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Sakano Y, Okumura T, Kofuku T, Kidaka S, Nakata Y, Katsura S, Goto K, Shigematsu M. A Case of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis Caused by Cordyceps farinosa, a Species of Caterpillar Fungi. Cureus 2024; 16:e68366. [PMID: 39355473 PMCID: PMC11443473 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.68366] [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] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024] Open
Abstract
A female patient in her thirties presented with persistent cough and sputum, unresponsive to conventional treatments. Chest imaging showed infiltrative opacities and high attenuation mucus. On laboratory examination, eosinophil counts and immunoglobulin E were elevated. Cordyceps farinosa,a species of caterpillar fungi, was identified by bronchoscopy and subsequent DNA sequencing from the mucus plug. The symptoms improved after the removal of mucus plugs and cessation of exposure to the work environment. Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) caused by C. farinosa has not been reported, and its pathogenicity is not well recognized. Herein, we report this case to understand the disease spectrum of ABPM and the pathogenicity of this rare fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Sakano
- Department of Pulmonology, Sumitomo Hospital, Osaka, JPN
| | - Taro Okumura
- Department of Pulmonology, Sumitomo Hospital, Osaka, JPN
| | - Tomomi Kofuku
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Technology, Sumitomo Hospital, Osaka, JPN
| | - Saki Kidaka
- Department of Pulmonology, Sumitomo Hospital, Osaka, JPN
| | - Yugo Nakata
- Department of Pulmonology, Sumitomo Hospital, Osaka, JPN
| | | | - Kenichi Goto
- Department of Pulmonology, Sumitomo Hospital, Osaka, JPN
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Gierke AM, Hessling M. Sensitivity Analysis of C. auris, S. cerevisiae, and C. cladosporioides by Irradiation with Far-UVC, UVC, and UVB. Pathog Immun 2024; 9:135-151. [PMID: 39247685 PMCID: PMC11378758 DOI: 10.20411/pai.v9i2.723] [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: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The World Health Organization has published a list of pathogenic fungi with prior-itizing groups and calls for research and development of antifungal measures, with Candida auris belonging to the group with high priority. Methods The photosensitivity towards short wavelength ultraviolet irradiation (Far-UVC, UVC, and UVB) was investigated and compared to other yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and a mold (Cladosporium cladosporioides). The observed 1-log reduction doses were compared to literature values of other representatives of the genus Candida, but also with S. cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger, and A. fumigatus. Results For the determined 1-log reduction doses, an increase with higher wavelengths was observed. A 1-log reduction dose of 4.3 mJ/cm2 was determined for C. auris when irradiated at 222 nm, a dose of 6.1 mJ/cm2 at 254 nm and a 1-log reduction dose of 51.3 mJ/cm2 was required when irradiated with UVB. Conclusions It was observed that S. cerevisiae is a possible surrogate for C. auris for irradiation with Far-UVC and UVB due to close 1-log reduction doses. No surrogate suitability was verified for C. cladosporioides in relation to A. niger and A. fumigatus for irradiation with a wavelength of 254 nm and for A. niger at 222 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Gierke
- Institute of Medical Engineering and Mechatronics, Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martin Hessling
- Institute of Medical Engineering and Mechatronics, Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Ulm, Germany
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3
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Félix C, Meneses R, Gonçalves MFM, Duarte AS, Jorrín-Novo JV, van de Peer Y, Deforce D, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Alves A, Esteves AC. How temperature modulates the expression of pathogenesis-related molecules of the cross-kingdom pathogen Lasiodiplodia hormozganensis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:171917. [PMID: 38580127 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Lasiodiplodia hormozganensis, initially recognized as a fungal plant pathogen, is recognized now acknowledged as a potential threat to humans. However, our understanding of the pathogenesis mechanisms of Lasiodiplodia species remains limited, and the impact of temperature on its pathogenicity is unclear. This study aims to elucidate the effects of temperature on the biology of L. hormozganensis, focusing on the expression of pathogenesis-related molecules and its ability to function as a cross-kingdom pathogen. We conducted experiments at two different temperatures, 25 and 37 °C, analyzing the proteome and transcriptome of L. hormozganensis. Using strain CBS339.90, initially identified as L. theobromae but confirmed through ITS and tef1-α sequence analysis to be L. hormozganensis, we aimed to understand the fungus's protein expression under varying temperature conditions. Results from the functional analysis of the secretome at 25 °C showed a noteworthy presence of proteins related to carbohydrate metabolism, catabolism, plant cell wall degradation, and pathogenesis. However, when grown at 37 °C, the fungus exhibited an increased production of stress response and pathogenesis-related proteins. Our findings identified various pathways crucial for pathogenesis in both plants and humans, suggesting that L. hormozganensis possesses the genetic foundation to infect both hosts. Specific pathogenesis-related proteins, including the phytotoxin snodprot1, aspartic protease aspergillopepsin, and virulence protein SSD1, were also identified. Concluding, we propose a possible mechanism of how L. hormozganensis adapts to different temperatures. The shift in temperature results in the expression of genes that favor human related pathogenesis molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Félix
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Present address: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Meneses
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, B-9052, Belgium
| | - Micael F M Gonçalves
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana S Duarte
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), Faculty of Dental Medicine, Estrada da Circunvalação, 3504-505, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Jesus V Jorrín-Novo
- Agroforestry and Plant Biochemistry, Proteomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Yves van de Peer
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, B-9052, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Artur Alves
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana C Esteves
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Hameed T, Motsi N, Bignell E, Tanaka RJ. Inferring fungal growth rates from optical density data. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012105. [PMID: 38753887 PMCID: PMC11098479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Quantifying fungal growth underpins our ability to effectively treat severe fungal infections. Current methods quantify fungal growth rates from time-course morphology-specific data, such as hyphal length data. However, automated large-scale collection of such data lies beyond the scope of most clinical microbiology laboratories. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model of fungal growth to estimate morphology-specific growth rates from easy-to-collect, but indirect, optical density (OD600) data of Aspergillus fumigatus growth (filamentous fungus). Our method accounts for OD600 being an indirect measure by explicitly including the relationship between the indirect OD600 measurements and the calibrating true fungal growth in the model. Therefore, the method does not require de novo generation of calibration data. Our model outperformed reference models at fitting to and predicting OD600 growth curves and overcame observed discrepancies between morphology-specific rates inferred from OD600 versus directly measured data in reference models that did not include calibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Hameed
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Motsi
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine Bignell
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Reiko J. Tanaka
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Ijadpanahsaravi M, Snoek LB, Teertstra WR, Wösten HAB. The impact of inter- and intra-species spore density on germination of the food spoilage fungus Aspergillus niger. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 410:110495. [PMID: 37980813 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Aspergilli can be used to produce food but can spoil it as well. Both food production and spoilage are initiated by germination of the conidia of these fungi that have been introduced by inoculation and contamination, respectively. Germination of these spores includes activation, swelling, establishment of cell polarity, and formation of a germ tube. So far, only quantitative single-species germination studies of fungal spores have been performed. Here, spore germination of the food spoilage fungus Aspergillus niger was studied quantitatively in mono-culture or when mixed with other food-relevant aspergilli (Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus clavatus, and Aspergillus oryzae). In the presence of the germination inducing amino acids proline or alanine, but not in the case of the lowly inducing amino acid arginine, the incidence of swelling and germ tube formation was reduced when 35,000 extra conidia of Aspergillus niger were added to wells containing 5000 of these spores. Adding 35,000 spores of one of the other aspergilli also did not have an effect on germination in the presence of arginine, but the germination inhibition was stronger when compared to the extra A. niger spores in the case of alanine. A similar effect was obtained with proline. Together, results show that the germination of A. niger conidia is impacted by the density of its own spores and that of other aspergilli under favorable nutritional conditions. These results increase our understanding of food spoilage by fungi and can be used to optimize food production with fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ijadpanahsaravi
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - L Basten Snoek
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Wieke R Teertstra
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Han A B Wösten
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Naicker S, Mohanlall V, Ngubane S, Mellem J, Mchunu NP. Phenotypic Array for Identification and Screening of Antifungals against Aspergillus Isolates from Respiratory Infections in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:616. [PMID: 37367552 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid emergence of invasive fungal infections correlates with the increasing population of immunocompromised individuals, with many cases leading to death. The progressive increase in the incidence of Aspergillus isolates is even more severe due to the clinical challenges in treating invasive infections in immunocompromised patients with respiratory conditions. Rapid detection and diagnosis are needed to reduce mortality in individuals with invasive aspergillosis-related infections and thus efficient identification impacts clinical success. The phenotypic array method was compared to conventional morphology and molecular identification on thirty-six Aspergillus species isolated from patients with respiratory infections at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital in Kwa-Zulu Natal. In addition, an antimicrobial array was also carried out to screen for possible novel antimicrobial compounds for treatment. Although traditional morphological techniques are useful, genetic identification was the most reliable, assigning 26 to Aspergillus fumigatus species, 8 Aspergillus niger, and 2 Aspergillus flavus including cryptic species of A. niger, A. tubingensis and A. welwitschiae. The phenotypic array technique was only able to identify isolates up to the genus level due to a lack of adequate reference clinical species in the database. However, this technique proved crucial in assessing a wide range of possible antimicrobial options after these isolates exhibited some resistance to azoles. Antifungal profiles of the thirty-six isolates on the routine azole voriconazole showed a resistance of 6%, with 61% having moderate susceptibility. All isolates resistant to the salvage therapy drug, posaconazole pose a serious concern. Significantly, A. niger was the only species resistant (25%) to voriconazole and has recently been reported as the species isolated from patients with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Phenotypic microarray showed that 83% of the isolates were susceptible to the 24 new compounds and novel compounds were identified for potentially effective combination treatment of fungal infections. This study also reports the first TR34/98 mutation in Aspergillus clinical isolates which is located in the cyp51A gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarla Naicker
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Viresh Mohanlall
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Sandile Ngubane
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - John Mellem
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
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Harada T, Inui G, Ishikawa H, Kato R, Sueda Y, Funaki Y, Takata M, Okazaki R, Morita M, Kitatani S, Yamasaki A. The Clinical Characteristics of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis Differ Among Pathogenic Fungi. Yonago Acta Med 2023; 66:257-262. [PMID: 37229372 PMCID: PMC10203632 DOI: 10.33160/yam.2023.05.016] [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: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Background Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) occurs with fungi, other than Aspergillus fumigatus. However, the clinical characteristics of ABPM caused by non-Aspergillus species are unspecified. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients with ABPM who visited to our hospital between April 2005 and December 2020. The causative fungi and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Patients were divided into the Aspergillus group and the non-Aspergillus group. Results Fourteen patients and five patients were included in the Aspergillus group and the non-Aspergillus group, respectively. Compared to the Aspergillus group, the non-Aspergillus group had a significantly low serum immunoglobulin E level and low forced vital capacity. In addition, the non-Aspergillus group had a lower rate of the requirement for oral corticosteroid treatment and a low frequency of recurrence. Conclusion Patients with non-Aspergillus ABPM had lower type 2 inflammation than did patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Harada
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan and
| | - Genki Inui
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan and
| | - Hiroki Ishikawa
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan and
| | - Ryohei Kato
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan and
| | - Yuriko Sueda
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan and
| | - Yoshihiro Funaki
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan and
| | - Miki Takata
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan and
| | - Ryota Okazaki
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan and
| | - Masato Morita
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan and
| | - Shin Kitatani
- Department of Respirology, Tottori Prefectural Kousei Hospital, Kurayoshi 682-0804, Japan
| | - Akira Yamasaki
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan and
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Drais MI, Rossini L, Turco S, Faluschi A, Mazzaglia A. Modelling germination and mycelium growth rates of Monostichella coryli under constant temperature conditions. FUNGAL ECOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2022.101201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Becchimanzi A, Nicoletti R. Aspergillus-bees: A dynamic symbiotic association. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:968963. [PMID: 36160228 PMCID: PMC9489833 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.968963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides representing one of the most relevant threats of fungal origin to human and animal health, the genus Aspergillus includes opportunistic pathogens which may infect bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in all developmental stages. At least 30 different species of Aspergillus have been isolated from managed and wild bees. Some efficient behavioral responses (e.g., diseased brood removal) exerted by bees negatively affect the chance to diagnose the pathology, and may contribute to the underestimation of aspergillosis importance in beekeeping. On the other hand, bee immune responses may be affected by biotic and abiotic stresses and suffer from the loose co-evolutionary relationships with Aspergillus pathogenic strains. However, if not pathogenic, these hive mycobiota components can prove to be beneficial to bees, by affecting the interaction with other pathogens and parasites and by detoxifying xenobiotics. The pathogenic aptitude of Aspergillus spp. likely derives from the combined action of toxins and hydrolytic enzymes, whose effects on bees have been largely overlooked until recently. Variation in the production of these virulence factors has been observed among strains, even belonging to the same species. Toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains/species may co-exist in a homeostatic equilibrium which is susceptible to be perturbed by several external factors, leading to mutualistic/antagonistic switch in the relationships between Aspergillus and bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Becchimanzi
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Rosario Nicoletti
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Olive, Fruit and Citrus Crops, Caserta, Italy
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Ortiz SC, Pennington K, Thomson DD, Bertuzzi M. Novel Insights into Aspergillus fumigatus Pathogenesis and Host Response from State-of-the-Art Imaging of Host-Pathogen Interactions during Infection. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:264. [PMID: 35330266 PMCID: PMC8954776 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus spores initiate more than 3,000,000 chronic and 300,000 invasive diseases annually, worldwide. Depending on the immune status of the host, inhalation of these spores can lead to a broad spectrum of disease, including invasive aspergillosis, which carries a 50% mortality rate overall; however, this mortality rate increases substantially if the infection is caused by azole-resistant strains or diagnosis is delayed or missed. Increasing resistance to existing antifungal treatments is becoming a major concern; for example, resistance to azoles (the first-line available oral drug against Aspergillus species) has risen by 40% since 2006. Despite high morbidity and mortality, the lack of an in-depth understanding of A. fumigatus pathogenesis and host response has hampered the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the clinical management of fungal infections. Recent advances in sample preparation, infection models and imaging techniques applied in vivo have addressed important gaps in fungal research, whilst questioning existing paradigms. This review highlights the successes and further potential of these recent technologies in understanding the host-pathogen interactions that lead to aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien C Ortiz
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Katie Pennington
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Darren D Thomson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Margherita Bertuzzi
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
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Guirao-Abad JP, Weichert M, Askew DS. Cell death induction in Aspergillus fumigatus: accentuating drug toxicity through inhibition of the unfolded protein response (UPR). CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2022; 3:100119. [PMID: 35909601 PMCID: PMC9325865 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2022.100119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The UPR is an adaptive stress response network that is tightly linked to the ability of Aspergillus fumigatus, and other pathogenic fungi, to sustain viability in the presence of adverse environmental conditions, including the stress of infection. In this review, we summarize the evidence that supports the concept of targeting the A. fumigatus UPR as a strategy to reduce the ability of the fungus to withstand stress.
One of the most potent opportunistic fungal pathogens of humans is Aspergillus fumigatus, an environmental mold that causes a life-threatening pneumonia with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in therapy, issues of drug toxicity and antifungal resistance remain an obstacle to effective therapy. This underscores the need for more information on fungal pathways that could be pharmacologically manipulated to either reduce the viability of the fungus during infection, or to unleash the fungicidal potential of current antifungal drugs. In this review, we summarize the emerging evidence that the ability of A. fumigatus to sustain viability during stress relies heavily on an adaptive signaling pathway known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), thereby exposing a vulnerability in this fungus that has strong potential for future therapeutic intervention.
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Ewald J, Rivieccio F, Radosa L, Schuster S, Brakhage AA, Kaleta C. Dynamic optimization reveals alveolar epithelial cells as key mediators of host defense in invasive aspergillosis. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009645. [PMID: 34898608 PMCID: PMC8699926 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an important human fungal pathogen and its conidia are constantly inhaled by humans. In immunocompromised individuals, conidia can grow out as hyphae that damage lung epithelium. The resulting invasive aspergillosis is associated with devastating mortality rates. Since infection is a race between the innate immune system and the outgrowth of A. fumigatus conidia, we use dynamic optimization to obtain insight into the recruitment and depletion of alveolar macrophages and neutrophils. Using this model, we obtain key insights into major determinants of infection outcome on host and pathogen side. On the pathogen side, we predict in silico and confirm in vitro that germination speed is an important virulence trait of fungal pathogens due to the vulnerability of conidia against host defense. On the host side, we found that epithelial cells, which have been underappreciated, play a role in fungal clearance and are potent mediators of cytokine release. Both predictions were confirmed by in vitro experiments on established cell lines as well as primary lung cells. Further, our model affirms the importance of neutrophils in invasive aspergillosis and underlines that the role of macrophages remains elusive. We expect that our model will contribute to improvement of treatment protocols by focusing on the critical components of immune response to fungi but also fungal virulence traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ewald
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (ScaDS.AI), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Flora Rivieccio
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Lukáš Radosa
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Department of Bioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Christoph Kaleta
- Research Group Medical Systems Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
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Nguyen Van Long N, Rigalma K, Jany JL, Mounier J, Vasseur V. Intraspecific variability in cardinal growth temperatures and water activities within a large diversity of Penicillium roqueforti strains. Food Res Int 2021; 148:110610. [PMID: 34507754 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Different strains of a given fungal species may display heterogeneous growth behavior in response to environmental factors. In predictive mycology, the consideration of such variability during data collection could improve the robustness of predictive models. Among food-borne fungi, Penicillium roqueforti is a major food spoiler species which is also used as a ripening culture for blue cheese manufacturing. In the present study, we investigated the intraspecific variability of cardinal temperatures and water activities (aw), namely, minimal (Tmin and awmin), optimal (Topt and awopt) and maximal (Tmax) temperatures and/or aw estimated with the cardinal model for radial growth, of 29 Penicillium roqueforti strains belonging to 3 genetically distinct populations. The mean values of cardinal temperatures and aw for radial growth varied significantly across the tested strains, except for Tmax which was constant. In addition, the relationship between the intraspecific variability of the biological response to temperature and aw and putative genetic populations (based on microsatellite markers) within the selected P. roqueforti strains was investigated. Even though no clear relationship was identified between growth parameters and ecological characteristics, PCA confirmed that certain strains had marginal growth response to temperature or aw. Overall, the present data support the idea that a better knowledge of the response to abiotic factors such as temperature and aw at an intraspecific level would be useful to model fungal growth in predictive mycology approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Nguyen Van Long
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France.
| | - Karim Rigalma
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Jean-Luc Jany
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Jérôme Mounier
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Valérie Vasseur
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
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14
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Cai S, Rico-Munoz E, Snyder AB. Intermediate Thermoresistance in Black Yeast Asexual Cells Variably Increases with Culture Age, Promoting Survival and Spoilage in Thermally Processed Shelf-Stable Foods. J Food Prot 2021; 84:1582-1591. [PMID: 33878188 DOI: 10.4315/jfp-21-103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Black yeasts are a functional group that has caused spoilage in cold-filled and hot-filled beverages, as well as other water activity-controlled food products. We established quantitative thermoresistance parameters for the inactivation of 12 Aureobasidium and Exophiala isolates through isothermal experiments and a challenge study. Culture age (2 versus 28 days) variably affected the thermoresisitance among the black yeast strains. Variation in thermoresistance exists within each genus, but the two most resistant strains were the Exophiala isolates. The two most heat-resistant isolates were Exophiala phaeomuriformis FSL-E2-0572, with a D60-value of 7.69 ± 0.63 min in 28-day culture and Exophiala dermatitidis YB-734, with a D60-value of 16.32 ± 2.13 min in 28-day culture. Although these thermoresistance levels were, in some cases, greater than those for conidia and vegetative cells from other common food spoilage fungi, they were much more sensitive than the ascospores of heat-resistant molds most associated with spoilage of hot-filled products. However, given that black yeasts have caused spoilage in hot-filled products, we hypothesized that this intermediate degree of thermoresistance may support survival following introduction during active cooling before package seals have formed. A challenge study was performed in an acidic (apple cider) and water activity-controlled (maple syrup) product to evaluate survival. When apple cider was hot filled at 82°C, black yeast counts were reduced by 4.1 log CFU/mL 24 h after the heat treatment, but the survivors increased up to 6.7 log CFU/mL after 2 weeks. In comparison, the counts were below the detection limit after both 24 h and 14 days of shelf life in both products when filled at the boiling points. This suggests that ensuring water microbial quality in cooling tunnels and nozzle sanitation may be essential in mitigating the introduction of these fungi. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Cai
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
| | - Emilia Rico-Munoz
- BCN Research Laboratories, Inc., 2491 Stock Creek Boulevard, Rockford, Tennessee 37853, USA
| | - Abigail B Snyder
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
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15
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Earl Kang S, Celia BN, Bensasson D, Momany M. Sporulation environment drives phenotypic variation in the pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:jkab208. [PMID: 34849823 PMCID: PMC8496221 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus causes more than 300,000 life-threatening infections annually and is widespread across varied environments with a single colony producing thousands of conidia, genetically identical dormant spores. Conidia are easily wind-dispersed to new environments where they can germinate and, if inhaled by susceptible hosts, cause disease. Using high-throughput single-cell analysis via flow cytometry we analyzed conidia produced and germinated in nine environmentally and medically relevant conditions (complete medium, minimal medium, high temperature, excess copper, excess iron, limited iron, excess salt, excess reactive oxygen species, and limited zinc). We found that germination phenotypes vary among genetically identical individuals, that the environment of spore production determines the size of spores and the degree of germination heterogeneity, and that the environment of spore production impacts virulence in a Galleria mellonella host.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Earl Kang
- Fungal Biology Group & Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Brandi N Celia
- Fungal Biology Group & Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Douda Bensasson
- Institute of Bioinformatics & Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Michelle Momany
- Fungal Biology Group & Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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16
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Hamada N, Ishiga M, Tanaka S, Ooue Y, Itano J, Tanaka H, Yuzurio S, Horiuchi T, Suwaki T, Kimura G, Tanimoto Y. Successful Treatment of Antifungal Combination Therapy with Inhaled Liposomal Amphotericin B and Oral Voriconazole for Intractable Chronic Progressive Pulmonary Aspergillosis. Intern Med 2021; 60:2465-2468. [PMID: 33678738 PMCID: PMC8381164 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.6305-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We experienced a case of the successful treatment of intractable pulmonary aspergillosis with inhaled liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) and oral voriconazole (VRCZ). A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a fever. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed an infiltrative shadow. Two separate sputum cultures detected Aspergillus niger. Although we treated the patient with single and combined antifungal agents, the infiltrative shadow worsened. After obtaining sufficient informed consent from the patient, we switched him to an inhaled L-AMB. The infiltrative shadow subsequently improved. The patient has remained well for one year without exacerbation. We herein report the usefulness of inhaled L-AMB and oral VRCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noboru Hamada
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama City Hospital, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Ishiga
- Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization, Minami Okayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Suzuka Tanaka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama City Hospital, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Ooue
- Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization, Minami Okayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Junko Itano
- Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Japan
| | - Hisaaki Tanaka
- Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization, Minami Okayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Shota Yuzurio
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama City Hospital, Japan
| | - Takeshi Horiuchi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama City Hospital, Japan
| | | | - Goro Kimura
- Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization, Minami Okayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Yasushi Tanimoto
- Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization, Minami Okayama Medical Center, Japan
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17
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Fabri JHTM, Rocha MC, Fernandes CM, Persinoti GF, Ries LNA, da Cunha AF, Goldman GH, Del Poeta M, Malavazi I. The Heat Shock Transcription Factor HsfA Is Essential for Thermotolerance and Regulates Cell Wall Integrity in Aspergillus fumigatus. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:656548. [PMID: 33897671 PMCID: PMC8062887 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.656548] [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: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The deleterious effects of human-induced climate change have long been predicted. However, the imminent emergence and spread of new diseases, including fungal infections through the rise of thermotolerant strains, is still neglected, despite being a potential consequence of global warming. Thermotolerance is a remarkable virulence attribute of the mold Aspergillus fumigatus. Under high-temperature stress, opportunistic fungal pathogens deploy an adaptive mechanism known as heat shock (HS) response controlled by heat shock transcription factors (HSFs). In eukaryotes, HSFs regulate the expression of several heat shock proteins (HSPs), such as the chaperone Hsp90, which is part of the cellular program for heat adaptation and a direct target of HSFs. We recently observed that the perturbation in cell wall integrity (CWI) causes concomitant susceptibility to elevated temperatures in A. fumigatus, although the mechanisms underpinning the HS response and CWI cross talking are not elucidated. Here, we aim at further deciphering the interplay between HS and CWI. Our results show that cell wall ultrastructure is severely modified when A. fumigatus is exposed to HS. We identify the transcription factor HsfA as essential for A. fumigatus viability, thermotolerance, and CWI. Indeed, HS and cell wall stress trigger the coordinated expression of both hsfA and hsp90. Furthermore, the CWI signaling pathway components PkcA and MpkA were shown to be important for HsfA and Hsp90 expression in the A. fumigatus biofilms. Lastly, RNA-sequencing confirmed that hsfA regulates the expression of genes related to the HS response, cell wall biosynthesis and remodeling, and lipid homeostasis. Our studies collectively demonstrate the connection between the HS and the CWI pathway, with HsfA playing a crucial role in this cross-pathway regulation, reinforcing the importance of the cell wall in A. fumigatus thermophily.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina Campos Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Caroline Mota Fernandes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Gabriela Felix Persinoti
- Laboratório Nacional de Biorrenováveis (LNBR), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Anderson Ferreira da Cunha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Henrique Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, NY, United States
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
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18
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Rocha MC, Minari K, Fabri JHTM, Kerkaert JD, Gava LM, da Cunha AF, Cramer RA, Borges JC, Malavazi I. Aspergillus fumigatus Hsp90 interacts with the main components of the cell wall integrity pathway and cooperates in heat shock and cell wall stress adaptation. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13273. [PMID: 33010083 PMCID: PMC7855945 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The initiation of Aspergillus fumigatus infection occurs via dormant conidia deposition into the airways. Therefore, conidial germination and subsequent hyphal extension and growth occur in a sustained heat shock (HS) environment promoted by the host. The cell wall integrity pathway (CWIP) and the essential eukaryotic chaperone Hsp90 are critical for fungi to survive HS. Although A. fumigatus is a thermophilic fungus, the mechanisms underpinning the HS response are not thoroughly described and important to define its role in pathogenesis, virulence and antifungal drug responses. Here, we investigate the contribution of the CWIP in A. fumigatus thermotolerance. We observed that the CWIP components PkcA, MpkA and RlmA are Hsp90 clients and that a PkcAG579R mutation abolishes this interaction. PkcAG579R also abolishes MpkA activation in the short-term response to HS. Biochemical and biophysical analyses indicated that Hsp90 is a dimeric functional ATPase, which has a higher affinity for ADP than ATP and prevents MpkA aggregation in vitro. Our data suggest that the CWIP is constitutively required for A. fumigatus to cope with the temperature increase found in the mammalian lung environment, emphasising the importance of this pathway in supporting thermotolerance and cell wall integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Campos Rocha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Karine Minari
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | | | - Joshua D Kerkaert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Lisandra Marques Gava
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Anderson Ferreira da Cunha
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Robert A Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Júlio César Borges
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Iran Malavazi
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
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19
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Seidel C, Moreno-Velásquez SD, Ben-Ghazzi N, Gago S, Read ND, Bowyer P. Phagolysosomal Survival Enables Non-lytic Hyphal Escape and Ramification Through Lung Epithelium During Aspergillus fumigatus Infection. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1955. [PMID: 32973709 PMCID: PMC7468521 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important mould pathogen in immunosuppressed patients. Suboptimal clearance of inhaled spores results in the colonisation of the lung airways by invasive hyphae. The first point of contact between A. fumigatus and the host is the lung epithelium. In vitro and ex vivo studies have characterised critical aspects of the interaction of invasive hyphae on the surface of epithelial cells. However, the cellular interplay between internalised A. fumigatus and the lung epithelium remains largely unexplored. Here, we use high-resolution live-cell confocal microscopy, 3D rendered imaging and transmission electron microscopy to define the development of A. fumigatus after lung epithelium internalisation in vitro. Germination, morphology and growth of A. fumigatus were significantly impaired upon internalisation by alveolar (A549) and bronchial (16HBE) lung epithelial cells compared to those growing on the host surface. Internalised spores and germlings were surrounded by the host phagolysosome membrane. Sixty per cent of the phagosomes containing germlings were not acidified at 24 h post infection allowing hyphal development. During escape, the phagolysosomal membrane was not ruptured but likely fused to host plasma membrane allowing hyphal exit from the intact host cell in an non-lytic Manner. Subsequently, escaping hyphae elongated between or through adjacent epithelial lung cells without penetration of the host cytoplasm. Hyphal tips penetrating new epithelial cells were surrounded by the recipient cell plasma membrane. Altogether, our results suggest cells of lung epithelium survive fungal penetration because the phagolysosomal and plasma membranes are never breached and that conversely, fungal spores survive due to phagosome maturation failure. Consequently, fungal hyphae can grow through the epithelial cell layer without directly damaging the host. These processes likely prevent the activation of downstream immune responses alongside limiting the access of professional phagocytes to the invading fungal hypha. Further research is needed to investigate if these events also occur during penetration of fungi in endothelial cells, fibroblasts and other cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanze Seidel
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio D Moreno-Velásquez
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nagwa Ben-Ghazzi
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Gago
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nick D Read
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Bowyer
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
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20
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Donkor ES. Cockroaches and Food-borne Pathogens. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2020; 14:1178630220913365. [PMID: 32425541 PMCID: PMC7218330 DOI: 10.1177/1178630220913365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Food-borne disease is a widespread and escalating public health problem globally. About a quarter of the microorganisms isolated from cockroaches are food-borne pathogens including Escherichia coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhi, Rotavirus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptosporidium parvum. Thus, cockroaches could be an important reservoir and mechanical vector of food-borne pathogens. Generally, the role of cockroaches in human infections is poorly understood and has been an issue of debate for several years. This article aims to elucidate the possible role of cockroaches in food-borne infections by reviewing the relevant research publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S Donkor
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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21
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Denham ST, Wambaugh MA, Brown JCS. How Environmental Fungi Cause a Range of Clinical Outcomes in Susceptible Hosts. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:2982-3009. [PMID: 31078554 PMCID: PMC6646061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Environmental fungi are globally ubiquitous and human exposure is near universal. However, relatively few fungal species are capable of infecting humans, and among fungi, few exposure events lead to severe systemic infections. Systemic infections have mortality rates of up to 90%, cost the US healthcare system $7.2 billion annually, and are typically associated with immunocompromised patients. Despite this reputation, exposure to environmental fungi results in a range of outcomes, from asymptomatic latent infections to severe systemic infection. Here we discuss different exposure outcomes for five major fungal pathogens: Aspergillus, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, and Histoplasma species. These fungi include a mold, a budding yeast, and thermal dimorphic fungi. All of these species must adapt to dramatically changing environments over the course of disease. These dynamic environments include the human lung, which is the first exposure site for these organisms. Fungi must defend themselves against host immune cells while germinating and growing, which risks further exposing microbe-associated molecular patterns to the host. We discuss immune evasion strategies during early infection, from disruption of host immune cells to major changes in fungal cell morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven T Denham
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology Department, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Morgan A Wambaugh
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology Department, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Jessica C S Brown
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology Department, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
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22
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Rudramurthy SM, Paul RA, Chakrabarti A, Mouton JW, Meis JF. Invasive Aspergillosis by Aspergillus flavus: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Antifungal Resistance, and Management. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5030055. [PMID: 31266196 PMCID: PMC6787648 DOI: 10.3390/jof5030055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is the second most common etiological agent of invasive aspergillosis (IA) after A. fumigatus. However, most literature describes IA in relation to A. fumigatus or together with other Aspergillus species. Certain differences exist in IA caused by A. flavus and A. fumigatus and studies on A. flavus infections are increasing. Hence, we performed a comprehensive updated review on IA due to A. flavus. A. flavus is the cause of a broad spectrum of human diseases predominantly in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa possibly due to its ability to survive better in hot and arid climatic conditions compared to other Aspergillus spp. Worldwide, ~10% of cases of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis are caused by A. flavus. Outbreaks have usually been associated with construction activities as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients and cutaneous, subcutaneous, and mucosal forms in immunocompetent individuals. Multilocus microsatellite typing is well standardized to differentiate A. flavus isolates into different clades. A. flavus is intrinsically resistant to polyenes. In contrast to A. fumigatus, triazole resistance infrequently occurs in A. flavus and is associated with mutations in the cyp51C gene. Overexpression of efflux pumps in non-wildtype strains lacking mutations in the cyp51 gene can also lead to high voriconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations. Voriconazole remains the drug of choice for treatment, and amphotericin B should be avoided. Primary therapy with echinocandins is not the first choice but the combination with voriconazole or as monotherapy may be used when the azoles and amphotericin B are contraindicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivaprakash M Rudramurthy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, 3015GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Raees A Paul
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Arunaloke Chakrabarti
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Johan W Mouton
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, 3015GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ) and Center of Expertise, 6532SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, 6532SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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23
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Rotjanapan P, Chen YC, Chakrabarti A, Li RY, Rudramurthy SM, Yu J, Kung HC, Watcharananan S, Tan AL, Saffari SE, Tan BH. Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of invasive mould infections: A multicenter, retrospective analysis in five Asian countries. Med Mycol 2018; 56:186-196. [PMID: 28525619 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Formal, large-scale, multicenter studies of invasive mould infection (IMI) in Asia are rare. This 1-year, retrospective study was designed to assess the incidence and clinical determinants of IMI in centers in five countries (Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, China, India). Patients treated in a single year (2012) were identified through discharge diagnoses, microbiology, and histopathology logs, and entered based on published definitions of IMI. A total of 155 cases were included (median age 54 years; 47.7% male). Of these, 47.7% had proven disease; the remainder had probable IMI. The most frequent host factors were prolonged steroid use (39.4%) and recent neutropenia (38.7%). Common underlying conditions included diabetes mellitus (DM; 30.9%), acute myeloid leukemia (19.4%), and rheumatologic conditions (11.6%). DM was more common in patients with no recent history of neutropenia or prolonged steroid use (P = .006). The lung was the most frequently involved site (78.7%), demonstrating a range of features on computed tomography (CT). Aspergillus was the most common mould cultured (71.6%), primarily A. fumigatus and A. flavus, although proportions varied in different centers. The most often used antifungal for empiric therapy was conventional amphotericin. Ninety-day mortality was 32.9%. This is the first multicenter Asian study of IMI not limited to specific patient groups or diagnostic methods. It suggests that DM and rheumatologic conditions be considered as risk factors for IMI and demonstrates that IMI should not be ruled out in patients whose chest features on CT do not fit the conventional criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Rotjanapan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Y C Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - A Chakrabarti
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - R Y Li
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - S M Rudramurthy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - J Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - H C Kung
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - S Watcharananan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - A L Tan
- Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - S E Saffari
- Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - B H Tan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
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Ueki S, Hebisawa A, Kitani M, Asano K, Neves JS. Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis-A Luminal Hypereosinophilic Disease With Extracellular Trap Cell Death. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2346. [PMID: 30364279 PMCID: PMC6193060 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is characterized by an early allergic response and late-phase lung injury in response to repeated exposure to Aspergillus antigens, as a consequence of persistent fungal colonization of the airways. Here, we summarize the clinical and pathological features of ABPA, focusing on thick mucus plugging, a key observation in ABPA. Recent findings have indicated that luminal eosinophils undergo cytolytic extracellular trap cell death (ETosis) and release filamentous chromatin fibers (extracellular traps, ETs) by direct interaction with Aspergillus fumigatus. Production of ETs is considered to be an innate immune response against non-phagocytable pathogens using a "trap and kill" mechanism, although eosinophil ETs do not promote A. fumigatus damage or killing. Compared with neutrophils, eosinophil ETs are composed of stable and condensed chromatin fibers and thus might contribute to the higher viscosity of eosinophilic mucus. The major fate of massively accumulated eosinophils in the airways is ETosis, which potentially induces the release of toxic granule proteins and damage-associated molecular patterns, epithelial damage, and further decreases mucus clearance. This new perspective on ABPA as a luminal hypereosinophilic disease with ETosis/ETs could provide a better understanding of airway mucus plugging and contribute to future therapeutic strategies for this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeharu Ueki
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Akira Hebisawa
- Clinical Research Center and Pathology Division, National Hospital Organization Tokyo National Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Kitani
- Clinical Research Center and Pathology Division, National Hospital Organization Tokyo National Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichiro Asano
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Josiane S Neves
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Asano K, Kamei K, Hebisawa A. Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis - pathophysiology, histology, diagnosis, and treatment. Asia Pac Allergy 2018; 8:e24. [PMID: 30079302 PMCID: PMC6073182 DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2018.8.e24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) develops mainly in patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis via types I and III hypersensitivity reactions to filamentous fungi. Aspergillus spp., especially Aspergillus fumigatus, is the major causative fungus because of its small conidia, thermophilic hyphae, and ability to secrete serine proteases. The cardinal histological feature of ABPM is allergic (eosinophilic) mucin-harboring hyphae in the bronchi, for which the formation of extracellular DNA trap cell death (ETosis) of eosinophils induced by viable fungi is essential. Clinically, ABPM is characterized by peripheral blood eosinophilia, increased IgE levels in the serum, IgE and IgG antibodies specific for fungi, and characteristic radiographic findings; however, there are substantial differences in the clinical features of this disease between East and South Asian populations. Systemic corticosteroids and/or antifungal drugs effectively control acute diseases, but recurrences are quite common, and development of novel treatments are warranted to avoid adverse effects and emergence of drug-resistance due to prolonged treatment with corticosteroids and/or antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Asano
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Kamei
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Akira Hebisawa
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Tokyo National Hospital, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan
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26
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Cabana ÂL, Mendes JF, Klafke GB, Brandolt TM, Melo AM, Meireles MCA, Xavier MO. Can Aspergillus fumigatus conidia cause false-positive results in the galactomannan enzyme immunoassay test? Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2018; 51:387-389. [PMID: 29972575 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0317-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several factors can cause false-positive results in the galactomannan (GM) test; however, others remain unknown. Presently, the impact of airborne contamination by Aspergillus conidia during enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) remains uninvestigated. METHODS We studied 12 A. fumigatus isolates. Fungal conidia were serially diluted and tested for GM detection using the Platelia® Aspergillus enzyme immunoassay (EIA). RESULTS The conidia concentration required for an EIA-positive result was 4.8 × 103 (median). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to evaluate the impact of environmental contamination on the Platelia® Aspergillus EIA assay. Only massive contamination can interfere with GM optical readings, suggesting that environmental contamination does not cause false-positive test results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ângela Leitzke Cabana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - Josiara Furtado Mendes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | | | - Tchana Martinez Brandolt
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil
| | - Aryse Martins Melo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.,Centro de Recuperação de Animais Marinhos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil
| | - Mário Carlos Araújo Meireles
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - Melissa Orzechowski Xavier
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
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Mello TPD, Aor AC, Oliveira SSCD, Branquinha MH, Santos ALSD. Conidial germination in Scedosporium apiospermum, S. aurantiacum, S. minutisporum and Lomentospora prolificans: influence of growth conditions and antifungal susceptibility profiles. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2017; 0:0. [PMID: 27355215 PMCID: PMC4957502 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760160200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we have investigated some growth conditions capable of inducing the conidial germination in Scedosporium apiospermum, S. aurantiacum, S. minutisporum and Lomentospora prolificans. Germination in Sabouraud medium (pH 7.0, 37ºC, 5% CO2) showed to be a typically time-dependent event, reaching ~75% in S. minutisporum and > 90% in S. apiospermum, S. aurantiacum and L. prolificans after 4 h. Similar germination rate was observed when conidia were incubated under different media and pHs. Contrarily, temperature and CO2 tension modulated the germination. The isotropic conidial growth (swelling) and germ tube-like projection were evidenced by microscopy and cytometry. Morphometric parameters augmented in a time-dependent fashion, evidencing changes in size and granularity of fungal cells compared with dormant 0 h conidia. In parallel, a clear increase in the mitochondrial activity was measured during the transformation of conidia-into-germinated conidia. Susceptibility profiles to itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin varied regarding each morphotype and each fungal species. Overall, the minimal inhibitory concentrations for hyphae were higher than conidia and germinated conidia, except for caspofungin. Collectively, our study add new data about the conidia-into-hyphae transformation in Scedosporium and Lomentospora species, which is a relevant biological process of these molds directly connected to their antifungal resistance and pathogenicity mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Pereira de Mello
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Ana Carolina Aor
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Simone Santiago Carvalho de Oliveira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marta Helena Branquinha
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - André Luis Souza Dos Santos
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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29
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Aldars-García L, Sanchis V, Ramos AJ, Marín S. Single vs multiple-spore inoculum effect on growth kinetic parameters and modeled probabilities of growth and aflatoxin B1 production of Aspergillus flavus on pistachio extract agar. Int J Food Microbiol 2017; 243:28-35. [PMID: 27940413 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to assess the differences in modeled growth/AFB1 production probability and kinetic growth parameters for Aspergillus flavus inoculated as single spores or in a concentrated inoculation point (~500 spores). The experiment was carried out at 25°C and at two water activities (0.85 and 0.87) on pistachio extract agar (3%). Binary data obtained from growth and AFB1 studies were modeled using linear logistic regression analysis. The radial growth curve for each colony was fitted to a linear model for the estimation of the lag phase for growth and the mycelial growth rate. In general, radial growth rate and lag phase for growth were not normally distributed and both of them were affected by the inoculation type, with the lag phase for growth being more affected. Changing from the multiple spore to the single spore inoculation led to a delay of approximately 3-5days on the lag phase and higher growth rates for the multiple spore experiment were found. The same trend was observed on the probability models, with lower predicted probabilities when colonies came up from single spores, for both growth and AFB1 production probabilities. Comparing both types of models, it was concluded that a clear overestimation of the lag phase for growth occurred using the linear model, but only in the multiple spore experiment. Multiple spore inoculum gave very similar estimated time to reach some set probabilities (t10, t50 and t100) for growth or AFB1 production due to the abruptness of the logistic curve developed. The observed differences suggest that inoculum concentration greatly affects the outcome of the predictive models, the estimated times to growth/AFB1 production being much earlier for the concentrated inoculum than for a single spore colony (up to 9days). Thus the number of spores used to generate data in predictive mycology experiments should be carefully controlled in order to predict as accurately as possible the fungal behavior in a foodstuff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Aldars-García
- Food Technology Dept., XaRTA-UTPV, Agrotecnio Center, University of Lleida, Spain.
| | - Vicente Sanchis
- Food Technology Dept., XaRTA-UTPV, Agrotecnio Center, University of Lleida, Spain.
| | - Antonio J Ramos
- Food Technology Dept., XaRTA-UTPV, Agrotecnio Center, University of Lleida, Spain.
| | - Sonia Marín
- Food Technology Dept., XaRTA-UTPV, Agrotecnio Center, University of Lleida, Spain.
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30
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Nguyen Van Long N, Vasseur V, Coroller L, Dantigny P, Le Panse S, Weill A, Mounier J, Rigalma K. Temperature, water activity and pH during conidia production affect the physiological state and germination time of Penicillium species. Int J Food Microbiol 2016; 241:151-160. [PMID: 27780083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Conidial germination and mycelial growth are generally studied with conidia produced under optimal conditions to increase conidial yield. Nonetheless, the physiological state of such conidia most likely differs from those involved in spoilage of naturally contaminated food. The present study aimed at investigating the impact of temperature, pH and water activity (aw) during production of conidia on the germination parameters and compatible solutes of conidia of Penicillium roqueforti and Penicillium expansum. Low temperature (5°C) and reduced aw (0.900 aw) during sporulation significantly reduced conidial germination times whereas the pH of the sporulation medium only had a slight effect at the tested values (2.5, 8.0). Conidia of P. roqueforti produced at 5°C germinated up to 45h earlier than those produced at 20°C. Conidia of P. roqueforti and P. expansum produced at 0.900 aw germinated respectively up to 8h and 3h earlier than conidia produced at 0.980 aw. Furthermore, trehalose and mannitol assessments suggested that earlier germination might be related to delayed conidial maturation even though no ultra-structural modifications were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of considering environmental conditions during sporulation in mycological studies. The physiological state of fungal conidia should be taken into account to design challenge tests or predictive mycology studies. This knowledge may also be of interest to improve the germination capacity of fungal cultures commonly used in fermented foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Nguyen Van Long
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Valérie Vasseur
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Louis Coroller
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, UMT Spore Risk, IUT Quimper, 6 rue de l'Université, 29334 Quimper, France
| | - Philippe Dantigny
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Sophie Le Panse
- Plateforme Merimage, Station Biologique de Roscoff, CNRS-UPMC, Place Georges Teissier, CS90074, 29688 Roscoff, Cedex, France
| | - Amélie Weill
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Jérôme Mounier
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Karim Rigalma
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France.
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Aspergillus fumigatus MADS-Box Transcription Factor rlmA Is Required for Regulation of the Cell Wall Integrity and Virulence. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2016; 6:2983-3002. [PMID: 27473315 PMCID: PMC5015955 DOI: 10.1534/g3.116.031112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Cell Wall Integrity (CWI) pathway is the primary signaling cascade that controls the de novo synthesis of the fungal cell wall, and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae this event is highly dependent on the RLM1 transcription factor. Here, we investigated the function of RlmA in the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. We show that the ΔrlmA strain exhibits an altered cell wall organization in addition to defects related to vegetative growth and tolerance to cell wall-perturbing agents. A genetic analysis indicated that rlmA is positioned downstream of the pkcA and mpkA genes in the CWI pathway. As a consequence, rlmA loss-of-function leads to the altered expression of genes encoding cell wall-related proteins. RlmA positively regulates the phosphorylation of MpkA and is induced at both protein and transcriptional levels during cell wall stress. The rlmA was also involved in tolerance to oxidative damage and transcriptional regulation of genes related to oxidative stress adaptation. Moreover, the ΔrlmA strain had attenuated virulence in a neutropenic murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Our results suggest that RlmA functions as a transcription factor in the A. fumigatus CWI pathway, acting downstream of PkcA-MpkA signaling and contributing to the virulence of this fungus.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Filamentous mycoses are often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential for good clinical outcomes in immunocompromised patients. The host immune response plays an essential role in determining the course of exposure to potential fungal pathogens. Depending on the effectiveness of immune response and the burden of organism exposure, fungi can either be cleared or infection can occur and progress to a potentially fatal invasive disease. Nonspecific cellular immunity (i.e., neutrophils, natural killer [NK] cells, and macrophages) combined with T-cell responses are the main immunologic mechanisms of protection. The most common potential mold pathogens include certain hyaline hyphomycetes, endemic fungi, the
Mucorales
, and some dematiaceous fungi. Laboratory diagnostics aimed at detecting and differentiating these organisms are crucial to helping clinicians make informed decisions about treatment. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the medically important fungal pathogens, as well as to discuss the patient characteristics, antifungal-therapy considerations, and laboratory tests used in current clinical practice for the immunocompromised host.
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Marchionni E, Parize P, Lefevre A, Vironneau P, Bougnoux ME, Poiree S, Coignard-Biehler H, DeWolf SE, Amazzough K, Barchiesi F, Jullien V, Alanio A, Garcia-Hermoso D, Wassef M, Kania R, Lortholary O, Lanternier F. Aspergillus spp. invasive external otitis: favourable outcome with a medical approach. Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22:434-7. [PMID: 26802213 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus spp. invasive external otitis (IEO) is a rare infection. We performed a seven-year, single-centre retrospective study from 2007 to 2014 including all patients with proven Aspergillus spp. IEO. Twelve patients were identified. All patients had a poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and one underwent solid organ transplant. The most frequently isolated species was Aspergillus flavus (n = 10) and voriconazole was the first-line therapy in all cases, with a median length of treatment of 338.5 days (158-804 days). None of the patients underwent extensive surgery. The clinical outcome was excellent. However, otological sequelae were reported, including hearing impairment (n = 7) and facial palsy (n = 3).
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Affiliation(s)
- E Marchionni
- Paris Descartes University, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, Necker Pasteur Infectious Diseases Centre, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, IHU Imagine, Paris, France; Infectious Diseases Department, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - P Parize
- Paris Descartes University, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, Necker Pasteur Infectious Diseases Centre, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, IHU Imagine, Paris, France
| | - A Lefevre
- Department of Radiology, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, France
| | - P Vironneau
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris Diderot University, Paris, France
| | - M E Bougnoux
- Microbiology Laboratory, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France; Biology and Pathogenicity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - S Poiree
- Department of Radiology, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, France
| | - H Coignard-Biehler
- Paris Descartes University, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, Necker Pasteur Infectious Diseases Centre, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, IHU Imagine, Paris, France
| | - S E DeWolf
- Paris Descartes University, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, Necker Pasteur Infectious Diseases Centre, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, IHU Imagine, Paris, France
| | - K Amazzough
- Paris Descartes University, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, Necker Pasteur Infectious Diseases Centre, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, IHU Imagine, Paris, France
| | - F Barchiesi
- Infectious Diseases Department, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - V Jullien
- Department of Pharmacology, Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Inserm U1129, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - A Alanio
- Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Lariboisière-Saint Louis Hospital, Paris, France
| | - D Garcia-Hermoso
- Institut Pasteur, Centre National de Référence Mycoses invasives et Antifongiques, Paris, France
| | - M Wassef
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris Diderot University, Paris, France
| | - R Kania
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris Diderot University, Paris, France
| | - O Lortholary
- Paris Descartes University, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, Necker Pasteur Infectious Diseases Centre, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, IHU Imagine, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Centre National de Référence Mycoses invasives et Antifongiques, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Unite de Mycologie Moleculaire, CNRS URA3012, Paris, France
| | - F Lanternier
- Paris Descartes University, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, Necker Pasteur Infectious Diseases Centre, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, IHU Imagine, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Centre National de Référence Mycoses invasives et Antifongiques, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Unite de Mycologie Moleculaire, CNRS URA3012, Paris, France.
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Oliveira M, Pereira C, Bessa C, Araujo R, Saraiva L. Chronological aging in conidia of pathogenic Aspergillus: Comparison between species. J Microbiol Methods 2015; 118:57-63. [PMID: 26341609 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2015.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus niger are common airborne fungi, and the most frequent causative agents of human fungal infections. However, the resistance and lifetime persistence of these fungi in the atmosphere, and the mechanism of aging of Aspergillus conidia are unknown.With this work, we intended to study the processes underlying conidial aging of these four relevant and pathogenic Aspergillus species. Chronological aging was therefore evaluated in A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. terreus and A. niger conidia exposed to environmental and human body temperatures. The results showed that the aging process in Aspergillus conidia involves apoptosis,with metacaspase activation, DNA fragmentation, and reactive oxygen species production, associated with secondary necrosis. Distinct results were observed for the selected pathogenic species. At environmental conditions, A. niger was the species with the highest resistance to aging, indicating a higher adaption to environmental conditions, whereas A. flavus followed by A. terreus were the most sensitive species. At higher temperatures (37 °C), A. fumigatus presented the longest lifespan, in accordance with its good adaptation to the human body temperature. Altogether,with this work new insights regarding conidia aging are provided, which may be useful when designing treatments for aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Oliveira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade Do Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Clara Pereira
- UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Bessa
- UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Araujo
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lucília Saraiva
- UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Sueiro-Olivares M, Fernandez-Molina JV, Abad-Diaz-de-Cerio A, Gorospe E, Pascual E, Guruceaga X, Ramirez-Garcia A, Garaizar J, Hernando FL, Margareto J, Rementeria A. Aspergillus fumigatus transcriptome response to a higher temperature during the earliest steps of germination monitored using a new customized expression microarray. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2014; 161:490-502. [PMID: 25536999 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is considered to be the most prevalent airborne pathogenic fungus and can cause invasive diseases in immunocompromised patients. It is known that its virulence is multifactorial, although the mechanisms of pathogenicity remain unclear. With the aim of improving our understanding of these mechanisms, we designed a new expression microarray covering the entire genome of A. fumigatus. In this first study, we analysed the transcriptomes of this fungus at the first steps of germination after being grown at 24 and 37 °C. The microarray data revealed that 1249 genes were differentially expressed during growth at these two temperatures. According to our results, A. fumigatus modified significantly the expression of genes related to metabolism to adapt to new conditions. The high percentages of genes that encoded hypothetical or unclassified proteins differentially expressed implied that many as yet unknown genes were involved in the establishment of A. fumigatus infection. Furthermore, amongst the genes implicated in virulence upregulated at 37 °C on the microarray, we found those that encoded proteins mainly related to allergens (Asp F1, Asp F2 and MnSOD), gliotoxin biosynthesis (GliP and GliZ), nitrogen (NiiA and NiaD) or iron (HapX, SreA, SidD and SidC) metabolism. However, gene expression in iron and nitrogen metabolism might be influenced not only by heat shock, but also by the availability of nutrients in the medium, as shown by the addition of fresh medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Sueiro-Olivares
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain
| | - Jimena V Fernandez-Molina
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain
| | - Ana Abad-Diaz-de-Cerio
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain
| | - Eva Gorospe
- Tecnalia Research & Innovation, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | | | - Xabier Guruceaga
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain
| | - Andoni Ramirez-Garcia
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain
| | - Javier Garaizar
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain
| | - Fernando L Hernando
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain
| | | | - Aitor Rementeria
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain
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Londero A, León Peláez MA, Diosma G, De Antoni GL, Abraham AG, Garrote GL. Fermented whey as poultry feed additive to prevent fungal contamination. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2014; 94:3189-3194. [PMID: 24652751 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal contamination of poultry feed causes economic losses to industry and represents a potential risk to animal health. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effectiveness of whey fermented with kefir grains as additive to reduce fungal incidence, thus improving feed safety. RESULTS Whey fermented for 24 h at 20 °C with kefir grains (100 g L(-1) ) reduced conidial germination of Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium crustosum, Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Rhizopus sp. Poultry feed supplemented with fermented whey (1 L kg(-1) ) was two to four times more resistant to fungal contamination than control feed depending on the fungal species. Additionally, it contained kefir microorganisms at levels of 1 × 10(8) colony-forming units (CFU) kg(-1) of lactic acid bacteria and 6 × 10(7) CFU kg(-1) of yeasts even after 30 days of storage. CONCLUSION Fermented whey added to poultry feed acted as a biopreservative, improving its resistance to fungal contamination and increasing its shelf life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Londero
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos (CONICET La Plata, UNLP), 47 y 116, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
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The effect of chitin size, shape, source and purification method on immune recognition. Molecules 2014; 19:4433-51. [PMID: 24727416 PMCID: PMC6271096 DOI: 10.3390/molecules19044433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The animal immune response to chitin is not well understood and needs to be investigated further. However, this is a challenging topic to study because of the technical difficulties in purifying chitin, and because this material usually comes associated with contaminating components that can activate the immune system. In this study, improvements to previously described purification protocols were investigated for chitin obtained from different sources, including commercial shellfish, Candida albicans yeast and hyphal cell walls, as well as cell walls of the filamentous fungi Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucor circinelloides. The immune response to these different chitin preparations was tested using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In agreement with previous literature, small chitin particles of an average size of 0.2 µm were not immunogenic. On the other hand, bigger chitin particles induced in some cases a pro-inflammatory response. The results of this work suggest that not only the purity and size of the chitin particles, but also their shape can influence immune recognition.
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Angus AA, Agapakis CM, Fong S, Yerrapragada S, Estrada-de los Santos P, Yang P, Song N, Kano S, Caballero-Mellado J, de Faria SM, Dakora FD, Weinstock G, Hirsch AM. Plant-associated symbiotic Burkholderia species lack hallmark strategies required in mammalian pathogenesis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e83779. [PMID: 24416172 PMCID: PMC3885511 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia is a diverse and dynamic genus, containing pathogenic species as well as species that form complex interactions with plants. Pathogenic strains, such as B. pseudomallei and B. mallei, can cause serious disease in mammals, while other Burkholderia strains are opportunistic pathogens, infecting humans or animals with a compromised immune system. Although some of the opportunistic Burkholderia pathogens are known to promote plant growth and even fix nitrogen, the risk of infection to infants, the elderly, and people who are immunocompromised has not only resulted in a restriction on their use, but has also limited the application of non-pathogenic, symbiotic species, several of which nodulate legume roots or have positive effects on plant growth. However, recent phylogenetic analyses have demonstrated that Burkholderia species separate into distinct lineages, suggesting the possibility for safe use of certain symbiotic species in agricultural contexts. A number of environmental strains that promote plant growth or degrade xenobiotics are also included in the symbiotic lineage. Many of these species have the potential to enhance agriculture in areas where fertilizers are not readily available and may serve in the future as inocula for crops growing in soils impacted by climate change. Here we address the pathogenic potential of several of the symbiotic Burkholderia strains using bioinformatics and functional tests. A series of infection experiments using Caenorhabditis elegans and HeLa cells, as well as genomic characterization of pathogenic loci, show that the risk of opportunistic infection by symbiotic strains such as B. tuberum is extremely low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette A. Angus
- Dept. of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Christina M. Agapakis
- Dept. of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Fong
- Dept. of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | | | - Paulina Estrada-de los Santos
- Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal, México
| | - Paul Yang
- Dept. of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Nannie Song
- Dept. of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Kano
- Dept. of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jésus Caballero-Mellado
- Genomic Sciences Center, National Autonomous University of México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | | | - Felix D. Dakora
- Chemistry Department, Tshwane University of Technology, Arcadia Campus, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - George Weinstock
- Dept. of Genetics, Washington Univ. School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ann M. Hirsch
- Dept. of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Xavier MO, Araujo JSV, Aquino VR, Severo CB, Guazzelli LS, Severo LC, Pasqualotto AC. Variability in Galactomannan detection by Platelia Aspergillus EIA™ according to the Aspergillus species. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2013; 55:S0036-46652013000300145. [PMID: 23740016 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652013000300001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we investigate the extent to which different Aspergillus species release galactomannan (GM) in vitro. Marked variability was observed in GM reactivity between and within Aspergillus species, with A. terreus strains showing the highest GM indexes. The in vivo significance of these findings remains to be determined.
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Gauthier GM, Keller NP. Crossover fungal pathogens: the biology and pathogenesis of fungi capable of crossing kingdoms to infect plants and humans. Fungal Genet Biol 2013; 61:146-57. [PMID: 24021881 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2013.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Revised: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of fungal meningitis associated with contaminated methylprednisolone acetate has thrust the importance of fungal infections into the public consciousness. The predominant pathogen isolated from clinical specimens, Exserohilum rostratum (teleomorph: Setosphaeria rostrata), is a dematiaceous fungus that infects grasses and rarely humans. This outbreak highlights the potential for fungal pathogens to infect both plants and humans. Most crossover or trans-kingdom pathogens are soil saprophytes and include fungi in Ascomycota and Mucormycotina phyla. To establish infection, crossover fungi must overcome disparate, host-specific barriers, including protective surfaces (e.g. cuticle, skin), elevated temperature, and immune defenses. This review illuminates the underlying mechanisms used by crossover fungi to cause infection in plants and mammals, and highlights critical events that lead to human infection by these pathogens. Several genes including veA, laeA, and hapX are important in regulating biological processes in fungi important for both invasive plant and animal infections.
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Thomasen H, Steuhl KP, Meller D. Validierung eines automatischen Testsystems für die Steriltestung von Amnionmembran. Ophthalmologe 2013; 111:454-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00347-013-2916-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Chotirmall SH, Al-Alawi M, Mirkovic B, Lavelle G, Logan PM, Greene CM, McElvaney NG. Aspergillus-associated airway disease, inflammation, and the innate immune response. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:723129. [PMID: 23971044 PMCID: PMC3736487 DOI: 10.1155/2013/723129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus moulds exist ubiquitously as spores that are inhaled in large numbers daily. Whilst most are removed by anatomical barriers, disease may occur in certain circumstances. Depending on the underlying state of the human immune system, clinical consequences can ensue ranging from an excessive immune response during allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis to the formation of an aspergilloma in the immunocompetent state. The severest infections occur in those who are immunocompromised where invasive pulmonary aspergillosis results in high mortality rates. The diagnosis of Aspergillus-associated pulmonary disease is based on clinical, radiological, and immunological testing. An understanding of the innate and inflammatory consequences of exposure to Aspergillus species is critical in accounting for disease manifestations and preventing sequelae. The major components of the innate immune system involved in recognition and removal of the fungus include phagocytosis, antimicrobial peptide production, and recognition by pattern recognition receptors. The cytokine response is also critical facilitating cell-to-cell communication and promoting the initiation, maintenance, and resolution of the host response. In the following review, we discuss the above areas with a focus on the innate and inflammatory response to airway Aspergillus exposure and how these responses may be modulated for therapeutic benefit.
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Almeida LA, Araujo R. Highlights on molecular identification of closely related species. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2012; 13:67-75. [PMID: 22982158 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2012.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Revised: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 08/08/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The term "complex" emerged in the literature at the beginning of the genomic era associated to taxonomy and grouping organisms that belong to different species but exhibited similar patterns according to their morphological, physiological and/or other phenotypic features. DNA-DNA hybridization values ~70% and high identity on 16S rRNA gene sequences were recommended for species delineation. Electrophoretic methods showed in some cases to be useful for species identification and population structure but the reproducibility was questionable. Later, the implementation of polyphasic approaches involving phenotypic and molecular methods brought new insights into the analysis of population structure and phylogeny of several "species complexes", allowing the identification of new closely related species. Likewise, the introduction of multilocus sequence typing and sequencing analysis of several genes offered an evolutionary perspective to the term "species complex". Several centres worldwide have recently released increasing genetic information on distinct microbial species. A brief review will be presented to highlight the definition of "species complex" for selected microorganisms, mainly the prokaryotic Acinetobacter calcoaceticus -Acinetobacter baumannii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Burkholderia cepacia, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Nocardia asteroides complexes, and the eukaryotic Aspergillus fumigatus, Leishmania donovani and Saccharomyces sensu stricto complexes. The members of these complexes may show distinct epidemiology, pathogenicity and susceptibility, turning critical their correct identification. Dynamics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes can be very distinct and the term "species complex" should be carefully extended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lígia A Almeida
- IPATIMUP, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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Beirão F, Araujo R. State of the art diagnostic of mold diseases: a practical guide for clinicians. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 32:3-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s10096-012-1722-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 08/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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45
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Patogenia de la infección fúngica invasora. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2012; 30:151-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2011.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Feng X, Krishnan K, Richie DL, Aimanianda V, Hartl L, Grahl N, Powers-Fletcher MV, Zhang M, Fuller KK, Nierman WC, Lu LJ, Latgé JP, Woollett L, Newman SL, Cramer RA, Rhodes JC, Askew DS. HacA-independent functions of the ER stress sensor IreA synergize with the canonical UPR to influence virulence traits in Aspergillus fumigatus. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002330. [PMID: 22028661 PMCID: PMC3197630 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2011] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a condition in which the protein folding capacity of the ER becomes overwhelmed by an increased demand for secretion or by exposure to compounds that disrupt ER homeostasis. In yeast and other fungi, the accumulation of unfolded proteins is detected by the ER-transmembrane sensor IreA/Ire1, which responds by cleaving an intron from the downstream cytoplasmic mRNA HacA/Hac1, allowing for the translation of a transcription factor that coordinates a series of adaptive responses that are collectively known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). Here, we examined the contribution of IreA to growth and virulence in the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Gene expression profiling revealed that A. fumigatus IreA signals predominantly through the canonical IreA-HacA pathway under conditions of severe ER stress. However, in the absence of ER stress IreA controls dual signaling circuits that are both HacA-dependent and HacA-independent. We found that a ΔireA mutant was avirulent in a mouse model of invasive aspergillosis, which contrasts the partial virulence of a ΔhacA mutant, suggesting that IreA contributes to pathogenesis independently of HacA. In support of this conclusion, we found that the ΔireA mutant had more severe defects in the expression of multiple virulence-related traits relative to ΔhacA, including reduced thermotolerance, decreased nutritional versatility, impaired growth under hypoxia, altered cell wall and membrane composition, and increased susceptibility to azole antifungals. In addition, full or partial virulence could be restored to the ΔireA mutant by complementation with either the induced form of the hacA mRNA, hacAi, or an ireA deletion mutant that was incapable of processing the hacA mRNA, ireAΔ10. Together, these findings demonstrate that IreA has both HacA-dependent and HacA-independent functions that contribute to the expression of traits that are essential for virulence in A. fumigatus. Aspergillus fumigatus is the predominant mold pathogen of humans, responsible for life-threatening infections in patients with depressed immunity. The fungus is highly adapted for secretion, a feature that it uses to extract nutrients from the host environment. High rates of protein secretion can overwhelm the protein folding capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The resulting ER stress is alleviated by the unfolded protein response (UPR), a signaling pathway that is triggered by the ER-membrane sensor IreA and executed by the downstream transcription factor HacA. This paper uncovers a novel role for IreA in the expression of multiple adaptive traits that allow the fungus to cope with stress conditions that are encountered during infection. Gene expression profiling of ΔireA and ΔhacA mutants revealed that IreA signals predominantly through the canonical IreA-HacA UPR pathway under extreme conditions of ER stress, but has unexpected HacA-dependent and HacA-independent functions even in the absence of ER stress. These findings establish IreA as an important regulator of A. fumigatus pathogenicity and suggest that therapeutic targeting of the dual functions of this protein could be an effective antifungal strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xizhi Feng
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Karthik Krishnan
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Daryl L. Richie
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Lukas Hartl
- Unité des Aspergillus, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Nora Grahl
- Department of Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Margaret V. Powers-Fletcher
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Minlu Zhang
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kevin K. Fuller
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - William C. Nierman
- The J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Long Jason Lu
- Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Laura Woollett
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Simon L. Newman
- Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Robert A. Cramer
- Department of Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Judith C. Rhodes
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - David S. Askew
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Rosa C, Araujo R, Rodrigues AG, Pinto-de-Sousa MI, Pina-Vaz C. Detection of Aspergillus species in BACTEC blood cultures. J Med Microbiol 2011; 60:1467-1471. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.030601-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Rosa
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Clinical Pathology, Hospital São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Araujo
- IPATIMUP – Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Dr Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Acácio G. Rodrigues
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Burn Unit, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - M. Isaura Pinto-de-Sousa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Aníbal Cunha 164, 4050-047 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cidália Pina-Vaz
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Clinical Pathology, Hospital São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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Interrogation of related clinical pan-azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains: G138C, Y431C, and G434C single nucleotide polymorphisms in cyp51A, upregulation of cyp51A, and integration and activation of transposon Atf1 in the cyp51A promoter. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2011; 55:5113-21. [PMID: 21876055 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00517-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple Aspergillus fumigatus isolates from a patient with two aspergillomas complicating chronic pulmonary aspergillosis were pan-azole resistant. Microsatellite typing was identical for all isolates despite major phenotypic and some growth rate differences. Three different cyp51A mutations were found (G138C, Y431C, and G434C), of which the first two were demonstrated by heterologous expression in a hypersusceptible Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain to be at least partly responsible for elevated MICs. cyp51A and cyp51B gene duplication was excluded, but increased expression of cyp51A was demonstrated in three isolates selected for additional study (7-to 13-fold increases). In the isolate with the greatest cyp51A expression, an Aft1 transposon was found inserted 370 bp upstream of the start codon of the cyp51A gene, an integration location never previously demonstrated in Aspergillus. Two transcription start sites were identified at 49 and 136 bp upstream of the start codon. The role of the Aft1 transposon, if any, in modulating cyp51A expression remains to be established. Increased mRNA expression of the transporters AfuMDR1 and AfuMDR4 also was demonstrated in some isolates, which could contribute to azole resistance or simply represent a stress response. The diversity of confirmed and possible azole resistance mechanisms demonstrated in a single series of isogenic isolates is remarkable, indicating the ability of A. fumigatus to adapt in the clinical setting.
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Wucherpfennig T, Hestler T, Krull R. Morphology engineering--osmolality and its effect on Aspergillus niger morphology and productivity. Microb Cell Fact 2011; 10:58. [PMID: 21801352 PMCID: PMC3178489 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-10-58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2011] [Accepted: 07/29/2011] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger is a widely used strain in a broad range of industrial processes from food to pharmaceutical industry. One of the most intriguing and often uncontrollable characteristics of this filamentous organism is its complex morphology, ranging from dense spherical pellets to viscous mycelia depending on culture conditions. Optimal productivity correlates strongly with a specific morphological form, thus making high demands on process control. Results In about 50 2L stirred tank cultivations the influence of osmolality on A. niger morphology and productivity was investigated. The specific productivity of fructofuranosidase producing strain A. niger SKAn 1015 could be increased notably from 0.5 to 9 U mg-1 h-1 around eighteen fold, by increasing the culture broth osmolality by addition of sodium chloride. The specific productivity of glucoamylase producing strain A. niger AB1.13, could be elevated using the same procedure. An optimal producing osmolality was shown to exist well over the standard osmolality at about 3.2 osmol kg-1 depending on the strain. Fungal morphology of all cultivations was examined by microscope and characterized by digital image analysis. Particle shape parameters were combined to a dimensionless Morphology number, which enabled a comprehensive characterization of fungal morphology correlating closely with productivity. A novel method for determination of germination time in submerged cultivations by laser diffraction, introduced in this study, revealed a decelerated germination process with increasing osmolality. Conclusions Through the introduction of the versatile Morphology number, this study provides the means for a desirable characterization of fungal morphology and demonstrates its relation to productivity. Furthermore, osmolality as a fairly new parameter in process engineering is introduced and found to affect fungal morphology and productivity. Osmolality might provide an auspicious and reliable approach to increase the productivity in industrial processes. Because of the predictable behavior fungal morphology showed in dependence of osmolality, a customization of morphology for process needs seems feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wucherpfennig
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Gaußstraße 17, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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Oguma T, Asano K, Tomomatsu K, Kodama M, Fukunaga K, Shiomi T, Ohmori N, Ueda S, Takihara T, Shiraishi Y, Sayama K, Kagawa S, Natori Y, Lilly CM, Satoh K, Makimura K, Ishizaka A. Induction of mucin and MUC5AC expression by the protease activity of Aspergillus fumigatus in airway epithelial cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 187:999-1005. [PMID: 21685325 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis, characterized by excessive mucus secretion, airflow limitation, bronchiectasis, and peripheral blood eosinophilia, is predominantly caused by a fungal pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus. Using DNA microarray analysis of NCI-H292 cells, a human bronchial epithelial cell line, stimulated with fungal extracts from A. fumigatus, Alternaria alternata, or Penicillium notatum, we identified a mucin-related MUC5AC as one of the genes, the expression of which was selectively induced by A. fumigatus. Quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA, and histochemical analyses confirmed an induction of mucin and MUC5AC expression by A. fumigatus extracts or the culture supernatant of live microorganisms in NCI-H292 cells and primary cultures of airway epithelial cells. The expression of MUC5AC induced by A. fumigatus extracts diminished in the presence of neutralizing Abs or of inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor or its ligand, TGF-α. We also found that A. fumigatus extracts activated the TNF-α-converting enzyme (TACE), critical for the cleavage of membrane-bound pro-TGF-α, and its inhibition with low-molecular weight inhibitors or small interfering RNA suppressed the expression of MUC5AC. The protease activity of A. fumigatus extracts was greater than that of other fungal extracts, and treatment with a serine protease inhibitor, but not with a cysteine protease inhibitor, eliminated its ability to activate TACE or induce the expression of MUC5AC mRNA in NCI-H292. In conclusion, the prominent serine protease activity of A. fumigatus, which caused the overproduction of mucus by the bronchial epithelium via the activation of the TACE/TGF-α/epidermal growth factor receptor pathway, may be a pathogenetic mechanism of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Oguma
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
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