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.
Study of diseases of the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Italy. First isolation of the dermatophyte Microsporum cookei.
The ecological risks connected with the introduction of the North American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Italy are many. Of particular importance is the conservation of the native red squirrel (S. vulgaris) population, since the experience from the British Isles showed that where the grey squirrel was introduced, the autochthonous red squirrel became extinct. To determine the health status of grey squirrels trapped and euthanasized during an eradication campaign in the Piedmont region, various analyses were carried out. This paper describes a preliminary mycological investigation. Microsporum cookei, a geophilic dermatophyte, was isolated for the first time from grey squirrels.
Adsorption of immunoglobulin Y in supermacroporous continuous cryogel with immobilized Cu(2+) ions.
The influence of temperature, pH and ionic strength on the adsorption of Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) in IDA-Cu(2+) cryogel system was studied by batch equilibrium measurements. The adsorptive equilibrium data were obtained at 17 and 27°C, pH 5.0 and 6.5, and at ionic strength of 50 and 200mmolL(-1) NaCl. Langmuir, Freundlich and Langmuir-Freundlich models were fitted to equilibrium data, while the enthalpy of adsorption of IgY in IDA-Cu(2+) cryogel system was calculated through Van't Hoff analysis. The binding of IgY on cryogel was stronger at 27°C and lowest pH and ionic strength values, with apparent maximum adsorption capacity of 27mgg(-1). The adsorption of protein in the resin was spontaneous in all analyzed cases. The results provide valuable information to enable the improvement of IgY purification processes.