[Keratinophilic fungi in soils of parks of Corrientes city, Argentina]. / Hongos queratinofílicos en suelos de parques de la ciudad de Corrientes, Argentina.

BACKGROUND: The soil is a natural reservoir of keratinophilic fungi, which are a small but important group of filamentous fungi, some of which typically develop on keratinized tissues of living animals. There are numerous species of saprophytic fungi with recognized keratinophilic abilities, and several studies have been undertaken in order to link their presence to possible human disease. AIMS: To know the biota of geophilic fungi in general and of keratinophilic fungi particularly in soils from two public parks. METHODS: Soil samples from two public parks of Corrientes city, Argentina, were studied during two seasons, using the hook technique and serial dilutions for fungal isolation. RESULTS: Using the hook technique, 170 isolates were classified into 17 genera and 21 species, among which it is worth mentioning the presence of Microsporum canis. Shannon index for keratinophilic fungi in autumn was 2.27, and 1.92 in spring. By means of the serial dilutions technique, 278 fungi isolated were identified into 33 genera and 71 species. Shannon index in autumn was 3.9, and 3.5 in spring. CONCLUSIONS: The soils studied have particularly favorable conditions for the survival of pathogens and opportunistic geophilic fungi for humans and animals.

[Toxocara canis eggs as bait for soil fungus in a subtropical city]. / Huevos de Toxocara canis como anzuelo para hongos geófilos en una ciudad subtropical.

BACKGROUND: The use of different isolation techniques allows the recovery of fungi based on their ability to use selective substrates. The sprinkle method is a technique for the recovery of nematophagous fungi in the soil. These fungi are natural predators of nematodes and are widely distributed in nature. AIMS: To detect possible fungi with nematophagous ability in the soil of city parks in Corrientes (Argentina). METHODS: The soil samples were taken from an area of ground between two trees and to no more than 2cm deep. The isolation was performed according to the sprinkle method with Toxocara canis eggs as bait. RESULTS: Eighteen soil samples were collected, and 6 genera and 8 species of fungi were isolated. The sprinkle method, simple and efficient, has the advantage of using a small amount of untreated soil for the isolation of fungi that can grow on the eggs of geohelminths. The genera Bipolaris, Fusarium, Purpureocillium, Curvularia, Phoma and Scytalidium were isolated in this study. CONCLUSIONS: No other studies describing the interaction between the genera Curvularia, Phoma and Scytalidium with nematode eggs have been found in the literature, thus more studies are required to determine what is their real action on these eggs.