Diversity and Ecology of Myxomycetes from Kütahya and Konya (Turkey) with Four New Records

In this study, we examined myxomycetes that developed in moist chamber cultures of substrata material collected from Kütahya and Konya provinces in Turkey. We collected bark samples from living trees, plant litter from the ground, standing dead wood or stumps, and downed and decayed wood or bark and placed them in the moist chamber cultures. We identified 36 species belonging to 12 genera of myxomycetes. The species determined are listed, and four new records, Didymium balearicum Ing, Macbrideola oblonga Pando & Lado, Paradiacheopsis erythropodia (Ing) Nann–Bremek. and Perichaena pedata (Lister & G. Lister) G. Lister, are added to the mycoflora of Turkey.

Determination of fungal frequency and comparison of allergic symptoms related with buildings and fungi in Afyon, Turkey

To investigate the respiratory symptoms and atopic sensitization to fungi and its relation with the building type where school children were attending. We also compared the prevalence of sensitization to different fungi and respiratory symptoms in 2 different school buildings in a particular area of Turkey. Using simple random sampling, 301 school children aged 16-19 years attending a high school in 2 different school buildings [old and new buildings] were recruited and agreed to participate in the study. The study was conducted in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey from August 2003 to August 2004. Information on allergic diseases, building related symptoms and respiratory symptoms of the students was collected by questionnaire. Skin prick test [SPT] was performed to all students. Fungal concentrations and genera were determined by using Petri Plate Gravitational Settling Method. In both buildings, throughout all seasons, the most common fungi species seen were Penicillium and Cladosporium. When SPT was performed, the most allergen fungi seen in new building was Epidermophyton and Penicillium in the old building. The SPT results were also related with building related symptoms, except Alternaria. When the 2 groups were compared, it was observed that there were no statistically significant differences between them in regards with asthma, allergic diseases, building related symptoms, and respiratory symptoms. No significant difference was determined between these 2 buildings in accordance to fungus concentration, although the humidity rate was higher in new buildings