Identification of Mucorales isolates from soil using morphological and molecular methods.

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Medical Mycology

Background:

• Soil harbors saprophytic and pathogenic fungi, including Mucoromycotina.
• Opportunistic fungi from genera like Rhizopus and Mucor can cause severe infections in immunocompromised individuals.
• Identifying these fungi in urban environments is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and identify key genera of the order Mucorales from urban soil.
• To characterize the prevalence of these fungi in public parks and gardens.
• To assess potential exposure risks in public areas.

Main Methods:

• Collected 340 soil samples from parks and gardens in Isfahan, Iran.
• Utilized culture methods, morphological assessments, and molecular techniques like PCR-RFLP for identification.
• Incubated cultures at 27°C for 2-4 days, examining daily for fungal growth.

Main Results:

• Identified 400 pure colonies belonging to Mucorales and Mortierellales.
• Common genera isolated include Rhizopus (35.5%), Mucor (32.25%), and Rhizomucor (27.5%).
• Other identified genera were Lichtheimia, Cunninghamella, and Mortierella.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights the prevalence of potentially pathogenic fungi in public urban spaces.
• Findings underscore the risk of exposure to opportunistic fungi for immunocompromised individuals.
• Emphasizes the need for awareness and potential public health interventions.