Human-Pathogenic Fungi in the Soils of Central Ohio

A survey of soil from several sites in Franklin and surrounding counties in central Ohio for human-pathogenic fungi was undertaken. The samples were analyzed for the presence of dermatophytes and keratinophytic fungi by the hair-bait technique, for . systemic mycotic agents by a direct spraying method, and for nocardiae by the paraffinbait technique. The hair-bait technique revealed Trichophyton ajelloi, Microsporum gypseum, M. cookei, Trichophyton terrestre, Chrysosporium tropicum, C. asperatum, C. keratinophilum, Arthroderma tuberculatum, and Ctenomyces serratus in the soil of Ohio for the first time. Thirty-four strains of Nocardia were isolated by the paraffin-bait technique; 12 were specifically identified as N. asteroides by employing standard techniques. Histoplasma capsulatum and Allescheria boydii were isolated by direct spraying of the soil suspension onto selective media.