Identification, biological characteristics, and fungicide screening of pathogen of black spot in Aconitum carmichaelii / 中国中药杂志

In Hezhang county, Guizhou province, black spot tends to occur to Aconitum carmichaelii in the hot rainy summer, with the incidence up to 50%-70%, seriously impacting the yield and quality of the medicinal material. Thus, this study aims to clarify the pathogen and the occurrence characteristics. To be specific, the pathogen was isolated and identified according to Koch's postulates and the pathogenicity and biological characteristics were determined. In addition, the sensitivity of the pathogen to four microbial fungicides, four botanical fungicides, and five chemical fungicides was determined with the mycelium growth rate method for the purpose of screening out optimal fungicides. The pathogen was identified as Alternaria alternate, as evidenced by the similar colony morphology and microscopic characteristics and 99.55%-100% similarity in sequences of rDNA-ITS, LSU, 18S, and TEF of the two. The optimum growth conditions for A. alternata were 28 ℃, pH 8, and continuous darkness. Bacillus subtilis had strong inhibitory effect on the pathogen, and the inhibition rate was more than 90% when the concentration was 1 mg·L~(-1). In addition, difenoconazole and quinoline copper can also control the pathogen, with median effective concentration(EC_(50)) of 2.92 and 9.02 mg·L~(-1), respectively. This study lays a theoretical basis for the field control of black spot in A. carmichaelii.

Impact of Bacillus thuringiensis on inhibiting certain Alternaria alternata’s mycotoxins isolated from infected potatoes

Aims@#Potatoes are considered one of the most strategic vegetable crops all over the world. Alternaria alternata has recently contaminated certain potatoes farms in different regions in Egypt. Among thirteen samples from fifteen regions were studied in a precedent study. Our study was aimed to investigate the effect of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Kurosaki suspension on inhibiting the growth of the three tested isolates of A. alternata and minimizing their mycotoxins production in vitro using three isolates with three levels of highly, moderate and low pathogenicity with unequal amounts of dual mycotoxins production.@*Methodology and results@#Three isolates of A. alternata from three regions, Kom Hamada (KH3), Alamin (Alam1) and Nobaria (NO3), which were determined as a producer of tenuazonic acid (TeA) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) toxins. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) use as commercial fungicide was applied with three suspension concentrations (75, 150 and 300 μg/mL) as inhibitor for the two mycotoxins. Our results illustrated that the three tested isolates recorded high TeA and AME inhibition efficacies by increasing the Bt suspension concentration. The highest inhibitory concentration of Bt was at concentration 75 μg/mL for isolated from Nobaria third region (NO3) and Alam1 it was (99.83 and 99.74%) for mycotoxin (AME) while, TeA mycotoxin had the most inhibition percentage (99.58%) at concentration 150 μg/mL for the isolate (NO3).@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#The preliminary results of the study suggest that B. thuringiensis spores’ suspension with different concentrations can be used as anti-mycotoxigenic agents to inhibit the (TeA) and (AME) mycotoxins produced by Alternaria alternata.

Screening of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Weed Plant to Biocontrol Stem Rot Disease on Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus)

Abstract Endophytic bacteria from weed are emerging as valuable alternatives for biochemical pesticides in sustainable agriculture. This study aims to discover the antagonistic effects of some endophytic bacteria isolated from weed (Lactuca indica) against A. alternata, a casual of stem end rot disease of pitaya. A total of 14 endophytic bacteria were isolated and four of them presented in vitro antagonistic activity against A. alternata. Of four, strain L115 significantly inhibited the pathogenic growth with a mean inhibition diameter of 12.67 ± 0.02 mm, while the other three (strain L110, L111, and L114) showed a weak inhibition. The results indicated that strain L115 could belong to the Bacillaceae family while the other three (strain L110, L111, and L114) had characteristics of the Pseudomonadaceae family. Interestingly, strain L115 showed positive results for phosphate solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA), and biofilm production, whereas three other strains presented weak capabilities for phosphate solubilization, biofilm production and IAA production. In addition, the filtrate of strain L115 presented antifungal activity on biocontrol tests in vitro. Especially, strain L115 significantly increased seedling biomass of pitaya and tomato compared to the control. Hence, these results suggest strain L115 has the potential to be used as biocontrol agents against A. alternata. More studies should be done in the future to evaluate their efficiency in field conditions.

Cytotoxic Metabolites Of Alternaria Alternata, An Endophyte Of The Medicinal Plant Bidens Bipinnata

Objective: Endophytes are widely spread in the plant kingdom and represent a very promising source of biologically active natural products. The medicinal plant Bidens bipinnata Lin. (Asteraceae) which is known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antitumor effects has been chosen for the investigation of its endophyte to search for bioactive metabolites. Methods: An endophytic Alternaria alternata species was isolated from the leaves of the plant B. bipinnata Lin. To investigate the metabolic profile of this endophytic fungus it was cultivated in several culture media as static and shaken culture. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the ethyl acetate extracts of the fungus were examined. Extracts exhibiting highest antimicrobial activities in agar diffusion assay and cytotoxicity against HeLa cancer cell line were subjected to activity-guided chromatographic fractionation for the identification of bioactive metabolites. A cytotoxic assay was performed on the isolated compounds against HeLa cancer cell lines as well as cytostatic activity tests against HUVEC and K-562 cell lines. Results: Chromatographic fractionation resulted in the isolation and identification of alternariol and tentoxin from the extract of the fungus cultivated in medium M5 while sterigmatocystin was isolated in addition to alternariol and tentoxin from the extract of the fungus grown in medium M25. Both alternariol and sterigmatocystin proved to be of moderate cytotoxicity and weak cytostatic activity with alternariol showing higher cytotoxic activity than sterigmatocystin. Highest cytotoxicity against HeLa cell lines was observed for tentoxin with a CC50 of 22.5 µg/ml. Conclusion: This study presents the isolation and identification of the bioactive metabolites alternariol, sterigmatocystin and tentoxin from the endophyte A. alternata in addition to the antifungal activity of the strain extract as well as the cytotoxic and cytostatic activities of the isolated metabolites against HeLa, HUVEC and K-562 cell lines, respectively.

Antifungal and antioxidant activities of mature leaves of Myrcia splendens (Sw) DC / Atividade antifúngica e antioxidante de folhas maduras de Myrcia splendens (Sw) DC

Abstract In recent years, natural products with antifungal and antioxidant activities are being increasingly researched for a more sustainable alternative to the chemicals currently used for the same purpose. The plant pathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata is a causative agent of diseases in citrus, leading to huge economic losses. Antioxidants are important for the production of medicines for various diseases that may be related to the presence of free radicals, such as cancer, and in the cosmetic industry as an anti-aging agent and the food industry as preservatives. This study evaluated the antifungal and antioxidant potential of extracts of mature leaves of Myrcia splendens, a tree species that occurs in the Brazilian Cerrado. The antioxidant potential was analyzed by an assay of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging method, and the antifungal activity was assessed through the evaluation of mycelial growth. Majority of the extracts exhibited a strong antioxidant activity, especially the acetonic extract (4A). The antioxidant activity may be related to the presence of phenolic compounds. However, the extracts showed no inhibitory activity of mycelial growth of the fungus tested, with the exception of dichloromethanic extract (2B), which had an inhibitory effect (10.2%) at the end of testing.

Resumo A busca de produtos naturais com atividades antifúngica e antioxidante tem crescido nos últimos anos como alternativa mais sustentável para os produtos químicos atualmente usados para estas funções. O fungo fitopatogênico Alternaria alternata é agente causador de doenças nos citros, levando a grandes perdas econômicas. Substâncias antioxidantes são importantes tanto para a produção de medicamentos para diversas doenças que podem estar relacionadas à presença de radicais livres, como o câncer, bem como para a indústria cosmética, como agentes anti-envelhecimento e para a indústria alimentícia, como conservantes. Este trabalho avaliou o potencial antifúngico dos extratos de folhas maduras de Myrcia splendens , uma espécie arbórea que ocorre no cerrado brasileiro. O potencial antioxidante foi analisado por meio de ensaio da capacidade sequestrante do radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl e o antifúngico, por meio da avaliação do crescimento micelial. A maioria dos extratos apresentou atividade antioxidante muito forte, especialmente o extrato acetônico (4A). A atividade antioxidante pode ser relacionada a presença de compostos fenólicos. Por outro lado, os extratos não apresentaram atividade inibitória do crescimento micelial do fungo testado, com exceção do extrato diclorometânico (2B), que foi o único que teve efeito inibitório (10,2%) ao final do teste.

Effect of fungal incidence on physiological quality of tobacco seeds used in Brazil / Efeito da incidência de fungos na qualidade fisiológica de sementes de tabaco utilizadas no Brasil

The objectives of the present project were to evaluate the sanity and germination of tobacco seed samples cultivated in Brazil and to identify potential pathogenic fungi to the culture. Thirty-four representatives samples of tobacco seeds were evaluated through germination and sanity test by the blotter-test. On the germination test, results were expressed in percentage of seedlings considered normal, abnormal and non-germinated seeds. The percentage of seeds germination varied between 54.5 and 90%. According to sanity test, it was verified the incidence of Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., and Phoma spp. The incidence of A. alternata varied from 3 to 67%, and Fusarium spp. varied from 0 to 19%. There was significative positive correlation between the incidence of A. alternata and the percentage of seed germination. Species of Alternaria and Fusarium can be potential pathogens to tobacco culture and an alarm for the necessity of seed treatment of the seeds that are transporting these fungi.(AU)

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar a sanidade e a germinação de amostras de sementes de tabaco utilizadas no Brasil e identificar fungos potencialmente fitopatogênicos à cultura. Foram avaliadas 34 amostras representativas de lotes de sementes de tabaco, por meio dos testes de germinação, do método do rolo de germinação, e sua sanidade pelo método do papel de filtro. Os resultados do teste de germinação foram expressos em porcentual de plântulas consideradas normais, anormais e sementes não germinadas. A porcentagem de germinação das sementes variou entre 54,5 e 90%. Mediante o teste de sanidade, foi verificada a incidência dos fungos Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp. e Phoma spp. A incidência de A. alternata variou de 3 a 67%, e Fusarium spp., de 0 a 19%. Houve correlação significativa positiva entre a incidência de A. alternata e a porcentagem de germinação das sementes. Espécies dos gêneros Alternaria e Fusarium podem ser potenciais patógenos para a cultura do tabaco, alertando para a necessidade do tratamento das sementes portadoras desses fungos.(AU)

Antifungal and antioxidant activities of mature leaves of Myrcia splendens (Sw.) DC

Abstract In recent years, natural products with antifungal and antioxidant activities are being increasingly researched for a more sustainable alternative to the chemicals currently used for the same purpose. The plant pathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata is a causative agent of diseases in citrus, leading to huge economic losses. Antioxidants are important for the production of medicines for various diseases that may be related to the presence of free radicals, such as cancer, and in the cosmetic industry as an anti-aging agent and the food industry as preservatives. This study evaluated the antifungal and antioxidant potential of extracts of mature leaves of Myrcia splendens, a tree species that occurs in the Brazilian Cerrado. The antioxidant potential was analyzed by an assay of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging method, and the antifungal activity was assessed through the evaluation of mycelial growth. Majority of the extracts exhibited a strong antioxidant activity, especially the acetonic extract (4A). The antioxidant activity may be related to the presence of phenolic compounds. However, the extracts showed no inhibitory activity of mycelial growth of the fungus tested, with the exception of dichloromethanic extract (2B), which had an inhibitory effect (10.2%) at the end of testing.

Resumo A busca de produtos naturais com atividades antifúngica e antioxidante tem crescido nos últimos anos como alternativa mais sustentável para os produtos químicos atualmente usados para estas funções. O fungo fitopatogênico Alternaria alternata é agente causador de doenças nos citros, levando a grandes perdas econômicas. Substâncias antioxidantes são importantes tanto para a produção de medicamentos para diversas doenças que podem estar relacionadas à presença de radicais livres, como o câncer, bem como para a indústria cosmética, como agentes anti-envelhecimento e para a indústria alimentícia, como conservantes. Este trabalho avaliou o potencial antifúngico dos extratos de folhas maduras de Myrcia splendens , uma espécie arbórea que ocorre no cerrado brasileiro. O potencial antioxidante foi analisado por meio de ensaio da capacidade sequestrante do radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl e o antifúngico, por meio da avaliação do crescimento micelial. A maioria dos extratos apresentou atividade antioxidante muito forte, especialmente o extrato acetônico (4A). A atividade antioxidante pode ser relacionada a presença de compostos fenólicos. Por outro lado, os extratos não apresentaram atividade inibitória do crescimento micelial do fungo testado, com exceção do extrato diclorometânico (2B), que foi o único que teve efeito inibitório (10,2%) ao final do teste.

Orthologous Allergens and Diagnostic Utility of Major Allergen Alt a 1

PURPOSE: Hypersensitivity to fungi is associated with rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. For some fungi, such as Alternaria alternata (A. alternata), the symptoms of asthma are persistent, increasing disease severity and the risk of fatal outcomes. There are a large number of species of fungi but knowledge of them remains limited. This, together with the difficulties in obtaining adequate standardized extracts, means that there remain significant challenges in the diagnosis and immunotherapy of allergy associated with fungi. The type of indoor fungi related to asthma/allergy varies according to geographic, climatic, and seasonal factors, making their study difficult. The aim of this study was to determine hypersensitivity to indoor fungi in a population from Cuenca, Spain. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with symptoms compatible with rhinitis or asthma who showed clear worsening of their symptoms in their homes or workplace were included. In vivo and in vitro tests were made with a battery of fungal allergens, including the species isolated in the home or workplace. RESULTS: Ulocladium botrytis (U. botrytis) and A. alternata were the most representative species as a source of home sensitization. These species showed very high concordance in skin tests, specific IgE, and histamine release. The allergen Alt a 1, which was recognized in all patients, was detected in A. alternata, U. botrytis, and Stemphylium botryosum (S. botryosum). CONCLUSIONS: U. botrytis and A. alternata were the most representative species as a source of home sensitization. Alt a 1 was recognized in all patients and may be considered a non-species-specific allergen that could be used as a diagnostic source of sensitization to some species of the Pleosporaceae family.

Unusual fungal sepsis of Alternaria alternata in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in an adult patient.

We report a case of unusual fungal sepsis of Alternaria alternata in a patient of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 62‑year‑old male who presented with complaints of ‘off and on’ fever with decreased oral intake. On evaluation, haemogram showed low platelet count and 68% blast cells in peripheral blood. On flow cytometry of peripheral blood, the gated blasts (approximately 55%) highly express CD45, CD10, CD19, CD22 and condition was diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. He was started on standard induction treatment along with supportive therapies. During the course of treatment, two sets of paired blood cultures were sent 48 h apart. All of blood cultures were done on Bac‑T alert 3D system. All of them yielded fungus. The fungus was then grown on Sabouraud’s Dextrose agar media. It was identified as A. alternata. The patient condition worsened and later had cardiac arrest in ICU and could not be revived.

Positive relationship between citrus leaf miner and alternaria brown spot / Correlação positiva entre lagarta-minadora-dos-citros e mancha marrom de alternária

Alternaria brown spot, or ABS (Alternaria alternata), is the most prevalent fungal disease of tangerines in the world. Field observations have revealed ABS lesions on leaves wounded by the citrus leaf miner (CLM). Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the relationship between CLM and ABS. Leaves from young Murcott tangor plants and detached leaves from 16 different varieties of tangerines with and without lesions caused by CLM were inoculated with A. alternata. The symptoms of the plants were subsequently quantified by counting the number of lesions, and the lesion area was estimated using a diagrammatic scale. The presence of CLM damage aggravates the severity of Alternaria alternata fungus infections in susceptible tangerine varieties.

A mancha marrom de altenária, ou MMA (Alternaria alternata), é a doença fúngica mais importante das tangerinas no mundo. Observações de campo revelaram a ocorrência de lesões de MMA em folhas feridas pela lagarta-minador-dos-citros (LMC). Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre a LMC e MMA. Folhas jovens de plantas de tangor Murcott e folhas destacadas de 16 diferentes variedades de tangerinas com e sem lesões, causadas por CLM, foram inoculadas com A. alternata. Os sintomas da MMA foram subsequentemente quantificados através da contagem do número de lesões, e a área da lesão foi estimada utilizando uma escala diagramática. A presença de danos da LMC agrava a severidade de Alternaria alternata nas variedades de tangerina suscetíveis.

Efecto antifúngico de extractos fenólicos y de carotenoides de chiltepín (Capsicum annum var. glabriusculum) en Alternaria alternata y Fusarium oxysporum / Antifungal effect of phenolic and carotenoids extracts from chiltepin (Capsicum annum var. glabriusculum) on Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum

En el presente estudio se evaluó el efecto de extractos fenólicos y de carotenoides procedentes de frutos de chiltepín sobre el crecimiento micelial y la germinación de conidios de Alternaria alternata y Fusarium oxysporum, 2 importantes hongos causantes de podredumbres en frutas y hortalizas. Los extractos fenólicos presentaron una inhibición en el crecimiento micelial de A. alternata del 38,46 %, y redujeron significativamente la germinación de conidios al quinto día después del tratamiento al 92 % en relación al control. No se observaron cambios significativos en el crecimiento micelial de F. oxysporum, pero sí se redujo significativamente al 85 % en relación al control, el número de conidios germinados a los 5 días de tratamiento. Los extractos de carotenoides mostraron una inhibición del 38,5 % en el crecimiento micelial y del 85,3 % en la germinación de conidios de A. alternata, 5 días después del tratamiento. Frente a F. oxysporum, dichos extractos presentaron menor inhibición del crecimiento micelial (20,3 %), mientras que hubo una mayor inhibición en la germinación de conidios (96 %). Los extractos fenólicos y de carotenoides de chiltepín pueden ser una alternativa promisoria de importancia agrícola como fungicidas naturales.

The effect of phenolic and carotenoid extracts from chiltepin fruits on mycelial growth and the inhibition of conidial germination of Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum were investigated in the present work. Phenolic extracts inhibited mycelial growth of A. alternata by 38.46%, and significantly reduced conidial germination on the fifth day after treatment to 92% in relation to control. No significant changes were observed in the inhibition of mycelial growth in Fusarium oxysporum; however, the number of germinated conidia was reduced, showing 85% inhibition five days after treatment in relation to control. Moreover, carotenoid extracts showed 38.5% inhibition of mycelial growth and 85.3% inhibition of conidial germination of A. alternata, five days after treatment. Carotenoid extracts showed less inhibition of mycelial growth (20.3%) in F. oxysporum, with respect to A. alternata; while there was greater inhibition of conidial germination (96%) on the fifth day after treatment. Phenolic and carotenoid extracts from chiltepin may be a promising alternative as a natural fungicide against fungi of agricultural importance.

A Case of Alternaria alternata Keratitis Isolated from Corneal Tissue / 대한의진균학회지

A 71-year-old man presented with pain in the left eye that revealed a 3x3 mm deep corneal stromal infiltrate, with a 2x2 mm epithelial defect. The patient started topical moxifloxacin, voriconazole 2%, and natamycin for 2 weeks. However, the treatment was not effective and the corneal infiltration worsened. Subsequently, the patient underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. Thick brown/gray mold colonies on Potato Corn Meal Tween 80 agar was isolated from excised corneal tissue and on slide culture many septated, and club-shaped ascospores were revealed. Histological findings also showed numerous hyphae scattered in corneal tissue. A. alternata colonies were confirmed by 18S rRNA sequencing. Intracameral voriconazole was injected every other day for 2 weeks to eliminate remaining fungi on the deep corneal stroma. The remaining corneal infiltration was improved one month after the injection. During 5 months postoperative follow up, the infection did not recurred. In conclusion, deep corneal infection of A. alternata was effectively treated with intracameral voriconazole injection.

A Case of Cutaneous Infection by Alternaria alternata / 대한의진균학회지

Alternaria(A.) species are common saprophyte found in the environment such as soil, air, and plants. They are not usually pathogenic in humans but recently, infections by these fungi have occasionally been reported, occurring mostly in immunocompromised patients. They can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, bronchial asthma, or allergic rhinitis and rarely skin infection. A 76-year-old man presented with multiple erythematous papules, plaque and pustules with purpuric patches on both forearms and dorsal hands for 6 months. He had been treated for Parkinson's disease and dementia for 3 years but had not been taking any immunosuppressants. Direct smear with KOH was negative. Histopatholoigically, neutrophilic abscess, suppurative granulomatous inflammation and round spores were observed in the dermis. Periodic acid-Schiff and Methenamine silver stains revealed round to oval shaped spores. The biopsy specimen was cultured in potato dextrose agar and a cottony olive green to gray colored colony with black to brown reverse grew at 7 days of culture. The slide culture stained with lactophenol-cotton blue showed brown septated hyphae and obclavate conidia with brown muriform septation. The nucleotide sequences of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region of cultured colonies and paraffin blocks of biopsy specimen were identical to that of A. alternata. He was treated with topical ketoconazole cream application for 4 months, and healed leaving hyperpigmentation with scales.

Alternaria alternata infection associated osteomyelitis of maxilla: A rare disease entity.

Alternaria alternata is one of the rarest fungi associated with paranasal sinusitis. Alternaria species are pigmented (also known as dematiaceous or phaeoid) filamentous fungi, which are well-known soil saprophytes and plant pathogens that infrequently cause infection in humans mainly, cutaneous lesions. We present a case of osteomyelitis of maxilla caused by a rare fungus- A. alternata in a diabetic patient with poor glycemic control who was successfully treated with antifungal and surgical debridement over the period of 6 months.

First Report of Black Spot Disease Caused by Alternaria alternata on Sweet Persimmon Fruits

Black spot of sweet persimmon, caused by Alternaria alternata, occurred in an orchard in Gyeongnam province, Korea in 2012. The symptom was appearance of 0.5 to 4 cm black spots on the surface of fruit. The pathogen was isolated from flesh of disease lesions. The causal agent was identified as A. alternata by morphological characteristics and sequencers of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS4 regions of rRNA. Artificial inoculation of the pathogen resulted in development of disease symptoms and the re-isolated pathogen showed characteristics of A. alternata.

Toxigenic profile and AFLP variability of Alternaria alternata and Alternaria infectoria occurring on wheat

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the ability to produce alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and tenuazonic acid (TA) by A. alternata and A. infectoria strains recovered from wheat kernels obtained from one of the main production area in Argentina; to confirm using AFLPs molecular markers the identify of the isolates up to species level, and to evaluate the intra and inter-specific genetic diversity of these two Alternaria species. Among all the Alternaria strains tested (254), 84% of them were able to produce mycotoxins. The most frequent profile of toxin production found was the co-production of AOH and AME in both species tested. TA was only produced by strains of A. alternata. Amplified fragment polymorphism (AFLPs) analysis was applied to a set of 89 isolates of Alternaria spp (40 were A. infectoria and 49 were A. alternata) in order to confirm the morphological identification. The results showed that AFLPs are powerful diagnostic tool for differentiating between A. alternata and A. infectoria. Indeed, in the current study the outgroup strains, A. tenuissima was consistently classified. Characteristic polymorphic bands separated these two species regardless of the primer combination used. Related to intraspecific variability, A. alternata and A. infectoria isolates evaluated seemed to form and homogeneous group with a high degree of similarity among the isolates within each species. However, there was more scoreable polymorphism within A. alternata than within A. infectoria isolates. There was a concordance between morphological identification and separation up to species level using molecular markers. Clear polymorphism both within and between species showed that AFLP can be used to asses genetic variation in A. alternata and A. infectoria. The most important finding of the present study was the report on AOH and AME production by A. infectoria strains isolated from wheat kernels in Argentina on a semisynthetic media for the first time. Also, specific bands for A. alternata and A. infectoria have been identified; these may be useful for the design of specific PCR primers in order to differentiate these species and to detect them in cereals.

Two Cases of Cutaneous Infection by Alternaria alternata on Senile Purpura Site / 대한의진균학회지

Genus Alternaria is a species of dematiaceous fungi that is commonly found in the atmosphere or in the soil. It can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, bronchial asthma, or allergic rhinitis in immunocompromised host such as patient with organ transplantation or long-term steroid using patient. It can rarely cause skin infection. Case 1 was a 74-year-old man with well demarcated and elevated erythematous plaque with irregular scattered pustules on his right forearm. Case 2 was a 77-year-old woman with well demarcated elevated erythematous nodules within erythematous patch on her right forearm. In both cases, the lesions started at the senile purpura site. Herein, we report 2 rare cases of Alternaria alternata on senile purpura site to share the experience.

Study of the interactions between Penicillium oxalicum Currie & Thom and Alternaria alternata (Fr. ) Keissler

The aim of this research was the analysis of the possible antagonistic effect of Penicillium oxalicum over the pathogen rice fungus A. alternata under different conditions of temperature, water activity and culture media. The macroscopic study of the dual growth revealed that according to the Index of Dominance P. oxalicum was more competitive that A. alternata at 25ºC whereas at 15ºC was this species. Microscopic analysis showed that P. oxalicum was a mycoparasite of A. alternata at all conditions tested. The antagonist penetrated into A. alternata and disintegrated its conidiophores and conidia. The results suggests that P. oxalicum may be a possible biological control agent of the rice pathogens in a future.

Fungal keratitis in Lattice dystrophy.

We report a case of fungal keratitis occurring in a patient with lattice dystrophy. A 57-year-old farmer presented with a corneal ulcer following probable entry of paddy husk in the right eye, of one month duration. Corneal scraping revealed pigmented fungal filaments while culture grew Alternaria alternata. Treatment with 5% natamycin eye drops and 1% atropine healed the infection in four weeks. We would like to draw attention to the fact that the cornea in lattice dystrophy is prone to frequent erosions and is a compromised epithelial barrier to invasion by microorganisms. Patients must be made aware of this fact and should seek attention at the earliest following any trivial trauma. Management of minor corneal abrasions in them should be directed at healing the epithelium with adequate lubricants and preventing infection with topical antibiotic prophylaxis.

Biological activities of the fermentation extract of the endophytic fungus alternaria alternata isolated from coffea arabica L / Atividades biológicas do extrato da fermentação do fungo endofítico alternaria alternata isoladas de coffea arabica L

A total of 22 endophytic fungi isolated from coffee (Coffea arabica L.) were cultivated in vitro and their crude extracts tested. The screening was carried out using the agar diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The most effective isolate was Alternaria alternata, and subsequently, its extract was assayed. The total phenolic content was 3.44 μg GAE/mg of the crude extract. For the antibacterial and antifungal activity assays, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations (MBC and MFC) were determined. The ranges of MIC values were 50-100 μg/mL for S. aureus and 400-800 μg/mL for E. coli. The extract did not show activity in the tested concentrations for C. albicans. The fungal crude extract was assayed for antioxidant activities. Its ability to scavenge DPPH radicals and antioxidant activity by β-carotene/linoleic acid system oxidation was not significant. In addition, antitumor activity was studied using the MTT assay. At a dilution of 400 μg/mL, the extract displayed a cytotoxic activity of approximately 50 percent towards HeLa cells in vitro. The results indicate that endophytic fungi could be a promising source of bioactive compounds and warrant further study.

Total de 22 fungos endofíticos isolados de café (Coffea arabica L.) foi cultivado in vitro e seus extratos testados. A triagem foi conduzida pelo método de difusão em agar contra bactérias Gram-positiva, Gram-negativa e uma levedura. O isolado mais efetivo foi Alternaria alternata e, subsequentemente, seu extrato foi analisado. O conteúdo de fenólicos totais do extrato bruto foi de 3,44 μg EAG/mg de extrato. Para os testes de atividade antimicrobiana, a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e concentração bactericida e fungicida mínima (CBM e CFM) contra Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli e Candida albicans foram determinadas. Resultados da CIM variaram entre 50-100 μg/mL para S. aureus e 400-800 μg/mL para E. coli. O extrato bruto não apresentou atividade nas concentrações testadas para C. albicans. Foram analisadas as atividades antioxidantes do extrato bruto. Sua habilidade para seqüestrar radicais DPPH e a atividade antioxidante pela oxidação do sistema β-caroteno/ácido linoléico não foram significativas. Além disso, a atividade antitumoral foi estudada pelo teste do MTT. À diluição de 400 μg/mL, o extrato apresentou atividade de aproximadamente 50 por cento sobre as células HeLa in vitro. Os resultados indicam que fungos endófitos poderiam ser uma fonte promissora de compostos bioativos necessitando de estudos futuros.