Abstract Brazilian biomes, such as the Atlantic Forest, are hotspots for microbial diversity. Fungi at some stages of their life cycle can inhabit the interior of plants without apparent damage and are called endophytes. This study aimed to verify the culturable diversity of endophytic fungi present in the leaves of Miconia mirabilis in a conservation unit of the Atlantic Forest, in Northeast Brazil. A total of 273 endophytes were isolated, and 88 % of the estimated richness was recovered from 40 taxa with a Shannon diversity index of H′ = 2.79. The most abundant order was Xylariales (37.73 %), with Xylaria cf. cubensis being the most abundant species, followed by Glomerellales (14.65 %), Eurotiales (3.66 %), and Diaporthales (3.33 %). Additionally, a novel endophytic fungal species of Muyocopron was identified. Our results indicate the potential of endophytic diversity in the plants of tropical forests, reinforcing the need for further studies to better understand their ecological relationships.

ABSTRACT Plants harbour diverse communities of fungal species in their internal compartments. Endophytic fungi help their hosts to establish, survive, and adapt to different environments. Here, we examined the diversity of endophytic fungi in the leaflets and branches of Poincianella pyramidalis, a plant species endemic to the Brazilian tropical dry forest (Caatinga). A total of 360 fragments of leaflets and branches were analysed and 189 endophytic fungi were isolated and distributed among 21 ascomycetous genera based on their ITS and LSU rDNA sequences. Diaporthe was the most frequently identified genus, followed by Didymella and Rhytidhysteron. The colonisation rate of plant fragments was higher in the branches (74 %) than in leaflets (14 %). The richness of the genera of endophytic fungi was also higher in the branches than in leaflets, whereas no difference was observed in endophyte diversity between the plant parts, based on Shannon-Wiener and Fisher alpha diversity indices. Our results indicate that endemic plant species from Brazilian dry forest, such as P. pyramidalis, are predominantly colonised by ascomycetous fungi, especially members of the class Dothideomycetes.

RESUMO: Os dermatófitos são fungos que podem causar infecções superficiais da pele, cabelo e unhas em humanos e animais. As espécies de dermatófitos mais frequentemente isoladas dos cães e gatos afetados por micoses são Microsporum gypseum e principalmente Microsporum canis. O papel crucial durante o processo de infecção é a produção de enzimas extracelulares essenciais para a invasão e estabelecimento do agente patogênico no tecido do hospedeiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi isolar dermatófitos de cães e gatos e avaliar o perfil enzimático dos isolados obtidos. Amostras de pelos e escamas epidérmicas foram coletadas de cães e gatos em instalações veterinárias em Recife/PE, e os isolados foram identificados com base nas características macroscópicas e microscópicas. A análise qualitativa das enzimas urease, protease, lipase, colagenase e fosfolipase foi avaliada a partir dos dermatófitos isolados. Durante 10 meses, um total de 106 animais, que compreendeu de 99 cães e sete gatos com sinais clínicos, independentemente do sexo e raça foram avaliados. Apenas oito animais foram confirmados com dermatofitose, principalmente cães (n=7), sendo seis afetados por M. canis e um por M. gypseum, a raça mais afetada foi Yorkshire (n=3). No entanto, apenas um gato foi confirmado com M. canis. Não foi observada predisposição relacionada ao sexo quanto à ocorrência de dermatofitose nos cães e gatos avaliados. Os dermatófitos isolados apresentaram perfis semelhantes para as enzimas urease, lipase, protease, fosfolipase e colagenase, característica importante em infecções patogênicas. O diagnóstico clínico destas zoonoses com base na confirmação microbiológica e uma compreensão dos mecanismos subjacentes é de grande importância para o tratamento e prevenção de doenças fúngicas em animais.

ABSTRACT: Dermatophytes are fungi that can cause superficial infections of the skin, hair and nails in man and animals. The most frequent dermatophyte species isolated from dogs and cats are Microsporum gypseum, most notably Microsporum canis. The crucial role during the infection process is the production of extracellular enzymes essential for the invasion and establishment of the pathogen in the host tissue. The objective of this research was to isolate dermatophytes from dogs and cats and evaluate the enzymatic profile of the isolates obtained. Hair samples and epidermal scales were collected from dogs and cats in veterinary facilities in Recife-PE, and the isolates were identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The qualitative analysis of the enzymes urease, protease, lipase, collagenase and phospholipase was evaluated from the isolated dermatophytes. During 10 months, a total of 106 animals, comprising of 99 dogs and seven cats with clinical signs, regardless of sex and race were evaluated. Only eight animals were confirmed with dermatophytosis, mostly dogs (n=7), being six affected by M. canis and one by M. gypseum, the race most affected was Yorkshire (n=3). However, only one cat was confirmed with M. canis. No sex-related predisposition was observed regarding the occurrence of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats evaluated. Isolated dermatophytes showed similar profiles for the enzymes urease, lipase, protease, phospholipase and collagenase, important characteristic for pathogenic infections. The diagnosis of this zoonosis based on microbiological confirmation and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms is of great importance for the treatment and prevention of fungal diseases in animals.

Bauhinia forficata is native to South America and used with relative success in the folk medicine in Brazil. The diversity, antibacterial activity, and extracellular hydrolytic enzymes of endophytic fungi associated with this plant were studied. Plant samples, which included leaves, sepals, stems, and seeds, were used. Ninety-five endophytic fungal were isolated (18 from leaves, 22 from sepals, 46 from stems, and nine from seeds), comprising 28 species. The most frequently isolated species were Acremonium curvulum (9.5%), Aspergillus ochraceus (7.37%), Gibberella fujikuroi (10.53%), Myrothecium verrucaria (10.53%) and Trichoderma piluliferum(7.37%). Diversity and species richness were higher in stem tissues, and Sorensen’s index of similarity between the tissues was low. Eleven fungi showed antibacterial activity. Aspergillus ochraceus, Gibberella baccata, Penicillium commune, and P. glabrum were those with the greatest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and/or Streptococcus pyogenes. Thirteen species showed proteolytic activity, particularly Phoma putaminum. Fourteen species were cellulase positive, particularly the Penicillium species and Myrmecridium schulzeri. All isolates tested were xylanase positive and 10 showed lipolytic activity, especially Penicillium glabrum. It is clear that the endophytic fungi from B. forficata have potential for the production of bioactive compounds and may be a source of new therapeutic agents for the effective treatment of diseases in humans, other animals, and plants. To our knowledge, this is the first study of endophytic fungi from different tissues of B. forficata and their biotechnological potential.