities. The highest proteolytic activity was exhibited by some isolates of Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus flavus, Thermoascus thermophilus and Rhizopus chizopodifarmis. Of all fungal isolates screened for proteolytic activity, Penicillium chrysogenum and Thermoascus thermophilus produced the highest amounts of proteases. These two isolates were used to study the effect of some environmental and nutritional factors on their proteolytic activity. It was found that the highest yield of protease by P. chrysogenum (12.5 units) was achieved 3 days after incubation at 30 degrees C. Marked reduction in protease activity was observed at 37 degrees C. The thermophilic fungus T. thermophillus exhibited maximum (18 units) proteolytic activity 6 days after incubation at 45 degrees C. The enzyme yield was reduced to 13 units at 50 degrees C. Among the seven carbon sources tested, sucrose was the most appropriate for maximum protease production by both P. chrysogenum and T. thermophilus (13.2 and 12.8 units, respectively). Of the sixteen nitrogen sources investigated, NaNO3 was the best inorganic additive nitrogenous salt which induced the highest proteolytic activity by P. chrysogenum and T. thermophilus, whereas DL-tryptophan was the most preferable organic nitrogen compound for maximum protease production by the two fungi tested.

Survey of keratinophilic and saprobic fungi in the cloven-hooves and horns of goats and sheep from Egypt.

Seventy-six species belonging to 29 genera were collected from 320 samples of cloven-hooves and horns of goats and sheep. Chrysosporium was the most common genus on the various substrates and comprehended the following species: C. asperatum, Chrysosporium anamorph of Arthroderma cuniculi, Chrysosporium anamorph of Arthroderma curreyi, C. georgii, C. indicum, C. keratinophilum, C. lobatum, C. lucknowense, C. pannicola, C. pseudomerdarium, C. queenslandicum, Chrysosporium state of Thielavia sepedonium and C. tropicum. Some interesting fungi were isolated: Myceliophthora anamorph of Arthroderma tuberculatum, Myceliophthora anamorph of Corynoascus novoguineensis, Myceliophthora anamorph of Ctenomyces serratus, Trichosporon cutaneum, Trichophyton terrestre and T. verrucosum. Also, several saprobic filamentous fungi tolerating high levels of cycloheximide were isolated of which numerous members of Acremonium, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Penicillium, Scopulariopsis and several others.

Studies on the mycoflora of Aswan High Dam Lake, Egypt: monthly variations.

Fifty-one species and one variety appertaining to twenty one genera of mesophilic fungi were recovered from the monthly samples of marginal water (44 species, 1 variety and 18 genera) and submerged mud (78 species, 1 variety and 30 genera) of Aswan High Dam Lake during the period from July 1985 to December 1986. The most common species were Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. terreus, A. niger and Penicillium funiculosum. The highest fungal populations were almost detected either in October, in December 1985 or in February 1986. Of the 12 thermophilic and thermotolerant fungal species, A. fumigatus and A. nidulans were the most common. Paecilomyces variotii, Rhizomucor pusillus, Thermomyces lanuginosus, Thermoascus thermophilus and Sporotrichum thermophilum were fairly common in one locality or more. The physico-chemical characteristics of water and mud samples were also followed.

Studies on the mycoflora of Aswan High Dam Lake, Egypt: vertical fluctuations.

The fungal population of Aswan High Dam Lake showed marked vertical variations during the period of study which extended from July 1985 to December 1986. High fungal counts were observed at the surface water which were mainly due to the high counts of Aspergillus fumigatus and A. terreus. Going deeper the fungal population decreased till 30 meters, then gradually increased to reach its maximum at the 70 meter depth (near the bottom of the lake). Such increase was basically due to the high population of Penicillium funiculosum. At each sampling time, the water temperature and the values of dissolved oxygen were always higher at the surface than near the bottom of the lake. The temperature ranged from 15 degrees to 26 degrees C and the dissolved oxygen from 1.31 to 8.98 mg 1(-1).

Mycoflora of anise and fennel seeds in Egypt.

Using four medium types (glucose-, cellulose-, 50% sucrose- and 10% NaCl-Czapek's agar), it was possible to isolate 15 fungal genera, 78 species and 6 varieties. The collective fungal spectrum varied from one medium to another where the highest number of species (57 species/1000 seeds) was obtained on glucose- and the lowest (31 species/1000 seeds) on 10% NaCl-Czapek's agar. Aspergillus, Penicillium, and sometimes Rhizopus and Chaetomium were the most common genera on the different medium types. The most common fungal species especially on glucose- and cellulose-Czapek's agar were, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. ochraceus, A. fumigatus, A. flavus var. columnaris, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Chaetomium globosum. Members of A. glaucus group were more frequently recovered on 10% NaCl- and 50% sucrose-Czapek's agar.

Keratinophilic fungi associated with rabbit claws in Egypt.

Using the soil plate technique, thirty one species appertaining to twenty three genera were recovered from 160 samples of rabbit claws which were collected from a rabbit farm at Assiut. Of the true keratinophilic fungi Chrysosporium tropicum was the most prevalent where it colonized 56.25% of the samples. Microsporum gypseum was rarely isolated in this study. Among the non-keratinophilic fungi Penicillium funiculosum. P. jenseni and Paccilomyces lilacinus were of low incidence (20%, 19.37% and 14.37% of the samples, respectively).

Keratinolytic fungi of wadi Qena in Egypt.

Forty-six soil samples collected from different sites of wadi Qena were examined for keratinophilic fungi using the hair baiting technique. Thirty-two species in addition to one variety of each of A. nidulans and A. flavus which belong to eighteen genera were recovered. Aspergillus, Chrysosporium, Penicillium, Microsporum and Fusarium were the most frequent genera developed from baited soils.

Cytological effects of fungal metabolites produced by fungi isolated from Egyptian poultry feedstuffs.

The cytogenetic effects of fungal metabolites produced by 113 strains belonging to 36 fungal species and isolated form 5 substrates of commercial poultry feedstuffs were tested for their effect on the growing root meristems of Allium cepa. The fungal metabolites of Paecilomyces canescens, Aspergillus fumigatus, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Aspergillus terreus and Mucor hiemalis strongly suppressed cell division. Metabolites from other strains had less effect on cell division but permitted the appearance of several abnormalities through different mitotic stages. In general, chromosomal aberrations were more obvious with metabolites of Aspergillus species, Mucor circinelloides and Cladosporium cladosporioides. The mutagenic effects produced by these fungal metabolites reflect the risk that might take place through the consumption of these contaminated feedstuffs.

Keratinophilic fungi of animal and bird pens in Egypt.

Samples were collected from 44 pens under animals and birds for the estimation of keratinophilic fungi using the hair-baiting technique. Thirty-nine species which belong to eighteen genera were recovered. Chrysosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium were the most frequent genera. From keratinophilic fungi, Myceliophthora anamorph of Corynascus sepedonium, Myceliophthora anamorph of Corynascus novoguinensis, Microsporum boullardii, M. gypseum, Trichophyton metagrophytes and Arthroderma sp. were recovered in different frequencies.

Keratinophilic fungi from the duck nails in Egypt.

The mycoflora of one hundred and sixty of duck nail samples, collected from the duck Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, were examined. Using the soil plate technique and Sabouraud's dextrose agar, thirty six species appertaining to twenty genera of keratinophilic fungi were isolated. Chrysosporium was the genus most frequently isolated (50% of the samples). Aspergillus and Penicillium occurred in low incidences (13.1 and 12.5% of total samples). Trichophyton rubrum was found to colonize few of the duck nail samples (2.5%) as well as some other fungal species previously reported as pathogenic to man and animals (Aspergillus fumigatus, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis and Paecilomyces lilacinus).

Fungal flora of poultry feedstuff ingredients.

One hundred and ten samples representing five types of poultry feed ingredients were mycologically examined. These samples included soybean meal, ground maize, cotton-seed cake, wheat bran and fish meal (22 samples each). Among the 73 mesophilic fungal species, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and A. fumigatus were the most dominant. A. terreus, A. flavipes, Mucor circinelloides, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium moniliforme and Rhizopus stolonifer were found to be common on a particular ingredient and less common on the remainders. Of the twelve thermophilic and thermotolerant species, A. fumigatus, Thermomyces lanuginosus, Rhizomucor pusillus and Thermoascus thermophilus prevailed on one or more type of the different ingredients. Marked variations were observed in the rancid fatty compounds of the different samples and the values ranged between 0.663 and 3.900 mg malonaldehyde per kg sample.

Effect of soil treatment with sewage and sludge on fungal populations.

The effect of soil treatment with sewage and sludge at three doses (1%, 10% and 20% w/w) on its fungal population was studied in vitro. The treatment of soil with sewage significantly increased the count of total fungi after 1 week by the high dose, and after 12 weeks by each of the three doses. Fungi differed in their response to the different doses of sewage: some were promoted and others were inhibited. The count of total fungi was significantly raised by the low dose of sludge after 1 week of soil treatment, and by the medium and the high doses after 12 weeks. Counts of all fungi were significantly increased at certain treatments with sludge, except those of Aspergillus niger (at the high dose after 6 weeks), Fusarium (at each of the three doses after 3 weeks and at the high dose after 6 weeks) and Paecilomyces varioti (by the medium and the high doses after 1 week) whose counts were significantly lower than those in untreated soil.

Ecological and physiological studies on fungi associated with human hair.

Thirty-seven species attributed to 19 genera of keratinophilic fungi were recovered from 100 human hair samples collected from the Assiut governorate. The genera Aspergillus followed by Penicillium and Chrysosporium were frequently isolated from 65, 43 and 30% of the samples respectively. Fifteen species and 13 genera of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi (recovered at 45 degrees C) were identified. The thermotolerant Aspergillus fumigatus was frequently encountered and emerged from 82% of the samples. Thirteen isolates of keratinophilic and 20 isolates of thermophilic fungi were tested for lipolytic and proteolytic activities. All the keratinophilic fungi showed lipolytic and proteolytic activities while 100 and 85% of the thermophilic fungi showed lipolytic and proteolytic activities. Using the paper-disc plate method, 12 types of shampoos and oils were tested for their antifungal activities on 42 strains of keratinophilic and thermophilic or thermotolerant fungi. Three out of four types of shampoo proved to be highly effective against all the test fungi.

Saprophytic fungi isolated from animal and bird pens in Egypt.

Forty-four samples collected from animal and bird pens were screened for their content of saprophytic fungi by using the dilution plate method. 76 species in addition to one variety of Aspergillus flavus belonging to 33 genera were recovered on three types of media: 20 genera and 49 species on Littman-oxgall agar, 19 genera and 41 species on cellulose- and 19 genera and 43 species on glucose-Czapek's agar. The most frequent genera were Aspergillus (21 species), Scopulariopsis (4 species) and Penicillium (10 species). Among the isolated fungi A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. terreus, A. niger, A. sydowi, A. nidulans, S. brevicaulis, S. brumptii, P. chrysogenum and P. funiculosum were the most common species.