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Distribution of Keratinophilic Fungi in Soil Across Tunisia: A Descriptive Study and Review of the Literature

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Abstract

Data on the frequency and distribution of keratinophilic fungi in soil of Tunisia are scanty. The present survey aimed to describe the distribution of keratinophilic fungi in soils collected in Tunisia. Keratinophilic fungi were isolated using Vanbreuseghem’s hair-baiting technique from 354 soil samples collected in 15 governorates of Tunisia and identified according to their morphology with further DNA and MALDI-TOF analysis when necessary. Keratinophilic fungi were isolated from 46.3 % of the samples from 14 governorates. Chrysosporium keratinophilum was the predominant species (30.5 %) followed by Microsporum gypseum (27.4 %). Other isolated species included C. tropicum (14.0 %), C. indicum (11.0 %), Chaetomium sp. (4.9 %), Arthroderma curreyi, Arthroderma cuniculi (3.7 % each), C. merdarium (3.1 %), Anixiopsis stercoraria, C. parvum, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Auxarthron zuffianum (2.4 % each), Fusarium oxysporum, Aphanoascus verrucosus, Gymnascella dankaliensis (1.2 % each) and 12 other species (0.6 % each). Two to five distinct fungal species were associated with 11.5 % of the positive samples. Keratinophilic fungi were more frequently isolated in rural (54.8 %) than in urban (41.1 %) areas (p = 0.012). The highest (100 %) positive culture rate was noted in soil collected in stables. Keratinophilic fungi are frequent throughout Tunisian territory, particularly in soils with a high organic matter content that should be regarded as humans and animals mycoses reservoir.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tunisia El Manar, 15, Jabbari-Jebel Lakhdar Street, 1007, Tunis, Tunisia

    Sonia Anane

  2. IP-TPT UMR MD3, Aix-Marseille Université, 13885, Marseille, France

    Mohammed Hashim Yasir Al-Yasiri & Stéphane Ranque

  3. Laboratory of Parasitology - Mycology, APHM CHU Timone, 13005, Marseille, France

    Anne-Cécile Normand & Stéphane Ranque

Authors
  1. Sonia Anane
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  2. Mohammed Hashim Yasir Al-Yasiri
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  3. Anne-Cécile Normand
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  4. Stéphane Ranque
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Correspondence to Sonia Anane.

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Anane, S., Al-Yasiri, M.H.Y., Normand, AC. et al. Distribution of Keratinophilic Fungi in Soil Across Tunisia: A Descriptive Study and Review of the Literature. Mycopathologia 180, 61–68 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-015-9870-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-015-9870-9

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