Dishwashers as an Extreme Environment of Potentially Pathogenic Yeast Species.

The study aimed to compare the yeast species diversity in the specific environment of dishwashers, taking into account the potential risk for users. Yeasts were isolated from ten dishwashers and from tap water supplied to the appliances. Samples were collected for mycological analyses at the beginning of each month, from February to May 2016. Four dishwasher sites (rubber seals, detergent dispensers, sprinklers, and water drains) were analyzed. The microfungi were identified by the standard procedures applied in mycological diagnostics. To confirm species identification, molecular analysis was performed based on the sequences of the D1/D2 region. The presence of microfungi was detected in 70% of the investigated appliances. Rubber seals, detergent dispensers, and water drains were the most frequently colonized elements. Thirty-five yeast strains were isolated in this study, of which twenty-seven were obtained from dishwashers and eight from tap water. The strains belonged to six genera and six species (Candida parapsilosis, Clavispora lusitaniae, Dipodascus capitatus, Exophiala dermatitidis, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa). Most of the strains came from rubber seals. In this way, it was demonstrated that the dishwashers' condition is sufficient as an ecological niche for microfungi.

Phyllosphere of Submerged Plants in Bathing Lakes as a Reservoir of Fungi-Potential Human Pathogens.

This study analysed whether the littoral zone in the immediate vicinity of bathing sites retains potentially pathogenic yeasts on the phyllosphere surface and to what extent the species composition of microfungi in the phyllosphere and in surface waters is similar. The research was carried out in selected lakes located within the administrative boundaries of the city of Olsztyn, the largest city in the Masurian Lake District (NE Poland). The experiment was conducted in three summer seasons near bathing sites in three lakes, which are the most popular as recreational sites (Lake Kortowskie, Lake Tyrsko, and Lake Skanda). Microfungi isolated from the phyllosphere of 13 plant species of the littoral zone from dropped leaves of coast plants with no disease symptoms were used as the study material. The isolated fungi were identified in accordance with the accepted diagnostic procedures applied in mycological laboratories. A total of 36 yeast species of 16 genera were identified. Fungi found earlier at the bathing sites of the lakes were identified in 60% of the cases. Nine species were categorised as class BSL-2 fungi. This study provides a valuable complement of data concerning the natural composition of the littoral microbiota.

Share of the Saccharomyces genus in the mycobiota of the gastrointestinal tract of oncology patients ­ potential effects of a fruit-based diet

This paper concerns the determination of the share of fungi of the Saccharomyces genus in the mycobiota of the gastrointestinal tract of patients with colorectal cancer. The biological material were fungi isolated from the mouth, oesophagus, duodenum, stomach, large intestine and anus of 92 patients with colorectal cancer. They were subjected to standard mycological diagnostic testing. The analysis was only carried out on isolates containing fungi of the Saccharomyces genus. In 140 isolates (24.5% of all positive results), the species S. cerevisiae (68.5%), S. fragilis (5.71%), S. italicus (11.43%), S. ludwigii (8.60%) and S. rouxii (5.76%) were found, which occurred individually or were accompanied species of the Candida, Trichosporon, and Rhodotorula genera. Most isolates were obtained from the large intestine and anus, and the least from the stomach. It follows from the comparison of the obtained results with those of previous studies into the occurrence of fungi of the Saccharomyces genus in various segments of the gastrointestinal tract, that their prevalence in the gastrointestinal tract is gradually increasing.

The phyllosphere as a little-known reservoir of the Fusarium genus, a fungi of importance to medical mycology

The phyllosphere is an ecological niche that includes the area of the leaf blade, which is a living environment for microorganisms of various taxonomic and trophic groups, including saprotrophic and phytopathogenic fungi. This study analysed the degree of colonisation of the phyllosphere of rush plants of selected bathing lakes by fungi of the Fusarium genus that are of significance to the etiology and epidemiology of fungal infections, and to toxicology and allergology. The research materials was plants of the littoral zone of Lakes Skanda and Kortowskie, which were subjected to a standard phytopathological assessment. The fungi obtained in macrocultures were used to prepare microscopic specimens required for the identification of morphological characteristics of the asexual and sexual stages. A total of 560 fungal isolates were obtained from the phyllosphere of nine plant species, of which 40 (7.14%) were fungi of the Fusarium genus. Most isolates were noted on Phragmites australis. Both macro- and microconidia of Fusarium were observed on this plant, while only macroconidia were observed on other plants. The results confirmed that the phyllosphere was an important reservoir of fungi that are potentially pathogenic to humans.

Potentially pathogenic fungi of the Candida genus isolated from the Lyna River ­ a 20-year study

This paper concerns part of a monitoring study and contains the results of 20-year observations on the species diversity and dynamics of the count Candida genus fungi which inhabit surface waters. The research material consisted of water samples collected from the Lyna River, the main river of the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, within the administrative boundaries of the city of Olsztyn. The samples were subjected to routine diagnostic testing applied in hydromycological studies. The obtained fungi isolates were determined, documented photographically and deposited in a strain collection of the Department of Microbiology and Mycology at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. A total of 23s of the Candida genus were isolated, including six species in the teleomorphic stage. It was noted that over the past decade, the taxonomic diversity of the fungi had increased significantly (from 2 to 23 species). Potential anthropopathogens had also emerged. Over the twenty-year period of observations, the species that were always isolated were Candida albicans and C. guilliermondii, characterised by high pathogenicity and bioindicative properties, which are important in the epidemiology of fungal infections.