Book of Abstracts (PDF) - International Mycological Association

IMC7 Main Congress Theme III: PATHOGENS AND NUISANCES, FOOD AND MEDICINE Posters
leaf spot disease. For monitoring the disease development
we have used both image analyses technique and visual
observation. According to the results the ability of P.
betulicola strains to infect birch leaves as also the
resistance of birch clones to the disease varied. There were
also differences between strain-clone -combinations in the
intensity and rate of premature yellowing and falling of
leaves. The ability of M. betulae to cause leaf spots was
affected by leaf age. In the older leaves necrotic spots
developed faster and the diseased leaf area was also larger.
Under ozone and CO2 fumigation treatments the gases
alone didn't explain the disease development, but the
disease was dependent also on birch clone, age of leaves
and performance year of the experiments.
903 - Genetic diversity in Ampelomyces hyperparasites
inferred from SSCP analysis
O. Szentivanyi 1 , J.C. Russell 2 , L. Kiss 1* , J.P. Clapp 2 & P.
Jeffries 2
1 Plant Protection Institute, Hungarian Academy of
Sciences, H-1525 Budapest, P.O. Box 102., Hungary. -
2 Department of Biosciences, University of Kent,
Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NJ, U.K. - E-mail:
LKISS@NKI.HU
SSCP analysis (Single Strand Conformation
Polymorphism) allows a rapid and sensitive detection of
sequence differences between nucleic acid samples. The
method relies on the different migration rates of single
stranded nucleic acid fragments. It is known that even a
single point mutation can cause a change in the secondary
structure and thus a changed running behaviour of DNA or
RNA samples in the gel. SSCP can thus be used to rapidly
screen a range of individuals for intraspecific genomic
variation. This method has not yet been applied widely in
plant pathology, but we have recently used it to assess
variation in a world-wide collection of isolates of the
mycoparasitic genus Ampelomyces. These fungi are
common intracellular hyperparasites of powdery mildews.
To study their genetic diversity, 29 isolates were studied by
SSCP analysis of the rDNA ITS region. Based on SSCP
profiles, the isolates were included in eight different
groups. These results largely supported earlier data [1, 2],
but revealed additional genetic differences, too.
Interestingly, a new group of isolates were delineated that
consisted of all Ampelomyces isolates obtained from apple
powdery mildew in Hungary. 1. Kiss, L.: Mycol Res 101,
1073 (1997). 2. Kiss, L., Nakasone, K.K.: Curr Genet 33,
362 (1998).
904 - Mixed infection of Trichosporon cutaneum and
Candida parapsilosis in a white piedra case from Qatar
S.J. Taj-Aldeen 1* & H.I. Al-Ansari 2
1 Hamad Medical Corporation, Dept. Laboratory Medicine
& Pathology, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. - 2 Hamad
Medical Corporation, Dept. of Dermatology & Venerology,
272
Book of Abstracts
Rumala P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. - E-mail:
saadtaj@hotmail.com
White piedra is a rare fungal infection of the hair shaft
characterized by small, firm, irregular white-brown
nodules. The infection is due to Trichosporon cutaneum (=
T. beigelii). The disease occurs in tropical and subtropical
areas and reported in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Until now,
where a 28 year old female patient acquired the infection, it
was not reported in Qatar. In this case the scalp was the
only site affected but in a very extensive manner. The hair
had yeast odour and appeared beaded with nodules. Under
the microscope, the nodules were light-brown made of a
compact mass of arthrospores arranged perpendicularly
around the hair shaft and varying in size, measuring up to
1.5 mm. Sabouraud`s culture developed rapidly T.
cutaneum accompanied by Candida parapsilosis along the
infected hair shaft at room temperature and 37 °C. Colonies
of T. cutaneum were wrinkled, tan and cycloheximide
negative. Assimilation profile was consistent with the
organism identification. Microscopic examination showed
hyphae which fragmented into rectangular arthrospores and
budding cells. The patient treated by daily application of
Econazol (shampoo & cream) followed by Ketoconazole
shampoo, completely cured (clinically & mycologically)
after two months. White piedra infection in this patient is
caused by mixed infection with C. parapsilosis. It is not
clear if the disease was due to the synergistic action
between T. cutaneum and C. parapsilosis.
905 - Allergic Aspergillus flavus rhinosinusitis: A case
report from Qatar
S.J. Taj-Aldeen 1* , A.A. Hilal 2 & A. Chong-Lopez 1
1
Hamad Medical Corporation, Dept. Lab. Med. & Path.,
2
PO box 3050, Doha, Qatar. - Hamad Medical
Corporation, ENT Section, Rumala, PO box 3050, Doha,
Qatar. - E-mail: Saadtaj@hotmail.com
Fungal involvement of the rhinosinusitis is classified into
four major forms: mycetoma, invasive, allergic and
fulminant form. It can become life-threatening if not
diagnosed and treated properly. The preliminary diagnosis
is usually by nasal endoscopy and computed tomography
(CT) imaging but tissue biopsy and culture is of vital
importance in confirming the disease and in planning
treatment. We present a case of allergic fungal
rhinosinusitis caused by Aspergillus flavus. Clinical
manifestation of the disease was the presence of an
extensive left nasal polyp. Allergic workup revealed
systemic eosinophilia (11.7%), High serum IgE level (1201
IU ml -1 ) and positive skin test for Aspergillus. CT scan
showed a total opacification and expansion of the left nasal
cavity and sinuses with secondary inflammatory reaction
on the right side. There was no bony erosion beyond the
sinus walls. The patient has been operated by endoscopic
approach (polypectomy and ethmoidectomy) where an
abundant amount of allergic fungal mucin and dark crusts
were found filling the sinuses. Fungal hyphae and spores
were evident by direct lactophenol mount and by
histopathological sections of the removed polypi. Culture
of the debris resulted in growth of Aspergillus flavus. The