Isolation of keratomycetes from the soil of wild animal cages and enclosures in the zoo of the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Italy.
The keratinophilic fungi present in the soil of wild animal cages and enclosures in the zoo of the "Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo", at Pescasseroli, Italy were studied. The goal of the investigation was to determine what species of such fungi existed in wild animal habitats in that area and what variation there may be in their frequency in connection with the seasons. The most prevalent fungus was Trichophyton ajelloi, followed in decreasing order by the Chrysosporium species (C. keratinophilum, C. tropicum, C. state of Ctenomyces serratus). The Microsporums were relatively rare. The perfect forms Arthroderma uncinatum, A. quadrifidum, Nannizzia cajetani and Ctenomyces serratus were isolated from plates containing their corresponding imperfect forms. The recurrence of the species present in the soil of each cage and enclosure in April and in July was remarkable.
Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from floors in Roman primary schools
Keratinophilic fungi are present in the environment with variable distribution patterns that depend on different factors, one of which, of fundamental importance, is human and or animal presence. The present study was conducted in the environment and classrooms of schools in order to evaluate the relationship between the human presence and the presence of keratinophilic fungi. In order to achieve this goal, a new isolation technique was used. From 20 samples, 253 colonies of keratinophilic fungi were isolated. The results showed that species of the genus Chrysosporium were present in 100% of the samples, while Microsporum and Trichophyton species were present in 40% and 65% of the samples respectively. The percentage of three pathogenic species, M. canis (25), T. mentagrophytes (10) and M. gypseum (10) was significant. The other species isolated were: T. terrestre (55%), Trichophyton sp. (35%), M. cookei (25%) and T. ajelloi (10%). A correlation between the amount of gathered dust and the number of colonies of keratinophilic fungi isolated was not found.RésuméLes mycètes kératinophyliques sont présents dans le milieu avec une distribution variable et dépendante de plusieurs facteurs, parmi lesquels d'importance fondamentale est la présence humaine ou animale. Cette recherche a été conduite dans des milieux et des salles de classe pour mieux saisir les rapports existant entre présence fongique et présence humaine. A ce propos on a employé une nouvelle technique d'isolement. Dans les 20 échantillons analysés on a isolé 253 colonies de mycètes kératinophyliques. Les resultats montrent que le genre Chrysosporium se trouve dans le 100% des échantillons examinés tandis que les genres Microsporum et Trichophyton sont répandus respectivement dans le 40 et le 65%. Les valeurs en pour-cent de trois espèces pathogènes, M. canis (25), T. mentagrophytes (10) et M. gypseum (10), se sont révélées statistiquement significatives. Les espèces suivantes ont été isolés: T. terrestre (55%), Trichophyton sp. (35%), M. cookei (25%), T. ajelloi (10%). On n'a relevé aucune corrélation entre quantité de poussière ramassée et nombre de colonies de mycètes kératinophyliques isolés.
A taxonomic review of the dermatophytes and related species.
Emmons' classification of the dermatophytes has been updated to include knowledge that has accumulated since 1934. The 3 genera—Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton—are still deemed sufficient to accommodate all of the dermatophytes and related organisms.The recognized species in each genus are discussed, and reasons are given for excluding several genera and species.A plea is made for the adoption of a universal system of classification for the dermatophytes and related species guided by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.