ABSTRACT
This report represents the first study of keratinophilic fungi present in soils of Jamaica. Out of the 40 soil samples examined from different habitats, 30 (75%) were positive for the presence of keratinophilic fungi, yielding 36 isolates of keratinophilic fungi. Microsporum gypseum complex (represented by 16 isolates of M. gypseum, and four of M. fulvum) was most frequent, being present in 50% of the samples. A very high occurrence of this dermatophyte in Jamaican soil is of public health significance. The remaining isolates of keratinophilic fungi were represented by Chrysosporium spp (mainly C. indicum and C. tropicum) and Sepedonium sp.
Esta comunicação representa o primeiro estudo sobre fungos queratinofílicos presentes em solos da Jamaica. De 40 amostras de solo examinadas de diferentes localidades, 30 (75%) foram positivas para a presença de fungos queratinofílicos permitindo 36 isolamentos dos mesmos. O complexo Microsporum gypseum (representados por 16 isolamentos de M. gypseum e quatro de M. fulvum) foi o mais frequente, estando presente em 50% das amostras. A muito alta ocorrência deste dermatófito no solo da Jamaica é significante para a saúde pública. Os isolados remanescentes de fungos queratinofílicos foram representados pelo Chrysosporium spp (principalmente C. indicum e C. tropicum) e Sepedonium sp.
Subject(s)
Fungi/classification , Fungi/isolation & purification , Soil Microbiology , Jamaica , KeratinsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi including dermatophytes on feathers of domestic and wild birds in the islands of St Kitts and Nevis. METHOD: During 2010-2011, samples of feathers from ninety-four birds were examined by hair-baiting technique in Petri-dishes containing sterilized soil. Fungal growths appearing on the feathers and the hair-baits were microscopically examined and the cultures obtained were identified on the basis of their microscopic and colonial morphology. RESULTS: Chrysosporium constituted the majority (86.9%) of the 72 isolates of keratinophilic fungi, represented by mainly C tropicum and C indicum. Sepedonium spp isolates were recovered from nine of the feather samples; two of these were identified as Sepedonium chrysospermum, and the other two as S ampullosporum. CONCLUSION: Recovery of four isolates of the dermatophyte, Microsporum gypseum complex (two each of M gyspeum and M fulvum) from feathers of birds is a finding of public health significance.
OBJETIVO: El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar la presencia de hongos queratinofílicos, incluyendo dermatofitos, en las plumas de aves domésticas y silvestres en las islas de St Kitts y Nieves. MÉTODOS: Durante 2010-2011, se examinaron muestras de plumas de noventa y cuatro aves, utilizando la técnica de anzuelo queratínico (técnica de Vanbreuseghem) en placas de Petri con tierra esterilizada. Los crecimientos fúngicos que aparecieron sobre las plumas y los anzuelos de queratina de pelos (hair baits) fueron examinados bajo el microscopio, y los cultivos obtenidos fueron identificados sobre la base de su morfología microscópica y colonial. RESULTADOS: Chrysosporium constituyó la mayor parte (86.9%) de los 72 aislados de hongos queratinofílicos, representados principalmente por el C tropicum y el C indicum. Aislados de Sepedonium spp fueron obtenidos de nueve muestras de plumas. Dos de ellos fueron identificados como Sepedonium chrysospermum y los otros dos como S ampullosporum. CONCLUSIÓN: La recuperación de cuatro aislados del complejo M gypseum dermatofito (formado por dos M gyspeum y dos M fulvum respectivamente) de las plumas de aves, es un hallazgo de importancia para la salud pública.