Endophytic fungus strain 28 isolated from Houttuynia cordata possesses wide-spectrum antifungal activity

Abstract The aim of this paper is to identify and investigate an endophytic fungus (strain 28) that was isolated from Houttuynia cordata Thunb, a famous and widely-used Traditional Chinese Medicine. Based on morphological methods and a phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences, this strain was identified as Chaetomium globosum. An antifungal activity bioassay demonstrated that the crude ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts of strain 28 had a wide antifungal spectrum and strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard et Suggs, Botrytis cinerea persoon and Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. Furthermore, the fermentation conditions, extraction method and the heat stability of antifungal substances from strain 28 were also studied. The results showed that optimal antifungal activity can be obtained with the following parameters: using potato dextrose broth (PDB) as the base culture medium, fermentation for 4–8 d (initial pH: 7.5), followed by extraction with EtOAc. The extract was stable at temperatures up to 80 °C. This is the first report on the isolation of endophytic C. globosum from H. cordata to identify potential alternative biocontrol agents that could provide new opportunities for practical applications involving H. cordata.

Endophytic fungus strain 28 isolated from Houttuynia cordata possesses wide-spectrum antifungal activity

The aim of this paper is to identify and investigate an endophytic fungus (strain 28) that was isolated from Houttuynia cordata Thunb, a famous and widely-used Traditional Chinese Medicine. Based on morphological methods and a phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences, this strain was identified as Chaetomium globosum. An antifungal activity bioassay demonstrated that the crude ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts of strain 28 had a wide antifungal spectrum and strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard et Suggs, Botrytis cinerea persoon and Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. Furthermore, the fermentation conditions, extraction method and the heat stability of antifungal substances from strain 28 were also studied. The results showed that optimal antifungal activity can be obtained with the following parameters: using potato dextrose broth (PDB) as the base culture medium, fermentation for 48 d (initial pH: 7.5), followed by extraction with EtOAc. The extract was stable at temperatures up to 80 °C. This is the first report on the isolation of endophytic C. globosum from H. cordata to identify potential alternative biocontrol agents that could provide new opportunities for practical applications involving H. cordata.(AU)

Endophytic fungus strain 28 isolated from Houttuynia cordata possesses wide-spectrum antifungal activity.

The aim of this paper is to identify and investigate an endophytic fungus (strain 28) that was isolated from Houttuynia cordata Thunb, a famous and widely-used Traditional Chinese Medicine. Based on morphological methods and a phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences, this strain was identified as Chaetomium globosum. An antifungal activity bioassay demonstrated that the crude ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts of strain 28 had a wide antifungal spectrum and strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard et Suggs, Botrytis cinerea persoon and Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. Furthermore, the fermentation conditions, extraction method and the heat stability of antifungal substances from strain 28 were also studied. The results showed that optimal antifungal activity can be obtained with the following parameters: using potato dextrose broth (PDB) as the base culture medium, fermentation for 4-8d (initial pH: 7.5), followed by extraction with EtOAc. The extract was stable at temperatures up to 80°C. This is the first report on the isolation of endophytic C. globosum from H. cordata to identify potential alternative biocontrol agents that could provide new opportunities for practical applications involving H. cordata.

Isolamento de Chaetomium spp. em lesões subcutâneas de um cão: relato de caso / Isolation of Chaetomium spp. on subcutaneous lesions of a dog: case report

Caracterizou-se clinicamente a infecção pelo Chaetomium spp. em um cão, e descreveu-se seu isolamento e identificação. Ao exame dermatológico foram observadas pápulas nas orelhas, no tronco lateral e nos membros pélvicos. Ao rompimento de uma dessas pápulas, fluiu um líquido serosanguinolento com consequente úlcera no local. Foi colhido material para isolamento micológico, por meio de raspado das pápulas da orelha e da cauda. O diagnóstico foi micose subcutânea por Chaetomium spp.

This work aimed to clinically characterize the infection by Chaetomium spp. in a dog, as well as describe its isolation and identification. Upon dermatological exam, papules on ears, lateral trunk and pelvic members were noticed. After the disruption of these papules there was serosanguineous secretion flowed by consequent ulcer in the region. Material for mycological isolation was picked, and a scraping of papules from ear and tail was done. The diagnosis was subcutaneous mycosis caused by Chaetomium spp.

The application of bioactive compounds from the food industry to control mold growth in indoor waterborne coatings.

Microbial growth in indoor environments creates health problems, especially in people with asthma; approximately 80% of these patients are allergic to mold. Antimicrobial coatings are formulated to generate surfaces that are easy to clean and may also incorporate active agents, commonly called biocides, which inhibit microbial colonization, subsequent growth and bio-deterioration of the substrates. Some research lines seek to replace traditional organometallic and organochlorines biocides with environmentally acceptable ones. The aim of this research was, primarily, to explore the possible application of different compounds used in food industry like preservatives to be used as antimicrobial additives for antimicrobial coatings. Four biocides were tested against two different ambient molds isolated from an interior painted wall (Chaetomium globosum and Alternaria alternate). The selected biocides were zinc salicylate, zinc benzoate, calcium benzoate and potassium sorbate. The resulting paints were subjected to biological and physical tests (viscosity, hiding power, humidity absorption and biocides leaching rate). Bioassays revealed that zinc benzoate and zinc salicylate resulted active against both fungi.

Isolamento de Chaetomium spp. em lesões subcutâneas de um cão: relato de caso / Isolation of Chaetomium spp. on subcutaneous lesions of a dog: case report

Caracterizou-se clinicamente a infecção pelo Chaetomium spp. em um cão, e descreveu-se seu isolamento e identificação. Ao exame dermatológico foram observadas pápulas nas orelhas, no tronco lateral e nos membros pélvicos. Ao rompimento de uma dessas pápulas, fluiu um líquido serosanguinolento com consequente úlcera no local. Foi colhido material para isolamento micológico, por meio de raspado das pápulas da orelha e da cauda. O diagnóstico foi micose subcutânea por Chaetomium spp.(AU)

This work aimed to clinically characterize the infection by Chaetomium spp. in a dog, as well as describe its isolation and identification. Upon dermatological exam, papules on ears, lateral trunk and pelvic members were noticed. After the disruption of these papules there was serosanguineous secretion flowed by consequent ulcer in the region. Material for mycological isolation was picked, and a scraping of papules from ear and tail was done. The diagnosis was subcutaneous mycosis caused by Chaetomium spp.(AU)

Phaeohyphomycosis and onychomycosis due to Chaetomium spp., including the first report of Chaetomium brasiliense infection.

Chaetomium species have been rarely described as aetiological agents of invasive and dermatomycotic infections in humans. The majority of cases have been reported within the last two decades. Treatment failed in most of these cases. In this paper we present two cases in which Chaetomium spp. can be clearly identified as an aetiological agent in pathological conditions. In the first report, we describe a new aetiological agent, Chaetomium brasiliense, which was implicated in a case of otitis externa in a patient with spinocellular carcinoma basis cranii. The patient had been repeatedly treated for relapsing otitis externa and had previously undergone surgery several times for otitis media. The fungal aetiology was confirmed by repeated positive culture and histologic studies. The second case involved onychomycosis with strikingly brown nail discoloration due to Chaetomium globosum in an otherwise healthy patient. The nail lesion was successfully cured by oral terbinafine. The determination of both species was supported by sequencing of rDNA regions. The morphological aspect of Chaetomium spp. identification is also discussed. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests demonstrated that both isolates were susceptible to terbinafine and azole derivates except fluconazole. Amphotericin B was effective only against the C. brasiliense strain. We review the literature to summarize clinical presentations, histologic findings, and treatment strategies.

[Biotic and abiotic factors that affect the quality of Schinopsis balansae Engl. and Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco Schltdl. seeds]. / Factores bióticos y abióticos que afectan la calidad de las semillas de Schinopsis balansae Engl. y Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco Schltdl.

Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (white quebracho) and Schinopsis balansae (red quebracho) are distinctive trees of the South American Park in Argentina. Quebrachos are found in forests that have been exploited very intensively. The object of this work was the identification of biotic and abiotic factors specially fungal pathogen that affect the quality of both species and its relation with germination. Seeds where evaluated through germination test and the percentage of the incidence of fungal agents in two different years of harvest was determined. In S. balansae the germination rate was 77% and of 27% in 2000 and 2001 harvests, respectively. Associations fungi-germination were found in 2001 for Alternaria spp., Curvularia spp., and Fusarium spp., showing an coefficient of correlation = -0.84; -0.85 and -0.73 (p < 0.00004), respectively. A high percentage of vane seeds (55%) was also found in 2001 harvest, due to adverse environmental factors, specifically higher precipitations during flowering. In A. quebracho-blanco seeds, the germination rate was 50% and 90% in 2000 and 2003 respectively, with a 42% of immature seeds in 2000 harvest that was associated to high precipitations and high temperatures during flowering and ripping of fruits. The incidence of pathogens was low and did not have association to germination.

Chromoblastomycosis caused by Chaetomium funicola: a case report from Western Panama.

Little is known about opportunistic fungi causing skin lesions in tropical countries such as Panama. We report an 83-year-old man from Chiriquí, Western Panama, with crusted skin lesions covering tumorous masses resembling Bowen's disease of the skin on the dorsum of his right hand. Fungal cultures were obtained on different nutrient media from disinfected superficial skin scrapings and fragments taken from a deep skin biopsy. Deep skin biopsy showed the presence of globose, dark fungal cells in the upper and lower dermis, sometimes in abscesses or giant cells, indicating chromoblastomycosis. All fungal fragments plated on nutrient media yielded colonies of Chaetomium funicola which was identified based on morphological observations and molecular sequence data of large ribosomal subunit rDNA. Treatment with fluconazole was ineffective. Further treatments could not be applied because of the patient's advanced age, low compliance, and limited resources in a rural, tropical environment. For the first time, C. funicola is confirmed as an opportunistic fungus causing superficial and deep cutaneous lesions. Up to now, the only known clinical record of this species is a tentative identification as an agent of deep mycosis.

Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Chaetomium globosum in an allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipient.

Bone marrow transplant recipients are highly susceptible to opportunistic fungal infections. This is the report, of the first case of a Chaetomium systemic infection described in Brazil. A 34 year-old patient with chronic myeloid leukemia underwent an allogeneic sibling matched bone marrow transplant. Seven months later, he developed systemic infection with enlargement of the axillary and cervical lymph nodes. Culture of the aspirates from both lymph nodes yielded Chaetomium globosum. The infection was successfully treated with amphotericin B. The increasing population of immunosupressed patients requires a careful microbiologic investigation for uncommon fungal infections.

Mycoflora and mycotoxins of Brazilian cashew kernels.

Kernel samples of common and dwarf Brazilian cashew nuts were highly contaminated with field and storage fungi in comparison to healthy ones. In general, dwarf cashews were more contaminated than common. A total of 37 fungal species were identified. Aspergillus niger was the dominant species with more colonies being isolated from dwarf kernels. A. flavus was the next most frequently isolated species. Penicillium brevicompactum, and P. glabrum were the most frequently isolated penicillia, with higher contamination recorded from dwarf kernels. Chaetomium globosum was recorded at a high level. Nine species were recorded from cashew kernels for the first time. Multimycotoxin analysis by tlc and hplc were positive for mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites particularly from the infected samples. Hplc was only carried out on dwarf cashews. Aflatoxins were not detected by quantitative high performance thin layer chromatography.

Los alergenos del ambiente tabacalero / Allergens of tobacco environment

Se halló 16 a 60 esporos fúngicos/litro aire y de 100 a 100.000 esporos de actinomicetos termófilos/g polvo del piso en los secaderos de tabaco. Los hongos eran Alternaria sp (21 por ciento), Aspergillus sp (15 por ciento), Asp. fumigatus (7 por ciento), Asp. glaucus (5,5 por ciento), Asp. nidulans (13,3 por ciento), Chaetomiun sp (2,3 por ciento), Chrysosporium spp (5,5 por ciento), Cladosporium sp (3,1 por ciento), Curvularia sp (0,8 por ciento), Dactylaria sp (3,1 por ciento), Nogrospora sp (5,5 por ciento), Penicillium spp (11,7 por ciento), Talaromyces sp (2,3 por ciento) y no identificado (3,9 por ciento). Los Thermoactinomyces eran Tha. thalpophilus (66,6 por ciento), Tha. sacchari (6,7 por ciento), Tha. vulgaris (6,7 por ciento) y otros Tha. spp (20 por ciento). También el humo de cigarrillos contenía esporos viables de Thermoactinomyces. El 7 ñ 3,3 por ciento de los trabajadores tenían anticuerpos anti-Tha. thalpophilus demostrados por doble inmunodifusión (AU)

Los alergenos del ambiente tabacalero / Allergens of tobacco environment

Se halló 16 a 60 esporos fúngicos/litro aire y de 100 a 100.000 esporos de actinomicetos termófilos/g polvo del piso en los secaderos de tabaco. Los hongos eran Alternaria sp (21 por ciento), Aspergillus sp (15 por ciento), Asp. fumigatus (7 por ciento), Asp. glaucus (5,5 por ciento), Asp. nidulans (13,3 por ciento), Chaetomiun sp (2,3 por ciento), Chrysosporium spp (5,5 por ciento), Cladosporium sp (3,1 por ciento), Curvularia sp (0,8 por ciento), Dactylaria sp (3,1 por ciento), Nogrospora sp (5,5 por ciento), Penicillium spp (11,7 por ciento), Talaromyces sp (2,3 por ciento) y no identificado (3,9 por ciento). Los Thermoactinomyces eran Tha. thalpophilus (66,6 por ciento), Tha. sacchari (6,7 por ciento), Tha. vulgaris (6,7 por ciento) y otros Tha. spp (20 por ciento). También el humo de cigarrillos contenía esporos viables de Thermoactinomyces. El 7 ñ 3,3 por ciento de los trabajadores tenían anticuerpos anti-Tha. thalpophilus demostrados por doble inmunodifusión

Cellulolytic fungi isolated from an alluvial soil in a semi-arid area of the northeast of Brazil

Fungos foram isolados de um solo aluvial numa zona semi-árida (caatinga) do Estado de Pernambuco, em área sem vegetaçäo, anteriormente coberta por espécies de caatinga. O solo foi caracterizado como álico quartzo-arenoso com níveis relativamente altos de Al+++ e pH ácido. Durante a estaçäo seca a umidade do solo é muito baixa e a temperatura na superfície pode chegar a 70oC. Um dos métodos para determinar a retençäo de água pelo solo inclui o uso de um disco de papel de filtro colocado sobre um suporte, dentro de um recipiente plástico contendo solo úmido. Fungos do solo que crescem e destroem o papel de filtro foram isolados e identificados. A capacidade dessas espécies para atacar o papel indica a sua atividade celulolítica. Duas das espécies isoladas (Curvularia brachyspora e Penicillium pinophilum constituem novas referências para o Estado de Pernambuco