Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Incidence of keratinophilic fungi in the soil of primary schools and public parks of Madras city, India

  • Published:
Mycopathologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The pattern of incidence of keratinophilic fungi inhabiting the soil of 30 primary schools and 15 public parks in the city of Madras was studied using hair baiting technique. A total number of 31 species belonging to 15 genera were recovered, 16 of which were common to both the school and public park soil. Dermatophytes and closely related species were represented by 9 species, of which the following were the most commonly found species in soil: Chrysosporium tropicum (62.2%), C. keratinophilum (48.8%), M. gypseum (48.8%), C. pannorum (40%), T. mentagrophytes (37.7%), T. terrestre (31.1%) and C. anam. A. cuniculi (24.4%). The fungi encountered have also been discussed in relation to their global distribution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Otcenasek M. Ecology of the dermatophytes. Mycopathologia 1978; 65: 67‐72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Mercantini R, Marsella R, Caprilli F, Dovgiallo C.Isolation of dermatophytes and correlated species from the soil of public gardens and parks in Rome. Sabouraudia 1980; 18: 123‐128.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Mercantini R, Marsella R, Lambiase L, Belardi M. Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from floors in Rome (Italy) kindergarten and secondary schools. Mycopathologia 1986; 94: 109‐115.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Rippon JW. Medical Mycology. The pathogenic fungi and the pathogenic Actinomycetes. Philadelphia WB Saunders Company, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Mantovani A. The role of animals in the epidemiology of the mycoses. Mycopathologia 1978; 65: 61‐66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Filipello MV. Keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi of children’s sand pits in the city of Turin (Italy). Mycopathologia 1986; 94: 163‐172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Ali-shtayeh MS, Arda HM. Incidence of dermatophytosis in Jordan with special reference to tinea captis. Mycopathologia 1985; 92: 59‐62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ali-shtayeh MS, Arda HM. A study of tinea capitis in Jordan (West Bank). J Trop Med Hyg 1986; 89: 137‐141.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Carmichael JW. Chrysosporium and some other aleuriosporic hyphomycetes. Can J Bot 1962; 40: 113‐173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Chabasse D. Taxonomic study of keratinophilic fungi isolated from soil and some mammals in France. Mycopathologia 1988; 101: 133‐140.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Gilman JC, ed. A manual of soil fungi. USA: The Collegiate Press, 1945.

  12. Onion AHS, Ilsopp D, Eggins HOW, eds. Smith’s introduction to Mycology. London: Edward Arnold Publishers, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Wolf PL, Russel B, Shimoda A, eds. Practical clinical Microbiology and Mycology: Technique and interpretation. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Abdel-Fattah HM, Moubasher AH, Maghazy SM. Keratinophilic fungi in Egyptian soils. Mycopathologia 1982; 79: 49‐53.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. AjeIlo L, Varsavsky E, Sotgiu C, Mazzom A, Mantovani A. Survey of soils for human pathogenic fungi from the Emilia‐Romagana region of Italy. Mycopath et Mycol Appl 1965; 26: 65‐70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Alteras I, Evolceanu R. A ten years survey of Romanian soil screening for keratinophilic fungi (1958‐1967). Mycopath et Mycol Appl 1969; 38: 151‐159.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Muhammed SI, Lalji N. The distribution of geophilic dermatophytes in Kenyan soils. Mycopathologia 1978; 63: 95‐97.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Randhawa HS, Sandhu RS. Keratinophyton terreus gen Nov a keratinophilic fungus from soil in India. Sabouraudia 1965; 3: 251‐256.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Rogers AL. Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from soil in the vicinity of Bagota Colombia. Mycopath et Mycol Appl 1971; 44: 261‐264.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ulfig K, Korcz M. Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from sewage sludge. Sabouraudia 1983; 21: 247‐250.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ajello L, Varsavsky E, Ginther OJ, Bubash C. The natural history of Microsporum nanum. Mycologia 1964; 56: 873‐884.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ajello L. Natural history of the dermatophytes and related fungi. Mycopath et Mycol Appl 1974; 53: 93‐110.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Ajello L, Varsavsky E and Delvingt W. Keratinophilic fungi from Belgian soil. Trans Br Mycol Soc 1965a; 48: 417‐421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Bakerspigel A. The keratinophilic fungi of Ontario, Canada. Mycopath et Mycol Appl 1974; 53: 1‐11.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Caretta C, Piontelli E. Microsporum megallanicum and Cunninghamella antartica, new species isolated from Australia and Antartic soil of Chile. Sabouraudia 1977; 15: 1‐10.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Ajello L, Alpert EM. Survey of Ester Island soils for keratinophilic fungi. Mycologia 1972; 64: 161‐166.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Feuerman E, Alteras I, Honig E, Lehrer N. The isolation of keratinophilic fungi from the soils in Israel. A preliminary report. Mycopathologia 1975; 56: 41‐46.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Carg AK. Isolation of dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi from soil in India. Sabouraudia 1966; 4: 259‐264.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Ainsworth CC, Austwick PKC. Fungal diseases of animals. Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, Farnham Royal, Slough, England, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Filipello MV, Luppi Mosca AM. Mycological analysis of the sands of a box for children’s play. Mycopathologia 1982; 80: 43‐54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Hall NK, Larsh HW. Epdemiology of the mycoses. In: Howard DH, ed. Fungi pathogenic for humans and animals (In three parts); part B: pathogenecity and detection. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc, 1985; 3: 195‐228.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Madras, 600 025, India

    V.M. Ramesh & A. Hilda

Authors
  1. V.M. Ramesh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Hilda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ramesh, V., Hilda, A. Incidence of keratinophilic fungi in the soil of primary schools and public parks of Madras city, India. Mycopathologia 143, 139–145 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006945012620

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006945012620

Search

Navigation