Resumen La melina (Gmelina arborea Roxb) es una especie de amplia distribución mundial y de elevado valor comercial por su crecimiento rápido y las excelentes propiedades físicas y mecánicas de su madera; sin embargo, constantemente se ve amenazada por diversos factores físicos, químicos y biológicos, siendo los hongos y las bacterias los microorganismos que más pueden afectar su producción. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo aislar e identificar hongos y bacterias asociados con fustes enfermos de G. arborea en plantaciones ubicadas en el departamento del Tolima (Colombia). La caracterización morfológica de las colonias fúngicas se realizó en el medio Papa-Dextrosa-Agar (PDA) con posterior identificación microscópica, después de inducir la producción de las estructuras reproductivas. El aislamiento de las bacterias se realizó en Agar Nutritivo (AN), con posterior caracterización bioquímica. La identificación molecular fue realizada mediante la amplificación de la región ITS para hongos y 16S para bacterias. Se identificaron los hongos Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Coniothyrium aleuritis, Curvularia geniculata, Chaetomium globosum, Phomopsis columnaris, Diaporthe sp y un aislamiento perteneciente a la clase Dothideomycetes. Las bacterias correspondieron a Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas alcaligenes y Pantoea dispersa. Mediante pruebas de patogenicidad se determinó que los microorganismos causantes de la pudrición del tejido vascular en fustes jóvenes de melina fueron L. theobromae y C. geniculata.

Abstract Gmelina (Gmelina arborea Roxb) is a species of global distribution with a high commercial value due to its rapid growth and excellent physical, chemical, and biological features. Fungi and bacteria are the most important microorganisms that can affect its production. The present study aimed at isolating and identifying fungi and bacteria associated with G. arborea stem diseases in plantations located in the department of Tolima (Colombia). The morphological characterization of the fungal colonies was carried out in Potato Dextrose Agar medium (PDA) with subsequent microscopic identification after inducing the reproductive structures. Bacteria isolation was conducted in nutrient agar with subsequent biochemical characterization. The molecular identification was made by the amplification of the ITS region for fungi and the 16S for bacteria. We identified the fungi Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Coniothyrium aleuritis, Curvularia geniculata, Chaetomium globosum, Phomopsis columnaris, Diaporthe sp, as well as an isolate belonging to the Dothideomycetes class. The bacteria corresponded to Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, and Pantoea dispersa. The pathogenicity tests determined that L. theobromae and C. geniculate caused rot of vascular tissue in young candahar stems.

Abstract Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the cereals with the largest area planted worldwide due to its importance in food and feed. There are many etiological agents that cause diseases in maize plants; however, Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg is one of the molds to which special attention has been paid to its wide distribution, especially in tropical and subtropical areas, their toxigenic capacity and endurance. For this reason, the incidence of F. verticillioides and the fumonisin content in white maize grains of eleven hybrids destined for human consumption from Guárico and Yaracuy, Venezuela, were evaluated. Method: The quantification of toxigenic species was done by direct sowing whole grains and disinfected with NaClO at 3.27%, on the malt salt agar medium, expressing the results as percentages of grains colonized by total molds and by potentially toxigenic species. The fumonisin content was quantified by the immunoaffinity method with fumonisin columns (B1 + B2). Results: No significant statistical differences were observed for the incidence of F. verticillioides and the concentration of fumonisins in the samples evaluated in both. The mycobiota associated with the corn kernels were Aspergillus flavus, A. Niger, A. ochraceus, A. terreus, Eurotium chevalieri, F. verticillioides, Penicillium spp. Alternaria sp and Curvularia sp. The highest average incidence of toxigenic molds was obtained by A. flavus (24.3%), F. verticillioides (14.6%) and Penicillium sp. (4.4%) in Yaracuy; however, in Guárico were F. verticillioides (16.7%) and Penicillium spp. (13.8%). The average concentration of fumonisins in Yaracuy and Guárico was 1.8 and 8.4 μg / g, respectively, exceeding the limit allowed for human consumption (1 μg / g). Discussion: Based on the low incidence of F. verticillioides and the low levels of fumonisins detected in hybrids D1B-348 (from Guárico) and D1B-246 (from Yaracuy), it is recommended to use them in the respective states, as a measure of control of the pathogen at the field level and avoid possible contamination with fumonisins.

Resumen El maíz (Zea mays L.) es uno de los cereales con mayor superficie sembrada a nivel mundial, debido a su importancia en la alimentación humana y animal. Son muchos los agentes etiológicos que ocasionan enfermedades en la plantas de maíz; sin embargo, Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg, es uno de los mohos a los cuales se le ha prestado especial atención por su amplia distribución, especialmente en zonas tropicales y subtropicales, su capacidad toxigénica y su resistencia. Por tal motivo, se evaluó la incidencia de F. verticillioides y el contenido de fumonisinas en granos de maíz blanco de once híbridos destinados al consumo humano provenientes de los estados Guárico y Yaracuy, Venezuela. Método: La cuantificación de especies toxigénicas se realizó por siembra directa de granos enteros y desinfectados con NaClO al 3,27%, sobre el medio malta sal agar, expresando los resultados como porcentajes de granos colonizados por mohos totales y por especies potencialmente toxigénicas. El contenido de fumonisinas se cuantificó por el método inmunoquímico con columnas de inmunoafinidad para fumonisinas (B1+B2). Resultados: No se observaron diferencias estadísticas significativas para la incidencia de F. verticillioides y la concentración de fumonisinas en las muestras evaluadas en ambos estados. La micobiota asociada a los granos de maíz fueron Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus Niger, A. ochraceus, A. terreus, Eurotium chevalieri, F. verticillioides, Penicillium spp. Alternaria sp., y Curvularia sp. La mayor incidencia promedio de mohos toxigénicos la obtuvieron A. flavus (24,3%), F. verticillioides (14,6%) y Penicillium sp. (4,4%) en Yaracuy; no obstante, en Guárico fueron F. verticillioides (16,7%) y Penicillium spp. (13,8%). La concentración promedio de fumonisinas en Yaracuy y Guárico fue de 1,8 y 8,4µg/g, respectivamente, superando el límite permitido para consumo humano (1 µg/g). Discusión: Con base en la baja incidencia de F. verticillioides y los bajos contenidos de fumonisinas detectados en los híbridos D1B-348 (proveniente de Guárico) y D1B-246 (proveniente de Yaracuy), se recomienda su uso en los respectivos estados, como medida de control del patógeno a nivel de campo y evitar la posible contaminación con fumonisinas.

Toona canker is a disease characterized by thickening in stems and branches, causing vertical cracks in the cortex and disabling the wood for industry. The objective of this work was to evaluate the incidence of fungi in seeds of Toona ciliata and verify the pathogenicity of Fusarium sp. and Phomopsis sp. as causers of canker. Experiments were performed in the laboratory and greenhouse of the Departamento de Protección Vegetal of the Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Asunción. The blotter method and PDA culture medium (potato, dextrose agar) were employed to evaluate the health of the seeds, using in each case 400 seeds. In the greenhouse, a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 5 replicates was used; the experimental unit consisted of 20 pots with one seedling each. Treatments consisted of inoculation of seedlings with application of a disk of 5 mm of fungi Fusarium sp. and Phomopsis sp. in the stems, and the control treatment following Koch's Postulates. Plants were evaluated at 35 and 70 days post inoculation. Data were analysed for variance and the means compared by Tukey test. Identified fungi were Fusarium sp., Phomopsis sp., Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Colletotrichum sp., Penicillium sp., Curvularia sp. and Helminthosporium sp. It is concluded that Fusarium sp. and Phomopsis sp. are pathogenic, causing the disease known as Toona canker

El cancro de la Toona es una enfermedad caracterizada por engrosamientos en el fuste y ramas, provocando rajaduras verticales en la corteza e inutilizando la madera para la industria. Con el objetivo de evaluar la incidencia de hongos en semillas de Toona ciliata y verificar la patogenicidad de Fusarium sp. y Phomopsis sp. como causantes del cancro, fueron realizados experimentos en el laboratorio e invernadero del departamento de Protección Vegetal de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Para evaluar la sanidad de semillas fueron empleados el método de papel secante y medio de cultivo PDA (papa, dextrosa y agar), utilizando 400 semillas en cada caso. En invernadero, se empleó el diseño Completamente al Azar, con 3 tratamientos y 5 repeticiones, siendo la unidad experimental, 20 macetas con un plantin cada uno. Los tratamientos consistieron en inoculaciones de los plantines con un disco de 5 mm de los hongos Fusarium sp. y Phomopsis sp. en los tallos, además del tratamiento testigo, siguiendo los Postulados de Koch. Las plantas fueron evaluadas a los 35 y 70 días post inoculación. Los datos fueron sometidos al análisis de varianza y las medias comparadas por el Test de Tukey. Los hongos identificados en las semillas fueron Fusarium sp., Phomopsis sp., Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Colletotrichum sp., Penicillium sp., Curvularia sp. y Helminthosporium sp. Se concluye que Fusarium sp. y Phomopsis sp., son patogénicos, causando la enfermedad conocida como cancro de la Toona

Aislamiento e identificación de hongos nematófagos nativos de zonas arroceras de Costa Rica. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue identificar hongos nematófagos en fincas arroceras de Costa Rica. El estudio se realizó entre los meses de abril del 2008 a agosto de 2009. Fueron analizadas muestras de suelo provenientes de tres regiones productoras de arroz de Costa Rica: Pacífico Central, Huetar Atlántica y Chorotega, mediante el método de espolvoreado en placa en búsqueda de hongos nematófagos. Los hongos aislados fueron identificados como Trichoderma sp., Penici-llium sp., Paecilomyces sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium tabacinum, Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp., Monacrosporium sp., Gonatobotrys sp., Geotrichium sp., Phythium sp., Cladosporium sp., Curvularia sp., Phoma sp., Oomycete y mi-celio estéril. Los resultados sugieren una alta diversidad de hongos nematófagos con potencial para ser utilizados como agentes de control biológico.

Isolation and identification of nematophagous fungi from native rice-producing areas of Costa Rica. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify nematophagous fungi from rice-producing areas of Costa Rica. The study was conducted between April 2008 to August 2009. Soil from three rice-producing regions of Costa Rica, Central Pacifi c, Atlantic and Region Huetar Chorotega were analyzed by the sprinkling plate method in search of nematophagous fungi. The fungal isolated were identifi ed as Trichoderma sp., Paecilomyces sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium tabacinum, Fusarium sp., Monacrosporium sp., Aspergillus sp., Geotrichum sp., Phythium sp., Cladosporium, Curvularia sp., Phoma sp., Oomycete and sterile mycelium. The results suggest a high diversity of nematophagous fungi with potential for use as biological control agents.

Fungos oportunistas são aqueles que normalmente não causariam doenças em pessoas saudáveis, mas eles são capazes de causar problemas sob certas circunstâncias e, para isso, eles necessitam possuir algum potencial de virulência. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar amostras de fungos filamentosos isolados de granjas de aves em Cascavel, Paraná, e também avaliar o seu potencial de virulência, verificando a produção de proteinase, atividade hemolítica, produção de urease e crescimento a 37 ºC. Foram avaliados Acremonium hyalinulum (01), Aspergillus sp (12), Beauveria bassiana (01), Curvularia brachyspora (01), Paecylomices variotti (01) e Penicillium sp (02). Das 18 amostras, 44,4% apresentaram atividade proteolítica usando como substrato a albumina e 66,7% com caseína; 66,7% demonstraram atividade hemolítica, 83,3% foram uréia positivas e 88,9% cresceram em temperatura de 37 ºC. Os resultados demonstram que a maioria dos isolados expressaram fatores de virulência e, portanto, têm potencial para causar danos a hospedeiros humanos como os trabalhadores dos aviários, sobretudo em indivíduos predispostos ou suscetíveis.

Opportunistic fungi are those that normally would not cause diseases in otherwise healthy people, but are able to cause problems under some circumstances, and for this they need to possess a certain virulence potential. The objective of this study was to identify samples of filamentous fungi isolated from poultry barns in Cascavel, Paraná, and also to evaluate their virulence potential by assessing proteinase production, hemolytic activity, urease production, and growth rate at 37 ºC. We have evaluated the following samples: Acremonium hyalinulum (1 sample), Aspergillus sp. (12), Beauveria bassiana (1), Curvularia brachyspora (1), Paecilomyces variotti (1), and Penicillium sp. (2). Out of the 18 samples analyzed, 44.4% showed proteolytic activity using albumin as the substrate versus 66.7% when using casein; 66.7% showed hemolytic activity, 83.3% were positive for urea, and 88.9% grew at a temperature of 37 ºC. The results demonstrated that the majority of the isolates expressed virulence factors. Therefore, these isolates have the potential to harm human hosts, such as those working at poultry barns, especially predisposed or susceptible individuals.

Usual applications of chemical fungicides which are established in plant health strategies on rice become more harmful for men and the environment, besides it does not get the expected control in many instances. Taking this problems into account, in the present work was evaluated the in vitro effect of OleoNim 50 CE, on the growth and development of plant pathogen fungi Pyricularia grisea, Rhizoctonia solani, Sarocladium oryzae, Bipolaris oryzae, Fusarium sp and Curvularia lunata, isolated from rice spotted grains. It was proved that OleoNim 50 CE had an inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth, sporulation and conidial germination of the evaluated fungi, what offers new perspectives for the rice fungal disease control.

Las frecuentes aplicaciones de fungicidas químicos establecidas en las estrategias fitosanitarias en el arroz son cada vez más dañinas para el hombre y el medioambiente, y en muchas ocasiones no se logra el control deseado. De acuerdo con esta problemática, en el presente trabajo se evaluó el efecto in vitro de OleoNim 50 CE sobre el crecimiento y desarrollo de los hongos fitopatógenos Pyricularia grisea, Rhizoctonia solani, Sarocladium oryzae, Bipolaris oryzae, Fusarium sp. y Curvularia lunata, aislados a partir de granos de arroz manchados. Se comprobó que el OleoNim 50 CE ejerció efecto inhibidor sobre el crecimiento micelial, la esporulación y la germinación de conidios de los hongos evaluados, lo que brinda nuevas perspectivas para el control de enfermedades fúngicas del arroz.

Se tiene interés en determinar umbrales de inóculo de hongos patógenos en semilla de arroz para establecer el nivel permisible como semilla sana. Lotes de semilla de arroz genética, registrada y certificada var Fonaiap 1, recolectados en un campo de producción en Payara, estado Portuguesa, fueron procesados para cuantificar los niveles de inóculo de los hongos asociados y determinar su incidencia en las plantas. Se clasificaron cinco sub-lotes: semilla normal, deforme, vana, verde y manchada, encontrándose los mayores porcentajes de semilla en los sublotes normal y manchada. El mayor porcentaje de infección en semilla registrada y certificada se encontró en el sub-lote manchada. Se identificaron hongos potencialmente fitopatógenos como Bipolaris oryzae, Curvularia oryzae, Drechslera oryzae, Nigrospora sp y Fusarium spp. Manchas ovaladas con borde marrón en la semilla se relacionaron, en plantas provenientes de esa semilla, con manchas del follaje producidas por D. oryzae y Alternaria sp. Manchas marrón oscuro en semilla se relacionaron con manchas del follaje por D. oryzae, C. oryzae y Alternaria sp. Manchas irregulares marrón claro, con manchas del follaje por C. oryzae, Nigrospora sp, D. oryzae, Alternaria sp y B. oryzae. El porcentaje de incidencia en las plantas, comparado con el nivel de inóculo en la semilla certificada fue relativamente bajo, pero la correlación fue significativa. Un nivel de inóculo de D. oryzae en la semilla mayor a 0,1% y de C. oryzae mayor a 1% puede potencialmente producir infección en las plantas.

Healthy seed obtention is an important disease control measure. There is a special interest on determining inoculums thresholds of pathogens in rice seed in order to establish the more suitable permissible level for being manageable as healthy seed. Lots of rice seed variety Fonaiap 1, collected in a seed production field located in Payara, Portuguesa state, was processed to quantify the inoculums level of seed-borne fungi and to determine its incidence in plants. Five sub-lots were classified: normal, deformed, vain, green and discolored seed, being the greater percentage of seed in normal and discolored sub-lots. The greater percentage of fungi infection in registered and certified seed occurred in the discolored sub-lot. Potentially pathogens fungi were identified, as Bipolaris oryzae, Curvularia oryzae, Drechslera oryzae, Nigrospora sp. and Fusarium spp. Oval spots with brown edge on the seed were related, in plants from that seed, with foliage spots produced by D. oryzae and Alternaria sp. The higher percentage of fungi infection in registered and certified seed occurred in the discolored sub-lot. Brown dark spots in seed were related to foliage spots caused by D. oryzae, C. oryzae and Alternaria sp. Irregular brown seed spots with foliage spots by C. oryzae, Nigrospora sp, D. oryzae, Alternaria sp and B. oryzae. The incidence percentage in plants, compared with the inoculums level in certified seed was relatively low, but the correlation was significative. Inoculums levels of D. oryzae in seed greater to 0.1% and of C. oryzae greater to 1% potentially can produce plants infection.

El estado Mérida es el mayor productor de cacao en la zona occidental, aunque con rendimientos que representan el 50% del promedio mundial, debido al predominio de plantaciones viejas e improductivas que por mucho tiempo no han recibido el manejo agronómico que el cultivo requiere. Por la ausencia de manejo fitosanitario en las plantaciones se presentan diversas enfermedades que afectan el follaje, flores, frutos y raíces, y ante esta problemática se realizó la identificación de la micobiota del filoplano de las hojas del cacaotero con la finalidad de determinar la diversidad de hongos que están presentes en el follaje de este cultivo. Durante el período septiembre - noviembre del año 2002 se realizaron tres muestreos para cada una de las cinco fincas seleccionadas. Se recolectaron hojas sanas y secciones de estas hojas se colocaron durante 5-15 días en cámara húmeda en cajas de Petri con papel de filtro estéril y a temperatura ambiente promedio de 28ºC. De los análisis microscópicos de los diversos hongos aislados y con el uso de claves taxonómicas se logró identificar 48 hongos. Las especies más abundantes fueron Curvularia lunata (67-100%), Nigrospora sphaerica (53-100%) y Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (67-93%). Se confirma la presencia de los hongos Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Moniliophthora roreri y Phytophthora spp. como agentes causales de enfermedades de importancia en la zona del sur del Lago de Maracaibo y la presencia de los hongos Penicillium sp. y Gliocladium sp. con posible potencial como biocontroladores.

Merida state is the major cocoa producer in the western zone with yields that represent 50% of mean world due to the predominance of old and unproductive plantations that for a long time have not received the agricultural management that crop requires. Due to the absence of plant health management there are some diseases that affect the foliage, flowers, fruits and roots. The identification of cocoa leaves phylloplane mycobiota it was made with the purpose of establishing the fungi diversity that are present in the crop foliage. In period Sept Nov 2002 were accomplished three samplings for each of five farms selected. Healthy leaves and sections of these leaves were collected and placed by 5-15 days inside a moist chamber made with Petri dishes with sterilized filter paper and at mean temperature of 28 ºC. From the microscopically analysis of various isolated fungi and by using taxonomic keys it was possible to identify 48 fungi. The more abounding species were Curvularia lunata (67-100%), Nigrospora sphaerica (53-100%) and Colletotrichum gloesporioides (67-93%). It is confirm the Colletotrichum gloesporioides; Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Moniliophthora roreri and Phytophthora spp presence, as causal agents of important diseases in the Maracaibo Lake region, so the Penicillium sp. and Gliocladium sp fungi acting as possible bio controllers.

As condições de cultivo das plantas ornamentais tropicais, relacionadas aos fatores precipitação, umidade, temperatura e densidade de plantio, favorecem a ocorrência de doenças que limitam a produção e reduzem a qualidade das flores. Destacaram-se as doenças causadas por fungos e nematóides, sendo assinaladas a antracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) em Heliconia spp., Etlingera elatior, Tapeinochilos ananassae, causando lesões em folhas e inflorescências; manchas foliares (Bipolaris spp., Cercospora sp., Curvularia lunata, Glomerella cingulata, Guignardia sp. e Deigthoniella torulosa) em Heliconia spp., Calathea burle marx e Musa coccinea; podridão de rizomas e raízes (Rhizoctonia solani e Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense) em E. elatior e Heliconia chartacea cv. Sex Pink. As fitonematoses, causadas por espécies dos gêneros Meloidogyne, Radopholus e Helicotylenchus, constituem um dos principais problemas sanitários em ornamentais tropicais em Pernambuco, ocorrendo comumente em Alpinia purpurata, E. elatior, Zingiber espectabiles, Heliconia spp. e Musa spp. A espécie A. purpurata foi a mais suscetível a M. incognita. Em função dos trabalhos de erradicação pelos produtores, a murcha bacteriana (Ralstonia solanacearum raça 2) foi assinalada com baixa incidência nas áreas de cultivo de flores tropicais.

The climatic conditions in which tropical flowers are grown in Northeast Brazil, related to rainfall, humidity, temperature and cropping density factors, favor disease occurrence that limit and reduce the quality and yield of flowers. In this survey several diseases caused by fungi and nematodes were observed. Among them were the anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) on Heliconia spp, Etlingera elatior, Tapeinochilos ananassae, causing leaf and inflorescence lesions; leaf spots (Bipolaris spp., Cercospora sp., Curvularia lunata, Glomerella cingulata, Guignardia sp and Deighthoniela torulosa) on Heliconia app, Calathea burle - marx and Musa coccinea; roots and rhizomes rots (Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense) on E. elatior and Heliconia chartacea cv. Sex Pink. Phytonematoses, caused by Meloidogyne spp., Radopholus sp. and Helicotylenchus sp. make up one of the main disease problems found in ornamental plants in the State of Pernambuco, usually occurring on Alpinia purpurata, E. elatior, Zingiber spectabiles, Heliconia spp. and Musa spp. Alpinia purpurata was found to be the most susceptible to M. incognita. On the other hand, the low incidence of bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum race 2) in the flower crop areas was associated with eradication carried out by flower producers.

OBJETIVOS: Identificar e caracterizar a freqüência e a concentração de esporos de fungos anemófilos em Porto Alegre. Determinar a prevalência de sensibilização a estes fungos em indivíduos atópicos. MÉTODOS: Em 52 amostras colhidas no equipamento Rotorod Sampler®, foram quantificados 3773 esporos de fungos no período de um ano (abril de 2000 a março de 2001). Em 39 pacientes atópicos com rinite e ou asma foram realizados testes cutâneos com alérgenos de fungos anemófilos e o teste fluorimunoenzimático para verificar a incidência de manifestações alérgicas provocadas por tais fungos. RESULTADOS: Em 3773 esporos de fungos encontrados foram identificados 674 (17,86%) de Cladosporium sp, 567 (15,03%) do grupo Aspergillus/Penicillium, 144 (3,82%) de rusts, 94 (2,49%) de Helminthosporium sp, 46 (1,22%) de Botrytis sp, 45 (1,19%) de Alternaria sp, 34 (0,90%) de smuts, 33 (0,87%) de Curvularia sp, 23 (0,61%) de Nigrospora sp e 3 (0,08%) de Fusarium sp. Também foram encontrados 1905 (50,49%) de ascosporos e 145 (3,84%) de basidiosporos. Não foram possíveis de serem identificados 60 (1,59%) dos esporos observados. Nos 39 testes cutâneos e sorológicos realizados, resultaram em 15,38% de indivíduos atópicos sensibilizados por alérgenos de fungos em Porto Alegre. CONCLUSÕES: A ocorrência de grande número de esporos de fungos no ar em nossa cidade enfatiza a importância deste estudo sobre os fungos anemófilos, sendo eles responsáveis por 15,38% das sensibilizações alérgicas em indivíduos atópicos com manifestações de asma e ou rinite.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and quantify the fungal spores in the atmospheric air of Porto Alegre and to assess sensitization to these allergens in atopic individuals suffering from rhinitis and asthma. METHODS: A total of 52 samples were obtained using a Rotorod Sampler® from April 2000 through March 20001. Allergy skin tests with anemophilous fungus allergens as well as fluorimmunoenzymatic tests were performed in 39 atopic individuals with rhinitis and asthma in order to detect the incidence of respiratory allergies caused by these airborne fungi. RESULTS: In the 3773 fungal spores detected in this study, there was a prevalence of ascosporos (50.49%), Cladosporium (17.86%), Aspergillus/Penicillium (15.03%), basidiosporos (3.84%), rusts (3.82%), and Helminthosporium (2.49%), as well as a lesser frequency of Botrytis (1.22%), Alternaria (1.19%), smuts (0.90%), Curvularia (0.87%), Nigrospora (0.61%), and Fusarium (0.08%). Sixty spores (1.59%) detected here could not be identified by the systematic key used. Among the atopic individuals tested, 15.38% were found to be sensitized by these anemophilous fungi allergens. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of a great number of fungal spores emphasizes the importance of studying anemophilous fungi locally, since they are responsible for 15.38% of allergic sensitization in atopic individuals with asthma and rhinitis.

Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram investigar o possível envolvimento de fungos sapróbios nas dermatomicoses e determinar a incidência de dermatófitos em cães e gatos. Durante um ano, 74 cães e 18 gatos com lesões cutâneas sugestivas de micoses foram incluídos neste estudo. As análises micológicas foram realizadas por microscopia direta e cultivo do fungo em ágar Sabouraud, ágar Sabouraud com cloranfenicol e ágar mycosel. A partir dos 92 espécimes clínicos, 21 resultaram em culturas positivas para dermatófitos, observando-se crescimento exclusivo desses fungos somente em 13. Em oito espécimes, observou-se crescimento simultâneo de dermatófitos e fungos sapróbios. Dentre os 71 espécimes restantes, 10 não apresentaram crescimento fúngico, e pelo menos um fungo sapróbio foi observado em 61 deles. Foram isolados um, dois e três gêneros de fungos sapróbios em 29, 30 e 2 espécimes, respectivamente. Microsporum canis foi encontrado em 6 (28,6%) e 10 espécimes (47,6%) e Trichophyton mentagrophytes em 2 (9,5%) e 3 espécimes (14,3%) de gatos e cães, respectivamente. Os seguintes gêneros de fungos sapróbios foram isolados: Alternaria sp (1,9%), Chaetomium sp (1,9%), Rhizopus sp (2,9%), Curvularia sp (3,9%), Candida sp (6,8%), Trichoderma sp (6,8%), Fusarium sp (7,8%), Cladosporium sp (8,7%), Penicillium sp (21,4%) e Aspergillus sp (37,9%).

The possible involvement of saprobe fungi in dermatomycoses, as well as the determination of the incidence of dermatophytes in dogs and cats were studied. During a period of one year, 74 dogs and 18 cats, with cutaneous lesions suggesting mycoses were included in this study. The mycological analyses were conducted by direct microscopy and by fungal culture on Sabouraud agar, chloramphenicol Sabouraud agar and mycosel agar. Of the 92 samples, 21 resulted in positive cultures for dermatophytes. Dermatophyte fungi pure cultures were obtained from 13 samples. A simultaneous growth of dermatophytes plus saprobe fungi was observed in 8 of the samples. Of the remaining 71 samples, no fungal growth was observed in 10 samples, and at minimum the growth of one saprobe fungi in 61. One, two and three genera of saprobe fungi were isolated in 29, 30 and 2 samples, respectively. Microsporum canis was isolated in 6 (28.6 %) and 10 samples (47.6 %) from cats and dogs, respectively, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 2 (9.5 %) and 3 samples (14.3 %) from cats and dogs, respectively. The following genera of saprobe fungi were also isolated: Alternaria sp (1.9%), Chaetomium sp (1.9%), Rhizopus sp (2.9%), Curvularia sp (3.9%), Candida sp (6.8%), Trichoderma sp (6.8%), Fusarium sp (7.8%), Cladosporium sp (8.7%), Penicillium sp (21.4%) and Aspergillus sp (37.9%).