Inopinatus corneliae sp. nov. gen. nov. isolated from human skin: A newly discovered keratinophilic hyphomycete, order Onygenales.

BACKGROUND: Fungi clinically relevant to human skin comprise prevalent commensals and well-known pathogens. Only rarely human skin harbours fungi that evade identification. OBJECTIVE: To characterise an enigmatic specimen isolated from a skin lesion. METHODS: A comprehensive clinical and mycological workup including conventional methods for phenotypic characterisation and sequencing based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) regions to infer a phylogenetic tree. RESULTS: Cultures on common solid media were macroscopically inconspicuous initially until mycelial tufts developed on the surface, notably on potato dextrose agar. Polymorphous chlamydospores were detected but no aleurospores and ascomata. At 26°C, the isolate grew on standard agars, plant materials and garden soil and utilised peptone, keratins, lipids, inulin, erythrocytes and cellulose. It also grew at 5°C and at 37°C. Nucleotide sequences of its ITS region showed 93% similarity to sequences of different Malbranchea species. The closest matches among LSU rRNA sequences were obtained with the genera Amauroascus, Arthroderma, Auxarthronopsis and Malbranchea (93%-95%). A combined phylogenetic analysis placed the fungus in a sister clade to Neogymnomycetaceae, classified as incertae sedis in Onygenales, on a large distance to either Diploospora rosea or 'Amauroascus' aureus. CONCLUSIONS: The genus Inopinatus gen. nov. (MB854685) with the species Inopinatus corneliae sp. nov. (MB854687) is introduced to accommodate our isolate (holotype: DSM 116806; isotypes: CBS 151104, IHEM 29063). Probably Inopinatus corneliae is a geophilic species that, although potentially harmful, was no relevant pathogen in our case. Its ecology, epidemiology and pathogenicity need to be further clarified.

Two novel members of Onygenales, Keratinophyton kautmanovae and K. keniense spp. nov. from soil.

Two new Keratinophyton species, K. kautmanovae sp. nov. and K. keniense sp. nov., isolated from soil samples originating from two different geographical and environmental locations (Africa and Europe) are described and illustrated. Phylogenetically informative sequences obtained from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the nuclear large subunit (LSU) rDNA, as well as their unique phenotype, fully support novelty of these two fungi for this genus. Based on ITS and LSU combined phylogeny, both taxa are resolved in a cluster with eight accepted species, including K. alvearium, K. chongqingense, K. hubeiense, K. durum, K. lemmensii, K. siglerae, K. submersum, and K. sichuanense. The new taxon, K. kautmanovae, is characterized by clavate, smooth to coarsely verrucose conidia, absence of arthroconidia, slow growth at 25 °C, and no growth at 30 °C, while K. keniense is morphologically unique with a high diversity of conidial shapes (clavate, filiform, globose, cymbiform and rhomboid). Both species are described based on their asexual, a chrysosporium-like morph. While the majority of hitherto described Keratinophyton taxa came from Europe, India and China, the new species K. keniense represents the first reported taxonomic novelty for this genus from Africa.

Rodentborne fungal pathogens in wetland agroecosystem

The past few decades have witnessed an overwhelming increase in the incidence of fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Consequently, zoonotic diseases, especially through rodents constitute a prominent group among the emerging diseases. Rodents are commensal to man and related health risks are common. Water rats (Rattus norvegicus) are typical to Vembanadu-Kol wetland agroecosystems, where they can act as a good carrier nexus for pathogens. The present study evaluates the carrier status of water rats with respect to fungal pathogens. A total of fifty two fungi covering eighteen families were isolated. Among the isolates, eight were dermaptophytes and Chrysosporium sp. (89.18%) was the frequent isolate. The source-wise analyses showed an increased isolation from ventral hair (67 isolates). Water rats of Vembanadu-Kol wetland agroecosystem are potent carrier of dermaptophytes and other opportunistic fungi, and strong carrier paths are existing too.

Fine-needle aspiration may replace skin biopsy for the collection of material for experimental infection of mice with Mycobacterium leprae and Lacazia loboi

Procedures involving the use of Mycobacterium leprae and Lacazia loboi, uncultivated organisms, depend on the collection of material from the lesions of patients or experimental animals. This study compared fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and skin biopsy methods for obtaining bacilli and fungal cells to experimentally infect animals. METHODS: Lepromas from one armadillo and one enlarged footpad of a mouse previously inoculated with L. loboi were submitted to FNA and biopsy. Materials collected were processed for inoculation in mice. RESULTS: Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) collected by two FNA procedures yielded 7.2×10(7) and 5.3×10(6) AFB/ml and biopsies yielded 1.58×10(8) and 3.5×10(8) AFB/ml from each leproma. Yeast-like cells of L. loboi collected by FNA yielded 1.0×10(6) fungal cells/ml and biopsy 1.0×10(7) fungal cells/ml. After 8 months, inoculated animals were sacrificed and the inoculated footpads submitted to histopathological examination and counting of AFB and fungal cells. The results obtained by the two methods were comparable for both microorganisms. CONCLUSIONS: Biopsy may be replaced by FNA during harvesting of material for different purposes, especially for experimental inoculation of mice in leprosy and Jorge Lobo's disease, with the advantage of FNA being a simpler, less invasive, and less costly method.

Onygenales (Eurotiomycetes, Ascomycota) queratinofílicos en suelos de establecimientos educacionales urbanos y rurales de la V Región, Chile / Queratinophilic onygenales (Eurotiomycetes, Ascomycota) in urban and rural soils of eduacational center of V Region, Chile

Con la finalidad de estudiar la presencia de Onygenales queratinofílicas potencialmente patógenas para el hombre y los animales, se analizaron mediante la técnica del anzuelo queratínico (Marzo – Diciembre, 2006), suelos de establecimientos educacionales urbanos y rurales de la V Región, Chile. Se colectaron un total de 64 muestras, de las cuales, la mitad se obtuvieron en Valparaíso-Viña del Mar (urbano) y la otra en Olmué-Limache (en zonas rurales). En zona urbana se aislaron 112 cepas (7 géneros y 12 especies) y en la rural 147 (11 géneros y 18 especies). Los géneros de mayor prevalencia en la zona urbana y rural en orden decreciente fueron: Chrysosporium y su teleomorfo 32 por ciento versus 45 por ciento; Keratinomyces y su teleomorfo, 26 por ciento y 16 por ciento; Microsporum y su teleomorfo 23 por ciento y 16 por ciento y Myceliophthora y su teleomorfo con un 13 y 10 por ciento. Amauroascus mutatus, Auxarthron umbrinum, Gymnoascus reessii, Chrysosporium charmichaelii, Ch. merdarium, Ch. tropicum, Geomyces pannorum var. pannorum fueron detectados sólo en la zona rural; mientras que Malbranchea flava sólo en la zona urbana. Mediante la técnica de Takashio, se pudo identificar separadamente las especies del complex Microsporum gypseum, determinándose que M. gypseum (Arthrodema gypseum) y M.fulvum (A. fulvum) obtuvieron una frecuencia de aislamiento similar en ambas zonas, siendo el primero un oportunista potencialmente patógeno para el hombre y los animales.

With the purpose of studying the presence of keratinophilic Onygenales that are potentially pathogenous for man and animal, urban and rural soils from educational centers in the V Region were examined with the keratinic bait technique (march-december 2006). A total of 64 samples were collected, 32 of them being from Valparaíso-Viña del Mar (urban) while the rest in Olmué-Limache (in rural zones). One hundred and twelve strains (7 genera and 12 species) were collected in the urban zone and 147 strains in the rural zone (11genera and 18 species). Genera with the highest prevalence both in the urban and the rural zones were, in decreasing order: Chrysosporium and its teleomorph 32 per cent vs. 45 per cent; Keratinomyces and its teleomorph 26 per cent and 16 per cent; Microsporum and its teleomorph 23 per cent and 16 per cent and Myceliophthora and its. teleomorph with 13 per cent and 10 per cent. Amauroascus mutatus, Auxarthron umbrinum, Gymnoascus reessii, Chrysosporium charmichaelii, Ch. merdarium, Ch.tropicum, Geomyces pannorum var. pannorum were detected only in the rural zone, whereas Malbranchea flava only in the urban zone. Species of the complex Microsporum gypseum, could be identified separately by means of the Takashio technique, coming to the conclusion that M. gypseum (Arthrodema gypseum) and M.fulvum (A. fulvum) achieved a similar frequency of isolation in both zones and that the former is a potentially opportunistic pathogen for man and animal.

Hongos geofílicos en la zona occidental de la región chaqueña (Argentina) / Geophilic fungi in western zone of Chaco Region, Argentina

Mediante las técnicas de Orr y de dilución, se estudiaron muestras de tierra de la zona occidental de la región chaqueña recogidas durante las estaciones de invierno y verano del año 2006. Mediante el anzuelo queratínico se aislaron 22 géneros y 25 especies fúngicas. Los Onygenales estuvieron representados con sólo 8 géneros, principalmente Chrysosporium indicum, Aphanoascus fulvescens y Myceliophthora vellerea, mientras en los no Onigenales, destacan: Paecilomyces lilacinus y Aspergillus fumigatus. En las muestras procesadas por dilución en PDA, se obtuvieron 24 géneros y 43 especies. Entre éstas, el género más frecuente y con mayor diversidad fue Aspergillus, siendo A. fumigatus la especie más representada, siguiendo en importancia los micelios hialinos y dematiáceos sin fructificar, los Penicillium del sub género Biverticillium y los Trichoderma de la sección Trichoderma. Se destaca la presencia de Corynascus verrucosus y C. setosus. Con ambas técnicas no se obtuvieron diferencias significativas respecto del número total de aislamientos entre invierno y verano.

Soil samples from the western zone of Chaco Region and collected during winter and summer of 2006 were studied by means of Orr and dilution techniques. Twenty two genera and 25 fungal species resulted with the use of the keratinic bait. Onygenales were represented by only 8 genera, mainly Chrysosporium indicum, Aphanoascus fulvescens and Myceliophtora vellerea, while Paecilomyces lilacinus and Aspergillus fumigates were present in the not Onygenales group. In samples processed by PDA dilution, 23 genera and 43 species were obtained. Among these, Aspergillus was the most frequent genus and which showed the highest diversity, being A. fumigatus the highest represented species, followed in importance by fructification-free hyaline and dematiaceous mycelia, Penicillium of the sub genus Biverticillium and Trichoderma from the Trichoderma section. The presence of Corynascus verrucosus and C. setosus is also pointed out. There were no significant differences detected under both techniques as regards the overall number of isolations within winter and summer.

Algunos microhongos geofílicos de las planicies semiáridas del noroeste de la provincia de San Luis (Argentina) / Some geophilic microfungi from Norwest semiarid plains in the province of San Luis, Argentine

Por las técnicas del anzuelo queratínico y de dilución, se estudiaron tierras de las planicies semiáridas del noroeste de la provincia de San Luis (Argentina), en invierno y verano. Con la técnica del anzuelo queratínico se aislaron 12 géneros y 15 especies fúngicas, mientras en las procesadas por dilución en PDA, 15 géneros y 29 especies. La mayoría de las detectadas con la primera técnica pertenecieron a los Onygenales (65,4 por ciento), siendo Chrysosporium indicum el de más alta frecuencia, mientras que en las diluciones, la mayoría correspondió a hongos mitospóricos (>75 por ciento), dominando los integrantes del género Aspergillus (35,8 por ciento). Con ambas técnicas la riqueza de especies fue levemente superior en verano y aún cuando la diversidad general fue baja, se aprecia la capacidad de adaptación y sobrevivencia de ciertos géneros y especies en ambientes edáficos adversos.

Soils from northwestern semiarid plains in the province of San Luis (Argentina) were examined by means of keratinic bait and dilution techniques both in winter and summer. The first technique yielded 12 genera and 15 fungal species whereas those processed in PDA dilution resulted in 15 genera and 29 species. Most fungi detected with the former technique belonged to Onygenales(65.4 percent), being Chrysosporium indicum the most frequently occurring, while in dilutions mitosporic fungi(<75 percent) showed the highest occurrence, those of the genus Aspergillus having dominance (35.8 percent). The richness of species was fairly higher with both techniquesand even though general diversity was low, the ability of certain genera and species to adapt and survive underadverse edaphic environments could be clearly seen.