Evaluación de la calidad del diagnóstico micológico: cultivos / Quality assessment of the mycological diagnosis: cultures

Se evaluó la capacidad de los laboratorios participantes del Sub Programa Micología para identificar diferentes cepas de hongos al nivel de género o especie. Tomados los resultados en conjunto, el 66% de los laboratorios identificó en forma correcta las cepas, mientras que otro 25% lo hizo en forma parcial. En el caso de los dermatofitos hubo un mayor porcentaje de respuestas correctas para el reconocimiento de Trichophyton mentagrophytes (76%) respecto de las especies de Microsporum evaluadas: M. canis (66%) y M. gypseum (65%). Los resultados de la identificación de las especies de levaduras mostraron dos grupos diferentes: uno conformado por Candida albicans y Cryptococcus neoformans, con elevados porcentajes de respuestas correctas (87 y 95%, respectivamente) y otro por C. tropicalis y C. glabrata, que ocasionó dificultades para su correcta identificación (sólo 28 y 32% de respuestas correctas). Las especies de Aspergillus evaluadas (A. fumigatus y A. niger) fueron reconocidas en forma correcta por el 63 y 72% de los participantes. Los resultados obtenidos, si bien son considerados como aceptables, evidencian la necesidad de mejorar la capacidad evaluada, teniendo en cuenta su influencia decisiva sobre la calidad del diagnóstico micológico.

The ability to identify different fungal strains at genera or specie level for participant laboratories of the Mycology Sub-Program, was evaluated. Taking into account all results as a whole, 66% of laboratories identified the strains correctly, while another 25% recognized the strains partially. Regarding dermatophytes, a higher percentage of correct responses for Trichophyton mentagrophytes recognition was observed with respect to (76%) those of the evaluated Microsporum species: M. canis (66%) and M. gypseum (65%). The results produced by the identification of yeasts species showed 2 different groups: one constituted by Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, with higher percentages of correct responses (87 and 95%, respectively) and another one constituted by C. tropicalis and C. glabrata, which presented difficulties for their correct identification (28 and 32% correct responses). The evaluated species of Aspergillus (A. fumigatus and A. niger) were recognized by 63% and 72% of the participants. The results obtained, considered as acceptable, show the need to improve the evaluated capacity, taking into account their decisive influence on mycologic diagnosis quality.

Total lipids and fatty acids of strains of "Metarhizium anisopliae"

Two growth stages, conidia (C) and mycelium (M), and two media, minimal medium (MM) and complete medium (MC), were compared in 10 strains of "M. anisopliae", and two strains of "M. anisopliae" var. "majus" were similar in percentages of total lipids. Tukey test for average of lipid content in conidia (C) and mycelia (M) cultured on minimal (MM) and complete (MC) media showed significant differences between means at the 5(per cent) level of mycelia and conidia, indicating variability in total lipid production and storage during growth. Strains 5 and 7, both variety "majus", did not present sizable differences from variety "anisopliae". For fatty acids, C18:1 and C18:2, oleic and linoleic, respectively, the differences were all highly significant (p=1(per cent)) with highest means being obtained for conidia for fatty acid C18:1 and for mycelia for fatty acid C18:2.