Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diversity of keratinophilic mycoflora in the soil of Agra (India)

  • Published:
Folia Microbiologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Diversity of keratinophilic mycoflora in the soil of Agra was under observation for 1 year (July 2001–June 2002) and isolation of keratinophilic fungi was followed by the hair-baiting method. The frequency of occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in 284 soil samples collected from various hospitals, cattle yards, poultry farms, crop fields and play grounds was determined, 204 samples (72 %) having been found to be positive. A total of 33 species classified into 11 genera (Acremonium, Aspergillus, Chrysosporium, Emmonsia, Geomyces, Keratinophyton, Microsporum, Myceliophthora, Penicillium, Sporotrichum, Trichophyton) were encountered from the soil samples.Sporotrichum spp. were found to be the most dominant species followed byTrichophyton simii. The parameter of keratinophilic fungi found in the samples studied ranged from 62 to 80 % where playgrounds yielded the maximum number of species (80 %) while the least dominating soil was hospital soil (62 %). Among all the baits used maximum fungi occurred on human hairs (82 %) followed by chicken feather (74 %), wool (61 %) and the least on horns (45 %). The spectrum of keratinophilic fungi isolated from different sites differed considerably according to the frequency of use by humans.

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

  • Ajello L.: Geographical distribution and prevalence of the dermatophytes.Ann.N.Y.Acad.Sci. 89, 30–38 (1960).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Benedek T.: Fragmenta mycological I. Some historical remarks on the development of “hair-baiting” of Toma-Karling-Vanbreuseghem (the To-Ka-Va hair-baiting method).Mycopathol.Mycol.Appl. 16, 104–106 (1962).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchniček J.: Die Ultrastruktur der Apikalzellen beiMicrosporum gypseum nach Wachstumshemmung durch ultraviolettes Licht.Mykosen 24, 472–481 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carmichael J.W.:Chrysosporium and some other aleuriosporic hyphomycetes.Can.J.Bot. 40, 1137–1173 (1962).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chalupová V., Raclavský V., Novotný R.: Rylux BSU stimulates spore germination inTrichophyton mentagrophytes andAspergillus fumigatus and increases the survival rate after UV-irradiation.Folia Microbiol. 47, 152–156 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chmel L., Hasilikova A., Hrasko J., Vlacilikova A.: The influence of some ecological factors on keratinophilic fungi in the soil.Sabourandia 10, 26–34 (1972).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deshmukh S.K.: Morphological and physiological studies of some keratinophilic fungi from soils of Madhya Pradesh (India).PhD Thesis. University of Sagar, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh (India) 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deshmukh S.K., Agarwal S.C.: Prevalence of dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi in soil of Madhya Pradesh (India).Mykosen 26, 574–577 (1983).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dey N.C., Kakoti L.M.:Microsporum gypseum in India.J.Indian Med.Assoc. 25, 160–164 (1955).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dixit A.K., Kushwaha R.K.S.: Keratinophilic fungi of Andaman Island, India.J.Microbiol. 30, 349–350 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  • Efuntoye M.O., Fashanu S.O.: Occurrence of keratinophilic fungi and dermatophytes on domestic birds in Nigeria.Mycopathologia 153, 87–89 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frey D., Oldfield R.J., Bridger R.C.:A Colour Atlas of Pathogenic Fungi. Wolfe Medical Publication Ltd., London 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garg A.K.: Isolation of dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi from soils in India.Sabouraudia 4, 259–264 (1966).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garg A.P., Gandotra S., Mukerji K.G., Pugh G.J.F.: Ecology of keratinophilic fungi.Proc.Indian Acad.Sci.(Plant Sci.) 94, 149–163 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  • Govil N., Bhatnagar V.P., Kumar A., Mathur M., Shrivastava J.N.: Biodiversity of keratinophiles isolated in Indian hills (Simla, H.P.) and plain (Agra, U.P.).J.Indian Bot.Soc. 80, 183–186 (2001).

    Google Scholar 

  • Khanam S.J.P., Jain P.C.: Isolation of keratin degrading fungi from soil of Damoh, India.Asian J.Microbiol.Biotechnol.Environ.Sci. 4, 251–254 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kushwaha R.K.S., Agarwal S.C.: Some keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes from soil.Proc.Indian Nat.Sci.Acad. 42, 102–110 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercantini R., Marsella R., Lambiase L., Belardi M.: Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from floors in Roman kindergarden and secondary schools.Mycopathologia 94, 109–115 (1986).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ogbonna C.I.C., Pugh G.J.F.: Keratinophic fungi from Nigerian soil.Mycopathologia 99, 115–118 (1987).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Padhye A.A., Misra S.P., Thirumalachar M.J.: Occurrence of soil inhabiting dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi from soils in Poona.Hind.Antibiot.Bull. 9, 90–93 (1966).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Randhawa H.S., Sandhu R.S.: A survey of soil inhabiting dermatophytes and related keratinophilic fungi of India.Sabouraudia 4, 71–79 (1965).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena R.P., Buruah P.: Keratinophilic fungi in soil.J.Indian Bot.Soc. 61, 80–84 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma B., Nawange S., Pandey A., Singh S.M.: Examination of soils from residual garbage in Betul, India, for fungi by the keratin baiting technique.Zbl.Bakteriol. 286, 139–145 (1997).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shrivastava J.N.: Studies on soil inhabiting dermatophytes and keratinophilic fungi.PhD Thesis. Kanpur University, Kanpur (India) 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh B.S., Singh D.V., Singh B.G., Sinha R.J.: Incidence of keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes in Agra soil.Adv.Plant Sci. 3, 8–15 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh C.J., Singh B.G., Singh B.S.: Keratinophilic fungi of Ghana birds sanctuary, Bharatpur, Rajasthan (India).Adv.Plant Sci. 7, 280–291 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  • Soon S.H.T.: Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from soil in Malaysia.Mycopathologia 113, 155–158 (1991).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sunderam B.M.: Incidence of keratinophilic fungi in rice field soil.Mycopathologia 97, 43–44 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Oorschot C.A.N.: A revision ofChrysosporium and allied genera.Stud.Mycol. 20, 1–89 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanbreuseghem R.: Keratin digestion by dermatophytes: a specific diagnostic method.Mycologia 44, 176–182 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanbreuseghem R.: Geographical distribution of dermatophytes.Internat.J.Dermatol. 9, 102–109 (1970).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Youssef Y.A., El Din A.A.K., Hassanein S.M.: Occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in soils in Cairo, Egypt.Zbl.Mikrobiol. 147, 80–84 (1992).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, 282 005, Dayalbagh, Agra, India

    P. Saxena, A. Kumar & J. N. Shrivastava

Authors
  1. P. Saxena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. N. Shrivastava
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors are highly obliged to Prof. R.K.S. Kushwaha (Department of Botany, Christ Church College, Kanpur, India) for valuable comments.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saxena, P., Kumar, A. & Shrivastava, J.N. Diversity of keratinophilic mycoflora in the soil of Agra (India). Folia Microbiol 49, 430–434 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02931605

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02931605

Keywords

Search

Navigation