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Mathuria A, Ali N, Kataria N, Mani I. Drug repurposing for fungal infections. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 207:59-78. [PMID: 38942545 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
The rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a well-recognized threat to world health, necessitating the implementation of effective treatments. This issue has been identified as a top priority on the global agenda by the World Health Organization. Certain strains, such as Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida lusitaniae, Candida auris, select cryptococcal species, and opportunistic Aspergillus or Fusarium species, have significant intrinsic resistance to numerous antifungal medicines. This inherent resistance and subsequent suboptimal clinical outcomes underscore the critical imperative for enhanced therapeutic alternatives and management protocols. The challenge of effectively treating fungal infections, compounded by the protracted timelines involved in developing novel drugs, underscores the pressing need to explore alternative therapeutic avenues. Among these, drug repurposing emerges as a particularly promising and expeditious solution, providing cost-effective solutions and safety benefits. In the fight against life-threatening resistant fungal infections, the idea of repurposing existing medications has encouraged research into both established and new compounds as a last-resort therapy. This chapter seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of contemporary antifungal drugs, as well as their key resistance mechanisms. Additionally, it seeks to provide insight into the antimicrobial properties of non-traditional drugs, thereby offering a holistic perspective on the evolving landscape of antifungal therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshu Mathuria
- Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Namra Ali
- Department of Microbiology, Gargi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Naina Kataria
- Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Indra Mani
- Department of Microbiology, Gargi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India.
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Pata J, Moreno A, Wiseman B, Magnard S, Lehlali I, Dujardin M, Banerjee A, Högbom M, Boumendjel A, Chaptal V, Prasad R, Falson P. Purification and characterization of Cdr1, the drug-efflux pump conferring azole resistance in Candida species. Biochimie 2024; 220:167-178. [PMID: 38158037 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.12.007] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Candida albicans and C. glabrata express exporters of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily and address them to their plasma membrane to expel azole antifungals, which cancels out their action and allows the yeast to become multidrug resistant (MDR). In a way to understand this mechanism of defense, we describe the purification and characterization of Cdr1, the membrane ABC exporter mainly responsible for such phenotype in both species. Cdr1 proteins were functionally expressed in the baker yeast, tagged at their C-terminal end with either a His-tag for the glabrata version, cgCdr1-His, or a green fluorescent protein (GFP) preceded by a proteolytic cleavage site for the albicans version, caCdr1-P-GFP. A membrane Cdr1-enriched fraction was then prepared to assay several detergents and stabilizers, probing their level of extraction and the ATPase activity of the proteins as a functional marker. Immobilized metal-affinity and size-exclusion chromatographies (IMAC, SEC) were then carried out to isolate homogenous samples. Overall, our data show that although topologically and phylogenetically close, both proteins display quite distinct behaviors during the extraction and purification steps, and qualify cgCdr1 as a good candidate to characterize this type of proteins for developing future inhibitors of their azole antifungal efflux activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorgaq Pata
- Drug Resistance & Membrane Proteins Group, CNRS-Lyon 1 University Laboratory UMR 5086, IBCP, 69367, CEDEX Lyon 07, France
| | - Alexis Moreno
- Drug Resistance & Membrane Proteins Group, CNRS-Lyon 1 University Laboratory UMR 5086, IBCP, 69367, CEDEX Lyon 07, France; CALIXAR, 60 Avenue Rockefeller, Lyon, France
| | - Benjamin Wiseman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sandrine Magnard
- Drug Resistance & Membrane Proteins Group, CNRS-Lyon 1 University Laboratory UMR 5086, IBCP, 69367, CEDEX Lyon 07, France
| | - Idriss Lehlali
- Drug Resistance & Membrane Proteins Group, CNRS-Lyon 1 University Laboratory UMR 5086, IBCP, 69367, CEDEX Lyon 07, France
| | | | - Atanu Banerjee
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology and Amity Institute of Integrative Sciences and Health, Amity University Haryana, Gurgaon, India
| | - Martin Högbom
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Vincent Chaptal
- Drug Resistance & Membrane Proteins Group, CNRS-Lyon 1 University Laboratory UMR 5086, IBCP, 69367, CEDEX Lyon 07, France
| | - Rajendra Prasad
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology and Amity Institute of Integrative Sciences and Health, Amity University Haryana, Gurgaon, India
| | - Pierre Falson
- Drug Resistance & Membrane Proteins Group, CNRS-Lyon 1 University Laboratory UMR 5086, IBCP, 69367, CEDEX Lyon 07, France.
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Geremia N, Giovagnorio F, Colpani A, De Vito A, Caruana G, Meloni MC, Madeddu G, Panese S, Parisi SG. What do We Know about Cryptic Aspergillosis? Microorganisms 2024; 12:886. [PMID: 38792716 PMCID: PMC11124275 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptic Aspergillus species are increasingly recognized as pathogens involved in human disease. They are ubiquitarian fungi with high tenacity in their environment and can express various resistance mechanisms, often due to exposure to antifungal agents employed in agriculture and farming. The identification of such species is increasing thanks to molecular techniques, and a better description of this type of pathogen is granted. Nevertheless, the number of species and their importance in the clinical setting still need to be well studied. Furthermore, their cross-sectional involvement in animal disease, plants, and human activities requires a multidisciplinary approach involving experts from various fields. This comprehensive review aims to provide a sharp vision of the cryptic Aspergillus species, from the importance of correct identification to the better management of the infections caused by these pathogens. The review also accentuates the importance of the One Health approach for this kind of microorganism, given the interconnection between environmental exposure and aspergillosis, embracing transversely the multidisciplinary process for managing the cryptic Aspergillus species. The paper advocates the need for improving knowledge in this little-known species, given the burden of economic and health implications related to the diffusion of these bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Geremia
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Dell’Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy;
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Civile “S.S. Giovanni e Paolo”, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - Federico Giovagnorio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (F.G.); (S.G.P.)
| | - Agnese Colpani
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Andrea De Vito
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
- Biomedical Science Department, School in Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giorgia Caruana
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Institute of microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maria Chiara Meloni
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Giordano Madeddu
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Sandro Panese
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Dell’Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy;
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Civile “S.S. Giovanni e Paolo”, 30122 Venice, Italy
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Grayton QE, Conlon IL, Broberg CA, Schoenfisch MH. Impact of Nitric Oxide-Release Kinetics on Antifungal Activity. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:308. [PMID: 38786663 PMCID: PMC11121837 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi are an increasing health threat due to the rise in drug resistance. The limited number of antifungals currently available and growing incidence of multi-drug-resistant fungi has caused rising healthcare costs and a decreased quality of life for patients with fungal infections. Nitric oxide (NO) has previously been shown to act as an antimicrobial agent, albeit with a limited understanding of the effects of the NO-release kinetics against pathogenic fungi. Herein, the antifungal effects of four nitric oxide-releasing small molecules were studied against the pathogenic fungi Candida albicans, Candida auris, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus, to demonstrate the broad-spectrum antifungal activity of NO. A bolus dose of NO was found to eradicate fungi after 24 h, where nitric oxide donors with shorter half-lives achieved antifungal activity at lower concentrations and thus had wider selectivity indexes. Each NO donor was found to cause a severe surface destruction of fungi, and all NO donors exhibited compatibility with currently prescribed antifungals against several different fungi species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quincy E. Grayton
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Q.E.G.); (C.A.B.)
| | - Ivie L. Conlon
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Q.E.G.); (C.A.B.)
| | - Christopher A. Broberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Q.E.G.); (C.A.B.)
| | - Mark H. Schoenfisch
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Q.E.G.); (C.A.B.)
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Ríos-López AL, Dávila-Aviña J, González GM, Flores-Maldonado O. Antifungal and Antivirulence Activity of Vanillin and Tannic Acid Against Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:156. [PMID: 38656548 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03678-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani infections have become severe health threat; both pathogens are considered a priority due to the increasing emergence of antifungal-resistant strains and high mortality rates. Therefore, the discovery of new therapeutic strategies has become crucial. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal and antivirulence effects of vanillin and tannic acid against Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the compounds were determined by the microdilution method in RPMI broth in 96-well microplates according to CLSI. Conidial germination, protease production, biofilm formation, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy assays were performed. The results demonstrated that vanillin and tannic acid had antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, while tannic acid only exhibited antifungal activity against Fusarium solani. We found that vanillin and tannic acid inhibited conidial germination and secreted protease production and biofilm formation of the fungal pathogens using sub-inhibitory concentrations. Besides, vanillin and tannic acid altered the fungal membrane permeability, and both compounds showed therapeutic effect against aspergillosis and fusariosis in an infection model in Galleria mellonella larvae. Our results highlight the antivirulence effect of vanillin and tannic acid against priority pathogenic fungi as a possible therapeutic alternative for human fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana L Ríos-López
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina y Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Francisco I. Madero, Mitras Centro, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Jorge Dávila-Aviña
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Gloria M González
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina y Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Francisco I. Madero, Mitras Centro, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Orlando Flores-Maldonado
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina y Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Francisco I. Madero, Mitras Centro, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
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Lucio J, Alcazar-Fuoli L, Gil H, Cano-Pascual S, Hernandez-Egido S, Cuetara MS, Mellado E. Distribution of Aspergillus species and prevalence of azole resistance in clinical and environmental samples from a Spanish hospital during a three-year study period. Mycoses 2024; 67:e13719. [PMID: 38551063 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13719] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surveillance studies are crucial for updating trends in Aspergillus species and antifungal susceptibility information. OBJECTIVES Determine the Aspergillus species distribution and azole resistance prevalence during this 3-year prospective surveillance study in a Spanish hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three hundred thirty-five Aspergillus spp. clinical and environmental isolates were collected during a 3-year study. All isolates were screened for azole resistance using an agar-based screening method and resistance was confirmed by EUCAST antifungal susceptibility testing. The azole resistance mechanism was confirmed by sequencing the cyp51A gene and its promoter. All Aspergillus fumigatus strains were genotyped using TRESPERG analysis. RESULTS Aspergillus fumigatus was the predominant species recovered with a total of 174 strains (51.94%). The rest of Aspergillus spp. were less frequent: Aspergillus niger (14.93%), Aspergillus terreus (9.55%), Aspergillus flavus (8.36%), Aspergillus nidulans (5.37%) and Aspergillus lentulus (3.28%), among other Aspergillus species (6.57%). TRESPERG analysis showed 99 different genotypes, with 72.73% of the strains being represented as a single genotype. Some genotypes were common among clinical and environmental A. fumigatus azole-susceptible strains, even when isolated months apart. We describe the occurrence of two azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains, one clinical and another environmental, that were genotypically different and did not share genotypes with any of the azole-susceptible strains. CONCLUSIONS Aspergillus fumigatus strains showed a very diverse population although several genotypes were shared among clinical and environmental strains. The isolation of azole-resistant strains from both settings suggest that an efficient analysis of clinical and environmental sources must be done to detect azole resistance in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Lucio
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Alcazar-Fuoli
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in Network in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC-CB21/13/00105), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Horacio Gil
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Samuel Cano-Pascual
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Hernandez-Egido
- Microbiology Department, University Hospital Severo Ochoa, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Emilia Mellado
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in Network in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC-CB21/13/00105), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Agarwal R, Sehgal IS, Muthu V, Denning DW, Chakrabarti A, Soundappan K, Garg M, Rudramurthy SM, Dhooria S, Armstrong-James D, Asano K, Gangneux JP, Chotirmall SH, Salzer HJF, Chalmers JD, Godet C, Joest M, Page I, Nair P, Arjun P, Dhar R, Jat KR, Joe G, Krishnaswamy UM, Mathew JL, Maturu VN, Mohan A, Nath A, Patel D, Savio J, Saxena P, Soman R, Thangakunam B, Baxter CG, Bongomin F, Calhoun WJ, Cornely OA, Douglass JA, Kosmidis C, Meis JF, Moss R, Pasqualotto AC, Seidel D, Sprute R, Prasad KT, Aggarwal AN. Revised ISHAM-ABPA working group clinical practice guidelines for diagnosing, classifying and treating allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis/mycoses. Eur Respir J 2024; 63:2400061. [PMID: 38423624 PMCID: PMC10991853 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00061-2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) working group proposed recommendations for managing allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) a decade ago. There is a need to update these recommendations due to advances in diagnostics and therapeutics. METHODS An international expert group was convened to develop guidelines for managing ABPA (caused by Aspergillus spp.) and allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM; caused by fungi other than Aspergillus spp.) in adults and children using a modified Delphi method (two online rounds and one in-person meeting). We defined consensus as ≥70% agreement or disagreement. The terms "recommend" and "suggest" are used when the consensus was ≥70% and <70%, respectively. RESULTS We recommend screening for A. fumigatus sensitisation using fungus-specific IgE in all newly diagnosed asthmatic adults at tertiary care but only difficult-to-treat asthmatic children. We recommend diagnosing ABPA in those with predisposing conditions or compatible clinico-radiological presentation, with a mandatory demonstration of fungal sensitisation and serum total IgE ≥500 IU·mL-1 and two of the following: fungal-specific IgG, peripheral blood eosinophilia or suggestive imaging. ABPM is considered in those with an ABPA-like presentation but normal A. fumigatus-IgE. Additionally, diagnosing ABPM requires repeated growth of the causative fungus from sputum. We do not routinely recommend treating asymptomatic ABPA patients. We recommend oral prednisolone or itraconazole monotherapy for treating acute ABPA (newly diagnosed or exacerbation), with prednisolone and itraconazole combination only for treating recurrent ABPA exacerbations. We have devised an objective multidimensional criterion to assess treatment response. CONCLUSION We have framed consensus guidelines for diagnosing, classifying and treating ABPA/M for patient care and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh Agarwal
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Inderpaul Singh Sehgal
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Valliappan Muthu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | | | | | - Kathirvel Soundappan
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Mandeep Garg
- Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Shivaprakash M Rudramurthy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sahajal Dhooria
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Darius Armstrong-James
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Koichiro Asano
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Jean-Pierre Gangneux
- Université Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
- CHU Rennes, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, ECMM Excellence Center in Medical Mycology, Rennes, France
- National Reference Center on Mycoses and Antifungals (CNRMA LA-Asp C), Rennes, France
| | - Sanjay H Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Helmut J F Salzer
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine-Pneumology, Kepler University Hospital and Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
| | | | - Cendrine Godet
- Université Paris Sorbonne, AP-HP, Hôpital Tenon, Service de Pneumologie et Oncologie Thoracique, Centre Constitutif Maladies Pulmonaires Rares Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Iain Page
- NHS Lothian, Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Parameswaran Nair
- McMaster University, McGill University, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - P Arjun
- KIMS Hospital, Trivandrum, India
| | - Raja Dhar
- Department of Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospitals, Kolkata, India
| | - Kana Ram Jat
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Joseph L Mathew
- Pediatric Pulmonology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Anant Mohan
- Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Alok Nath
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Dharmesh Patel
- City Clinic and Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara, India
| | - Jayanthi Savio
- Department of Microbiology, St John's Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, India
| | - Puneet Saxena
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Army Hospital (R&R), New Delhi, India
| | - Rajeev Soman
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jupiter Hospital, Pune, India
| | | | - Caroline G Baxter
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - William J Calhoun
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Oliver A Cornely
- Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jo A Douglass
- University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Chris Kosmidis
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Moss
- Center of Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Division of Pulmonary, Asthma and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Alessandro C Pasqualotto
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Santa Casa de Misericordia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Danila Seidel
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Cologne, Germany
| | - Rosanne Sprute
- Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kuruswamy Thurai Prasad
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashutosh N Aggarwal
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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8
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Ghazanfari M, Abastabar M, Haghani I, Kermani F, Keikha N, Kholoujini M, Minooeianhaghighi MH, Jeddi SA, Shokri A, Ghojoghi A, Amirizad K, Azish M, Nasirzadeh Y, Roohi B, Nosratabadi M, Hedayati S, Ghanbari S, Valadan R, Hedayati MT. Electronic equipment and appliances in special wards of hospitals as a source of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus: a multi-centre study from Iran. J Hosp Infect 2024; 145:65-76. [PMID: 38199436 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.12.011] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus (ARAf), reported as a global public health concern, has been unexpectedly observed in different countries. AIM To identify ARAf and detect azole resistance related to the CYP51A mutation in different hospital environmental samples. METHODS In this multi-centre study from Iran, surfaces of electronic equipment and appliances from different hospitals in Iran were sampled using cotton swabs. All samples were cultured using azole-containing agar plates (ACAPs). Recovered Aspergillus isolates were identified at the species level using partial DNA sequencing of the β-tubulin gene. The azole susceptibility testing of A. fumigatus isolates was performed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A3 guideline. The sequencing of the CYP51A gene was also performed to detect mutations related to resistance. FINDINGS Out of the 693 collected samples, 89 (12.8%) Aspergillus species were recovered from ACAPs. Aspergillus fumigatus (41.6%) was the most prevalent, followed by A. tubingensis (23.6%) and A. niger (15.6%). Among 37 isolates of A. fumigatus, 19 (51.3%) showed high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to at least one of the three azoles, voriconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole. CYP51A polymorphisms were detected in all 19 isolates, of which 52.6% showed the TR34/L98H mutation. Other detected mutations were G432C, G448S, G54E/G138C, F46Y, and Y121F/M220I/D255E. T289F and G432C were the first reported mutations in ARAf. CONCLUSION There was a considerable level of azole resistance in hospital environmental samples, a serious warning for patients vulnerable to aspergillosis. Our findings have also revealed a different mutation pattern in the CYP51A gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ghazanfari
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - M Abastabar
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - I Haghani
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - F Kermani
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - N Keikha
- Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - M Kholoujini
- Beheshti Hospital, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - M H Minooeianhaghighi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - S A Jeddi
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Sciences, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
| | - A Shokri
- Vector-Borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - A Ghojoghi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - K Amirizad
- Department of Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Azish
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
| | - Y Nasirzadeh
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - B Roohi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - M Nosratabadi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sirjan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | - S Hedayati
- Student Research Committee Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - S Ghanbari
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Student Research Committee Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - R Valadan
- Department of Immunology/Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center (MCBRC), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - M T Hedayati
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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9
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Lu LY, Lee HM, Burke A, Li Bassi G, Torres A, Fraser JF, Fanning JP. Prevalence, Risk Factors, Clinical Features, and Outcome of Influenza-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Chest 2024; 165:540-558. [PMID: 37742914 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.09.019] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) increasingly is being reported in critically ill patients. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the prevalence, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes of IAPA. STUDY QUESTION What are the prevalence, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes of IAPA in critically ill patients? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Studies reporting IAPA were searched in the following databases: PubMed MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov. We performed one-group meta-analysis on risk factors, clinical features, morbidity, and mortality using random effects models. RESULTS We included 10 observational studies with 1,720 critically ill patients with influenza, resulting in an IAPA prevalence of 19.2% (331 of 1,720). Patients who had undergone organ transplantation (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.7-13.8; I2 = 45%), harbored a hematogenous malignancy (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.5-4.1; I2 = 0%), were immunocompromised (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6-3.1; I2 = 0%), and underwent prolonged corticosteroid use before admission (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.4-4.3; I2 = 51%) were found to be at a higher risk of IAPA developing. Commonly reported clinical and imaging features were not particularly associated with IAPA. However, IAPA was associated with more severe disease progression, a higher complication rate, and longer ICU stays and required more organ supports. Overall, IAPA was associated with a significantly elevated ICU mortality rate (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.8-3.8; I2 = 0%). INTERPRETATION IAPA is a common complication of severe influenza and is associated with increased mortality. Early diagnosis of IAPA and initiation of antifungal treatment are essential, and future research should focus on developing a clinical algorithm. TRIAL REGISTRY International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; No.: CRD42022284536; URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Y Lu
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, QLD, Australia; The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, QLD, Australia; The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia; The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD Australia
| | - Hui Min Lee
- Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew Burke
- The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, QLD, Australia; The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Gianluigi Li Bassi
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, QLD, Australia; The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia; The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD Australia
| | - Antoni Torres
- Servei de Pneumologia, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, ICREA, CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Barcelona, Spain
| | - John F Fraser
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, QLD, Australia; The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, QLD, Australia; The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Jonathon P Fanning
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, QLD, Australia; The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, QLD, Australia; The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
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10
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Hansanant N, Cao K, Tenorio A, Joseph T, Ju M, McNally N, Kummari E, Williams M, Cothrell A, Buhrow AR, Shin R, Orugunty R, Smith L. Previously Uncharacterized Variants, OCF-E-OCF-J, of the Antifungal Occidiofungin Produced by Burkholderia contaminans MS14. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024; 87:186-194. [PMID: 38277493 PMCID: PMC10897925 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
The rise of multidrug resistant fungal infections highlights the need to identify and develop novel antifungal agents. Occidiofungin is a nonribosomally synthesized glycolipopeptide that has a unique mechanism of action, disrupting actin-mediated functions and inducing cellular apoptosis. Antifungal activity has been observed in vitro against various fungal species, including multidrug resistant Candida auris, and in vivo efficacy has been demonstrated in a murine vulvovaginal candidiasis model. Occidiofungin, a cyclic glycolipopeptide, is composed of eight amino acids and in previous studies, an asparagine residue was assigned at position 7 (ASN7). In this study, new structural variants of occidiofungin have been characterized which have aspartic acid (ASP7), glutamine (GLN7), or glutamic acid (GLU7) at position 7. The side chain of the ASP7 variant contains the only terminal carboxylic acid in the peptide and provides a useful site for selective chemical modifications. Analogues were synthesized at the ASP7 position and tested for antifungal activity. These analogues were shown to be more active as compared to the ASP7 variant against a panel of Candida species. The naturally occurring variants of occidiofungin with a side chain containing a carboxylic acid at the seventh amino acid position can be used to develop semisynthetic analogues with enhanced therapeutic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nopakorn Hansanant
- Department
of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Kevin Cao
- Sano
Chemicals Incorporated, Bryan, Texas 77803, United States
| | - Abraham Tenorio
- Sano
Chemicals Incorporated, Bryan, Texas 77803, United States
| | - Thushinari Joseph
- Department
of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Min Ju
- Department
of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Noah McNally
- Department
of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Evangel Kummari
- Department
of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - McKinley Williams
- Department
of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Andrew Cothrell
- Department
of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Andrew R. Buhrow
- Department
of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Ronald Shin
- Central
Alabama High-Field NMR Facility, Structural Biology Shared Facility,
Cancer Center, University of Alabama at
Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1240, United States
| | - Ravi Orugunty
- Sano
Chemicals Incorporated, Bryan, Texas 77803, United States
| | - Leif Smith
- Department
of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Sano
Chemicals Incorporated, Bryan, Texas 77803, United States
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11
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Pintye A, Bacsó R, Kovács GM. Trans-kingdom fungal pathogens infecting both plants and humans, and the problem of azole fungicide resistance. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1354757. [PMID: 38410389 PMCID: PMC10896089 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1354757] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Azole antifungals are abundantly used in the environment and play an important role in managing fungal diseases in clinics. Due to the widespread use, azole resistance is an emerging global problem for all applications in several fungal species, including trans-kingdom pathogens, capable of infecting plants and humans. Azoles used in agriculture and clinics share the mode of action and facilitating cross-resistance development. The extensive use of azoles in the environment, e.g., for plant protection and wood preservation, contributes to the spread of resistant populations and challenges using these antifungals in medical treatments. The target of azoles is the cytochrome p450 lanosterol 14-α demethylase encoded by the CYP51 (called also as ERG11 in the case of yeasts) gene. Resistance mechanisms involve mainly the mutations in the coding region in the CYP51 gene, resulting in the inadequate binding of azoles to the encoded Cyp51 protein, or mutations in the promoter region causing overexpression of the protein. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued the first fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) to raise awareness of the risk of fungal infections and the increasingly rapid spread of antifungal resistance. Here, we review the main issues about the azole antifungal resistance of trans-kingdom pathogenic fungi with the ability to cause serious human infections and included in the WHO FPPL. Methods for the identification of these species and detection of resistance are summarized, highlighting the importance of these issues to apply the proper treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Pintye
- Centre for Agricultural Research, Plant Protection Institute, HUN-REN, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Plant Anatomy, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Renáta Bacsó
- Centre for Agricultural Research, Plant Protection Institute, HUN-REN, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor M. Kovács
- Centre for Agricultural Research, Plant Protection Institute, HUN-REN, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Plant Anatomy, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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12
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Raposo Puglia D, Raposo Puglia JÁ, García-Cabrera E, Morales F, Camacho-Vega JC, Vilches-Arenas Á. Risk Factors and Environmental Preventive Actions for Aspergillosis in Patients with Hematological Malignancies. Clin Pract 2024; 14:280-292. [PMID: 38391408 PMCID: PMC10888107 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract14010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Aspergillus spp. is a widely distributed filamentous fungus in the environment due to its high sporulation capacity. Currently, invasive aspergillosis (IA) is the most common invasive fungal infection in patients with hematologic malignancies, with high rates of mortality and morbidity. The multifactorial nature of the disease requires appropriate risk stratification to enable the most appropriate preventive measures to be adapted and implemented according to the characteristics of the patient. In this sense, the present research aims to identify recent risk factors and environmental control measures against invasive aspergillosis to establish preventive actions to reduce the incidence of invasive aspergillosis in hospitals. (2) Methods: We conducted a qualitative systematic review of the scientific literature on environmental risk factors and preventive measures for invasive aspergillosis in patients with hematologic malignancies. The Medline, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were consulted, following the PRISMA and STROBE guidelines. (3) Results: Adequate implementation of environmental control measures is presented as the most efficient intervention in terms of prevention to decrease the incidence of invasive aspergillosis in hospitals. Neutropenia, fungal contamination, insufficient environmental control measures in hospital and home settings, length of hospital stay, and anemia, are identified as independent risk factors. We show that HEPA, LAF, and Plasmair® systems are suitable methods to reduce the concentration of airborne fungal spores. Antifungal prophylaxis did not significantly influence IA reduction in our study. (4) Conclusions: Proper professional training and environmental control measures in hospitals are essential for the prevention of invasive aspergillosis. We should optimize risk stratification for patients with hematologic malignancies. Antifungal prophylaxis should be complementary to environmental control measures and should never be substituted for the latter. Studies should also be undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of environmental control measures against IA at patients' homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Raposo Puglia
- Department of General and Digestive Surgery, Hospital Universitario Jerez de la Frontera, Ronda de Circunvalación s/n, 11407 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
| | - José Ángel Raposo Puglia
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Ana de Viya, 21, 11009 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Emilio García-Cabrera
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Fátima Morales
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Camacho-Vega
- Department of Building Constructions II, Higher Technical School of Building Engineering, University of Seville, Avda. de la Reina Mercedes, 4A, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Occupational Risk Prevention Unit, Virgen Macarena Hospital, Avda. Dr. Fedriani 3, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Ángel Vilches-Arenas
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, Av. Sanchez Pizjuan s/n, 41009 Seville, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Virgen Macarena Hospital, Avda. Dr. Fedriani 3, 41009 Seville, Spain
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13
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Pan J, Yang X, Hu C, Fu T, Zhang X, Liu Z, Wang Y, Zhang F, He X, Yu JH. Functional, transcriptomic, and lipidomic studies of the choC gene encoding a phospholipid methyltransferase in Aspergillus fumigatus. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0216823. [PMID: 38009944 PMCID: PMC10783049 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02168-23] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE This study explored the phospholipid metabolic pathway in A. fumigatus and its relationship with fungal growth, metabolism, and pathogenicity. ChoC, based on its critical roles in many aspects of the fungus and relatively conserved characteristics in filamentous fungi with low similarity with mammalian ones, can be a novel target of new antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Pan
- Institute for Cultural Heritage and History of Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Cuiting Hu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tongtong Fu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiuyan Zhang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zijun Liu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute for Cultural Heritage and History of Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Fengyu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoyuan He
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, Food Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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14
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Hiel SJP, Hendriks ACA, Eijkenboom JJA, Bosch T, Coolen JPM, Melchers WJG, Anröchte P, Camps SMT, Verweij PE, Zhang J, van Dommelen L. Aspergillus Outbreak in an Intensive Care Unit: Source Analysis with Whole Genome Sequencing and Short Tandem Repeats. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:51. [PMID: 38248960 PMCID: PMC10817286 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is widely used for outbreak analysis of bacteriology and virology but is scarcely used in mycology. Here, we used WGS for genotyping Aspergillus fumigatus isolates from a potential Aspergillus outbreak in an intensive care unit (ICU) during construction work. After detecting the outbreak, fungal cultures were performed on all surveillance and/or patient respiratory samples. Environmental samples were obtained throughout the ICU. WGS was performed on 30 isolates, of which six patient samples and four environmental samples were related to the outbreak, and twenty samples were unrelated, using the Illumina NextSeq 550. A SNP-based phylogenetic tree was created from outbreak samples and unrelated samples. Comparative analysis (WGS and short tandem repeats (STRs), microsatellite loci analysis) showed that none of the strains were related to each other. The lack of genetic similarity suggests the accumulation of Aspergillus spores in the hospital environment, rather than a single source that supported growth and reproduction of Aspergillus fumigatus. This supports the hypothesis that the Aspergillus outbreak was likely caused by release of Aspergillus fumigatus spores during construction work. Indeed, no new Aspergillus cases were observed in the ICU after cessation of construction. This study demonstrates that WGS is a suitable technique for examining inter-strain relatedness of Aspergillus fumigatus in the setting of an outbreak investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan J. P. Hiel
- Department of Intensive Care, Máxima Medical Centre, De Run 4600, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Amber C. A. Hendriks
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jos J. A. Eijkenboom
- Department of Intensive Care, Máxima Medical Centre, De Run 4600, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Thijs Bosch
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jordy P. M. Coolen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Willem J. G. Melchers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Anröchte
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Máxima Medical Centre, De Run 4600, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Simone M. T. Camps
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Máxima Medical Centre, De Run 4600, 5504 DB Veldhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Paul E. Verweij
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Laura van Dommelen
- Stichting PAMM, Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, De Run 6250, 5504 DL Veldhoven, The Netherlands
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15
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Zhu X, Chen Y, Yu D, Fang W, Liao W, Pan W. Progress in the application of nanoparticles for the treatment of fungal infections: A review. Mycology 2023; 15:1-16. [PMID: 38558835 PMCID: PMC10977003 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2023.2285764] [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: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The burden of fungal infections on human health is increasing worldwide. Aspergillus, Candida, and Cryptococcus are the top three human pathogenic fungi that are responsible for over 90% of infection-related deaths. Moreover, effective antifungal therapeutics are lacking, primarily due to host toxicity, pathogen resistance, and immunodeficiency. In recent years, nanomaterials have proved not only to be more efficient antifungal therapeutic agents but also to overcome resistance against fungal medication. This review will examine the limitations of standard antifungal therapy as well as focus on the development of nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlin Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Youming Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Yu
- Department of General Practice, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjie Fang
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanqing Liao
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weihua Pan
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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16
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Kühbacher A, Merschak P, Haas H, Liebl M, Müller C, Gsaller F. The cytochrome P450 reductase CprA is a rate-limiting factor for Cyp51A-mediated azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0091823. [PMID: 37815358 PMCID: PMC10648939 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00918-23] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Azole antifungals remain the "gold standard" therapy for invasive aspergillosis. The world-wide emergence of isolates resistant to this drug class, however, developed into a steadily increasing threat to human health over the past years. In Aspergillus fumigatus, major mechanisms of resistance involve increased expression of cyp51A encoding one of two isoenzymes targeted by azoles. Yet, the level of resistance caused by cyp51A upregulation, driven by either clinically relevant tandem repeat mutations within its promoter or the use of high expressing heterologous promoters, is limited. Cytochrome P450 enzymes such as Cyp51A rely on redox partners that provide electrons for their activity. A. fumigatus harbors several genes encoding putative candidate proteins including two paralogous cytochrome P450 reductases, CprA and CprB, and the cytochrome b 5 CybE. In this work, we investigated the contribution of each cprA, cprB, and cybE overexpression to cyp51A-mediated resistance to different medical and agricultural azoles. Using the bidirectional promoter PxylP, we conditionally expressed these genes in combination with cyp51A, revealing cprA as the main limiting factor. Similar to this approach, we overexpressed cprA in an azole-resistant background strain carrying a cyp51A allele with TR34 in its promoter, which led to a further increase in its resistance. Employing sterol measurements, we demonstrate an enhanced eburicol turnover during upregulation of either cprA or cyp51A, which was even more pronounced during their simultaneous overexpression. In summary, our work suggests that mutations leading to increased Cyp51A activity through increased electron supply could be key factors that elevate azole resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kühbacher
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Petra Merschak
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maximilian Liebl
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Müller
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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17
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Boyce KJ. The Microevolution of Antifungal Drug Resistance in Pathogenic Fungi. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2757. [PMID: 38004768 PMCID: PMC10673521 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The mortality rates of invasive fungal infections remain high because of the limited number of antifungal drugs available and antifungal drug resistance, which can rapidly evolve during treatment. Mutations in key resistance genes such as ERG11 were postulated to be the predominant cause of antifungal drug resistance in the clinic. However, recent advances in whole genome sequencing have revealed that there are multiple mechanisms leading to the microevolution of resistance. In many fungal species, resistance can emerge through ERG11-independent mechanisms and through the accumulation of mutations in many genes to generate a polygenic resistance phenotype. In addition, genome sequencing has revealed that full or partial aneuploidy commonly occurs in clinical or microevolved in vitro isolates to confer antifungal resistance. This review will provide an overview of the mutations known to be selected during the adaptive microevolution of antifungal drug resistance and focus on how recent advances in genome sequencing technology have enhanced our understanding of this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie J Boyce
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3085, Australia
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18
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Stover KR, Hawkins BK, Keck JM, Barber KE, Cretella DA. Antifungal resistance, combinations and pipeline: oh my! Drugs Context 2023; 12:2023-7-1. [PMID: 38021410 PMCID: PMC10653594 DOI: 10.7573/dic.2023-7-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are a strong contributor to healthcare costs, morbidity and mortality, especially amongst hospitalized patients. Historically, Candida was responsible for approximately 15% of all nosocomial bloodstream infections. In the past 10 years, the epidemiology of Candida species has altered, with increasing prevalence of resistant species. With rising fungal resistance, especially in Candida spp., the demand for novel antifungal therapies has exponentially increased over the last decade. Newer antifungal agents have become an attractive option for patients needing long-term therapy for infections or those requiring antifungal prophylaxis. Despite advances in coverage of non-Candida pathogens with newer agents, clinical scenarios involving multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens continue to arise in practice. Combination antifungal therapy can lead to a host of side-effects, some of which can be drug limiting. Additional antifungal therapies with enhanced fungal spectrum of activity and decreased rates of adverse effects are warranted. Fosmanogepix, ibrexafungerp, olorofim and rezafungin may help fill some of these gaps in the antifungal armamentarium. This article is part of the Challenges and strategies in the management of invasive fungal infections Special Issue: https://www.drugsincontext.com/special_issues/challenges-and-strategies-in-the-management-of-invasive-fungal-infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla R Stover
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Brandon K Hawkins
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - J Myles Keck
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Katie E Barber
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - David A Cretella
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
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19
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Tio SY, Chen SCA, Hamilton K, Heath CH, Pradhan A, Morris AJ, Korman TM, Morrissey O, Halliday CL, Kidd S, Spelman T, Brell N, McMullan B, Clark JE, Mitsakos K, Hardiman RP, Williams P, Campbell AJ, Beardsley J, Van Hal S, Yong MK, Worth LJ, Slavin MA. Invasive aspergillosis in adult patients in Australia and New Zealand: 2017-2020. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2023; 40:100888. [PMID: 37701716 PMCID: PMC10494171 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Background New and emerging risks for invasive aspergillosis (IA) bring the need for contemporary analyses of the epidemiology and outcomes of IA, in order to improve clinical practice. Methods The study was a retrospective, multicenter, cohort design of proven and probable IA in adults from 10 Australasian tertiary centres (January 2017-December 2020). Descriptive analyses were used to report patients' demographics, predisposing factors, mycological characteristics, diagnosis and management. Accelerated failure-time model was employed to determine factor(s) associated with 90-day all-cause mortality (ACM). Findings Of 382 IA episodes, 221 (in 221 patients) fulfilled inclusion criteria - 53 proven and 168 probable IA. Median patient age was 61 years (IQR 51-69). Patients with haematologic malignancies (HM) comprised 49.8% of cases. Fifteen patients (6.8%) had no pre-specified immunosuppression and eleven patients (5.0%) had no documented comorbidity. Only 30% of patients had neutropenia. Of 170 isolates identified, 40 (23.5%) were identified as non-Aspergillus fumigatus species complex. Azole-resistance was present in 3/46 (6.5%) of A. fumigatus sensu stricto isolates. Ninety-day ACM was 30.3%. HM (HR 1.90; 95% CI 1.04-3.46, p = 0.036) and ICU admission (HR 4.89; 95% CI 2.93-8.17, p < 0.001) but not neutropenia (HR 1.45; 95% CI 0.88-2.39, p = 0.135) were associated with mortality. Chronic kidney disease was also a significant predictor of death in the HM subgroup (HR 3.94; 95% CI 1.15-13.44, p = 0.028). Interpretation IA is identified in high number of patients with mild/no immunosuppression in our study. The relatively high proportion of non-A. fumigatus species complex isolates and 6.5% azole-resistance rate amongst A. fumigatus sensu stricto necessitates accurate species identification and susceptibility testing for optimal patient outcomes. Funding This work is unfunded. All authors' financial disclosures are listed in detail at the end of the manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shio Yen Tio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sharon C.-A. Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Kate Hamilton
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christopher H. Heath
- Department of Microbiology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Alyssa Pradhan
- Prince of Wales Hospital, Southeast Sydney LHD, NSW Health Pathology, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Arthur J. Morris
- Auckland City Hospital, 2 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Tony M. Korman
- Monash University and Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Orla Morrissey
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catriona L. Halliday
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Kidd
- National Mycology Reference Centre, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Timothy Spelman
- Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nadiya Brell
- Prince of Wales Hospital, Southeast Sydney LHD, NSW Health Pathology, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brendan McMullan
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Australia
| | - Julia E. Clark
- Infection Management Service, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Children’s Health Queensland, Brisbane 4101, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, CHQCU, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Katerina Mitsakos
- Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Robyn P. Hardiman
- Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Phoebe Williams
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Anita J. Campbell
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Perth Children’s Hospital, Western Australia, Australia
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Justin Beardsley
- University of Sydney Infectious Disease Institute, Australia
- Westmead Hospital, Western Sydney LHD, NSW Health, Australia
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Australia
| | - Sebastiaan Van Hal
- School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia
| | - Michelle K. Yong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Leon J. Worth
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Monica A. Slavin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Australia
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20
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De Francesco MA. Drug-Resistant Aspergillus spp.: A Literature Review of Its Resistance Mechanisms and Its Prevalence in Europe. Pathogens 2023; 12:1305. [PMID: 38003770 PMCID: PMC10674884 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections due to the Aspergillus species constitute an important challenge for human health. Invasive aspergillosis represents a life-threatening disease, mostly in patients with immune defects. Drugs used for fungal infections comprise amphotericin B, triazoles, and echinocandins. However, in the last decade, an increased emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus strains has been reported, principally belonging to Aspergillus fumigatus species. Therefore, both the early diagnosis of aspergillosis and its epidemiological surveillance are very important to establish the correct antifungal therapy and to ensure a successful patient outcome. In this paper, a literature review is performed to analyze the prevalence of Aspergillus antifungal resistance in European countries. Amphotericin B resistance is observed in 2.6% and 10.8% of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in Denmark and Greece, respectively. A prevalence of 84% of amphotericin B-resistant Aspergillus flavus isolates is reported in France, followed by 49.4%, 35.1%, 21.7%, and 20% in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and amphotericin B resistance of Aspergillus niger isolates is observed in Greece and Belgium with a prevalence of 75% and 12.8%, respectively. The prevalence of triazole resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates, the most studied mold obtained from the included studies, is 0.3% in Austria, 1% in Greece, 1.2% in Switzerland, 2.1% in France, 3.9% in Portugal, 4.9% in Italy, 5.3% in Germany, 6.1% in Denmark, 7.4% in Spain, 8.3% in Belgium, 11% in the Netherlands, and 13.2% in the United Kingdom. The mechanism of resistance is mainly driven by the TR34/L98H mutation. In Europe, no in vivo resistance is reported for echinocandins. Future studies are needed to implement the knowledge on the spread of drug-resistant Aspergillus spp. with the aim of defining optimal treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonia De Francesco
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Microbiology, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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21
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Winter P, Burmester A, Tittelbach J, Wiegand C. A New Genotype of Trichophyton quinckeanum with Point Mutations in Erg11A Encoding Sterol 14-α Demethylase Exhibits Increased Itraconazole Resistance. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1006. [PMID: 37888261 PMCID: PMC10607888 DOI: 10.3390/jof9101006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichophyton quinckeanum, the causative agent of mouse favus, has been responsible for several infections of animal owners in recent years and showed an infection peak around 2020 in Jena, Thuringia. The isolated T. quinckeanum strains from Thuringia differ in some positions of the ITS region compared to strains from the IHEM collection as well as to Trichophyton schoenleinii. All T. quinckeanum strains of the new genotype show up to a 100-fold increased itraconazole resistance as measured by microplate laser nephelometry (MLN) assays. Analysis of genes involved in Trichophyton indotineae azole resistance, such as Erg1, which encodes squalene epoxidase, and Erg11B, one of two copies of the sterol 14-α demethylase gene, show a 100% identity between the two T. quinckeanum genotypes. In contrast, Erg11A fragments differ in 15-nucleotide positions between both T. quinckeanum genotypes, resulting in the unique amino acid substitution Ala256Ser in resistant strains. The new T. quinckeanum genotype may have evolved through interspecies mating. Mating type analysis showed a nearly 100% identity of the minus type MAT1-1-1 fragment for all T. quinckeanum isolates. The closely related Trichophyton schoenleinii belongs to the plus mating type and has 100% identical fragments of Erg1 and Erg11B. Erg11A protein sequences of T. schoenleinii and T. quinckeanum showed increased diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Winter
- Department of Dermatology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, D-07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Anke Burmester
- Department of Dermatology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, D-07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Jörg Tittelbach
- Department of Dermatology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, D-07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Cornelia Wiegand
- Department of Dermatology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, D-07747 Jena, Germany
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22
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Singh A, Kaur A, Chowdhary A. Fungal pathogens and COVID-19. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 75:102365. [PMID: 37625261 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the complications of secondary fungal infections that occurred globally in severe cases of coronavirus disease managed in the intensive care units. Furthermore, varied underlying host factors, such as preexisting immunosuppression, the use of immunomodulatory agents, and invasive procedures predisposing lung tissues to fungal colonization and proliferation, caused increased susceptibility to fungal infections in COVID-19 patient populations. These invasive fungal infections directly impact the overall length of hospitalization and mortality. The most commonly reported fungal infections in patients with COVID-19 include aspergillosis, invasive candidiasis, and mucormycosis. An overall worldwide increase in the prevalence of candidiasis and aspergillosis was observed in COVID-19 patients , whereas outbreaks of mucormycosis were mainly recorded from India. Diagnostic challenges and limited antifungal treatment options make secondary fungal infections among COVID-19 patients more burdensome, which results in improper management and increased mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Singh
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India; National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance in Fungal Pathogens, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Amtoj Kaur
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Anuradha Chowdhary
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India; National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance in Fungal Pathogens, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
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23
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Agarwal R, Muthu V, Sehgal IS. Relationship between Aspergillus and asthma. Allergol Int 2023; 72:507-520. [PMID: 37633774 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal sensitization is highly prevalent in severe asthma. The relationship between fungus and asthma, especially Aspergillus fumigatus, has been the subject of extensive research. The ubiquitous presence of A. fumigatus, its thermotolerant nature, the respirable size of its conidia, and its ability to produce potent allergens are pivotal in worsening asthma control. Due to the diverse clinical manifestations of fungal asthma and the lack of specific biomarkers, its diagnosis remains intricate. Diagnosing fungal asthma requires carefully assessing the patient's clinical history, immunological tests, and imaging. Depending on the severity, patients with fungal asthma require personalized treatment plans, including inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators, and antifungal therapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the association between Aspergillus and asthma by reviewing the relevant literature and highlighting key findings. We discuss the diagnosis of various entities included in fungal asthma. We also debate whether newer definitions, including allergic fungal airway disease, offer any additional advantages over the existing ones. Finally, we provide the current treatment options for the individual entities, including A. fumigatus-associated asthma, severe asthma with fungal sensitization, and allergic bronchopulmonary mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh Agarwal
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
| | - Valliappan Muthu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Inderpaul Singh Sehgal
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
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24
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Djenontin E, Costa JM, Mousavi B, Nguyen LDN, Guillot J, Delhaes L, Botterel F, Dannaoui E. The Molecular Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility of Clinical Isolates of Aspergillus Section Flavi from Three French Hospitals. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2429. [PMID: 37894087 PMCID: PMC10609271 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Aspergillus flavus is a cosmopolitan mold with medical, veterinary, and agronomic concerns. Its morphological similarity to other cryptic species of the Flavi section requires molecular identification techniques that are not routinely performed. For clinical isolates of Aspergillus section Flavi, we present the molecular identification, susceptibility to six antifungal agents, and clinical context of source patients. (2) Methods: One hundred forty fungal clinical isolates were included in the study. These isolates, recovered over a 15-year period (2001-2015), were identified based on their morphological characteristics as belonging to section Flavi. After the subculture, sequencing of a part of the β-tubulin and calmodulin genes was performed, and resistance to azole antifungals was screened on agar plates containing itraconazole and voriconazole. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined for 120 isolates by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) broth microdilution method. (3) Results: Partial β-tubulin and calmodulin sequences analysis showed that 138/140 isolates were A. flavus sensu stricto, 1 isolate was A. parasiticus/sojae, and 1 was A. nomiae. Many of the isolates came from samples collected in the context of respiratory tract colonization. Among probable or proven aspergillosis, respiratory infections were the most frequent, followed by ENT infections. Antifungal susceptibility testing was available for isolates (n = 120, all A. flavus ss) from one hospital. The MIC range (geometric mean MIC) in mg/L was 0.5-8 (0.77), 0.5-8 (1.03), 0.125-2 (0.25), 0.03-2 (0.22), 0.25-8 (1.91), and 0.03-0.125 (0.061) for voriconazole, isavuconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin, respectively. Two (1.67%) isolates showed resistance to isavuconazole according to current EUCAST breakpoints with MICs at 8 mg/L for isavuconazole and voriconazole. One of these two isolates was also resistant to itraconazole with MIC at 2 mg/L. (4) Conclusions: The present characterization of a large collection of Aspergillus belonging to the Flavi section confirmed that A. flavus ss is the predominant species. It is mainly implicated in respiratory and ENT infections. The emergence of resistance highlights the need to perform susceptibility tests on section Flavi isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Djenontin
- Dynamyc UPEC, EnvA, USC Anses, Faculté de Médecine de Créteil, 94010 Créteil, France; (E.D.); (B.M.); (F.B.)
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Universitaire Mondor, AP-HP, 8 Rue du Général Sarrail, 94010 Créteil, France
| | - Jean-Marc Costa
- Laboratoire CERBA, 11 Rue de l’Équerre, 95310 Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, France;
| | - Bita Mousavi
- Dynamyc UPEC, EnvA, USC Anses, Faculté de Médecine de Créteil, 94010 Créteil, France; (E.D.); (B.M.); (F.B.)
| | | | - Jacques Guillot
- Unité pédagogique de Dermatologie, Parasitologie, Mycologie, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire Agroalimentaire et de l’Alimentation Nantes Atlantique, Oniris, 44300 Nantes, France;
| | - Laurence Delhaes
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CNR des Aspergilloses Chroniques—CHU de Bordeaux, INSERM U1045—Univ. Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Françoise Botterel
- Dynamyc UPEC, EnvA, USC Anses, Faculté de Médecine de Créteil, 94010 Créteil, France; (E.D.); (B.M.); (F.B.)
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Universitaire Mondor, AP-HP, 8 Rue du Général Sarrail, 94010 Créteil, France
| | - Eric Dannaoui
- Dynamyc UPEC, EnvA, USC Anses, Faculté de Médecine de Créteil, 94010 Créteil, France; (E.D.); (B.M.); (F.B.)
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, AP-HP, 149 Rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France
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25
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Du L, Haldar S, King JB, Mattes AO, Srivastava S, Wendt KL, You J, Cunningham C, Cichewicz RH. Persephacin Is a Broad-Spectrum Antifungal Aureobasidin Metabolite That Overcomes Intrinsic Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:1980-1993. [PMID: 37523665 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Fungi pose a persistent threat to humankind with worrying indications that emerging and re-emerging pathogens (e.g., Candida auris, Coccidioides spp., drug-resistant Aspergilli, and more) exhibit resistance to the limited number of approved antifungals. To address this problem, our team is exploring endophytic fungi as a resource for the discovery of new antifungal natural products. The rationale behind this decision is based on evidence that endophytes engage with plants in mutualistic relationships wherein some fungi actively participate by producing chemical defense measures that suppress pathogenic microorganisms. To improve the odds of bioactive metabolite discovery, we developed a new hands-free laser-cutting system capable of generating >50 plant samples per minute that, in turn, enabled our team to prepare and screen large numbers of endophytic fungi. One of the fungal isolates obtained in this way was identified as an Elsinoë sp. that produced a unique aureobasidin analogue, persephacin (1). Some distinctive features of 1 are the absence of both phenylalanine residues combined with the incorporation of a novel amino acid residue, persephanine (9). Compound 1 exhibits potent antifungal effects against a large number of pathogenic yeast (including several clinical C. auris strains), as well as phylogenetically diverse filamentous fungi (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus). In an ex vivo eye infection model, compound 1 outperformed standard-of-care treatments demonstrating the ability to suppress fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans and A. fumigatus at a concentration (0.1% solution) well below the clinically recommended levels used for fluconazole and natamycin (2% and 5% solutions, respectively). In 3D tissue models for acute dermal and ocular safety, 1 was found to be nontoxic and nonirritating at concentrations required to elicit antifungal activity. Natural product 1 appears to be a promising candidate for further investigation as a broad-spectrum antifungal capable of controlling a range of pathogens that negatively impact human, animal, and plant health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Du
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Saikat Haldar
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Jarrod B King
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Allison O Mattes
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Shikha Srivastava
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Karen L Wendt
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Jianlan You
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Chad Cunningham
- Electronics & Instrument Shop, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Nielsen Hall, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Robert H Cichewicz
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
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26
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Barda O, Sadhasivam S, Gong D, Doron-Faigenboim A, Zakin V, Drott MT, Sionov E. Aneuploidy Formation in the Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus flavus in Response to Azole Stress. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0433922. [PMID: 37358460 PMCID: PMC10433848 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04339-22] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is a mycotoxigenic fungus that contaminates many important agricultural crops with aflatoxin B1, the most toxic and carcinogenic natural compound. This fungus is also the second leading cause of human invasive aspergillosis, after Aspergillus fumigatus, a disease that is particularly prevalent in immunocompromised individuals. Azole drugs are considered the most effective compounds in controlling Aspergillus infections both in clinical and agricultural settings. Emergence of azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. is typically associated with point mutations in cyp51 orthologs that encode lanosterol 14α-demethylase, a component of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway that is also the target of azoles. We hypothesized that alternative molecular mechanisms are also responsible for acquisition of azole resistance in filamentous fungi. We found that an aflatoxin-producing A. flavus strain adapted to voriconazole exposure at levels above the MIC through whole or segmental aneuploidy of specific chromosomes. We confirm a complete duplication of chromosome 8 in two sequentially isolated clones and a segmental duplication of chromosome 3 in another clone, emphasizing the potential diversity of aneuploidy-mediated resistance mechanisms. The plasticity of aneuploidy-mediated resistance was evidenced by the ability of voriconazole-resistant clones to revert to their original level of azole susceptibility following repeated transfers on drug-free media. This study provides new insights into mechanisms of azole resistance in a filamentous fungus. IMPORTANCE Fungal pathogens cause human disease and threaten global food security by contaminating crops with toxins (mycotoxins). Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic mycotoxigenic fungus that causes invasive and noninvasive aspergillosis, diseases with high rates of mortality in immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, this fungus contaminates most major crops with the notorious carcinogen, aflatoxin. Voriconazole is the drug of choice to treat infections caused by Aspergillus spp. Although azole resistance mechanisms have been well characterized in clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus, the molecular basis of azole resistance in A. flavus remains unclear. Whole-genome sequencing of eight voriconazole-resistant isolates revealed that, among other factors, A. flavus adapts to high concentrations of voriconazole by duplication of specific chromosomes (i.e., aneuploidy). Our discovery of aneuploidy-mediated resistance in a filamentous fungus represents a paradigm shift, as this type of resistance was previously thought to occur only in yeasts. This observation provides the first experimental evidence of aneuploidy-mediated azole resistance in the filamentous fungus A. flavus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer Barda
- Department of Food Sciences, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Sudharsan Sadhasivam
- Department of Food Sciences, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Di Gong
- Department of Food Sciences, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Adi Doron-Faigenboim
- Department of Vegetable and Field Crops, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Varda Zakin
- Department of Food Sciences, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Milton T. Drott
- Cereal Disease Laboratory, USDA-ARS, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Edward Sionov
- Department of Food Sciences, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
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Brito Devoto T, Hermida-Alva K, Posse G, Finquelievich JL, García-Effrón G, Cuestas ML. Antifungal susceptibility patterns for Aspergillus, Scedosporium, and Exophiala isolates recovered from cystic fibrosis patients against amphotericin B, and three triazoles and their impact after long-term therapies. Med Mycol 2023; 61:myad089. [PMID: 37591630 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad089] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, fungal colonization of the respiratory tract is frequently found. Aspergillus fumigatus, Scedosporium genus, and Exophiala dermatitidis are the most commonly isolated moulds from the respiratory tract secretions of CF patients. The aim of this 5-year surveillance study was to identify trends in species distribution and susceptibility patterns of 212 mould strains identified as Aspergillus spp., Scedosporium spp., and Exophiala spp., isolated from sputum of 63 CF patients who received long-term therapy with itraconazole (ITR) and/or voriconazole (VRC). The Aspergillus isolates were identified as members of the sections Fumigati (n = 130), Flavi (n = 22), Terrei (n = 20), Nigri (n = 8), Nidulantes (n = 1), and Usti (n = 1). Among the 16 species of the genus Scedosporium, 9 were S. apiospermum, 3 S. aurantiacum, and 4 S. boydii. Among the 14 Exophiala species, all were molecularly identified as E. dermatitidis. Overall, 94% (15/16) of Scedosporium spp., 50% (7/14) of E. dermatitidis, and 7.7% (14/182) of Aspergillus spp. strains showed high MIC values (≥8 µg/ml) for at least one antifungal. Particularly, 8.9% (19/212) of isolates showed high MIC values for amphotericin B, 11.7% (25/212) for ITR, 4.2% (9/212) for VRC, and 3.3% (7/212) for posaconazole. In some cases, such as some A. fumigatus and E. dermatitidis isolates recovered from the same patient, susceptibility to antifungal azoles decreased over time. We show that the use of azoles for a long time in CF patients causes the selection/isolation of mould strains with higher MIC values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Brito Devoto
- Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo en Micología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Katherine Hermida-Alva
- Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo en Micología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gladys Posse
- Laboratorio de Micología, Hospital Nacional Profesor Alejandro Posadas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge L Finquelievich
- Centro de Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guillermo García-Effrón
- Laboratorio de Micología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María L Cuestas
- Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo en Micología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Sprute R, Nacov JA, Neofytos D, Oliverio M, Prattes J, Reinhold I, Cornely OA, Stemler J. Antifungal prophylaxis and pre-emptive therapy: When and how? Mol Aspects Med 2023; 92:101190. [PMID: 37207579 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101190] [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: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The growing pool of critically ill or immunocompromised patients leads to a constant increase of life-threatening invasive infections by fungi such as Aspergillus spp., Candida spp. and Pneumocystis jirovecii. In response to this, prophylactic and pre-emptive antifungal treatment strategies have been developed and implemented for high-risk patient populations. The benefit by risk reduction needs to be carefully weighed against potential harm caused by prolonged exposure against antifungal agents. This includes adverse effects and development of resistance as well as costs for the healthcare system. In this review, we summarise evidence and discuss advantages and downsides of antifungal prophylaxis and pre-emptive treatment in the setting of malignancies such as acute leukaemia, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, CAR-T cell therapy, and solid organ transplant. We also address preventive strategies in patients after abdominal surgery and with viral pneumonia as well as individuals with inherited immunodeficiencies. Notable progress has been made in haematology research, where strong recommendations regarding antifungal prophylaxis and pre-emptive treatment are backed by data from randomized controlled trials, whereas other critical areas still lack high-quality evidence. In these areas, paucity of definitive data translates into centre-specific strategies that are based on interpretation of available data, local expertise, and epidemiology. The development of novel immunomodulating anticancer drugs, high-end intensive care treatment and the development of new antifungals with new modes of action, adverse effects and routes of administration will have implications on future prophylactic and pre-emptive approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanne Sprute
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Julia A Nacov
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Dionysios Neofytos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Transplant Infectious Disease Service, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Oliverio
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Juergen Prattes
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Graz, Austria
| | - Ilana Reinhold
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver A Cornely
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Clinical Trials Centre Cologne (ZKS Köln), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jannik Stemler
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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29
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Asadzadeh M, Alobaid K, Ahmad S, Mazloum S. First Report of Azole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus with TR 46/Y121F/T289A Mutations in Kuwait and an Update on Their Occurrence in the Middle East. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:784. [PMID: 37623555 PMCID: PMC10455753 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary aspergillosis is a common fungal infection with several clinical manifestations including invasive, allergic and chronic chest diseases. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a leading cause of death in immunocompromised patients, particularly those receiving chemotherapy and among bone marrow transplant recipients. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent causative agent and voriconazole is the first-line therapy for IPA. In this study, we report the first isolation of voriconazole-resistant A. fumigatus carrying TR46/Y121F/T289A mutations from an immunocompromised pregnant lady in Kuwait. The patient was successfully treated for a probable respiratory infection with caspofungin and voriconazole. The literature review from PubMed has identified itraconazole-resistant clinical and environmental A. fumigatus isolates with TR34/L98H mutations in the cyp51A from several Middle Eastern countries including Kuwait. However, clinical A. fumigatus isolates with cyp51A TR46/Y121F/T289A mutations have not been reported previously from any country in the region while environmental isolates have been reported only from Iran. The source of voriconazole-resistant A. fumigatus CYP51A TR46/Y121F/T289A mutant in our patient remained unknown. Surveillance for azole resistance among clinical and environmental isolates of A. fumigatus is warranted in Kuwait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Asadzadeh
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait;
| | - Khaled Alobaid
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jabriya 46300, Kuwait;
| | - Suhail Ahmad
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait;
| | - Sara Mazloum
- Microbiology Laboratory, Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, Ministry of Health, South Surra 91711, Kuwait;
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30
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Shelton JMG, Rhodes J, Uzzell CB, Hemmings S, Brackin AP, Sewell TR, Alghamdi A, Dyer PS, Fraser M, Borman AM, Johnson EM, Piel FB, Singer AC, Fisher MC. Citizen science reveals landscape-scale exposures to multiazole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus bioaerosols. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh8839. [PMID: 37478175 PMCID: PMC10361594 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh8839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Using a citizen science approach, we identify a country-wide exposure to aerosolized spores of a human fungal pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus, that has acquired resistance to the agricultural fungicide tebuconazole and first-line azole clinical antifungal drugs. Genomic analysis shows no distinction between resistant genotypes found in the environment and in patients, indicating that at least 40% of azole-resistant A. fumigatus infections are acquired from environmental exposures. Hotspots and coldspots of aerosolized azole-resistant spores were not stable between seasonal sampling periods. This suggests a high degree of atmospheric mixing resulting in an estimated per capita cumulative annual exposure of 21 days (±2.6). Because of the ubiquity of this measured exposure, it is imperative that we determine sources of azole-resistant A. fumigatus to reduce treatment failure in patients with aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. G. Shelton
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Johanna Rhodes
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Christopher B. Uzzell
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Samuel Hemmings
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Amelie P. Brackin
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas R. Sewell
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Asmaa Alghamdi
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Paul S. Dyer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mark Fraser
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Infections Service, Public Health England, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
| | - Andrew M. Borman
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Infections Service, Public Health England, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Elizabeth M. Johnson
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Infections Service, Public Health England, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Frédéric B. Piel
- NIHR HPRU in Environmental Exposures and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Matthew C. Fisher
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Gyurtane Szabo N, Joste V, Houzé S, Dannaoui E, Bonnal C. Comparison of the Micronaut-AM System and the EUCAST Broth Microdilution Reference Method for MIC Determination of Four Antifungals against Aspergillus fumigatus. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:721. [PMID: 37504710 PMCID: PMC10381152 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Antifungal Susceptibility Testing method of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST-AFST) is a reference technique for the determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of antifungals for Aspergillus fumigatus. However, it is time-consuming and requires expertise. Micronaut-AM (M-AM) is a fast, simple, time-saving, and ready-to-use new colorimetric method using an indicator (resazurin) to facilitate the visual reading. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the performance of the M-AM system and compare it with the EUCAST broth microdilution reference method to determine the susceptibility of 77 A. fumigatus clinical strains to amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole. Overall, the essential agreements within ±2 dilutions were 100%, 62%, 58%, and 30% and the categorical agreements were 100%, 97%, 91%, and 87% for amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole, respectively. No categorical discrepancy was found for amphotericin B, but several categorical discordances were observed with azole antifungals. However, only 2 of the 16 azole-resistant strains confirmed by the cyp51A sequencing would have been misclassified by M-AM. The use of M-AM is probably suitable for the determination of the MICs of amphotericin B, but further evaluations are needed to confirm its usefulness for the determination of the MICs of azoles for A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolett Gyurtane Szabo
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, CHU Bichat-Claude-Bernard, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Valentin Joste
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, CHU Bichat-Claude-Bernard, 75018 Paris, France
- MERIT, IRD, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Houzé
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, CHU Bichat-Claude-Bernard, 75018 Paris, France
- MERIT, IRD, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Eric Dannaoui
- Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Service de Microbiologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, 75015 Paris, France
- DYNAMYC 7380, Faculté de Santé, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), 94010 Créteil, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Christine Bonnal
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, CHU Bichat-Claude-Bernard, 75018 Paris, France
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32
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Parsons MG, Diekema DJ. What Is New in Fungal Infections? Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100187. [PMID: 37059227 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100187] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality. We provide a summary of important changes in the epidemiology of invasive fungal infections, citing examples of new emerging pathogens, expanding populations who are at-risk, and increasing antifungal resistance. We review how human activity and climate change may play a role in some of these changes. Finally, we discuss how these changes create the need for advances in fungal diagnostics. The limitations of existing fungal diagnostic testing emphasize the critically important role of histopathology in the early recognition of fungal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith G Parsons
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Daniel J Diekema
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa; Department and Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa.
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Naicker S, Mohanlall V, Ngubane S, Mellem J, Mchunu NP. Phenotypic Array for Identification and Screening of Antifungals against Aspergillus Isolates from Respiratory Infections in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:616. [PMID: 37367552 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid emergence of invasive fungal infections correlates with the increasing population of immunocompromised individuals, with many cases leading to death. The progressive increase in the incidence of Aspergillus isolates is even more severe due to the clinical challenges in treating invasive infections in immunocompromised patients with respiratory conditions. Rapid detection and diagnosis are needed to reduce mortality in individuals with invasive aspergillosis-related infections and thus efficient identification impacts clinical success. The phenotypic array method was compared to conventional morphology and molecular identification on thirty-six Aspergillus species isolated from patients with respiratory infections at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital in Kwa-Zulu Natal. In addition, an antimicrobial array was also carried out to screen for possible novel antimicrobial compounds for treatment. Although traditional morphological techniques are useful, genetic identification was the most reliable, assigning 26 to Aspergillus fumigatus species, 8 Aspergillus niger, and 2 Aspergillus flavus including cryptic species of A. niger, A. tubingensis and A. welwitschiae. The phenotypic array technique was only able to identify isolates up to the genus level due to a lack of adequate reference clinical species in the database. However, this technique proved crucial in assessing a wide range of possible antimicrobial options after these isolates exhibited some resistance to azoles. Antifungal profiles of the thirty-six isolates on the routine azole voriconazole showed a resistance of 6%, with 61% having moderate susceptibility. All isolates resistant to the salvage therapy drug, posaconazole pose a serious concern. Significantly, A. niger was the only species resistant (25%) to voriconazole and has recently been reported as the species isolated from patients with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Phenotypic microarray showed that 83% of the isolates were susceptible to the 24 new compounds and novel compounds were identified for potentially effective combination treatment of fungal infections. This study also reports the first TR34/98 mutation in Aspergillus clinical isolates which is located in the cyp51A gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarla Naicker
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Viresh Mohanlall
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Sandile Ngubane
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - John Mellem
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
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Abstract
In cystic fibrosis, a new era has started with the approval and use of highly effective cystic fibrosis transport regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy. As pulmonary function is increasing and exacerbation rate significantly decreases, the current meaning of fungal pulmonary diseases is questioned. During the past couple of decades, several studies have been conducted regarding fungal colonization and infection of the airways in people with cystic fibrosis. Although Aspergillus fumigatus for filamentous fungi and Candida albicans for yeasts remain by far the most common fungal species in patients with cystic fibrosis, the pattern of fungal species associated with cystic fibrosis has considerably diversified recently. Fungi such as Scedosporium apiospermum or Exophiala dermatitidis are recognized as pathogenic in cystic fibrosis and therefore need attention in clinical settings. In this article, current definitions are stated. Important diagnostic steps are described, and their usefulness discussed. Furthermore, clinical treatment strategies and recommendations are named and evaluated. In cystic fibrosis, fungal entities can be divided into different subgroups. Besides colonization, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, bronchitis, sensitization, pneumonia, and aspergilloma can occur as a fungal disease entity. For allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and aspergilloma, clear indications for therapy exist but this is not the case for sensitization or colonization. Different pulmonary fungal disease entities in people with cystic fibrosis will continue to occur also in an era of highly effective CFTR modulator therapy. Whether the percentage will decrease or not will be the task of future evaluations in studies and registry analysis. Using the established definition for different categories of fungal diseases is recommended and should be taken into account if patients are deteriorating without responding to antibiotic treatment. Drug-drug interactions, in particular when using azoles, should be recognized and therapies need to be adjusted accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Schwarz
- Department of Education and Research, Health and Medical University-Health and Medical University Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,Division of Cystic Fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis Center West Brandenburg, Postdam, Germany
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35
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Mayandi V, Kang WT, Ting DSJ, Goh ETL, Lynn MN, Aung TT, Vadivelu J, Barathi VA, Chan ASY, Lakshminarayanan R. Propranolol Ameliorates the Antifungal Activity of Azoles in Invasive Candidiasis. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041044. [PMID: 37111530 PMCID: PMC10144167 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The effectiveness of current antifungal therapies is hampered by the emergence of drug resistance strains, highlighting an urgent need for new alternatives such as adjuvant antifungal treatments. This study aims to examine the synergism between propranolol and antifungal drugs, based on the premise that propranolol is known to inhibit fungal hyphae. In vitro studies demonstrate that propranolol potentiates the antifungal activity of azoles and that the effect is more pronounced for propranolol-itraconazole combination. Using an in vivo murine systemic candidemia model, we show that propranolol-itraconazole combination treatment resulted in a lower rate of body weight loss, decreased kidney fungal bioburden and renal inflammation when compared to propranolol and azole treatment alone or untreated control. Altogether, our findings suggest that propranolol increases the efficacy of azoles against C. albicans, offering a new therapeutic strategy against invasive fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatesh Mayandi
- Ocular Infections and Anti-Microbials Research, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Wen-Tyng Kang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Darren Shu Jeng Ting
- Ocular Infections and Anti-Microbials Research, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Eunice Tze Leng Goh
- Ocular Infections and Anti-Microbials Research, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Myoe Naing Lynn
- Translational Ophthalmic Pathology-Immunology Platform, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Thet Tun Aung
- Ocular Infections and Anti-Microbials Research, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Jamuna Vadivelu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Veluchamy Amutha Barathi
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Translational Pre-Clinical Model Platform, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Anita Sook Yee Chan
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Translational Pre-Clinical Model Platform, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Rajamani Lakshminarayanan
- Ocular Infections and Anti-Microbials Research, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117559, Singapore
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36
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Scott J, Valero C, Mato-López Á, Donaldson IJ, Roldán A, Chown H, Van Rhijn N, Lobo-Vega R, Gago S, Furukawa T, Morogovsky A, Ben Ami R, Bowyer P, Osherov N, Fontaine T, Goldman GH, Mellado E, Bromley M, Amich J. Aspergillus fumigatus Can Display Persistence to the Fungicidal Drug Voriconazole. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0477022. [PMID: 36912663 PMCID: PMC10100717 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04770-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a filamentous fungus that can infect the lungs of patients with immunosuppression and/or underlying lung diseases. The mortality associated with chronic and invasive aspergillosis infections remain very high, despite availability of antifungal treatments. In the last decade, there has been a worrisome emergence and spread of resistance to the first-line antifungals, the azoles. The mortality caused by resistant isolates is even higher, and patient management is complicated as the therapeutic options are reduced. Nevertheless, treatment failure is also common in patients infected with azole-susceptible isolates, which can be due to several non-mutually exclusive reasons, such as poor drug absorption. In addition, the phenomena of tolerance or persistence, where susceptible pathogens can survive the action of an antimicrobial for extended periods, have been associated with treatment failure in bacterial infections, and their occurrence in fungal infections already proposed. Here, we demonstrate that some isolates of A. fumigatus display persistence to voriconazole. A subpopulation of the persister isolates can survive for extended periods and even grow at low rates in the presence of supra-MIC of voriconazole and seemingly other azoles. Persistence cannot be eradicated with adjuvant drugs or antifungal combinations and seemed to reduce the efficacy of treatment for certain individuals in a Galleria mellonella model of infection. Furthermore, persistence implies a distinct transcriptional profile, demonstrating that it is an active response. We propose that azole persistence might be a relevant and underestimated factor that could influence the outcome of infection in human aspergillosis. IMPORTANCE The phenomena of antibacterial tolerance and persistence, where pathogenic microbes can survive for extended periods in the presence of cidal drug concentrations, have received significant attention in the last decade. Several mechanisms of action have been elucidated, and their relevance for treatment failure in bacterial infections demonstrated. In contrast, our knowledge of antifungal tolerance and, in particular, persistence is still very limited. In this study, we have characterized the response of the prominent fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus to the first-line therapy antifungal voriconazole. We comprehensively show that some isolates display persistence to this fungicidal antifungal and propose various potential mechanisms of action. In addition, using an alternative model of infection, we provide initial evidence to suggest that persistence may cause treatment failure in some individuals. Therefore, we propose that azole persistence is an important factor to consider and further investigate in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Scott
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Clara Valero
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Álvaro Mato-López
- Mycology Reference Laboratory (Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Micología [LRIM]), National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ian J. Donaldson
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandra Roldán
- Mycology Reference Laboratory (Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Micología [LRIM]), National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Harry Chown
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Norman Van Rhijn
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rebeca Lobo-Vega
- Mycology Reference Laboratory (Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Micología [LRIM]), National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Gago
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Takanori Furukawa
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alma Morogovsky
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronen Ben Ami
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Paul Bowyer
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nir Osherov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Thierry Fontaine
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INRAE, USC2019, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Emilia Mellado
- Mycology Reference Laboratory (Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Micología [LRIM]), National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- CiberInfec ISCIII, CIBER en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael Bromley
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge Amich
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Mycology Reference Laboratory (Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Micología [LRIM]), National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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Sharma C, Kadosh D. Perspective on the origin, resistance, and spread of the emerging human fungal pathogen Candida auris. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011190. [PMID: 36952448 PMCID: PMC10035752 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cheshta Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - David Kadosh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
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Martins-Santana L, Rezende CP, Rossi A, Martinez-Rossi NM, Almeida F. Addressing Microbial Resistance Worldwide: Challenges over Controlling Life-Threatening Fungal Infections. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020293. [PMID: 36839565 PMCID: PMC9961291 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a serious global concern because of their ability to spread and colonize host tissues in immunocompromised individuals. Such infections have been frequently reported worldwide and are currently gaining clinical research relevance owing to their resistant character, representing a bottleneck in treating affected people. Resistant fungi are an emergent public health threat. The upsurge of such pathogens has led to new research toward unraveling the destructive potential evoked by these species. Some fungi-grouped into Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus-are causative agents of severe and systemic infections. They are associated with high mortality rates and have recently been described as sources of coinfection in COVID-hospitalized patients. Despite the efforts to elucidate the challenges of colonization, dissemination, and infection severity, the immunopathogenesis of fungal diseases remains a pivotal characteristic in fungal burden elimination. The struggle between the host immune system and the physiological strategies of the fungi to maintain cellular viability is complex. In this brief review, we highlight the relevance of drug resistance phenotypes in fungi of clinical significance, taking into consideration their physiopathology and how the scientific community could orchestrate their efforts to avoid fungal infection dissemination and deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Martins-Santana
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Caroline Patini Rezende
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Antonio Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Nilce Maria Martinez-Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Fausto Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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39
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Berikashvili V, Khardziani T, Kobakhidze A, Kulp M, Kuhtinskaja M, Lukk T, Gargano ML, Venturella G, Kachlishvili E, Metreveli E, Elisashvili VI, Asatiani M. Antifungal Activity of Medicinal Mushrooms and Optimization of Submerged Culture Conditions for Schizophyllum commune (Agaricomycetes). Int J Med Mushrooms 2023; 25:1-21. [PMID: 37830193 DOI: 10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.2023049836] [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: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The main goal of the present study was the exploration of the antifungal properties of Agaricomycetes mushrooms. Among twenty-three tested mushrooms against A. niger, B. cinerea, F. oxysporum, and G. bidwellii, Schizophyllum commune demonstrated highest inhibition rates and showed 35.7%, 6.5%, 50.4%, and 66.0% of growth inhibition, respectively. To reveal culture conditions enhancing the antifungal potential of Sch. commune, several carbon (lignocellulosic substrates among them) and nitrogen sources and their optimal concentrations were investigated. Presence of 6% mandarin juice production waste (MJPW) and 6% of peptone in nutrient medium promoted antifungal activity of selected mushroom. It was determined that, extracts obtained in the presence of MJPW effectively inhibited the grow of pathogenic fungi. Moreover, the content of phenolic compounds in the extracts obtained from Sch. commune grown on MJPW was several times higher (0.87 ± 0.05 GAE/g to 2.38 ± 0.08 GAE/g) than the extracts obtained from the mushroom grown on the synthetic (glycerol contained) nutrient medium (0.21 ± 0.03 GAE/g to 0.88 ± 0.05 GAE/g). Flavonoid contents in the extracts from Sch. commune varied from 0.58 ± 0.03 to 27.2 ± 0.8 mg QE/g. Identification of phenolic compounds composition in water and ethanol extracts were provided by mass spectrometry analysis. Extracts demonstrate considerable free radical scavenging activities and the IC50 values were generally low for the extracts, ranging from 1.9 mg/ml to 6.7 mg/ml. All the samples displayed a positive correlation between their concentration (0.05-15.0 mg/ml) and DPPH radical scavenging activity. This investigation revealed that Sch. commune mushroom has great potential to be used as a source of antifungal and antioxidant substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Berikashvili
- The Institute of Microbial Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Georgia, 0131 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Tamar Khardziani
- Durmishidze Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Academy of Science of Georgia, 10 km Agmashenebeli kheivani, 0159 Tbilisi, Georgia; Institute of Microbial Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Aza Kobakhidze
- The Institute of Microbial Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Georgia, 0131 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Maria Kulp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Maria Kuhtinskaja
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Tiit Lukk
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Maria Letizia Gargano
- Departament of Schol, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola, 165/A - 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Venturella
- Italian Society of Medicinal Mushrooms, Pisa, Italy; Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Eva Kachlishvili
- The Institute of Microbial Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Georgia, 0131 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Eka Metreveli
- The Institute of Microbial Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Georgia, 0131 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Vladimir I Elisashvili
- The Institute of Microbial Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Georgia, 0131 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Mikheil Asatiani
- The Institute of Microbial Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Georgia, 0131 Tbilisi, Georgia
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40
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Specific Focus on Antifungal Peptides against Azole Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 9:jof9010042. [PMID: 36675863 PMCID: PMC9864941 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of fungal infections is increasing worldwide, especially that of aspergillosis, which previously only affected people with immunosuppression. Aspergillus fumigatus can cause allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and endangers public health due to resistance to azole-type antimycotics such as fluconazole. Antifungal peptides are viable alternatives that combat infection by forming pores in membranes through electrostatic interactions with the phospholipids as well as cell death to peptides that inhibit protein synthesis and inhibit cell replication. Engineering antifungal peptides with nanotechnology can enhance the efficacy of these therapeutics at lower doses and reduce immune responses. This manuscript explains how antifungal peptides combat antifungal-resistant aspergillosis and also how rational peptide design with nanotechnology and artificial intelligence can engineer peptides to be a feasible antifungal alternative.
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41
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Wang Q, Li Y, Li Y, Osherov N, Goldman GH, Verweij PE, Zheng B, Li R, Chen W, Liang T, Wan Z, Liu W. Triazole-resistant Aspergillus luchuensis, an industrially important black Aspergillus spp. used in fermentation in East Asia, isolated from the patient with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in China. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:1435-1438. [PMID: 35536092 PMCID: PMC9154756 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2076614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus luchuensis, an industrially important member of Aspergillus species belonging to section Nigri used in fermentation in East Asia, was isolated from an immunocompromised patient with probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis who failed voriconazole therapy in China. This isolate showed non-wild-type susceptibility to itraconazole, voriconazole, isavuconazole, and posaconazole. A G1378A mutation in cyp51A, resulting in the G441S amino acid substitution, which is the homolog to G448S conferring triazole-resistance in A. fumigatus, was detected in the A. luchuensis isolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Wang
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Li
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanming Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Nir Osherov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Paul E Verweij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Radboudumc - CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Bo Zheng
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruoyu Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyu Liang
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Wan
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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42
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Case NT, Berman J, Blehert DS, Cramer RA, Cuomo C, Currie CR, Ene IV, Fisher MC, Fritz-Laylin LK, Gerstein AC, Glass NL, Gow NAR, Gurr SJ, Hittinger CT, Hohl TM, Iliev ID, James TY, Jin H, Klein BS, Kronstad JW, Lorch JM, McGovern V, Mitchell AP, Segre JA, Shapiro RS, Sheppard DC, Sil A, Stajich JE, Stukenbrock EE, Taylor JW, Thompson D, Wright GD, Heitman J, Cowen LE. The future of fungi: threats and opportunities. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac224. [PMID: 36179219 PMCID: PMC9635647 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The fungal kingdom represents an extraordinary diversity of organisms with profound impacts across animal, plant, and ecosystem health. Fungi simultaneously support life, by forming beneficial symbioses with plants and producing life-saving medicines, and bring death, by causing devastating diseases in humans, plants, and animals. With climate change, increased antimicrobial resistance, global trade, environmental degradation, and novel viruses altering the impact of fungi on health and disease, developing new approaches is now more crucial than ever to combat the threats posed by fungi and to harness their extraordinary potential for applications in human health, food supply, and environmental remediation. To address this aim, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund convened a workshop to unite leading experts on fungal biology from academia and industry to strategize innovative solutions to global challenges and fungal threats. This report provides recommendations to accelerate fungal research and highlights the major research advances and ideas discussed at the meeting pertaining to 5 major topics: (1) Connections between fungi and climate change and ways to avert climate catastrophe; (2) Fungal threats to humans and ways to mitigate them; (3) Fungal threats to agriculture and food security and approaches to ensure a robust global food supply; (4) Fungal threats to animals and approaches to avoid species collapse and extinction; and (5) Opportunities presented by the fungal kingdom, including novel medicines and enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola T Case
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Judith Berman
- Shmunis School of Biomedical and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - David S Blehert
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Robert A Cramer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Christina Cuomo
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Cameron R Currie
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Iuliana V Ene
- Department of Mycology, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris 75015, France
| | - Matthew C Fisher
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College, London W2 1PG, UK
| | | | - Aleeza C Gerstein
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Statistics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - N Louise Glass
- Plant and Microbial Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Neil A R Gow
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Sarah J Gurr
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Chris Todd Hittinger
- Laboratory of Genetics, Center for Genomic Science Innovation, J.F. Crow Institute for the Study of Evolution, DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Tobias M Hohl
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Iliyan D Iliev
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Timothy Y James
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California—Riverside, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - Bruce S Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - James W Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jeffrey M Lorch
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | | | - Aaron P Mitchell
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Julia A Segre
- Microbial Genomics Section, Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Donald C Sheppard
- McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunology, Departments of Medicine, Microbiology & Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Anita Sil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California—Riverside, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - Eva E Stukenbrock
- Max Planck Fellow Group Environmental Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön 24306, Germany
- Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel 24118, Germany
| | - John W Taylor
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California—Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | - Gerard D Wright
- M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Medicine, and Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
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James JE, Santhanam J, Cannon RD, Lamping E. Voriconazole Treatment Induces a Conserved Sterol/Pleiotropic Drug Resistance Regulatory Network, including an Alternative Ergosterol Biosynthesis Pathway, in the Clinically Important FSSC Species, Fusarium keratoplasticum. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8101070. [PMID: 36294635 PMCID: PMC9605146 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusarium keratoplasticum is the Fusarium species most commonly associated with human infections (fusariosis). Antifungal treatment of fusariosis is often hampered by limited treatment options due to resistance towards azole antifungals. The mechanisms of antifungal resistance and sterol biosynthesis in fusaria are poorly understood. Therefore, in this study we assessed the transcriptional response of F. keratoplasticum when exposed to voriconazole. Our results revealed a group of dramatically upregulated ergosterol biosynthesis gene duplicates, most notably erg6A (912-fold), cyp51A (52-fold) and ebp1 (20-fold), which are likely part of an alternative ergosterol biosynthesis salvage pathway. The presence of human cholesterol biosynthesis gene homologs in F. keratoplasticum (ebp1, dhcr7 and dhcr24_1, dhcr24_2 and dhcr24_3) suggests that additional sterol biosynthesis pathways may be induced in fusaria under other growth conditions or during host invasion. Voriconazole also induced the expression of a number of ABC efflux pumps. Further investigations suggested that the highly conserved master regulator of ergosterol biosynthesis, FkSR, and the pleiotropic drug resistance network that induces zinc-cluster transcription factor FkAtrR coordinate the response of FSSC species to azole antifungal exposure. In-depth genome mining also helped clarify the ergosterol biosynthesis pathways of moulds and provided a better understanding of antifungal drug resistance mechanisms in fusaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper E. James
- Biomedical Science Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Jacinta Santhanam
- Biomedical Science Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (R.D.C.); (E.L.); Tel.: +60-3-9289-7039 (J.S.); +64-3-479-7081 (R.D.C.); +64-3-479-5290 (E.L.)
| | - Richard D. Cannon
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (R.D.C.); (E.L.); Tel.: +60-3-9289-7039 (J.S.); +64-3-479-7081 (R.D.C.); +64-3-479-5290 (E.L.)
| | - Erwin Lamping
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (R.D.C.); (E.L.); Tel.: +60-3-9289-7039 (J.S.); +64-3-479-7081 (R.D.C.); +64-3-479-5290 (E.L.)
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44
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Cui X, Wang L, Lü Y, Yue C. Development and research progress of anti-drug resistant fungal drugs. J Infect Public Health 2022; 15:986-1000. [PMID: 35981408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With the widespread use of immunosuppressive agents and the increase in patients with severe infections, the incidence of fungal infections worldwide has increased year by year. The fungal pathogens Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus cause a total of more than 1 million deaths each year. Long-term use of antifungal drugs can easily lead to fungal resistance, and the prevalence of drug-resistant fungi is a major global health challenge. In order to effectively control global fungal infections, there is an urgent need for new drugs that can exert effective antifungal activity and overcome drug resistance. We must promote the discovery of new antifungal targets and drugs, and find effective ways to control drug-resistant fungi through different ways, so as to reduce the threat of drug-resistant fungi to human life, health and safety. In the past few years, certain progress has been made in the research and development of antifungal drugs. In addition to summarizing some of the antifungal drugs currently approved by the FDA, this review also focuses on potential antifungal drugs, the repositioned drugs, and drugs that can treat drug-resistant bacteria and fungal infections, and provide new ideas for the development of antifungal drugs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyi Cui
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Drugs Innovation and Transformation of Yan'an, School of Basic Medicine, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, Shaanxi, China; Shaanxi Engineering & Technological Research Center for Conversation & Utilization of Regional Biological Resources,Yan'an University, NO.580 Shengdi Road, Baota District, Yan'an 716000, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Lanlin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Drugs Innovation and Transformation of Yan'an, School of Basic Medicine, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, Shaanxi, China; Shaanxi Engineering & Technological Research Center for Conversation & Utilization of Regional Biological Resources,Yan'an University, NO.580 Shengdi Road, Baota District, Yan'an 716000, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yuhong Lü
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Drugs Innovation and Transformation of Yan'an, School of Basic Medicine, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, Shaanxi, China; Shaanxi Engineering & Technological Research Center for Conversation & Utilization of Regional Biological Resources,Yan'an University, NO.580 Shengdi Road, Baota District, Yan'an 716000, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Changwu Yue
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Drugs Innovation and Transformation of Yan'an, School of Basic Medicine, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, Shaanxi, China; Shaanxi Engineering & Technological Research Center for Conversation & Utilization of Regional Biological Resources,Yan'an University, NO.580 Shengdi Road, Baota District, Yan'an 716000, Shaanxi, China.
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45
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James JE, Santhanam J, Zakaria L, Mamat Rusli N, Abu Bakar M, Suetrong S, Sakayaroj J, Abdul Razak MF, Lamping E, Cannon RD. Morphology, Phenotype, and Molecular Identification of Clinical and Environmental Fusarium solani Species Complex Isolates from Malaysia. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080845. [PMID: 36012833 PMCID: PMC9409803 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusarium infections in humans (fusariosis) and in economically important plants involve species of several Fusarium species complexes. Species of the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) are the most frequent cause of human fusariosis. The FSSC comprises more than 60 closely related species that can be separated into three major clades by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) using translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α) and RNA polymerase II (RPB2) DNA sequences. The MLST nomenclature for clade 3 of the FSSC assigns numbers to species types (e.g., FSSC 2) and lowercase letters to identify unique haplotypes. The aim of this study was to analyse the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of 15 environmental and 15 clinical FSSC isolates from Malaysia. MLST was used for the genotypic characterisation of FSSC isolates from various locations within Malaysia, which was complemented by their morphological characterisation on potato dextrose and carnation leaf agar. MLST identified eight different FSSC species: thirteen Fusarium keratoplasticum (i.e., FSSC 2), six Fusarium suttonianum (FSSC 20), five Fusarium falciforme (FSSC 3+4), two Fusarium cyanescens (FSSC 27), and one each of Fusarium petroliphilum (FSSC 1), Fusarium waltergamsii (FSSC 7), Fusarium sp. (FSSC 12), and Fusarium striatum (FSSC 21). Consistent with previous reports from Malaysia, most (11 of 15) clinical FSSC isolates were F. keratoplasticum and the majority (9 of 15) of environmental isolates were F. suttonianum (5) or F. falciforme (4) strains. The taxonomic relationships of the isolates were resolved phylogenetically. The eight Fusarium species also showed distinct morphological characteristics, but these were less clearly defined and reached across species boundaries. Although TEF1-α and RPB2 sequences were sufficient for the species identification of most FSSC isolates, a more precise MLST scheme needs to be established to reliably assign individual isolates of the species-rich FSSC to their geographically-, epidemiologically-, and host-associated sub-lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper E. James
- Biomedical Science Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
| | - Jacinta Santhanam
- Biomedical Science Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +603-9289-7039
| | - Latiffah Zakaria
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia
| | - Nuraini Mamat Rusli
- Biomedical Science Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
| | - Mariahyati Abu Bakar
- Biomedical Science Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
| | - Satinee Suetrong
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Jariya Sakayaroj
- School of Science, Wailalak University, Nakhonsithammarat 80161, Thailand
| | - Mohd Fuat Abdul Razak
- Bacteriology Unit, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Health, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia
| | - Erwin Lamping
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Richard D. Cannon
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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46
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Daloh M, Wisessombat S, Pinchai N, Santajit S, Bhoopong P, Soaart A, Chueajeen K, Jitlang A, Sama‐ae I. High prevalence and genetic diversity of a single ancestral origin Azole‐resistant
Aspergillus fumigatus
in indoor environments at Walailak University, Southern Thailand. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:4641-4651. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sueptrakool Wisessombat
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences Walailak University, Thasala District, Nakhonsithammarat Thailand
- Center of Excellence Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms (CERMM) Walailak University, Thasala District, Nakhonsithammarat Thailand
| | - Nadthanan Pinchai
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University, Bangkoknoi Bangkok Thailand
| | - Sirijan Santajit
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences Walailak University, Thasala District, Nakhonsithammarat Thailand
- Research Center in Tropical Pathobiology Walailak University, Thasala District, Nakhonsithammarat Thailand
| | - Phuangthip Bhoopong
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences Walailak University, Thasala District, Nakhonsithammarat Thailand
| | - Areeya Soaart
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences Walailak University, Thasala District, Nakhonsithammarat Thailand
| | - Kuntida Chueajeen
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences Walailak University, Thasala District, Nakhonsithammarat Thailand
| | - Anucha Jitlang
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences Walailak University, Thasala District, Nakhonsithammarat Thailand
| | - Imran Sama‐ae
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences Walailak University, Thasala District, Nakhonsithammarat Thailand
- Center of Excellence Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms (CERMM) Walailak University, Thasala District, Nakhonsithammarat Thailand
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47
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Novel agents in the treatment of invasive fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2022; 27:235-242. [PMID: 36354248 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recipients of solid organ transplants (SOTs) suffer a significant burden of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). The emergence of drug-resistant fungi and toxicities of currently used antifungal agents as well as drug-drug interactions with immunosuppressants make their treatment challenging. This review discusses selected novel antifungal agents in the development pipeline that can currently be used through clinical trials or may be commercially available in the near future. RECENT FINDINGS These agents in development have novel pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, expanded spectra of activity and excellent safety profiles. SUMMARY The properties of novel antifungal agents have the potential to expand the therapeutic options for IFIs in recipients of SOTs.
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48
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Amona MF, Oladele RO, Resendiz-Sharpe A, Denning DW, Kosmidis C, Lagrou K, Zhong H, Han L. Triazole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in Africa: a systematic review. Med Mycol 2022; 60:6652216. [PMID: 35906879 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emergence of triazole resistance has been observed in Aspergillus fumigatus over the past decade including in Africa. This review summarizes the current published data on the epidemiology and reported mechanisms of triazole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus (TRAF) in both environmental and clinical isolates from Africa. Searches on databases Medline, PubMed, HINARI, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar on triazole resistance published between 2000 and 2021 from Africa were performed. Isolate source, antifungal susceptibility using internationally recognized methods, cyp51A mechanism of resistance and genotype were collected. Eleven published African studies were found that fitted the search criteria; these were subsequently analyzed. In total this constituted of 1686 environmental and 46 clinical samples. A TRAF prevalence of 17.1% (66/387) and 1,3% (5/387) was found in respectively environmental and clinical settings in African studies. Resistant to itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole was documented. Most of the triazole-resistant isolates (30/71, 42.25%) were found to possess the TR34/L98H mutation in the cyp51A-gene; fewer with TR46/Y121F/T289A (n = 8), F46Y/M172V/E427K (n = 1), G54E (n = 13), and M172V (n = 1) mutations. African isolates with the TR34/L98H, TR46/Y121F/T289A and the G54E mutations were closely related and could be grouped in one of two clusters (cluster-B), whereas the cyp51A-M172V mutation clustered with most cyp51A- WT strains (cluster-A). A single case from Kenya shows that TR34/L98H from environmental and clinical isolates are closely related. Our findings highlight that triazole resistance in environmental and clinical A. fumigatus is a cause for concern in a number of African countries. There is need for epidemiological surveillance to determine the true burden of the problem in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Modeste Fructueux Amona
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.,Research Center and Study of Infectious and Tropical Pathologies, Oyo, Republic of Congo
| | - Rita Okeoghene Oladele
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Agustin Resendiz-Sharpe
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David W Denning
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, the University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Kosmidis
- National Aspergillosis Centre, Manchester University Foundation Trust, UK, and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, the University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hanying Zhong
- Department for Disinfection and Infection Control, Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Li Han
- Department for Disinfection and Infection Control, Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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49
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Peres da Silva R, Brock M. NIH4215: A mutation-prone thiamine auxotrophic clinical Aspergillus fumigatus isolate. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:908343. [PMID: 37746208 PMCID: PMC10512395 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.908343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the main cause of life-threatening invasive aspergillosis. Despite the availability of various antifungals, therapy remains challenging and requires further studies. Accordingly, the clinical A. fumigatus isolate NIH4215 deriving from a fatal case of human pulmonary aspergillosis has frequently been used in drug efficacy studies. Unexpectedly, our initial attempts to generate a bioluminescent reporter of strain NIH4215 for in vivo drug efficacy studies failed, as NIH4215 was unable to grow on defined minimal medium. Subsequent analyses discovered a previously undescribed thiamine auxotrophy of strain NIH4215 and transformation with thiamine biosynthesis genes from A. fumigatus strain Af293 identified the nmt1 gene as cause of the thiamine auxotrophy. Sequencing of the defective nmt1 gene revealed the loss of a cysteine codon within an essential iron-binding motif. Subsequently, the wild-type nmt1 gene was successfully used to generate a bioluminescent reporter strain in NIH4215 by simultaneously deleting the akuB locus. The resulting bioluminescent ΔakuB strains showed a high frequency of homologous integration as confirmed by generation of pyrG and niaD deletion mutants. When tested in a Galleria mellonella infection model, neither thiamine auxotrophy nor the deletion of the akuB locus had a significant effect on virulence. However, besides thiamine auxotrophy, sectors with altered morphology and albino mutants frequently arose on colony edges of strain NIH4215 and its derivatives, and stable albino mutants were successfully isolated. A proposed increased mutation rate of NIH4215 was confirmed by screening for spontaneous occurrence of fluoorotic acid resistant mutants. Independent mutations in the pyrG and pyrE gene were identified in the fluoroorotic acid resistant NIH4215 isolates and the frequency of mutation was by at least one order of magnitude higher than that observed for the clinical A. fumigatus isolate CBS144.89. In summary, despite its virulence in animal models, strain NIH4215 is a thiamine auxotroph and prone to accumulate mutations. Our results suggest that thiamine biosynthesis is dispensable for host infection and mutation-prone strains such as NIH4215 could potentially facilitate the evolution of azole resistant strains as increasingly observed in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthias Brock
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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50
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Badiee P, Boekhout T, Zarei Mahmoudabadi A, Mohammadi R, Ayatollahi Mousavi SA, Najafzadeh MJ, Soltani J, Hashemi J, Diba K, Ghadimi-Moghadam A, Salimi-Khorashad AR, Shokohi T, Amin Shahidi M, Ghasemi F, Jafarian H. Multicenter Study of Susceptibility of Aspergillus Species Isolated from Iranian University Hospitals to Seven Antifungal Agents. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0253921. [PMID: 35579442 PMCID: PMC9241793 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02539-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species are a major cause of life-threatening invasive infections and noninvasive diseases. This study seeks to investigate the frequency of Aspergillus species among Iranian patients and their susceptibility to seven antifungals. In a cross-sectional study, 233 Aspergillus isolates were collected from 11 university hospitals in Iran between 2018 and 2021. Aspergillus isolates were identified based on colony morphology, microscopic characteristics, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and sequencing of the beta-tubulin gene. The CLSI M38-A2 reference methodology was used for antifungal susceptibility testing of amphotericin B, voriconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole, luliconazole, isavuconazole, and caspofungin. Members of Aspergillus section Flavi (117/233, 50.2%), Aspergillus section Nigri (77/233, 33.1%), Aspergillus section Fumigati (21/233, 9%), Aspergillus section Terrei (14/233, 6%), Aspergillus pseudodeflectus (2/233, 0.85%), and Aspergillus melleus (2/233, 0.85%) were isolated from the samples. The lowest 0.25 MIC90 values for all isolates tested were for luliconazole (0.016 μg/mL) and isavuconazole (0.250 μg/mL), and the highest value was observed for itraconazole (≥ 8μg/mL). The 90% minimum effective concentration (MEC90) value for caspofungin was 0.125 μg/mL. MIC90 values for voriconazole, amphotericin B, and posaconazole were 1, 2, and 2 μg/mL, respectively. The non-wild-type species were presented for amphotericin B (3%), voriconazole (1.3%), posaconazole (2.6%), luliconazole (1.3%), isavuconazole (1.7%), and caspofungin (4.7%). Positive correlations in the MIC values of azole antifungals were observed, and using one azole increases the MIC value rates of other ones. None of the species were pan-azole resistant. Species of Aspergillus section Flavi were the most common Aspergillus species isolated from Iranian samples. Luliconazole, caspofungin, and isavuconazole present the most effective antifungal agents for treatment of infection due to Aspergillus species. Susceptibility tests should be performed frequently in each region for the best management of patients. IMPORTANCE Aspergillus species are the leading cause of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised hosts. The susceptibility of Aspergillus species to antifungal agents might be different. Azole-resistant species have emerged worldwide. Performing susceptibility testing in each region can help in the best management of patients. Here, we show the epidemiology and distribution of Aspergillus species in Iran and their susceptibility patterns for seven antifungal agents. The significant points of the present study are that species of Aspergillus section Flavi are the most prevalent Aspergillus species isolated from 11 university hospitals. Luliconazole, caspofungin, and isavuconazole were effective antifungal agents against all Aspergillus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Badiee
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Teun Boekhout
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, IBED, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Rasoul Mohammadi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Seyyed Amin Ayatollahi Mousavi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jafar Soltani
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Jamal Hashemi
- Medical Mycology Department, School of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kambiz Diba
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Abdolkarim Ghadimi-Moghadam
- Department of Pediatrics Infectious Disease, Emmam Sajjad Hospital, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Ali Reza Salimi-Khorashad
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Tahereh Shokohi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Invasive Fungi Research Centre (IFRC), Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Maneli Amin Shahidi
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghasemi
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hadis Jafarian
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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