The present survey was undertaken to determine the mycoflora of broiler houses. Attempts were made to isolate and identify fungi in the dust, feed, litter and water from 21 broiler houses. A total of 166 isolates of fungi was identified as yeast spp. (44%), Aspergillus spp. (30.7%), Verticillium spp. (7.2%), Penicillium spp. (3.6%), Paecilomyces spp. (3.6%), Scopulariopsis spp. (3.0%), Cephalosporium spp. (3.0%), Chrysosporium spp. (2.4%), Cladosporium spp. (1.8%) and Absidia spp. (0.6%).

Eighty three local isolates of fungi were isolated from different resources (Peanuts , maize, rice, wheat, bread , domestic cheese of sheep, Milk local Cream, Iranian cream, Roquefort cheese and soil). These isolates were purified and identified, it include 14 isolates of Aspergillus flavus, 13 Aspergillus niger,8 Aspergillus terreus,3Aspergillus parasaticus,3Alternaria spp.,15Penicilliumspp.,7Fusarium spp.,5 Trichoderma spp., 11 Rhizopus spp. and 7Mucor spp. The ability of isolates for producing aflatoxin were tested, the toxic isolates(Aspergillus flavus,Aspergillus terreus ,and Aspergillus parasaticus) were removed.Aspergillus niger which was isolated from maize was choosing as the best lipoxygenase producer after Primary and secondary screening. The growth of the selected isolate colonies had the largest proportion than the Colonies of Penicillium sp. and Trichoderma sp..all so the same isolate had high enzymatic activity 801.4units/ml, while Penicillium sp. and Trichoderma sp. had (559.2 and 120) units/ml respectively.

Objective: To develop a broad-range 28S ribosomal DNA quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for detection of fungal DNA in equine endometrial samples. Sample: 12 fungal samples from a clinical diagnostic laboratory and 29 samples obtained from 17 mares. Procedures: The qPCR assay was optimized with commercially acquired fungal organisms and validated with samples obtained from the clinical diagnostic laboratory. Subsequently, 29 samples from 17 mares suspected of having fungal endometritis were evaluated via the qPCR assay and via traditional fungal culture and endometrial cytology. Amplicons from the qPCR assay were subjected to genetic sequencing to identify the organisms. Results: The qPCR assay theoretically had a detection threshold of 2 organisms of Candida albicans. Fungal DNA was amplified from all 12 fungal samples from the commercial diagnostic laboratory. Fungal identification by use of genetic sequencing was successful for 34 of 36 amplicons from the 12 samples assayed. A fungal agent was identified via qPCR assay and genetic sequencing in all 12 samples; in contrast, a fungal agent was identified in only 8 of 12 samples via standard fungal culture and biochemical analysis. The qPCR assay detected fungal DNA in samples from 12 of 17 mares suspected of having fungal endometritis. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: A rapid, sensitive, and repeatable qPCR assay was developed for detection of fungal DNA from equine endometrial samples. The qPCR may prove to be clinically useful as an adjunct to microbial culture and cytologic examination to provide identification of fungal organisms in a timely manner.

The local Streptomyces sp. strain showed an ability to produce antimicrobial metabolite active against standard strains, in primary and secondary screening. The produced antibiotic was extracted, purified and identified as a peptide antibiotic produced about 1.4g/L in 7 days incubation period, and its LD50 was 5500. There was an inverse effect for orange acridine dye on the grown colonies number of S. sp., the 28 g/ml dye concentration was chosen as the best concentration because it led to colonies killing by 95%. Plasmid DNA extracted from S. sp. and then transformed to E. coli pBR 322, the E. coli pBR 322 showed negative results against the standard strains in primary screening before plasmid DNA transformation, while transformed E. coli pBR322 showed positive results. The antibiotic produced by trans. E. coli pBR322 was extracted, purified and identified by the same ways, which gave the same antibiotic produced by S. sp. with an increase of 2.2 g/L in the quantity and shorter period of time (2 days).

The effect of aspirin( non steroidal anti-inflammtory drug a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) as antifungal has been studied against some opportunistic fungi : Aspergillus flavus , A. niger , A. terreus ,Cryptococcus neoformans, Penicillium sp . and Trichoderma sp. Aspirin was showed a potent activity against all tested fungi in vitro . Aspirin gives the greatest effects in a concentration of 1000 µg , 2000 µg and 3000 µg causing 100% inhibition .

The effect that topical administration of cyclosporine would have on the number and type of microorganisms isolated from the corneal surface of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca was studied. Schirmer tear tests were performed on and corneal swab specimens were collected from 61 eyes of 31 dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca prior to and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment with cyclosporine. In eyes that responded to cyclosporine treatment (Schirmer tear test value increased by greater than or equal to 5 mm/min, compared with pretreatment value), the percentage of eyes from which bacteria were isolated after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment was significantly (P < 0.001) less than the percentage from which bacteria were isolated prior to treatment. However, among eyes that did not respond to treatment, we did not detect a significant change over time in prevalence of bacteria or type of bacteria isolated. The percentage of eyes from which fungi were isolated decreased during treatment; however, the small number of eyes in which fungal culture results were initially positive precluded demonstration of a significant change. For all eyes, we did not detect any significant differences over time in the frequency with which specific bacterial genera were isolated, with the exception of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. Opportunistic corneal infections were not detected even though none of the dogs received antibiotics. An increase in production of tears, which contain anti-infection proteins, was believed to be the primary factor responsible for the decrease in the percentage of eyes from which microorganisms could be isolated.

The fungal flora of the coat of 172 healthy pet cats was examined qualitatively. Fungi were isolated from 136 (79%) of the 172 cats. Fifteen genera were isolated; 13 are commonly regarded as saprophytes, and 2 (Microsporum and Trichophyton) are commonly regarded as pathogens. Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium, and Cladosporium spp were the most frequently isolated saprophytes. Dermatophytic fungi, including Microsporum gypseum (n = 1), M vanbreuseghemii (n = 1), and Trichophyton rubrum (n = 14), were recovered from 16 cats. Microsporum canis was not isolated from any cat during this study.

The interaction of Bordetella bronchiseptica, toxigenic Pasteurella multocida serotype D, and the mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) was studied. On day 0 of the experiment, 28 artificially reared 3-day-old piglets were divided into 4 groups (n = 7 each): a control group (A), a group fed FB1 toxin (B), a group infected with the 2 pathogens (C), and a group infected with the 2 pathogens and fed FB1 toxin (D). The B. bronchiseptica infection [with 106 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL] was performed on day 4 and the P. multocida infection (with 108 CFU/mL) on day 16. From day 16 a Fusarium verticillioides fungal culture (dietary FB1 toxin content 10 mg/kg) was mixed into the feed of groups B and D. In groups C and D, clinical signs including mild serous nasal discharge, sneezing, panting, and hoarseness appeared from day 4, and then from day 16 some piglets had coughing and dyspnea as well. Computed tomography (CT) performed on day 16 demonstrated lung lesions attributable to colonization by B. bronchiseptica in the infected groups. By day 25 the number of piglets exhibiting lesions had increased, and the lesions appeared as well-circumscribed, focal changes characterized by a strong density increase in the affected areas of the lungs. The gross pathological findings confirmed the results obtained by CT. These results indicate that, when combined with dual infection by B. bronchiseptica and P. multocida, dietary exposure of pigs to FB1 toxin raises the risk of pneumonia and increases the extent and severity of the pathological changes.