Presence of Virus like Particles in Human Pathogenic Fungi: Chrysosporium sps and Candida albicans.

Out of eight isolates of different human pathogenic fungi, four were found to be infected with virus like particles (VLP): Chrysosporium pseudomerdarium, C. xerophillum, C. keratinophillum and Candida albicans through electron microscopy. Frozen mycelium without abrasive was seemingly better disruption method for VLP extraction in Chrysosporium extracts but in Candida albicans disruption with abrasive revealed the presence of considerable amount of VLP. The growth of five isolates of Chrysosporium species associated with VLP was significantly affected by different media tested. Absorption spectra revealed the nucleo protein nature of VLP in C. albicans. Virus like particles in Chrysosporium species reported for the first time and in C. albicans, it is reported for the first time in India.