A survey on the pathogenic fungi in soil samples of potted plants from Sari hospitals, Iran

What do We Know about Cryptic Aspergillosis?

Cryptic Aspergillus species are increasingly recognized as pathogens involved in human disease. They are ubiquitarian fungi with high tenacity in their environment and can express various resistance mechanisms, often due to exposure to antifungal agents employed in agriculture and farming. The identification of such species is increasing thanks to molecular techniques, and a better description of this type of pathogen is granted. Nevertheless, the number of species and their importance in the clinical setting still need to be well studied. Furthermore, their cross-sectional involvement in animal disease, plants, and human activities requires a multidisciplinary approach involving experts from various fields. This comprehensive review aims to provide a sharp vision of the cryptic Aspergillus species, from the importance of correct identification to the better management of the infections caused by these pathogens. The review also accentuates the importance of the One Health approach for this kind of microorganism, given the interconnection between environmental exposure and aspergillosis, embracing transversely the multidisciplinary process for managing the cryptic Aspergillus species. The paper advocates the need for improving knowledge in this little-known species, given the burden of economic and health implications related to the diffusion of these bugs.

Phytoremediation for the indoor environment: a state-of-the-art review

Poor indoor air quality has become of particular concern within the built environment due to the time people spend indoors, and the associated health burden. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from synthetic materials, nitrogen dioxide and harmful outdoor VOCs such benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylene penetrate into the indoor environment through ventilation and are the main contributors to poor indoor air quality with health effects. A considerable body of literature over the last four decades has demonstrate the removal of gaseous contaminants through phytoremediation, a technology that relies on plant material and technologies to remediate contaminated air streams. In this review we present a state-of-the-art on indoor phytoremediation over the last decade. Here we present a review of 38 research articles on both active and passive phytoremediation, and describe the specific chemical removal efficiency of different systems. The literature clearly indicates the efficacy of these systems for the removal of gaseous contaminants in the indoor environment, however it is evident that the application of phytoremediation technologies for research purposes in-situ is currently significantly under studied. In addition, it is common for research studies to assess the removal of single chemical species under controlled conditions, with little relevancy to real-world settings easily concluded. The authors therefore recommend that future phytoremediation research be conducted both in-situ and on chemical sources of a mixed nature, such as those experienced in the urban environment like petroleum vapour, vehicle emissions, and mixed synthetic furnishings off-gassing. The assessment of these systems both in static chambers for their theoretical performance, and in-situ for these mixed chemical sources is essential for the progression of this research field and the widespread adoption of this technology.

Drug Discovery – A New Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Natural Sources

"A rise in mortality due to fungal infections in an immunocompromised population has been observed lately. Nowadays, due to increased fungal infections, the limitations encountered in their treatment like resistance, side-effects, and high toxicity, the rising prescription and overuse of conventional antifungals all stimulate a search for alternative natural drugs therefore we are in dire need of natural newer strategies that involve reliable agents for the treatment of fungal diseases such as essential oils are known for their anti-microbial properties and are multi-component. Materials & Methods: Soil samples (66 samples) were collected from different agricultural fields and animals habitat of Saharanpur (U.P.) Isolation of keratinophilic fungi was carried out by the hair-baiting technique. Extraction of Mentha piperita & Cinnamonum vernum essential oil was carried out by hydrodistillation method and the chemical composition of both extracted essential oils was determined by Gas ChromatographyMass Spectrophotometry. Antimycotic studies of essential oils were done by the standard disc diffusion method. Results & Discussion: In the present study, the antifungal potential of Mentha piperita & Cinnamonum vernum essential oils were evaluated against three human pathogenic fungi isolated from the soil of agricultural field and animals habitat of Saharanpur (U.P.) i.e Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T.tonsurans, and T.equinum. The chemical composition of Mentha piperita & Cinnamonum vernum EO was analyzed by GC-MS. Menthol (53.28%) was the major compound of the Mentha piperita EO followed by Menthyl acetate (15.1%) and Menthofuran (11.18%). Major constituents of Cinnamonum vernum EO were linalool (8%), (E)- cinnamaldehyde (7.2%), β-caryophyllene (7.4%), eucalyptol (6.4%), and eugenol (5.6%). Conclusion: Essential oils of Mentha piperita & Cinnamonum vernum have been found to have remarkable & excellent antifungal activity against these pathogenic fungi. Present findings conclude that natural products like plant-derived EOs instead of chemotherapy and the emergence of resistance to antifungal drugs can be regarded as an environmental safety mode of disease control against pathogens. "

Towards practical indoor air phytoremediation: A review

Indoor air quality has become a growing concern due to the increasing proportion of time people spend indoors, combined with reduced building ventilation rates resulting from an increasing awareness of building energy use. It has been well established that potted-plants can help to phytoremediate a diverse range of indoor air pollutants. In particular, a substantial body of literature has demonstrated the ability of the potted-plant system to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air. These findings have largely originated from laboratory scale chamber experiments, with several studies drawing different conclusions regarding the primary VOC removal mechanism, and removal efficiencies. Advancements in indoor air phytoremediation technology, notably active botanical biofilters, can more effectively reduce the concentrations of multiple indoor air pollutants through the action of active airflow through a plant growing medium, along with vertically aligned plants which achieve a high leaf area density per unit of floor space. Despite variable system designs, systems available have clear potential to assist or replace existing mechanical ventilation systems for indoor air pollutant removal. Further research is needed to develop, test and confirm their effectiveness and safety before they can be functionally integrated in the broader built environment. The current article reviews the current state of active air phytoremediation technology, discusses the available botanical biofiltration systems, and identifies areas in need of development.

Dermatophytes and dermatophytosis in the eastern and southern parts of Africa

Dermatophytosis is currently a disease of global importance and a public health burden. It is caused by dermatophytes, which attack and grow on dead animal keratin. Dermatophytes belong to three genera, namely, Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. The predominant clinical forms and causative agents vary from one region of the world to another. Poor socioeconomic status, high population densities, and poor sanitary conditions are some of the factors responsible for the high prevalence of dermatophytosis in many developing countries, which include countries in southern and eastern Africa, the focus of this review. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no review article on published findings on dermatophytosis in the eastern and southern parts of Africa. This information will be of interest to the medical and research community since the world has become a global village. This review covers published research findings in eastern and southern regions of Africa until this date. The countries covered in the current review include Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. T. violaceum is the most common human etiological agent in all the countries under review with prevalence ranging from 56.7% to 95%, except for Madagascar (M. langeronii, reclassified as M. audouinii), Uganda (M. gypseum) and Malawi (M. audouinii). Tinea capitis was the most clinical type, followed by tinea corporis. Etiological agents of animal dermatophytoses were variable in the countries where they were reported. Major risk factors for dermatophytoses are age, climatic, and socioeconomic factors.

Perceived Importance of Wellness Features at a Cancer Center: Patient and Staff Perspectives

Objectives:

Determine the relative impact of 11 building wellness features on preference and on the ability to deliver/receive quality care for two groups: patients and caregivers.

Background:

The impact of building features that promote wellness is of increasing interest to the building owners, designers, and occupants.

Methods:

This study performed a postoccupancy evaluation of two user groups at a healthcare facility with specific wellness features. Seventy-six staff and 62 patients of a cancer center were polled separately to determine their preferences in 11 categories.

Results:

Results showed that all wellness features were viewed favorably by the two groups, with natural lighting, views of nature, and thermal comfort as top categories for both. The t-test comparisons were performed, and significant differences ( p < .05) between the two groups were found for three of the features (views of nature, art and murals, and indoor plants). Discussion of these differences and the interaction of competing design goals (thermal comfort, views of nature, natural light, and desire for privacy) are included.

Conclusions:

Designers and owners will want to consider the preferred use of roof gardens, art and murals, and indoor plants for patient spaces, where their relative value is greater. Access to private and quiet spaces is the top need for caregivers. Ease of movement, thermal comfort, and natural light were top needs for patients.

Aspergillus species in indoor environments and their possible occupational and public health hazards

The genus Aspergillus, which consists of a few hundred opportunistic mold species found in various climatic conditions, causes diseases including localized infections, fatal diseases, allergic responses, and inhaled conidia in humans. Herein, we present an overview of the most common diseases and allergic infections caused by Aspergillus species and their associated health hazards in various indoor environments worldwide.

Identification of Mucorales isolates from soil using morphological and molecular methods

Background and Purpose:

Soil is the main habitat of saprophytic and pathogenic fungi. Mucoromycotina constitutes a large group of soil fungi, with certain opportunistic members causing systemic infections in immunocompromised hosts. The majority of human and animal infections are caused by the members of the genera Rhizopus, Mucor, Rhizomucor, Lichtheimia (Absidia), Cunninghamella, and Mortierella. Accordingly, in the present study, we aimed to isolate and identify the main genera of the order Mucorales, using molecular assays and morphological features.

Materials and Methods:

In total, 340 soil samples were collected from seven public parks throughout the city and sidewalk gardens in 14 municipal districts in Isfahan, Iran. All the samples were cultured on the appropriate media, incubated at 27°C for 2- 4 days, and examined daily for visible fungal growth. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was applied and macroscopic, microscopic, and physiological characteristics were assessed to identify fungal colonies.

Results:

400 pure colonies, belonging to the orders Mucorales and Mortierellales, including the genera Lichtheimia, Rhizopus, Rhizomucor, Mucor, Cunninghamella, and Mortierella, were identified. The genus Rhizopus (35.5%) was the most frequent isolate, followed by Mucor (32.25%) and Rhizomucor (27.5%).

Conclusion:

The results emphasize the importance of opportunistic fungi in public areas and indicate the risk of exposure for immunocompromised individuals.

Seasonal Distribution of Fungi in Soil Found in Two Hospitals in Bandar Abbas, Iran

INTRODUCTION

Fungal contamination in hospitals has been a major health concern, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Construction programs increase the risk of fungal contaminations in hospitals. This study aimed to monitor and compare fungal contamination in two hospitals in Bandar Abbas, Iran, one of which was undergoing construction. Furthermore, the study determined the seasonal variations in the prevalence of fungi identified in the two hospitals.

METHODS

This study was conducted during April-December 2014 on 146 soil samples collected from the Shahid Mohammadi Hospital that was under construction and the Shariati Hospital that was not involved in any construction program. The soil samples were collected in the morning from the dust on the ground. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared test.

RESULTS

Among the fungal cultures, 83.56% were found to be positive. We identified 122 fungal isolates, representing 16 genera, 13 of the genera were isolated from Shahid Mohammadi Hospital and 14 were isolated from Shariati Hospital. Aspergillus was the dominant fungus in both hospitals. In Shariati Hospital, 100% of Aspergiluss niger were isolated in the summer. In the spring, Mocur was dominant in both hospitals, and, in the winter, Rhizopus spp. was the dominant fungus in Shahid Mohammadi Hospital (55.5%); however, this fungus was dominant in spring in Shariati Hospital (66.7%). In Shariati Hospital, Scopulariopsis, Drechslera, Penicillium spp., and Yeasts were present only in the fall, whereas yeast was the dominant fungus in summer (100%) in Shahid Mohammadi Hospital. There were not significant differences between two hospitals, with the exception of Fusarium spp., which was more frequent in Shariati Hospital, where no renovation was taking place (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that specific ecological niches existed in the two general hospitals in Bandar Abbas. Special attention should be paid to environmental control programs. It is recommended that soil exposure be considered in patients' histories in addition to the current focus on infections related to food and water.

Incidence of Keratinophilic Fungi from Selected Soils of Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra State, India

One hundred and fifty samples were collected from eleven districts of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state and screened for the presence of keratinophilic fungi using hair baiting technique for isolation. Seventy-one isolates were recovered and identified. The cultures were identified using macro- and micromorphological features. Their identification was also confirmed by the BLAST search of sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region against the NCBI/Genbank data and compared with deposited sequences for identification purpose. Thirteen species of eight genera were isolated, namely, Auxarthron conjugatum (2.00%), Chrysosporium indicum (14.00%), Chrysosporium evolceanui (2.66%), Chrysosporium tropicum (4.66%), Chrysosporium zonatum (1.33%), Chrysosporium state of Ctenomyces serratus (3.33%), Gymnascella dankaliensis (1.33%), Gymnascella hyalinospora (0.66%), Gymnoascoideus petalosporus (0.66%), Microsporum gypseum complex (9.33%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2.00%), T. terrestre (3.33%), and Uncinocarpus queenslandicus (2.00%). This study indicates that the soils of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra may be significant reservoirs of certain keratinophilic fungi.

Invasive aspergillosis in intensive care unit patients in Iran

We assessed the intensive care unit (ICU) patients for Invasive aspergillosis (IA) with culture and non-culture based diagnostic methods from Iran. Thirty-six ICU patients with underlying predisposing conditions for IA were enrolled in the study. Sixty eight Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were collected by bronchoscope twice a weekly. BAL samples were analyzed by microscopic examination, fungal culture and galactomannan (GM) detection. The Platelia Aspergillus GM EIA was used to quantify GM indices. Samples with a BAL GM index > or = 1 were considered as positive for GM. Patients were classified as having probable or possible IA. Out of 36 suspected patients to IA, 36.1% of cases showed IA which were categorized as: 4 cases of possible IA and 9 of probable IA. 76.2% of BAL samples were positive for GM. From 13 patients with IA, 11 (84.6%) had at least one positive BAL GM index. Of these patients, 9 (81.8%) showed probable IA. The main underlying predisposing conditions were neutropenia (53.8%) and COPD (30.8%). Our study has indicated that COPD must be considered as one of the main predisposing condition for occurrence of aspergillosis in ICU patients. Our data have also revealed that GM detection in BAL samples play a significant role to IA diagnosis.

Isolation of Microsporum gypseum in soil samples from different geographical regions of brazil, evaluation of the extracellular proteolytic enzymes activities (keratinase and elastase) and molecular sequencing of selected strains

A survey of Microsporum gypseum was conducted in soil samples in different geographical regions of Brazil. The isolation of dermatophyte from soil samples was performed by hair baiting technique and the species were identified by morphology studies. We analyzed 692 soil samples and the recuperating rate was 19.2%. The activities of keratinase and elastase were quantitatively performed in 138 samples. The sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA was performed in representatives samples. M. gypseum isolates showed significant quantitative differences in the expression of both keratinase and elastase, but no significant correlation was observed between these enzymes. The sequencing of the representative samples revealed the presence of two teleomorphic species of M. gypseum (Arthroderma gypseum and A. incurvatum). The enzymatic activities may play an important role in the pathogenicity and a probable adaptation of this fungus to the animal parasitism. Using the phenotypical and molecular analysis, the Microsporum identification and their teleomorphic states will provide a useful and reliable identification system.

Keratinophilic fungi from selected soils of Bahrain

Eighty soil samples were collected from various sites of Bahrain and screened for presence of keratinophilic fungi using hair baiting techniques for isolation. Thirty-six isolates were recovered and identified. The cultures were identified using macro- and micromorphological features. Their identification was also confirmed by the BLAST search of sequences of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region against the NCBI/Gene bank data and compared with deposited sequences for confirmation. Eight species of five genera were isolated viz. Aphanoascus fulvuscence (8.75%), Aphanoascus punsolae (20.00%), Chrysosporium indicum (2.50%), Chrysosporium tropicum (2.50%), Chrysosporium zonatum (3.75%), Spiromastix warcupii (1.25%), Microsporum gypseum (3.75%), and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2.50%). In conclusion, our study indicates that keratinophilic fungi do occur in the various soils of Bahrain. Moreover, the narrow diversity and low density of keratinophilic fungi in the investigated soils is expected and is emblematic to other hot arid environments.

Nosocomial pulmonary Rhizopus diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage with cytology in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Rhizopus species is an opportunistic fungus that is contracted by inhalation of aerosolized spores. Early diagnosis is often difficult but is a necessity to prevent rapid progression of the infection that leads to blood vessel invasion by hyphae, causing fatal hemoptysis. A previous case report described the utility of cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in achieving a prompt diagnosis of Rhizopus species in an adolescent patient with diabetic ketoacidosis. The author presents a case that further describes the benefit of performing BAL fluid cytology to help identify fungal morphology characteristics in order to reach an expeditious diagnosis of Rhizopus species in a leukemia patient.