Showing papers in "Mycopathologia Et Mycologia Applicata in 1973"

The mycoflora of domesticated and wild bees (Apoidea)

Abstract: Fungi including yeasts are common in the honey stomachs and provisions of diverse bees. They may be parasites, commensals or mutualistic. Yeasts, singly or in association with bacteria, are pioneer colonizers during a microbial succession in larval cells of many subterranean bees. They are followed by fungi such asAspergillus, Penicillium, Emericellopsis, Sartorya, Pseudoarachniotus, Gymnoascus, Carpenteles andFusarium. Aspergillus flavus andSaccharomyces spp. are pathogenic to many species of bees, and fungi are the main cause of declining alkali bee populations. There are 124 species of fungi, including 36 new records, associated with Apoidea; 49 species are associated with alkali bees.

Efficiency of various selective media in determining Pythium population in soil.

Abstract: Of 15 selective media recommended for isolation and enumeration ofPythium spp. directly from soil, corn meal agar (CMA) supplemented with agar, sucrose, minor elements, thiamine, rose bengal, pimaricin, pentachloronitrobenzene and vancomycin (MPVM) was the most efficient. Streptomycin (30–50 ppm) and rose bengal (33–60 ppm) as used in certain tested media effectively suppressed development of bacteria and actinomycetes. However, these chemicals adversely affected germination of spores and mycelial growth and thereby the recovery ofPythium spp. from soil. Media containing pimaricin (5 to 100 ppm) were more effective than those with nystatin (40 ppm) in suppressing development of nonphycomycetous fungi on isolation plate. MPVM with pimaricin at 5 ppm was more efficient than that with 10 ppm of the antibiotic in recoveryingPythium from soil. However, there was no difference in recovery ofPythium by this medium containing rose bengal at 5 ppm or at 10 ppm, butPythium colonies were more dense and better delineated when the medium contained 10 ppm of rose bengal. CMA containing pimaricin (5–100 ppm) and vancomycin (200 ppm) permitted occasionally development of a large number ofMortierella and bacterial colonies from certain soils, that interfered with accurate determination of colonies of certainPythium spp. on the plates. Vancomycin at 300 ppm, as used in MPVM, substantially reduced development of bacterial colonies compared to 200 ppm of the antibiotic. Surface-soil dilution-plate was more effective than the soil-dilution-plate method in reducing bacteria andMortierella colonies on isolation plates without affecting recovery ofPythium. The importance of basal medium, complement of antimicrobial agents, and isolation methods for efficiency of selective medium in recovery ofPythium spp. directly from soil is discussed.

Mycoflora in cystic fibrosis: some ecologic aspects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans.

Abstract: The mycotic and bacterial flora of 65 patients with cystic fibrosis was studied.C. albicans andP. aeruginosa were present in 33% and 43% of sputa samples, respectively; only 6.5% harbored both organisms. The mycotic flora of the nasopharynx, rectum and skin of the cystic fibrosis patients was similar to that of children with other chronic lung diseases and to that of normal children.In vitro studies clearly revealed inhibition ofC. albicans byP. aeruginosa. It is suggested thatP. aeruginosa, so prevalent with cystic fibrosis, has an inhibitory effect onC. albicans and that this interaction is effective to some extent in preventing candidal infection.

Mycoflora of birds' nests in nest-boxes

Abstract: A mycoflora has been investigated in 57 nests of 8 free-living birds' species, placed in nest boxes, on 3 localities in Czechoslovakia. The nests have been shown to be densely inhabited by fungi: 476 isolates ofPhycomycetes, Ascomycetes and Fungi Imperfecti have been recorded, the mean number being 8.4 species in a nest. Keratinolytic fungi have been found in 92.8 % of nests, with the most commonly isolated speciesArthroderma ciferrii, Anixiopsis stercoraria, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, C. tropicum, Ctenomyces serratus, Arthroderma tuberculatum, A. quadrifidum andA. curreyi. From present studies results that birds' nests placed in holes or in boxes supposing they are lined with keratinous material could probably be the dominant habitat ofA. ciferrii (stat. con. =Trichophyton georgiae). Cellulolytic fungi have been found in 87.7 % of the nests, most often species of the generaFusarium, Chaetomium, Alternaria, Phoma andCladosporium. Further, fungi potentially zoopathogenic have been isolated (73.7 % of nests and 13.9 % of all isolates), e.g.,Absidia lichtheimii, Aspergillus amstelodami, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, A. niger, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, Microsporon cookei andTrichophyton ajelloi. In many cases have also been ascertained fungi causing “sooty mildews” of various plants (Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Cladosporium spp.). As factors influencing both qualitative and quantitative composition of the mycoflora in the nests have been established: composition of lining material, its humidity and pH, birds' species, fledging, repeating nesting in a box, and locality. In keratinolytic fungi, the highest competitive saprophytic ability on a given substrate have revealedC. keratinophilum, A. stercoraria, A. ciferrii andC. tropicum, while the lowest oneA. quadrifidum andA. cuniculi.

Studies of the genus Pityrosporum in submerged culture.

Abstract: Differentiation betweenPityrosporum ovale andPityrosporum orbiculare is mainly based upon the morphological features of cells and on physiological characters such as the ability ofP. ovale of utilizing oleic acid (Marples, 1965). Our studies in submerged culture, however, have not shown remarkable differences between the two species: growth curves, nutritional requirements, lipid utilization and optimal temperature are practically the same. In some strains of both species (1 : 4) we did observe a limited growth capacity, associated with a lower utilization rate of lipids. But for the notably different morphological features of cells,P. ovale andP. orbiculare could be ascribed, as regards their cultural characteristics, to the same species. The search forP. orbiculare was successful in all the cases of Pityriasis versicolor, while all our attempts to isolateP. ovale from its usual areas (scalp, upper back and chest) from both healty and seborrhoic subjets, gave no results.P. orbiculare was found in the same areas in the greatest part (85 %) of these subjects. In order to explain these results, one could assume thatP. orbiculare is the only species ofPityrosporum widespread in our region.

Caractères morphologiques et position systématique de Sporothrix schenckii, agent de la sporotrichose humaine

Abstract: Mise au point des acquisitions recentes, d'ordre systematique et taxonomique, concernant l'agent de la sporotrichose humaine. On souligne le polymorphisme du champignon, suivant qu'il se comporte en saprophyte ou en parasite, et on precise ses differents aspects en culture; on envisage les relations probables entre la forme conidienneSporothrix schenckii et certains Ascomycetes du genreCeratocystis.

Varietal Ceratocystis minor identified from mycangium ofDendroctonus frontalis

Abstract: The mycangium of the adult female southern pine beetle is a prothoracic glandular repository that serves for the propagation, transmission, and dissemination of fungi between and within host conifers. One fungus (SJB 133) was observed as reproducing amerosporous cells in the mycangium, but in larval galleries it developed a sporodochium-like layer of sympodulate conidiophores and conidia. Anascigerous reproduction in the galleries appeared to be stimulated by the presence of beetle larvae. The fungus exhibited many of the characteristics of ambrosial fungi associated with xylomycetophagous scolytids, thus indicating a possible analogous nutritional relationship. Inoculum from both the mycangium and beetle galleries produced an anascigerousSporothrix sp. on various media. After prolonged development on potatoglucose agar the fungus produced aCeratocystis ascigerous form. Virulence and serological studies resulted in the conclusion that the mycangial fungus (SJB 133) is a variety ofCeratocystis minor. A detailed description of the fungus is presented. Significance of the maintenance of theSporothrix form in the mycangium and galleries is discussed.

Isolation of Basidiobolus meristosporus from natural sources.

Abstract: Basidiobolus belongs to the class Zygomycetes, order Entomophthorales, family Entomophthoraceae. It is the first class of true Fungi, without motile spores. Basidiobolus ranarum was isolated for the first time by E. EIDAM in 1886 from dung of a flog. It was not before 1956 that L. K. JoE, N. 1. T. ENG, A. POHAN, H. VANDER MEULEN and C. W. EMMONS described the first case of basidiobolomycosis in man. Since then a hundred cases have been reported. Although first identified as B. ranarum by L. K. JoE and al. (1956), it seems that the only pathogen is Basidiobolus meristosporus. The epidemiology of this tropical and subtropical subcutaneous mycosis is still not completely understood. In a recent publication we have reported the results of an assay to isolate Basidiobolus sp. from nature in Belgium. (J. COREMANS-PELSENEER 1970). They are summarized in the following table. Only B. ranarum was isolated.

Inhibition of Histoplasma capsulatum by garlic.

Abstract: The mycelial phase ofHistoplasma capsulatum was inhibited by both the volatile and water soluble components of garlic,Allium sativum L. Garlic extract at a concentration of 254 parts per billion (ppb) was inhibitory, while 8.1 parts per million (ppm) were lethal to pure cultures ofH. capsulatum. The role of garlic as an eradicent is discussed.

Pathogenicity of the Y form as compared to M form in experimentally induced Candida albicans infections

Abstract: Experimental pathogenicity of the Y form and the M form ofC. albicans separated with a high degree of purity has been evaluated. Experiments are described in which the two morphological forms ofC. albicans were separately inoculated intradermally, intraperitoneally and intravenously in mice and rabbits. In suitable conditions, higher pathogenicity was significantly provoked by the Y form ofC. albicans.

Observations on paraffin baiting as a laboratory diagnostic procedure in nocardiosis.

Abstract: The efficacy of paraffin bait technique in the isolation ofNocardia asteroides from clinical specimens has been investigated. In a comparative study 1091 clinical specimens, mostly sputa and bronchial aspirates collected from 639 patients of bronchopulmonary diseases and 11 of meningitis, were examined by paraffin baiting and the conventional technique. Thirty-six clinical specimens originating from 12 of the patients yieldedN. asteroides by the paraffin bait technique but only 4 by the conventional technique. Approximately 95 % of 125 sputum samples inoculated withN. asteroides yielded the pathogen by paraffin baiting as against 49 % by the conventional technique. Paraffin baiting was more productive than the conventional technique in the isolation ofN. asteroides from mixed suspensions with a number of fungi and bacteria. It is concluded that paraffin baiting can be profitably adopted as a suitable technique for the isolation ofN. asteroides from clinical specimens, such as, sputum, gastric lavage, etc., which are often contaminated. The technique has no particular advantage with non-contaminated specimens.

Biological treatment of domestic sewage by fungi.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Eutrophication of lakes, impoundments, and other natural bodies of water is currently receiving much attention (FRUH et al., 1966; FRUtt, 1967; STEWART (~Y ROHLICH, 1967). Of late, the quality of many waters has deteriorated appreciably thereby affecting domestic, industrial and recerational use of water as well as the aquatic life. Such water quality problems are due to excessive activity of nuisance algae and other photosynthetic plants. Organic wastes rank high among the many sources of nutrients which increase the fertility of natural waters. Control of nutrients entering natural waters may have considerable impact on the problem of nuisance blooms. Such control may stem from excluding wastes from particular waters to remove bloom-producing nutrients before they enter natural waters. One such bloom-producing waste is domestic sewage (OswALD, 1961). From the standpoint of its quality, domestic sewage has been known for 70 years or more to enourage algal growth, since it has been incorporated into media used by many of the pioneers in algal culture. Compounds of nitrogen and phosphorus contained in industrial, municipal, and agricultural wastewaters can be detrimental to the quality of receiving waters. The removal of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds from wastewaters is receiving worldwide attention because of the adverse effects caused by the discharge of these contaminants as manifested in the growth of algae and aquatic plants. According to the work of numerous investigators over the past twenty years (LACKEY, 1945; HASLER, 1947; SAWYER, 1952; OHLE, 1955; WUHRMAN, 1968), the phosphorus content of the waste liquids has been found to be the most important factor causing excessive enrichment and the consequent difficulties arising from the discharge of sewage effluent into waterways. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the phosphorus present in wastewater be removed or reduced to the lowest possible level before the effluent is discharged into any watercourse.

The influence of sodium chloride on the growth and production of macroconidia of Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Abstract: The growth of granular, velvety and cottony strains ofT. mentagrophytes on Sabouraud's cycloheximide, chloramphenicol agar (SCCA) and brain heart infusion agar (BHIA) containing varying concentrations of NaCl showed that as the concentration of NaCl increased above 3 % the growth decreased. On SCCA with NaCl some cottony strains became velvety and some velvety became granular. On BHIA containing NaCl the aerial growth of many strains became glabrous, wrinkled and darkened. The most satisfactory concentrations of NaCl in SCCA that promoted the formation of macroconidia were 3 and 5 %. In BHIA the production of macroconidia was not influenced by NaCl. On SCCA containing 3 % or more of NaCl the morphology of microconidia was usually sub-spherical.

The distribution of peanut fungi in the southeastern United States.

Abstract: During a four-year survey in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia of the fungi associated with peanut shells and seeds 70 genera and 146 species of fungi were identified. Twenty-seven genera and 60 species were isolated from peanut fruits for the first time. Nine genera are Phycomycetes, 17 are Ascomycetes, and 44 are Deuteromycetes. A total of 110 genera and about 200 species of fungi have now been reported from peanuts. A key to the genera reported in this study is included, along with the distribution by state for each species.

Pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography of fungi: observations on variability among nine Penicillium species of the Section Asymmetrica, Subsection Fasciculata.

Abstract: Mathematical expressions of variability or similarity based on data from pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatograms were calculated for each combination among three strains of each of nine fasciculatePenicillium spp. The mean similarity for eight of these species clustered around 41 but the similarity forP. cyclopium was 58. Within each of the nine species, exceptP. urticae, at least one combination of strains had a similarity of 51 or greater. Similarities were also calculated for 576 possible combinations among 27 strains used in this study. These data indicate that certain strains of these nine penicillia may be more closely related to strains of other fasciculate species than they are to strains within their own species. This agrees with previous observations on variability and intergradation in the subsection Fasciculata.

Inducing sporulation in Alternaria solani I. Effect of water treatment

Abstract: The sporulation was induced when fully grown cultures were given dip or spray treatment with distilled water (cold or hot) and thereafter, kept partially covered at different temperatures. Cultures dipped in cold water (4° C) for 4 minutes or sprayed with cold water (4° C) or hot water (58° C) and thereafter incubated at room temperature (13–26° C) in diffused sunlight, produced maximum number of spores within 60 hours. Incubating water treated cultures in diffused sunlight or complete darkness and age and scraping of the cultures had a considerable effect upon intensity of sporulation. The cultures yield a number of subsequent crops of spores when scraped and given dip treatment with cold or hot water, after obtaining each crop of spores.

Growth stimulation and inhibition of Candida albicans by metabolic by-products

Abstract: Morphological mutants obtained from one strain ofCandida albicans were able to synthesize, from simple inorganic salts, glucose, and biotin a variety of complex organic molecules. The organic substances, detected in culture filtrates, were not identical for all the mutants or for the parental form from which they were derived. The substances were found to inhibit or stimulate cell growth, mycelium production, and also to influence the reductive and enzymatic abilities of other cells. Polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and DNA were detected in the extracellular medium.

The effects of aflatoxin B1 and palmotoxins B0 and G0 on the germination and leaf colour of the cowpea (Vigna sinensis).

Abstract: Aflatoxin B1, crude aflatoxins and palmotoxins B0 and G0 were tested for seed germination and chlorophyll formation using the cowpea. It was found that aflatoxin B and crude aflatoxins inhibited both chlorophyll formation and seed germination and palmotoxins inhibited these processes to a lesser extent. 3 — Indolylacetic acid reduced the inhibitory effects of the aflatoxins in seed germination and chlorophyll formation in the cowpea.

The effects of specific auxotrophic mutations on the virulence of Aspergillus nidulans for mice.

Abstract: The paper describes studies of the influence of a number of genetically-mapped auxotrophic mutations on the virulence ofAspergillus nidulans for DBA/2J male mice. Specific mutations were found to be either neutral in regard to the character of virulence, i.e., strains carrying such mutations had a virulence similar to that of prototrophic strains, or were associated with significantly decreased virulence or avirulence. These data provide the first extensive information concerning the effects of auxotrophic mutation on the virulence of a mycotic pathogen of animals.

Fusarium moniliforme Sheld. in Israel (Gibberella fujikuroi (Saw.) Wollenw.).

Abstract: In studies with 58–76 Israeli isolates and 5–9 foreign isolates ofF. moniliforme, growth in vitro on wheat and PDA was best at 24–30° C, with little growth at 6° C and none at 40° C. In the optimal temperature range, equal growth was made in light and darkness. F. moniliforme is widespread in agricultural soils in Israel, but in some 170 samples rarely exceeded about 5 % of the totalFusarium population. Of seventy-six Israeli and nine foreign isolates, seventy-four induced toxic reactions on rabbit skin. This is an unusually high proportion. The histological changes induced by such skin application are described. Inoculation tests were performed with eighty-three Israeli isolates from six field and five fruit crops, and with thirteen foreign isolates (including six from varieties ofF. moniliforme) on ten crop plants. Onions and all dicotyledonous plants tested were affected by a high proportion of the isolates, while wheat was not, and maize was little affected. There was therefore little pathogenic specialization among these isolates. The studies carried out in Israel onF. moniliforme as cause of the “black heart” disease of banana fruits and of fruit rots of avocado and citrus are reviewed. Morphological studies of all Israeli isolates and of those received from abroad, and a survey of the literature on the taxonomy of the Liseola section ofFusarium, have led to the following conclusion: The section should containF. moniliforme as its only species, andF. moniliforme var.anthophilum andF. moniliforme var.subglutinans as its only two varieties. From the present distribution ofF. moniliforme and its environmental relationships it is concluded that this fungus constitutes a potential danger to crops in warm countries to which irrigation is being introduced, and especially to dense plantation crops.

Experimental avian aspergilosis

Abstract: One-day-old chicks were infected by aerosolized conidia ofAspergillus fumigatus orA. flavus. Plaques containing viable organisms were observed on the third day of infection. Although plaques persisted for several weeks, cultures could not be recovered from them after about ten days. Flourescent antibody methods revealed an immune response to both agents within three days of challenge. Precipitin titers againstAspergillus active protein (AAP) did not appear until the tenth day, and was not detected after seven weeks. Aspergillus polysaccharide (APS) failed to react antigenically in infected birds. AAP was separated by Sephadex chromatography into nine distinct fractions. One fraction from each species was associated with an immediate and one with a delayed type of skin response in wattles. A low molecular weight fraction which lacked skin reactivity was an effective antigen in precipitin tests. Except for a weak skin reaction toA. fumigatus APS in rabbits, skin tests with extracts and APP fractions correlated with wattle reactions in chicks.

Influence of the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, rubratoxin B, patulin and diacetoxyscirpenol on the fermentation activity of baker's yeast.

Abstract: The fermentation activity of baker's yeast (measured by the amount of produced CO2) is inhibited by 100µg/ml and 10µg/ml aflatoxin B1, and by 100µg/ml and 10µg/ml diacetoxyscirpenol. Lower concentrations of these mycotoxins as well as of rubratoxin B enhance the fermentation. Only 0.001µg/ml aflatoxin B1, 0.00001µg/ml diacetoxyscirpenol and 0.01µg/ml rubratoxin B are without effect or slightly inhibitory. Patulin in all concentrations tested does not influence the CO2 production significantly. Cytochemical studies show that the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase is inhibited by 100µg/ml and enhanced by 1µg/ml and 0.1µg/ml aflatoxin B1. It is suggested that the influence of at least aflatoxin B1 on the fermentation activity of the yeast cells is due to an interaction with alcohol dehydrogenase. It is possible that the activity of other enzymes of yeast is also influenced by mycotoxins.

Pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography of fungi: numerical characterization of species variation among members of the Aspergillus glaucus group.

Abstract: Principles of numerical analysis were applied to the interpretation of pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography (PGLC) data for characterizing species variation among three strains each of four species of theAspergillus glaucus group. Similarity values for the strains were calculated by comparing the number of peaks in which two strains agreed or disagreed. These data indicate that numerical analyses of pyrochromatograms were closely correlated with conventional taxonomic placement of the taxa with the exception of several intergrading or interbridging forms. Thus, a fundamental unity of these strains can be discerned at the chemical level by PGLC analysis. This unity stems from the similar chemical composition of these organisms, and deviation from this basic composition imparts to these strains their uniqueness and thus permits their delineation into distinct entities or “pyrotypes” based on the peak pattern of the pyrochromatograms.

Rapid diagnosis of pulmonary mycosis by counterelectrophoresis.

Abstract: Detection of precipitins in sera from pulmonary mycoses by the counterimmunoelectrophoresis technic is reported This method is based on the application of a constant current of high potency on the Outcherlony technic with the result of a greater concentration of the reagents in the precipitation area and a greater speed of the reaction which can be read after one hour We have registered positive results in all of 73 sera from patients mycologically proved of S A blastomycosis, coccidioidomycoses, histoplasmosis and aspergillosis No cross reactions have been observed

Heterozygous diploid strains of Aspergillus nidulans: enhanced virulence for mice in comparison to a prototrophic haploid strain.

Abstract: The paper describes quantitative studies of the virulence for DBA/2J mice of three heterozygous diploid strains ofAspergillus nidulans synthesized from avirulent auxotrophic haploid strains, and auxotrophic strains of reduced virulence. These studies demonstrate that the heterozygous diploid strains possess an unusually high virulence for mice in comparison to a haploid prototrophic strain ofA. nidulans employed as a virulence standard.

Survey of Aspergillus species associated with the human respiratory tract.

Abstract: A comprehensive survey has been carried out on the occurrence ofAspergillus species in the respiratory tract of patients of bronchopulmonary diseases in Delhi. In all, 1238 clinical specimens, which included 1082 sputa, 143 bronchial aspirates and 13 throat swabs obtained from 812 patients, were examined. Of these 61.7 per cent patients were culturally positive yielding 29 different species ofAspergillus. The prevalence of aspergilli in sputa was significantly higher than in the bronchial aspirates.Aspergillus niger was the commonest species isolated showing a prevalence of 36.7 per cent. It was followed byA. flavus, A. nidulans, A. terreus, A. versicolor, A. sydowi, A. japonicus andA. oryzae. None of theAspergillus species showed a significant correlation with any of the diseases, or the type of treatment the patients had received. Of the 8 broad occupational groups investigated farmers and labourers showed higher prevalence ofA. niger andA. flavus. The prevalence ofAspergillus species in the throats of healthy persons was 16 per cent withA. versicolor being the commonest species followed byA. flavus, A. amstelodami, A. sydowi andA. terreus. A comparison of the prevalence ofAspergillus species in the patients, healthy individuals and atmosphere of Delhi appears to support the view that the aspergilli are transient residents in the human respiratory tract following their inhalation from the environment.

Pathogenicity in mice of strains of Candida albicans (Robin) Berk. Isolated from burn patients

Abstract: Three strains ofCandida albicans, isolated from burn patients who succumbed to systemic candidiasis, were studied in random-bred Swiss white mice to determine their relative pathogenicity and their histopathology. The most virulent strain caused 89.5 % mortality, compared to 70 % and 65 % at 21 days for the other two strains. Histopathological studies showed extensive involvement of the kidneys, with heavy colonization of the renal pelvis; pseudomycelia, budding cells, and blastospores were observed in all animals that died. Animals surviving after 21 days were sacrificed; no extreme pathological reaction nor cells ofC. albicans could be detected.

Cultural and serological comparison of ten strains of Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius.

Abstract: Ten strains ofAspergillus fumigatusFresenius, isolated from human or animal sources, were compared for cultural and serologic characteristics when grown on neopeptone dialysate medium. All strains grew well and antigenic similarities were noted among the strains. Best antigen production occurred after 6 weeks' incubation.

Thermophilic fungi in the mycoflora of man and environmental air

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine if thermophilic fungi exist in the mycoflora of man and in the aeroflora of his environment.Humicola lanuginosa andHumicola grisea were isolated from 5 of 55 samples of outside air. Three thousand cultures were taken from the nasal mucosae, skin surfaces and recta of 570 children. Cultures were incubated at 50°C. Thermophilic fungi were isolated from 6 of 287 children receiving immunosuppressive therapy for malignancies and from 1 of 283 normal children.H. lanuginosa was recovered from the skin of one, the rectum of one and the nasal mucosae of three patients.Mucor pusillus was isolated from the nasopharynges of two patients.

Fungus diseases in Southern Africa.

Abstract: The frequency of mycotic disease in Southern Africa is considerable, but the number of cases reported ill the literature for this area is relatively small. To-date only eighty-two papers have been published and the only comprehensive review is that of LURIE (1955). In an effort to show a more up to date pattern in this interesting aspect of medicine the authors decided to analyse the cases in the files of the South African Institute for Medical Research (SAIMR) and the National Research Institute for Occupational Diseases, Johannesburg. Most of the cases are drawn from the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, and the surrounding countries of Botswana and Swaziland, and relatively few are derived from the Cape Province, Natal, South West Africa and elsewhere because other pathology laboratories cover the diagnostic work in those areas. Geographically the area covered ranges between 24 °S--35 °S latitude, which can be classified as subtropical to temperate in climate. Previous surveys in Africa have mainly concerned the tropical r e g i o n (THYs, 1964; VANBREUSEGHEM, 1955) and the northern subtropical to temperate regions (ABBOTT, 1956; BIGUET & ANDRIEU, 1963) and Madagascar (BRYGOO, 1962; FERREIRA, 1942).