Bioprospection and molecular phylogeny of culturable endophytic fungi associated with yellow passion fruit

Endophytic microorganisms live inside the plants without causing any damage to their hosts. In the agricultural field, these endophytes might be a strategy of biological control for phytopathogens. We aimed to isolate endophytic fungifrom yellowpassion fruit (Passiflora edulis) leaves, evaluating its biocontrol capacity by in vitroantagonism against phytopathogen Colletotrichum sp. CNPU378. We also carried out greenhouse experiments in bean seedlings. A high colonization frequency was obtained (89%), and the molecular identification based on DNA sequencing attested Colletotrichumas the most frequent genus and minor occurrence of Curvulariaendophytes. The endophytes tested showed different types of competitive interactions in in vitro antagonism inhibition rate ranging from 28.8 to 48.8%. There were 10 promising antagonists tested for their antagonist activity of crude extracts of secondary metabolites, in which strain PE-36 (20.8%) stood out among the other strains evaluated. In the greenhouse assay, plants inoculated only with endophyte Colletotrichumsp. PE-36 was symptomless and suggest that the endophyte strengthened the growth promotion in common bean plants, especially in the root length and number of leaves when compared to control plantsand other treatments. Despite many fungiof Colletotrichumgenus being described as causative agents of anthracnose, in this study, the plant sampled was colonized predominantly by Colletotrichumendophytes living in asymptomatic relationship. By the way,we come across a Colletotrichumsp. endophyte able to antagonize a Colletotrichumsp. pathogen

Characterization and fungal community of antler dermophytosis in Jilin and Liaoning provinces / 中国人兽共患病学报

Dermophytosis is a common fungal disease that affects fast-growing antlers of sika deer (Cervus nippon)and red deer (Cervus elaphus),causing the so-called 'white-skin antlers'and 'crusted antlers'.Here we described the features of dermophytosis in deer antler observed from 20 affected deer from 8 farms in Jilin and Liaoning province by clinical findings,he-matology,pathological examination and fungal species distribution.The fungal infection in the antlers as indicated by HE stai-ning,affected only epidermis and the dermis layers,with the main lesion of necrosis of the dermis tissue and inflammatory in-filtrate.Hematologic profile suggested the insignificant cell count change of lymphocyte,neutrophil,white blood cell between dermophytosis and healthy deer(n=10).A total of 68 fungi isolates were then recovered from the antlers with dermophytosis, of which 64.7% (44/68)were identified as members within Deuteromycotina,the rest 35.3% (24/68)belonged to the Saccha-romycotina.Notably,the well-known opportunistic pathogen,including species within Trichophyton,Epidermophyton as well as Candida albican,might account for the dermophytosis of deer antler.In conclusion,'white-skin antlers'and 'crusted antlers'are high likely caused by opportunistic fungi.

Fungal isolation in HIV patients and CD4 count.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate fungal isolation in HIV infected patients and its relationship with CD4 count. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria (between March and July 2013). Methodology: A total of 100 positive Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients (28 males, 72 females; age range 1-70 years) were included in this study. The sputum specimens were tested for mycobacteria using Ziehl Neelson’s staining technique. Fungal sputum culture was carried out using standard conventional fungal culture method. Identification was done using chromogenic media and standard staining methods. Results: There were significant fungal associations with gender, age and antiretroviral therapy (P≤0.05). Out of 100 sputum samples cultured, 80 had fungal growths; 61 single and19 mixed isolates, while the remaining 20 samples were without fungal growth. Different fungi species were isolated from 5 out of the 9 patients positive for Mycobacterium spp. A total of 8 different fungal species were isolated with Candida albicans, 24(30%), as the predominant species which had a CD4 count range of 10-200 cells/μl, while Aspergillus niveus was the least, 1(1.2%) with CD4 count range of 300-400 cells/μl. Penicillium marneiffei was the second most prevalent fungi, 11(13.8%). Patients with CD4 T-cell count of less than 100 cells/μl had the highest frequency of fungal isolates from sputum 27(76.4 %) (P≤0.05), while those with CD4 counts >400 cells/μl showed no fungal infection. Patients with Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida glabrata and mixed infections had a total white blood cell (WBC) count of <4.0x109 cells /1. Neutropenia was also observed in patients with Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Pencillium marneiffei. Conclusion: HIV infection increases the susceptibility to fungal colonization and infection. The CD4 counts of the patients have a strong relationship with the frequency and type of fungal isolates. The lower the CD4 count the higher the frequency of fungal isolates. Since invasive fungal colonization of the lungs remain important causes of death in immunocompromised patients, early isolation and identification of the colonizing fungi can improve the prognosis of patients.