101
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Lim JY, Park HM. Expression of sexual genes in Aspergillus fumigatus homogeneous culture produced by vegetative mass mating. J Microbiol 2019; 57:688-693. [PMID: 31079330 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-019-9094-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There are presently no studies on the genes for sexual development of Aspergillus fumigatus in situ using mating culture, primarily because of challenging experimental conditions that require a significantly long period of induction and produce developmentally heterogenous culture, harboring very few sexual organs. In order to overcome these challenges, we developed an efficient and convenient procedure called 'vegetative mass mating (VeM)' for study at a molecular level. The VeM method enabled production of a developmentally homogenous A. fumigatus culture, harboring many sexual organs in a plate within a short period of two weeks. Feasibility of the use of VeM for functional study of genes during A. fumigatus sexual development was evaluated by analyzing the transcription pattern of genes involved in pheromone signal transduction and regulation of sexual development. Here, we present for the first time, an in situ expression pattern of sexual genes during the mating process, induced by the VeM method, which will enable and promote the sexual development study of A. fumigatus at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Yeon Lim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Moon Park
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.
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102
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Manfiolli AO, Mattos EC, de Assis LJ, Silva LP, Ulaş M, Brown NA, Silva-Rocha R, Bayram Ö, Goldman GH. Aspergillus fumigatus High Osmolarity Glycerol Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases SakA and MpkC Physically Interact During Osmotic and Cell Wall Stresses. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:918. [PMID: 31134001 PMCID: PMC6514138 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillusfumigatus, a saprophytic filamentous fungus, is a serious opportunistic pathogen of mammals and it is the primary causal agent of invasive aspergillosis (IA). Mitogen activated protein Kinases (MAPKs) are important components involved in diverse cellular processes in eukaryotes. A. fumigatus MpkC and SakA, the homologs of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hog1 are important to adaptations to oxidative and osmotic stresses, heat shock, cell wall damage, macrophage recognition, and full virulence. We performed protein pull-down experiments aiming to identify interaction partners of SakA and MpkC by mass spectrometry analysis. In presence of osmotic stress with sorbitol, 118, and 213 proteins were detected as possible protein interactors of SakA and MpkC, respectively. Under cell wall stress caused by congo red, 420 and 299 proteins were detected interacting with SakA and MpkC, respectively. Interestingly, a group of 78 and 256 proteins were common to both interactome analysis. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments showed that SakA::GFP is physically associated with MpkC:3xHA upon osmotic and cell wall stresses. We also validated the association between SakA:GFP and the cell wall integrity MAPK MpkA:3xHA and the phosphatase PtcB:3xHA, under cell wall stress. We further characterized A. fumigatus PakA, the homolog of the S. cerevisiae sexual developmental serine/threonine kinase Ste20, as a component of the SakA/MpkC MAPK pathway. The ΔpakA strain is more sensitive to cell wall damaging agents as congo red, calcofluor white, and caspofungin. Together, our data supporting the hypothesis that SakA and MpkC are part of an osmotic and general signal pathways involved in regulation of the response to the cell wall damage, oxidative stress, drug resistance, and establishment of infection. This manuscript describes an important biological resource to understand SakA and MpkC protein interactions. Further investigation of the biological roles played by these protein interactors will provide more opportunities to understand and combat IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Oliveira Manfiolli
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Eliciane Cevolani Mattos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Leandro José de Assis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lilian Pereira Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Mevlüt Ulaş
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Neil Andrew Brown
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Özgür Bayram
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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103
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Chandrakumaran A, Malik M, Stevens MP, Abbate A. A case report of locally invasive Aspergillus fumigatus infection in a patient on canakinumab. Eur Heart J Case Rep 2019; 2:yty098. [PMID: 31020175 PMCID: PMC6177092 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/yty098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background Canakinumab is a human monoclonal interleukin-1 antibody that has been studied in the Canakinumab Anti-Inflammatory Thrombosis Outcome Study (CANTOS) trial and shown to prevent recurrent cardiovascular events, while increasing the incidence of neutropenia and risk of severe infections. Case summary This is a case report of a locally invasive aspergillus infection in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who was receiving canakinumab for 3.5 years as part of the CANTOS trial. He presented with headaches and left eye pain and was found to have a large left ethmoid sinus mass extending into the orbit on computed tomography scan of the head. Cultures from an endoscopic biopsy of left ethmoid sinus grew Aspergillus fumigatus. Canakinumab was discontinued, and he was discharged on voriconazole with improvement in his headaches and left eye pain. Discussion The anti-inflammatory properties of canakinumab could have blunted the patient's immune response allowing the mycetoma to invade adjacent tissue. If canakinumab was approved for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events then it is important to be cognizant of its potential to delay the presentation of any infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchalia Chandrakumaran
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Manpreet Malik
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Michael P Stevens
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Antonio Abbate
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
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104
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Melanin and pyomelanin in Aspergillus fumigatus: from its genetics to host interaction. Int Microbiol 2019; 23:55-63. [PMID: 31020477 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-019-00078-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a worldwide-distributed saprophytic fungus and the major cause of invasive aspergillosis. This fungus can produce two types of melanin-dihydroxynaphthalene melanin (DHN-melanin) and pyomelanin. These pigments are considered important resistance mechanisms to stress, as well as virulence factors. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge of the genetic basis and metabolic pathways of melanin production, their activation, function, and interaction with the host immune system. The DHN-melanin pathway is encoded in a cluster that includes six genes (abr1, abr2, ayg1, arp1, arp2, and pksP/alb1 genes) whose encoded proteins seem to be the origin of the pigment in endosomes. These vesicles are secreted and the pigment is subsequently located in the wall of the conidium beneath the rodlet layer. Unlike DHN-melanin, pyomelanin does not have its own biosynthetic pathway but is related to the activation of the L-tyrosine/L-phenylalanine degradation pathway that includes a cluster of six genes (hppD, hmgX, hmgA, fahA, maiA, and hmgR). Its production is due to the polymerization of homogentisic acid and is linked to conidial germination. Despite the knowledge gained in recent years, further studies will be necessary to confirm the pathways that produce these pigments and their role in the virulence mechanisms of A. fumigatus.
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105
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Cross-Talk Interaction Modulates the Production of Melanins in Aspergillus fumigatus. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00215-19. [PMID: 30914505 PMCID: PMC6437049 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00215-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important airborne human pathogenic fungus, causing thousands of deaths per year. Its lethality is due to late and often inaccurate diagnosis and the lack of efficient therapeutics. The failure of efficient prophylaxis and therapy is based on the ability of this pathogen to activate numerous salvage pathways that are capable of overcoming the different drug-derived stresses. A major role in the protection of A. fumigatus is played by melanins. Melanins are cell wall-associated macromolecules classified as virulence determinants. The understanding of the various signaling pathways acting in this organism can be used to elucidate the mechanism beyond melanin production and help to identify ideal drug targets. The pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is able to adapt to extremely variable environmental conditions. The A. fumigatus genome contains four genes coding for mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are important regulatory knots involved in diverse cellular responses. From a clinical perspective, MAPK activity has been connected to salvage pathways, which can determine the failure of effective treatment of invasive mycoses using antifungal drugs. Here, we report the characterization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fus3 ortholog in A. fumigatus, designated MpkB. We demonstrate that MpkB is important for conidiation and that its deletion induces a copious increase of dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin production. Simultaneous deletion of mpkB and mpkA, the latter related to maintenance of the cell wall integrity, normalized DHN-melanin production. Localization studies revealed that MpkB translocates into the nuclei when A. fumigatus germlings are exposed to caspofungin stress, and this is dependent on the cross-talk interaction with MpkA. Additionally, DHN-melanin formation was also increased after deletion of genes coding for the Gα protein GpaA and for the G protein-coupled receptor GprM. Yeast two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation assays confirmed that GpaA and GprM interact, suggesting their role in the MpkB signaling cascade.
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106
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Keene S, Sarao MS, McDonald PJ, Veltman J. Cutaneous geotrichosis due to Geotrichum candidum in a burn patient. Access Microbiol 2019; 1:e000001. [PMID: 32974489 PMCID: PMC7470357 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Geotrichum candidum is a saprophytic yeast known to colonize the human skin, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. It can cause local or disseminated disease (geotrichosis), mainly in the immunocompromised host. Trauma, indwelling catheter use, prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment and critical illness have also been implicated as risk factors. Here we report the first case, to our knowledge, of cutaneous G. candidum infection in a burn patient. The isolate had a high amphotericin B minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the patient experienced concomitant Candidaorthopsilosis fungaemia, and so was treated with a combination of voriconazole and micafungin. This case highlights the importance of source control, rapid identification of G. candidum infection and MIC determination to guide antifungal therapy, which typically consists of amphotericin B with or without flucytosine or voriconazole alone. Clinicians should be aware of geotrichosis as a clinical entity in burn patients as well as in the immunocompromised. Antifungal resistance and breakthrough disease are an ongoing concern due to the increasing number of immunocompromised at-risk patients and the use of routine mould prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Keene
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | - Philip J. McDonald
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- *Correspondence: Philip J. McDonald,
| | - Jennifer Veltman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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107
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Structure, Mechanism, and Inhibition of Aspergillus fumigatus Thioredoxin Reductase. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.02281-18. [PMID: 30642940 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02281-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus infections are associated with high mortality rates and high treatment costs. Limited available antifungals and increasing antifungal resistance highlight an urgent need for new antifungals. Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) is essential for maintaining redox homeostasis and presents as a promising target for novel antifungals. We show that ebselen [2-phenyl-1,2-benzoselenazol-3(2H)-one] is an inhibitor of A. fumigatus TrxR (Ki = 0.22 μM) and inhibits growth of Aspergillus spp., with in vitro MIC values of 16 to 64 µg/ml. Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrates that ebselen interacts covalently with a catalytic cysteine of TrxR, Cys148. We also present the X-ray crystal structure of A. fumigatus TrxR and use in silico modeling of the enzyme-inhibitor complex to outline key molecular interactions. This provides a scaffold for future design of potent and selective antifungal drugs that target TrxR, improving the potency of ebselen toward inhbition of A. fumigatus growth.
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108
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Cortés JCG, Curto MÁ, Carvalho VSD, Pérez P, Ribas JC. The fungal cell wall as a target for the development of new antifungal therapies. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 37:107352. [PMID: 30797093 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the past three decades invasive mycoses have globally emerged as a persistent source of healthcare-associated infections. The cell wall surrounding the fungal cell opposes the turgor pressure that otherwise could produce cell lysis. Thus, the cell wall is essential for maintaining fungal cell shape and integrity. Given that this structure is absent in host mammalian cells, it stands as an important target when developing selective compounds for the treatment of fungal infections. Consequently, treatment with echinocandins, a family of antifungal agents that specifically inhibits the biosynthesis of cell wall (1-3)β-D-glucan, has been established as an alternative and effective antifungal therapy. However, the existence of many pathogenic fungi resistant to single or multiple antifungal families, together with the limited arsenal of available antifungal compounds, critically affects the effectiveness of treatments against these life-threatening infections. Thus, new antifungal therapies are required. Here we review the fungal cell wall and its relevance in biotechnology as a target for the development of new antifungal compounds, disclosing the most promising cell wall inhibitors that are currently in experimental or clinical development for the treatment of some invasive mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos G Cortés
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - M-Ángeles Curto
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Vanessa S D Carvalho
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pilar Pérez
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Ribas
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica and Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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109
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Almeida F, Rodrigues ML, Coelho C. The Still Underestimated Problem of Fungal Diseases Worldwide. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:214. [PMID: 30809213 PMCID: PMC6379264 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few years, fungal diseases caused estimated over 1.6 million deaths annually and over one billion people suffer from severe fungal diseases (Brown et al., 2012; Anonymous, 2017b). Public health surveillance of fungal diseases is generally not compulsory, suggesting that most estimates are conservative (Casadevall, 2017; Anonymous, 2017a). Fungal disease can also damage plants and crops, causing major losses in agricultural activities and food production (Savary et al., 2012). Animal pathogenic fungi are threatening bats, amphibians and reptiles with extinction (Casadevall, 2017). It is estimated that fungi are the highest threat for animal-host and plant-host species, representing the major cause (approximately 65%) of pathogen-driven host loss (Fisher et al., 2012). In this complex scenario, it is now clear that the global warming and accompanying climate changes have resulted in increased incidence of many fungal diseases (Garcia-Solache and Casadevall, 2010). On the basis of all these factors, concerns on the occurrence of a pandemic of fungal origin in a near future have been raised (Casadevall, 2017). In this context, to stop forgetting and underestimating fungal diseases is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Coelho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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110
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Chen C, Fu R, Wang J, Hu R, Li X, Luo X, Chen X, Lu D. Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Aspergillus sp. ( Eurotiales: Eurotiomycetidae). Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2019.1565966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chen
- Institute of plant protection, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Rongtao Fu
- Institute of plant protection, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Jian Wang
- Institute of plant protection, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Rongping Hu
- Institute of plant protection, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Xingyue Li
- Institute of plant protection, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Xi Luo
- Institute of plant protection, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Xuejuan Chen
- Institute of plant protection, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Daihua Lu
- Institute of plant protection, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
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111
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Shishodia SK, Tiwari S, Shankar J. Resistance mechanism and proteins in Aspergillus species against antifungal agents. Mycology 2019; 10:151-165. [PMID: 31448149 PMCID: PMC6691784 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2019.1574927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species contain pathogenic and opportunistic fungal pathogens which have the potential
to cause mycosis (invasive aspergillosis) in humans. The existing antifungal drugs have
limitation largely due to the development of drug-resistant isolates. To gain insight
into the mechanism of action and antifungal drug resistance in Aspergillus species including biofilm formation, we have reviewed protein
data of Aspergillus species during interaction with
antifungals drugs (polynes, azoles and echinocandin) and phytochemicals (artemisinin,
coumarin and quercetin). Our analyses provided a list of Aspergillus proteins (72 proteins) that were abundant during interaction
with different antifungal agents. On the other hand, there are 26 proteins, expression
level of which is affected by more than two antifungal agents, suggesting the more
general response to the stress induced by the antifungal agents. Our analysis showed
enzymes from cell wall remodelling, oxidative stress response and energy metabolism are
the responsible factors for providing resistance against antifungal drugs in Aspergillus species and could be explored further in clinical
isolates. Also, these findings have clinical importance since the effect of drug
targeting different proteins can be potentiated by combination therapy. We have also
discussed the opportunities ahead to study the functional role of proteins from
environmental and clinical isolates of Aspergillus during
its interaction with the antifungal drugs. Abbreviations IPA: invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; IA: invasive aspergillosis; AmB: Amphotericin B;
CAS: Caspofungin; VRC: Voriconazole; ITC: Itraconazole; POS: Posaconazole; ART:
Artemisinin; QRT: Quercetin; CMR: Coumarin; MIC: minimal inhibitory concentration
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Kumari Shishodia
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
| | - Shraddha Tiwari
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
| | - Jata Shankar
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
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112
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Gao S, Zheng X, Tang Y, Cheng Y, Hu X, Wu J. Development of a Fluorescently Labeled Aptamer Structure-Switching Assay for Sensitive and Rapid Detection of Gliotoxin. Anal Chem 2019; 91:1610-1618. [PMID: 30567425 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Gliotoxin, one of the most toxic metabolites produced during the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus, can cause direct damage to the immune system and results in infection and spread of Aspergillus, or even leads to invasive aspergillosis. Accurate, rapid, and sensitive detection of the disease-specific marker gliotoxin, particularly in serum, urine, or other body fluids, is therefore an important approach to achieving early and rapid diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillus Fumigatus Infection (IAFI). In this study, aptamers that specifically bind to gliotoxin were successfully obtained using immobilization-free GO-SELEX technology. Furthermore, the performance of the aptamer, including binding affinity, targeting specificity, and structural stability, was further improved by optimizing through truncation and mutation. Finally, the optimized aptamer APT8T1M was used to develop a novel fluorescently labeled aptamer structure-switching assay (FLASSA) for the detection of gliotoxin. The method exhibited a good linear range from 0.1 nM to 100 nM of gliotoxin, with a lower detection limit of 0.05 nM. Moreover, FLASSA was applied to the detection of gliotoxin in spiked serum and urine samples. A good mean recovery of 98.76-110.85% and a low coefficient of variation (5.45-14.59%) were obtained, indicating a high degree of selectivity for gliotoxin, good reproducibility, and stability. These results show that the developed FLASSA has significant potential and offers an alternative to the traditional analytical methods for the rapid, sensitive, and efficient detection of gliotoxin, thus, providing an effective tool for the early and rapid diagnosis of IAFI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunxiang Gao
- Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital , College of Medicine, Fudan University , Shanghai , China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration , Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality , Shanghai , China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Key Laboratory of Myopia , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences , Shanghai , China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory , Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Yuan Tang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery , Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , China
| | - Yajun Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics , Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , China
| | - Xiaobo Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory , Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Jihong Wu
- Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital , College of Medicine, Fudan University , Shanghai , China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration , Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality , Shanghai , China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Key Laboratory of Myopia , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences , Shanghai , China
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113
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Hubka V, Barrs V, Dudová Z, Sklenář F, Kubátová A, Matsuzawa T, Yaguchi T, Horie Y, Nováková A, Frisvad J, Talbot J, Kolařík M. Unravelling species boundaries in the Aspergillus viridinutans complex (section Fumigati): opportunistic human and animal pathogens capable of interspecific hybridization. PERSOONIA 2018; 41:142-174. [PMID: 30728603 PMCID: PMC6344812 DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2018.41.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although Aspergillus fumigatus is the major agent of invasive aspergillosis, an increasing number of infections are caused by its cryptic species, especially A. lentulus and the A. viridinutans species complex (AVSC). Their identification is clinically relevant because of antifungal drug resistance and refractory infections. Species boundaries in the AVSC are unresolved since most species have uniform morphology and produce interspecific hybrids in vitro. Clinical and environmental strains from six continents (n = 110) were characterized by DNA sequencing of four to six loci. Biological compatibilities were tested within and between major phylogenetic clades, and ascospore morphology was characterised. Species delimitation methods based on the multispecies coalescent model (MSC) supported recognition of ten species including one new species. Four species are confirmed opportunistic pathogens; A. udagawae followed by A. felis and A. pseudoviridinutans are known from opportunistic human infections, while A. felis followed by A. udagawae and A. wyomingensis are agents of feline sino-orbital aspergillosis. Recently described human-pathogenic species A. parafelis and A. pseudofelis are synonymized with A. felis and an epitype is designated for A. udagawae. Intraspecific mating assay showed that only a few of the heterothallic species can readily generate sexual morphs in vitro. Interspecific mating assays revealed that five different species combinations were biologically compatible. Hybrid ascospores had atypical surface ornamentation and significantly different dimensions compared to parental species. This suggests that species limits in the AVSC are maintained by both pre- and post-zygotic barriers and these species display a great potential for rapid adaptation and modulation of virulence. This study highlights that a sufficient number of strains representing genetic diversity within a species is essential for meaningful species boundaries delimitation in cryptic species complexes. MSC-based delimitation methods are robust and suitable tools for evaluation of boundaries between these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Hubka
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 128 01 Prague 2, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, v.v.i, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Kateřinská 32, 121 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - V. Barrs
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, and Marie Bashir Institute of Infectious Diseases & Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Z. Dudová
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 128 01 Prague 2, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Kateřinská 32, 121 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - F. Sklenář
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 128 01 Prague 2, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, v.v.i, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - A. Kubátová
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 128 01 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - T. Matsuzawa
- University of Nagasaki, 1-1-1 Manabino, Nagayo-cho, Nishi-Sonogi-gun, Nagasaki 851-2195, Japan
| | - T. Yaguchi
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8673, Japan
| | - Y. Horie
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8673, Japan
| | - A. Nováková
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, v.v.i, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - J.C. Frisvad
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - J.J. Talbot
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, and Marie Bashir Institute of Infectious Diseases & Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - M. Kolařík
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, v.v.i, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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114
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de Groot T, Hagen F, Vreuls W, Verweij PE, Chowdhary A, Meis JF. Genotyping of Aspergillus fumigatus in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissues and Serum Samples From Patients With Invasive Aspergillosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:377. [PMID: 30406050 PMCID: PMC6206585 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a deep tissue infection with a high mortality occurring mostly in immunocompromised patients. To investigate the pathology of patients with IA it may be important to determine the genotype of the invasive isolate of Aspergillus, however available tissues for study are often formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE). Although DNA has been successfully isolated from such tissues for species identification, genotyping of Aspergillus species on such tissues has not yet been performed. In this study we aimed to determine the genotype of Aspergillus fumigatus in FFPE tissue and serum samples from five patients with invasive aspergillosis using nine highly polymorphic short tandem repeat (STRAf) loci. FFPE lung and bronchial biopsies from all patients were successfully typed. By comparing the latter result with non-FFPE materials from non-sterile samples such as sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung abscess, we found identical genotypes within three patients, while the two other patients had a dominant genotype shared among all sample types. Genotyping of serum samples was successful in two serum samples with galactomannan ratios of 4 and 5.6, but failed in serum samples with galactomannan levels <0.5. In addition, testing a subset of these materials with the AsperGenius multiplex qPCR assay, we did not find azole resistance mutations. With this STRAf assay, A. fumigatus from FFPE tissue and serum was successfully genotyped, allowing retrospective examination of A. fumigatus in culture negative patients with IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theun de Groot
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Medical Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Willem Vreuls
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Paul E Verweij
- Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen1, Netherlands
| | - Anuradha Chowdhary
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen1, Netherlands
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115
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Seyedmousavi S, Lionakis MS, Parta M, Peterson SW, Kwon-Chung KJ. Emerging Aspergillus Species Almost Exclusively Associated With Primary Immunodeficiencies. Open Forum Infect Dis 2018; 5:ofy213. [PMID: 30568990 PMCID: PMC6157306 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is the most serious mold infection encountered in patients with iatrogenic immunosuppression. IA is also a major cause of mortality and morbidity in individuals with primary immunodeficiency (PID). Although Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common etiologic agent of IA reported in PID patients, followed by A. nidulans, multiple poorly recognized Aspergillus species such as A. udagawae, A. quadrilineatus, A. pseudoviridinutans, A. tanneri, A. subramanianii, and A. fumisynnematus have been reported almost exclusively from patients with inborn defects in host antifungal defense pathways. Infection in PID patients exhibits patterns of disease progression distinct from those in iatrogenic immunosuppression. Specifically, the disease can be extrapulmonary and chronic with a tendency to disseminate in a contiguous manner across anatomical planes. It is also more refractory to standard antifungal therapy. This synopsis summarizes our understanding of emerging rare Aspergillus species that primarily affect patients with PIDs but not those with acquired immunodeficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Seyedmousavi
- Molecular Microbiology Section, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - M S Lionakis
- Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - M Parta
- Clinical Research Directorate/Clinical Monitoring Research Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - S W Peterson
- National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, US Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois
| | - K J Kwon-Chung
- Molecular Microbiology Section, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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116
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Savelieff MG, Pappalardo L, Azmanis P. The current status of avian aspergillosis diagnoses: Veterinary practice to novel research avenues. Vet Clin Pathol 2018; 47:342-362. [DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucia Pappalardo
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences; American University of Sharjah; Sharjah United Arab Emirates
| | - Panagiotis Azmanis
- Dubai Falcon Hospital/Wadi Al Safa Wildlife Center; Dubai United Arab Emirates
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117
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Emerging Antifungal Drug Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus and Among Other Species of Aspergillus. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-018-0318-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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118
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Ashu EE, Xu J. Strengthening the One Health Agenda: The Role of Molecular Epidemiology in Aspergillus Threat Management. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9070359. [PMID: 30029491 PMCID: PMC6071254 DOI: 10.3390/genes9070359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The United Nations’ One Health initiative advocates the collaboration of multiple sectors within the global and local health authorities toward the goal of better public health management outcomes. The emerging global health threat posed by Aspergillus species is an example of a management challenge that would benefit from the One Health approach. In this paper, we explore the potential role of molecular epidemiology in Aspergillus threat management and strengthening of the One Health initiative. Effective management of Aspergillus at a public health level requires the development of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools to not only identify the infecting pathogen to species level, but also to the level of individual genotype, including drug susceptibility patterns. While a variety of molecular methods have been developed for Aspergillus diagnosis, their use at below-species level in clinical settings has been very limited, especially in resource-poor countries and regions. Here we provide a framework for Aspergillus threat management and describe how molecular epidemiology and experimental evolution methods could be used for predicting resistance through drug exposure. Our analyses highlight the need for standardization of loci and methods used for molecular diagnostics, and surveillance across Aspergillus species and geographic regions. Such standardization will enable comparisons at national and global levels and through the One Health approach, strengthen Aspergillus threat management efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eta E Ashu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton, Ontario, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton, Ontario, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
- Public Research Laboratory, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 571199, China.
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119
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Shankar J, Tiwari S, Shishodia SK, Gangwar M, Hoda S, Thakur R, Vijayaraghavan P. Molecular Insights Into Development and Virulence Determinants of Aspergilli: A Proteomic Perspective. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:180. [PMID: 29896454 PMCID: PMC5986918 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species are the major cause of health concern worldwide in immunocompromised individuals. Opportunistic Aspergilli cause invasive to allergic aspergillosis, whereas non-infectious Aspergilli have contributed to understand the biology of eukaryotic organisms and serve as a model organism. Morphotypes of Aspergilli such as conidia or mycelia/hyphae helped them to survive in favorable or unfavorable environmental conditions. These morphotypes contribute to virulence, pathogenicity and invasion into hosts by excreting proteins, enzymes or toxins. Morphological transition of Aspergillus species has been a critical step to infect host or to colonize on food products. Thus, we reviewed proteins from Aspergilli to understand the biological processes, biochemical, and cellular pathways that are involved in transition and morphogenesis. We majorly analyzed proteomic studies on A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. terreus, and A. niger to gain insight into mechanisms involved in the transition from conidia to mycelia along with the role of secondary metabolites. Proteome analysis of morphotypes of Aspergilli provided information on key biological pathways required to exit conidial dormancy, consortia of virulent factors and mycotoxins during the transition. The application of proteomic approaches has uncovered the biological processes during development as well as intermediates of secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathway. We listed key proteins/ enzymes or toxins at different morphological types of Aspergillus that could be applicable in discovery of novel therapeutic targets or metabolite based diagnostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jata Shankar
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
| | - Shraddha Tiwari
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
| | - Sonia K Shishodia
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
| | - Manali Gangwar
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
| | - Shanu Hoda
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Raman Thakur
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
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120
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Jariwal R, Heidari A, Sandhu A, Patel J, Shoaepour K, Natarajan P, Cobos E. Granulomatous Invasive Aspergillus flavus Infection Involving the Nasal Sinuses and Brain. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2018; 6:2324709618770473. [PMID: 29761110 PMCID: PMC5946347 DOI: 10.1177/2324709618770473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are commonly associated with some form of immunosuppression. On the nasal epithelial surface, Aspergillus flavus, under favorable conditions, can aggressively breach multiple cell lines invading the local tissues. We present the case of a 35-year-old woman with granulomatous invasive Aspergillus flavus infection involving the nasal sinuses and the brain. Antifungal agents administered in the previous episodes contained the infection; however, the infected site evolved over time surrounded with calcified tissues in the left maxillary sinus. The current infection involved the other side of the maxillary sinus and extended to the orbital cavity eroding the parts of the skull and retro-orbital structures and was treated with a long course of isavuconazole therapy.
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121
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Yoshida N, Frickel EM, Mostowy S. Macrophage-Microbe Interactions: Lessons from the Zebrafish Model. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1703. [PMID: 29250076 PMCID: PMC5717010 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages provide front line defense against infections. The study of macrophage-microbe interplay is thus crucial for understanding pathogenesis and infection control. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae provide a unique platform to study macrophage-microbe interactions in vivo, from the level of the single cell to the whole organism. Studies using zebrafish allow non-invasive, real-time visualization of macrophage recruitment and phagocytosis. Furthermore, the chemical and genetic tractability of zebrafish has been central to decipher the complex role of macrophages during infection. Here, we discuss the latest developments using zebrafish models of bacterial and fungal infection. We also review novel aspects of macrophage biology revealed by zebrafish, which can potentiate development of new therapeutic strategies for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagisa Yoshida
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Section of Microbiology, MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eva-Maria Frickel
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Serge Mostowy
- Section of Microbiology, MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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123
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Sarikaya Bayram Ö, Latgé JP, Bayram Ö. MybA, a new player driving survival of the conidium of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Curr Genet 2017; 64:141-146. [PMID: 28840304 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-017-0740-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes various complications in patients with a weakened immune system functions. Asexual spores of A. fumigatus are responsible for initiation of aspergillosis. Long-term viability and proper germination of dormant conidia depend on trehalose accumulation, which protect the spores against thermal and oxidative stress. A putative Myb transcription factor, MybA has been recently found to be responsible for a variety of physiological and molecular roles ranging from conidiation, spore viability, trehalose accumulation, cell wall integrity and protection against reactive oxygen species. In this perspective review, we discuss the recent findings of MybA and its overlapping functions with the other regulators of conidia viability and trehalose accumulation. Therefore, the aim of this perspective is to raise interesting and stimulating questions on the molecular functions of MybA in conidiation and trehalose biogenesis and to question its genetic and physical interactions with the other regulators of conidial viability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean Paul Latgé
- Unité des Aspergillus, Institut Pasteur, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Özgür Bayram
- Biology Department, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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124
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Abstract
Aspergillus species are ubiquitous fungal saprophytes found in diverse ecological niches worldwide. Among them, Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent and is largely responsible for the increased incidence of invasive aspergillosis with high mortality rates in some immunocompromised hosts. Azoles are the first-line drugs in treating diseases caused by Aspergillus spp. However, increasing reports in A. fumigatus azole resistance, both in the clinical setting and in the environment, are threatening the effectiveness of clinical and agricultural azole drugs. The azole target is the 14-α sterol demethylase encoded by cyp51A gene and the main mechanisms of resistance involve the integration of tandem repeats in its promoter and/or single point mutations in this gene. In A. fumigatus, azole resistance can emerge in two different scenarios: a medical route in which azole resistance is generated during long periods of azole treatment in the clinical setting and a route of resistance derived from environmental origin due to extended use of demethylation inhibitors in agriculture. The understanding of A. fumigatus azole resistance development and its evolution is needed in order to prevent or minimize its impact. In this article, we review the current situation of azole resistance epidemiology and the predominant molecular mechanisms described based on the resistance acquisition routes. In addition, the clinical implications of A. fumigatus azole resistance and future research are discussed.
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125
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Liu C, Wang M, Sun W, Cai F, Geng S, Su X, Shi Y. PU.1 serves a critical role in the innate defense against Aspergillus fumigatus via dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin receptor-1 and toll-like receptors-2 and 4 in THP-1-derived macrophages. Mol Med Rep 2017; 15:4084-4092. [PMID: 28440496 PMCID: PMC5436209 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is one of the most common fungal pathogens of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), which may be life threatening in immunocompromised individuals. The dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin receptor (Dectin-1), toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR-4 are major pattern recognition receptors in alveolar macrophages that recognize A. fumigatus components. The PU.1 transcription factor is known to be important for the transcriptional control of these three receptors in mature macrophages. The present study investigated whether alterations of PU.1 expression may affect the innate defense against A. fumigatus in the human monocyte THP-1 cell line. THP-1-derived macrophages were transduced with PU.1 adenoviral vectors and transfected with PU.1 small interfering RNA, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of Dectin-1, TLR-2 and TLR-4 were measured. In addition, the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β were ascertained, and fungal phagocytosis and killing were assessed. The results demonstrated that overexpression of PU.1 by recombinant adenoviral vectors resulted in a significant upregulation of Dectin-1, TLR-2 and TLR-4 at the transcriptional and translational levels. In response to A. fumigatus stimulation, PU.1 overexpression increased TNF-α and IL-1β production. In addition, Dectin-1, TLR-2 and TLR-4 upregulation may have enhanced the phagocytosis and killing ability of THP-1-derived macrophages. As expected, silencing of PU.1 led to downregulation of Dectin-1, TLR-2, TLR-4 and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as decreased phagocytosis and the killing ability of THP1-derived macrophages. In conclusion, the results indicate that PU.1 may be a critical factor for the innate defense against A. fumigatus, and may therefore be a potential target for the prophylaxis and treatment of IPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyang Liu
- Graduate School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Wenkui Sun
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Feng Cai
- Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, P.R. China
| | - Shen Geng
- Graduate School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Xin Su
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Yi Shi
- Graduate School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
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126
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Respiratory Microbiome of Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales and Microbiota of Surrounding Sea Surface Microlayer in the Eastern North Pacific. Sci Rep 2017; 7:394. [PMID: 28341851 PMCID: PMC5428453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00457-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Salish Sea, the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) is a high trophic indicator of ecosystem health. Three major threats have been identified for this population: reduced prey availability, anthropogenic contaminants, and marine vessel disturbances. These perturbations can culminate in significant morbidity and mortality, usually associated with secondary infections that have a predilection to the respiratory system. To characterize the composition of the respiratory microbiota and identify recognized pathogens of SRKW, exhaled breath samples were collected between 2006–2009 and analyzed for bacteria, fungi and viruses using (1) culture-dependent, targeted PCR-based methodologies and (2) taxonomically broad, non-culture dependent PCR-based methodologies. Results were compared with sea surface microlayer (SML) samples to characterize the respective microbial constituents. An array of bacteria and fungi in breath and SML samples were identified, as well as microorganisms that exhibited resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents. The SML microbes and respiratory microbiota carry a pathogenic risk which we propose as an additional, fourth putative stressor (pathogens), which may adversely impact the endangered SRKW population.
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127
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Marshall AC, Kroker AJ, Murray LA, Gronthos K, Rajapaksha H, Wegener KL, Bruning JB. Structure of the sliding clamp from the fungal pathogen
Aspergillus fumigatus
(Afum
PCNA
) and interactions with Human p21. FEBS J 2017; 284:985-1002. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C. Marshall
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Alice J. Kroker
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Lauren A.M. Murray
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Kahlia Gronthos
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Harinda Rajapaksha
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics La Trobe Institute for Molecular Life Science La Trobe University Bundoora Australia
| | - Kate L. Wegener
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - John B. Bruning
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide South Australia Australia
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Pereira Silva L, Alves de Castro P, Dos Reis TF, Paziani MH, Von Zeska Kress MR, Riaño-Pachón DM, Hagiwara D, Ries LNA, Brown NA, Goldman GH. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus exposed to osmotic stress reveals regulators of osmotic and cell wall stresses that are SakA HOG1 and MpkC dependent. Cell Microbiol 2016; 19. [PMID: 27706915 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis is predominantly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, and adaptations to stresses experienced within the human host are a prerequisite for the survival and virulence strategies of the pathogen. The central signal transduction pathway operating during hyperosmotic stress is the high osmolarity glycerol mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. A. fumigatus MpkC and SakA, orthologues of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hog1p, constitute the primary regulator of the hyperosmotic stress response. We compared A. fumigatus wild-type transcriptional response to osmotic stress with the ΔmpkC, ΔsakA, and ΔmpkC ΔsakA strains. Our results strongly indicate that MpkC and SakA have independent and collaborative functions during the transcriptional response to transient osmotic stress. We have identified and characterized null mutants for four A. fumigatus basic leucine zipper proteins transcription factors. The atfA and atfB have comparable expression levels with the wild-type in ΔmpkC but are repressed in ΔsakA and ΔmpkC ΔsakA post-osmotic stress. The atfC and atfD have reduced expression levels in all mutants post-osmotic stress. The atfA-D null mutants displayed several phenotypes related to osmotic, oxidative, and cell wall stresses. The ΔatfA and ΔatfB were shown to be avirulent and to have attenuated virulence, respectively, in both Galleria mellonella and a neutropenic murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Pereira Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Mario Henrique Paziani
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Diego M Riaño-Pachón
- Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol (CTBE), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daisuke Hagiwara
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Laure N A Ries
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Neil Andrew Brown
- Plant Biology and Crop Science, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Dang Y, Li X, Zheng M, Liu H, Zhou X, Jin X. Development of a specific 99mTc-MAG3-mAb-WF-AF-1 for noninvasive detection of Aspergillus fumigatus. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4802-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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130
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Wang M, Liu Z, Liu C, Wu T, Cai F, Wang Q, Su X, Shi Y. PU.1 is involved in the immune response to Aspergillus fumigatus through upregulating Dectin-1 expression. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:297. [PMID: 27306059 PMCID: PMC4910222 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1632-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Invasive aspergillosis is a life-threatening disease, and its incidence has increased in the recent past. Dectin-1 recognizes β-glucans and mediates innate immune responses to Aspergillus fumigatus. Transcription factor PU.1 has been the focus of recent research due to its role in inflammation and infection. However, its role in Dectin-1 regulation during A. fumigatus infection remains to be elucidated. Methods THP-1 cells were stimulated with A. fumigatus conidia. We then used real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assays to analyze the mRNA and protein levels and cellular distribution, respectively, of Dectin-1 and PU.1 in stimulated THP-1 cells. Additionally, we used the luciferase reporter assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), and RNA interference experiments to investigate the role of PU.1 in Dectin-1 regulation. Results Our results revealed that Dectin-1 mRNA and protein levels as well as the PU.1 protein level were increased in THP-1 cells stimulated with A. fumigatus conidia, while the mRNA expression level did not significantly change between the stimulated and control groups. We also observed that PU.1 translocated into the nucleus in stimulated THP-1 cells. The results of the luciferase reporter assay showed that PU.1 promoted human Dectin-1 (hDectin-1) gene activity. ChIP and EMSA indicated that PU.1 could bind with hDectin-1 gene promoter at three potential transcription factor-binding sites (TFBSs). In addition, knockdown of PU.1 significantly decreased Dectin-1 expression. Conclusions This study demonstrated the novel role of PU.1 in the immune response to A. fumigatus through upregulation of Dectin-1 expression and its translocation to the nucleus in A. fumigatus-stimulated THP-1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, China
| | | | | | - Ting Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Cai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, China
| | - Quan Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, BenQ Medical Center, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Su
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yi Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, China.
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Bruder Nascimento ACMDO, Dos Reis TF, de Castro PA, Hori JI, Bom VLP, de Assis LJ, Ramalho LNZ, Rocha MC, Malavazi I, Brown NA, Valiante V, Brakhage AA, Hagiwara D, Goldman GH. Mitogen activated protein kinases SakA(HOG1) and MpkC collaborate for Aspergillus fumigatus virulence. Mol Microbiol 2016; 100:841-59. [PMID: 26878695 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Here, we investigated which stress responses were influenced by the MpkC and SakA mitogen-activated protein kinases of the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway in the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. The ΔsakA and the double ΔmpkC ΔsakA mutants were more sensitive to osmotic and oxidative stresses, and to cell wall damaging agents. Both MpkC::GFP and SakA::GFP translocated to the nucleus upon osmotic stress and cell wall damage, with SakA::GFP showing a quicker response. The phosphorylation state of MpkA was determined post exposure to high concentrations of congo red and Sorbitol. In the wild-type strain, MpkA phosphorylation levels progressively increased in both treatments. In contrast, the ΔsakA mutant had reduced MpkA phosphorylation, and surprisingly, the double ΔmpkC ΔsakA had no detectable MpkA phosphorylation. A. fumigatus ΔsakA and ΔmpkC were virulent in mouse survival experiments, but they had a 40% reduction in fungal burden. In contrast, the ΔmpkC ΔsakA double mutant showed highly attenuated virulence, with approximately 50% mice surviving and a 75% reduction in fungal burden. We propose that both cell wall integrity (CWI) and HOG pathways collaborate, and that MpkC could act by modulating SakA activity upon exposure to several types of stresses and during CW biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Juliana I Hori
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Leite Pedro Bom
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Leandro José de Assis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Marina Campos Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Neil Andrew Brown
- Plant Science and Crop Biology, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Vito Valiante
- Leibniz Junior Research Group Biobricks of Microbial Natural Product Syntheses, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany; Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Daisuke Hagiwara
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Radotra BD, Salunke P, Parthan G, Dutta P, Vyas S, Mukherjee KK. True mycotic aneurysm in a patient with gonadotropinoma after trans-sphenoidal surgery. Surg Neurol Int 2016; 6:193. [PMID: 26759738 PMCID: PMC4697199 DOI: 10.4103/2152-7806.172697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Immunosuppressive therapy, prolonged antibiotic use, and intrathecal injections are known risk factors for the development of invasive aspergillosis. Central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis can manifest in many forms, including mycotic aneurysm formation. The majority of the mycotic aneurysms presents with subarachnoid hemorrhage after rupture and are associated with high mortality. Only 3 cases of true mycotic aneurysms have been reported following trans-sphenoidal surgery. Case Description: A 38-year-old man was admitted with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma for which he underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery. Three weeks later, he presented with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and meningitis. He was treated with intrathecal and intravenous antibiotics, stress dose of glucocorticoids, and lumbar drain. The defect in the sphenoid bone was closed endoscopically. After 3 weeks of therapy, he suddenly became unresponsive, and computed tomography of the head showed subarachnoid hemorrhage. He succumbed to illness on the next day, and a limited autopsy of the brain was performed. The autopsy revealed extensive subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysmal dilatation, thrombosis of the basilar artery (BA), multiple hemorrhagic infarcts in the midbrain, and pons. Histopathology of the BA revealed the loss of internal elastic lamina and septate hyphae with an acute angle branching on Grocott's methenamine silver stain, conforming to the morphology of Aspergillus. Conclusion: The possibility of intracranial fungal infection should be strongly considered in any patient receiving intrathecal antibiotics who fails to improve in 1–2 weeks, and frequent CSF culture for fungi should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Since CSF culture has poor sensitivity in the diagnosis of fungal infections of CNS; empirical institution of antifungal therapy may be considered in this scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishan Das Radotra
- Department of Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Praveen Salunke
- Department of Neurosurgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Girish Parthan
- Department of Endocrinology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Pinaki Dutta
- Department of Endocrinology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sameer Vyas
- Department of Radiology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kanchan K Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Frisvad JC, Larsen TO. Extrolites of Aspergillus fumigatus and Other Pathogenic Species in Aspergillus Section Fumigati. Front Microbiol 2016; 6:1485. [PMID: 26779142 PMCID: PMC4703822 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an important opportunistic human pathogen known for its production of a large array of extrolites. Up to 63 species have been described in Aspergillus section Fumigati, some of which have also been reliably reported to be pathogenic, including A. felis, A. fischeri, A. fumigatiaffinis, A. fumisynnematus, A. hiratsukae, A. laciniosus, A. lentulus, A. novofumigatus, A. parafelis, A. pseudofelis, A. pseudoviridinutans, A. spinosus, A. thermomutatus, and A. udagawae. These species share the production of hydrophobins, melanins, and siderophores and ability to grow well at 37°C, but they only share some small molecule extrolites, that could be important factors in pathogenicity. According to the literature gliotoxin and other exometabolites can be contributing factors to pathogenicity, but these exometabolites are apparently not produced by all pathogenic species. It is our hypothesis that species unable to produce some of these metabolites can produce proxy-exometabolites that may serve the same function. We tabulate all exometabolites reported from species in Aspergillus section Fumigati and by comparing the profile of those extrolites, suggest that those producing many different kinds of exometabolites are potential opportunistic pathogens. The exometabolite data also suggest that the profile of exometabolites are highly specific and can be used for identification of these closely related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens C. Frisvad
- Section of Eukaryotic Biotechnology, Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of DenmarkKongens Lyngby, Denmark
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Cramer RA. In vivo veritas: Aspergillus fumigatus proliferation and pathogenesis--conditionally speaking. Virulence 2016; 7:7-10. [PMID: 26695225 PMCID: PMC4871685 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2015.1134074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH USA
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Frisvad JC, Larsen TO. Chemodiversity in the genus Aspergillus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:7859-77. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6839-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Genetic relatedness versus biological compatibility between Aspergillus fumigatus and related species. J Clin Microbiol 2014; 52:3707-21. [PMID: 25100816 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01704-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus section Fumigati contains 12 clinically relevant species. Among these Aspergillus species, A. fumigatus is the most frequent agent of invasive aspergillosis, followed by A. lentulus and A. viridinutans. Genealogical concordance and mating experiments were performed to examine the relationship between phylogenetic distance and mating success in these three heterothallic species. Analyses of 19 isolates from section Fumigati revealed the presence of three previously unrecognized species within the broadly circumscribed species A. viridinutans. A single mating type was found in the new species Aspergillus pseudofelis and Aspergillus pseudoviridinutans, but in Aspergillus parafelis, both mating types were present. Reciprocal interspecific pairings of all species in the study showed that the only successful crosses occurred with the MAT1-2 isolates of both A. parafelis and A. pseudofelis. The MAT1-2 isolate of A. parafelis was fertile when paired with the MAT1-1 isolates of A. fumigatus, A. viridinutans, A. felis, A. pseudoviridinutans, and A. wyomingensis but was not fertile with the MAT1-1 isolate of A. lentulus. The MAT1-2 isolates of A. pseudofelis were fertile when paired with the MAT1-1 isolate of A. felis but not with any of the other species. The general infertility in the interspecies crossings suggests that genetically unrelated species are also biologically incompatible, with the MAT1-2 isolates of A. parafelis and A. pseudofelis being the exception. Our findings underscore the importance of genealogical concordance analysis for species circumscription, as well as for accurate species identification, since misidentification of morphologically similar pathogens with differences in innate drug resistance may be of grave consequences for disease management.
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