Infection experiments with Aphanomyces invadans in four species of estuarine fish

Along the eastern seaboard of the US, Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, develop characteristic ulcerative lesions, a condition termed ulcerative mycosis. These lesions are identical to those seen across Asia in fish affected by epizootic ulcerative syndrome, a condition caused by the fungus-like oomycete Aphanomyces invadans. Young-of-the-year menhaden inhabiting estuarine environments are the primary species affected in the USA and little is known about the factors involved in the initiation of the lesions, or why menhaden are predominantly infected. Atlantic menhaden, hogchoker, Trinectus maculatus, striped killifish, Fundulus majalis, and mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, were inoculated with A. invadans (80 zoospores per fish) to explore species differences in infection and lesion development. All four species developed lesions. Killifish developed frank lesions similar to those observed in menhaden but the gross lesions occurred later, approximately 5-10 days after those on menhaden. Hogchoker and mummichog did not develop gross skin ulcers; rather, their lesions appeared as reddened areas under the epidermis. Mummichogs also showed evidence of significant healing with a well-developed granuloma and significant myocyte regeneration. These experiments show that species barriers as well as ecological barriers can explain some of the factors involved in the development of lesions in, and specificity of the water mould for, menhaden.     

新型蚕药"超微灵"的研究

为了更有效地控制家蚕真菌病的发生与蔓延，在研究家蚕真菌病发生与流行规律及研制新型高效消毒药物的基础上，通过大量试验，作者成功地开发出了家蚕真菌病的防治药物“超微灵”。试验结果表明，以５００ｍｇ／ｋｇ的超微灵叶面添食或喷于桑树后采药叶饲蚕，可有效地防治家蚕真菌病和蚕期感染的微粒子病，且对家蚕生长发育及茧质无不良影响。     

西藏果树病害种类及其分布

１９９５年６～１０月，在西藏果树产区采集并鉴定出苹果病害２０种，其中，１４种为西藏新纪录，桃树病害６种，其中，５种为西藏新纪录，梨树病害１１种，柑桔病害４种，葡萄病害３种，核桃病害４种，均为首次报道。     

Fungal isolation and identification in 21 cases of guttural pouch mycosis in horses (1998-2002)

This aetiological study of guttural pouch mycosis (GPM) in the horse was based on the retrospective study of 21 horses brought into the National Veterinary School of Lyon (France) between 1998 and 2002. Biopsies were taken from the lesions caused by GPM during endoscopic examination. In 87% of the cases, direct examination gave positive results, whereas 43% of the cultures were found to be negative. The main fungi observed were Aspergillus fumigatus (in three cases), A. versicolor (in two cases, together with other fungi), and A. nidulans and A. niger (one case each). In six cases, the Aspergillus species could not be identified. In two cases, cleistothecia and/or Hulle cells were observed. In three cases, fungi other than Aspergillus were seen, mixed or not with Aspergillus. These results underline the importance of Aspergillus fumigatus in the development of GPM in horses.     

Coniosporium epidermidis sp. nov., a new species from human skin

Coniosporium epidermidis sp. nov. is described from a superficial skin lesion with blackish discolouration in an 80-yr-old Chinese patient. The species produces dark, thick-walled, inflated, reluctantly liberating arthroconidia without longitudinal septa. Sequences of the ribosomal operon, as well as of the translation elongation factor 1-α support its novelty. The species is found in a lineage basal to the order Chaetothyriales, amidst relatives from rock, but also species repeatedly isolated from human skin and nails and eventually causing mild cutaneous infections. Coniosporium epidermidis is consistently found on humans, either asymptomatic or symptomatic. The species indicates a change of life style towards human pathogenicity, which is a recurrent type of ecology in derived Chaetothyriales. Superficial and cutaneous infection by melanized fungi is a new category in dermatology.Taxonomic novelties: Coniosporium epidermidis D.M. Li, de Hoog, Saunte & X.R. Chen, sp. nov.