Generation of Fusarium oxysporum-suppressive soil with non-soil carriers using a multiple-parallel-mineralization technique.

Disease-suppressive soils exist worldwide. However, the disease-suppression mechanism is unknown, and it's unclear how to produce such soils. The microbiota that develop in a multiple-parallel-mineralization system (MPM) can increase nutrient production efficiency and decrease root disease in hydroponic systems. Artificial media inoculated with MPM microorganisms can degrade organic matter to produce inorganic nutrients similarly to natural soil, but it's unknown whether they can also suppress pathogen growth. Here, we produced an artificial medium that inhibited root disease similarly to disease-suppressive soils. Microbial MPM culture solution was inoculated into non-soil carriers (rockwool, rice husk charcoal, and vermiculite) to test whether it could suppress growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae J. C. Hubb. & Gerik. We inoculated F. oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans (Wollenweber) Snyder et Hansen strain Cong:11 and F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae J. C. Hubb. & Gerik into artificial media sown each with Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. and Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata supplemented with MPM culture microbes. The MPM microorganisms suppressed F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae J. C. Hubb. & Gerik growth and prevented plant disease. Thus, MPM-inoculated non-soil carriers that can generate inorganic nutrients from organic matter may also suppress disease in the absence of natural soil. Our study shows novel creation of a disease-suppressive effect in non-soil media using the microbial community from MPM culture solution.

Real-time PCR-based quantitation of viable Mycobacterium leprae strain from clinical samples and environmental sources and its genotype in multi-case leprosy families of India.

The potential role of environmental M. leprae in the transmission of leprosy remains unknown. We investigated role of environment as a possible source of viable M. leprae responsible for transmission of leprosy. The samples were collected from 10 multi-case leprosy families comprising, slit skin smear (SSS) from 9 multibacillary (MB), 16 paucibacillary cases (PB), 22 household contacts, and 38 environmental soil samples. The quantum of viable M. leprae was estimated by qRT-PCR using 16S rRNA gene from soil and SSS. Genotypes of M. leprae were determined by gene sequencing. We could observe presence of viable M. leprae in 11 (44%) leprosy cases (M. leprae 16S rRNA gene copies range from 1.78 × 102 to 8.782 × 109) and 4 (18%) household contacts (M. leprae 16S rRNA gene copies range from 2.54 × 103 and 7.47 × 104). Remarkably, presence of viable M. leprae was also noted in 10 (53%) soil samples where in M. leprae 16S rRNA gene copies ranged from 4.36 × 102 to 7.68 × 102. M leprae subtype 1D was noted in most of the leprosy cases their household contacts and in the surrounding soil samples indicating source of infection in household contacts could be from environment or patients. M. leprae 16S rRNA copies were approximately similar in both PB cases and soil samples along with presence of SNP type 1 subtype 1D in both samples indicating source of M. leprae from patients to contacts was either from patients or environment or both.

Hansen Disease (Leprosy) and Armadillo Exposure in Arkansas: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Although most cases of Hansen disease (HD) in the United States are imported from endemic areas, a subset of cases are relate to exposure to nine-banded armadillos. Several recent cases of HD in Arkansas occurred in patients who had not traveled to endemic areas and who reported variable degrees of armadillo exposure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report 6 cases of HD diagnosed in Arkansas between 2004 and 2016. The secondary purpose was to explore the correlation between exposure to the nine-banded armadillo as it pertains to transmission of the disease. METHODS: The referring clinician of each patient was contacted to gather information regarding the patient's clinical presentation, armadillo exposure, and travel history. In addition, the Arkansas Department of Health was consulted to review the demographics of individuals diagnosed with HD in the past 15 years and to review the distribution of HD throughout the state of Arkansas. RESULTS: Six domestic cases of HD were associated with both direct and indirect exposure to armadillos. LIMITATIONS: Armadillo exposure may be underreported in patients with HD because of fear of stigmatization and/or lack of access to care. CONCLUSIONS: Direct exposure to armadillos does not appear to be required for transmission of HD making a soil-mediated mechanism of indirect exposure plausible.

Yeast communities of secondary peat swamp forests in Thailand and their antagonistic activities against fungal pathogens cause of plant and postharvest fruit diseases.

Secondary peat swamp forest (PSF) arise by degradation of primary PSF as a result of fire and human activities. Yeasts diversity of Kuan Kreng (KK) and Rayong Botanical Garden (RBG) PSF, which are two secondary PSF in southern and in eastern Thailand, respectively, were investigated. Yeasts were isolated from soil and peat soil by the dilution plate and enrichment techniques. From six samples collected from KK PSF, 35 strains were obtained, and they were identified based on the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene 13 species in 12 genera, and one potential new species of the genus Galactomyces were detected. Thirty-two strains were obtained from six samples collected from RBG PSF and 26 strains were identified as 13 known yeast species in 11 genera, whereas six strains were found to represent two potential new species of the genera Papiliotrema and Moesziomyces. Among yeast strains isolated from KK PSF, the number of strains in the phylum Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were equal, whereas there were slightly fewer strains in Ascomycota than in Basidiomycota among the strains obtained from RBG PSF. The yeast strains were evaluated for their antagonistic activities against fungal pathogens which cause rice diseases (Fusarium moniliforme, Helminthosporium oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani, Curvularia lunata and Pyricularia grisea) and postharvest disease of fruits (Phytophthora palmivora, Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides). Twelve strains of seven species were found to be antagonistic yeast strains. Starmerella kuoi DMKU-SPS13-6, Hanseniaspora lindneri DMKU ESS10-9 and Piskurozyma taiwanensis DMKU-SPS12-2 capable to inhibit R. solani by 70.1-76.2%, Wickerhamomyces anomalus DMKU SPS6-1 and three Rhodotorula taiwanensis strains (DMKU SPS8-1, DMKU ESS9-3, DMKU SPS9-2) inhibited C. lunata by 69.8-71.9%, Hanseniaspora lindneri DMKU ESS10-9 and Scheffersomyces spartinae DMKU SPS9-3 inhibited P. grisea by 81.9-84.4% and four Papiliotrema laurentii strains (DMKU-SPS15-1, DMKU-ESS11-2, DMKU-ESS8-2, DMKU-ESS6-4) inhibited P. palmivora by 53.2-59.5%.

Screening, identification, and low-energy ion modified breeding of a yeast strain producing high level of 3-hydroxypropionic acid.

3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3HP) is an important platform chemical with a wide range of applications. The biological preparation of this compound is safe and low cost. In this study, orchard soil and human waste were used as raw materials to screen microbial strains that could produce 3HP in selective medium containing varying amounts of propionic acid. A yeast strain that can use propionic acid as substrate and produce 48.96 g/L 3HP was screened. Morphological observation, physiological and biochemical identification, and 26s rDNA sequencing identified the IS451 strain as Debaryomyces hansenii. The low-energy ion N+ , with the energy of 10 keV and a dose of 70 × 2.6 × 1013  ions/cm2 , was implanted into the IS451 strain. The mutant strain WT39, whose 3HP titer reached 62.42 g/L, was obtained. The strain exhibited genetic stability and tolerance to high concentrations of propionic acid and was considered to have broad application prospects.

Molecular characterization of environmental mycobacterial species from leprosy endemic tribal regions of North Purulia District, West Bengal.

Background: The aim of the present study was to isolate and characterize nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) on Lowenstein-Jensen media supplemented with glycerol or pyruvate on two different temperatures from soil samples from leprosy endemic tribal areas of Purulia. Methods: Mycobacterium leprae DNA was isolated from these samples followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using RLEP gene target specific to M. leprae. DNA was extracted from NTM cultures by lysis method. The presence of Mycobacterial DNA was confirmed by PCR using universal mycobacterial primer as 16S rRNA. NCBI nBlast was used for the authentication of NTMs, and phylogenetic tree was constructed using M. leprae and NTM species. Statistical Analysis Used: The percentile method and phylogenetic tree were used as stastical tool in this research article. Results: The rapid-growing mycobacteria (RGM) species, 4 (80%) was obtained more than that of slow growing mycobacteria (SGM) 1 (20%) supplemented on glycerol at 30°C followed by SGM species 8 (62%) were recovered more than RGM at 37°C. Similarly, SGM species 2 (100%) were recovered on supplemented with pyruvate at 30°C and no RGM growth when supplemented with pyruvate. Further, the recovery of RGM species 3 (60%) was better on supplemented with pyruvate than SGM species at 37°C. Mycobacterium timonense was first time isolated from Indian soil samples. Highest numbers of NTM were isolated from bathing place than washing and sitting places along with M. leprae PCR positivity. Phylogenetic tree showed a close genetic evolutionary association between Mycobacterium simiae and M. leprae in the leprosy endemic environment. Conclusion: Several NTM was isolated from soil of leprosy endemic area which might have role in susceptibility of leprosy. Phylogenetic tree revealed a closed association of M. simiae with M. leprae in the environment and might be maintaining the leprosy endemicity in north block of Purulia.

Diversity of yeasts in the soil adjacent to fruit trees of the Rosaceae family.

Yeasts are common constituents of different types of soil. Their diversity depends on the season, the type and depth of the soil, the plant species, and the locality. In this study, diversity of yeasts isolated from the soil adjacent to five fruit trees (apple, appricot, peach, pear, and plum) in two localities (in Slovakia) in four sampling periods was examined. Our results demonstrated differences in the species richness and evenness among the yeast populations, which inhabited the soil beneath individual fruit tree species in both localities. Altogether, 32 ascomycetous and 27 basidiomycetous yeast species were discovered. The highest species richness was found in the soil adjacent to the apricot trees. Galactomyces candidum, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Schwanniomyces capriottii, and Tausonia pullulans, as well as the genus Apiotrichum, were present in soil samples in all samplings. Two species of the genus Holtermanniella (H. festucosa and H. takashimae) were exclusively isolated during Sampling IV in April. Cyberlindnera spp., Clavispora reshetovae, S. capriottii, and Trichosporon asahii were found only in one of two localities. Ascomycetous yeasts were present more frequently than their basidiomycetous counterparts in the three samplings (one in June and two in October); they formed from 65.6% to 70.8% of the total yeast population, whereas basidiomycetous yeasts prevailed in the April sampling (61.2%).

Detection of Mycobacterium leprae DNA in soil: multiple needles in the haystack.

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae affecting the skin and nerves. Despite decades of availability of adequate treatment, transmission is unabated and transmission routes are not completely understood. Despite the general assumption that untreated M. leprae infected humans represent the major source of transmission, scarce reports indicate that environmental sources could also play a role as a reservoir. We investigated whether M. leprae DNA is present in soil of regions where leprosy is endemic or areas with possible animal reservoirs (armadillos and red squirrels). Soil samples (n = 73) were collected in Bangladesh, Suriname and the British Isles. Presence of M. leprae DNA was determined by RLEP PCR and genotypes were further identified by Sanger sequencing. M. leprae DNA was identified in 16.0% of soil from houses of leprosy patients (Bangladesh), in 10.7% from armadillos' holes (Suriname) and in 5% from the habitat of lepromatous red squirrels (British Isles). Genotype 1 was found in Bangladesh whilst in Suriname the genotype was 1 or 2. M. leprae DNA can be detected in soil near human and animal sources, suggesting that environmental sources represent (temporary) reservoirs for M. leprae.

Restructured fungal community diversity and biological interactions promote metolachlor biodegradation in soil microbial fuel cells.

Soil microbial fuel cells (MFCs) provide an inexhaustible electron acceptor for the removal of metolachlor and in situ biocurrent stimulation for fungal activity was investigated. The metolachlor degradation rates enhanced by 33%-36% upon the introduction of electrodes after 23 d. In closed MFCs, the abundance of Mortierella as the most dominant genus increased to 43%-54% from 17% in the original soil, whereas those of Aphanoascus and Penicillium decreased to 0.24%-0.39% and 0.38-0.72% from 14% to 11%, respectively. Additionally, a 10-fold amplification of unique OTUs was observed, mainly from increase on the electrode surface. The different treatments were clustered, especially samples near the cathode. The linear discriminant analysis showed that Aphanoascus fulvescens acted as a biomarker between the original and treated soils. The co-occurrence networks demonstrated that Mortierella universally competed for growth with coexisting species while Cladosporium exhibited the most affiliations with species from the 36 other genera present. The correlation analysis indicated that the species associated with degradation belonged to Mortierella, Kernia, Chaetomium and Trichosporon, while the species associated with electrogenesis were Debaryomyces hansenii and Mortierella polycephala. Importantly, this study is the first to reveal fungal community structure in soil MFCs with degrading pollutants and producing electricity.

Survival of Mycobacterium leprae and association with Acanthamoeba from environmental samples in the inhabitant areas of active leprosy cases: A cross sectional study from endemic pockets of Purulia, West Bengal.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium leprae being an obligate intracellular parasite cannot be cultured in any artificial culture media but it has been shown to reside in wild armadillos in North America. Many studies suggested that M. leprae could be found in the environment and may have a role in continuing transmission of the disease. The exact role of the environment in the transmission dynamics is still speculative. The present study was undertaken to find out the presence of viable M. leprae around patients' environment like soil and water and association of free living pathogenic protozoa, Acanthamoeba which might play an important role in transmission of the disease. METHODS: Seven hundred soil and 400 water samples were collected from the surroundings of the houses of leprosy patients from endemic villages. Two hundred soil and 80 water samples were also collected from the surroundings of normal inhabitants from non-endemic villages as controls. These samples were screened for the presence of M. leprae and Acanthamoeba using DNA PCR. RNA was extracted from the PCR positive samples and Reverse Transcriptase - PCR targeting 16S rRNA gene region was performed for detection of viable M. leprae. RESULTS: We observed high PCR positivity in soil samples (218 out of 700; 31%) and water samples (73 out of 400; 18%). These samples when further screened for viability, it was observed that 106 soil samples (15% of total) and 34 water samples (8% of total) showed presence of 16S rRNA. We observed 18.3% of soil and 20.5% of water samples were PCR positive for Acanthamoeba. Soil samples from the control area, where no active leprosy case resided in the last 5 years, showed PCR positivity in 4 samples (2%) for M. leprae DNA in only soil samples with all water samples being negative. RT-PCR for all PCR positive soil samples was negative. Of the 106 soil samples positive for M. leprae RT-PCR, 30 samples were also positive for Acanthamoeba whereas out of 112 M. leprae RT-PCR negative but PCR positive samples only 10 samples were Acanthamoeba positive showing association of viability with presence of Acanthamoeba (p = .0021). Similarly, for water samples also, association of M. leprae viability with presence of Acanthamoeba was seen (p = .0009). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the surrounding environment (soil and water) of leprosy patients contain viable M. leprae and the viability has association with Acanthamoeba which may provide a protective niche for M. leprae. This could play an important role in the focal transmission of the disease.

Association of non-tuberculous mycobacteria with Mycobacterium leprae in environment of leprosy endemic regions in India.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental mycobacteria found ubiquitously in nature. The present study was conducted to find out the presence of various species of NTM in leprosy endemic region along with Mycobacterium (M) leprae. Water and wet soil samples from the periphery of ponds used by the community were collected from districts of Purulia of West Bengal and Champa of Chhattisgarh, India. Samples were processed and decontaminated followed by culturing on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) media. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using 16S rRNA gene target of mycobacteria and species was confirmed by sequencing method. Indirect immune-fluorescent staining of M. leprae from soil was performed using M. leprae-PGL-1 rabbit polyclonal antibody. The phylogenetic tree was constructed by using MEGA-X software. From 380 soil samples 86 NTM were isolated, out of which 34(40%) isolates were rapid growing mycobacteria (RGM) and 52(60%) isolates were slow growing mycobacteria (SGM). Seventy-seven NTM isolates were obtained from 250 water samples, out of which 35(45%) were RGM and 42(55%) were SGM. Amongst all the RGM, we isolated M. porcinum, M. psychrotolerans, M. alsenase, M. arabiense and M. asiaticum from Indian environmental samples. M. fortuitum was the most commonly isolated species of all RGM. Out of all SGM, M. holsaticum, M. yongonense, M. seoulense, M. szulgai, M. europaeum, M. simiae and M. chimaera were isolated for the first time from Indian environment. M. intracellulare was the commonest of all isolated SGM. Presence of M. leprae was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescent microcopy and PCR method from the same environmental samples. Phylogenetic tree was showing a close association between these NTMs and M. leprae in these samples. Several NTM species of pathogenic and nonpathogenic in nature along with M. leprae were isolated from soil and pond water samples from leprosy endemic regions and these might be playing a role in causing disease and maintaining leprosy endemicity in India.

Presence of viable Mycobacterium leprae in environmental specimens around houses of leprosy patients.

PURPOSE: Leprosy is a chronic systemic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, one of the first organisms to be established as the cause for disease in humans. Because of high prevalence pockets of leprosy in the endemic regions, it is necessary to identify the possible sources of M. leprae in the environment and its mode of transmission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Slit skin smears (SSSs) from lesions were collected in 70% ethanol from 50 leprosy cases staying in the leprosy resettlement village and hospital from a high endemic area. One hundred and sixty soil samples were collected from different areas around the leprosy hospital and from the resettlement village of cured leprosy patients where active cases also resided at the time of sample collection. M. leprae specific gene region (RLEP 129 bp) and 16S rRNA targets were used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based detection for the presence and viability of M. leprae. An rpoT region was also amplified to determine presence of numbers of 6 bp tandem repeats. RESULTS: All the SSS samples collected from patients showed three copies of rpoT region (6 bp tandem repeat, an ancient Indian type). Fifty-two soil samples showed presence of M. leprae DNA whereas M. leprae specific 16S rRNA gene was amplified in sixteen of these samples. PCR amplification and fragment length analysis showed 91 bp, i.e., three copies of the rpoT 6 bp tandem repeats from soil samples and similar three copies observed in patient samples. CONCLUSION: Presence of viable M. leprae in the soil having same rpoT genotype of M. leprae noted in patients suggests that it could be the same strain of M. leprae. M. leprae found in the soil could be the one that is excreted out by the patient. Significance of its viability in the environment and its pathogenicity with respect to transmission needs to be further explored. Findings of this study might provide possible insights for further exploration into understanding transmission patterns in leprosy and also will throw light on identifying potential for existence of extra human source or reservoirs of M. leprae, if any.

Soil-transmitted helminth infections and leprosy: a cross-sectional study of the association between two major neglected tropical diseases in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: The clinical spectrum of leprosy is dependent on the host immune response against Mycobacterium leprae or the newly discovered Mycobacterium lepromatosis antigen. Helminth infections have been shown to affect the development of several diseases through immune regulation and thus may play a role in the clinical manifestations of leprosy and leprosy reactions. The purpose of this study is to determine the proportion of helminth infections in leprosy and its association with the type of leprosy and type 2 leprosy reaction (T2R). METHODS: History or episode of T2R was obtained and direct smear, formalin-ether sedimentation technique, and Kato-Katz smear were performed on 20 paucibacillary (PB) and 61 multibacillary (MB) leprosy participants. RESULTS: There are more helminth-positive participants in MB leprosy compared to PB (11/61 versus 0/20, p = 0.034) and in T2R participants compared to non-T2R (8/31 versus 3/50, p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that soil-transmitted helminth infections may have a role in the progression to a more severe type of leprosy, as well as the occurrence of T2R. These findings could serve as a fundamental base for clinicians to perform parasitological feces examination in patients who have MB leprosy and severe recurrent reactions to rule out the possibility of helminth infection. Further secondary confirmation of findings are needed to support these conclusions.

[Yeast Communities of Formica aquilonia Colonies].

Yeast abundance and species diversity in the colonies of Formica aquilonia ants in birch-pine forbs forest, Novosibirsk oblast, Russia, was studied. The average yeast number in the anthill material was 10³-104CFU/g, reaching 105 CFU/g in the hatching chambers. Typical litter species (Trichosporon monilfiforme and Cystofilobasidium capitatum) were predominant in soil and litter around the anthills. Apart from these species, ascomycete species of the family Debaryomycetaceae, Debaryomyces hansenii and Schwanniomyces vanrijiae, were predominant in the anthill material. Yeast population of the ants consisted exclusively of the members of these two species. Thus, highly specific yeast communities formed in the colonies of Formica aquilonia ants differ from the communities of surrounding soil. These differences are an instance of environment-forming activity of the ants.

Viability of Mycobacterium leprae in the environment and its role in leprosy dissemination.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy, a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, is a public health concern in certain countries, including India. Although the prevalence of the disease has fallen drastically over time, new cases continue to occur at nearly the same rate in many regions. Several endemic pockets have been observed in India and elsewhere. The precise dynamics of leprosy transmission are still not clearly understood. Both live bacilli as well as M. leprae DNA have been detected in the soil and water of endemic areas; they possibly play an important role in disease transmission. AIMS: To study the occurrence of viable M. leprae in environmental samples collected from areas of residence of patients with active leprosy. METHODS: The study was conducted on 169 newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Ghatampur, Uttar Pradesh, India. Soil and water samples were collected from their areas of residence using a standardized protocol. An equal number of soil and water samples were also collected from non-patient areas of the same or adjoining villages. The environmental samples collected from the patients surroundings were subjected to 16S ribosomal RNA gene analysis after obtaining informed consent. RESULTS: About a quarter of the environmental samples collected from patient areas, (25.4% of soil samples and 24.2% of water samples) were found to be positive for specific 16S ribosomal RNA genes of M. leprae. Environmental samples collected from non-patient areas were all found negative for M. leprae 16S ribosomal RNA genes. LIMITATIONS: The major limitation of the study was that the sample size was small. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the presence of viable strains of M. leprae in skin smear samples of paucibacillary patients and multibacillary patients, as well as in the environmental samples obtained from around their houses. This could play an important role in the continued transmission of leprosy.

Comparative evaluation of PCR amplification of RLEP, 16S rRNA, rpoT and Sod A gene targets for detection of M. leprae DNA from clinical and environmental samples.

PURPOSE: PCR assay is a highly sensitive, specific and reliable diagnostic tool for the identification of pathogens in many infectious diseases. Genome sequencing Mycobacterium leprae revealed several gene targets that could be used for the detection of DNA from clinical and environmental samples. The PCR sensitivity of particular gene targets for specific clinical and environmental isolates has not yet been established. The present study was conducted to compare the sensitivity of RLEP, rpoT, Sod A and 16S rRNA gene targets in the detection of M. leprae in slit skin smear (SSS), blood, soil samples of leprosy patients and their surroundings. METHOD: Leprosy patients were classified into Paucibacillary (PB) and Multibacillary (MB) types. Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining method for all the SSS samples and Bacteriological Index (BI) was calculated for all patients. Standard laboratory protocol was used for DNA extraction from SSS, blood and soil samples. PCR technique was performed for the detection of M. leprae DNA from all the above-mentioned samples. RESULTS: RLEP gene target was able to detect the presence of M. leprae in 83% of SSS, 100% of blood samples and in 36% of soil samples and was noted to be the best out of all other gene targets (rpoT, Sod A and 16S rRNA). It was noted that the RLEP gene target was able to detect the highest number (53%) of BI-negative leprosy patients amongst all the gene targets used in this study. CONCLUSION: Amongst all the gene targets used in this study, PCR positivity using RLEP gene target was the highest in all the clinical and environmental samples. Further, the RLEP gene target was able to detect 53% of blood samples as positive in BI-negative leprosy cases indicating its future standardization and use for diagnostic purposes.

Fungal community dynamics and driving factors during agricultural waste composting.

This study was conducted to identify the driving factors behind fungal community dynamics during agricultural waste composting. Fungal community abundance and structure were determined by quantitative PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis combined with DNA sequencing. The effects of physico-chemical parameters on fungal community abundance and structure were evaluated by least significant difference tests and redundancy analysis. The results showed that Cladosporium bruhnei, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Scytalidium thermophilum, Tilletiopsis penniseti, and Coprinopsis altramentaria were prominent during the composting process. The greatest variation in the distribution of fungal community structure was statistically explained by pile temperature and total organic carbon (TOC) (P < 0.05). A significant amount of the variation (74.6 %) was explained by these two parameters alone. Fungal community abundance was found to be significantly related to pH, while pH was significantly influenced by pile temperature and nitrate levels (P < 0.05), and these parameters were found to be the most likely to influence or be influenced by the fungal community during composting.

Draft genome sequence of salt-tolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii var. hansenii MTCC 234.

Debaryomyces hansenii is one of the most halotolerant species of yeast, and the genome sequence of D. hansenii strain CBS767 is already available. Here we report the 11.46-Mb draft genome of D. hansenii strain MTCC 234, which is even more halotolerant than strain CBS767. Comparative analysis of these sequences would definitely provide further insight into the halotolerance of this yeast.

Dynamics of Mycobacterium leprae transmission in environmental context: deciphering the role of environment as a potential reservoir.

Leprosy is a disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Various modes of transmission have been suggested for this disease. Transmission and risk of the infection is perhaps related to presence of the infectious cases and is controlled by environmental factors. Evidence suggests that humidity may favor survival of M. leprae in the environment. Several reports show that non-human sources like 'naturally' infected armadillos or monkeys could act as reservoir for M. leprae. Inanimate objects or fomites like articles used by infectious patients may theoretically spread infection. However, it is only through detailed knowledge of the biodiversity and ecology that the importance of this mode of transmission can be fully assessed. Our study focuses here to decipher the role of environment in the transmission of the disease. Two hundred and seven soil samples were collected from a village in endemic area where active cases also resided at the time of sample collection. Slit skin smears were collected from 13 multibacillary (MB) leprosy patients and 12 household contacts of the patients suspected to be hidden cases. DNA and RNA of M. leprae were extracted and amplified using M. leprae specific primers. Seventy-one soil samples showed presence of M. leprae DNA whereas 16S rRNA could be detected in twenty-eight of these samples. Samples, both from the environment and the patients, exhibited the same genotype when tested by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing. Genotype of M. leprae found in the soil and the patients residing in the same area could help in understanding the transmission link in leprosy.

[Cutaneous and soft skin infections due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria]. / Infecciones cutáneas y de partes blandas por micobacterias no tuberculosas.

The frequency of isolation as well as the number of species of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has increased in the last years. Nearly every pathogenic species of NTM may cause skin and soft tissue infections, but rapidly growing mycobacteria (Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium abscessus), Mycobacterium marinum and Mycobacterium ulcerans are the most commonly involved. Many of these cutaneous mycobacteriosis, such as rapidly growing mycobacteria, M. marinum, Mycobacterium avium complex, Mycobacterium kansasii or Mycobacterium xenopi are world-wide distributed. In contrast, some others have a specific geographical distribution. This is the case of M. ulcerans, which causes a cutaneous diseases endemic of Central and West Africa (Buruli ulcer) and Australia (Bairnsdale ulcer), being the third mycobacterial infection after tuberculosis and leprosy. Cutaneous mycobacteriosis usually appear either after contact of traumatic or surgical wounds with water or other contaminated products, or, secondarily, as a consequence of a disseminated mycobacterial disease, especially among immunosuppressed patients. For an early diagnosis, it is necessary to maintain a high degree of suspicion in patients with chronic cutaneous diseases and a history of trauma, risk exposure and negative results of conventional microbiological studies. In general, individualized susceptibility testing is not recommended for most NTM infections, except for some species, and in case of therapeutic failure. Treatment includes a combination of different antimicrobial agents, but it must be taken into account that NTM are resistant to conventional antituberculous drugs. Severe cases or those with deep tissues involvement could also be tributary of surgical resection.