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Spruijtenburg B, Meis JF, Verweij PE, de Groot T, Meijer EFJ. Short Tandem Repeat Genotyping of Medically Important Fungi: A Comprehensive Review of a Powerful Tool with Extensive Future Potential. Mycopathologia 2024; 189:72. [PMID: 39096450 PMCID: PMC11297828 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00877-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections pose an increasing threat to public health. New pathogens and changing epidemiology are a pronounced risk for nosocomial outbreaks. To investigate clonal transmission between patients and trace the source, genotyping is required. In the last decades, various typing assays have been developed and applied to different medically important fungal species. While these different typing methods will be briefly discussed, this review will focus on the development and application of short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping. This method relies on the amplification and comparison of highly variable STR markers between isolates. For most common fungal pathogens, STR schemes were developed and compared to other methods, like multilocus sequence typing (MLST), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. The pros and cons of STR typing as compared to the other methods are discussed, as well as the requirements for the development of a solid STR typing assay. The resolution of STR typing, in general, is higher than MLST and AFLP, with WGS SNP analysis being the gold standard when it comes to resolution. Although most modern laboratories are capable to perform STR typing, little progress has been made to standardize typing schemes. Allelic ladders, as developed for Aspergillus fumigatus, facilitate the comparison of STR results between laboratories and develop global typing databases. Overall, STR genotyping is an extremely powerful tool, often complimentary to whole genome sequencing. Crucial details for STR assay development, its applications and merit are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Spruijtenburg
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)/Dicoon, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Cologne Excellence Cluster On Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Institute of Translational Research, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul E Verweij
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Theun de Groot
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)/Dicoon, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eelco F J Meijer
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)/Dicoon, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Wei Y, Lin Y, Zhao J, Li D, Yang Z, Chen F, Han L. Development of a TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time PCR for the simultaneous detection of four clinically important filamentous fungi. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0063424. [PMID: 39078160 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00634-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi present significant health hazards to immunocompromised individuals globally; however, the prompt and precise identification of them during infection remains challenging. In this study, a TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time PCR (M-qPCR) assay was developed to detect simultaneously the target genes of four important pathogenic filamentous fungi: ANXC4 gene of Aspergillus fumigatus, EF1-α gene of Fusarium spp., mitochondrial rnl gene of Mucorales, and hcp100 gene of Histoplasma capsulatum. In this M-qPCR assay, the limit of detection (LoD) to all four kinds of fungi was 100 copies and the correlation coefficients (R2) were above 0.99. The specificity of this assay is 100%, and the minimum detection limit is 100 copies/reaction. In conclusion, an M-qPCR detection assay was well established with high specificity and sensitivity for rapid and simultaneous detection on four important filamentous fungi in the clinic. IMPORTANCE World Health Organization developed the first fungal priority pathogens list (WHO FPPL) in 2022. Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucorales, Fusarium spp., and Histoplasma spp. are the four types of pathogenic fungi with filamentous morphology in the critical priority group and high priority group of WHO FPPL. These four filamentous fungal infections have become more common and severe in immunocompromised patients with the increase in susceptible populations in recent decades, which resulted in a substantial burden on the public health system. However, prompt and precise identification of them during infection remains challenging. Our study established successfully a TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time qPCR assay for four clinically important filamentous fungi, A. fumigatus, Fusarium spp., Mucorales, and Histoplasma capsulatum, with high sensitivity and specificity, which shows promising potential for prompt and precise diagnosis against fungal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Wei
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- Department for Disinfection and Infection Control, Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yangxuan Lin
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- Department for Disinfection and Infection Control, Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jingya Zhao
- Department for Disinfection and Infection Control, Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Dingchen Li
- Department for Disinfection and Infection Control, Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Zhankui Yang
- Department for Disinfection and Infection Control, Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fangyan Chen
- Department for Disinfection and Infection Control, Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Li Han
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- Department for Disinfection and Infection Control, Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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Zhu Y, Nan P, Zhu Z, Ji Y, Zhuo B, Xu W, Ge Y. Pseudonectria keratitis-emerging pathogenic fungi in the eye. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2024; 23:64. [PMID: 39026348 PMCID: PMC11264510 DOI: 10.1186/s12941-024-00723-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infectious keratitis, a significant contributor to blindness, with fungal keratitis accounting for nearly half of cases, poses a formidable diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its delayed clinical presentation, prolonged culture times, and the limited availability of effective antifungal medications. Furthermore, infections caused by rare fungal strains warrant equal attention in the management of this condition. CASE PRESENTATION A case of fungal keratitis was presented, where corneal scraping material culture yielded pink colonies. Lactophenol cotton blue staining revealed distinctive spore formation consistent with the Fusarium species. Further analysis using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identified the causative agent as Fusarium proliferatum. However, definitive diagnosis of Pseudonectria foliicola infection was confirmed through ITS sequencing. The patient's recovery was achieved with a combination therapy of voriconazole eye drops and itraconazole systemic treatment. CONCLUSION Pseudonectria foliicola is a plant pathogenic bacterium that has never been reported in human infections before. Therefore, ophthalmologists should consider Pseudonectria foliicola as a possible cause of fungal keratitis, as early identification and timely treatment can help improve vision in most eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongze Zhu
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Peng Nan
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Zhongliang Zhu
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Youqi Ji
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Bingqian Zhuo
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Yumei Ge
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Head and Neck Cancers of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China.
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Hong Y, Feng Y, Yan T, Zhang L, Zhao Q, Zhao Q, Huang J, Huang S, Zhang Y. Take-out food enhances the risk of MPs ingestion and obesity, altering the gut microbiome in young adults. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:135125. [PMID: 39003809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Young people are consuming large amounts of microplastics (MPs) due to the booming development of the take-out industry. To investigate the association between MPs exposure and obesity, 121 volunteers were divided into high MPs exposure (HME) and low MPs exposure (LME) according to the frequency of take-out food consumption. Fecal samples were collected for MPs detection using Raman spectra analysis, and identification of the gut microbiota was based on 16 S rDNA/ITS, while metabolite analysis was performed by LC-MS/MS. High levels of MPs and body mass index (BMI) were observed in the HME group (P < 0.05). Both the multiple linear regression (MLR) model and the binary logistic regression (BLR) (OR: 1.264, 95 % CI: 1.108-1.441, P < 0.001) analysis showed a positive correlation between MPs content and BMI. Microbial community analysis revealed that Veillonella, Alistipes and Dothideomycotes (pathogenic fungi) increased in HME participants, whereas Faecalibacterium and Coprococcus decreased. Meanwhile, analysis of stool metabolites showed that vancomycin resistance, selenocompound metabolism and drug metabolism pathways were enhanced in HME participants. These findings indicate that frequent consumption of take-out food may elevate the intake of microplastics, consequently modifying the gut microbiota and metabolites of young adults, and could represent a potential risk factor for obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Hong
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730099, China.
| | | | - Tenglong Yan
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730099, China; Beijing Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Medical Experimental Center, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qilong Zhao
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730099, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730099, China
| | - Jiali Huang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730099, China
| | - Song Huang
- Fabiotics (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., Jiangsu, China; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730099, China.
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Rolland N, Girard V, Monnin V, Arend S, Perrin G, Ballan D, Beau R, Collin V, D’Arbaumont M, Weill A, Deniel F, Tréguer S, Pawtowski A, Jany JL, Mounier J. Identification of Food Spoilage Fungi Using MALDI-TOF MS: Spectral Database Development and Application to Species Complex. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:456. [PMID: 39057341 PMCID: PMC11277938 DOI: 10.3390/jof10070456] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungi, including filamentous fungi and yeasts, are major contributors to global food losses and waste due to their ability to colonize a very large diversity of food raw materials and processed foods throughout the food chain. In addition, numerous fungal species are mycotoxin producers and can also be responsible for opportunistic infections. In recent years, MALDI-TOF MS has emerged as a valuable, rapid and reliable asset for fungal identification in order to ensure food safety and quality. In this context, this study aimed at expanding the VITEK® MS database with food-relevant fungal species and evaluate its performance, with a specific emphasis on species differentiation within species complexes. To this end, a total of 380 yeast and mold strains belonging to 51 genera and 133 species were added into the spectral database including species from five species complexes corresponding to Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium dimerum, Mucor circinelloides complexes and Aspergillus series nigri. Database performances were evaluated by cross-validation and external validation using 78 fungal isolates with 96.55% and 90.48% correct identification, respectively. This study also showed the capacity of MALDI-TOF MS to differentiate closely related species within species complexes and further demonstrated the potential of this technique for the routine identification of fungi in an industrial context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolwenn Rolland
- bioMérieux, R&D Microbiologie, Route de Port Michaud, F-38390 La Balme les Grottes, France; (N.R.); (V.G.); (V.M.); (S.A.); (G.P.); (R.B.); (V.C.); (M.D.)
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, F-29280 Plouzané, France; (D.B.); (A.W.); (F.D.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (J.-L.J.)
| | - Victoria Girard
- bioMérieux, R&D Microbiologie, Route de Port Michaud, F-38390 La Balme les Grottes, France; (N.R.); (V.G.); (V.M.); (S.A.); (G.P.); (R.B.); (V.C.); (M.D.)
| | - Valérie Monnin
- bioMérieux, R&D Microbiologie, Route de Port Michaud, F-38390 La Balme les Grottes, France; (N.R.); (V.G.); (V.M.); (S.A.); (G.P.); (R.B.); (V.C.); (M.D.)
| | - Sandrine Arend
- bioMérieux, R&D Microbiologie, Route de Port Michaud, F-38390 La Balme les Grottes, France; (N.R.); (V.G.); (V.M.); (S.A.); (G.P.); (R.B.); (V.C.); (M.D.)
| | - Guillaume Perrin
- bioMérieux, R&D Microbiologie, Route de Port Michaud, F-38390 La Balme les Grottes, France; (N.R.); (V.G.); (V.M.); (S.A.); (G.P.); (R.B.); (V.C.); (M.D.)
| | - Damien Ballan
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, F-29280 Plouzané, France; (D.B.); (A.W.); (F.D.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (J.-L.J.)
| | - Rachel Beau
- bioMérieux, R&D Microbiologie, Route de Port Michaud, F-38390 La Balme les Grottes, France; (N.R.); (V.G.); (V.M.); (S.A.); (G.P.); (R.B.); (V.C.); (M.D.)
| | - Valérie Collin
- bioMérieux, R&D Microbiologie, Route de Port Michaud, F-38390 La Balme les Grottes, France; (N.R.); (V.G.); (V.M.); (S.A.); (G.P.); (R.B.); (V.C.); (M.D.)
| | - Maëlle D’Arbaumont
- bioMérieux, R&D Microbiologie, Route de Port Michaud, F-38390 La Balme les Grottes, France; (N.R.); (V.G.); (V.M.); (S.A.); (G.P.); (R.B.); (V.C.); (M.D.)
| | - Amélie Weill
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, F-29280 Plouzané, France; (D.B.); (A.W.); (F.D.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (J.-L.J.)
- Univ Brest, UBO Culture Collection, F-29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Franck Deniel
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, F-29280 Plouzané, France; (D.B.); (A.W.); (F.D.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (J.-L.J.)
| | - Sylvie Tréguer
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, F-29280 Plouzané, France; (D.B.); (A.W.); (F.D.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (J.-L.J.)
| | - Audrey Pawtowski
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, F-29280 Plouzané, France; (D.B.); (A.W.); (F.D.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (J.-L.J.)
| | - Jean-Luc Jany
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, F-29280 Plouzané, France; (D.B.); (A.W.); (F.D.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (J.-L.J.)
| | - Jérôme Mounier
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, F-29280 Plouzané, France; (D.B.); (A.W.); (F.D.); (S.T.); (A.P.); (J.-L.J.)
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Katsipoulaki M, Stappers MHT, Malavia-Jones D, Brunke S, Hube B, Gow NAR. Candida albicans and Candida glabrata: global priority pathogens. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0002123. [PMID: 38832801 PMCID: PMC11332356 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00021-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYA significant increase in the incidence of Candida-mediated infections has been observed in the last decade, mainly due to rising numbers of susceptible individuals. Recently, the World Health Organization published its first fungal pathogen priority list, with Candida species listed in medium, high, and critical priority categories. This review is a synthesis of information and recent advances in our understanding of two of these species-Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Of these, C. albicans is the most common cause of candidemia around the world and is categorized as a critical priority pathogen. C. glabrata is considered a high-priority pathogen and has become an increasingly important cause of candidemia in recent years. It is now the second most common causative agent of candidemia in many geographical regions. Despite their differences and phylogenetic divergence, they are successful as pathogens and commensals of humans. Both species can cause a broad variety of infections, ranging from superficial to potentially lethal systemic infections. While they share similarities in certain infection strategies, including tissue adhesion and invasion, they differ significantly in key aspects of their biology, interaction with immune cells, host damage strategies, and metabolic adaptations. Here we provide insights on key aspects of their biology, epidemiology, commensal and pathogenic lifestyles, interactions with the immune system, and antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrto Katsipoulaki
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark H. T. Stappers
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Dhara Malavia-Jones
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Neil A. R. Gow
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Deng J, Huang S, Kan Y, Song Y, Zhao X, Li N, Yao X, Luo Z, Zhang Y. A transcription factor-mediated regulatory network controls fungal pathogen colonization of insect body cavities. mBio 2024; 15:e0350423. [PMID: 38747587 PMCID: PMC11237471 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03504-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Successful host tissue colonization is crucial for fungal pathogens to cause mycosis and complete the infection cycle, in which fungal cells undergo a series of morphological transition-included cellular events to combat with hosts. However, many transcription factors (TFs) and their mediated networks regulating fungal pathogen colonization of host tissue are not well characterized. Here, a TF (BbHCR1)-mediated regulatory network was identified in an insect pathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, that controlled insect hemocoel colonization. BbHCR1 was highly expressed in fungal cells after reaching insect hemocoel and controlled the yeast (in vivo blastospores)-to-hyphal morphological switch, evasion of immune defense response, and fungal virulence. Comparative analysis of RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing identified a core set of BbHCR1 target genes during hemocoel colonization, in which abaA and brlA were targeted to limit the rapid switch from blastospores to hyphae and fungal virulence. Two targets encoding hypothetical proteins, HP1 and HP2, were activated and repressed by BbHCR1, respectively, which acted as a virulence factor and repressor, respectively, suggesting that BbHCR1 activated virulence factors but repressed virulence repressors during the colonization of insect hemocoel. BbHCR1 tuned the expression of two dominant hemocoel colonization-involved metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, which linked its regulatory role in evasion of immune response. Those functions of BbHCR1 were found to be collaboratively regulated by Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases via phosphorylation. These findings have drawn a regulatory network in which Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases phosphorylate BbHCR1, which in turn controls the colonization of insect body cavities by regulating fungal morphological transition and virulence-implicated genes.IMPORTANCEFungal pathogens adopt a series of tactics for successful colonization in host tissues, which include morphological transition and the generation of toxic and immunosuppressive molecules. However, many transcription factors (TFs) and their linked pathways that regulate tissue colonization are not well characterized. Here, we identified a TF (BbHCR1)-mediated regulatory network that controls the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana, colonization of insect hemocoel. During these processes, BbHCR1 targeted the fungal central development pathway for the control of yeast (blastospores)-to-hyphae morphological transition, activated virulence factors, repressed virulence repressors, and tuned the expression of two dominant hemocoel colonization-involved immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. The BbHCR1 regulatory function was governed by Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases. These findings led to a new regulatory network composed of Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases and BbHCR1 that control insect body cavity colonization by regulating fungal morphological transition and virulence-implicated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Deng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuaishuai Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Eco-Environmental Protection of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Tibet, China
| | - Yanze Kan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Song
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuewen Yao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhibing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Yang Y, Zeng Q, Hu G, Wang Z, Chen Z, Zhou L, He A, Qian W, Luo Y, Li G. Distribution of Nosocomial Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance among Patients with Burn Injuries in China: A Comprehensive Research Synopsis and Meta-Analysis. Infect Dis Ther 2024; 13:1291-1313. [PMID: 38720132 PMCID: PMC11128432 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-024-00983-6] [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: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the past decade, numerous studies have described the types of pathogens and their antibiotic resistance patterns in patients with burn injuries in China; however, the findings have generally been inconsistent. We conducted a literature search and meta-analysis to summarize the infection spectra and antimicrobial resistance patterns in patients with burn injuries. METHODS We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical Literature, Wanfang, and Weipu databases for relevant articles published between January 2010 and December 2023. The DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model was used to estimate the proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of pathogens among Chinese patients with burn injuries. Meta-regression analyses were performed to explore differences in the proportions of pathogens among different subgroups and their resistance patterns. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024514386). RESULTS The database searches yielded 2017 records; after removing duplicates and conducting initial screening, 219 articles underwent full-text screening. Ultimately, 60 studies comprising a total of 62,819 isolated strains reported the proportions of pathogens in patients with burn injuries and were included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analyses were conducted on 18 types of pathogens. The most common pathogens causing infections in Chinese patients with burn injuries were Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Similar results were observed in the subgroup analysis focusing on wound infections. Since 2015, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (R2 = 4.89%) and a significant increase in the proportion of Klebsiella pneumoniae (R2 = 9.60%). In terms of antibiotic resistance, there has been a significant decrease in the resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to multiple antibiotics and an increasing trend in the resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONS We systematically summarized the epidemiological characteristics and antibiotic resistance patterns of pathogens among individuals suffering from burns in China, thus providing guidance for controlling wound infections and promoting optimal empirical antimicrobial therapy. The observed high levels of antibiotic resistance underscore the need for ongoing monitoring of antibiotic usage trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Yang
- School of Nursing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Qingling Zeng
- Department of Nursing, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Guangyun Hu
- School of Nursing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zhenkun Wang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Central Theater Command of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, 100042, China
| | - Zongyue Chen
- School of Nursing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lang Zhou
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Central Theater Command of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, 100042, China
| | - Aibo He
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Central Theater Command of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, 100042, China
| | - Wei Qian
- Institute of Burn Research, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Chongqing, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Yu Luo
- School of Nursing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Gaoming Li
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Central Theater Command of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, 100042, China.
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9
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Mukherjee T, Das T, Basak S, Mohanty S, Adhikary K, Chatterjee P, Maiti R, Karak P. Mucormycosis during COVID-19 era: A retrospective assessment. INFECTIOUS MEDICINE 2024; 3:100112. [PMID: 38948388 PMCID: PMC11214187 DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2024.100112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
In a retrospective view, this review examines the impact of mucormycosis on health workers and researchers during the COVID era. The diagnostic and treatment challenges arising from unestablished underlying pathology and limited case studies add strain to healthcare systems. Mucormycosis, caused by environmental molds, poses a significant threat to COVID-19 patients, particularly those with comorbidities and compromised immune systems. Due to a variety of infectious Mucorales causes and regionally related risk factors, the disease's incidence is rising globally. Data on mucormycosis remains scarce in many countries, highlighting the urgent need for more extensive research on its epidemiology and prevalence. This review explores the associations between COVID-19 disease and mucormycosis pathology, shedding light on potential future diagnostic techniques based on the fungal agent's biochemical components. Medications used in ICUs and for life support in ventilated patients have been reported, revealing the challenge of managing this dual onslaught. To develop more effective treatment strategies, it is crucial to identify novel pharmacological targets through "pragmatic" multicenter trials and registries. In the absence of positive mycology culture data, early clinical detection, prompt treatment, and tissue biopsy are essential to confirm the specific morphologic features of the fungal agent. This review delves into the history, pathogens, and pathogenesis of mucormycosis, its opportunistic nature in COVID or immunocompromised individuals, and the latest advancements in therapeutics. Additionally, it offers a forward-looking perspective on potential pharmacological targets for future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuhin Mukherjee
- Department of Advanced Pharmacology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, Jharkhand, India
| | - Tanisha Das
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPS), Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar 751003, Odisha, India
| | - Sourav Basak
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur 495009, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Satyajit Mohanty
- Department of Advanced Pharmacology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, Jharkhand, India
| | - Krishnendu Adhikary
- Department of Interdisciplinary Science, Centurion University of Technology & Management, Odisha 761211, India
| | - Prity Chatterjee
- Department of Biotechnology, Paramedical College Durgapur, West Bengal 713212, India
| | - Rajkumar Maiti
- Department of Physiology, Bankura Christian College, Bankura, West Bengal 722101, India
| | - Prithviraj Karak
- Department of Physiology, Bankura Christian College, Bankura, West Bengal 722101, India
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10
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Pernice MC, Forn I, Logares R, Massana R. A fungi hotspot deep in the ocean: explaining the presence of Gjaerumia minor in equatorial Pacific bathypelagic waters. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10601. [PMID: 38719921 PMCID: PMC11079054 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61422-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A plant parasite associated with the white haze disease in apples, the Basidiomycota Gjaerumia minor, has been found in most samples of the global bathypelagic ocean. An analysis of environmental 18S rDNA sequences on 12 vertical profiles of the Malaspina 2010 expedition shows that the relative abundance of this cultured species increases with depth while its distribution is remarkably different between the deep waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, being present in higher concentrations in the former. This is evident from sequence analysis and a microscopic survey with a species-specific newly designed TSA-FISH probe. Several hints point to the hypothesis that G. minor is transported to the deep ocean attached to particles, and the absence of G. minor in bathypelagic Atlantic waters could then be explained by the absence of this organism in surface waters of the equatorial Atlantic. The good correlation of G. minor biomass with Apparent Oxygen Utilization, recalcitrant carbon and free-living prokaryotic biomass in South Pacific waters, together with the identification of the observed cells as yeasts and not as resting spores (teliospores), point to the possibility that once arrived at deep layers this species keeps on growing and thriving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo C Pernice
- Departament de Biologia Marina I Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Irene Forn
- Departament de Biologia Marina I Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramiro Logares
- Departament de Biologia Marina I Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Massana
- Departament de Biologia Marina I Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Nenciarini S, Renzi S, di Paola M, Meriggi N, Cavalieri D. The yeast-human coevolution: Fungal transition from passengers, colonizers, and invaders. WIREs Mech Dis 2024; 16:e1639. [PMID: 38146626 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Fungi are the cause of more than a billion infections in humans every year, although their interactions with the host are still neglected compared to bacteria. Major systemic fungal infections are very unusual in the healthy population, due to the long history of coevolution with the human host. Humans are routinely exposed to environmental fungi and can host a commensal mycobiota, which is increasingly considered as a key player in health and disease. Here, we review the current knowledge on host-fungi coevolution and the factors that regulate their interaction. On one hand, fungi have learned to survive and inhabit the host organisms as a natural ecosystem, on the other hand, the host immune system finely tunes the response toward fungi. In turn, recognition of fungi as commensals or pathogens regulates the host immune balance in health and disease. In the human gut ecosystem, yeasts provide a fingerprint of the transient microbiota. Their status as passengers or colonizers is related to the integrity of the gut barrier and the risk of multiple disorders. Thus, the study of this less known component of the microbiota could unravel the rules of the transition from passengers to colonizers and invaders, as well as their dependence on the innate component of the host's immune response. This article is categorized under: Infectious Diseases > Environmental Factors Immune System Diseases > Environmental Factors Infectious Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonia Renzi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Monica di Paola
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Niccolò Meriggi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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12
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Gagna CE, Yodice AN, D'Amico J, Elkoulily L, Gill SM, DeOcampo FG, Rabbani M, Kaur J, Shah A, Ahmad Z, Lambert MW, Clark Lambert W. Novel B-DNA dermatophyte assay for demonstration of canonical DNA in dermatophytes: Histopathologic characterization by artificial intelligence. Clin Dermatol 2024; 42:233-258. [PMID: 38185195 DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2023.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
We describe a novel assay and artificial intelligence-driven histopathologic approach identifying dermatophytes in human skin tissue sections (ie, B-DNA dermatophyte assay) and demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of dermatophytes in tissue using immunohistochemistry to detect canonical right-handed double-stranded (ds) B-DNA. Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-ds-B-DNA monoclonal antibodies with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues to determine the presence of dermatophytes. The B-DNA assay resulted in a more accurate identification of dermatophytes, nuclear morphology, dimensions, and gene expression of dermatophytes (ie, optical density values) than periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Grocott methenamine silver (GMS), or hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains. The novel assay guided by artificial intelligence allowed for efficient identification of different types of dermatophytes (eg, hyphae, microconidia, macroconidia, and arthroconidia). Using the B-DNA dermatophyte assay as a clinical tool for diagnosing dermatophytes is an alternative to PAS, GMS, and H&E as a fast and inexpensive way to accurately detect dermatophytosis and reduce the number of false negatives. Our assay resulted in superior identification, sensitivity, life cycle stages, and morphology compared to H&E, PAS, and GMS stains. This method detects a specific structural marker (ie, ds-B-DNA), which can assist with diagnosis of dermatophytes. It represents a significant advantage over methods currently in use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude E Gagna
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA; Department of Dermatology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA; Department of Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
| | - Anthony N Yodice
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Juliana D'Amico
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Lina Elkoulily
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Shaheryar M Gill
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Francis G DeOcampo
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Maryam Rabbani
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Jai Kaur
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Aangi Shah
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Zainab Ahmad
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Muriel W Lambert
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA; Department of Dermatology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - W Clark Lambert
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA; Department of Dermatology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA; Department of Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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13
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Atwood DT, Köhler JR, Vargas SO, Wong W, Klouda T. Identification of Irpex and Rhodotorula on surveillance bronchoscopy in a pediatric lung transplant recipient: A case report and review of literature of these atypical fungal organisms. Pediatr Transplant 2024; 28:e14759. [PMID: 38623871 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is a frequent complication in pediatric lung transplant recipients, occurring in up to 12% of patients in the first year. Risk factors for infection include impaired lung defenses and intense immunosuppressive regimens. While most IFD occurs from Aspergillus, other fungal conidia are continuously inhaled, and infections with fungi on a spectrum of human pathogenicity can occur. CASE REPORT We report a case of a 17-year-old lung transplant recipient in whom Irpex lacteus and Rhodotorula species were identified during surveillance bronchoscopy. She was asymptomatic and deemed to be colonized by Irpex lacteus and Rhodotorula species following transplant. 2 years after transplantation, she developed a fever, respiratory symptoms, abnormal lung imaging, and histological evidence of acute and chronic bronchitis on transbronchial biopsy. After developing symptoms concerning for a pulmonary infection and graft dysfunction, she was treated for a presumed IFD. Unfortunately, further diagnostic testing could not be performed at this time given her tenuous clinical status. Despite the initiation of antifungal therapy, her graft function continued to decline resulting in a second lung transplantation. CONCLUSIONS This case raises the concern for IFD in lung transplant recipients from Irpex species. Further investigation is needed to understand the pathogenicity of this organism, reduce the incidence and mortality of IFD in lung transplant recipients, and refine the approach to diagnosis and manage the colonization and isolation of rare, atypical fungal pathogens in immunocompromised hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T Atwood
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julia R Köhler
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara O Vargas
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wai Wong
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy Klouda
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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14
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Anh Nga NT, Fathima H A, Alahmadi TA. Assessment of possible biomedical applications of green synthesized TiO 2NPs-an in-vitro approach. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 248:118278. [PMID: 38246297 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118278] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Biomedical applications for various types of nanoparticles are emerging on a daily basis. Hence this research was performed to evaluate the antifungal (Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Trichophyton sp., Candida sp., and Penicillium sp.), cytotoxicity (MCF10A cell lines), and antioxidant (DPPH) potential of Coleus aromaticus mediated and pre-characterized TiO2NPs were studied with respective standard methodology. Interestingly, the TiO2NPs exhibited significant antifungal activity on pathogenic fungal strains like Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp. (31 ± 1.4), Penicillium sp. (31 ± 1.9) Trichophyton sp. (27 ± 2.1), and Candida sp. (26 ± 2.3) at high concentration (250 μg mL-1). However, the considerable levels of zone of inhibitions on fungal pathogens were recorded at 100 μg mL-1 of TiO2NPs as well as it was considerably greater than positive control. It also demonstrated dose based anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. The plant-mediated TiO2NPs demonstrated a maximum DPPH scavenging efficiency of 91% at a dosage of 250 μg mL-1, comparable to the positive control's 94%. Furthermore, TiO2NPs at 100 μg mL-1 concentration did not cause cytotoxicity in MCF10A cell lines. At higher concentrations (250 μg mL-1), the nanoparticles showed the lowest cytotoxicity (17%). These findings suggest that C. aromaticus-mediated TiO2NPs have significant biomedical applications. However, in-vivo studies are needed to learn more about their (C. aromaticus-mediated TiO2NPs) potential biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Thi Anh Nga
- Biomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
| | - Aafreen Fathima H
- Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, India
| | - Tahani Awad Alahmadi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Medical City, PO Box-2925, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
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15
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Tang Z, Wang H, Liu Y, Wang C, Li X, Yang Q. Current status and new experimental diagnostic methods of invasive fungal infections after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:237. [PMID: 38678508 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03905-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are common and life-threatening complications in post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (post-HSCT) recipients, Severe IFIs can lead to systemic infection and organ damage, which results in high mortality in HSCT recipients. With the development of the field of fungal infection diagnosis, more and more advanced non-culture diagnostic tools have been developed, such as glip biosensors, metagenomic next-generation sequencing, Magnetic Nanoparticles and Identified Using SERS via AgNPs+ , and artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis. The advanced diagnostic approaches contribute to the success of HSCT and improve the overall survival of post-HSCT leukemia patients by supporting therapeutical decisions. This review provides an overview of the characteristics of two high-incidence IFIs in post-HSCT recipients and discusses some of the recently developed IFI detection technologies. Additionally, it explores the potential application of cationic conjugated polymer fluorescence resonance energy transfer (CCP-FRET) technology for IFI detection. The aim is to offer insights into selecting appropriate IFI detection methods and gaining an understanding of novel fungal diagnostic approaches in laboratory settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Tang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - HaiTao Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yuankai Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xinye Li
- Lanzhou Petrochemical General Hospital (The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine), Gansu, 730060, China.
| | - Qiong Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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16
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Cen Z, Hu B, Yang S, Ma G, Zheng Y, Dong Y. Mechanism of benzoxazinoids affecting the growth and development of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fabae. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 114:42. [PMID: 38630198 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-024-01439-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Continuous cropping of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) has led to a high incidence of wilt disease. The implementation of an intercropping system involving wheat and faba bean can effectively control the propagation of faba bean wilt disease. To investigate the mechanisms of wheat in mitigating faba bean wilt disease in a wheat-faba bean intercropping system. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to assess the temporal variations in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fabae (FOF) on the chemotaxis of benzoxazinoids (BXs) and wheat root through indoor culture tests. The effects of BXs on FOF mycelial growth, spore germination, spore production, and electrical conductivity were examined. The influence of BXs on the ultrastructure of FOF was investigated through transmission electron microscopy. Eukaryotic mRNA sequencing was utilized to analyze the differentially expressed genes in FOF upon treatment with BXs. FOF exhibited a significant positive chemotactic effect on BXs in wheat roots and root secretions. BXs possessed the potential to exert significant allelopathic effects on the mycelial growth, spore germination, and sporulation of FOF. In addition, BXs demonstrated a remarkable ability to disrupt the structural integrity and stability of the membrane and cell wall of the FOF mycelia. BXs possessed the capability of posing threats to the integrity and stability of the cell membrane and cell wall. This ultimately resulted in physiological dysfunction, effectively inhibiting the regular growth and developmental processes of the FOF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Cen
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Bijie Hu
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Siyin Yang
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Guanglei Ma
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Yiran Zheng
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Yan Dong
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
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17
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Tenea GN, Reyes P, Molina D. Fungal Mycobiome of Mature Strawberry Fruits ( Fragaria x ananassa Variety 'Monterey') Suggests a Potential Market Site Contamination with Harmful Yeasts. Foods 2024; 13:1175. [PMID: 38672848 PMCID: PMC11049331 DOI: 10.3390/foods13081175] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
An amplicon metagenomic approach based on the ITS2 region of fungal rDNA was used to investigate the diversity of fungi associated with mature strawberries collected from a volcanic orchard and open-air market stands. Based on the Kruskal-Wallis test, no statistically significant differences were observed in both non-phylogenetic and phylogenetic alpha diversity indices. According to beta diversity analyses, significant differences in fungal communities were found between groups (orchard vs. market). Taxonomic assignment of amplicon sequence variables (ASVs) revealed 7 phyla and 31 classes. The prevalent fungal phyla were Basidiomycota (29.59-84.58%), Ascomycota (15.33-70.40%), and Fungi-phy-Insertae-sedis (0.45-2.89%). The most predominant classes among the groups were Saccharomycetes in the market group, and Microbotryomycetes and Tremellomycetes in the orchard group. Based on the analysis of microbiome composition (ANCOM), we found that the most differentially fungal genera were Hanseniaspora, Kurtzmaniella, and Phyllozyma. Endophytic yeasts Curvibasidium cygneicollum were prevalent in both groups, while Candida railenensis was detected in fruits originating only from the market. In addition, Rhodotorula graminis (relative abundance varying from 1.7% to 21.18%) and Papiliotrema flavescens (relative abundance varying from 1.58% to 16.55%) were detected in all samples regardless of origin, while Debaryomyces prosopidis was detected in samples from the market only, their relative abundance varying with the sample (from 0.80% to 19.23%). Their role in fruit quality and safety has not been yet documented. Moreover, several clinically related yeasts, such as Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Candida parapsilosis, were detected in samples only from the market. Understanding the variety and makeup of the mycobiome in ripe fruits during the transition from the orchard to the market is crucial for fruit safety after harvest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela N. Tenea
- Biofood and Nutraceutics Research and Development Group, Faculty of Engineering in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Universidad Técnica del Norte, 100150 Ibarra, Ecuador
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Kiconco P, Achan B, Sanya M, Najjingo I, Okeng A, Bwanga F. Pulmonary dimorphic fungal infections among HIV/AIDS non-TB patients with chronic cough in Kampala, Uganda. Mycoses 2024; 67:e13726. [PMID: 38644511 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dimorphic fungi cause infection following the inhalation of spores into the pulmonary system. In the lower respiratory tract, the conidia transform into yeasts, which are engulfed by alveolar macrophages and may be destroyed without disease manifestation. However, in some immunocompromised individuals, they may persist and cause active fungal disease characterized by formation of granulomas in the infected tissues, which may mimic Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of pulmonary dimorphic fungal infections among HIV/AIDS patients with non-TB chronic cough at Mulago National Referral and Teaching Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS Sputum samples were collected from 175 consented HIV/AIDS patients attending the immuno-suppression syndrome (ISS) clinic at the hospital. Upon Xpert MTB/RIF sputum testing, 21 patients tested positive for MTB, and these were excluded from further analysis. The other 154 sputum negative samples were then subjected to PCR for dimorphic fungi at MBN Clinical Laboratories. Singleplex PCR was used to detect the target sequences in selected respective genes of each dimorphic fungal species of interest. DNA amplicons were detected based on gel electrophoresis. RESULTS Dimorphic fungi were detected in 16.2% (25/154) of the studied population. Of these 9.1% (14/154) had Blastomyces dermatitidis and 7.1% (11/154) had Talaromyces marneffei. The remaining 84% of the studied participants had no dimorphic fungi. Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were not detected in any of the participants. CONCLUSION Dimorphic fungi (B. dermatitidis and T. marneffei) were found in 16.2% of the HIV/AIDS patients with non-TB chronic cough in Kampala, Uganda. We recommend routine testing for these pathogens among HIV/AIDS patients with chronic cough.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prossy Kiconco
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- MBN Clinical Laboratories, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Beatrice Achan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Irene Najjingo
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- MBN Clinical Laboratories, Kampala, Uganda
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Son YE, Park HS. SscA is required for fungal development, aflatoxin production, and pathogenicity in Aspergillus flavus. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 413:110607. [PMID: 38308877 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2024.110607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Fungal spores are specialized dormant cells that act as primary reproductive biological particles and exhibit strong viability under extremely harsh conditions. They contaminate a variety of crops and foods, causing severe health hazards to humans and animals. Previous studies demonstrated that a spore-specific transcription factor SscA plays pivotal roles in the conidiogenesis of the model organism Aspergillus nidulans. In this study, we investigated the biological and genetic functions of SscA in the aflatoxin-producing fungus A. flavus. Deletion of sscA showed reduced conidia formation, lost long-term viability, and exhibited more sensitivity to thermal, oxidative, and radiative stresses. The sscA-deficient strain showed increased aflatoxin B1 production in conidia as well as mycelia. Importantly, the absence of sscA affected fungal pathogenicity on crops. Further transcriptomic and phenotypic studies suggested that SscA coordinates conidial wall structures. Overall, SscA is important for conidial formation, maturation and dormancy, mycotoxin production, and pathogenicity in A. flavus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Eun Son
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Soo Park
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Sonnberger J, Kasper L, Lange T, Brunke S, Hube B. "We've got to get out"-Strategies of human pathogenic fungi to escape from phagocytes. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:341-358. [PMID: 37800630 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Human fungal pathogens are a deadly and underappreciated risk to global health that most severely affect immunocompromised individuals. A virulence attribute shared by some of the most clinically relevant fungal species is their ability to survive inside macrophages and escape from these immune cells. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms behind intracellular survival and elaborate how escape is mediated by lytic and non-lytic pathways as well as strategies to induce programmed host cell death. We also discuss persistence as an alternative to rapid host cell exit. In the end, we address the consequences of fungal escape for the host immune response and provide future perspectives for research and development of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Sonnberger
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Theresa Lange
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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21
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Ojha AK, Albert V, Sharma S, Hallur V, Singh G, Pamidimukkala U, Singh KJ, Kaur H, Karuna T, Savio J, Nath R, Xess I, Gupta P, Shetty A, Das M. Pan-Indian Clinical Registry of Invasive Fungal Infections Among Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: Protocol for a Multicentric Prospective Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e54672. [PMID: 38363632 PMCID: PMC10907932 DOI: 10.2196/54672] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal infections are now a great public health threat, especially in those with underlying risk factors such as neutropenia, diabetes, high-dose steroid treatment, cancer chemotherapy, prolonged intensive care unit stay, and so on, which can lead to mycoses with higher mortality rates. The rates of these infections have been steadily increasing over the past 2 decades due to the increasing population of patients who are immunocompromised. However, the data regarding the exact burden of such infection are still not available from India. Therefore, this registry was initiated to collate systematic data on invasive fungal infections (IFIs) across the country. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study is to create a multicenter digital clinical registry and monitor trends of IFIs and emerging fungal diseases, as well as early signals of any potential fungal outbreak in any region. The registry will also capture information on the antifungal resistance patterns and the contribution of fungal infections on overall morbidity and inpatient mortality across various conditions. METHODS This multicenter, prospective, noninterventional observational study will be conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research through a web-based data collection method from 8 Advanced Mycology Diagnostic and Research Centers across the country. Data on age, gender, clinical signs and symptoms, date of admission, date of discharge or death, diagnostic tests performed, identified pathogen details, antifungal susceptibility testing, outcome, and so on will be obtained from hospital records. Descriptive and multivariate statistical methods will be applied to investigate clinical manifestations, risk variables, and treatment outcomes. RESULTS These Advanced Mycology Diagnostic and Research Centers are expected to find the hidden cases of fungal infections in the intensive care unit setting. The study will facilitate the enhancement of the precision of fungal infection diagnosis and prompt treatment modalities in response to antifungal drug sensitivity tests. This registry will improve our understanding of IFIs, support evidence-based clinical decision-making ability, and encourage public health policies and actions. CONCLUSIONS Fungal diseases are a neglected public health problem. Fewer diagnostic facilities, scanty published data, and increased vulnerable patient groups make the situation worse. This is the first systematic clinical registry of IFIs in India. Data generated from this registry will increase our understanding related to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of fungal diseases in India by addressing pertinent gaps in mycology. This initiative will ensure a visible impact on public health in the country. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/54672.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Saurabh Sharma
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India
| | - Vinaykumar Hallur
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar (AIIMS, Bhubaneswar), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (AIIMS-New Delhi), New Delhi, India
| | | | - Kh Jitenkumar Singh
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India
| | - Harleen Kaur
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India
| | - Tadepalli Karuna
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal (AIIMS-Bhopal), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Jayanthi Savio
- St John's Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Reema Nath
- Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Immaculata Xess
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (AIIMS-New Delhi), New Delhi, India
| | - Prashant Gupta
- King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anjali Shetty
- Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja Hospital (PD Hinduja Hospital), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Ciesielska A, Kowalczyk A, Paneth A, Stączek P. Evaluation of the antidermatophytic activity of potassium salts of N-acylhydrazinecarbodithioates and their aminotriazole-thione derivatives. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3521. [PMID: 38347115 PMCID: PMC10861498 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54025-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, dermatophyte infections are relatively easy to cure, especially since the introduction of orally administered antifungals such as terbinafine and itraconazole. However, these drugs may cause side effects due to liver damage or their interactions with other therapeutics. Hence, the search for new effective chemotherapeutics showing antidermatophyte activity seems to be the urge of the moment. Potassium salts of N-acylhydrazinecarbodithioates are used commonly as precursors for the synthesis of biologically active compounds. Keeping that in mind, the activity of a series of five potassium N-acylhydrazinecarbodithioates (1a-e) and their aminotriazole-thione derivatives (2a-e) was evaluated against a set of pathogenic, keratinolytic fungi, such as Trichophyton ssp., Microsporum ssp. and Chrysosporium keratinophilum, but also against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. All tested compounds were found non-toxic for L-929 and HeLa cells, with the IC30 and IC50 values assessed in the MTT assay above 128 mg/L. The compound 5-amino-3-(naphtalene-1-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-thione (2d) was found active against all fungal strains tested. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed inhibition of mycelium development of Trichophyton rubrum cultivated on nail fragments and treated with 2d 24 h after infection with fungal spores. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) observation of mycelium treated with 2d showed ultrastructural changes in the morphology of germinated spores. Finally, the RNA-seq analysis indicated that a broad spectrum of genes responded to stress induced by the 2d compound. In conclusion, the results confirm the potential of N-acylhydrazinecarbodithioate derivatives for future use as promising leads for new antidermatophyte agents development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Ciesielska
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Kowalczyk
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
| | - Agata Paneth
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy with Medical Analytics Division, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Paweł Stączek
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
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23
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Cohen DG, Wingert RA. Caught red feathered: infection from cockatoo to human and mice reveals genetic plasticity of Cryptococcus neoformans during mammalian passage. Tissue Barriers 2024:2309717. [PMID: 38282267 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2024.2309717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is pervasive in our environment and causes the infectious disease cryptococcosis in humans, most commonly in immunocompromised patients. In addition to corroborating the avian origins of a case of cryptococcosis in an immunocompromised patient in 2000, a fascinating recent report has now characterized the genetic and phenotypic changes that occur in this C. neoformans during passage in mammalian hosts. Interestingly, mouse-passaged isolates showed differences in virulence factors ranging from capsule size, melanization, nonlytic macrophage exocytosis, and amoeba predation resistance as compared to the patient strain. Taken together, these results provide new insights about the relationship between mutations acquired during an infection and changes in virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorrian G Cohen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
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24
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Owens LA, Friant S, Martorelli Di Genova B, Knoll LJ, Contreras M, Noya-Alarcon O, Dominguez-Bello MG, Goldberg TL. VESPA: an optimized protocol for accurate metabarcoding-based characterization of vertebrate eukaryotic endosymbiont and parasite assemblages. Nat Commun 2024; 15:402. [PMID: 38195557 PMCID: PMC10776621 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44521-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Protocols for characterizing taxonomic assemblages by deep sequencing of short DNA barcode regions (metabarcoding) have revolutionized our understanding of microbial communities and are standardized for bacteria, archaea, and fungi. Unfortunately, comparable methods for host-associated eukaryotes have lagged due to technical challenges. Despite 54 published studies, issues remain with primer complementarity, off-target amplification, and lack of external validation. Here, we present VESPA (Vertebrate Eukaryotic endoSymbiont and Parasite Analysis) primers and optimized metabarcoding protocol for host-associated eukaryotic community analysis. Using in silico prediction, panel PCR, engineered mock community standards, and clinical samples, we demonstrate VESPA to be more effective at resolving host-associated eukaryotic assemblages than previously published methods and to minimize off-target amplification. When applied to human and non-human primate samples, VESPA enables reconstruction of host-associated eukaryotic endosymbiont communities more accurately and at finer taxonomic resolution than microscopy. VESPA has the potential to advance basic and translational science on vertebrate eukaryotic endosymbiont communities, similar to achievements made for bacterial, archaeal, and fungal microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah A Owens
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Sagan Friant
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Bruno Martorelli Di Genova
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Laura J Knoll
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Monica Contreras
- Center for Biophysics and Biochemistry, Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Oscar Noya-Alarcon
- Centro Amazónico de Investigación y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales-CAICET, Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas, Venezuela
| | - Maria G Dominguez-Bello
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Anthropology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tony L Goldberg
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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25
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Zhang S, Geng Y, Wei B, Lu Y, He L, Zhao F, Zhang J, Qin Z, Gong J. A Novel Mitochondrial Targeted Compound Phosundoxin Showing Potent Antifungal Activity against Common Clinical Pathogenic Fungi. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 10:28. [PMID: 38248938 PMCID: PMC10817537 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The current increase in resistance to antifungal drugs indicates that there is an urgent need to explore novel antifungal drugs with different mechanisms of action. Phosundoxin is a biphenyl aliphatic amide using a TPP-targeting strategy which targets mitochondria. To provide insights into the antifungal activities of phosundoxin, the antifungal susceptibility testing of phosundoxin was conducted on 158 pathogenic fungi and compared to that of traditional azole drugs. Phosundoxin displayed a broad-spectrum antifungal activity on all the tested yeast-like and filamentous fungi ranging from 2 to 16 mg/L. In particular, azole-resistant clinical isolates of Candida albicans were susceptible to phosundoxin with the same MICs as azole-susceptible C. albicans. Transcriptome analysis on azole-resistant C. albicans identified 554 DEGs after treatment with phosundoxin. By integrating GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, the antifungal activity of phosundoxin was related to impairment of mitochondrial respiratory chain function. Acute oral and percutaneous toxicity of phosundoxin to rats showed that the compound phosundoxin were mild toxicity and LD50 was above 5000 mg/kg body weight in rats. This study demonstrated the potential of phosundoxin as an antifungal agent for the treatment of common fungal infection and contributed to providing insights into the mechanisms of action of phosundoxin against C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yuanyuan Geng
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Bin Wei
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
| | - Yangzhen Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
| | - Lihua He
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
| | - Fei Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
| | - Jianzhong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhaohai Qin
- College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jie Gong
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (S.Z.)
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Recovery and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystem in Wanjiang Basin Co-Founded by Anhui Province and Ministry of Education, School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
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26
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Zhou L, He Z, Zhang K, Wang X. Analysis of Nuclear Dynamics in Nematode-Trapping Fungi Based on Fluorescent Protein Labeling. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1183. [PMID: 38132784 PMCID: PMC10744682 DOI: 10.3390/jof9121183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Nematophagous fungi constitute a category of fungi that exhibit parasitic behavior by capturing, colonizing, and poisoning nematodes, which are critical factors in controlling nematode populations in nature, and provide important research materials for biological control. Arthrobotrys oligospora serves as a model strain among nematophagous fungi, which begins its life as conidia, and then its hyphae produce traps to capture nematodes, completing its lifestyle switch from saprophytic to parasitic. There have been many descriptions of the morphological characteristics of A. oligospora lifestyle changes, but there have been no reports on the nuclear dynamics in this species. In this work, we constructed A. oligospora strains labeled with histone H2B-EGFP and observed the nuclear dynamics from conidia germination and hyphal extension to trap formation. We conducted real-time imaging observations on live cells of germinating and extending hyphae and found that the nucleus was located near the tip. It is interesting that the migration rate of this type of cell nucleus is very fast, and we speculate that this may be related to the morphological changes involved in the transformation to a predatory lifestyle. We suggest that alterations in nuclear shape and fixation imply the immediate disruption of the interaction with cytoskeletal mechanisms during nuclear migration. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the signal initiating nuclear migration into fungal traps is generated at the onset of nucleus entry into a trap cell. Our work provides a reference for analysis of the dynamics of nucleus distribution and a means to visualize protein localization and interactions in A. oligospora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; (L.Z.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Zhiwei He
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; (L.Z.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Keqin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; (L.Z.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; (L.Z.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
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Suehara MB, Silva MCPD. Prevalence of airborne fungi in Brazil and correlations with respiratory diseases and fungal infections. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2023; 28:3289-3300. [PMID: 37971011 DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320232811.08302022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Airborne fungi are dispersed through the air. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of airborne fungi in Brazil and understand the relationship between fungal growth and respiratory diseases and infections. We conducted an integrative literature review of studies conducted in Brazil based on searches of the PubMed, MEDLINE-BIREME, SciELO, and LILACS databases for full-text articles published between 2000 and 2022. The searches returned 147 studies, of which only 25 met the inclusion criteria. The most prevalent genera of airborne fungi in Brazil are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Curvularia, and Fusarium. The studies were conducted in the states of Maranhão, Ceará, Piauí, Sergipe, Mato Grosso, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. The findings also show the relationship between fungi and meteorological factors and seasonality, the sensitivity of atopic individuals to fungi, and the main nosocomial mycoses reported in the literature. This work demonstrates the importance of maintaining good microbiological air quality to prevent potential airborne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Batista Suehara
- Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana - Unidade PTI. Av. Tarquínio Joslin dos Santos 1000, Polo Universitário. 85870-650 Foz do Iguaçu PR Brasil.
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28
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Andika IB, Cao X, Kondo H, Sun L. The intriguing phenomenon of cross-kingdom infections of plant and insect viruses to fungi: Can other animal viruses also cross-infect fungi? PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011726. [PMID: 37883353 PMCID: PMC10602238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011726] [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] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi are highly widespread and commonly colonize multicellular organisms that live in natural environments. Notably, studies on viruses infecting plant-associated fungi have revealed the interesting phenomenon of the cross-kingdom transmission of viruses and viroids from plants to fungi. This implies that fungi, in addition to absorbing water, nutrients, and other molecules from the host, can acquire intracellular parasites that reside in the host. These findings further suggest that fungi can serve as suitable alternative hosts for certain plant viruses and viroids. Given the frequent coinfection of fungi and viruses in humans/animals, the question of whether fungi can also acquire animal viruses and serve as their hosts is very intriguing. In fact, the transmission of viruses from insects to fungi has been observed. Furthermore, the common release of animal viruses into the extracellular space (viral shedding) could potentially facilitate their acquisition by fungi. Investigations of the cross-infection of animal viruses in fungi may provide new insights into the epidemiology of viral diseases in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Bagus Andika
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xinran Cao
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
- Shouguang International Vegetable Sci-tech Fair Management Service Center, Shouguang, China
| | - Hideki Kondo
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Liying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
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Wang T, Liu J, Luo Y, Yu B, Kong X, Zheng P, Huang Z, Mao X, Yu J, Luo J, Yan H, He J. Combined effects of host genetics and diet on porcine intestinal fungi and their pathogenic genes. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1192288. [PMID: 37822749 PMCID: PMC10563851 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1192288] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
As research on gut microbes progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that a small family of microbiota--fungi, plays a crucial role in animal health. However, little is known about the fungal composition in the pig intestine, especially after a dietary fiber diet and hybrid genetics, and the changes in host pathogenicity-associated genes they carry. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of diet and genetics on the diversity and structure of porcine intestinal fungi and to describe, for the first time, the host pathogenicity-related genes carried by porcine intestinal fungi. Samples of colonic contents were collected for metagenomic analysis using a 3 × 2 parsing design, where three pig breeds (Taoyuan, Duroc, and crossbred Xiangcun) were fed high or low fiber diets (n = 10). In all samples, we identified a total of 281 identifiable fungal genera, with Ascomycota and Microsporidia being the most abundant fungi. Compared to Duroc pigs, Taoyuan and Xiangcun pigs had higher fungal richness. Interestingly, the fiber diet significantly reduced the abundance of the pathogenic fungus Mucor and significantly increased the abundance of the fiber digestion-associated fungus Neocallimastix. Pathogenic fungi exert their pathogenicity through the genes they carry that are associated with host pathogenicity. Therefore, we obtained 839 pathogenicity genes carried by the spectrum of fungi in the pig intestine by comparing the PHI-base database. Our results showed that fungi in the colon of Taoyuan pigs carried the highest abundance of different classes of host pathogenicity-related genes, and the lowest in Duroc pigs. Specifically, Taoyuan pigs carried high abundance of animal pathogenicity-related genes (CaTUP1, CPAR2_106400, CaCDC35, Tfp1, CaMNT2), and CaTUP1 was the key gene for Candida pathogenicity. The intestinal fungal composition of crossbred Xiangcun pigs and the abundance of host pathogenicity-associated genes they carried exhibited a mixture of characteristics of Taoyuan and Duroc pigs. In conclusion, our results provide the first comprehensive report on the effects of dietary fiber and genetics on the composition of intestinal fungi and the host-associated pathogenicity genes they carry in pigs. These findings provide a reference for subsequent pig breeding and development of anti-pathogenic fungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiahao Liu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuheng Luo
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
| | - Bing Yu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiangfeng Kong
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
| | - Ping Zheng
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiqing Huang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiangbing Mao
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
| | - Junqiu Luo
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Yan
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun He
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Chengdu, China
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Chen L, Zhang L, Xie Y, Wang Y, Tian X, Fang W, Xue X, Wang L. Confronting antifungal resistance, tolerance, and persistence: Advances in drug target discovery and delivery systems. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 200:115007. [PMID: 37437715 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Human pathogenic fungi pose a serious threat to human health and safety. Unfortunately, the limited number of antifungal options is exacerbated by the continuous emergence of drug-resistant variants, leading to frequent drug treatment failures. Recent studies have also highlighted the clinical importance of other modes of fungal survival of antifungal treatment, including drug tolerance and persistence, pointing to the complexity of the fungal response to antifungal drugs. A lack of understanding of the fungal drug response has hampered the identification of new targets, the development of alternative antifungal strategies and the design of appropriate delivery systems. In this review we summarize recent advances in the study of antifungal resistance, tolerance and persistence, with an emphasis on promising drug targets and drug delivery systems that may yield important insights into the development of new or improved antifungal therapies against fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lanyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiting Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Xiuyun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenxia Fang
- Institute of Biological Science and Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, China
| | - Xinying Xue
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University; Peking University Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100038, China; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Weifang Medical College, 261053, Weifang, Shandong, China.
| | - Linqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Martins C, Piontkivska D, Mil-Homens D, Guedes P, Jorge JMP, Brinco J, Bárria C, Santos ACF, Barras R, Arraiano C, Fialho A, Goldman GH, Silva Pereira C. Increased Production of Pathogenic, Airborne Fungal Spores upon Exposure of a Soil Mycobiota to Chlorinated Aromatic Hydrocarbon Pollutants. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0066723. [PMID: 37284774 PMCID: PMC10434042 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00667-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Organic pollutants are omnipresent and can penetrate all environmental niches. We evaluated the hypothesis that short-term (acute) exposure to aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants could increase the potential for fungal virulence. Specifically, we analyzed whether pentachlorophenol and triclosan pollution results in the production of airborne fungal spores with greater virulence than those derived from an unpolluted (Control) condition. Each pollutant altered the composition of the community of airborne spores compared to the control, favoring an increase in strains with in vivo infection capacity (the wax moth Galleria mellonella was used as an infection model). Fungi subsisting inside larvae at 72 h postinjection with airborne spore inocula collected in polluted and unpolluted conditions exhibited comparable diversity (mainly within Aspergillus fumigatus). Several virulent Aspergillus strains were isolated from larvae infected with the airborne spores produced in a polluted environment. Meanwhile, strains isolated from larvae injected with spores from the control, including one A. fumigatus strain, showed no virulence. Potential pathogenicity increased when two Aspergillus virulent strains were assembled, suggesting the existence of synergisms that impact pathogenicity. None of the observed taxonomic or functional traits could separate the virulent from the avirulent strains. Our study emphasizes pollution stress as a possible driver of phenotypic adaptations that increase Aspergillus pathogenicity, as well as the need to better understand the interplay between pollution and fungal virulence. IMPORTANCE Fungi colonizing soil and organic pollutants often meet. The consequences of this encounter constitute an outstanding question. We scrutinized the potential for virulence of airborne fungal spores produced under unpolluted and polluted scenarios. The airborne spores showed increased diversity of strains with higher infection capacity in Galleria mellonella whenever pollution is present. Inside the larvae injected with either airborne spore community, the surviving fungi demonstrated a similar diversity, mainly within Aspergillus fumigatus. However, the isolated Aspergillus strains greatly differ since virulence was only observed for those associated with a polluted environment. The interplay between pollution and fungal virulence still hides many unresolved questions, but the encounter is costly: pollution stress promotes phenotypic adaptations that may increase Aspergillus pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celso Martins
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Daryna Piontkivska
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Dalila Mil-Homens
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences and Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Guedes
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- CENSE (Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research)/CHANGE (Global Change and Sustainability Institute), NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - João M. P. Jorge
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - João Brinco
- CENSE (Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research)/CHANGE (Global Change and Sustainability Institute), NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Cátia Bárria
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ariana C. F. Santos
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Barras
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Cecília Arraiano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Arsénio Fialho
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences and Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Cristina Silva Pereira
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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Gouveia RG, Oliveira NR, Andrade-Júnior FP, Ferreira RC, Amorim GMW, Silva DKF, Duarte SS, Medeiros CIS, Oliveira-Filho AA, Lima EO. Antifungal effect of (R) and (S)-citronellal enantiomers and their predictive mechanism of action on Candida albicans from voriconazole-resistant onychomycoses. BRAZ J BIOL 2023; 83:e271530. [PMID: 37222371 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.271530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Onychomycosis is the most common disease affecting the nail unit and accounts for at least 50% of all nail diseases. In addition, Candida albicans is responsible for approximately 70% of onychomycoses caused by yeasts. This study investigated the antifungal effect of (R) and (S)-citronellal enantiomers, as well as its predictive mechanism of action on C. albicans from voriconazole-resistant onychomycoses. For this purpose, in vitro broth microdilution and molecular docking techniques were applied in a predictive and complementary manner to the mechanisms of action. The main results of this study indicate that C. albicans was resistant to voriconazole and sensitive to the enantiomers (R) and (S)-citronellal at a dose of 256 and 32 µg/mL respectively. In addition, there was an increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the enantiomers in the presence of sorbitol and ergosterol, indicating that these molecules possibly affect the integrity of the cell wall and cell membrane of C. albicans. Molecular docking with key biosynthesis proteins and maintenance of the fungal cell wall and plasma membrane demonstrated the possibility of (R) and (S)-citronellal interacting with two important enzymes: 1,3-β-glucan synthase and lanosterol 14α-demethylase. Therefore, the findings of this study indicate that the (R) and (S)-citronellal enantiomers are fungicidal on C. albicans from onychomycoses and probably these substances cause damage to the cell wall and cell membrane of these micro-organisms possibly by interacting with enzymes in the biosynthesis of these fungal structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- R G Gouveia
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
| | - N R Oliveira
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
| | - F P Andrade-Júnior
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
| | - R C Ferreira
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
| | - G M W Amorim
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas - DCF, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
| | - D K F Silva
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
| | - S S Duarte
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
| | - C I S Medeiros
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
| | - A A Oliveira-Filho
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG, Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural - CTSR, Patos, Paraíba, Brasil
| | - E O Lima
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas - DCF, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
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Hamed K, Engelhardt M, Kovanda LL, Huang JJ, Yan J, Aram JA. Post-hoc analysis of the safety and efficacy of isavuconazole in older patients with invasive fungal disease from the VITAL and SECURE studies. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6730. [PMID: 37185921 PMCID: PMC10127179 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31788-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Isavuconazole is a triazole with broad-spectrum antifungal activity. In this post-hoc analysis of two prospective clinical trials (VITAL and SECURE), the safety and efficacy of isavuconazole in patients aged ≥ 65 years with invasive fungal diseases were evaluated. Patients were divided into two subgroups (≥ 65 and < 65 years). Adverse events (AEs); all-cause mortality; and overall, clinical, mycological, and radiological response were assessed. A total of 155 patients ≥ 65 years were enrolled in both trials. Most patients reported AEs. In the isavuconazole arm of both studies, serious AEs (SAEs) were greater in patients ≥ 65 versus < 65 years: 76.7% versus 56.9% (VITAL); 61.9% versus 49.0% (SECURE). In SECURE, SAE rates were similar in the ≥ 65 years subgroup of both treatment arms (61.9% vs 58.1%), while in the < 65 years subgroup the SAE rate was lower in the isavuconazole arm (49.0% vs 57.4%). In VITAL, all-cause mortality through day 42 (30.0% vs 13.8%) was higher, and overall response at end of treatment (27.6% vs 46.8%) was lower in patients ≥ 65 years versus < 65 years. In SECURE, all-cause mortality was similar between both subgroups, and isavuconazole (20.6% vs 17.9%) and voriconazole (22.6% vs 19.4%) treatment arms. The overall response was lower in the ≥ 65 years than the < 65 years subgroup in the isavuconazole (23.7% vs 39.0%) and voriconazole (32.0% vs 37.5%) arms. The safety and efficacy of isavuconazole were better in patients < 65 versus ≥ 65 years, and the safety profile was more favorable than that of voriconazole in both subgroups.Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00634049 and NCT00412893.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Hamed
- Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Marc Engelhardt
- Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., Allschwil, Switzerland.
| | - Laura L Kovanda
- Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc., Northbrook, IL, USA
| | - Jin Ju Huang
- Pfizer, 10645848 PBG China Medical, Beijing, China
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Menu E, Filori Q, Dufour JC, Ranque S, L’Ollivier C. A Repertoire of Clinical Non-Dermatophytes Moulds. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040433. [PMID: 37108888 PMCID: PMC10146755 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans are constantly exposed to micromycetes, especially filamentous fungi that are ubiquitous in the environment. In the presence of risk factors, mostly related to an alteration of immunity, the non-dermatophyte fungi can then become opportunistic pathogens, causing superficial, deep or disseminated infections. With new molecular tools applied to medical mycology and revisions in taxonomy, the number of fungi described in humans is rising. Some rare species are emerging, and others more frequent are increasing. The aim of this review is to (i) inventory the filamentous fungi found in humans and (ii) provide details on the anatomical sites where they have been identified and the semiology of infections. Among the 239,890 fungi taxa and corresponding synonyms, if any, retrieved from the Mycobank and NCBI Taxonomy databases, we were able to identify 565 moulds in humans. These filamentous fungi were identified in one or more anatomical sites. From a clinical point of view, this review allows us to realize that some uncommon fungi isolated in non-sterile sites may be involved in invasive infections. It may present a first step in the understanding of the pathogenicity of filamentous fungi and the interpretation of the results obtained with the new molecular diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Menu
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13385 Marseille, France
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Service de Santé des Armées, VITROME: Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerra-néennes, Aix Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Quentin Filori
- INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Charles Dufour
- INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, 13385 Marseille, France
- APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Service Biostatistique et Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Stéphane Ranque
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13385 Marseille, France
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Service de Santé des Armées, VITROME: Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerra-néennes, Aix Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Coralie L’Ollivier
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13385 Marseille, France
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Service de Santé des Armées, VITROME: Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerra-néennes, Aix Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France
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Meccatti VM, Santos LF, de Carvalho LS, Souza CB, Carvalho CAT, Marcucci MC, Abu Hasna A, de Oliveira LD. Antifungal Action of Herbal Plants' Glycolic Extracts against Candida Species. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062857. [PMID: 36985829 PMCID: PMC10054556 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida spp. cause fungal infection that affects patients' oral health. This study aimed to evaluate the isolated and synergistic antifungal effect of Rosa centifolia L., Curcuma longa L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Punica granatum L. glycolic extracts against Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei planktonic and biofilm forms. The plant extracts were chemically characterized and the main compounds were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) analysis. The minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations of the extracts were determined, and antibiofilm activity was evaluated by MTT assay. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests, and by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests, considering a significance level of 5%. The main compounds identified in each of the extracts were: p-coumaric acid (2153.22 μg/100 mL) in the rosemary extract, gallotannins (4318.31 μg/100 mL) in the pomegranate extract, quercetin derivatives (3316.50 μg/100 mL) in the extract of white roses, and curcumin (135.09 μg/100 mL) in the turmeric extract. The combination of R. centifolia and C. longa glycolic extracts was effective against C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, and C. tropicalis biofilms over different periods (p < 0.05). The combination of R. officinalis and P. granatum glycolic extracts was effective against C. albicans and C. krusei biofilms after 30 min, and against C. tropicalis after 24 h, with all combinations showing an average reduction of 50% in cell viability (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the combined plant extracts have antifungal and antibiofilm action against Candida spp. in different concentrations and times of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Marques Meccatti
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (ICT-UNESP), São José dos Campos 12245-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Lana Ferreira Santos
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (ICT-UNESP), São José dos Campos 12245-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Lara Steffany de Carvalho
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (ICT-UNESP), São José dos Campos 12245-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Clara Bulhões Souza
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (ICT-UNESP), São José dos Campos 12245-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Cláudio Antonio Talge Carvalho
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Division, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (ICT-UNESP), São José dos Campos 12245-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Marcucci
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (ICT-UNESP), São José dos Campos 12245-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Amjad Abu Hasna
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Division, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (ICT-UNESP), São José dos Campos 12245-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciane Dias de Oliveira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (ICT-UNESP), São José dos Campos 12245-000, SP, Brazil
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Abstract
The respiratory tree maintains sterilizing immunity against human fungal pathogens. Humans inhale ubiquitous filamentous molds and geographically restricted dimorphic fungal pathogens that form small airborne conidia. In addition, pathogenic yeasts, exemplified by encapsulated Cryptococcus species, and Pneumocystis pose significant fungal threats to the lung. Classically, fungal pneumonia occurs in immune compromised individuals, specifically in patients with HIV/AIDS, in patients with hematologic malignancies, in organ transplant recipients, and in patients treated with corticosteroids and targeted biologics that impair fungal immune surveillance in the lung. The emergence of fungal co-infections during severe influenza and COVID-19 underscores the impairment of fungus-specific host defense pathways in the lung by respiratory viruses and by medical therapies to treat viral infections. Beyond life-threatening invasive syndromes, fungal antigen exposure can exacerbate allergenic disease in the lung. In this review, we discuss emerging principles of lung-specific antifungal immunity, integrate the contributions and cooperation of lung epithelial, innate immune, and adaptive immune cells to mucosal barrier immunity, and highlight the pathogenesis of fungal-associated allergenic disease. Improved understanding of fungus-specific immunity in the respiratory tree has paved the way to develop improved diagnostic, pre-emptive, therapeutic, and vaccine approaches for fungal diseases of the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena J Heung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Darin L Wiesner
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Keyi Wang
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Amariliz Rivera
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Tobias M Hohl
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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37
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Sharma G, Sharma R, Saxena R, Rajni E, Prakash Mamoria V. [Pharmacological importance of novel spiro derivatives against human pathogenic fungi]. BIOMEDITSINSKAIA KHIMIIA 2023; 69:55-61. [PMID: 36857427 DOI: 10.18097/pbmc20236901055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Human mycoses have become a threat to health world-wide. Unfortunately there are only a limited number of antimycotic drugs in use. In the present study, antifungal activity of earlier synthesized spiro-1,4-dihydropyridines (1,4-DHPs) was investigated. The antifungal activity of spiro-1,4-DHPs compounds were screened against Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, and Candida albicans by using Disc Diffusion and Modified Microdilution method. Among six spiro-1,4-DHPs compounds tested all of them showed stronger antifungal activity possibly through inhibiting the synthesis of chitin in cell wall against A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and C. albicans as compared to fluconazole, a standard antifungal drug. The combination of compounds showed that the synthesized compounds had synergistic, additive effects as compared to currently used drugs as an antifungal agent. These results indicated that these designed compounds were potential chitin synthase inhibitors and had excellent antimycotic activity for the treatment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, MPS International, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - R Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - R Saxena
- Department of Biotechnology, Invertis University, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - E Rajni
- Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - V Prakash Mamoria
- Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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Khan A, Moni SS, Ali M, Mohan S, Jan H, Rasool S, Kamal MA, Alshahrani S, Halawi M, Alhazmi HA. Antifungal Activity of Plant Secondary Metabolites on Candida albicans: An Updated Review. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2023; 16:15-42. [PMID: 35249516 DOI: 10.2174/1874467215666220304143332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections have been increasing continuously worldwide, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Fungi, regarded as eukaryotic pathogens, have many similarities to the host cells, which inhibit anti-fungal drug development progress. Various fungal model systems have been studied, and it was concluded that Candida spp. is the most common disease-causing fungus. Candida species are well known to cause infections not only in our mouth, skin, and vagina, but they are also a frequent cause of life-threatening hospital bloodstream infections. The morphological and developmental pathways of Candida have been studied extensively, providing insight into the fungus development. Candida albicans is known to be the most pathogenic species responsible for a variety of infections in humans. Conventional anti-fungal drugs, mainly azoles drugs available in the market, have been used for years developing resistance in C. albicans. Hence, the production of new anti-fungal drugs, which require detailed molecular knowledge of fungal pathogenesis, needs to be encouraged. Therefore, this review targets the new approach of "Green Medicines" or the phytochemicals and their secondary metabolites as a source of novel anti-fungal agents to overcome the drug resistance of C. albicans, their mechanism of action, and their combined effects with the available anti-fungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andleeb Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - M Ali
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syam Mohan
- Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
- School of Health Sciences, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Huma Jan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar -190006, J&K, India
| | - Saiema Rasool
- Department of School Education, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar, 190001 J&K, India
| | - Mohammad A Kamal
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589. Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
- Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee place, Hebersham, NSW 2770; Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Australia
| | - Saeed Alshahrani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam Halawi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan A Alhazmi
- Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
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Liu W, Li M, Tian B, Yang X, Du W, Wang X, Zhou H, Ding C, Sai S. Calcofluor white-cholesteryl hydrogen succinate conjugate mediated liposomes for enhanced targeted delivery of voriconazole into Candida albicans. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:307-321. [DOI: 10.1039/d2bm01263d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
A nano antifungal-drug delivery system is designed to increase voriconazole efficacy by specifically binding to chitin in the fungal cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Mengshun Li
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Baocheng Tian
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Wei Du
- College of Life and Health Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110015, China
| | - Xiuwen Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Huihui Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong 266071, China
| | - Chen Ding
- College of Life and Health Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110015, China
| | - Sixiang Sai
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
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Kinch A, Furebring M, Chryssanthou E, Hallböök H. Invasive fungal infection by Peziza ostracoderma in an immunocompromised patient. Med Mycol Case Rep 2022; 39:26-30. [PMID: 36698700 PMCID: PMC9867948 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We report for the first time a case of disseminated infection caused by Peziza ostracoderma, a mold not previously associated with invasive infections in humans. P. ostracoderma occurs in natural and sterilized soil and may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis in greenhouse workers. The immunocompromised patient presented with neutropenic fever that did not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics and developed multiple skin and lung lesions. A skin biopsy demonstrated an angioinvasive mold, identified as Peziza ostracoderma by culture and DNA sequencing. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for amphotericin B was 0.125 mg/L, for isavuconazole 0.125 mg/L, for voriconazole 0.06 mg/L, and for posaconazole 0.03 mg/L. The skin lesions have resolved completely, and the lung lesions have decreased significantly in size after 14 months of mold-active antifungal therapy, mostly isavuconazole. In conclusion, Peziza species can be opportunistic pathogens causing considerable morbidity in immunocompromised hosts. The infection may be successfully treated with mold-active antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Kinch
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Infectious Diseases, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Corresponding author.
| | - Mia Furebring
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Infectious Diseases, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erja Chryssanthou
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helene Hallböök
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Hematology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Li BZ, Wang H, Li XB, Zhang QR, Huang RG, Wu H, Wang YY, Li KD, Chu XJ, Cao NW, Zhou HY, Fang XY, Leng RX, Fan YG, Tao JH, Shuai ZW, Ye DQ. Altered gut fungi in systemic lupus erythematosus - A pilot study. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1031079. [PMID: 36545195 PMCID: PMC9760866 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1031079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Gut fungi, as symbiosis with the human gastrointestinal tract, may regulate physiology via multiple interactions with host cells. The plausible role of fungi in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is far from clear and need to be explored. Methods A total of 64 subjects were recruited, including SLE, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTDs) patients and healthy controls (HCs). Fecal samples of subjects were collected. Gut fungi and bacteria were detected by ITS sequencing and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, respectively. Alpha and beta diversities of microbiota were analyzed. Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis was performed to identify abundance of microbiota in different groups. The correlation network between bacterial and fungal microbiota was analyzed based on Spearman correlation. Results Gut fungal diversity and community composition exhibited significant shifts in SLE compared with UCTDs, RA and HCs. Compared with HCs, the alpha and beta diversities of fungal microbiota decreased in SLE patients. According to principal coordinates analysis results, the constitution of fungal microbiota from SLE, RA, UCTDs patients and HCs exhibited distinct differences with a clear separation between fungal microbiota. There was dysbiosis in the compositions of fungal and bacterial microbiota in the SLE patients, compared to HCs. Pezizales, Cantharellales and Pseudaleuria were enriched in SLE compared with HCs, RA and UCTDs. There was a complex relationship network between bacterial and fungal microbiota, especially Candida which was related to a variety of bacteria. Conclusion This study presents a pilot analysis of fungal microbiota with diversity and composition in SLE, and identifies several gut fungi with different abundance patterns taxa among SLE, RA, UCTDs and HCs. Furthermore, the gut bacterial-fungal association network in SLE patients was altered compared with HCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Zhu Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xian-Bao Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qian-Ru Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Rong-Gui Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hong Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yi-Yu Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kai-Di Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiu-Jie Chu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Nv-Wei Cao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hao-Yue Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China,The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin-Yu Fang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Rui-Xue Leng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yin-Guang Fan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jin-Hui Tao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zong-Wen Shuai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dong-Qing Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China,Inflammatory and Immune Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China,*Correspondence: Dong-Qing Ye,
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Similarities and Differences among Species Closely Related to Candida albicans: C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis, and C. auris. Cell Microbiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/2599136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although Candida species are widespread commensals of the microflora of healthy individuals, they are also among the most important human fungal pathogens that under certain conditions can cause diseases (candidiases) of varying severity ranging from mild superficial infections of the mucous membranes to life-threatening systemic infections. So far, the vast majority of research aimed at understanding the molecular basis of pathogenesis has been focused on the most common species—Candida albicans. Meanwhile, other closely related species belonging to the CTG clade, namely, Candida tropicalis and Candida dubliniensis, are becoming more important in clinical practice, as well as a relatively newly identified species, Candida auris. Despite the close relationship of these microorganisms, it seems that in the course of evolution, they have developed distinct biochemical, metabolic, and physiological adaptations, which they use to fit to commensal niches and achieve full virulence. Therefore, in this review, we describe the current knowledge on C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis, and C. auris virulence factors, the formation of a mixed species biofilm and mutual communication, the environmental stress response and related changes in fungal cell metabolism, and the effect of pathogens on host defense response and susceptibility to antifungal agents used, highlighting differences with respect to C. albicans. Special attention is paid to common diagnostic problems resulting from similarities between these species and the emergence of drug resistance mechanisms. Understanding the different strategies to achieve virulence, used by important opportunistic pathogens of the genus Candida, is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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43
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Valdez AF, Miranda DZ, Guimarães AJ, Nimrichter L, Nosanchuk JD. Pathogenicity & Virulence of Histoplasma capsulatum - a multifaceted organism adapted to intracellular environments. Virulence 2022; 13:1900-1919. [PMID: 36266777 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2137987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Histoplasmosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Although healthy individuals can develop histoplasmosis, the disease is particularly life-threatening in immunocompromised patients, with a wide range of clinical manifestations depending on the inoculum and virulence of the infecting strain. In this review, we discuss the established virulence factors and pathogenesis traits that make H. capsulatum highly adapted to a wide variety of hosts, including mammals. Understanding and integrating these mechanisms is a key step towards devising new preventative and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro F Valdez
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Zamith Miranda
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Allan Jefferson Guimarães
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia - MIP, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joshua D Nosanchuk
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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Aguilar-Rodríguez S, López-Villafranco ME, Jácquez-Ríos MP, Hernández-Delgado CT, Mata-Pimentel MF, Estrella-Parra EA, Espinosa-González AM, Nolasco-Ontiveros E, Avila-Acevedo JG, García-Bores AM. Chemical profile, antimicrobial activity, and leaf anatomy of Adenophyllum porophyllum var. cancellatum. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:981959. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.981959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenophyllum porophyllum var. cancellatum, known as “árnica del monte” in Mexico, is an aromatic annual plant belonging to the Asteraceae family that grows from southern Arizona to central Mexico. The aerial parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine to treat skin diseases such as irritations, infections, and wounds. In this study, the essential oil of this plant was characterized, and its antimicrobial activity was evaluated. This species has large glands in its leaves; therefore, for quality control purposes, an anatomical study of the leaves was performed. The essential oil was isolated from the aerial parts of the plant through hydro-distillation and analyzed using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) system. Its anti-yeast activity was evaluated against three Candida species and ten bacterial strains using the disk diffusion technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using broth microdilution. Anatomical study was performed on the middle part of the leaf. A yield of 0.5% of the essential oil was obtained from the herb, and Eighteen compounds in the essential oil were identified, within them trans pinocamphone (29.5%), limonene (24.7%), pinocarvone (21.8%), and cis pinocamphone (8.0%) were the main components. The inhibition zones were between 10 mm and 20 mm, and the MIC and MFC against the three Candida species ranged from 60 to 500 μg/ml. The leaf anatomy showed anisocytic stomata, simple and glandular trichomes of different types, and large and elliptical-shaped lysigenous glands, which can be used for taxonomic identification. The A. porophyllum var. cancellatum essential oil can serve as an alternative source of natural antimicrobial agents as an affordable approach to control infectious diseases. This is the first study that reports the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil, as well as the leaf anatomy of this species.
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Recent Advances in the Allergic Cross-Reactivity between Fungi and Foods. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:7583400. [PMID: 36249419 PMCID: PMC9568318 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7583400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Airborne fungi are one of the most ubiquitous kinds of inhalant allergens which can result in allergic diseases. Fungi tend to grow in warm and humid environments with regional and seasonal variations. Their nomenclature and taxonomy are related to the sensitization of immunoglobulin E (IgE). Allergic cross-reactivity among different fungal species appears to be widely existing. Fungus-related foods, such as edible mushrooms, mycoprotein, and fermented foods by fungi, can often induce to fungus food allergy syndrome (FFAS) by allergic cross-reactivity with airborne fungi. FFAS may involve one or more target organs, including the oral mucosa, the skin, the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, and the cardiovascular system, with various allergic symptoms ranging from oral allergy syndrome (OAS) to severe anaphylaxis. This article reviews the current knowledge on the field of allergic cross-reactivity between fungal allergens and related foods, as well as the diagnosis and treatment on FFAS.
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46
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Xu J. Assessing global fungal threats to humans. MLIFE 2022; 1:223-240. [PMID: 38818220 PMCID: PMC10989982 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Fungi are an integral part of the earth's biosphere. They are broadly distributed in all continents and ecosystems and play a diversity of roles. Here, I review our current understanding of fungal threats to humans and describe the major factors that contribute to various threats. Among the 140,000 or so known species out of the estimated six million fungal species on Earth, about 10% directly or indirectly threaten human health and welfare. Major threats include mushroom poisoning, fungal allergies, infections of crop plants, food contamination by mycotoxins, and mycoses in humans. A growing number of factors have been identified to impact various fungal threats, including human demographics, crop distributions, anthropogenic activities, pathogen dispersals, global climate change, and/or the applications of antifungal drugs and agricultural fungicides. However, while models have been developed for analyzing various processes of individual threats and threat managements, current data are primarily descriptive and incomplete, and there are significant obstacles to integration of the diverse factors into accurate quantitative assessments of fungal threats. With increasing technological advances and concerted efforts to track the spatial and temporal data on climate and environmental variables; mycotoxins in the feed and food supply chains; fungal population dynamics in crop fields, human and animal populations, and the environment; human population demographics; and the prevalence and severities of fungal allergies and diseases, our ability to accurately assess fungal threats will improve. Such improvements should help us develop holistic strategies to manage fungal threats in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology and Institute of Infectious Diseases ResearchMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
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Holzknecht J, Dubrac S, Hedtrich S, Galgóczy L, Marx F. Small, Cationic Antifungal Proteins from Filamentous Fungi Inhibit Candida albicans Growth in 3D Skin Infection Models. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0029922. [PMID: 35499318 PMCID: PMC9241769 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00299-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The emerging resistance of human-pathogenic fungi to antifungal drugs urges the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. The small, cationic antifungal proteins (AFPs) from filamentous ascomycetes represent promising candidates for next-generation antifungals. These bio-molecules need to be tested for tolerance in the host and efficacy against fungal pathogens before they can be safely applied in humans. Testing of the efficacy and possible adverse effects of new drug candidates in three-dimensional (3D) human-cell based models represents an advantageous alternative to animal experiments. In, this study, as a proof-of-principle, we demonstrate the usefulness of 3D skin infection models for screening new antifungal drug candidates for topical application. We established a cutaneous infection with the opportunistic human-pathogenic yeast Candida albicans in a commercially available 3D full-thickness (FT) skin model to test the curative potential of distinct AFPs from Penicillium chrysogenum (PAFopt, PAFB, and PAFC) and Neosartorya (Aspergillus) fischeri (NFAP2) in vitro. All tested AFPs were comparably well tolerated by the skin models. The infected 3D models exhibited reduced epidermal permeability barriers, allowing C. albicans to colonize the epidermal and dermal layers, and showed increased secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and the chemokine IL-8. AFP treatment diminished the fungal burden and penetration depth of C. albicans in the infected models. The epidermal permeability barrier was restored and the secretion of IL-8 was decreased following AFP treatment. In summary, our study proves that the tested AFPs exhibit antifungal potential against cutaneous C. albicans infection in a 3D FT skin model. IMPORTANCE Candida albicans represents one of the most prevalent opportunistic fungal pathogens, causing superficial skin and mucosal infections in humans with certain predisposing health conditions and life-threatening systemic infections in immunosuppressed patients. The emerging drug resistance of this human-pathogenic yeast and the limited number of antifungal drugs for prevention and treatment of infections urgently demands the identification of new antifungal compounds with novel mechanisms of action. Small, cationic antifungal proteins (AFPs) from filamentous fungi represent promising candidates for next-generation antifungals for topical application. These bio-molecules need to be tested for tolerance by the host and efficacy in pathogen clearance prior to being involved in clinical trials. In a proof-of-principle study, we provide evidence for the suitability of 3D human-cell based models as advantageous alternatives to animal experiments. We document the tolerance of specific AFPs and their curative efficacy against cutaneous C. albicans infection in a 3D skin model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanett Holzknecht
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sandrine Dubrac
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sarah Hedtrich
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - László Galgóczy
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Florentine Marx
- Biocenter, Institute of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Diniz-Lima I, da Fonseca LM, dos Reis JS, Rodrigues da Costa Santos MA, da Costa KM, do Nascimento Santos CA, Barcelos PM, Guimarães-Pinto K, Filardy AA, Freire-de-Lima ME, Decote-Ricardo D, Morrot A, Freire-de-Lima CG, Freire-de-Lima L. The Sweet Side of Fungal Infections: Structural Glycan Diversity and Its Importance for Pathogenic Adaptation. MEDICINES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:medicines9060037. [PMID: 35736250 PMCID: PMC9230512 DOI: 10.3390/medicines9060037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections are the most common secondary infections in debilitated individuals in a state of chronic disease or immunosuppression. Despite this, most fungal infections are neglected, mainly due to the lower frequency of their more severe clinical forms in immunocompetent individuals with a healthy background. However, over the past few years, several cases of severe fungal infections in healthy individuals have provoked a change in the epidemiological dynamics of fungal infections around the world, both due to recurrent outbreaks in previously infrequent regions and the greater emergence of more pathogenic fungal variants affecting healthy individuals, such as in the Cryptococcus genus. Therefore, before the arrival of a scenario of prevalent severe fungal infections, it is necessary to assess more carefully what are the real reasons for the increased incidence of fungal infection globally. What are the factors that are currently contributing to this new possible epidemiological dynamic? Could these be of a structural nature? Herein, we propose a discussion based on the importance of the virulence factors of glycoconjugate composition in the adaptation of pathogenic fungal species into the current scenario of increasing severity of these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Diniz-Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Leonardo Marques da Fonseca
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Jhenifer Santos dos Reis
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Marcos André Rodrigues da Costa Santos
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Kelli Monteiro da Costa
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Carlos Antonio do Nascimento Santos
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Pedro Marçal Barcelos
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Kamila Guimarães-Pinto
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (K.G.-P.); (A.A.F.)
| | - Alessandra Almeida Filardy
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (K.G.-P.); (A.A.F.)
| | - Marco Edilson Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 23890-000, Brazil;
| | - Debora Decote-Ricardo
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 23890-000, Brazil;
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil;
| | - Celio Geraldo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +55-21-3938-6646
| | - Leonardo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
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49
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Abstract
Temperature impacts biological systems across all length and timescales. Cells and the enzymes that comprise them respond to temperature fluctuations on short timescales, and temperature can affect protein folding, the molecular composition of cells, and volume expansion. Entire ecosystems exhibit temperature-dependent behaviors, and global warming threatens to disrupt thermal homeostasis in microbes that are important for human and planetary health. Intriguingly, the growth rate of most species follows the Arrhenius law of equilibrium thermodynamics, with an activation energy similar to that of individual enzymes but with maximal growth rates and over temperature ranges that are species specific. In this review, we discuss how the temperature dependence of critical cellular processes, such as the central dogma and membrane fluidity, contributes to the temperature dependence of growth. We conclude with a discussion of adaptation to temperature shifts and the effects of temperature on evolution and on the properties of microbial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Knapp
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
| | - Kerwyn Casey Huang
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA; .,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
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50
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The Multifaceted Role of Mating Type of the Fungus and Sex of the Host in Studies of Fungal Infections in Humans. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050461. [PMID: 35628717 PMCID: PMC9145136 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This review discusses the inclusion of sex and gender variables in studies of fungal infections in humans at the pathogen, host, and antifungal trial levels. The mating type of some fungi, or perhaps more likely the absence of the other, appears to be associated with some infections. Sexual and parasexual reproduction of some fungi is an important mechanism for the development of antifungal drug resistance. Host sex or gender influences the incidence of some infections such as aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, dermatophytosis, and candidiasis due to differences in immune response, behavior, and awareness for early detection and treatment. Participant sex (and age) is relevant not only in clinical antifungal trials but also in preclinical studies. The dimensions of sex and gender are important determinants throughout the fungal infection process and in approaches to prevent or treat these infections, as well as in development of antifungal drugs. Failure to consider sex and gender may be detrimental to the holistic understanding of the processes involved in fungal infection.
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