RESUMO

In this study, a novel genus is proposed, Scaptona, with a novel species, Scaptona ramosa, isolated from nests of stingless bees (Scaptotrigona sp.). The taxonomic novelty was determined by the phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer regions, small subunit rRNA (18S rRNA), large subunit rRNA (28S rRNA) and the RNA polymerase II second-largest subunit gene (RPB2) and paired with our morphological studies. Based on this single species, Scaptona is characterized by greyish green to dark grey colonies, densely and profusely branched conidiophores and single-celled, variously shaped hyaline conidia. Scaptona ramosa constitutes a distinct, well-supported lineage within Cephalothecaceae and can be clearly distinguished from other genera both by DNA sequence analysis and morphological traits. The holotype of S. ramosa is URM 95352. The ex-type strain has been deposited in the Micoteca URM culture collection as URM 8721T and URM 8722. The MycoBank accession number is MB 849456 for the genus and MB 849456 for the species.

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Trichophyton species cause dermatophytosis in humans, with a high, worldwide frequency of reports and important public health relevance. We evaluated 61 Trichophyton strains from different sources deposited in the University Recife Mycology (URM) culture collection of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil. Strains were phenotypically identified and confirmed by sequencing Internal Transcribed Spacers rDNA and partial beta-tubulin 2-exon. Additionally, we evaluated their susceptibility to terbinafine and itraconazole. Physiological analyses included urease activity and growth in casein medium. Phenotypic methods allowed the reliable identification of T. rubrum only, whereas, for other species, molecular methods were mandatory. All Trichophyton species exhibited susceptibility profiles to itraconazole (0.04-5.33 µg/mL) and terbinafine (0.17-3.33 µg/mL). Our analyses revealed a heterogeneous distribution of T. mentagrophytes, which does not support the current distribution within the species complex of T. mentagrophytes and its genotypes.

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Bat flies are obligate ectoparasitic dipterans that are highly specialised to bats and have apomorphic characteristics, such as absent or reduced wings, and specialised legs and claws, which contribute to their survival. They are often associated with fungi and harbour a fungal diversity that is still poorly understood. Fungi were found in association with the bat flies in a cave of the Caatinga dry forest in Brazil. In total, 43% of the captured bat flies were associated with fungi. Seventy-six flies were collected. DNA sequence analyses of 39 isolates showed that the isolates belonged to 13 species within nine genera, with 38 isolates belonging to Ascomycota and one isolate to Basidiomycota, and Aspergillus was the most frequently isolated genus. Most of the genera found have also been isolated from bat bodies and other substrates/hosts in caves in different regions of the world. Based on morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, two new species of Ascomycota were described: Allophoma brasiliensis sp. nov. and Pyrenochaetopsis cecavii sp. nov.

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In this study, we examined endophytic fungi in leaves of Mandevilla catimbauensis, an endemic plant species found in the Brazilian dry forest (Caatinga), and endophytic fungi's potential to produce L-asparaginase (L-ASNase). In total, 66 endophytes were isolated, and the leaf-fragment colonisation rate was 11.78%. Based on morphology, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and partial large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal DNA sequencing, the endophytic fungi isolated belonged to six Ascomycota orders (Botryosphaeriales, Capnodiales, Diaporthales, Eurotiales, Marthamycetales, and Pleosporales). Phyllosticta species were the most frequent endophytes isolated (23 isolates [45.1%] from two species). The Shannon-Wiener and Fisher alpha index average values were 0.56 and 3.26, respectively. Twenty endophytes were randomly selected for the L-ASNase production test, of which fourteen isolates showed potential to produce the enzyme (0.48-2.22 U g-1), especially Phyllosticta catimbauensis URM 7672 (2.22 U g-1) and Cladosporium sp. G45 (2.11 U g-1). Phyllosticta catimbauensis URM 7672 was selected for the partial optimisation of L-ASNase production because of its ability to generate considerable amounts of enzyme. We obtained the highest L-ASNase activity (3.47 U g-1), representing an increase of 36.02% in enzymatic production, under the following experimental conditions: a pH of 4.2, 1.0% inoculum concentration, and 2.5% L-asparagine concentration. Our study showed that M. catimbauensis harbours an important diversity of endophytic fungi with biotechnological potential for L-ASNase production.

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Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC) is considered as one of the richest insecticolous species. Fusarium species synthesize toxic secondary metabolites that are not fully understood. Mycotoxin production and pathogenicity on germinating seeds, seedlings, and leaves must be carefully studied for the use of Fusarium species in the biological control of insect pests. In this study, we evaluated the mycotoxin production and phytopathogenic potential of entomopathogenic strains of Fusarium sulawesiensis (1), F. pernambucanum (3), and F. caatingaense (23). The phytopathogenicity tests of F. caatingaense (URM 6776, URM 6777, URM 6778, URM 6779, and URM 6782) were performed during the development of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna unguiculata, and Phaseolus lunatus), and corn (Zea mays) seedlings, using four treatments (soil infestation with the inoculum, spraying on leaves, root dip, and negative control). The mycotoxins, monoacetyl-deoxynivalenols (AcDON), deoxynivalenol (DON), beauvericin (BEA), fusarenone-X (FUS), T-2 toxin (T2), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), and zearalenone (ZEA), were detected in the study; BEA (detected in 25 strains) and FUS (detected in 21 strains) were found to be predominant. None of the strains showed any ability to cause disease or virulence in beans and corn. The FIESC strains showed a highly variable production of mycotoxins without the potential to be used as phytopathogenic agents for the cultures tested.

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Bat caves are very special roosts that harbour thousands of bats of one or more species. Such sites may hold an incredible "dark fungal diversity" which is still underestimated. We explored the culturable fungal richness in the air, on bats, and in the guano in a bat cave in Brazil's Caatinga dry forest. Fungal abundance was 683 colony-forming units (CFU) in the guano, 673 CFU in the air, and 105 CFU on the bats. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, and TUB2 sequences, fungal isolates of 59 taxa belonging to 37 genera in the phyla Ascomycota (28 genera, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Talaromyces), Basidiomycota (eight genera, including Rhodotorula and Schizophyllum), and Mucoromycota (only Rhizopus) were identified. The fungal richness in the air was 23 taxa (especially Aspergillus taxa), mainly found at 15 m and 45 m from the cave entrance; on the bodies of bats it was 36 taxa (mainly Aspergillus taxa), especially on their wing membranes (21 taxa, nine of which were exclusively found in this microhabitat); and in guano 10 fungal taxa (especially Aspergillus and Penicillium) were found. The fungal richness associated with guano (fresh and non-fresh) was similar from bats with different eating habits (insectivorous, frugivorous, and haematophagous). Sampling effort was not sufficient to reveal the total fungal taxa richness estimated. Eight (21.6%) of the 37 genera and 17 (53.1%) of the 32 identified fungal species are reported for the first time in caves. Our results highlight bat caves in Brazil as hotspots of fungal diversity, emphasizing the need to protect such special roosts.

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This study was conducted to report the richness of endophytic Penicillium and Talaromyces species isolated from Tillandsia catimbauensis, a bromeliad endemic in the Brazilian tropical dry forest (Caatinga), to verify their ability to produce the enzyme L-asparaginase and to partially optimise the production of biomass and L-asparaginase of the best enzyme producer. A total of 184 endophytes were isolated, of which 52 (29%) were identified through morphological and phylogenetic analysis using ß-tubulin sequences into nine putative species, four in Penicillium and five in Talaromyces. Talaromyces diversus and T. cf. cecidicola were the most frequent taxa. Among the 20 endophytic isolates selected for L-asparaginase production, 10 had the potential to produce the enzyme (0.50-2.30 U/g), especially T. cf. cecidicola URM 7826 (2.30 U/g) and Penicillium sp. 4 URM 7827 (1.28 U/g). As T. cf. cecidicola URM 7826 exhibited significant ability to produce the enzyme, it was selected for the partial optimisation of biomass and L-asparaginase production. Results of the 23 factorial experimental design showed that the highest dry biomass (0.66 g) was obtained under pH 6.0, inoculum concentration of 1 × 108 and 1% L-proline. However, the inoculum concentration was found to be statistically significant, the pH was marginally significant and the concentration of L-proline was not statistically significant. L-Asparaginase production varied between 0.58 and 1.02 U/g and did not reach the optimal point for enzyme production. This study demonstrates that T. catimbauensis is colonised by different Penicillium and Talaromyces species, which are indicated for enzyme production studies.

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Os dermatófitos são fungos que podem causar infecções superficiais da pele, cabelo e unhas em humanos e animais. As espécies de dermatófitos mais frequentemente isoladas dos cães e gatos afetados por micoses são Microsporum gypseum e principalmente Microsporum canis. O papel crucial durante o processo de infecção é a produção de enzimas extracelulares essenciais para a invasão e estabelecimento do agente patogênico no tecido do hospedeiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi isolar dermatófitos de cães e gatos e avaliar o perfil enzimático dos isolados obtidos. Amostras de pelos e escamas epidérmicas foram coletadas de cães e gatos em instalações veterinárias em Recife/PE, e os isolados foram identificados com base nas características macroscópicas e microscópicas. A análise qualitativa das enzimas urease, protease, lipase, colagenase e fosfolipase foi avaliada a partir dos dermatófitos isolados. Durante 10 meses, um total de 106 animais, que compreendeu de 99 cães e sete gatos com sinais clínicos, independentemente do sexo e raça foram avaliados. Apenas oito animais foram confirmados com dermatofitose, principalmente cães (n=7), sendo seis afetados por M. canis e um por M. gypseum, a raça mais afetada foi Yorkshire (n=3). No entanto, apenas um gato foi confirmado com M. canis. Não foi observada predisposição relacionada ao sexo quanto à ocorrência de dermatofitose nos cães e gatos avaliados. Os dermatófitos isolados apresentaram perfis semelhantes para as enzimas urease, lipase, protease, fosfolipase e colagenase, característica importante em infecções patogênicas. O diagnóstico clínico destas zoonoses com base na confirmação microbiológica e uma compreensão dos mecanismos subjacentes é de grande importância para o tratamento e prevenção de doenças fúngicas em animais.(AU)

Dermatophytes are fungi that can cause superficial infections of the skin, hair and nails in man and animals. The most frequent dermatophyte species isolated from dogs and cats are Microsporum gypseum, most notably Microsporum canis. The crucial role during the infection process is the production of extracellular enzymes essential for the invasion and establishment of the pathogen in the host tissue. The objective of this research was to isolate dermatophytes from dogs and cats and evaluate the enzymatic profile of the isolates obtained. Hair samples and epidermal scales were collected from dogs and cats in veterinary facilities in Recife-PE, and the isolates were identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The qualitative analysis of the enzymes urease, protease, lipase, collagenase and phospholipase was evaluated from the isolated dermatophytes. During 10 months, a total of 106 animals, comprising of 99 dogs and seven cats with clinical signs, regardless of sex and race were evaluated. Only eight animals were confirmed with dermatophytosis, mostly dogs (n=7), being six affected by M. canis and one by M. gypseum, the race most affected was Yorkshire (n=3). However, only one cat was confirmed with M. canis. No sex-related predisposition was observed regarding the occurrence of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats evaluated. Isolated dermatophytes showed similar profiles for the enzymes urease, lipase, protease, phospholipase and collagenase, important characteristic for pathogenic infections. The diagnosis of this zoonosis based on microbiological confirmation and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms is of great importance for the treatment and prevention of fungal diseases in animals.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Os dermatófitos são fungos que podem causar infecções superficiais da pele, cabelo e unhas em humanos e animais. As espécies de dermatófitos mais frequentemente isoladas dos cães e gatos afetados por micoses são Microsporum gypseum e principalmente Microsporum canis. O papel crucial durante o processo de infecção é a produção de enzimas extracelulares essenciais para a invasão e estabelecimento do agente patogênico no tecido do hospedeiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi isolar dermatófitos de cães e gatos e avaliar o perfil enzimático dos isolados obtidos. Amostras de pelos e escamas epidérmicas foram coletadas de cães e gatos em instalações veterinárias em Recife/PE, e os isolados foram identificados com base nas características macroscópicas e microscópicas. A análise qualitativa das enzimas urease, protease, lipase, colagenase e fosfolipase foi avaliada a partir dos dermatófitos isolados. Durante 10 meses, um total de 106 animais, que compreendeu de 99 cães e sete gatos com sinais clínicos, independentemente do sexo e raça foram avaliados. Apenas oito animais foram confirmados com dermatofitose, principalmente cães (n=7), sendo seis afetados por M. canis e um por M. gypseum, a raça mais afetada foi Yorkshire (n=3). No entanto, apenas um gato foi confirmado com M. canis. Não foi observada predisposição relacionada ao sexo quanto à ocorrência de dermatofitose nos cães e gatos avaliados. Os dermatófitos isolados apresentaram perfis semelhantes para as enzimas urease, lipase, protease, fosfolipase e colagenase, característica importante em infecções patogênicas. O diagnóstico clínico destas zoonoses com base na confirmação microbiológica e uma compreensão dos mecanismos subjacentes é de grande importância para o tratamento e prevenção de doenças fúngicas em animais.(AU)

Dermatophytes are fungi that can cause superficial infections of the skin, hair and nails in man and animals. The most frequent dermatophyte species isolated from dogs and cats are Microsporum gypseum, most notably Microsporum canis. The crucial role during the infection process is the production of extracellular enzymes essential for the invasion and establishment of the pathogen in the host tissue. The objective of this research was to isolate dermatophytes from dogs and cats and evaluate the enzymatic profile of the isolates obtained. Hair samples and epidermal scales were collected from dogs and cats in veterinary facilities in Recife-PE, and the isolates were identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The qualitative analysis of the enzymes urease, protease, lipase, collagenase and phospholipase was evaluated from the isolated dermatophytes. During 10 months, a total of 106 animals, comprising of 99 dogs and seven cats with clinical signs, regardless of sex and race were evaluated. Only eight animals were confirmed with dermatophytosis, mostly dogs (n=7), being six affected by M. canis and one by M. gypseum, the race most affected was Yorkshire (n=3). However, only one cat was confirmed with M. canis. No sex-related predisposition was observed regarding the occurrence of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats evaluated. Isolated dermatophytes showed similar profiles for the enzymes urease, lipase, protease, phospholipase and collagenase, important characteristic for pathogenic infections. The diagnosis of this zoonosis based on microbiological confirmation and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms is of great importance for the treatment and prevention of fungal diseases in animals.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

ABSTRACT: Dermatophytes are fungi that can cause superficial infections of the skin, hair and nails in man and animals. The most frequent dermatophyte species isolated from dogs and cats are Microsporum gypseum, most notably Microsporum canis. The crucial role during the infection process is the production of extracellular enzymes essential for the invasion and establishment of the pathogen in the host tissue. The objective of this research was to isolate dermatophytes from dogs and cats and evaluate the enzymatic profile of the isolates obtained. Hair samples and epidermal scales were collected from dogs and cats in veterinary facilities in Recife-PE, and the isolates were identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The qualitative analysis of the enzymes urease, protease, lipase, collagenase and phospholipase was evaluated from the isolated dermatophytes. During 10 months, a total of 106 animals, comprising of 99 dogs and seven cats with clinical signs, regardless of sex and race were evaluated. Only eight animals were confirmed with dermatophytosis, mostly dogs (n=7), being six affected by M. canis and one by M. gypseum, the race most affected was Yorkshire (n=3). However, only one cat was confirmed with M. canis. No sex-related predisposition was observed regarding the occurrence of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats evaluated. Isolated dermatophytes showed similar profiles for the enzymes urease, lipase, protease, phospholipase and collagenase, important characteristic for pathogenic infections. The diagnosis of this zoonosis based on microbiological confirmation and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms is of great importance for the treatment and prevention of fungal diseases in animals.

RESUMO: Os dermatófitos são fungos que podem causar infecções superficiais da pele, cabelo e unhas em humanos e animais. As espécies de dermatófitos mais frequentemente isoladas dos cães e gatos afetados por micoses são Microsporum gypseum e principalmente Microsporum canis. O papel crucial durante o processo de infecção é a produção de enzimas extracelulares essenciais para a invasão e estabelecimento do agente patogênico no tecido do hospedeiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi isolar dermatófitos de cães e gatos e avaliar o perfil enzimático dos isolados obtidos. Amostras de pelos e escamas epidérmicas foram coletadas de cães e gatos em instalações veterinárias em Recife/PE, e os isolados foram identificados com base nas características macroscópicas e microscópicas. A análise qualitativa das enzimas urease, protease, lipase, colagenase e fosfolipase foi avaliada a partir dos dermatófitos isolados. Durante 10 meses, um total de 106 animais, que compreendeu de 99 cães e sete gatos com sinais clínicos, independentemente do sexo e raça foram avaliados. Apenas oito animais foram confirmados com dermatofitose, principalmente cães (n=7), sendo seis afetados por M. canis e um por M. gypseum, a raça mais afetada foi Yorkshire (n=3). No entanto, apenas um gato foi confirmado com M. canis. Não foi observada predisposição relacionada ao sexo quanto à ocorrência de dermatofitose nos cães e gatos avaliados. Os dermatófitos isolados apresentaram perfis semelhantes para as enzimas urease, lipase, protease, fosfolipase e colagenase, característica importante em infecções patogênicas. O diagnóstico clínico destas zoonoses com base na confirmação microbiológica e uma compreensão dos mecanismos subjacentes é de grande importância para o tratamento e prevenção de doenças fúngicas em animais.