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Divyashree S, Shruthi B, Vanitha P, Sreenivasa M. Probiotics and their postbiotics for the control of opportunistic fungal pathogens: A review. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 38:e00800. [PMID: 37215743 PMCID: PMC10196798 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2023.e00800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
During past twenty years the opportunistic fungal infections have been emerging, causing morbidity and mortality. The fungi belonging to Aspergillus, Mucor, Rhizopus, Candida, Fusarium, Penicillium, Dermatophytes and others cause severe opportunistic fungal infections. Among these Aspergillus and Candida spp cause majority of the diseases. The continuum of fungal infections will prolong to progress in the surroundings of the growing inhabitants of immunocompromised individuals. Presently many chemical-based drugs were used as prophylactic and therapeutic agents. Prolonged usage of antibiotics may lead to some severe effect on the human health. Also, one of the major threats is that the fungal pathogens are becoming the drug resistant. There are many physical, chemical, and mechanical methods to prevent the contamination or to control the disease. Owing to the limitations that are observed in such methods, biological methods are gaining more interest because of the use of natural products which have comparatively less side effects and environment friendly. In recent years, research on the possible use of natural products such as probiotics for clinical use is gaining importance. Probiotics, one of the well studied biological products, are safe upon consumption and are explored to treat various fungal infections. The antifungal potency of major groups of probiotic cultures such as Lactobacillus spp, Leuconostoc spp, Saccharomyces etc. and their metabolic byproducts which act as postbiotics like organic acids, short chain fatty acids, bacteriocin like metabolites, Hydrogen peroxide, cyclic dipeptides etc. to inhibit these opportunistic fungal pathogens have been discussed here.
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Nargesi S, Jafarzadeh J, Najafzadeh MJ, Nouripour-Sisakht S, Haghani I, Abastabar M, Ilkit M, Hedayati MT. Molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility of clinically relevant and cryptic species of Aspergillus sections Flavi and Nigri. J Med Microbiol 2022; 71. [PMID: 35451946 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Aspergillus sections Flavi and Nigri comprise clinically relevant and cryptic species that differ significantly in drug susceptibility, meaning that effective treatment depends on correct species identification.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. There are no comprehensive data for molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) of clinically relevant and cryptic species of Aspergillus sections Flavi and Nigri as the main agents of invasive and non-invasive aspergillosis in Iran. We aimed to perform molecular identification and AFST of 213 clinical Aspergillus isolates belonging to sections Flavi and Nigri. Molecular identification of isolates was performed using sequencing of the β-tubulin gene and in vitro AFST was conducted according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M38-A3 guidelines.Results. The most common isolates in sections Flavi and Nigri were Aspergillus flavus (110/113, 97.3 %) and Aspergillus tubingensis (49/100, 49.0 %), respectively. A total of 62/213 (29.1 %) isolates belonging to cryptic species were identified; among them, A. tubingensis was the most prevalent (49/62, 79.0%). Aspergillus flavus and A. niger isolates that responded to the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of itraconazole above the epidemiological cutoff values were the most frequently detected: 8/110 (7.3 %) and 3/41 (7.3 %), respectively. In section Flavi, Aspergillus alliaceus responded to amphotericin B at a high MIC (>16 µg mL-1) and in section Nigri, one of the three Aspergillus luchuensis/awamori isolates responded to itraconazole at an MIC >16 µg ml-1. Interestingly, for all Aspergillus welwitschiae isolates, the MIC50 and MIC90 of itraconazole were both 16 µg ml-1.Conclusion. A considerable presence of A. flavus and A. niger isolates showing non-wild-type responses to azoles in clinical cases of aspergillosis indicates the importance of classifying clinical Aspergillus isolates at the species level and performing antifungal susceptibility testing on the isolates, which would ensure appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Nargesi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Jalal Jafarzadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9199-91766, Iran
| | | | - Iman Haghani
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahdi Abastabar
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
| | - Mohammad Taghi Hedayati
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Kumsiri R, Kanchanaphum P. A Comparison of Four Molecular Methods for Detection of Aflatoxin-Producing Aspergillus in Peanut and Dried Shrimp Samples Collected from Local Markets around Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. SCIENTIFICA 2020; 2020:8580451. [PMID: 33425428 PMCID: PMC7775171 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8580451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is an aflatoxin-producing fungus which is poisonous to humans and animals when consumed. Detecting the fungus can help to prevent this danger. The four molecular methods, namely, conventional isothermal amplification (LAMP), PCR, quantitative LAMP (qLAMP), and qPCR, were compared to determine their efficiency for A. flavus detection. Thirty samples of peanut and dried shrimp were collected from 15 markets around Pathum Thani Province in Thailand. The samples were artificially infected with 108 conidia/ml of A. flavus for 1 hr and enriched for one day to represent real contamination. The results show that the sensitivity detection for A. flavus in PCR, LAMP, qPCR, and qLAMP was 50 ng, 5 ng, 5 pg, and 5 pg, respectively. Aspergillus in 30 peanut and dried shrimp from the market was detected by all four methods. The detection rate was about 20%, 60%, 100%, and 100% with PCR, LAMP, qPCR, and qLAMP, respectively. The molecular detection technique, especially LAMP, qPCR, and qLAMP, can detect this pathogenic fungi very rapidly with high sensitivity and reliability in comparison to conventional PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratchanok Kumsiri
- Pathobiology Unit, Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Panan Kanchanaphum
- Biochemistry Unit, Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Pathumthani, Thailand
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Wilopo BAP, Richardson MD, Denning DW. Diagnostic Aspects of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis: Present and New Directions. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-019-00361-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDiagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is important since many diseases have a similar appearance, but require different treatment. This review presents the well-established diagnostic criteria and new laboratory diagnostic approaches that have been evaluated for the diagnosis of this condition.Recent FindingsRespiratory fungal culture is insensitive for CPA diagnosis. There are many new tests available, especially new platforms to detectAspergillusIgG. The most recent innovation is a lateral flow device, a point-of-care test that can be used in resource-constrained settings. Chest radiographs without cavitation or pleural thickening have a 100% negative predictive value for chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis in the African setting.SummaryEarly diagnosis of CPA is important to avoid inappropriate treatment. It is our contention that these new diagnostics will transform the diagnosis of CPA and reduce the number of undiagnosed cases or cases with a late diagnosis.
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Salehi Z, Shams-Ghahfarokhi M, Razzaghi-Abyaneh M. Internal Transcribed Spacer rDNA and TEF-1α Gene Sequencing of Pathogenic Dermatophyte Species and Differentiation of Closely Related Species Using PCR-RFLP of The Topoisomerase II. CELL JOURNAL 2019; 22:85-91. [PMID: 31606971 PMCID: PMC6791061 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2020.6372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Objective Precise identification of dermatophyte species significantly improves treatment and controls measures of
dermatophytosis in human and animals. This study was designed to evaluate molecular tools effectiveness of the gene
sequencing and DNA-based fragment polymorphism analysis for accurate identification and differentiation of closely-
related dermatophyte species isolated from clinical cases of dermatophytosis and their antifungal susceptibility to the
current antifungal agents.
Materials and Methods In this experimental study, a total of 95 skin samples were inoculated into mycobiotic agar for
two weeks at 28˚C. Morphological characteristics of the isolated dermatophytes were evaluated. DNA was extracted
from the fungal culture for amplification of topoisomerase II gene fragments and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
products were digested by Hinf I enzyme. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and TEF-1α regions of the all isolates
were amplified using the primers of ITS1/4 and EF-DermF/EF-DermR, respectively.
Results Based on the morphological criteria, 24, 24, 24 and 23 isolates were identified as T. rubrum, T. interdigitale,
T. tonsurans and E. floccosum, respectively. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) results provided
identification pattern of the isolates for T. rubrum (19 isolates), T. tonsurans (28 isolates), T. interdigitale (26 isolates)
and E. floccosum (22 isolates). Concatenated dataset results were similar in PCR-RFLP, except six T. interdigitale
isolates belonging to T. mentagrophytes.
Conclusion Our results clearly indicated that conventional morphology and PCR-RFLP were not able to precisely
identify all dermatophyte species and differentiation of closely related species like T. interdigitale and T. mentagrophytes,
while ITS rDNA and TEF-1α gene sequence analyses provided accurate identification of all isolates at the genus and
species level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Salehi
- Department of Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Shams-Ghahfarokhi
- Department of Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Electronic Address:
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Nouripour-Sisakht S, Ahmadi B, Makimura K, Hoog SD, Umeda Y, Alshahni MM, Mirhendi H. Characterization of the translation elongation factor 1-α gene in a wide range of pathogenic Aspergillus species. J Med Microbiol 2017; 66:419-429. [PMID: 28425876 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the resolving power of the translation elongation factor (TEF)-1α gene for phylogenetic analysis of Aspergillus species. METHODOLOGY Sequences of 526 bp representing the coding region of the TEF-1α gene were used for the assessment of levels of intra- and inter-specific nucleotide polymorphism in 33 species of Aspergillus, including 57 reference, clinical and environmental strains. RESULTS Analysis of TEF-1α sequences indicated a mean similarity of 92.6 % between the species, with inter-species diversity ranging from 0 to 70 nucleotides. The species with the closest resemblance were A. candidus/A. carneus, and A. flavus/A. oryzae/A. ochraceus, with 100 and 99.8 % identification, respectively. These species are phylogenetically very close and the TEF-1α gene appears not to have sufficient discriminatory power to differentiate them. Meanwhile, intra-species differences were found within strains of A. clavatus, A. clavatonanicus, A. candidus, A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. alliaceus, A. flavus, Eurotium amstelodami and E. chevalieri. The tree topology with strongly supported clades (≥70 % bootstrap values) was almost compatible with the phylogeny inferred from analysis of the DNA sequences of the beta tubulin gene (BT2). However, the backbone of the tree exhibited low bootstrap values, and inter-species correlations were not obvious in some clades; for example, tree topologies based on BT2 and TEF-1α genes were incompatible for some species, such as A. deflectus, A. janus and A. penicillioides. CONCLUSION The gene was not phylogenetically more informative than other known molecular markers. It will be necessary to test other genes or larger genomic regions to better understand the taxonomy of this important group of fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadegh Nouripour-Sisakht
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.,Departments of Medical Parasitology & Mycology, School of Public Health; National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Ahmadi
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Para-Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Koichi Makimura
- Laboratory of Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Fungal Biodiversity Center, Institute of the Royal Netherlands, Academy of Arts and Sciences, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures-KNAW, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Yoshiko Umeda
- Laboratory of Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohamed Mahdi Alshahni
- Laboratory of Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hossein Mirhendi
- Departments of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Abstract
The direct detection of Aspergillus nucleic acid in clinical specimens has the potential to improve the diagnosis of aspergillosis by offering more rapid and sensitive identification of invasive infections than is possible with traditional techniques, such as culture or histopathology. Molecular tests for Aspergillus have been limited historically by lack of standardization and variable sensitivities and specificities. Recent efforts have been directed at addressing these limitations and optimizing assay performance using a variety of specimen types. This review provides a summary of standardization efforts and outlines the complexities of molecular testing for Aspergillus in clinical mycology.
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Amini F, Kachuei R, Noorbakhsh F, Imani Fooladi A. A multiplex PCR method for detection of Aspergillus spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in BAL specimens. J Mycol Med 2015; 25:e59-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2015.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Ahmadi B, Mirhendi H, Shidfar MR, Nouripour-Sisakht S, Jalalizand N, Geramishoar M, Shokoohi GR. A comparative study on morphological versus molecular identification of dermatophyte isolates. J Mycol Med 2014; 25:29-35. [PMID: 25533610 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2014.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Revised: 10/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dermatophytes are taxonomically classified in the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Pleomorphism, cultural variability, slow growth and sporulation, and the need for additional physiological tests make dermatophytes notoriously difficult to identify. The present study aimed to compare the results of morphological and molecular identification of certain groups of clinical isolates of dermatophytes with a view to evaluating the accuracy of molecular methods. PATIENTS AND METHODS For each sample, the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region was amplified using the primers ITS1 and ITS4. PCR products were subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using the enzyme MvaI and isolate identification was performed by comparing the electrophoretic RFLP patterns with reference profiles obtained previously. Finally, paired comparative analyses of molecular and conventional methods were performed. RESULTS While morphology results from routine daily reports of the laboratories indicated that 18 (6.8%) and 136 (52.10%) of the isolates were T. rubrum and T. interdigitale, respectively, PCR-RFLP results suggested that T. rubrum was the most common etiological agent of ringworm accounting for 94 (36.01%), followed by T. interdigitale accounting for 71 (27.20%). Interestingly, 80.8% out of the 94 isolates identified as T. rubrum by molecular testing had been identified by morphological examination as belonging to different species, such as T. interdigitale (75.5%), E. floccosum (2.1%) and M. canis, T. verrucosum, and T. tonsurans (each 1.06%). Ten strains out of 261 (T. interdigitale, n=8; E. floccosum, n=2) had been defined as unknown species by morphological tests. CONCLUSION An unexpected high percent of isolates identified as T. interdigitale by conventional methods were in effect T. rubrum shown by PCR-RFLP, and regarding the necessity of correct identification of dermatophytes recovered from different clinical forms of the infection, we highly recommend ITS-sequencing or ITS-RFLP of the isolates, particularly for epidemiological research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - H Mirhendi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - M R Shidfar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Nouripour-Sisakht
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - N Jalalizand
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Geramishoar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - G R Shokoohi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry: any use for Aspergilli? Mycopathologia 2014; 178:417-26. [PMID: 25001870 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-014-9757-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recently, relentless efforts to develop rapid, cost-effective, and reliable laboratory methods for daily diagnosis of fungal diseases such as aspergillosis appear to be materialized in the relatively new, but revolutionary matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) technology. As for Aspergilli, MALDI-TOF MS profiling of isolates growing in culture--characteristic protein spectra are obtainable by means of simple and reproducible preanalytical and analytical procedures--ensures that single species within the different sections or complexes can be easily and accurately identified, including species that are morphologically and phylogenetically similar to each other. Thus, resort to longer and more onerous molecular biology techniques is restricted to those cases for which no spectra in the reference fungal database or library are available at the time of analysis. However, it is necessary to interrogate reference libraries composed of spectra that have been obtained using procedures similar to those used to obtain the test isolate's mass spectrum, as well as to continuously update these libraries for enriching them with fungal strains/species not (or not well) represented in their current versions. Compared to mold identification, very limited work was reported on the use of MALDI-TOF MS to perform strain typing or antifungal susceptibility testing for Aspergilli. If these complementing areas will be potentiated in the near future, MALDI-TOF MS could effectively support the clinical microbiology/mycology laboratory in its primary role of assisting either infection control specialists or physicians for the diagnosis and treatment of aspergillosis.
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Yogendrarajah P, Deschuyffeleer N, Jacxsens L, Sneyers PJ, Maene P, De Saeger S, Devlieghere F, De Meulenaer B. Mycological quality and mycotoxin contamination of Sri Lankan peppers (Piper nigrum L.) and subsequent exposure assessment. Food Control 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2014.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Culture condition-dependent metabolite profiling of Aspergillus fumigatus with antifungal activity. Fungal Biol 2013; 117:211-9. [PMID: 23537878 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2013.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Three sections of Aspergillus (five species, 21 strains) were classified according to culture medium-dependent and time-dependent secondary metabolite profile-based chemotaxonomy. Secondary metabolites were analysed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS) and multivariate statistical methods. From the Aspergillus sections that were cultured on malt extract agar (MEA) and Czapek yeast extract agar (CYA) for 7, 12, and 16 d, Aspergillus sections Fumigati (A. fumigatus), Nigri (A. niger), and Flavi (A. flavus, A. oryzae, and A. sojae) clustered separately on the basis of the results of the secondary metabolite analyses at 16 d regardless of culture medium. Based on orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis by partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), we identified the secondary metabolites that helped differentiate sections between A. fumigatus and Aspergillus section Flavi to be gliotoxin G, fumigatin oxide, fumigatin, pseurotin A or D, fumiquinazoline D, fumagillin, helvolic acid, 1,2-dihydrohelvolic acid, and 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (5,8-diHODE). Among these compounds, fumagillin, helvolic acid, and 1,2-dihydrohelvolic acid of A. fumigatus showed antifungal activities against Malassezia furfur, which is lipophilic yeast that causes epidermal skin disorders.
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De Carolis E, Posteraro B, Lass-Flörl C, Vella A, Florio A, Torelli R, Girmenia C, Colozza C, Tortorano A, Sanguinetti M, Fadda G. Species identification of Aspergillus, Fusarium and Mucorales with direct surface analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Clin Microbiol Infect 2012; 18:475-84. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03599.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Caira M, Posteraro B, Sanguinetti M, de Carolis E, Leone G, Pagano L. First case of breakthrough pneumonia due to Aspergillus nomius in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia. Med Mycol 2012; 50:746-50. [PMID: 22369623 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2012.660507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the first known case of a breakthrough pulmonary infection caused by Aspergillus nomius in an acute myeloid leukemia patient receiving caspofungin therapy. The isolate was identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and sequencing-based methods. The organism was found to be fully susceptible, in vitro, to echinocandin antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morena Caira
- Institute of Hematology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
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What makes Aspergillus fumigatus a successful pathogen? Genes and molecules involved in invasive aspergillosis. Rev Iberoam Micol 2010; 27:155-82. [PMID: 20974273 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2010.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2010] [Revised: 10/06/2010] [Accepted: 10/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic pathogen that causes 90% of invasive aspergillosis (IA) due to Aspergillus genus, with a 50-95% mortality rate. It has been postulated that certain virulence factors are characteristic of A. fumigatus, but the "non-classical" virulence factors seem to be highly variable. Overall, published studies have demonstrated that the virulence of this fungus is multifactorial, associated with its structure, its capacity for growth and adaptation to stress conditions, its mechanisms for evading the immune system and its ability to cause damage to the host. In this review we intend to give a general overview of the genes and molecules involved in the development of IA. The thermotolerance section focuses on five genes related with the capacity of the fungus to grow at temperatures above 30°C (thtA, cgrA, afpmt1, kre2/afmnt1, and hsp1/asp f 12). The following sections discuss molecules and genes related to interaction with the host and with the immune responses. These sections include β-glucan, α-glucan, chitin, galactomannan, galactomannoproteins (afmp1/asp f 17 and afmp2), hydrophobins (rodA/hyp1 and rodB), DHN-melanin, their respective synthases (fks1, rho1-4, ags1-3, chsA-G, och1-4, mnn9, van1, anp1, glfA, pksP/alb1, arp1, arp2, abr1, abr2, and ayg1), and modifying enzymes (gel1-7, bgt1, eng1, ecm33, afpigA, afpmt1-2, afpmt4, kre2/afmnt1, afmnt2-3, afcwh41 and pmi); several enzymes related to oxidative stress protection such as catalases (catA, cat1/catB, cat2/katG, catC, and catE), superoxide dismutases (sod1, sod2, sod3/asp f 6, and sod4), fatty acid oxygenases (ppoA-C), glutathione tranferases (gstA-E), and others (afyap1, skn7, and pes1); and efflux transporters (mdr1-4, atrF, abcA-E, and msfA-E). In addition, this review considers toxins and related genes, such as a diffusible toxic substance from conidia, gliotoxin (gliP and gliZ), mitogillin (res/mitF/asp f 1), hemolysin (aspHS), festuclavine and fumigaclavine A-C, fumitremorgin A-C, verruculogen, fumagillin, helvolic acid, aflatoxin B1 and G1, and laeA. Two sections cover genes and molecules related with nutrient uptake, signaling and metabolic regulations involved in virulence, including enzymes, such as serine proteases (alp/asp f 13, alp2, and asp f 18), metalloproteases (mep/asp f 5, mepB, and mep20), aspartic proteases (pep/asp f 10, pep2, and ctsD), dipeptidylpeptidases (dppIV and dppV), and phospholipases (plb1-3 and phospholipase C); siderophores and iron acquisition (sidA-G, sreA, ftrA, fetC, mirB-C, and amcA); zinc acquisition (zrfA-H, zafA, and pacC); amino acid biosynthesis, nitrogen uptake, and cross-pathways control (areA, rhbA, mcsA, lysF, cpcA/gcn4p, and cpcC/gcn2p); general biosynthetic pathway (pyrG, hcsA, and pabaA), trehalose biosynthesis (tpsA and tpsB), and other regulation pathways such as those of the MAP kinases (sakA/hogA, mpkA-C, ste7, pbs2, mkk2, steC/ste11, bck1, ssk2, and sho1), G-proteins (gpaA, sfaD, and cpgA), cAMP-PKA signaling (acyA, gpaB, pkaC1, and pkaR), His kinases (fos1 and tcsB), Ca(2+) signaling (calA/cnaA, crzA, gprC and gprD), and Ras family (rasA, rasB, and rhbA), and others (ace2, medA, and srbA). Finally, we also comment on the effect of A. fumigatus allergens (Asp f 1-Asp f 34) on IA. The data gathered generate a complex puzzle, the pieces representing virulence factors or the different activities of the fungus, and these need to be arranged to obtain a comprehensive vision of the virulence of A. fumigatus. The most recent gene expression studies using DNA-microarrays may be help us to understand this complex virulence, and to detect targets to develop rapid diagnostic methods and new antifungal agents.
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Abstract
This review summarizes the health aspects of the medically important fungal genus Aspergillus. The morphology and systematics of the genus are explained as well as its biogeography. Major mycotoxins, the aspergilli that produce them, affected crops, and symptoms of the toxicoses are summarized, as are the major mycoses caused by aspergilli. The current status of the relationship between Aspergillus in the indoor environment and health issues are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren A Klich
- USDA, ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA.
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Molecular identification of Aspergillus species collected for the Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network. J Clin Microbiol 2009; 47:3138-41. [PMID: 19675215 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01070-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A large aggregate collection of clinical isolates of aspergilli (n = 218) from transplant patients with proven or probable invasive aspergillosis was available from the Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network, a 6-year prospective surveillance study. To determine the Aspergillus species distribution in this collection, isolates were subjected to comparative sequence analyses by use of the internal transcribed spacer and beta-tubulin regions. Aspergillus fumigatus was the predominant species recovered, followed by A. flavus and A. niger. Several newly described species were identified, including A. lentulus and A. calidoustus; both species had high in vitro MICs to multiple antifungal drugs. Aspergillus tubingensis, a member of the A. niger species complex, is described from clinical specimens; all A. tubingensis isolates had low in vitro MICs to antifungal drugs.
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Klich MA, Tang S, Denning DW. Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin Production by Aspergillus Species Under Ex Vivo Conditions. Mycopathologia 2009; 168:185-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-009-9215-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2009] [Accepted: 05/25/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Sequence-based identification of Aspergillus, fusarium, and mucorales species in the clinical mycology laboratory: where are we and where should we go from here? J Clin Microbiol 2008; 47:877-84. [PMID: 19073865 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01685-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Ito-Kuwa S, Nakamura K, Aoki S, Vidotto V. Serotype identification of Cryptococcus neoformans by multiplex PCR. Mycoses 2007; 50:277-81. [PMID: 17576319 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2007.01357.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is traditionally classified into three varieties with five serotypes: var. grubii (serotype A), var. neoformans (serotype D), var. gattii (serotypes B and C) and serotype AD (hybrid of serotypes A and D). A commercial kit, Crypto Check (Iatron Laboratories, Tokyo, Japan), has been used worldwide for serotyping isolated strains. However, its production was discontinued in 2004, and hence the present study aimed to develop a simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for serotyping C. neoformans strains. Subjecting genomic DNA of 59 strains of the five serotypes to multiplex PCR amplification using a set of four primers designed for the laccase gene (LAC1) differentiated serotypes A, D, B and C, but could not separate serotype AD from serotype D. However, a primer pair designed for the capsule gene (CAP64) allowed serotypes D and AD to be differentiated. When PCR amplification was performed in the simultaneous presence of the above six primers, the five serotypes produced two to five DNA fragments that could be used to distinguish them. This multiplex PCR method is useful for serotyping C. neoformans isolates, and represents an effective replacement for the Crypto Check kit.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ito-Kuwa
- Advanced Research Center, Nippon Dental University, Niigata, Japan.
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Enache-Angoulvant A, Chandenier J, Symoens F, Lacube P, Bolognini J, Douchet C, Poirot JL, Hennequin C. Molecular identification of Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes. J Clin Microbiol 2007; 45:1261-5. [PMID: 17287323 PMCID: PMC1865818 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01839-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening infections primarily in immunocompromised hosts. Based on the genetic characteristics and serologic properties of capsular polysaccharides, three varieties and five serotypes have been defined: C. neoformans var. neoformans (serotype D), C. neoformans var. grubii (serotype A), hybrid serotype AD, and C. neoformans var. gattii (serotypes B and C). Epidemiologic features, such as geographic distribution and ecologic niche, and clinical characteristics have been shown to be associated with serotypes. At the present time, serotyping is based on agglutination tests with either commercial or "homemade" antisera or on immunofluorescence assays using a monoclonal antibody directed against the capsule polysaccharide. In this paper, we describe two molecular methods (PCR-restriction enzyme analysis and length polymorphism analysis) for C. neoformans serotype identification. Both are based on the sequence characteristics of a fragment of the CAP59 gene required for capsule biosynthesis. Testing of 72 C. neoformans strains including representatives of the five serotypes demonstrated the reliability of these methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Enache-Angoulvant
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine Pierre et Marie Curie, site St. Antoine, 27 rue de Chaligny, 75012 Paris, France
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Balajee SA, Marr KA. Phenotypic and genotypic identification of human pathogenic aspergilli. Future Microbiol 2006; 1:435-45. [PMID: 17661634 DOI: 10.2217/17460913.1.4.435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pathogenic aspergilli are identified in the clinical diagnostic laboratory predominantly by macro- and micro-morphology. Such phenotypic characteristics are largely subjective and unstable, as they are influenced by environmental factors, including media and temperature of incubation. Recent advances in molecular biology have impacted the field of mycology; multiple studies have noted new genetically distinct species that are not easily distinguished by phenotypic characteristics. Strengths of molecular typing methods include objectivity and the ability to identify nonsporulating or slowly growing fungi. As such, molecular methods provide powerful tools for the study of the epidemiology, evolution and population biology of fungal pathogens. This review focuses on current and future methods of identifying aspergilli, and implications regarding Aspergillus species/strain identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Arunmozhi Balajee
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mycotic Diseases Branch, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
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