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Isolation of Mucor circinelloides from a case of ulcerative mycosis of platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), and a comparison of the response of Mucor circinelloides and Mucor amphibiorum to different culture temperatures

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 11:46 authored by Niall Stewart, Munday, BL, Hawkesford, TM
The fungus Mucor circinelloides was isolated from a platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) suffering from ulcerative mycosis. On horse blood agar at 20, 25 and 30°C, the fungus formed sphaerule-like bodies, a morphology previously associated with Mucor amphibiorum, the species thought to be responsible for the disease in platypus. A biopsy taken from the ulcer was fixed, cut and stained. The sections were compared with sections taken from other platypuses suffering from ulcerative mycosis, and from which M. amphibiorum had been isolated. There were no discernible differences between the sphaerule-like bodies found in any of the sections. The presence of sphaerule-like bodies in tissues of ulcerated animals can, therefore, probably no longer be relied upon as a definitive method for the diagnosis of M. amphibiorum infection. It is possible that M. circinelloides is either a primary or a secondary pathogen of platypuses, and further work is required to resolve this point. The isolate of M. circinelloides grew at temperatures up to 38°C, with an optimum temperature for growth of 30°C. Of six isolates of M. amphibiorum derived from both platypus and amphibians, two grew well at 38°C. The growth of one of these isolates at elevated temperatures may be explained by the hot climate of the area in Queensland in which it was found. All of the isolates tested had maximum temperatures for growth in excess of the body temperature of platypuses (32°C).

History

Publication title

Medical Mycology

Volume

37

Pagination

201-206

ISSN

1369-3786

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Bio Scientific Publishers Ltd

Place of publication

Oxford, England

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Fisheries - aquaculture not elsewhere classified

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