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Pejenaute-Ochoa MD, Tomás-Gallardo L, Ibeas JI, Barrales RR. Row1, a member of a new family of conserved fungal proteins involved in infection, is required for appressoria functionality in Ustilago maydis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 243:1101-1122. [PMID: 38742361 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The appressorium of phytopathogenic fungi is a specific structure with a crucial role in plant cuticle penetration. Pathogens with melanized appressoria break the cuticle through cell wall melanization and intracellular turgor pressure. However, in fungi with nonmelanized appressorium, the mechanisms governing cuticle penetration are poorly understood. Here we characterize Row1, a previously uncharacterized appressoria-specific protein of Ustilago maydis that localizes to membrane and secretory vesicles. Deletion of row1 decreases appressoria formation and plant penetration, thereby reducing virulence. Specifically, the Δrow1 mutant has a thicker cell wall that is more resistant to glucanase degradation. We also observed that the Δrow1 mutant has secretion defects. We show that Row1 is functionally conserved at least among Ustilaginaceae and belongs to the Row family, which consists of five other proteins that are highly conserved among Basidiomycota fungi and are involved in U. maydis virulence. We observed similarities in localization between Row1 and Row2, which is also involved in cell wall remodelling and secretion, suggesting similar molecular functions for members of this protein family. Our data suggest that Row1 could modify the chitin-glucan matrix of the fungal cell wall and may be involved in unconventional protein secretion, thereby promoting both appressoria maturation and penetration.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Dolores Pejenaute-Ochoa
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Universidad Pablo de Olavide-CSIC-Junta de Andalucía, Ctra. Utrera km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Laura Tomás-Gallardo
- Proteomics and Biochemistry Platform, Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Universidad Pablo de Olavide-CSIC-Junta de Andalucía, Ctra. Utrera km. 1, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - José I Ibeas
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Universidad Pablo de Olavide-CSIC-Junta de Andalucía, Ctra. Utrera km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Ramón R Barrales
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Universidad Pablo de Olavide-CSIC-Junta de Andalucía, Ctra. Utrera km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
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2
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Scaife K, Vo TD, Dommels Y, Leune E, Albermann K, Pařenicová L. In silico and in vitro safety assessment of a fungal biomass from Rhizomucor pusillus for use as a novel food ingredient. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 179:113972. [PMID: 37532172 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
To address the growing world population and reduce the impact of environmental changes on the global food supply, ingredients are being produced using microorganisms to yield sustainable and innovative products. Food ingredients manufactured using modern biotechnology must be produced by non-toxigenic and nonpathogenic production organisms that do not harbor antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Several fungal species represent attractive targets as sources of alternative food products. One such product is a fungal biomass obtained from the fermentation of Rhizomucor pusillus strain CBS 143028. The whole genome sequence of this strain was annotated and subjected to sequence homology searches and in silico phenotype prediction tools to identify genetic elements encoding for protein toxins active via oral consumption, virulence factors associated with pathogenicity, and determinants of AMR. The in silico investigation revealed no genetic elements sharing significant sequence homology with putative virulence factors, protein toxins, or AMR determinants, including the absence of mucoricin, an essential toxin in the pathogenesis of mucormycosis. These in silico findings were corroborated in vitro based on the absence of clinically relevant mycotoxin or antibacterial secondary metabolites. Consequently, it is unlikely that R. pusillis strain CBS 143028 would pose a safety concern for use in food for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Scaife
- Intertek Health Sciences Inc., 2233 Argentia Road, Suite 21, Mississauga, ON, L5N 2X7, Canada.
| | - Trung D Vo
- Intertek Health Sciences Inc., 2233 Argentia Road, Suite 21, Mississauga, ON, L5N 2X7, Canada
| | - Yvonne Dommels
- The Protein Brewery B.V., Goeseelsstraat 10, 4817, MV, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Elisa Leune
- The Protein Brewery B.V., Goeseelsstraat 10, 4817, MV, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Kaj Albermann
- Labvantage - Biomax GmbH, Robert-Koch-Str. 2, 82152, Planegg, Germany
| | - Lucie Pařenicová
- The Protein Brewery B.V., Goeseelsstraat 10, 4817, MV, Breda, the Netherlands; BioXact, Böttgerwater 44, 2497, ZJ, Den Haag, Netherlands
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3
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Meagher RB, Lewis ZA, Ambati S, Lin X. DectiSomes: C-type lectin receptor-targeted liposomes as pan-antifungal drugs. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 196:114776. [PMID: 36934519 PMCID: PMC10133202 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Combatting the ever-increasing threat from invasive fungal pathogens faces numerous fundamental challenges, including constant human exposure to large reservoirs of species in the environment, the increasing population of immunocompromised or immunosuppressed individuals, the unsatisfactory efficacy of current antifungal drugs and their associated toxicity, and the scientific and economic barriers limiting a new antifungal pipeline. DectiSomes represent a new drug delivery platform that enhances antifungal efficacy for diverse fungal pathogens and reduces host toxicity for current and future antifungals. DectiSomes employ pathogen receptor proteins - C-type lectins - to target drug-loaded liposomes to conserved fungal cognate ligands and away from host cells. DectiSomes represent one leap forward for urgently needed effective pan-antifungal therapy. Herein, we discuss the problems of battling fungal diseases and the state of DectiSome development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Meagher
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Zachary A Lewis
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Suresh Ambati
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Xiaorong Lin
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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4
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Kalkayeva D, Maulanov A, Sobiech P, Michalski M, Kuzembekova G, Dzhangabulova A, Nurkhojayev N, Aldayarov N. Epidemiological characteristics and financial losses due to avian aspergillosis in households in the Almaty region, Republic of Kazakhstan. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1141456. [PMID: 37138907 PMCID: PMC10150056 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1141456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillosis is a severe fungal disease that affects all species and ages of poultry and leads to significant economic losses within the poultry industry. The economic significance of aspergillosis is associated with direct losses due to poultry mortality, a decline in the production of meat and eggs, feed conversion, and poor growth of recovering poultry. Although a decrease in the production of poultry meat and eggs in Kazakhstan due to this fungal disease has been widely reported, studies on the consequent financial losses on affected farms (households) have not been carried out. This study aimed to estimate the financial losses and epidemiological parameters of avian aspergillosis among households affected by the disease in the Almaty region. To achieve the objectives of the research, a survey was conducted involving affected households from February 2018 to July 2019. The affected poultry were diagnosed based on clinical, macroscopical, and microscopical procedures, and once the infection was confirmed, household owners were interviewed. Data were collected from 183 household owners. The median incidence risk and fatality rates were 39 and 26% in chickens, 42 and 22% in turkeys, and 37 and 33% in geese, respectively, with young poultry having a higher incidence risk and fatality rate than adults. Approximately 92.4% of the household owners treated the affected poultry using natural folk methods and 7.6% of household owners used antifungal drugs and antibiotics, spending a median of US $35.20 (min US $0; max US $400) per household throughout the course of the infection. Egg production was reduced by a median of 58.3% when households were affected. The price of poultry fell by a median of 48.6% immediately after recovery due to weight loss. The median of the overall financial losses of households was US $198.50 (min US $11; max US $1,269). The majority of household owners (65%) did not replace their poultry, 9.8% of household owners replaced all their poultry, and the remaining 25.1% replaced only a proportion of the poultry lost at the time of the study. Newly acquired poultry were purchased from neighbors (10.9%), fellow villagers (50%), and state poultry farms (39.1%). This study demonstrates that aspergillosis has an immediate impact on subsistence household owners' livelihoods in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinara Kalkayeva
- Department of Biological Safety, Veterinary Faculty, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
- *Correspondence: Dinara Kalkayeva
| | - Amangeldi Maulanov
- Department of Biological Safety, Veterinary Faculty, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Przemysław Sobiech
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Mirosław Michalski
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Gulnur Kuzembekova
- Department of Biological Safety, Veterinary Faculty, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Ainur Dzhangabulova
- Department of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology, Veterinary Faculty, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Nurzhan Nurkhojayev
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agrarian Faculty, Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
| | - Nurbek Aldayarov
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Nurbek Aldayarov
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5
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Sphingosine as a New Antifungal Agent against Candida and Aspergillus spp. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415510. [PMID: 36555152 PMCID: PMC9779773 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated whether sphingosine is effective as prophylaxis against Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. In vitro experiments showed that sphingosine is very efficacious against A. fumigatus and Nakeomyces glabrataa (formerly named C. glabrata). A mouse model of invasive aspergillosis showed that sphingosine exerts a prophylactic effect and that sphingosine-treated animals exhibit a strong survival advantage after infection. Furthermore, mechanistic studies showed that treatment with sphingosine leads to the early depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and to a release of cytochrome C within minutes, thereby presumably initiating apoptosis. Because of its very good tolerability and ease of application, inhaled sphingosine should be further developed as a possible prophylactic agent against pulmonary aspergillosis among severely immunocompromised patients.
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Kubiński K, Masłyk M, Janeczko M, Goldeman W, Nasulewicz-Goldeman A, Psurski M, Martyna A, Boguszewska-Czubara A, Cebula J, Goszczyński TM. Metallacarborane Derivatives as Innovative Anti- Candida albicans Agents. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13935-13945. [PMID: 36217958 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Infections caused by Candida species have increased significantly in the past decades and are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, resulting in serious public health problems. Currently, conventional antifungals are often ineffective as Candida spp. have developed growing resistance to systemic drugs. Since inorganic metallacarboranes are known to affect cellular events, new derivatives of these abiotic compounds were tested against Candida albicans. Compounds based on cobalt bis-dicarbollide [COSAN] were studied on Candida albicans strains, including a panel of 100 clinical isolates. The presented data prove that metallacarborane derivatives are effective against clinical isolates of Candida albicans, even those resistant to systemic drugs, and show synergistic potential in combination with amphotericin B, and low toxicity against human cells and Danio rerio embryos. This paper is a consequential step in the investigations of the broad spectrum and valuable future medical applications of metallacarboranes, especially in the fight against drug-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Kubiński
- Department of Molecular Biology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1i, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
| | - Maciej Masłyk
- Department of Molecular Biology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1i, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Janeczko
- Department of Molecular Biology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1i, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
| | - Waldemar Goldeman
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Nasulewicz-Goldeman
- Laboratory of Experimental Anticancer Therapy, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Mateusz Psurski
- Laboratory of Experimental Anticancer Therapy, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Martyna
- Department of Molecular Biology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1i, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Boguszewska-Czubara
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4A Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jakub Cebula
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz M Goszczyński
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
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7
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Fakhim H, Badali H, Dannaoui E, Nasirian M, Jahangiri F, Raei M, Vaseghi N, Ahmadikia K, Vaezi A. Trends in the Prevalence of Amphotericin B-Resistance (AmBR) among Clinical Isolates of Aspergillus Species. J Mycol Med 2022; 32:101310. [PMID: 35907396 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2022.101310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The challenges of the invasive infections caused by the resistant Aspergillus species include the limited access to antifungals for treatment and high mortality. This study aimed to provide a global perspective of the prevalence of amphotericin B resistance (AmBR), geographic distribution, and the trend of AmBR from 2010 to 2020. To analyze the prevalence of in vitro AmBR in clinical Aspergillus species, we reviewed the literature and identified a total of 72 articles. AmBR was observed in 1128 out of 3061 Aspergillus terreus (36.8%), 538 out of 3663 Aspergillus flavus (14.9%), 141 out of 2691 Aspergillus niger (5.2%), and 353 out of 17,494 Aspergillus fumigatus isolates (2.01%). An increasing trend in AmB-resistant isolates of A. fumigatus and a decreasing trend in AmB-resistant A. terreus and A. flavus isolates were observed between 2016 and 2020. AmB-resistant A. terreus and A. niger isolates, accounting for 40.4% and 20.9%, respectively, were the common AmB-resistant Aspergillus species in Asian studies. However, common AmB-resistant Aspergillus species reported by European and American studies were A. terreus and A. flavus isolates, accounting for 40.1% and 14.3% in 31 studies from Europe and 25.1% and 11.7% in 14 studies from America, respectively. The prevalence of AmB-resistant A. niger in Asian isolates was higher than in American and European. We found a low prevalence of A. terreus in American isolates (25.1%) compared to Asian (40.4%) and European (40.1%). Future studies should focus on analyzing the trend of AmBR on a regional basis and using the same methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Fakhim
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hamid Badali
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology/South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Eric Dannaoui
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, APHP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Service de Microbiologie, Paris, France
| | - Maryam Nasirian
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center; and Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Health School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fateme Jahangiri
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maedeh Raei
- Faculty of medicine, Sari branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
| | - Narges Vaseghi
- Department of Pathobiology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kazem Ahmadikia
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afsane Vaezi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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9
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Furtado BG, Savi GD, Angioletto E, Carvalho F. Filamentous fungi occurrence on Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766) (Chiroptera: Molossidae) present in an Atlantic Forest remnant in Southern Brazil. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 81:1073-1080. [PMID: 33053139 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.235374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The bats usually inhabit shelters with favorable conditions for fungal proliferation, including pathogenic and opportunistic species. The fungal diversity present on bats is little known and the studies are scarce in Brazil, which only a work has been performed in Cerrado and Pantanal biomes. Therefore, the objective of this study was evaluating the occurrence of filamentous fungi on the rostral region of Molossus molossus in an Atlantic Forest remnant of Brazil. The bats were captured with mist nets installed outside a shelter located in the municipality of Treviso, (28°29'23"S and 49°31'23"W), south region of state Santa Catarina. With a swab sterile moistened in saline solution, samples from the rostral region were obtained from all captured M. molossus individuals. The samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis and isolation in different culture media, followed of identification of fungal through the microculture technique. In total, 15 individuals were captured, which five fungal genus and 19 taxa were identified. Among the taxa registered, Aspergillioides sp.2, (47%), Penicillium sp.1 (33%), Chrysonilia sp. (33%), Cladosporium sp. (27%) were classified as little constant. In terms of abundance, Penicillium sp.1 (34%), Aspergillioides sp.2 (21%) and Aspergillus sp.2 (11%) were the most abundant in the samples. The results showed the occurrence of high diversity fungal in the rostral region of M. molossus in the Atlantic Forest, which is higher than observed in others Brazilian biomes. Some fungal genera found may harbor pathogenic and opportunistic species that need to be identified for preventing potential disease well as for bat conservation projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- B G Furtado
- Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Biomateriais e Materiais Antimicrobianos - LADEBIMA, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - G D Savi
- Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Biomateriais e Materiais Antimicrobianos - LADEBIMA, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - E Angioletto
- Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Biomateriais e Materiais Antimicrobianos - LADEBIMA, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - F Carvalho
- Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Laboratório de Zoologia e Ecologia de Vertebrados - LABZEV, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
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10
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Gnat S, Łagowski D, Nowakiewicz A, Dyląg M. A global view on fungal infections in humans and animals: opportunistic infections and microsporidioses. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 131:2095-2113. [PMID: 33556223 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
After cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases are the second most common cause of death worldwide. Although these infections are caused mainly by viruses or bacteria, a systematically growing prevalence of human and animal opportunistic fungal infections is noticeable worldwide. More attention is being paid to this problem, especially due to the growing frequency of recalcitrant and recurrent mycoses. The latter are classically divided into superficial, which are the most common type, subcutaneous, and systemic. This work discusses opportunistic fungal pathogens without proven horizontal transmission between different animal species including humans and microsporidia as spore-forming unicellular parasites related to fungi; however, with a yet undetermined taxonomic position. The review also mentions aetiological agents, risk factors, epidemiology, geographical distribution, and finally symptoms characteristic for individual disease entities. This paper provides insight into fungal infections from a global perspective and simultaneously draws attention to emerging pathogens, whose prevalence is continuously increasing. Finally, this work also takes into consideration the correct nomenclature of fungal disease entities and the importance of secondary metabolites in the pathogenesis of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gnat
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
| | - D Łagowski
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
| | - A Nowakiewicz
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
| | - M Dyląg
- Department of Mycology and Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
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11
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Chatterjee S, Som S, Varshney N, Satyadev P, Sanyal K, Paul R. Mechanics of microtubule organizing center clustering and spindle positioning in budding yeast Cryptococcus neoformans. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:034402. [PMID: 34654156 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.034402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic process of mitotic spindle assembly depends on multitudes of inter-dependent interactions involving kinetochores (KTs), microtubules (MTs), spindle pole bodies (SPBs), and molecular motors. Before forming the mitotic spindle, multiple visible microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) coalesce into a single focus to serve as an SPB in the pathogenic budding yeast, Cryptococcus neoformans. To explain this unusual phenomenon in the fungal kingdom, we propose a "search and capture" model, in which cytoplasmic MTs (cMTs) nucleated by MTOCs grow and capture each other to promote MTOC clustering. Our quantitative modeling identifies multiple redundant mechanisms mediated by a combination of cMT-cell cortex interactions and inter-cMT coupling to facilitate MTOC clustering within the physiological time limit as determined by time-lapse live-cell microscopy. Besides, we screen various possible mechanisms by computational modeling and propose optimal conditions that favor proper spindle positioning-a critical determinant for timely chromosome segregation. These analyses also reveal that a combined effect of MT buckling, dynein pull, and cortical push maintains spatiotemporal spindle localization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Subhendu Som
- Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata-700032, India
| | - Neha Varshney
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Pvs Satyadev
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Kaustuv Sanyal
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Raja Paul
- Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata-700032, India
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12
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Prigigallo MI, De Stradis A, Anand A, Mannerucci F, L'Haridon F, Weisskopf L, Bubici G. Basidiomycetes Are Particularly Sensitive to Bacterial Volatile Compounds: Mechanistic Insight Into the Case Study of Pseudomonas protegens Volatilome Against Heterobasidion abietinum. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:684664. [PMID: 34220771 PMCID: PMC8248679 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.684664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play an important role in the communication among organisms, including plants, beneficial or pathogenic microbes, and pests. In vitro, we observed that the growth of seven out of eight Basidiomycete species tested was inhibited by the VOCs of the biocontrol agent Pseudomonas protegens strain CHA0. In the Ascomycota phylum, only some species were sensitive (e.g., Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Botrytis cinerea, etc.) but others were resistant (e.g., Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, Verticillium dahliae, etc.). We further discovered that CHA0 as well as other ten beneficial or phytopathogenic bacterial strains were all able to inhibit Heterobasidion abietinum, which was used in this research as a model species. Moreover, such an inhibition occurred only when bacteria grew on media containing digested proteins like peptone or tryptone (e.g., Luria-Bertani agar or LBA). Also, the inhibition co-occurred with a pH increase of the agar medium where the fungus grew. Therefore, biogenic ammonia originating from protein degradation by bacteria was hypothesized to play a major role in fungus inhibition. Indeed, when tested as a synthetic compound, it was highly toxic to H. abietinum (effective concentration 50% or EC50 = 1.18 M; minimum inhibitory concentration or MIC = 2.14 M). Using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS), eight VOCs were found specifically emitted by CHA0 grown on LBA compared to the bacterium grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Among them, two compounds were even more toxic than ammonia against H. abietinum: dimethyl trisulfide had EC50 = 0.02 M and MIC = 0.2 M, and 2-ethylhexanol had EC50 = 0.33 M and MIC = 0.77 M. The fungus growth inhibition was the result of severe cellular and sub-cellular alterations of hyphae occurring as early as 15 min of exposure to VOCs, as evidenced by transmission and scanning electron microscopy observations. Transcriptome reprogramming of H. abietinum induced by CHA0’s VOCs pointed out that detrimental effects occurred on ribosomes and protein synthesis while the cells tried to react by activating defense mechanisms, which required a lot of energy diverted from the growth and development (fitness cost).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabella Prigigallo
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo De Stradis
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Bari, Italy
| | - Abhishek Anand
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Mannerucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Laure Weisskopf
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Bubici
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Bari, Italy
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Pashley CH, Wardlaw AJ. Allergic fungal airways disease (AFAD): an under-recognised asthma endotype. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:609-622. [PMID: 34043134 PMCID: PMC8536613 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00562-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The term allergic fungal airways disease has a liberal definition based on IgE sensitisation to thermotolerant fungi and evidence of fungal-related lung damage. It arose from a body of work looking into the role of fungi in asthma. Historically fungi were considered a rare complication of asthma, exemplified by allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis; however, there is a significant proportion of individuals with Aspergillus fumigatus sensitisation who do not meet these criteria, who are at high risk for the development of lung damage. The fungi that play a role in asthma can be divided into two groups; those that can grow at body temperature referred to as thermotolerant, which are capable of both infection and allergy, and those that cannot but can still act as allergens in IgE sensitised individuals. Sensitisation to thermotolerant filamentous fungi (Aspergillus and Penicillium), and not non-thermotolerant fungi (Alternaria and Cladosporium) is associated with lower lung function and radiological abnormalities (bronchiectasis, tree-in-bud, fleeting shadows, collapse/consolidation and fibrosis). For antifungals to play a role in treatment, the focus should be on fungi capable of growing in the airways thereby causing a persistent chronic allergenic stimulus and releasing tissue damaging proteases and other enzymes which may disrupt the airway epithelial barrier and cause mucosal damage and airway remodelling. All patients with IgE sensitisation to thermotolerant fungi in the context of asthma and other airway disease are at risk of progressive lung damage, and as such should be monitored closely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine H Pashley
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Andrew J Wardlaw
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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Viegas C, Caetano LA, Viegas S. Occupational exposure to Aspergillus section Fumigati: Tackling the knowledge gap in Portugal. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 194:110674. [PMID: 33440201 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus section Fumigati is one of the sections of the Aspergillus genus most often associated with respiratory symptoms. The azole-resistant clinical isolates in this section have been widely described worldwide. More recently, the environmental origin of azole resistance has been correlated with the development of fungal diseases and therapeutic failure. This paper presents a review of several studies performed in Portuguese occupational environments focusing on occupational exposure to this section and give guidance to exposure assessors and industrial hygienists to ensure an accurate exposure assessment. Future studies should tackle the limitations concerning the assessment of occupational exposure to the Fumigati section, in order to allow the implementation of adequate risk management measures. In the light of the results of previous studies, the following approach is proposed to ensure an accurate exposure assessment: a) a combination of active and passive sampling methods appropriate to each occupational environment; b) the use, in parallel, of culture-based methods and molecular tools to overcome the limitations of each method; c) evaluation of the mycobiota azole resistance profile; and d) consider the possible simultaneous presence of mycotoxins produced by this section when assessing workers occupational exposure. In sum, preventing the development of fungal strains resistant to azoles will only be achieved with a holistic approach. An adequate "One Health approach" can contribute positively to concerted actions in different sectors, by reducing the use of fungicides through the introduction of crops and agricultural practices that prevent fungal colonization, and by promoting the rational use of antifungal drugs in human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Portugal.
| | - Liliana Aranha Caetano
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Portugal
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15
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Choopara I, Teethaisong Y, Arunrut N, Thunyaharn S, Kiatpathomchai W, Somboonna N. Specific and sensitive, ready-to-use universal fungi detection by visual color using ITS1 loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined hydroxynaphthol blue. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11082. [PMID: 33777539 PMCID: PMC7982077 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Being ubiquitous, fungi are common opportunistic pathogens to humans that can lead to invasive and life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. Eukaryote-resembling cell membrane and filamentous branches make the fungal diagnosis difficult. This study therefore developed a ready-to-use ITS1 loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined with hydroxynaphthol blue (LAMP-HNB) for rapid, sensitive and specific colorimetric detection of universal fungi in all phyla. The ITS1 LAMP-HNB could identify every evolutionary phylum of fungi according to sequence analyses. We tested a total of 30 clinically relevant fungal isolates (representing three major human pathogenic phyla of fungi, namely Zygomycota, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) and 21 non-fungal isolates, and the ITS1 LAMP-HNB properly identified all isolates, with a detection limit of as low as 4.6 ag (9.6 copies), which was identical to ITS1 and 18S rDNA PCR. The assays were also validated on the feasibility of point-of-care diagnostic with real food (dry peanuts, chili and garlics) and blood samples. Furthermore, the shelf life of our ready-to-use ITS1 LAMP activity (≥50%) was more than 40 days at 30 °C with 3-5% polyvinyl alcohol or glycerol additive. The results supported the ready-to-use ITS1 LAMP-HNB for simple detection of fungi contamination with high sensitivity in local and resource-constrained areas to prevent opportunistic fungal species infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilada Choopara
- Program in Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yothin Teethaisong
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narong Arunrut
- Bioengineering and Sensing Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Sudaluck Thunyaharn
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Nakhonratchasima College, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Wansika Kiatpathomchai
- Bioengineering and Sensing Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Naraporn Somboonna
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Microbiome Research Unit for Probiotics in Food and Cosmetics, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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17
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Viegas C, Dias M, Almeida B, Carolino E, Viegas S. Aspergillus spp. presence on mechanical protection gloves from the waste sorting industry. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2020; 17:523-530. [PMID: 33206026 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2020.1834113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The organic material present on waste sorting units serve as a substrate for different microorganisms, increasing workers' exposure to Aspergillus spp. This study intends to assess the Aspergillus spp. contamination on Mechanical Protection Gloves (MPG) from different workstations and understand the role of MPG in workers' exposure to these genera. Sixty-seven used MPG were collected from different workstations and extracts were seeded on malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05%) and dichloran glycerol (DG18). The same extracts were used for the molecular detection of fungal species/strains, with reported toxigenic potential, namely Aspergillus sections (Circumdati, Flavi, Fumigati, and Nidulantes). Among Aspergillus spp., the sections with the highest prevalence on MEA were Nigri (88.29%) and Fumigati (8.63%), whereas on DG18 were Nigri (31.79%) and Circumdati (30.77%). Aspergillus section Circumdati was detected in 22 MPG samples by RT-PCR (32.84%), Fumigati in 59 samples (88.06%), Nidulantes in 61 samples (91.05%), and Flavi in 6 samples (8.96%). It was showed that, even with daily replacement, MPG presented Aspergillus spp. contamination. Thus, a more regular replacement of MPG and the adoption of complementary hygienic procedures by workers are critical to guarantee workers' protection in this occupational environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Dias
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Almeida
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Carolino
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisbon, Portugal
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18
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Martinson VG. Rediscovering a Forgotten System of Symbiosis: Historical Perspective and Future Potential. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1063. [PMID: 32916942 PMCID: PMC7563122 DOI: 10.3390/genes11091063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
While the majority of symbiosis research is focused on bacteria, microbial eukaryotes play important roles in the microbiota and as pathogens, especially the incredibly diverse Fungi kingdom. The recent emergence of widespread pathogens in wildlife (bats, amphibians, snakes) and multidrug-resistant opportunists in human populations (Candida auris) has highlighted the importance of better understanding animal-fungus interactions. Regardless of their prominence there are few animal-fungus symbiosis models, but modern technological advances are allowing researchers to utilize novel organisms and systems. Here, I review a forgotten system of animal-fungus interactions: the beetle-fungus symbioses of Drugstore and Cigarette beetles with their symbiont Symbiotaphrina. As pioneering systems for the study of mutualistic symbioses, they were heavily researched between 1920 and 1970, but have received only sporadic attention in the past 40 years. Several features make them unique research organisms, including (1) the symbiont is both extracellular and intracellular during the life cycle of the host, and (2) both beetle and fungus can be cultured in isolation. Specifically, fungal symbionts intracellularly infect cells in the larval and adult beetle gut, while accessory glands in adult females harbor extracellular fungi. In this way, research on the microbiota, pathogenesis/infection, and mutualism can be performed. Furthermore, these beetles are economically important stored-product pests found worldwide. In addition to providing a historical perspective of the research undertaken and an overview of beetle biology and their symbiosis with Symbiotaphrina, I performed two analyses on publicly available genomic data. First, in a preliminary comparative genomic analysis of the fungal symbionts, I found striking differences in the pathways for the biosynthesis of two B vitamins important for the host beetle, thiamine and biotin. Second, I estimated the most recent common ancestor for Drugstore and Cigarette beetles at 8.8-13.5 Mya using sequence divergence (CO1 gene). Together, these analyses demonstrate that modern methods and data (genomics, transcriptomes, etc.) have great potential to transform these beetle-fungus systems into model systems again.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent G Martinson
- Department of Biology, MSC03 2020, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
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Varona S, Lavín JL, Oguiza JA. Secretomes of medically important fungi reflect morphological and phylogenetic diversity. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:915-923. [PMID: 33059843 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Secretome represents a main target for understanding the mechanisms of fungal adaptation. In the present study, we focus on the secretomes of fungi associated with infections in humans and other mammals in order to explore relationships between the diverse morphological and phylogenetic groups. Almost all the mammalian pathogenic fungi analyzed have secretome sizes smaller than 1000 proteins and, secreted proteins comprise between 5% and 10% of the total proteome. As expected, the correlation pattern between the secretome size and the total proteome was similar to that described in previous secretome studies of fungi. With regard to the morphological groups, minimum secretome sizes of less than 250 secreted proteins and low values for the fraction of secreted proteins are shown in mammalian pathogenic fungi with reduced proteomes such as microsporidia, atypical fungi and some species of yeasts and yeast-like fungi (Malassezia). On the other hand, filamentous fungi have significantly more secreted proteins and the highest numbers are present in species of filamentous fungi that also are plant or insect pathogens (Fusarium verticilloides, Fusarium oxysporum and Basidiobolus meristosporus). With respect to phylogeny, there are also variations in secretome size across fungal subphyla: Microsporidia, Taphrinomycotina, Ustilagomycotina and Saccharomycotina contain small secretomes; whereas larger secretomes are found in Agaricomycotina, Pezizomycotina, Mucoromycotina and Entomophthoromycotina. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on the complete secretomes. The PCA results revealed that, in general, secretomes of fungi belonging to the same morphological group or subphyla cluster together. In conclusion, our results point out that in medically important fungi there is a relationship between the secretome and the morphological group or phylogenetic classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarai Varona
- Bioinformatics Unit, CIC BioGUNE-BRTA, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - José L Lavín
- Bioinformatics Unit, CIC BioGUNE-BRTA, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.
| | - José A Oguiza
- Genetics, Genomics and Microbiology Research Group, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology (IMAB), Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006, Pamplona, Spain.
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20
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Felice MR, Giuffrè L, El Aamri L, Hafidi M, Criseo G, Romeo O, Scordino F. Looking for New Antifungal Drugs from Flavonoids: Impact of the Genetic Diversity of Candida albicans on the in-vitro Response. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:5108-5123. [PMID: 29278204 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666171226102700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In an era in which antimicrobial resistance is increasing at an alarming pace, it is very important to find new antimicrobial agents effective against pathogenic microrganisms resistant to traditional treatments. Among the notable breakthroughs in the past years of research in natural-drug discovery, there is the identification and testing of flavonoids, a group of plant-derived substances capable of promoting many beneficial effects on humans. These compounds show different biological activities such as inhibition of neuroinflammation and tumor growth as well as antimicrobial activity against many microbial pathogens. METHODS We undertook a review of protocols and standard strains used in studies reporting the inhibitory effects of flavonoids against Candida albicans by focusing our attention on genetic characterization of the strains examined. Moreover, using the C. albicans MLST-database, we performed a phylogenetic analysis showing the genetic variation occurring in this species. RESULTS Today, we have enough information to estimate genetic diversity within microbial species and recent data revealed that most of fungal pathogens show complex population structures in which not a single isolate can be designated as representative of the entire taxon. This is especially true for the highly divergent fungal pathogen C. albicans, in which the assumption that one or few "standard strains" can represent the whole species is overly unrealistic and should be laid to rest. CONCLUSION The goal of this article is to shed light on the extent of genetic variation in C. albicans and how this phenomenon can largely influence the activity of flavonoids against this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosa Felice
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Letterio Giuffrè
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Division of Animal Production, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Lamya El Aamri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Department of Biology, Moulay Ismail University, Faculty of Sciences, Zitoune Meknes, Morocco
| | - Majida Hafidi
- Department of Biology, Moulay Ismail University, Faculty of Sciences, Zitoune Meknes, Morocco
| | - Giuseppe Criseo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Orazio Romeo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) - Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Messina, Italy
| | - Fabio Scordino
- Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS) - Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Messina, Italy
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Usher J. The Mechanisms of Mating in Pathogenic Fungi-A Plastic Trait. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E831. [PMID: 31640207 PMCID: PMC6826560 DOI: 10.3390/genes10100831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of fungi on human and plant health is an ever-increasing issue. Recent studies have estimated that human fungal infections result in an excess of one million deaths per year and plant fungal infections resulting in the loss of crop yields worth approximately 200 million per annum. Sexual reproduction in these economically important fungi has evolved in response to the environmental stresses encountered by the pathogens as a method to target DNA damage. Meiosis is integral to this process, through increasing diversity through recombination. Mating and meiosis have been extensively studied in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, highlighting that these mechanisms have diverged even between apparently closely related species. To further examine this, this review will inspect these mechanisms in emerging important fungal pathogens, such as Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus. It shows that both sexual and asexual reproduction in these fungi demonstrate a high degree of plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Usher
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
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22
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Rickerts V. [Climate change and systemic fungal infections]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2019; 62:646-651. [PMID: 30923845 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-019-02931-z] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate change may cause profound and complex changes in the prevalence of infectious diseases. Obligate pathogenic fungi causing endemic mycoses and the agents of cryptococcosis are environmental pathogens adapted to environmental niches. They may be exposed to changing climatic conditions, which may change the epidemiology of human infections. OBJECTIVES To review documented changes in the epidemiology of endemic fungal infections and cryptococcosis. To review evidence that changing climate is a potential mechanism for changes in the epidemiology of these infections. METHODS A selective literature review focusing on endemic mycoses and cryptococcosis. RESULTS Changes in endemic regions of infections caused by C. gattii and selected endemic mycoses have been well documented. Significant increases in the incidence of infections have been demonstrated for some areas. Climatic factors (temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events), changes in land use, distribution of potential host animals, and global trade routes are discussed as contributory factors. CONCLUSIONS Improved surveillance of fungal infections of humans and animals including molecular typing of clinical and environmental isolates is necessary to understand the epidemiology of these infections. The characterization of environmental niches, mechanisms of distribution of fungi, and fungal adaptation mechanisms are needed to guide prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Rickerts
- FG 16, Erreger von Mykosen, Mykobakteriosen und Parasitosen, Konsiliarlabor für Kryptokokkose und seltene Systemmykosen, Robert Koch-Institut, Seestraße 10, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland.
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Viegas C, Almeida B, Gomes AQ, Carolino E, Caetano LA. Aspergillus spp. prevalence in Primary Health Care Centres: Assessment by a novel multi-approach sampling protocol. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 175:133-141. [PMID: 31121528 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to Aspergillus conidia may cause adverse effects on human health; however, no specific recommendations for routine assessments of Aspergillus in the clinical environment have been suggested so far. This study intended to determine the prevalence of Aspergillus in the clinical environment, focusing on ten Primary Health Care Centres (PHCC) through a novel multi-approach sampling protocol. Air and passive sampling, culture-based methods and a probe-based real-time assay for the detection of four clinically relevant Aspergillus sections were performed. Aspergillus spp. was observed in all PHCC, with highest prevalence on floor surface swabs (n=81) (18% on MEA; 6.94% on DG18). Regarding air samples (n=81), highest Aspergillus counts were found in the waiting room (94% MEA; 18% DG18), where Nigri was the most prevalent Aspergillus section. The use of a multi-approach sampling protocol to assess Aspergillus burden in the analysed PHCC has greatly contributed to risk characterization, highlighting the need to implement corrective measures in order to avoid fungal presence in those settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Beatriz Almeida
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Anita Quintal Gomes
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; University of PortugalLisbon - Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Carolino
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Liliana Aranha Caetano
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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Characterization of the 6-O-acetylated lipoglucuronomannogalactan a novel Cryptococcus neoformans cell wall polysaccharide. Carbohydr Res 2019; 475:1-10. [PMID: 30742969 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Glucuronoxylomannogalactans (GXMGals) are characteristic capsular polysaccharides produced by the opportunistic fungus C. neoformans, which are implicated in cryptococcal virulence, via impairment of the host immune response. We determined for the first time the structure of a lipoglucuronomannogalactan (LGMGal), isolated from the surface of a mutant C. neoformans carrying a deletion in the UDP-GlcA decarboxylase gene. Monosaccharide composition and methylation analyses, as well as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were employed in discerning the structure. Our results show that the polysaccharide structure of the LGMGal differs from GXMGal by the absence of xylose and 2-O-acetylated mannose residues. LGMGal consists of a galactan main chain -[-6-α-Gal-]-, where every second Gal residue is substituted at O-3 with an oligosaccharide α-Man6OAc-3-α-Man-4-(β-GlcA-3)-β-Gal-; components in italic being non-stoichiometric. The substitution rate of β-Galp units by GlcpA is 35%. Additionally, we determined that the glycolipid anchor of the LGMGal is based on an myo-inositol phosphoceramide composed of C18-phytosphingosine and monohydroxylated lignoceric acid (2OHC24:0 fatty acid).
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Varshney N, Som S, Chatterjee S, Sridhar S, Bhattacharyya D, Paul R, Sanyal K. Spatio-temporal regulation of nuclear division by Aurora B kinase Ipl1 in Cryptococcus neoformans. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007959. [PMID: 30763303 PMCID: PMC6392335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear division takes place in the daughter cell in the basidiomycetous budding yeast Cryptococcus neoformans. Unclustered kinetochores gradually cluster and the nucleus moves to the daughter bud as cells enter mitosis. Here, we show that the evolutionarily conserved Aurora B kinase Ipl1 localizes to the nucleus upon the breakdown of the nuclear envelope during mitosis in C. neoformans. Ipl1 is shown to be required for timely breakdown of the nuclear envelope as well. Ipl1 is essential for viability and regulates structural integrity of microtubules. The compromised stability of cytoplasmic microtubules upon Ipl1 depletion results in a significant delay in kinetochore clustering and nuclear migration. By generating an in silico model of mitosis, we previously proposed that cytoplasmic microtubules and cortical dyneins promote atypical nuclear division in C. neoformans. Improving the previous in silico model by introducing additional parameters, here we predict that an effective cortical bias generated by cytosolic Bim1 and dynein regulates dynamics of kinetochore clustering and nuclear migration. Indeed, in vivo alterations of Bim1 or dynein cellular levels delay nuclear migration. Results from in silico model and localization dynamics by live cell imaging suggests that Ipl1 spatio-temporally influences Bim1 or/and dynein activity along with microtubule stability to ensure timely onset of nuclear division. Together, we propose that the timely breakdown of the nuclear envelope by Ipl1 allows its own nuclear entry that helps in spatio-temporal regulation of nuclear division during semi-open mitosis in C. neoformans. Unlike the model ascomycetous budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) coalesce to form the spindle pole body (SPB) in C. neoformans. This process also ensures unclustered kinetochores to gradually cluster in this organism. As C. neoformans cells enter mitosis, the nuclear envelope ruptures and the nucleus eventually moves to the daughter bud before division. Here, we combine cell and systems biology techniques to understand the key determinants of nuclear division in C. neoformans. We show that the evolutionarily conserved Aurora B kinase Ipl1 enters the nucleus during the mitotic phase as cells undergo semi-open mitosis. Ipl1 regulates dynamics of cytoplasmic microtubules, cytosolic proteins such as Bim1 and dynein-mediated cortical forces and integrity of the nuclear envelope to ensure timely kinetochore clustering and nuclear division in this medically relevant human pathogenic budding yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Varshney
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
| | - Subhendu Som
- Department of Solid State Physics, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, India
| | - Saptarshi Chatterjee
- Department of Solid State Physics, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, India
| | - Shreyas Sridhar
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
| | - Dibyendu Bhattacharyya
- Tata Memorial Centre, Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Raja Paul
- Department of Solid State Physics, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, India
- * E-mail: (RP); (KS)
| | - Kaustuv Sanyal
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
- * E-mail: (RP); (KS)
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Rabelo VWH, Viegas DDJ, Tucci EMN, Romeiro NC, Abreu PA. Virtual screening and drug repositioning as strategies for the discovery of new antifungal inhibitors of oxidosqualene cyclase. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 185:189-199. [PMID: 30193921 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, and Candida albicans is the fourth leading agent of nosocomial infections. Mortality from this infection is significant; however, the therapeutic treatment is limited, which demands the search for new drugs and new targets. In this context, oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) catalyzes the cyclization of the 2,3-oxidosqualene to form lanosterol, an intermediate of ergosterol biosynthesis. Therefore, this enzyme constitutes an attractive therapeutic target. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify potential inhibitors of C. albicans OSC (CaOSC) from a marketed drugs database in order to discover new antifungal agents. The CaOSC 3D model was constructed using the Swiss-Model server and important features for CaOSC inhibition were identified by molecular docking of known inhibitors using Autodock Vina 1.1.2. Subsequently, virtual screening helped to identify calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, and other four drugs, as potential inhibitors of CaOSC. The selected drugs presented an interesting pattern of interactions with this enzyme, including hydrogen bond with Asp450, a key residue in the active site. Thus, the antifungal activity of calcitriol was evaluated in vitro against Candida spp strains. Calcitriol showed antifungal activity against C. albicans and C. tropicalis, which reinforces the potential of this compound as candidate of CaOSC inhibitor. In short, the present study provides important insights for the development of new oxidosqualene cyclase inhibitors as antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Won-Held Rabelo
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Pesquisa em Ciências Farmacêuticas, LaMCiFar, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - Campus Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto, Macaé, 27965-045, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé Professor Aloísio Teixeira, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daiane de Jesus Viegas
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Pesquisa em Ciências Farmacêuticas, LaMCiFar, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - Campus Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto, Macaé, 27965-045, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé Professor Aloísio Teixeira, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Erline Machado Neves Tucci
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Pesquisa em Ciências Farmacêuticas, LaMCiFar, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - Campus Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto, Macaé, 27965-045, RJ, Brazil
| | - Nelilma Correia Romeiro
- Laboratório Integrado de Computação Científica, LICC, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé, Macaé, RJ, 27965-045, Brazil
| | - Paula Alvarez Abreu
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Pesquisa em Ciências Farmacêuticas, LaMCiFar, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - Campus Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto, Macaé, 27965-045, RJ, Brazil.
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Seyedmousavi S, Bosco SDMG, de Hoog S, Ebel F, Elad D, Gomes RR, Jacobsen ID, Jensen HE, Martel A, Mignon B, Pasmans F, Piecková E, Rodrigues AM, Singh K, Vicente VA, Wibbelt G, Wiederhold NP, Guillot J. Fungal infections in animals: a patchwork of different situations. Med Mycol 2018. [PMID: 29538732 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of fungal infections in both human and animals has increased over the last decades. This article represents an overview of the different categories of fungal infections that can be encountered in animals originating from environmental sources without transmission to humans. In addition, the endemic infections with indirect transmission from the environment, the zoophilic fungal pathogens with near-direct transmission, the zoonotic fungi that can be directly transmitted from animals to humans, mycotoxicoses and antifungal resistance in animals will also be discussed. Opportunistic mycoses are responsible for a wide range of diseases from localized infections to fatal disseminated diseases, such as aspergillosis, mucormycosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis and infections caused by melanized fungi. The amphibian fungal disease chytridiomycosis and the Bat White-nose syndrome are due to obligatory fungal pathogens. Zoonotic agents are naturally transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans and vice versa. The list of zoonotic fungal agents is limited but some species, like Microsporum canis and Sporothrix brasiliensis from cats, have a strong public health impact. Mycotoxins are defined as the chemicals of fungal origin being toxic for warm-blooded vertebrates. Intoxications by aflatoxins and ochratoxins represent a threat for both human and animal health. Resistance to antifungals can occur in different animal species that receive these drugs, although the true epidemiology of resistance in animals is unknown, and options to treat infections caused by resistant infections are limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedmojtaba Seyedmousavi
- Molecular Microbiology Section, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology (LCMI), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sandra de M G Bosco
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences-UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, and Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Ebel
- Institut für Infektionsmedizin und Zoonosen, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Elad
- Department of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Beit Dagan, Israel
| | - Renata R Gomes
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Graduate Programme, Curitiba Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Ilse D Jacobsen
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | | | - An Martel
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bernard Mignon
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH (Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Elena Piecková
- Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Anderson Messias Rodrigues
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karuna Singh
- Department of Zoology, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Vania A Vicente
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Gudrun Wibbelt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jacques Guillot
- Department of Parasitology, Mycology and Dermatology, EA Dynamyc UPEC, EnvA, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
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Viegas C, Moreira R, Faria T, Caetano LA, Carolino E, Gomes AQ, Viegas S. Aspergillus prevalence in air conditioning filters from vehicles: Taxis for patient transportation, forklifts, and personal vehicles. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2018; 74:341-349. [PMID: 29727587 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2018.1472545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The frequency and importance of Aspergillus infections is increasing worldwide. This study aimed to assess the occupational exposure of forklifts and taxi drivers to Aspergillus spp. Nineteen filters from air conditioning system of taxis, 17 from forklifts and 37 from personal vehicles were assessed. Filters extract were streaked onto MEA, DG18 and in azole-supplemented media. Real-time quantitative PCR amplification of selected Aspergillus species-complex was also performed. Forklifts filter samples presented higher median values. Aspergillus section Nigri was the most observed in forklifts filters in MEA (28.2%) and in azole-supplemented media. DNA from Aspergillus sections Fumigati and Versicolores was successfully amplified by qPCR. This study enlightens the added value of using filters from the air conditioning system to assess Aspergillus spp. occupational exposure. Aspergillus azole resistance screening should be included in future occupational exposure assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
| | - Ricardo Moreira
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tiago Faria
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Liliana Aranha Caetano
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Carolino
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anita Quintal Gomes
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- University of Lisbon Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
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Wei Z, Liu Y, Feng K, Li S, Wang S, Jin D, Zhang Y, Chen H, Yin H, Xu M, Deng Y. The divergence between fungal and bacterial communities in seasonal and spatial variations of wastewater treatment plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 628-629:969-978. [PMID: 30045585 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing were used to simultaneously examine both bacteria and fungi across temporal and spatial scales in activated sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The ratio of fungi to bacteria was 0.43% on average after accounting for the multicopies in 16S rRNA gene (54.63%), indicating the number of fungi was far lower than bacteria in active sludge. The Miseq sequencing results revealed obvious seasonal and spatial variations in bacterial and fungal distribution patterns in WWTPs. Compared to bacteria, fungi showed a lower divergence in alpha and beta diversity, and exhibited less taxonomic diversity in both abundant and rare subcommunities at the class level, suggesting that the fungal community was less variable in this artificial ecosystem. Such variation of microbial communities was significantly correlated with geographical distance, DO, temperature, HRT, SRT, COD, TN and TP. In activated sludge, the main function of bacteria was chemoheterotrophy, fermentation, and nitrogen cycling processes, while the dominant functional guilds of fungi were saprotroph, animal pathogen, and animal endosymbiont. Moreover, both bacteria and fungi could play important roles in the degradation of toxicants, like hydrocarbon and aromatic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology of CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yangying Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology of CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kai Feng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology of CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuzhen Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology of CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Shang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology of CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Decai Jin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology of CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongrui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huaqun Yin
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Meiying Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Ye Deng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology of CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Banfalvi G. Improved and adopted murine models to combat pulmonary aspergillosis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:6865-6875. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9161-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Proteins Potentially Involved in Immune Evasion Strategies in Sporothrix brasiliensis Elucidated by Ultra-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. mSphere 2018; 3:3/3/e00514-17. [PMID: 29898987 PMCID: PMC6001607 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00514-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is an important disease in Brazil that is caused by fungi of the genus Sporothrix and affects cats and humans. Our work investigated the proteins differentially expressed by S. brasiliensis in order to find out why this species is more virulent and pathogenic than S. schenckii. We verified a set of proteins that may be related to immune escape and that can explain the high virulence. Sporothrix brasiliensis is the prevalent agent of a large zoonotic outbreak in Brazil. With the involvement of several thousands of cases, this is the largest cohort of human and animal sporotrichosis on record in the world. Infections are characterized by local cutaneous dissemination in humans without underlying disease. S. brasiliensis has shown a high degree of virulence in a mouse model compared to the remaining Sporothrix species, including the ancestral species, Sporothrix schenckii. The present paper investigates a genomic and expressed-proteome comparison of S. brasiliensis to S. schenckii. Using bottom-up proteomics, we found 60 proteins exclusively expressed in S. brasiliensis. No significant genomic differences were found among the genes coding for this protein set. A comparison with literature data identified nine proteins that are known to be involved in virulence and immune evasion in other species, several of which had not yet been reported for the Sporothrix species analyzed. IMPORTANCE Sporotrichosis is an important disease in Brazil that is caused by fungi of the genus Sporothrix and affects cats and humans. Our work investigated the proteins differentially expressed by S. brasiliensis in order to find out why this species is more virulent and pathogenic than S. schenckii. We verified a set of proteins that may be related to immune escape and that can explain the high virulence.
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Previato JO, Vinogradov E, Maes E, Fonseca LM, Guerardel Y, Oliveira PAV, Mendonça-Previato L. Distribution of the O-acetyl groups and β-galactofuranose units in galactoxylomannans of the opportunistic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Glycobiology 2018; 27:582-592. [PMID: 27986834 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cww127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Galactoxylomannans (GalXMs) are a mixture of neutral and acidic capsular polysaccharides produced by the opportunistic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans that exhibit potent suppressive effects on the host immune system. Previous studies describing the chemical structure of C. neoformans GalXMs have reported species without O-acetyl substituents. Herein we describe that C. neoformans grown in capsule-inducing medium produces highly O-acetylated GalXMs. The location of the O-acetyl groups was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In the neutral GalXM (NGalXM), 80% of 3-linked mannose (α-Manp) residues present in side chains are acetylated at the O-2 position. In the acidic GalXM also termed glucuronoxylomannogalactan (GXMGal), 85% of the 3-linked α-Manp residues are acetylated either in the O-2 (75%) or in the O-6 (25%) position, but O-acetyl groups are not present at both positions simultaneously. In addition, NMR spectroscopy and methylation analysis showed that β-galactofuranose (β-Galf) units are linked to O-2 and O-3 positions of nonbranched α-galactopyranose (α-Galp) units present in the GalXMs backbone chain. These findings highlight new structural features of C. neoformans GalXMs. Among these features, the high degree of O-acetylation is of particular interest, since O-acetyl group-containing polysaccharides are known to possess a range of immunobiological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose O Previato
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941902Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Emmanuel Maes
- Université Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle,F 59000Lille, France
| | - Leonardo M Fonseca
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941902Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Yann Guerardel
- Université Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle,F 59000Lille, France
| | - Priscila A V Oliveira
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941902Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucia Mendonça-Previato
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941902Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Shepard AM, Bharwani A, Durisko Z, Andrews PW. Reverse Engineering the Febrile System. QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY 2018; 91:419-57. [PMID: 29562118 DOI: 10.1086/689482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Fever, the elevation of core body temperature by behavioral or physiological means, is one of the most salient aspects of human sickness, yet there is debate regarding its functional role. In this paper, we demonstrate that the febrile system is an evolved adaptation shaped by natural selection to coordinate the immune system to fight pathogens. First, we show that previous arguments in favor of fever being an adaptation are epistemologically inadequate, and we describe how an adaptationist strategy addresses this issue more effectively. Second, we argue that the mechanisms producing fever provide clear indications of adaptation. Third, we demonstrate that there are many beneficial immune system responses activated during fever and that these responses are not mere byproducts of heat on chemical reactions. Rather, we show that natural selection appears to have modified several immune system effects to be coordinated by fever. Fourth, we argue that there are some adaptations that coordinate the febrile system with other important fitness components, particularly growth and reproduction. Finally, we discuss evidence that the febrile system may also have evolved an antitumor function, providing suggestions for future research into this area. This research informs the debate on the functional value of fever and antipyretic use.
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Isaria fumosorosea KCh J2 Entomopathogenic Strain as an Effective Biocatalyst for Steroid Compound Transformations. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22091511. [PMID: 28891949 PMCID: PMC6151793 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22091511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The catalytic activity of enzymes produced by an entomopathogenic filamentous fungus (Isaria fumosorosea KCh J2) towards selected steroid compounds (androstenedione, adrenosterone, progesterone, 17α-methyltestosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone) was investigated. All tested substrates were efficiently transformed. The structure of the substrate has a crucial impact on regio- and stereoselectivity of hydroxylation since it affects binding to the active site of the enzyme. Androstenedione was hydroxylated in the 7α-position to give a key intermediate in the synthesis of the diuretic-7α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione with 82% conversion. Adrenosterone and 17α-methyltestosterone were hydroxylated in the 6β-position. Hydroxylated derivatives such as 15β-hydroxy-17α-methyltestosterone and 6β,12β-dihydroxy-17α-methyltestosterone were also observed. In the culture of Isaria fumosorosea KCh J2, DHEA was effectively hydroxylated in the C-7 position and then oxidized to give 7-oxo-DHEA, 3β,7α- and 3β,7β-dihydroxy-17a-oxa-d-homo-androst-5-ene-17-one. We obtained 7β-OH-DHEA lactone with 82% yield during 3 days transformation of highly concentrated (5 g/L) DHEA.
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Dai W, Yu W, Zhang J, Zhu J, Tao Z, Xiong J. The gut eukaryotic microbiota influences the growth performance among cohabitating shrimp. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 101:6447-6457. [PMID: 28702793 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-017-8388-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has revealed a close interplay between the gut bacterial communities and host growth performance. However, until recently, studies generally ignored the contribution of eukaryotes, endobiotic organisms. To fill this gap, we used Illumina sequencing technology on eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene to compare the structures of gut eukaryotic communities among cohabitating retarded, overgrown, and normal shrimp obtained from identically managed ponds. Results showed that a significant difference between gut eukaryotic communities differed significantly between water and intestine and among three shrimp categories. Structural equation modeling revealed that changes in the gut eukaryotic community were positively related to digestive enzyme activities, which in turn influenced shrimp growth performance (λ = 0.97, P < 0.001). Overgrown shrimp exhibited a more complex and cooperative gut eukaryotic interspecies interaction than retarded and normal shrimp, which may facilitate their nutrient acquisition efficiency. Notably, the distribution of dominant eukaryotic genera and shifts in keystone species were closely concordant with shrimp growth performance. In summary, this study provides an integrated overview on direct roles of gut eukaryotic communities in shrimp growth performance instead of well-studied bacterial assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfang Dai
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Zhejiang Marine High-Efficiency and Healthy Aquaculture, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Weina Yu
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Zhejiang Marine High-Efficiency and Healthy Aquaculture, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Jinjie Zhang
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Jinyong Zhu
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
| | - Zhen Tao
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Jinbo Xiong
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China. .,Collaborative Innovation Center for Zhejiang Marine High-Efficiency and Healthy Aquaculture, Ningbo, 315211, China.
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In Vivo Efficacy of Liposomal Amphotericin B against Wild-Type and Azole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates in Two Different Immunosuppression Models of Invasive Aspergillosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02479-16. [PMID: 28416540 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02479-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Using an immunocompetent murine model of invasive aspergillosis (IA), we previously reported that the efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) (Ambisome) is not hampered by the presence of azole resistance mutations in Aspergillus fumigatus (S. Seyedmousavi, W. J. G. Melchers, J. W. Mouton, and P. E. Verweij, Antimicrob Agents Chemother 57:1866-1871, 2013, https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.02226-12). We here investigated the role of immune suppression, i.e., neutropenia and steroid treatment, in L-AmB efficacy in mice infected with wild-type (WT) A. fumigatus and with azole-resistant A. fumigatus harboring a TR34/L98H mutation in the cyp-51A gene. Survival of treated animals at day 14 in both immunosuppressed models was significantly better than that of nontreated controls. A dose-response relationship was observed that was independent of the azole-resistant mechanism and the immunosuppression method used. In the neutropenic model, 100% survival was reached at an L-AmB dose of 16 mg/kg of body weight for the WT strain and the TR34/L98H isolate. In the steroid-treated group, 90.9% survival and 100% survival were achieved for the WT isolate and the TR34/L98H isolate with an L-AmB dose of 16 mg/kg, respectively. The 50% effective dose (ED50) was 1.40 mg/kg (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 3.00 mg/kg) for the WT isolate and 1.92 mg/kg (95% CI, 0.60 to 6.17 mg/kg) for the TR34/L98H isolate in the neutropenic model and was 2.40 mg/kg (95% CI, 1.93 to 2.97 mg/kg) for the WT isolate and 2.56 mg/kg (95% CI, 1.43 to 4.56 mg/kg) for the TR34/L98H isolate in the steroid-treated group. Overall, there were no significant differences between the two different immunosuppressed conditions in the efficacy of L-AmB against the wild-type and azole-resistant isolates (P > 0.9). However, the required L-AmB exposure was significantly higher than that seen in the immunocompetent model.
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Santagostino SF, Arbona RJR, Nashat MA, White JR, Monette S. Pathology of Aging in NOD scid gamma Female Mice. Vet Pathol 2017; 54:855-869. [PMID: 28355107 DOI: 10.1177/0300985817698210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, NOD.Cg- Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG, NOD scid gamma) mice have become a model of choice in several areas of biomedical research; however, comprehensive data on their spontaneous age-related pathology are not currently available in the literature. The prevalence of spontaneous morbidity affecting aged NSG female breeders enrolled in a parasitology study was documented with classification of neoplastic and non-neoplastic (inflammatory, metabolic, degenerative) lesions. Malignant mammary neoplasms were most commonly diagnosed, often accompanied by pulmonary metastases, while a low frequency of lymphoma and histiocytic sarcoma was documented. The major inflammatory conditions were suppurative pleuropneumonia and bronchopneumonia with abscess formation, from which Pasteurella pneumotropica was commonly isolated, followed by otitis media. Both inflammatory and degenerative lesions of the genital tract were identified, along with neoplasms such as endometrial yolk sac carcinomas and granulosa cell tumors. Novel conditions identified included renal tubular degeneration and necrosis associated with 2 concurrent types of intranuclear inclusions, focal or multifocal hyperostosis of the skull, and neuroendocrine tumors of the mesometrium. The majority of degenerative lesions that affected the genital tract, endocrine, and skeletal systems did not represent the actual underlying cause of death but rather were considered incidental findings. This study indicates that both inflammatory and neoplastic conditions contribute to morbidity and mortality in experimentally manipulated aged female NSG mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara F Santagostino
- 1 Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Rockefeller University, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rodolfo J Ricart Arbona
- 2 Tri-Institutional Training Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, and The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.,3 Center for Comparative Medicine and Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melissa A Nashat
- 2 Tri-Institutional Training Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, and The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julie R White
- 1 Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Rockefeller University, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sebastien Monette
- 1 Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Rockefeller University, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Souza ACO, Amaral AC. Antifungal Therapy for Systemic Mycosis and the Nanobiotechnology Era: Improving Efficacy, Biodistribution and Toxicity. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:336. [PMID: 28326065 PMCID: PMC5340099 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal diseases have been emerging as an important public health problem worldwide with the increase in host predisposition factors due to immunological dysregulations, immunosuppressive and/or anticancer therapy. Antifungal therapy for systemic mycosis is limited, most of times expensive and causes important toxic effects. Nanotechnology has become an interesting strategy to improve efficacy of traditional antifungal drugs, which allows lower toxicity, better biodistribution, and drug targeting, with promising results in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we provide a discussion about conventional antifungal and nanoantifungal therapies for systemic mycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C. O. Souza
- Laboratory of Pathogenic Dimorphic Fungi, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andre C. Amaral
- Laboratory of Nano and Biotechnology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of GoiásGoiânia, Brazil
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Hušeková B, Elicharová H, Sychrová H. Pathogenic Candida species differ in the ability to grow at limiting potassium concentrations. Can J Microbiol 2016; 62:394-401. [DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2015-0766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
A high intracellular concentration of potassium (200–300 mmol/L) is essential for many yeast cell functions, such as the regulation of cell volume and pH, maintenance of membrane potential, and enzyme activation. Thus, cells use high-affinity specific transporters and expend a lot of energy to acquire the necessary amount of potassium from their environment. In Candida genomes, genes encoding 3 types of putative potassium uptake systems were identified: Trk uniporters, Hak symporters, and Acu ATPases. Tests of the tolerance and sensitivity of C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis to various concentrations of potassium showed significant differences among the species, and these differences were partly dependent on external pH. The species most tolerant to potassium-limiting conditions were C. albicans and C. krusei, while C. parapsilosis tolerated the highest KCl concentrations. Also, the morphology of cells changed with the amount of potassium available, with C. krusei and C. tropicalis being the most influenced. Taken together, our results confirm potassium uptake and accumulation as important factors for Candida cell growth and suggest that the sole (and thus probably indispensable) Trk1 potassium uptake system in C. krusei and C. glabrata may serve as a target for the development of new antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Hušeková
- Department of Membrane Transport, Institute of Physiology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Department of Membrane Transport, Institute of Physiology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - H. Elicharová
- Department of Membrane Transport, Institute of Physiology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Department of Membrane Transport, Institute of Physiology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - H. Sychrová
- Department of Membrane Transport, Institute of Physiology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Department of Membrane Transport, Institute of Physiology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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41
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Mousavi B, Hedayati MT, Hedayati N, Ilkit M, Syedmousavi S. Aspergillus species in indoor environments and their possible occupational and public health hazards. Curr Med Mycol 2016; 2:36-42. [PMID: 28681011 PMCID: PMC5490296 DOI: 10.18869/acadpub.cmm.2.1.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Aspergillus, which consists of a few hundred opportunistic mold species found in various climatic conditions, causes diseases including localized infections, fatal diseases, allergic responses, and inhaled conidia in humans. Herein, we present an overview of the most common diseases and allergic infections caused by Aspergillus species and their associated health hazards in various indoor environments worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Mousavi
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - M T Hedayati
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - N Hedayati
- Ramsar International Branch, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - M Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
| | - S Syedmousavi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious, Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States of America.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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42
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Rodrigues J, Caruthers C, Azmeh R, Dykewicz MS, Slavin RG, Knutsen AP. The spectrum of allergic fungal diseases of the upper and lower airways. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2016; 12:531-50. [PMID: 26776889 DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2016.1142874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fungi cause a wide spectrum of fungal diseases of the upper and lower airways. There are three main phyla involved in allergic fungal disease: (1) Ascomycota (2) Basidiomycota (3) Zygomycota. Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) causes chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms and is caused predominantly by Aspergillus fumigatus in India and Bipolaris in the United States. The recommended treatment approach for AFRS is surgical intervention and systemic steroids. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (APBA) is most commonly diagnosed in patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Long term systemic steroids are the mainstay treatment option for ABPA with the addition of an antifungal medication. Fungal sensitization or exposure increases a patient's risk of developing severe asthma and has been termed severe asthma associated with fungal sensitivity (SAFS). Investigating for triggers and causes of a patient's asthma should be sought to decrease worsening progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carrie Caruthers
- a Allergy & Immunology , Saint Louis University , St. Louis , MO , USA
| | - Roua Azmeh
- a Allergy & Immunology , Saint Louis University , St. Louis , MO , USA
| | - Mark S Dykewicz
- a Allergy & Immunology , Saint Louis University , St. Louis , MO , USA
| | - Raymond G Slavin
- a Allergy & Immunology , Saint Louis University , St. Louis , MO , USA
| | - Alan P Knutsen
- a Allergy & Immunology , Saint Louis University , St. Louis , MO , USA
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Prasad R, Shah AH, Rawal MK. Antifungals: Mechanism of Action and Drug Resistance. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 892:327-349. [PMID: 26721281 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-25304-6_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There are currently few antifungals in use which show efficacy against fungal diseases. These antifungals mostly target specific components of fungal plasma membrane or its biosynthetic pathways. However, more recent class of antifungals in use is echinocandins which target the fungal cell wall components. The availability of mostly fungistatic antifungals in clinical use, often led to the development of tolerance to these very drugs by the pathogenic fungal species. Thus, the development of clinical multidrug resistance (MDR) leads to higher tolerance to drugs and its emergence is helped by multiple mechanisms. MDR is indeed a multifactorial phenomenon wherein a resistant organism possesses several mechanisms which contribute to display reduced susceptibility to not only single drug in use but also show collateral resistance to several drugs. Considering the limited availability of antifungals in use and the emergence of MDR in fungal infections, there is a continuous need for the development of novel broad spectrum antifungal drugs with better efficacy. Here, we briefly present an overview of the current understanding of the antifungal drugs in use, their mechanism of action and the emerging possible novel antifungal drugs with great promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajendra Prasad
- Membrane Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India. .,AMITY Institute of Integrative Sciences and Health (AIISH), Amity University Haryana, Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.
| | - Abdul Haseeb Shah
- Membrane Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Manpreet Kaur Rawal
- Membrane Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Orozco-Mosqueda MDC, Valencia-Cantero E, López-Albarrán P, Martínez-Pacheco M, Velázquez-Becerra C. [Bacterium Arthrobacter agilis UMCV2 and diverse amines inhibit in vitro growth of wood-decay fungi]. Rev Argent Microbiol 2015; 47:219-28. [PMID: 26350556 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The kingdom Fungi is represented by a large number of organisms, including pathogens that deteriorate the main structural components of wood, such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The aim of our work was to characterize the antifungal activity in Arthrobacter agilis UMCV2 and diverse amines against wood-decaying fungi. Four fungal organisms (designated as UMTM) were isolated from decaying wood samples obtained from a forest in Cuanajo-Michoacán, México. Two of them showed a clear enzymatic activity of cellulases, xylanases and oxido-reducing enzymes and were identified as Hypocrea (UMTM3 isolate) and Fusarium (UMTM13 isolate). In vitro, the amines showed inhibitory effect against UMTM growth and one of the amines, dimethylhexadecylamine (DMA16), exhibited strong potential as wood preventive treatment, against the attack of decaying fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Del Carmen Orozco-Mosqueda
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | - Eduardo Valencia-Cantero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | - Pablo López-Albarrán
- Facultad de Ingeniería en Tecnología de la Madera, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | - Mauro Martínez-Pacheco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | - Crisanto Velázquez-Becerra
- Facultad de Ingeniería en Tecnología de la Madera, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México.
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Seyedmousavi S, Guillot J, Arné P, de Hoog GS, Mouton JW, Melchers WJG, Verweij PE. Aspergillus and aspergilloses in wild and domestic animals: a global health concern with parallels to human disease. Med Mycol 2015; 53:765-97. [PMID: 26316211 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myv067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of aspergillosis in humans and various animal species has increased over the last decades. Aspergillus species are found worldwide in humans and in almost all domestic animals and birds as well as in many wild species, causing a wide range of diseases from localized infections to fatal disseminated diseases, as well as allergic responses to inhaled conidia. Some prevalent forms of animal aspergillosis are invasive fatal infections in sea fan corals, stonebrood mummification in honey bees, pulmonary and air sac infection in birds, mycotic abortion and mammary gland infections in cattle, guttural pouch mycoses in horses, sinonasal infections in dogs and cats, and invasive pulmonary and cerebral infections in marine mammals and nonhuman primates. This article represents a comprehensive overview of the most common infections reported by Aspergillus species and the corresponding diseases in various types of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedmojtaba Seyedmousavi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, ErasmusMC, the Netherlands Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Jacques Guillot
- Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Dynamyc Research Group, EnvA, UPEC, UPE, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Pascal Arné
- Department of Animal Production, Dynamyc Research Group, EnvA, UPEC, UPE, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - G Sybren de Hoog
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Peking University Health Science Center, Research Center for Medical Mycology, Beijing, China, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China, and King Abdullaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Johan W Mouton
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, ErasmusMC, the Netherlands Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Willem J G Melchers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul E Verweij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Fungal spores are ubiquitously present in indoor and outdoor air. A number can act as aeroallergens in Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized individuals and some thermotolerant fungi germinate in the lung where they can cause a combined allergic and infective stimulus leading to a number of clinical presentations characterized by evidence of lung damage. We discuss which biomarkers are useful in helping to guide diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of allergic fungal airway disease (AFAD). RECENT FINDINGS Diagnostic biomarkers, such as specific IgEs and fungal culture, for AFAD are limited by sensitivity, although this may be improved with novel agents such as specific IgEs to fungal components and quantitative PCR. Total IgE and hypereosinophilia are nonspecific and do not clearly relate to disease activity. High attenuation mucus and proximal bronchiectasis are specific, albeit insensitive markers of AFAD. Biomarkers that predict prognosis and treatment response are yet to be defined. SUMMARY This review summarizes the fungi involved and the current debate regarding the diagnostic criteria to define fungal-associated lung disease. We advocate the phasing out of the term allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and the use of a more inclusive term such as AFAD, together with a more liberal set of criteria based largely on IgE sensitization to thermotolerant fungi, which identifies those patients at risk of developing lung damage.
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47
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Disseminated mucormycosis and necrotizing fasciitis in immune-compromised patients. ANNALS OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY 2015. [DOI: 10.1097/01.xps.0000459980.60002.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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48
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Abstract
Owing to their small size and paucity of phenotypic characters, progress in the evolutionary biology of microbes in general, and human pathogenic fungi in particular, has been linked to a series of advances in DNA sequencing over the past quarter century. Phylogenetics was the first area to benefit, with the achievement of a basic understanding of fungal phylogeny. Population genetics was the next advance, finding cryptic species everywhere, and recombination in species previously thought to be asexual. Comparative genomics saw the next advance, in which variation in gene content and changes in gene family size were found to be important sources of variation. Fungal population genomics is showing that gene flow among closely related populations and species provides yet another source of adaptive, genetic variation. Now, two means to associate genetic variation with phenotypic variation, "reverse ecology" for adaptive phenotypes, and genome-wide association of any phenotype, are letting evolutionary biology make a profound contribution to molecular developmental biology of pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Taylor
- University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-3102
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49
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Abstract
Fungal pathogens must assimilate local nutrients to establish an infection in their mammalian host. We focus on carbon, nitrogen, and micronutrient assimilation mechanisms, discussing how these influence host-fungus interactions during infection. We highlight several emerging trends based on the available data. First, the perturbation of carbon, nitrogen, or micronutrient assimilation attenuates fungal pathogenicity. Second, the contrasting evolutionary pressures exerted on facultative versus obligatory pathogens have led to contemporary pathogenic fungal species that display differing degrees of metabolic flexibility. The evolutionarily ancient metabolic pathways are conserved in most fungal pathogen, but interesting gaps exist in some species (e.g., Candida glabrata). Third, metabolic flexibility is generally essential for fungal pathogenicity, and in particular, for the adaptation to contrasting host microenvironments such as the gastrointestinal tract, mucosal surfaces, bloodstream, and internal organs. Fourth, this metabolic flexibility relies on complex regulatory networks, some of which are conserved across lineages, whereas others have undergone significant evolutionary rewiring. Fifth, metabolic adaptation affects fungal susceptibility to antifungal drugs and also presents exciting opportunities for the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliana V Ene
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Universitätsklinikum Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany
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Compositions of fungal secretomes indicate a greater impact of phylogenetic history than lifestyle adaptation. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:722. [PMID: 25159997 PMCID: PMC4161775 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since the first fungal genome sequences became available, investigators have been employing comparative genomics to understand how fungi have evolved to occupy diverse ecological niches. The secretome, i.e. the entirety of all proteins secreted by an organism, is of particular importance, as by these proteins fungi acquire nutrients and communicate with their surroundings. Results It is generally assumed that fungi with similar nutritional lifestyles have similar secretome compositions. In this study, we test this hypothesis by annotating and comparing the soluble secretomes, defined as the sets of proteins containing classical signal peptides but lacking transmembrane domains of fungi representing a broad diversity of nutritional lifestyles. Secretome size correlates with phylogeny and to a lesser extent with lifestyle. Plant pathogens and saprophytes have larger secretomes than animal pathogens. Small secreted cysteine-rich proteins (SSCPs), which may comprise many effectors important for the interaction of plant pathogens with their hosts, are defined here to have a mature length of ≤ 300 aa residues, at least four cysteines, and a total cysteine content of ≥5%. SSCPs are found enriched in the secretomes of the Pezizomycotina and Basidiomycota in comparison to Saccharomycotina. Relative SSCP content is noticeably higher in plant pathogens than in animal pathogens, while saprophytes were in between and closer to plant pathogens. Expansions and contractions of gene families and in the number of occurrences of functional domains are largely lineage specific, e.g. contraction of glycoside hydrolases in Saccharomycotina, and are only weakly correlated with lifestyle. However, within a given lifestyle a few general trends exist, such as the expansion of secreted family M14 metallopeptidases and chitin-binding proteins in plant pathogenic Pezizomycotina. Conclusions While the secretomes of fungi with similar lifestyles share certain characteristics, the expansion and contraction of gene families is largely lineage specific, and not shared among all fungi of a given lifestyle. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-722) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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