Nosocomial Mucormycetes Isolates of Local Environment and a Ligand based Antibiogram Predictive Model

Three nosocomial fungal strains were isolated from the local environment and encoded as NBF2, NBF3 and NBF7. The luxuriantly grown fungi in PDA, SDA and RBA were observed with slender entangled mycelia and black sporogonium. The SEM analysis made with the said fungi showed that three strains have similar morphology of sporangiospores with striped surface and grooves along with a long thin thread mycelia network. The spores were globular in shape with the surface devoid of grooves with filamentous hyphae. The three isolates were allowed to grow on six different Agar media as mentioned above and were considered for the nutritional typification of said isolates. 18s rRNA sequencing of the fungal isolates was carried out and was identified as strains of Rhizopus arrhizus provided with respective GenBank accession numbers OQ123495.1, OR018277.1 and OR651763.1. The antibiogram tests were carried out considering conventional antifungals and it was observed that the strains were sensitive towards the test drugs (Itraconazole and Terbinafine). Further a ligand based predictive antibiogram model was suggested, considering genes of interest. There was establishment of concurrence result between in vitro and in silico, deciphering that the isolates were originally nonpathogenic in nature. However further integrative research is obligatory in this area to decipher the underlying mechanisms of pathogenecity involved during Mucormycosis.