Survey of keratinophilic and saprobic fungi in the cloven-hooves and horns of goats and sheep from Egypt

Fungi associated with the hairs of goat and sheep in libya

The mycoflora on the hair in 25 samples of each of goats and sheep collected from Libya was analyzed using two isolation methods at 25℃. Seventy species and 3 varieties belonging to 31 genera were collected from the two substrates. The hairs of sheep were polluted with fungi than goat, contained high total counts and number of genera and species. Two species of true dermatophytes were isolated namely Trichophyton rubrum and T. terrestre. Several keratiophilic species were isolated of which Chrysosporium indicum, C. keratinophilum and C. tropicum were the most prevalent. The commonest saprophytes in order of frequency were members of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Emericella, Alternaria and Cochliobolus.

Diversity of keratinophilic fungi on human hairs and nails at four governorates in upper egypt

The mycobiota of 160 hair and nail samples collected from 4 different governorates in upper Egypt were estimated using soil plate method for isolating keratinophilic and dermatophytic fungi. Twenty-three fungi were recorded on both hair and nail samples collected from the four governorates. Highest fungal diversity (20) was collected from Red Sea samples followed by Qena (18) and Aswan (17) while lowest fungal diversity was recorded from Sohage samples. The common genera were Aphanoascus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Paecilomyces and Chrysosporium. The most prevalent species belonging to these genera were: A. fulvescens, Aphanoascus sp. A. flavus link, A. flavus var. columnaris, P. chrysogenium. P. lilacinus and C. sulfureum. True dermatophytes such as Nannizzia fulva appeared in 20~30% of the male samples.

Scopulariopsis brevicaulis: a keratinophilic or a keratinolytic fungus?

The morphologic expression of human hair and nail invasion in vitro by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis isolates was studied by light microscopy on whole material and on semi-thin sections, and also by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Only three isolates of the nine that were examined were keratinolytic, capable of both attacking keratinic substrates and demolishing their keratin. The process showed all the characteristic of enzymatic digestion and was in agreement with the biochemical and morphogenetic scheme proposed for other keratinolytic fungi during their invasion of human hair in vitro. All the active isolates were capable of developing structures related to surface erosion and radial penetration contemporaneously. However the extent and rate of keratinolysis were rather low when compared with the efficiency of other keratinolytic fungi. This finding suggests that S. brevicaulis is of secondary importance in the mineralization of keratinic substrates in natural environments. From the medical standpoint the mere demonstration of keratinolytic activity means that it may be regarded as a real cause of primary infection.

Case report. A disseminated infection due to Chrysosporium queenslandicum in a garter snake (Thamnophis)

A male garter snake (Thamnophis) from a private terrarium was spontaneously and simultaneously infected with Chrysosporium queenslandicum and Geotrichum candidum. The autopsy revealed disseminated mycotic alterations in skin, lungs and liver. Chrysosporium queenslandicum grew well at 28 degrees C, the optimal temperature of the animal. This is the first description of a Chrysosporium queenslandicum infection in a garter snake.

Onychomycosis in white line disease in horses: pathology, mycology and clinical features

This paper describes onychomycosis in horses and reports the pathological findings, associated fungi and incidence of concurrent white line disease. In addition to these observations, relevance between post mortem and clinical findings of onychomycosis are discussed in 3 necropsied horses. Samples were collected from 100 hooves from a total of 51 Thoroughbreds suffering from white line disease. Of these, 15 hooves from 13 horses were also complicated with severe hoof wall fissure formation. Preparations from the same samples were used both for histopathology and for culture to identify the associated fungi. Onychomycosis was diagnosed when it could be confirmed histologically. Fungal identification was based on morphological characteristics in culture and the associated fungi were determined by comparison with culture morphology. As a result, 10 samples collected from horses were diagnosed as suffering from onychomycosis. Seven of these showed complicating severe inner hoof wall fissures and the soil fungus Scedosporium apiospermum or the teleomorph of this fungus, i.e., Pseudallescheria boydii, was isolated. The fungus was found to be ubiquitous in the fissure cavities, the terminal horn of the white line and the terminal horn-like laminae of the metaplastic white line-like tissue. It can be concluded that onychomycosis frequently causes white line disease and/or makes it worse. Associated with deterioration of the submural condition, the main associated fungus for onychomycosis in this series, was Genus Scedosporium and the most susceptible region was the terminal horn of the hypertrophied white line and/or the terminal horn-like laminae of the metaplastic white line-like tissue.

Dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi causing ringworm of horses

From 60 horses showing skin lesions, 42% were positive for fungal infection. Horses less than 2-year old were more susceptible to this infection. Fourteen species belonging to nine genera of keratinophilic and cycloheximide-resistant fungi were recovered from collected specimens. Trichophyton was the dominant genus of which T. equinum was the most common. This species proved to be the main causative agent of ringworm in horses. In addition to dermatophytes, many species of the isolated fungi were keratinophilic. The presence of such fungi on hairs and skin of horses may create an opportunity for them under special circumstances to become invasive to the skin or hair and thus cause primary or secondary infection of the animals.

Dermatophytes and other associated fungi isolated from ringworm lesions of camels

Among 75 camels showing skin lesions, 48% were positive for fungal infection. The younger individuals were more susceptible to this infection. Sixteen species belonging to nine genera of keratinophilic and cycloheximide-resistant fungi were recovered from diseased camels. Trichophyton, Microsporum and Chrysosporium were the most common genera. T. verrucosum appeared to be the main cause of ringworm in small camels while T. mentagrophytes infected older ones. Camel skin presents a suitable habitat for the growth of some dermatophytes and other potentially pathogenic fungi.