Otomycosis caused by the cryptic and emerging species Aspergillus sydowii: two case reports.

Two cases of otomycosis have been reported in patients undergoing tympanomastoidectomy. The first one had chronic otitis media, hypertrophic concha and nasal septum deviation, tympanic perforation and otorrhea. The second had otalgia, pruritus, chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma. Direct examination showed mycelial septate filaments with a branch at an angle close to 45°, later identified as Aspergillus sydowii by sequencing the BenA and CaM genes. Susceptibility testing showed low MIC of amphotericin B, itraconazole, ketoconazole and ciclopirox olamine. In both cases, ketoconazole was instituted for 10 days. Otomycosis is a challenge as it is primarily recurrent in patients undergoing surgery. The clinical implication, the identification of the emerging pathogen and the determination of MIC were necessary for the knowledge of the epidemiological profile and establishment of the treatment.

Aspergillus are fungi that can cause ear disease. In severe infections, these fungi can be present for long periods inside the ear, and commonly belong to the species Aspergillus section Nigri and Aspergillus flavus. In this work, we present two cases of ear infections by a different species, Aspergillus sydowii. Patients had obstructed nasal cavities, crooked internal separation of the nose and complaints of secretion in the ear. The efficient diagnosis allowed a treatment that resulted in the death of the fungus and the cure of the patient.

Endophytic fungi from medicinal plant Bauhinia forficata: Diversity and biotechnological potential

Bauhinia forficata is native to South America and used with relative success in the folk medicine in Brazil. The diversity, antibacterial activity, and extracellular hydrolytic enzymes of endophytic fungi associated with this plant were studied. Plant samples, which included leaves, sepals, stems, and seeds, were used. Ninety-five endophytic fungal were isolated (18 from leaves, 22 from sepals, 46 from stems, and nine from seeds), comprising 28 species. The most frequently isolated species were Acremonium curvulum (9.5%), Aspergillus ochraceus (7.37%), Gibberella fujikuroi (10.53%), Myrothecium verrucaria (10.53%) and Trichoderma piluliferum (7.37%). Diversity and species richness were higher in stem tissues, and Sorensen’s index of similarity between the tissues was low. Eleven fungi showed antibacterial activity. Aspergillus ochraceus, Gibberella baccata, Penicillium commune, and P. glabrum were those with the greatest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and/or Streptococcus pyogenes. Thirteen species showed proteolytic activity, particularly Phoma putaminum. Fourteen species were cellulase positive, particularly the Penicillium species and Myrmecridium schulzeri. All isolates tested were xylanase positive and 10 showed lipolytic activity, especially Penicillium glabrum. It is clear that the endophytic fungi from B. forficata have potential for the production of bioactive compounds and may be a source of new therapeutic agents for the effective treatment of diseases in humans, other animals, and plants. To our knowledge, this is the first study of endophytic fungi from different tissues of B. forficata and their biotechnological potential.