INTRODUCTION We investigated the changing trend of various toxigenic Clostridium difficile isolates at a 3 500-bed hospital in Taiwan. Genetic relatedness and antimicrobial susceptibility of toxigenic C. difficile isolates were also examined. METHODS A total of 110 non-repeat toxigenic C. difficile isolates from different patients were collected between 2002 and 2007. Characterization of the ...

While soil application of a competitive non-toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains is successful in reducing aflatoxin contamination in certain crops, direct application to aerial reproductive structures could be more effective for maize. A sprayable, clay-based water-dispersible granule formulation was developed to deliver non-toxigenic A. flavus strain K49 directly to maize ears. The efficacy o...

Eleven samples of grapes from the Central Slovak wine-growing region were examined at time harvest in 2021 using plating method and with surface disinfection. Plates incubated aerobically 25±1 °C dark for one week. Identification fungi was based on morphological microscopic characteristics. Of 574 strains detected identified exogenous mycobiota, most common genus Alternaria (90.9%), followed by...

Alternaria is a ubiquitous genus that may infect wheat in many countries, causing the disease black point. The present study aimed to assess contamination by fungi, of durum kernels from Lebanon, and identify main species contaminants. was detected majority (97%) inspected fields. Contamination differed among samples according their geographical origins. greatest West Bekaa area (average 59%), ...

Muscodor albus, a biofumigant fungus, has the potential to control post-harvest pathogens in storage. It has been shown to produce over 20 volatile compounds with fungicidal, bactericidal and insecticidal properties. However, M. albus is a warm climate endophyte, and its biofumigant activity is significantly inhibited at temperatures below 5 °C. Conidia of seven mycotoxin producing fungi, Asper...

The domestic environment can be a source of pathogenic bacteria. We show here that domestic shower hoses may harbour potentially pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Well-developed biofilms were physically removed from the internal surface of shower hoses collected in four locations in England and Scotland. Amplicon pyrosequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA targets revealed the presence of common aquatic an...

Even in modern times, the popularity level of medicinal plants and herbal medicines therapy is still high. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% population developing countries uses these types remedies. though medicine products are usually perceived as low risk, their potential health risks should be carefully assessed. Several factors can cause toxicity products: plant components o...

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi (molds). These low molecular weight compounds (usually less than 1000 Daltons) are naturally occurring and practically unavoidable. They can enter our food chain either directly from plant-based food components contaminated with mycotoxins or by indirect contamination from the growth of toxigenic fungi on food. Myc...