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Ledoux MP, Dicop E, Sabou M, Letscher-Bru V, Castelain V, Danion F, Herbrecht R. Fusarium, Scedosporium and Other Rare Mold Invasive Infections: Over Twenty-Five-Year Experience of a European Tertiary-Care Center. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:289. [PMID: 38667960 PMCID: PMC11051493 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040289] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive mold infections (IMD) are an emerging concern due to the growing prevalence of patients at risk, encompassing but not limited to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, hematological malignancies patients, solid organ transplant recipients and intensive care unit patients. In contrast with invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis, other hyalohyphomycoses and phaeohyphomycoses remain poorly known. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical, biological, microbiological and evolutive features of 92 IMD having occurred in patients in our tertiary-care center over more than 25 years. A quarter of these infections were due to multiple molds. Molds involved were Fusarium spp. (36.2% of IMD with a single agent, 43.5% of IMD with multiple agents), followed by Scedosporium spp. (respectively 14.5% and 26.1%) and Alternaria spp. (respectively 13.0% and 8.7%). Mortality at day 84 was higher for Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp. or multiple pathogens IMD compared with Alternaria or other pathogens (51.7% vs. 17.6%, p < 0.05). Mortality at day 84 was also influenced by host factor: higher among hematology and alloHSCT patients than in other patients (30.6% vs. 20.9% at day 42 and 50.0% vs. 27.9% at day 84, p = 0.041). Better awareness, understanding and treatments are awaited to improve patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pierre Ledoux
- Department of Hematology, Institut de Cancérologie de Strasbourg, 67033 Strasbourg, France
| | - Elise Dicop
- Clinics of Oncology, Elsan, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Marcela Sabou
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Plateau Technique de Microbiologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, UR 3073 Pathogens-Host-Arthropods-Vectors Interactions, Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Valérie Letscher-Bru
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Plateau Technique de Microbiologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, UR 3073 Pathogens-Host-Arthropods-Vectors Interactions, Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Vincent Castelain
- Intensive Care Unit, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - François Danion
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- INSERM UMR-S1109, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Raoul Herbrecht
- Department of Hematology, Institut de Cancérologie de Strasbourg, 67033 Strasbourg, France
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2
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Gil-Pallares P, Gracia-Cazaña T, Álvarez-Salafranca M, Gorgojo MA, García-García M, Beltrán-Rosel A, Almenara-Blasco M, Navarro-Bielsa A, Gilaberte Y. Cutaneous Alternariosis in Immunosuppressed Patients Treated with Photodynamic Therapy and Oral Antifungals, a Synergistic Strategy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:245. [PMID: 38399460 PMCID: PMC10893038 DOI: 10.3390/ph17020245] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous alternariosis is a rare condition, more frequently presented in immunocompromised patients, which usually requires long courses of systemic antifungals that may interact with other medications. The presented series shows three cases of cutaneous alternariosis in immunocompromised patients and organ transplant recipients that were successfully treated with photodynamic therapy and oral antifungals, allowing a reduction in the systemic treatment duration and therefore decreasing the risk of side effects and drug interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Gil-Pallares
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain (M.Á.-S.); (M.A.-B.); (Y.G.)
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialities, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Tamara Gracia-Cazaña
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain (M.Á.-S.); (M.A.-B.); (Y.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Marcial Álvarez-Salafranca
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain (M.Á.-S.); (M.A.-B.); (Y.G.)
| | | | - Mar García-García
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Antonio Beltrán-Rosel
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Manuel Almenara-Blasco
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain (M.Á.-S.); (M.A.-B.); (Y.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alba Navarro-Bielsa
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain (M.Á.-S.); (M.A.-B.); (Y.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Yolanda Gilaberte
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain (M.Á.-S.); (M.A.-B.); (Y.G.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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3
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Venice F, Spina F, Davolos D, Ghignone S, Varese GC. The genomes of Scedosporium between environmental challenges and opportunism. IMA Fungus 2023; 14:25. [PMID: 38049914 PMCID: PMC10694956 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-023-00128-3] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging fungal pathogens are a global challenge for humankind. Many efforts have been made to understand the mechanisms underlying pathogenicity in bacteria, and OMICs techniques are largely responsible for those advancements. By contrast, our limited understanding of opportunism and antifungal resistance is preventing us from identifying, limiting and interpreting the emergence of fungal pathogens. The genus Scedosporium (Microascaceae) includes fungi with high tolerance to environmental pollution, whilst some species can be considered major human pathogens, such as Scedosporium apiospermum and Scedosporium boydii. However, unlike other fungal pathogens, little is known about the genome evolution of these organisms. We sequenced two novel genomes of Scedosporium aurantiacum and Scedosporium minutisporum isolated from extreme, strongly anthropized environments. We compared all the available Scedosporium and Microascaceae genomes, that we systematically annotated and characterized ex novo in most cases. The genomes in this family were integrated in a Phylum-level comparison to infer the presence of putative, shared genomic traits in filamentous ascomycetes with pathogenic potential. The analysis included the genomes of 100 environmental and clinical fungi, revealing poor evolutionary convergence of putative pathogenicity traits. By contrast, several features in Microascaceae and Scedosporium were detected that might have a dual role in responding to environmental challenges and allowing colonization of the human body, including chitin, melanin and other cell wall related genes, proteases, glutaredoxins and magnesium transporters. We found these gene families to be impacted by expansions, orthologous transposon insertions, and point mutations. With RNA-seq, we demonstrated that most of these anciently impacted genomic features responded to the stress imposed by an antifungal compound (voriconazole) in the two environmental strains S. aurantiacum MUT6114 and S. minutisporum MUT6113. Therefore, the present genomics and transcriptomics investigation stands on the edge between stress resistance and pathogenic potential, to elucidate whether fungi were pre-adapted to infect humans. We highlight the strengths and limitations of genomics applied to opportunistic human pathogens, the multifactoriality of pathogenicity and resistance to drugs, and suggest a scenario where pressures other than anthropic contributed to forge filamentous human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Venice
- Department of Life Sciences and System Biology, University of Turin, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Spina
- Department of Life Sciences and System Biology, University of Turin, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Domenico Davolos
- Department of Technological Innovations and Safety of Plants, Products and Anthropic Settlements (DIT), INAIL, Research Area, Via R. Ferruzzi 38/40, 00143, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Ghignone
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), SS Turin-National Research Council (CNR), Viale Mattioli 25, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanna Cristina Varese
- Department of Life Sciences and System Biology, University of Turin, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125, Turin, Italy.
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Vargová Z, Olejníková P, Kuzderová G, Rendošová M, Havlíčková J, Gyepes R, Vilková M. Silver(I) complexes with amino acid and dipeptide ligands - Chemical and antimicrobial relevant comparison (mini review). Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106907. [PMID: 37844541 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106907] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Diseases caused by various microorganisms accompany humans (as well as animals) throughout their whole lives. After germs penetration to the body, the incubation period and infection developing, an infection can cause mild or severe symptoms, not infrequently even death. The immune system naturally defends itself against pathogens with various mechanisms. One of them is the synthesis of antimicrobial peptides. In the case of serious and severe infections, it is currently possible to help the natural immunity by administration of antimicrobial drugs (AMB) with good success since their discovery at the beginning of the last century. However, their excessive use leads to the development of pathogenic microorganisms' resistance to AMB drugs. Based on this, it is necessary to constantly develop new classes of AMB drugs that will be effective against pathogens, even resistant ones. The field of bioinorganic chemistry, similarly to other biological, chemical, or pharmaceutical sciences, discovers various options and approaches for antimicrobial treatment, from the development of new drugs to drug delivery systems. One of the approaches is the design and preparation of potential drugs based on metal ions and antimicrobial peptides. Various metal ions and amino acid or peptide ligands are used for this purpose. In this mini review, we focused on a reliable comparison of the chemical structure and biological properties of selected silver(I) complexes based on amino acids and dipeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Vargová
- Institute of Chemistry, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, Košice 041 54, Slovakia.
| | - Petra Olejníková
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Slovak University of Technology, Radlinského 9, Bratislava 812 37, Slovakia
| | - Gabriela Kuzderová
- Institute of Chemistry, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, Košice 041 54, Slovakia
| | - Michaela Rendošová
- Institute of Chemistry, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, Košice 041 54, Slovakia
| | - Jana Havlíčková
- Institute of Chemistry, Charles University, Hlavova 2030, Prague 128 00, Czechia
| | - Róbert Gyepes
- Institute of Chemistry, Charles University, Hlavova 2030, Prague 128 00, Czechia
| | - Mária Vilková
- Institute of Chemistry, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Moyzesova 11, Košice 041 54, Slovakia
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5
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Carrazana E, Ruiz-Gil T, Fujiyoshi S, Tanaka D, Noda J, Maruyama F, Jorquera MA. Potential airborne human pathogens: A relevant inhabitant in built environments but not considered in indoor air quality standards. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:165879. [PMID: 37517716 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Potential airborne human pathogens (PAHPs) may be a relevant component of the air microbiome in built environments. Despite that PAHPs can cause infections, particularly in immunosuppressed patients at medical centers, they are scarcely considered in standards of indoor air quality (IAQ) worldwide. Here, we reviewed the current information on microbial aerosols (bacteria, fungal and viruses) and PAHPs in different types of built environments (e.g., medical center, industrial and non-industrial), including the main factors involved in their dispersion, the methodologies used in their study and their associated biological risks. Our analysis identified the human occupancy and ventilation systems as the primary sources of dispersal of microbial aerosols indoors. We also observed temperature and relative humidity as relevant physicochemical factors regulating the dispersion and viability of some PAHPs. Our analysis revealed that some PAHPs can survive and coexist in different environments while other PAHPs are limited or specific for an environment. In relation to the methodologies (conventional or molecular) the nature of PAHPs and sampling type are pivotal. In this context, indoors air-borne viruses are the less studies because their small size, environmental lability, and absence of efficient sampling techniques and universal molecular markers for their study. Finally, it is noteworthy that PAHPs are not commonly considered and included in IAQ standards worldwide, and when they are included, the total abundance is the single parameter considered and biological risks is excluded. Therefore, we propose a revision, design and establishment of public health policies, regulations and IAQ standards, considering the interactions of diverse factors, such as nature of PAHPs, human occupancy and type of built environments where they develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Carrazana
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Mención Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana Aplicada, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Tay Ruiz-Gil
- Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana Aplicada, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - So Fujiyoshi
- Center for Holobiome and Built Environment (CHOBE), Hiroshima University, Japan; Microbial Genomics and Ecology, PHIS, The IDEC institute, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tanaka
- School of Science Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Jun Noda
- Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Fumito Maruyama
- Center for Holobiome and Built Environment (CHOBE), Hiroshima University, Japan; Microbial Genomics and Ecology, PHIS, The IDEC institute, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Milko A Jorquera
- Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana Aplicada, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Center for Holobiome and Built Environment (CHOBE), Hiroshima University, Japan; Network for Extreme Environment Research (NEXER), Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
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6
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Huang L, Dalzotto KF, Duffy MT, Gurwin J, van Landingham SW. Alternaria fungal dacryocystitis with cutaneous fistula: a case report. Orbit 2023:1-4. [PMID: 37976179 DOI: 10.1080/01676830.2023.2274867] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Alternaria is a fungal genus that can cause opportunistic human infection in immunocompromised hosts. While the majority of clinical manifestations are cutaneous or subcutaneous infections, there are reports of oculomycosis, which is most commonly present as keratomycosis or endophthalmitis.Here, we present a rare case of Alternaria dacryocystitis with cutaneous fistula in a diabetic patient. The patient was referred with a non-healing medial canthal wound and an initial biopsy report showing "ruptured hair follicle;" re-examination of the biopsy specimen with fungal stains led to the diagnosis of alternariosis. The patient underwent surgical debridement and systemic antifungal treatment, with complete resolution of the infection. In order to initiate prompt treatment and prevent invasive disease, fungal infection should be considered in an immunocompromised patient with chronic dacryocystitis and cutaneous fistula or a nonhealing medial canthus wound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Katherine F Dalzotto
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mark T Duffy
- BayCare Clinic Eye Specialists, Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jaclyn Gurwin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Suzanne W van Landingham
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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7
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Fernandes C, Casadevall A, Gonçalves T. Mechanisms of Alternaria pathogenesis in animals and plants. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad061. [PMID: 37884396 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad061] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria species are cosmopolitan fungi darkly pigmented by melanin that infect numerous plant species causing economically important agricultural spoilage of various food crops. Alternaria spp. also infect animals, being described as entomopathogenic fungi but also infecting warm-blooded animals, including humans. Their clinical importance in human health, as infection agents, lay in the growing number of immunocompromised patients. Moreover, Alternaria spp. are considered some of the most abundant and potent sources of airborne sensitizer allergens causing allergic respiratory diseases, as severe asthma. Among the numerous strategies deployed by Alternaria spp. to attack their hosts, the production of toxins, carrying critical concerns to public health as food contaminant, and the production of hydrolytic enzymes such as proteases, can be highlighted. Alternaria proteases also trigger allergic symptoms in individuals with fungal sensitization, acting as allergens and facilitating antigen access to the host subepithelium. Here, we review the current knowledge about the mechanisms of Alternaria pathogenesis in plants and animals, the strategies used by Alternaria to cope with the host defenses, and the involvement Alternaria allergens and mechanisms of sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Fernandes
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Wolfe Street, Room E5132, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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8
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Fakhimahmadi A, Hasanaj I, Hofstetter G, Pogner C, Gorfer M, Wiederstein M, Szepannek N, Bianchini R, Dvorak Z, Jensen SA, Berger M, Jensen-Jarolim E, Hufnagl K, Roth-Walter F. Nutritional Provision of Iron Complexes by the Major Allergen Alt a 1 to Human Immune Cells Decreases Its Presentation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11934. [PMID: 37569310 PMCID: PMC10418924 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria alternata is a common fungus strongly related with severe allergic asthma, with 80% of affected individuals being sensitized solely to its major allergen Alt a 1. Here, we assessed the function of Alt a 1 as an innate defense protein binding to micronutrients, such as iron-quercetin complexes (FeQ2), and its impact on antigen presentation in vitro. Binding of Alt a 1 to FeQ2 was determined in docking calculations. Recombinant Alt a 1 was generated, and binding ability, as well as secondary and quaternary structure, assessed by UV-VIS, CD, and DLS spectroscopy. Proteolytic functions were determined by casein and gelatine zymography. Uptake of empty apo- or ligand-filled holoAlt a 1 were assessed in human monocytic THP1 cells under the presence of dynamin and clathrin-inhibitors, activation of the Arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) using the human reporter cellline AZ-AHR. Human PBMCs were stimulated and assessed for phenotypic changes in monocytes by flow cytometry. Alt a 1 bound strongly to FeQ2 as a tetramer with calculated Kd values reaching pico-molar levels and surpassing affinities to quercetin alone by a factor of 5000 for the tetramer. apoAlt a 1 but not holoAlta 1 showed low enzymatic activity against casein as a hexamer and gelatin as a trimer. Uptake of apo- and holo-Alt a 1 occurred partly clathrin-dependent, with apoAlt a 1 decreasing labile iron in THP1 cells and holoAlt a 1 facilitating quercetin-dependent AhR activation. In human PBMCs uptake of holoAlt a 1 but not apoAlt a 1 significantly decreased the surface expression of the costimulatory CD86, but also of HLADR, thereby reducing effective antigen presentation. We show here for the first time that the presence of nutritional iron complexes, such as FeQ2, significantly alters the function of Alt a 1 and dampens the human immune response, thereby supporting the notion that Alt a 1 only becomes immunogenic under nutritional deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aila Fakhimahmadi
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.F.); (I.H.); (G.H.); (N.S.); (R.B.); (S.A.J.); (M.B.); (E.J.-J.); (K.H.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ilir Hasanaj
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.F.); (I.H.); (G.H.); (N.S.); (R.B.); (S.A.J.); (M.B.); (E.J.-J.); (K.H.)
| | - Gerlinde Hofstetter
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.F.); (I.H.); (G.H.); (N.S.); (R.B.); (S.A.J.); (M.B.); (E.J.-J.); (K.H.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Clara Pogner
- Bioresources Unit, Center for Health & Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, 3430 Tulln, Austria; (C.P.); (M.G.)
| | - Markus Gorfer
- Bioresources Unit, Center for Health & Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, 3430 Tulln, Austria; (C.P.); (M.G.)
| | - Markus Wiederstein
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Nathalie Szepannek
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.F.); (I.H.); (G.H.); (N.S.); (R.B.); (S.A.J.); (M.B.); (E.J.-J.); (K.H.)
| | - Rodolfo Bianchini
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.F.); (I.H.); (G.H.); (N.S.); (R.B.); (S.A.J.); (M.B.); (E.J.-J.); (K.H.)
| | - Zdenek Dvorak
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
| | - Sebastian A. Jensen
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.F.); (I.H.); (G.H.); (N.S.); (R.B.); (S.A.J.); (M.B.); (E.J.-J.); (K.H.)
| | - Markus Berger
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.F.); (I.H.); (G.H.); (N.S.); (R.B.); (S.A.J.); (M.B.); (E.J.-J.); (K.H.)
| | - Erika Jensen-Jarolim
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.F.); (I.H.); (G.H.); (N.S.); (R.B.); (S.A.J.); (M.B.); (E.J.-J.); (K.H.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Hufnagl
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.F.); (I.H.); (G.H.); (N.S.); (R.B.); (S.A.J.); (M.B.); (E.J.-J.); (K.H.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Franziska Roth-Walter
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (A.F.); (I.H.); (G.H.); (N.S.); (R.B.); (S.A.J.); (M.B.); (E.J.-J.); (K.H.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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9
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Gupta S, Cunningham CA, Grant LM, Abdou MM, Graf EH, Seville MT. Dual infection with Alternaria and Nocardia in a renal transplant patient. Transpl Infect Dis 2023; 25:e14026. [PMID: 36715649 DOI: 10.1111/tid.14026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simran Gupta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Cody A Cunningham
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Leah M Grant
- Division of Infectious Disease, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Merna M Abdou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Erin H Graf
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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10
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Verhasselt HL, Ramakrishnan E, Schlag M, Marchesi JR, Buer J, Kleinschnitz C, Hagenacker T, Totzeck A. Fungal Gut Microbiome in Myasthenia Gravis: A Sub-Analysis of the MYBIOM Study. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9050569. [PMID: 37233280 DOI: 10.3390/jof9050569] [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: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
An altered gut microbiota is a possible contributing pathogenic factor in myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune neuromuscular disease. However, the significance of the fungal microbiome is an understudied and neglected part of the intestinal microbiome in MG. We performed a sub-analysis of the MYBIOM study including faecal samples from patients with MG (n = 41), non-inflammatory neurological disorder (NIND, n = 18), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP, n = 6) and healthy volunteers (n = 12) by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). Fungal reads were obtained in 51 out of 77 samples. No differences were found in alpha-diversity indices computed between the MG, NIND, CIDP and HV groups, indicating an unaltered fungal diversity and structure. Overall, four mould species (Penicillium aurantiogriseum, Mycosphaerella tassiana, Cladosporium ramonetellum and Alternaria betae-kenyensis) and five yeast species (Candida. albicans, Candida. sake, Candida. dubliniensis, Pichia deserticola and Kregervanrija delftensis) were identified. Besides one MG patient with abundant Ca. albicans, no prominent dysbiosis in the MG group of the mycobiome was found. Not all fungal sequences within all groups were successfully assigned, so further sub-analysis was withdrawn, limiting robust conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedda Luise Verhasselt
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Elakiya Ramakrishnan
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Melina Schlag
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Julian R Marchesi
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
| | - Jan Buer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Kleinschnitz
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Tim Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Totzeck
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45122 Essen, Germany
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11
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Dourou M, La Porta CAM. A Pipeline to Investigate Fungal-Fungal Interactions: Trichoderma Isolates against Plant-Associated Fungi. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040461. [PMID: 37108915 PMCID: PMC10142788 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040461] [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: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil fungi play essential roles in ecosystems, forming complex interaction networks with bacteria, yeasts, other fungi, or plants. In the framework of biocontrol strategies, Trichoderma-based fungicides are at the forefront of research as an alternative to synthetic ones. However, the impact of introducing new microbial strain(s) on the soil microbiome of a habitat is not well-explored. Aiming to identify a quantitative method to explore the complex fungal interactions, we isolated twelve fungi from three Italian vineyards and identified three strains of the Trichoderma genus in addition to nine more plant-associated fungi of different genera. Investigating in dual nucleation assay fungal-fungal interactions, we recognised two types of interaction: neutral or antagonistic. All three Trichoderma strains displayed a slight inhibitory behaviour against themselves. Trichoderma strains showed a mutually intermingling growth with Aspergillus aculeatus and Rhizopus arrhizus but antagonistic behaviour against the plant pathogens Alternaria sp., Fusarium ramigenum, and Botrytis caroliniana. Yet, in some cases, antagonistic behaviour by Trichoderma fungi was also observed against plant-promoting fungi (e.g., Aspergillus piperis and Penicillium oxalicum). Our study highlights the importance of studying the interactions between fungi, aiming to clarify better the impact of fungal-based biological fungicides in the soil communities, and offers a pipeline for further applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Dourou
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, University of Milan, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Anna Maria La Porta
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, University of Milan, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Innovation for Well-Being and Environment (CRC-I-WE), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
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12
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Leite J, Romano J, Lopes V, Neves MM, Gomes M, Oliveira L. Case Report: Alternaria alternata keratitis. Int Med Case Rep J 2023; 16:59-64. [PMID: 36733793 PMCID: PMC9888008 DOI: 10.2147/imcrj.s392781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alternaria spp are ubiquitous pigmented filamentous fungi that can cause opportunistic human infections. These molds can be found in healthy individuals and the most frequently observed clinical manifestations are skin infections, ocular mycosis, rhinosinusitis, among others. Immunosuppression (both local and systemic) as well as contact or trauma with contaminated matter are important risk and predisposing factors for ocular mycosis. Accurate diagnosis with microscopy and culture is crucial since infections by filamentous fungi are sight-threatening, and clinically indistinguishable from bacterial disease. In general terms, conventional antifungal drugs are effective. Case Presentation We report a case of Alternaria alternata keratitis after ocular trauma with biological material in a 44-year-old man's functional single eye, which had a good clinical and functional evolution after topical therapy with voriconazole. Conclusion This case accounts the importance of thinking about other etiological diagnoses in infectious keratitis refractory to the established therapy and with a history of trauma with biological material.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Leite
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), Porto, Portugal,Correspondence: João Leite, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto [CHUPorto], Largo do Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, 4099-001, Portugal, Tel +351916523942, Email
| | - João Romano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar de Leiria, Leiria, Portugal
| | - Virginia Lopes
- Department of Microbiology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Mesquita Neves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Gomes
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), Porto, Portugal
| | - Luis Oliveira
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), Porto, Portugal
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13
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Blaga R, Fabres V, Leynaud V, Fontaine JJ, Reyes-Gomez E, Briand A, Crosaz O, Lagrange I, Blaizot A, Roux DL, Castillo VR, Maksimov P, Guillot J, Teifke JP, Schares G. Toxoplasma gondii and Alternaria sp.: An Original Association in an Immunosuppressed Dog with Persistent Skin Lesions. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12010114. [PMID: 36678462 PMCID: PMC9865179 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010114] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Dogs and cats may suffer from a variety of diseases, mainly immune mediated, that require the administration of immunosuppressive drugs. Such therapies can cause adverse effects either by the toxicity of the drugs or as a consequence of immune suppression and associated opportunistic infections. Here we present an, yet unknown, association of Toxoplasma gondii and Alternaria fungus, within cutaneous lesions in a dog under long-term immunosuppressive therapy. The diagnosis of such infections is laborious and not obvious at first glance, since the clinical signs of cutaneous toxoplasmosis, neosporosis or alternariosis are not specific. A further laboratory confirmation is needed. Therefore, we currently recommend that dogs and cats should undergo serologic testing for toxoplasmosis or neosporosis prior to immunosuppressive therapy and a regular dermatological evaluation during the immunosuppressive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radu Blaga
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-1-43-96-72-15
| | - Virginie Fabres
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, CHUVA, Unité de Médecine, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Vincent Leynaud
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, CHUVA, Unité de Médecine, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jean-Jacques Fontaine
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BioPôle, Laboratoire d’anatomo-cytopathologie, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Edouard Reyes-Gomez
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BioPôle, Laboratoire d’anatomo-cytopathologie, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Amaury Briand
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, CHUVA, Unité de Dermatologie, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Odile Crosaz
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, CHUVA, Unité de Dermatologie, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Isabelle Lagrange
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Biopôle, Laboratoire de Biochimie-hématologie, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Amandine Blaizot
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Delphine Le Roux
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Veronica Risco Castillo
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jacques Guillot
- Oniris, Department of Dermatology, Parasitology, Mycology, F-44300 Nantes, France
| | - Jens Peter Teifke
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gereon Schares
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
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14
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Bacha SAS, Li Y, Nie J, Xu G, Han L, Farooq S. Comprehensive review on patulin and Alternaria toxins in fruit and derived products. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1139757. [PMID: 37077634 PMCID: PMC10108681 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1139757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain fungi, which can contaminate various food commodities, including fruits and their derived products. Patulin and Alternaria toxins are among the most commonly encountered mycotoxins in fruit and their derived products. In this review, the sources, toxicity, and regulations related to these mycotoxins, as well as their detection and mitigation strategies are widely discussed. Patulin is a mycotoxin produced mainly by the fungal genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys. Alternaria toxins, produced by fungi in the Alternaria genus, are another common group of mycotoxins found in fruits and fruit products. The most prevalent Alternaria toxins are alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME). These mycotoxins are of concern due to their potential negative effects on human health. Ingesting fruits contaminated with these mycotoxins can cause acute and chronic health problems. Detection of patulin and Alternaria toxins in fruit and their derived products can be challenging due to their low concentrations and the complexity of the food matrices. Common analytical methods, good agricultural practices, and contamination monitoring of these mycotoxins are important for safe consumption of fruits and derived products. And Future research will continue to explore new methods for detecting and managing these mycotoxins, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the safety and quality of fruits and derived product supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Asim Shah Bacha
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Fruit, Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng, Liaoning, China
| | - Yinping Li
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Fruit, Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng, Liaoning, China
- *Correspondence: Jiyun Nie, ; Yinping Li,
| | - Jiyun Nie
- College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University/Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Fruit (Qingdao), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/National Technology Centre for Whole Process Quality Control of FSEN Horticultural Products (Qingdao)/Qingdao Key Lab of Modern Agriculture Quality and Safety Engineering, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Jiyun Nie, ; Yinping Li,
| | - Guofeng Xu
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Fruit, Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng, Liaoning, China
| | - Lingxi Han
- College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University/Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Fruit (Qingdao), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/National Technology Centre for Whole Process Quality Control of FSEN Horticultural Products (Qingdao)/Qingdao Key Lab of Modern Agriculture Quality and Safety Engineering, Qingdao, China
| | - Saqib Farooq
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Fruit, Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng, Liaoning, China
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15
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NaPier EM, Redd TK. Alternaria fungus growing on top of cyanoacrylate glue in a patient with perforated corneal ulcer. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2022; 28:101717. [PMID: 36238353 PMCID: PMC9550607 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To demonstrate a case where Alternaria fungus grew on top of cyanoacrylate glue used to seal a perforated corneal ulcer. Observations We document the clinical course of a rare case of Alternaria keratitis over the course of 6 months. Despite the purported antifungal properties of cyanoacrylate glue demonstrated in vitro, this case provides in vivo evidence that this substance can serve as a scaffold on which pathogenic fungi may grow. Conclusion This report demonstrates the importance of close follow up of patients with corneal glue patches in place. Ophthalmologists should continue to inspect the cornea and glue for possible development of secondary infection, particularly with concomitant contact lens and/or steroid use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Travis K. Redd
- Corresponding author. 515 SW Campus Dr, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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16
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Breakthrough Acute Necrotizing Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis by Alternariaalternata in a Patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Anidulafungin Therapy and Case-Based Literature Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080879. [PMID: 36012868 PMCID: PMC9410131 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternaria spp. have emerged as opportunistic pathogens particularly in immunosuppressed patients. A case of a breakthrough acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS), caused by Alternaria alternata, is reported in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on anidulafungin therapy, who was successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B and surgical intervention. To date, 20 cases of AIFRS due to Alternaria spp. have been described, 19 in the USA and 1 in Chile, making this case report the first case of AIFRS due to Alternaria in Europe. The patients had median (range) age 25 (2-56) years (65% female), almost all of them (19/20) with hematological diseases and severe neutropenia (8-41 days pre-infection). Amphotericin B was the most frequently used antifungal agent, either alone or in combination. In all of the cases, systemic antifungal therapy was combined with surgery. Despite stabilization or improvement of the AIFRS, mortality was 38% (5 days to 8 months post-surgical debridement) due to their underlying disease or other infections without sign of AIFRS at autopsy.
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17
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Transcontinental Dispersal of Nonendemic Fungal Pathogens through Wooden Handicraft Imports. mBio 2022; 13:e0107522. [PMID: 35766379 PMCID: PMC9426497 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01075-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the viability and diversity of fungi harbored in imported wooden handicraft products sold in six retail stores in Florida, United States. Despite being subjected to trade regulations that require various sterilization/fumigation protocols, our study demonstrates high survival and diversity of fungi in wood products originating from at least seven countries on three continents. Among these fungi were nonendemic plant and human pathogens, as well as mycotoxin producers. Several products that are sold for use in food preparation and consumption harbored a novel (to North America) plant and human pathogen, Paecilomyces formosus. In addition, a high number of species isolated were thermophilic and included halophilic species, suggesting adaptability and selection through current wood treatment protocols that utilize heat and/or fumigation with methyl-bromide. This research suggests that current federal guidelines for imports of wooden goods are not sufficient to avoid the transit of potential live pathogens and demonstrates the need to increase safeguards at both points of origin and entry for biosecurity against introduction from invasive fungal species in wood products. Future import regulations should consider living fungi, their tolerance to extreme conditions, and their potential survival in solid substrates. Mitigation efforts may require additional steps such as more stringent fumigation and/or sterilization strategies and limiting use of wood that has not been processed to remove bark and decay.
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18
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Invasive and Subcutaneous Infections Caused by Filamentous Fungi: Report from a Portuguese Multicentric Surveillance Program. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10051010. [PMID: 35630453 PMCID: PMC9145964 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10051010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFI) have significantly increased over the past years due to advances in medical care for the at-risk immunocompromised population. IFI are often difficult to diagnose and manage, and can be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aims to contribute to understanding the etiology of invasive and subcutaneous fungal infections, their associated risk factors, and to perceive the outcome of patients who developed invasive disease, raising awareness of these infections at a local level but also in a global context. A laboratory surveillance approach was conducted over a seven-year period and included: (i) cases of invasive and subcutaneous fungal infections caused by filamentous/dimorphic fungi, confirmed by either microscopy or positive culture from sterile samples, (ii) cases diagnosed as probable IFI according to the criteria established by EORTC/MSG when duly substantiated. Fourteen Portuguese laboratories were enrolled. Cases included in this study were classified according to the new consensus definitions of invasive fungal diseases (IFD) published in 2020 as follows: proven IFI (N = 31), subcutaneous fungal infection (N = 23). Those proven deep fungal infections (N = 54) totalized 71.1% of the total cases, whereas 28.9% were classified as probable IFI (N = 22). It was possible to identify the etiological fungal agent in 73 cases (96%). Aspergillus was the most frequent genera detected, but endemic dimorphic fungi represented 14.47% (N = 11) of the total cases. Despite the small number of cases, a high diversity of species were involved in deep fungal infections. This fact has implications for clinical and laboratory diagnosis, and on the therapeutic management of these infections, since different species, even within the same genus, can present diverse patterns of susceptibility to antifungals.
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Invasive Rhinosinusitis Caused by Alternaria infectoria in a Patient with Autosomal Recessive CARD9 Deficiency and a Review of the Literature. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050446. [PMID: 35628702 PMCID: PMC9144991 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050446] [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: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Phaeohyphomycoses comprise a heterogeneous group of fungal infections caused by dematiaceous fungi and have primarily been reported in patients with underlying acquired immunodeficiencies, such as hematological malignancies or solid-organ transplants. Over the past decade, a growing number of patients with phaeohyphomycosis but otherwise healthy were reported with autosomal recessive (AR) CARD9 deficiency. We report a 28-year-old woman who presented with invasive rhinosinusitis caused by Alternaria infectoria. Following a candidate gene sequencing approach, we identified a biallelic loss-of-function mutation of CARD9, thereby further broadening the spectrum of invasive fungal diseases found in patients with inherited CARD9 deficiency. In addition, we reviewed 17 other cases of phaeohyphomycosis associated with AR CARD9 deficiency. Physicians should maintain a high degree of suspicion for inborn errors of immunity, namely CARD9 deficiency, when caring for previously healthy patients with phaeohyphomycosis, regardless of age at first presentation.
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Kim G, Yoo SJ, Yoo JR, Seo KB. The first case report of thorn-induced Alternaria alternata infection of the hand in an immunocompetent host. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:304. [PMID: 35351014 PMCID: PMC8962066 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07280-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal infection secondary to a penetrating plant thorn injury in upper extremities is infrequently reported especially in immunocompetent hosts. Alternaria is a dematicaceous hyphomycete, commonly found in decay and plant pathogens, and Alternaria alternata has been regarded as the most frequent species among more than 400 s of its species. This case is the first report of thorn-induced Alternaria alternata infection of the hand in an immunocompetent host. CASE PRESENTATION A 47-year-old male patient was admitted to our institution with persistent pain and swelling of the right hand even after a prior surgical removal of a previous thorn injury. Upon impression of abscess, chronic extensor tenosynovitis, and septic arthritis at the 3rd metacarpophalangeal joint based on advanced imaging, the patient underwent surgical incision and drainage. Intraoperative culture, biopsy, and gene molecular sequencing results revealed fungal infection with Alternaria alternata. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with oral itraconazole (200 mg q 12 h) for nine consecutive months. CONCLUSIONS We report the first case of chronic extensor tenosynovitis and septic arthritis of the hand with Alternaria alternata after a thorn injury in an immunocompetent host. Despite rare incidences of fungal extensor tenosynovitis and septic arthritis, the current case strongly suggests a careful examination of social history and surgical debridement along with a prolonged use of appropriate anti-fungal agents in thorn injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyeongmin Kim
- Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, South Korea
| | - Seung Jin Yoo
- Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, South Korea
| | - Jeong Rae Yoo
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, South Korea
| | - Kyu Bum Seo
- Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, South Korea.
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Fungal Infections of Implantation: More Than Five Years of Cases of Subcutaneous Fungal Infections Seen at the UK Mycology Reference Laboratory. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040343. [PMID: 35448574 PMCID: PMC9028115 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Subcutaneous fungal infections, which typically result from traumatic introduction (implantation) of fungal elements into the skin or underlying tissues, can present as a range of different clinical entities including phaeohyphomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, subcutaneous nodules or masses, and genuine eumycetoma. Here, we mined our laboratory information management system for such infections in humans and domestic animals for the period 2016–2022, including (i) fungal isolates referred for identification and/or susceptibility testing; (ii) infections diagnosed at our laboratory using panfungal PCR approaches on infected tissue; and (iii) organisms cultured in our laboratory from biopsies. In total, 106 cases were retrieved, involving 39 fungal species comprising 26 distinct genera. Subcutaneous infections with Alternaria species were the most frequent (36 cases), which possibly reflects the ubiquitous nature of this common plant pathogen. A substantial proportion of Alternaria spp. isolates exhibited reduced in vitro susceptibility to voriconazole. Notably, a significant number of subcutaneous infections were diagnosed in renal and other solid organ transplant recipients post transplantation, suggesting that humans may harbour “inert” subcutaneous fungal elements from historical minor injuries that present as clinical infections upon later immunosuppression. The current study underscores the diversity of fungi that can cause subcutaneous infections. While most organisms catalogued here were responsible for occasional infections, several genera (Alternaria, Exophiala, Phaeoacremonuim, Scedosporium) were more frequently recovered in our searches, suggesting that they possess virulence factors that facilitate subcutaneous infections and/or inhabit natural niches that make them more likely to be traumatically inoculated.
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22
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Ji Y, Hu L, Xiong W, Wang Y, Yang F, Shi M, Zhang H, Shao J, Lu C, Fang D, Deng H, Bian Z, Tang G, Liu S, Fan Z, Liu S. Highly sensitive time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay for the quantitative onsite detection of Alternaria longipes in tobacco. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 132:1250-1259. [PMID: 34312955 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Alternaria longipes is a causal agent of brown spot of tobacco, which remains a serious threat to tobacco production. Herein, we established a detection method for A. longipes in tobacco samples based on the principle of time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay, in order to fulfil the requirement of rapid, sensitive and accurate detection in situ. METHODS AND RESULTS A monoclonal antibody against A. longipes was generated, and its purity and titration were assessed using western blot and ELISA. The size of europium (III) nanospheres was measured to confirm successful antibody conjugation. The method described here can detect A. longipes protein lysates as low as 0.78 ng ml-1 , with recovery rates ranging from 85.96% to 99.67% in spiked tobacco. The specificity was also confirmed using a panel of microorganisms. CONCLUSIONS The fluorescent strips allow rapid and sensitive onsite detection of A. longipes in tobacco samples, with high accuracy, specificity, and repeatability. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This novel detection method provides convenience of using crude samples without complex procedures, and therefore allows rapid onsite detection by end users and quick responses towards A. longipes, which is critical for disease control and elimination of phytopathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ji
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liwei Hu
- Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute of China National Tobacco Corporation, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Sichuan Tobacco Quality Supervision and Testing Station, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Wang
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fei Yang
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mowen Shi
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Sichuan Tobacco Quality Supervision and Testing Station, Chengdu, China
| | - Jimin Shao
- Sichuan Tobacco Quality Supervision and Testing Station, Chengdu, China
| | - Canhua Lu
- Yunnan Academy of Tobacco Agricultural Sciences of China National Tobacco Corporation, Kunming, China
| | - Dunhuang Fang
- Yunnan Academy of Tobacco Agricultural Sciences of China National Tobacco Corporation, Kunming, China
| | - Huimin Deng
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhaoyang Bian
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gangling Tang
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shili Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ziyan Fan
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, Zhengzhou, China
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Phuna ZX, Madhavan P. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MYCOBIOME IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: FUNGAL SPECIES, PATHOGENESIS AND TRANSMISSION. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:1291-1321. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xin Phuna
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University Malaysia Subang Jaya Selangor
| | - Priya Madhavan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University Malaysia Subang Jaya Selangor
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24
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Jebari M, Mtibaa L, Abid R, Hannechi S, Souid H, Battikh R, Louzir B, Jemli B. Unusual location of cutaneous alternariosis in an immunocompetent patient. IDCases 2021; 27:e01356. [PMID: 34917472 PMCID: PMC8669305 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternaria is a dematiaceous fungus ubiquitously found in nature. It can cause infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. We report a periorbital location of Alternaria infection in an immunocompetent woman with a confusing clinical presentation. The diagnosis was confirmed by a cutaneous biopsy of the cheek. PCR sequencing identified Aternaria alternata species. The evolution was fatal despite antifungal treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maroua Jebari
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Military Hospital of Tunis, Monfleury, 1008 Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Latifa Mtibaa
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Military Hospital of Tunis, Monfleury, 1008 Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Rym Abid
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Hospital of Tunis, Monfleury, 1008 Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Souha Hannechi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Hospital of Tunis, Monfleury, 1008 Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Hana Souid
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Military Hospital of Tunis, Monfleury, 1008 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Riadh Battikh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Hospital of Tunis, Monfleury, 1008 Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Bassem Louzir
- Department of Internal Medicine, Military Hospital of Tunis, Monfleury, 1008 Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Boutheina Jemli
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Military Hospital of Tunis, Monfleury, 1008 Tunis, Tunisia
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25
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Sharma B, Nonzom S. Novel cases of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis by Alternaria alstromeriae, Epicoccum tritici and Phialemonium obovatum from North India. Mycoses 2021; 64:1489-1497. [PMID: 34601740 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13378] [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: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing number of non-dermatophytic moulds and yeasts with the ability to act as human pathogens are reported every year. Dematiaceous fungi cause phaeohyphomycosis which encompasses a broad spectrum of diseases ranging from superficial (cutaneous and subcutaneous) to disseminated infections. Such fungal infections are responsible for causing significant morbidity and mortality, frequently in immunocompromised patients and rarely in immunocompetent patients. OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence of cutaneous mycosis in Jammu district (India) and to isolate and identify the recovered causal agents from the affected skin of the patients. METHODS For direct microscopy, 10% KOH was used. Skin samples were collected carefully from the affected areas of suspected patients, followed by the isolation and identification of the causal agents by cultural examination, morphological examination and ITS sequencing. RESULTS Herein, we report and describe three new cases of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis from District Jammu of Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir, India. The age of the patients under study ranged from 17 to 42 years and the duration of infection from 1 to 2 years. The etiological agents that were recovered from the patients under study were Alternaria alstromeriae, Epicoccum tritici and Phialemonium obovatum. These dematiaceous fungal species were isolated from the skin specimen of immunocompetent hosts. CONCLUSION Among the three isolated etiological agents, two (Alternaria alstromeriae, Epicoccum tritici) represent new global records and one (Phialemonium obovatum) new record to India as causal agents of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis. Careful microscopic and mycological examination form the basis of correct diagnosis of such fungal infections in the absence of simple and reliable laboratory tests (serologic or antigen tests).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharti Sharma
- Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
| | - Skarma Nonzom
- Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
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26
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Microbiological, Health and Comfort Aspects of Indoor Air Quality in a Romanian Historical Wooden Church. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189908. [PMID: 34574831 PMCID: PMC8467041 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the indoor microclimate in old buildings of cultural heritage and significance is a practice of great importance because of the importance of their identity for local communities and national consciousness. Most aged heritage buildings, especially those made of wood, develop an indoor microclimate conducive to the development of microorganisms. This study aims to analyze one wooden church dating back to the 1710s in Romania from the microclimatic perspective, i.e., temperature and relative humidity and the fungal load of the air and surfaces. One further aim was to determine if the internal microclimate of the monument is favorable for the health of parishioners and visitors, as well as for the integrity of the church itself. The research methodology involved monitoring of the microclimate for a period of nine weeks (November 2020–January 2021) and evaluating the fungal load in indoor air as well as on the surfaces. The results show a very high contamination of air and surfaces (>2000 CFU/m3). In terms of fungal contamination, Aspergillus spp. (two different species), Alternaria spp., Cladosporium spp., Mucor spp., Penicillium spp. (two different species) and Trichopyton spp. were the genera of fungi identified in the indoor wooden church air and Aspergillus spp., Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp. (two different species) and Botrytis spp. on the surfaces (church walls and iconostasis). The results obtained reveal that the internal microclimate not only imposes a potential risk factor for the parishioners and visitors, but also for the preservation of the wooden church as a historical monument, which is facing a crisis of biodeterioration of its artwork.
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27
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Daines M, Pereira R, Cunningham A, Pryor B, Besselsen DG, Liu Y, Luo Q, Chen Y. Novel Mouse Models of Fungal Asthma. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:683194. [PMID: 34485171 PMCID: PMC8415780 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.683194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria alternata is a ubiquitous fungus and a major allergen associated with the development of asthma. Inhalation of intact spores is the primary cause of human exposure to fungal allergen. However, allergen-rich cultured fungal filtrates are oftentimes used in the current models of fungal sensitization that do not fully reflect real-life exposures. Thus, establishing novel spore exposure models is imperative. In this study, we established novel fungal exposure models of both adult and neonate to live spores. We examined pathophysiological changes in the spore models as compared to the non-exposure controls and also to the conventional filtrate models. While both Alternaria filtrate- and spore-exposed adult BALB/c mice developed elevated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), filtrates induced a greater IgE mediated response and higher broncholavage eosinophils than spores. In contrast, the mice exposed to Alternaria spores had higher numbers of neutrophils. Both exposures induced comparable levels of lung tissue inflammation and mucous cell metaplasia (MCM). In the neonatal model, exposure to Alternaria spores resulted in a significant increase of AHR in both adult and neonatal mice. Increased levels of IgE in both neonatal and adult mice exposed to spores was associated with increased eosinophilia in the treatment groups. Adult demonstrated increased numbers of lymphocytes that was paralleled by increased IgG1 production. Both adults and neonates demonstrated similarly increased eosinophilia, IgE, tissue inflammation and MCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Daines
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Rhea Pereira
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Aubrey Cunningham
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Barry Pryor
- School of Plant Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - David G Besselsen
- Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Qianwen Luo
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Yin Chen
- Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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28
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Alkhateb R, Menon PD, Tariq H, Hackman S, Nazarullah A, Mais DD. Accuracy of Intraoperative Frozen Section in Detection of Acute Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2021; 145:736-743. [PMID: 33091928 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2019-0696-oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT.— Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) is an aggressive form of fungal sinusitis, which remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and intervention are keys to improving patient outcomes. Intraoperative consultation has shown promise in facilitating early surgical intervention, but the accuracy of frozen section has not been clarified in this setting. OBJECTIVES.— To assess the accuracy of frozen-section diagnosis in patients with clinically suspected AIFRS. DESIGN.— All cases of clinically suspected AIFRS during a 10-year period (2009-2019) were retrospectively reviewed. The frozen-section results were compared with the final permanent sections as well as the tissue fungal culture results, following which the accuracy of frozen section was determined. RESULTS.— Forty-eight patients with 133 frozen-section evaluations for AIFRS were included in the study. Thirty of 48 patients and 61 of 133 specimens were positive for AIFRS on final pathology. Of 30 positive patients, 27 (90%) had at least 1 specimen diagnosed as positive during intraoperative consultation; among the 61 positive specimens, 54 (88.5%) were diagnosed as positive during intraoperative consultation. Of 72 negative specimens, all were interpreted as negative on frozen section. Thus, frozen sections had a sensitivity of 88.5% (95% CI, 0.78-0.97), specificity of 100% (95% CI, 0.94-1), positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI, 0.92-1), and negative predictive value of 90.6% (95% CI, 0.82-0.97). CONCLUSIONS.— This study represents the largest series assessing the diagnostic accuracy of frozen section analysis in AIFRS. These findings are useful in frozen section-informed intraoperative decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahaf Alkhateb
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Preethi Dileep Menon
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Hamza Tariq
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Sarah Hackman
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Alia Nazarullah
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Daniel D Mais
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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29
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Norris SM, Schaffer PA, Bander NB. Chalastospora gossypii in a Maine Coon cat: case report and literature review. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 33:975-978. [PMID: 34109901 DOI: 10.1177/10406387211022298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A 15-y-old castrated male Maine Coon cat was evaluated for an ulcerated soft tissue mass on the right hindlimb that had been observed for 4 mo and had grown rapidly. A 3 × 3 cm soft, raised, amorphous, and ulcerated subcutaneous mass was observed on the lateral right metatarsus. In-house cytology via fine-needle aspiration was nondiagnostic. Incisional biopsy of the mass and further staging was declined, and amputation was elected. The amputated limb was submitted for histopathology, which revealed severe chronic nodular granulomatous dermatitis and multifocal granulomatous popliteal lymphadenitis with large numbers of intralesional fungal hyphae. Fungal PCR and sequencing on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue identified Chalastospora gossypii. No adjunctive therapy was elected at the time. The patient has done well clinically 1 y post-operatively. C. gossypii is a rare microfungus found worldwide and is considered a minor pathogen of several plants. To our knowledge, infection by this fungus has not been reported previously in veterinary species. Features in our case are comparable to other mycotic infections. Nodular granulomatous mycotic dermatitis and cellulitis, although uncommon, should be a differential for soft tissue masses in veterinary species; C. gossypii is a novel isolate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula A Schaffer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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30
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Mravlje J, Regvar M, Starič P, Mozetič M, Vogel-Mikuš K. Cold Plasma Affects Germination and Fungal Community Structure of Buckwheat Seeds. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:851. [PMID: 33922511 PMCID: PMC8145130 DOI: 10.3390/plants10050851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Crop seeds are frequently colonised by fungi from the field or storage places. Some fungi can cause plant diseases or produce mycotoxins, compromising the use of seeds as seeding material, food or feed. We have investigated the effects of cold plasma (CP) on seed germination and diversity of seed-borne fungi in common and Tartary buckwheat. The seeds were treated with CP for 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 s in a low-pressure radiofrequency system using oxygen as the feed gas. The fungi from the seed surface and fungal endophytes were isolated using potato dextrose agar plates. After identification by molecular methods, the frequency and diversity of fungal strains were compared between CP treated and chemically surface-sterilised (30% of H2O2) seeds. CP treatments above 60 s negatively affected the germination of both buckwheat species. A significant reduction in fungal frequency and diversity was observed after 90 s and 120 s in common and Tartary buckwheat, respectively. The filamentous fungi of genera Alternaria and Epicoccum proved to be the most resistant to CP. The results of our study indicate that CP treatment used in our study may be applicable in postharvest and food production, but not for further seed sowing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jure Mravlje
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.R.); (K.V.-M.)
| | - Marjana Regvar
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.R.); (K.V.-M.)
| | - Pia Starič
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (P.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Miran Mozetič
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (P.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Katarina Vogel-Mikuš
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.R.); (K.V.-M.)
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (P.S.); (M.M.)
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31
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Akpomie KG, Ghosh S, Gryzenhout M, Conradie J. One-pot synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles via chemical precipitation for bromophenol blue adsorption and the antifungal activity against filamentous fungi. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8305. [PMID: 33859316 PMCID: PMC8050082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87819-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In this research, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were prepared via a facile one-pot chemical precipitation approach and applied in the adsorption of bromophenol blue (BRB) and as antifungal agents against the filamentous fungi and plant pathogens; Alternaria alternata CGJM3078, Alternaria alternata CGJM3006 and Fusarium verticilliodes CGJM3823. The ZnONPs were characterized by the UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, TGA, BET, SEM, TEM, and EDX techniques, which showed efficient synthesis. The characteristics ZnO UV-Vis absorption band was observed at 375 nm, while the XRD showed an average ZnONPs crystalline size of 47.2 nm. The SEM and TEM images showed an irregular shaped and aggregated porous structure of 65.3 nm average-sized ZnONPs. The TGA showed 22.9% weight loss at 800 °C indicating the high thermal stability of ZnONPs, while BET analysis revealed a surface area, pore volume and pore diameter of 9.259 m2/g, 0.03745 cm3/g and 9.87 nm respectively. The Freundlich, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models showed R2 > 0.9494 and SSE < 0.7412, thus, exhibited the best fit to the isotherm and kinetics models. Thermodynamics revealed feasible, endothermic, random, and spontaneous adsorption of BRB onto the synthesized ZnONPs. The antifungal assay conducted depicts strong antifungal activities against all three tested fungi. Noticeably, ZnONPs (0.002-5 mg/mL) showed maximum activities with the largest zone of inhibition against A. alternata CGJM 3006 from 25.09 to 36.28 mm. This was followed by the strain F. verticilliodes CGJM 3823 (range from 23.77 to 34.77 mm) > A. alternata CGJM3078 (range from 22.73 to 30.63 mm) in comparison to Bleach 5% (positive control). Additionally a model was proposed based on the possible underlying mechanisms for the antifungal effect. This research demonstrated the potent use of ZnONPs for the adsorption of BRB and as effective antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kovo G Akpomie
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
- Department of Pure & Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
| | - Soumya Ghosh
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, ZA9300, South Africa
| | - Marieka Gryzenhout
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, ZA9300, South Africa
| | - Jeanet Conradie
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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32
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Lapeña Casado A, Beltrán Rosel A, Lezcano Biosca V, Ara Martín M. Tumoración sangrante de rápida aparición en paciente inmunodeprimido. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2021; 39:201-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2020.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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D’Andreano S, Cuscó A, Francino O. Rapid and real-time identification of fungi up to species level with long amplicon nanopore sequencing from clinical samples. Biol Methods Protoc 2021; 6:bpaa026. [PMID: 33506108 PMCID: PMC7820110 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpaa026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The availability of long-read technologies, like Oxford Nanopore Technologies, provides the opportunity to sequence longer fragments of the fungal ribosomal operon, up to 6 Kb (18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S) and to improve the taxonomy assignment of the communities up to species level and in real-time. We assess the applicability for taxonomic assignment of amplicons targeting a 3.5 Kb region (V3 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S D2) and a 6 Kb region (V1 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S D12) with the What's in my pot (WIMP) classifier. We used the ZymoBIOMICSTM mock community and different microbiological fungal cultures as positive controls. Long amplicon sequencing correctly identified Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Cryptococcus neoformans from the mock community and Malassezia pachydermatis, Microsporum canis and Aspergillus fumigatus from the microbiological cultures. Besides, we identified Rhodotorula graminis in a culture mislabelled as Candida spp. We applied the same approach to external otitis in dogs. Malassezia was the dominant fungal genus in dogs' ear skin, whereas Ma. pachydermatis was the main species in the healthy sample. Conversely, we identified a higher representation of Ma. globosa and Ma. sympodialis in otitis affected samples. We demonstrate the suitability of long ribosomal amplicons to characterize the fungal community of complex samples, either healthy or with clinical signs of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara D’Andreano
- SVGM, Servei Veterinari de Genètica
Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193,
Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Vetgenomics, Edifici EUREKA, Parc de Recerca de la
UAB, Campus UAB, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Cuscó
- Vetgenomics, Edifici EUREKA, Parc de Recerca de la
UAB, Campus UAB, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Francino
- SVGM, Servei Veterinari de Genètica
Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193,
Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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34
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Wright GR, Osmond A, Blondeau JM, Peermohamed S. A case of multifocal cutaneous alternariosis in a patient with hairy cell leukemia. JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CANADA = JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE L'ASSOCIATION POUR LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE ET L'INFECTIOLOGIE CANADA 2020; 5:251-255. [PMID: 36340058 PMCID: PMC9602873 DOI: 10.3138/jammi-2020-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We present a case of multifocal cutaneous alternariosis in a 69-year-old man with hairy cell leukemia. The patient presented with painful, violaceous nodules of the lower extremities and left forearm. His physical examination was otherwise normal. Biopsy specimens were submitted first for histopathological examination, followed by microbiological testing. Histopathology showed epidermal hyperplasia, intraepidermal abscess formation, and intracellular and extracellular fungal elements. Subsequent microbiological investigations, including fungal culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), isolated Alternaria alternata. The patient was treated for cutaneous alternariosis with itraconazole for 12 weeks and demonstrated significant improvement of the lesions. This case highlights the role of dual histopathological and microbiological laboratory investigation in suspected opportunistic cutaneous mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenda R Wright
- General Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Allison Osmond
- Anatomical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Joseph M Blondeau
- Clinical Microbiology, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Shaqil Peermohamed
- Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Correspondence: Shaqil Peermohamed, University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 Canada. E-mail:
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Muscat A, Sardella D, Decelis S, Gougouli M, Koutsoumanis KP, MarÍn S, Valdramidis VP. Characterization of Fungal Surface Contaminants of the Small Maltese June Pear, Pyrus communis var. bambinella. J Food Prot 2020; 83:1359-1367. [PMID: 32227249 DOI: 10.4315/jfp-19-567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Fungal pathogens cause surface contamination and potential premature fruit spoilage of bambinella, a fruit endemic to the Maltese islands, leading to the loss of fruit during the postharvest phase. The objective of this study was to isolate, quantify, and characterize fungal contaminants of the small Maltese June Pear and describe their growth kinetics. In total, 284 fungicide-free fruits were collected over three consecutive summers (2014, 2015, 2016). The isolated fungi were identified by using forward and reverse colonial morphology. Species identification was determined using PCR-based methods. The number of CFU per square centimeter of bambinella outer skin was calculated. Mycelium diameter growth rate studies of the isolates were also carried out at seven different temperatures, ranging from 5 to 35°C. Fungi isolated from bambinella included Cladosporium ramotenellum, Alternaria arborescens, Penicillium lanosum, Penicillium expansum, and Aspergillus sydowii, listed from the most abundant to the least abundant. The Rosso model was fitted to the growth kinetic data and showed that the optimal temperatures for growth of all five fungi were in the range of 20 to 22°C, whereas growth was slower at temperatures below 10°C and above 30°C. As observed in the diameter studies, the order of highest to lowest germination rate was found to be P. expansum, A. sydowii, P. lanosum, C. ramotenellum, and A. arborescens. Germination studies showed that the highest germination rate was observed for P. lanosum, followed by A. arborescens, C. ramotenellum, P. expansum, and A. sydowii, in descending order. The highest germination lag time was observed for A. arborescens, followed by C. ramotenellum, P. expansum, P. lanosum, and A. sydowii, in ascending order. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianne Muscat
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Science Building,University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta
| | - Davide Sardella
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Science Building,University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta
| | - Stephen Decelis
- Pathology Department, Mycology Laboratory, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida MSD 2080, Malta
| | - Maria Gougouli
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Perrotis College, American Farm School, Thessaloniki 57001, Greece
| | - Konstantinos P Koutsoumanis
- Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
| | - Sonia MarÍn
- Food Technology Department, Lleida University, XaRTA-TPV, Agrotecnio-Center, Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Vasilis P Valdramidis
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta.,(ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6486-3890 [V.P.V.])
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36
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Identification of pathogens causing invasive fungal rhinosinusitis in surgical biopsies using polymerase chain reaction. J Laryngol Otol 2020; 134:632-635. [PMID: 32686637 DOI: 10.1017/s0022215120001395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive fungal rhinosinusitis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Rapid pathogen identification is mandatory, but fresh tissue is not always available. A polymerase chain reaction method was designed in order to detect fungi in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. This was applied to a retrospective series of tissue biopsies from Thai patients with invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. METHODS Tissue blocks from 64 cases yielded adequate DNA. Three sequential polymerase chain reaction were performed: ZP3 (housekeeping gene) and panfungal polymerase chain reactions, and a differentiating polymerase chain reaction based on the 5.8s ribosomal RNA and internal transcribed spacer 2 regions. The polymerase chain reaction products were then sequenced. RESULTS Polymerase chain reaction identified a fungal pathogen in 20 of 64 cases (31 per cent). Aspergillus species was the most common cause of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (nine cases). Other causes included candida (n = 4), cladosporium (n = 4), mucor (n = 1), alternaria (n = 1) and dendryphiella (n = 1) species. CONCLUSION Polymerase chain reaction can provide rapid identification of fungal pathogens in paraffin-embedded tissue, enabling prompt treatment of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis.
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Dworecka-Kaszak B, Biegańska MJ, Dąbrowska I. Occurrence of various pathogenic and opportunistic fungi in skin diseases of domestic animals: a retrospective study. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:248. [PMID: 32680509 PMCID: PMC7367223 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02460-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fungal infection of animals or humans are common all over the world. Some of microorganisms like fungi, exist on the skin and can be transmitted onto other individuals, other animal species or even humans and cause skin infections. Moreover, they can be the causative agents of severe generalized infections especially in immunocompromised individuals. The study aimed to evaluate the most frequent etiological agents of skin diseases and to compare the prevalence of animal fungal infections in Poland, and to discuss the possibility of transmission to humans in Poland. Results The obtained results are culture based. The fungi most frequently isolated from group of animals with skin lesions were Malassezia pachydermatis (29.14%), and Candida yeasts (27.07%), and dermatophytes (23.5%), including Microsporum canis as majority of them (59.25%), and Trichophyton genus (40.7%), most of them T. mentagrophytes, while Malassezia pachydermatis represented (80%) of isolates in animals with otitis externa. In over 19% of positive fungal cultures obtained from external ear canals Candida yeasts, mainly C. albicans, were identified. Conclusions Dermatomycoses in companion animals are caused by both, mycelial fungi and yeasts. Most frequently isolated were Malassezia pachydermatis and Candida spp. Dermatophytes (Trichophyton, Microsporum), were also cultured, but the total number of these isolates seems to decrease. We have not found Cryptococcus neoformans in tested clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bożena Dworecka-Kaszak
- Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-784, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata J Biegańska
- Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-784, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Iwona Dąbrowska
- Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-784, Warsaw, Poland
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Emerging Dematiaceous and Hyaline Fungi Causing Keratitis in a Tertiary Care Centre From North India. Cornea 2020; 39:868-876. [DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000002295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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39
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Baturo-Cieśniewska A, Pusz W, Patejuk K. Problems, Limitations, and Challenges in Species Identification of Ascomycota Members on the Basis of ITS Regions. ACTA MYCOLOGICA 2020. [DOI: 10.5586/am.5512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region is regarded as a formal fungal primary barcode with a high probability of the correct identification for a broad group of fungi. ITS sequences have been widely used to determine many fungal species and analysis of rDNA ITS is still one of the most popular tools used in mycology. However, this region is not equally variable in all groups of fungi; therefore, identification may be problematic and result in ambiguous data, especially in some species-rich genera of Ascomycota. For these reasons, identification based on rDNA ITS is usually complemented by morphological observations and analysis of additional genes. Reliable species identification of Ascomycota members is essential in diagnosing plant diseases, verifying air quality and the effectiveness of agronomic practices, or analyzing relationships between microorganisms. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify, using specific examples, the extent to which ITS sequence analysis is useful in species identification of pathogens and saprobionts from Ascomycota and demonstrate problems related to such identification in practice. We analyzed 105 ITS sequences of isolates originating from air and plant material. Basic local alignment search tool (BLASTn) significantly contributed to the reliable species identification of nearly 80% of isolates such as <em>Arthrinium arundinis</em>, <em>Beauveria bassiana</em>, <em>Boeremia exigua</em>, <em>Cladosporium cladosporioides</em>, <em>Epicoccum nigrum</em>, <em>Nigrospora oryzae</em>, <em>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</em>, or <em>Sordaria fimicola </em>and members of the genera <em>Alternaria </em>and <em>Trichoderma</em>. However, for most isolates, additional morphological observations, information regarding the isolate origin and, where possible, a PCR with species-specific primers were helpful and complementary. Using our practical approach, we determined that ITS-based species identification and comparative analysis with GenBank sequences significantly helps identifying Ascomycota members. However, in many cases, this should be regarded as suggestive of a taxon because the data usually require the use of additional tools to verify the results of such analysis.
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40
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Diffuse primary cutaneous infection by Alternaria alternata in a liver transplant recipient with pulmonary nocardiosis: Importance of prompt identification for clinical resolution. Med Mycol Case Rep 2020; 28:42-45. [PMID: 32420014 PMCID: PMC7218148 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are rare in the general population but are an emerging cause of disease in immunosuppressed patients, especially solid organ transplant recipients. Here, we report the case of a female Caucasian liver transplant patient who developed pulmonary nocardiosis two months after an episode of liver rejection. At the time of lung nocardiosis, she was being treated with tacrolimus and corticosteroids and suffered from diffuse papular skin lesions. She was initially suspected of having a cutaneous nocardial infection but culture examination revealed the presence of a dematiaceous fungus; Alternaria alternata. The prompt identification of the fungus and administration of oral Voriconazole resolved the skin infection with complete remission.
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41
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Ferreira FV, Herrmann-Andrade AM, Calabrese CD, Bello F, Vázquez D, Musumeci MA. Effectiveness of Trichoderma strains isolated from the rhizosphere of citrus tree to control Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Penicillium digitatum A21 resistant to pyrimethanil in post-harvest oranges (Citrus sinensis L. (Osbeck)). J Appl Microbiol 2020; 129:712-727. [PMID: 32249987 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Penicillium digitatum, Alternaria alternata and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides are pathogens responsible for large decays and production losses of citrus. They are commonly controlled by fungicides, whose excessive applications have led to the emergence of resistant P. digitatum strains. Alternative approaches are imperative for sustainable and environmental harmless citrus production, being biological control a promising strategy. The objective was to evaluate the potential of Trichoderma strains native from the rhizosphere of citrus trees to control these pathogens. METHODS AND RESULTS Seven strains were isolated and identified as Trichoderma harzianum, T. guizhouense, T. atroviride and T. koningiopsis through morphological and molecular analyses. Five of them showed effective antagonist performance in vitro against the pathogens. The strain T. harzianum IC-30 was the best biological control agent in vivo, obtaining a reduction of rot percentage around 80% after 3 weeks of infection of oranges with P. digitatum A21 (resistant to pyrimethanil). This strain also showed the highest chitinase and glucanase activities. CONCLUSIONS Trichoderma harzianum IC-30 is an optimal antagonist for the control of green mould spreading and other pathogens in post-harvest citrus fruits. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The strain combined with supplementary practices could lead to sustainable management of citrus fungal diseases, dispensing with synthetic fungicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- F V Ferreira
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Entre Ríos, CONICET, Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - A M Herrmann-Andrade
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Alimentación, Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos, Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - C D Calabrese
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Alimentación, Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos, Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - F Bello
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Concordia, Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - D Vázquez
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Concordia, Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - M A Musumeci
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Entre Ríos, CONICET, Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias de la Alimentación, Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos, Concordia, Entre Ríos, Argentina
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42
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Sahay P, Goel S, Nagpal R, Maharana PK, Sinha R, Agarwal T, Sharma N, Titiyal JS. Infectious Keratitis Caused by Rare and Emerging Micro-Organisms. Curr Eye Res 2020; 45:761-773. [PMID: 31870176 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2019.1708407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To provide a comprehensive review of rare and emerging micro-organisms causing infectious keratitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS A literature search was performed using PubMed Medline, Cochrane Library Database, EMBASE and Scopus (1960 onwards), using the terms: keratitis caused by rare pathogens; mycotic keratitis; fungal keratitis; bacterial keratitis; infectious keratitis; infective keratitis; atypical fungal keratitis; fungal keratitis caused by rare organisms; fungal keratitis caused by rare ocular pathogen; atypical bacterial keratitis; bacterial keratitis caused by rare organisms; bacterial keratitis caused by rare ocular pathogen. All relevant articles were included in this review. RESULTS A total of 1232 articles matched our search strategy of which 124 articles were included in this mini-review. The rare and emerging bacteria causing keratitis include atypical mycobacteria, Nocardia spp., Chrysebacterium spp., Delftia acidovorans, Kocuria spp., Enterococcus spp., Bartonella henslae, Achromobacter spp. and others. The rare and emerging fungi causing keratitis include Pythium spp., Alternaria spp., Acremonium spp., Cladosporium spp., Curvularia spp., Bipolaris spp., Microsporidia spp., Pseudallescheria spp., Colletotrichum spp., and others. The clinical presentation of these cases is variable. While a few organisms produce characteristic clinical features, rest present similar to bacterial or fungal keratitis with variable response to routine treatment. A strong degree of suspicion is therefore essential for its diagnosis. Special investigations like polymerase chain reaction, gene sequencing, mass spectroscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay are required for accurate identification of these organisms. Culture-sensitivity is extremely useful as drug resistance to routinely used anti-microbial drugs is common. Prognosis is usually poor for keratitis with Pythium spp., Pseudallescheria spp., Arthrographis spp., Purpureocillium spp., Kociria spp. and Achromobacter spp. CONCLUSION Keratitis caused by rare and emerging micro-organisms must be suspected in cases where the infection runs an unusual course or shows a poor response to standard anti-microbial drugs. Early diagnosis and timely treatment hold the key for a good outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranita Sahay
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India
| | - Siddhi Goel
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India
| | - Ritu Nagpal
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India
| | - Prafulla K Maharana
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India
| | - Rajesh Sinha
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India
| | - Tushar Agarwal
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India
| | - Namrata Sharma
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India
| | - Jeewan S Titiyal
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi, India
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Iturrieta‐González I, Pujol I, Iftimie S, García D, Morente V, Queralt R, Guevara‐Suarez M, Alastruey‐Izquierdo A, Ballester F, Hernández‐Restrepo M, Gené J. Polyphasic identification of three new species in
Alternaria
section
Infectoriae
causing human cutaneous infection. Mycoses 2019; 63:212-224. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.13026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Iturrieta‐González
- Unitat de Micologia Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut i Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV) Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus Spain
| | - Isabel Pujol
- Laboratori de Referència Sud Hospital Universitari Sant Joan Reus Spain
| | - Simona Iftimie
- Servei de Medicina Interna Hospital Universitari Sant Joan Reus Spain
| | - Dania García
- Unitat de Micologia Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut i Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV) Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus Spain
| | - Vanesa Morente
- Servei de Patologia Hospital Universitari Sant Joan Reus Spain
| | - Rosana Queralt
- Servei de Patologia Hospital Universitari Sant Joan Reus Spain
| | - Marcela Guevara‐Suarez
- Laboratorio de Micología y Fitopatología Facultad de Ingeniería Universidad de los Andes Bogotá Colombia
| | - Ana Alastruey‐Izquierdo
- Servicio de Micología Centro Nacional de Microbiología Instituto de Salud Carlos III Madrid Spain
| | | | | | - Josepa Gené
- Unitat de Micologia Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut i Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV) Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus Spain
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Gupta V, Mehta N, Singh G, Xess I, Khanna N. Mystifying brown, pear-shaped multiseptate structures in the potassium hydroxide mounts of patients with suspected dermatophytosis. Int J Dermatol 2019; 59:e68-e70. [PMID: 31721170 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.14704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Gupta
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Nikhil Mehta
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Immaculata Xess
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Neena Khanna
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Dalla Gasperina D, Lombardi D, Rovelli C, Di Rosa Z, Lepera V, Baj A, Nava A, Lombardi G, Grossi PA. Successful treatment with isavuconazole of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in a kidney transplant recipient. Transpl Infect Dis 2019; 21:e13197. [PMID: 31617282 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Phaeohyphomycosis is a diverse group of uncommon mycotic infections caused by dematiaceous fungi which appears to be increasing in incidence, particularly in transplant recipients. Alternaria is the most frequent isolated genus. Subcutaneous, pulmonary and disseminated disease are the most common sites of Alternaria infection in solid organ transplant recipients. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of a kidney transplant recipient with Alternaria alternata subcutaneous infection who was successfully treated with isavuconazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Dalla Gasperina
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Domenico Lombardi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Cristina Rovelli
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Zaira Di Rosa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Andreina Baj
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Alice Nava
- Microbiology Laboratory, Niguarda Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Antonio Grossi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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Marin-Felix Y, Hernández-Restrepo M, Iturrieta-González I, García D, Gené J, Groenewald J, Cai L, Chen Q, Quaedvlieg W, Schumacher R, Taylor P, Ambers C, Bonthond G, Edwards J, Krueger-Hadfield S, Luangsa-ard J, Morton L, Moslemi A, Sandoval-Denis M, Tan Y, Thangavel R, Vaghefi N, Cheewangkoon R, Crous P. Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 3. Stud Mycol 2019; 94:1-124. [PMID: 31636728 PMCID: PMC6797016 DOI: 10.1016/j.simyco.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper represents the third contribution in the Genera of Phytopathogenic Fungi (GOPHY) series. The series provides morphological descriptions, information about the pathology, distribution, hosts and disease symptoms for the treated genera, as well as primary and secondary DNA barcodes for the currently accepted species included in these. This third paper in the GOPHY series treats 21 genera of phytopathogenic fungi and their relatives including: Allophoma, Alternaria, Brunneosphaerella, Elsinoe, Exserohilum, Neosetophoma, Neostagonospora, Nothophoma, Parastagonospora, Phaeosphaeriopsis, Pleiocarpon, Pyrenophora, Ramichloridium, Seifertia, Seiridium, Septoriella, Setophoma, Stagonosporopsis, Stemphylium, Tubakia and Zasmidium. This study includes three new genera, 42 new species, 23 new combinations, four new names, and three typifications of older names.
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Key Words
- Allophoma pterospermicola Q. Chen & L. Cai
- Alternaria aconidiophora Iturrieta-González, Dania García & Gené
- Alternaria altcampina Iturrieta-González, Dania García & Gené
- Alternaria chlamydosporifera Iturrieta-González, Dania García & Gené
- Alternaria curvata Iturrieta-González, Dania García & Gené
- Alternaria fimeti Iturrieta-González, Dania García & Gené
- Alternaria inflata Iturrieta-González, Dania García & Gené
- Alternaria lawrencei Iturrieta-González, Dania García & Gené
- Alternaria montsantina Iturrieta-González, Dania García & Gené
- Alternaria pobletensis Iturrieta-González, Dania García & Gené
- Alternaria pseudoventricosa Iturrieta-González, Dania García & Gené
- Arezzomyces Y. Marín & Crous
- Arezzomyces cytisi (Wanas. et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Ascochyta chrysanthemi F. Stevens
- Brunneosphaerella roupeliae Crous
- DNA barcodes
- Elsinoe picconiae Crous
- Elsinoe veronicae Crous, Thangavel & Y. Marín
- Fungal systematics
- Globoramichloridium Y. Marín & Crous
- Globoramichloridium indicum (Subram.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Neosetophoma aseptata Crous, R.K. Schumach. & Y. Marín
- Neosetophoma phragmitis Crous, R.K. Schumach. & Y. Marín
- Neosetophoma sambuci Crous, R.K. Schumach. & Y. Marín
- Neostagonospora sorghi Crous & Y. Marín
- New taxa
- Parastagonospora novozelandica Crous, Thangavel & Y. Marín
- Parastagonospora phragmitis Crous & Y. Marín
- Pestalotia unicornis Cooke & Ellis
- Phaeosphaeria phoenicicola (Crous & Thangavel) Y. Marín & Crous
- Phaeosphaeriopsis aloes Crous & Y. Marín
- Phaeosphaeriopsis aloicola Crous & Y. Marín
- Phaeosphaeriopsis grevilleae Crous & Y. Marín
- Phaeosphaeriopsis pseudoagavacearum Crous & Y. Marín
- Pleiocarpon livistonae Crous & Quaedvl.
- Pyrenophora avenicola Y. Marín & Crous
- Pyrenophora cynosuri Y. Marín & Crous
- Pyrenophora nisikadoi Y. Marín & Crous
- Pyrenophora novozelandica Y. Marín & Crous
- Pyrenophora poae (Baudyš) Y. Marín & Crous
- Pyrenophora pseudoerythrospila Y. Marín & Crous
- Pyrenophora sieglingiae Y. Marín & Crous
- Pyrenophora variabilis Hern.-Restr. & Y. Marín
- Pyrenophora wirreganensis (Wallwork et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Rhynchosphaeria cupressi Nattrass et al
- Seiridium cupressi (Nattrass et al.) Bonthond, Sandoval-Denis & Crous
- Seiridium pezizoides (de Not.) Crous
- Septoriella agrostina (Mapook et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella artemisiae (Wanas. et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella arundinicola (Wanas. et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella arundinis (W.J. Li et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella bromi (Wijayaw. et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella dactylidicola Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella dactylidis (Wanas. et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella elongata (Wehm.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella forlicesenica (Thambug. et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella garethjonesii (Thambug. et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella germanica Crous, R.K. Schumach. & Y. Marín
- Septoriella hibernica Crous, Quaedvl. & Y. Marín
- Septoriella hollandica Crous, Quaedvl. & Y. Marín
- Septoriella italica (Thambug. et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella muriformis (Ariyaw. et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella neoarundinis Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella neodactylidis Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella pseudophragmitis Crous, Quaedvl. & Y. Marín
- Septoriella rosae (Mapook et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella subcylindrospora (W.J. Li et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Septoriella vagans (Niessl) Y. Marín & Crous
- Setophoma brachypodii Crous, R.K. Schumach. & Y. Marín
- Setophoma pseudosacchari Crous & Y. Marín
- Stemphylium rombundicum Moslemi, Y.P. Tan & P.W.J. Taylor
- Stemphylium truncatulae Moslemi, Y.P. Tan & P.W.J. Taylor
- Stemphylium waikerieanum Moslemi, Jacq. Edwards & P.W.J Taylor
- Vagicola arundinis Phukhams., Camporesi & K.D. Hyde
- Wingfieldomyces Y. Marín & Crous
- Wingfieldomyces cyperi (Crous & M.J. Wingf.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Zasmidium ducassei (R.G. Shivas et al.) Y. Marín & Crous
- Zasmidium thailandicum Crous
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Affiliation(s)
- Y. Marin-Felix
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 85167, 3508 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Mycology Unit, Medical School and IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Spain
| | - M. Hernández-Restrepo
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 85167, 3508 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - I. Iturrieta-González
- Mycology Unit, Medical School and IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Spain
| | - D. García
- Mycology Unit, Medical School and IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Spain
| | - J. Gené
- Mycology Unit, Medical School and IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Spain
| | - J.Z. Groenewald
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 85167, 3508 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L. Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Q. Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - W. Quaedvlieg
- Royal Van Zanten, P.O. Box 265, 1430 AG, Aalsmeer, The Netherlands
| | | | - P.W.J. Taylor
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - C. Ambers
- P.O. Box 631, Middleburg, VA, 20118, USA
| | - G. Bonthond
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 85167, 3508 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Benthic Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Hohenbergstraße 2, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - J. Edwards
- Agriculture Victoria Research, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, AgriBio Centre, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - S.A. Krueger-Hadfield
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd, CH464, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - J.J. Luangsa-ard
- Plant Microbe Interaction Research Team, Integrative Crop Biotechnology and Management Research Group, Bioscience and Biotechnology for Agriculture, NSTDA 113, Thailand Science Park Phahonyothin Rd., Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - L. Morton
- P.O. Box 5607, Charlottesville, VA, 22905, USA
| | - A. Moslemi
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - M. Sandoval-Denis
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 85167, 3508 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Y.P. Tan
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Biosecurity Queensland, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, 4012, QLD, Australia
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - R. Thangavel
- Plant Health and Environment Laboratory, Ministry for Primary Industries, P.O. Box 2095, Auckland, 1140, New Zealand
| | - N. Vaghefi
- Centre for Crop Health, University of Southern Queensland, Queensland, 4350, Australia
| | - R. Cheewangkoon
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - P.W. Crous
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 85167, 3508 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Forestry & Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR), Laboratory of Phytopathology, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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47
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Suda K, Yamashita T, Kawase Y, Yarita K, Yoshizaki A, Akamata K, Asano Y, Kamei K, Sato S. Cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Alternaria alternata in an immunosuppressed patient. J Dermatol 2019; 46:e448-e449. [PMID: 31432527 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.15041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kumiko Suda
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuriko Kawase
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyoko Yarita
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Asako Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaname Akamata
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Kamei
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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48
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Mohammadi A, Bahramikia S. Molecular identification and genetic variation of Alternaria species isolated from tomatoes using ITS1 sequencing and inter simple sequence repeat methods. Curr Med Mycol 2019; 5:1-8. [PMID: 31321331 PMCID: PMC6626712 DOI: 10.18502/cmm.5.2.1154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Alternaria is one of the most abundant fungi that exists in numerous places around the world. This saprophytic fungus causes diseases in plants and accounts for the spoilage of cereals in warehouses. The aim of this study was to identify Alternaria isolates based on their morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer ribosomal RNA (ITS rRNA) sequencing method. To this end, genetic diversity in the isolates was also examined using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Materials and Methods: To conduct this research, a total of 60 tomato samples with black spots were collected from supermarkets in Khorramabad City, Iran, in the winter of 2017. The specimens were cultured on a potato dextrose agar medium. After the purification of the fungus by the single-spore method, the identification of the species was carried out using morphological characteristics and ITS rRNA sequencing by polymerase chain reaction. The genetic diversity of the identified species with four primers was evaluated using the ISSR marker. Results: Based on the sequencing of the ITS1 region, all the isolates were identified as A. alternata. Cluster diagrams for the ISSR marker were classified into six distinct groups. The mean polymorphism information content was obtained as 0.35, indicating the effectiveness of the primers in the separation of the isolates. Conclusion: The sequencing of ITS1 led to the identification of Alternaria species that are morphologically similar. The production of various mycotoxins by A. Alternata species leads to the contamination of livestock and human food. Regarding this, the investigation of the genetic diversity of A. alternata species using the ISSR marker would facilitate the identification of suitable and effective strategies for controlling the fungal and mycotoxin contamination of human nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seifollah Bahramikia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
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49
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Comparative in vitro pharmacodynamic analysis of isavuconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole against clinical isolates of aspergillosis, mucormycosis, fusariosis, and phaeohyphomycosis. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 95:114861. [PMID: 31427139 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2019.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We compared the in vitro pharmacodynamics of isavuconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole against 92 clinical isolates from documented cases of invasive aspergillosis, mucormycosis, fusariosis, and phaeohyphomycosis. Whereas inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations of these triazoles were predictably similar with the exception of Mucorales, isavuconazole appeared to have improved pharmacodynamics against Fusarium solani.
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50
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Almeida MC, Antunes D, Silva BMA, Rodrigues L, Mota M, Borges O, Fernandes C, Gonçalves T. Early Interaction of Alternaria infectoria Conidia with Macrophages. Mycopathologia 2019; 184:383-392. [PMID: 31183740 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-019-00339-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fungi of the genus Alternaria are ubiquitous indoor and outdoor airborne agents, and individuals are daily exposed to their spores. Although its importance in human infections and, particularly in respiratory allergies, there are no studies of how Alternaria spp. spores interact with host cells. Our aim was to study the early interaction of Alternaria infectoria spores with macrophages, the first line of immune defense. RAW 264.7 macrophages were infected with A. infectoria conidia, and the internalization and viability of conidia once inside the macrophages were quantified during the first 6 h of interaction. Live cell imaging was used to study the dynamics of this interaction. TNF-α production was quantified by relative gene expression, and the concentration of other cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, GM-CSF and INF-γ) and a chemokine, MIP-1α, was quantified by ELISA. Conidia were rapidly internalized by macrophages, with approximately half internalized after 30 min of interaction. During the first 6 h of interaction, macrophages retained the ability to mitotically divide while containing internalized conidia. The classical macrophage-activated morphology was absent in macrophages infected with conidia, and TNF-α and other cytokines and chemokines failed to be produced. Thus, macrophages are able to efficiently phagocyte A. infectoria conidia, but, during the first 6 h, no effective antifungal response is triggered, therefore promoting the residence of these fungal conidia inside the macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Almeida
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - D Antunes
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - B M A Silva
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - L Rodrigues
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M Mota
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - O Borges
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,FFUC - Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - C Fernandes
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - T Gonçalves
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.,FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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