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Stempinski PR, Greengo SD, Casadevall A. Growth on Douglas fir media facilitates Cryptococcus virulence factor production and enhances fungal survival against environmental and immune stressors. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myae068. [PMID: 38982313 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae068] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are fungal pathogens that can be isolated from the environment, including the surfaces of many plants. Cryptococcus gattii caused an outbreak on Vancouver Island, British Columbia beginning in 1999 that has since spread to the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Coastal Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an important lumber species and a major component of the ecosystems in this area. Previous research has explored Cryptococcus survival and mating on Douglas fir plants and plant-derived material, but no studies have been done on the production of cryptococcal virulence factors by cells grown on those media. Here, we investigated the effects of growth on Douglas fir-derived media on the production of the polysaccharide capsule and melanin, two of the most important cryptococcal virulence factors. We found that while the capsule was mostly unchanged by growth in Douglas fir media compared to cells grown in defined minimal media, Cryptococcus spp. can use substrates present in Douglas fir to synthesize functional and protective melanin. These results suggest mechanisms by which Cryptococcus species may survive in the environment and emphasize the need to explore how association with Douglas fir trees could affect its epidemiology for human cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr R Stempinski
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Seth D Greengo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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2
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Dornelas JCM, Paixão VM, Carmo PHF, Costa MC, Gomes ECQ, de Resende-Stoianoff MA, Santos DA. Influence of the agrochemical benomyl on Cryptococcus gattii-plant interaction in vitro and in vivo. Braz J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s42770-024-01440-9. [PMID: 38963475 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01440-9] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii, an environmental fungus, is one of the agents of cryptococcosis. The influence of agrochemicals on fungal resistance to antifungals is widely discussed. However, the effects of benomyl (BEN) on fungal interaction with different hosts is still to be understood. Here we studied the influence of adaptation to BEN in the interaction with a plant model, phagocytes and with Tenebrio molitor. First, the strain C. gattii L24/01 non-adapted (NA), adapted (A) to BEN, and adapted with further culture on drug-free media (10p) interact with Nicotiana benthamiana, with a peak in the yeast burden on the 7th day post-inoculation. C. gattii L24/01 A and 10p provided lower fungal burden, but these strains increased cell diameter and capsular thickness after the interaction, together with decreased fungal growth. The strains NA and A showed reduced ergosterol levels, while 10p exhibited increased activity of laccase and urease. L24/01 A recovered from N. benthamiana was less engulfed by murine macrophages, with lower production of reactive oxygen species. This phenotype was accompanied by increased ability of this strain to grow inside macrophages. Otherwise, L24/01 A showed reduced virulence in the T. molitor larvae model. Here, we demonstrate that the exposure to BEN, and interaction with plants interfere in the morphophysiology and virulence of the C. gattii.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C M Dornelas
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Vivian M Paixão
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Paulo H F Carmo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Marliete C Costa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Eldon C Q Gomes
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Maria Aparecida de Resende-Stoianoff
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Daniel A Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil.
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3
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Hughes ES, Tuck LR, He Z, Ballou ER, Wallace EWJ. A trade-off between proliferation and defense in the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus at alkaline pH is controlled by the transcription factor GAT201. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.06.14.543486. [PMID: 37398450 PMCID: PMC10312749 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.14.543486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus is a fungal pathogen whose virulence relies on proliferation in and dissemination to host sites, and on synthesis of a defensive yet metabolically costly polysaccharide capsule. Regulatory pathways required for Cryptococcus virulence include a GATA-like transcription factor, Gat201, that regulates Cryptococcal virulence in both capsule-dependent and capsule-independent ways. Here we show that Gat201 is part of a negative regulatory pathway that limits fungal survival at alkaline pH. RNA-seq analysis found strong induction of GAT201 expression within minutes of transfer to RPMI media at alkaline pH. Microscopy, growth curves, and colony forming unit assays show that in RPMI at alkaline pH wild-type Cryptococcus neoformans yeast cells produce capsule but do not bud or maintain viability, while gat201Δ cells make buds and maintain viability, yet fail to produce capsule. GAT201 is required for transcriptional upregulation of a specific set of genes, the majority of which are direct Gat201 targets. Evolutionary analysis shows that Gat201 is in a subfamily of GATA-like transcription factors that is conserved within pathogenic fungi but absent in model yeasts. This work identifies the Gat201 pathway as controlling a trade-off between proliferation and production of defensive capsule. The assays established here will allow characterisation of the mechanisms of action of the Gat201 pathway. Together, our findings urge improved understanding of the regulation of proliferation as a driver of fungal pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S Hughes
- Institute for Cell Biology, and Centre for Engineering Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh
| | - Laura R Tuck
- Institute for Cell Biology, and Centre for Engineering Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh
| | - Zhenzhen He
- Institute for Cell Biology, and Centre for Engineering Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh
| | | | - Edward W J Wallace
- Institute for Cell Biology, and Centre for Engineering Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh
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Ortiz SC, Hull CM. Biogenesis, germination, and pathogenesis of Cryptococcus spores. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0019623. [PMID: 38440970 PMCID: PMC10966950 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00196-23] [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: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYSpores are primary infectious propagules for the majority of human fungal pathogens; however, relatively little is known about their fundamental biology. One strategy to address this deficiency has been to develop the basidiospores of Cryptococcus into a model for pathogenic spore biology. Here, we provide an update on the state of the field with a comprehensive review of the data generated from the study of Cryptococcus basidiospores from their formation (sporulation) and differentiation (germination) to their roles in pathogenesis. Importantly, we provide support for the presence of basidiospores in nature, define the key characteristics that distinguish basidiospores from yeast cells, and clarify their likely roles as infectious particles. This review is intended to demonstrate the importance of basidiospores in the field of Cryptococcus research and provide a solid foundation from which researchers who wish to study sexual spores in any fungal system can launch their studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien C. Ortiz
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christina M. Hull
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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5
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Hallas-Mølle M, Burow M, Henrissat B, Johansen KS. Cryptococcus neoformans: plant-microbe interactions and ecology. Trends Microbiol 2024:S0966-842X(24)00059-3. [PMID: 38519353 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2024.03.002] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
While the opportunistic human pathogens Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are often isolated from plants and plant-related material, evidence suggests that these Cryptococcus species do not directly infect plants. Studies find that plants are important for Cryptococcus mating and dispersal. However, these studies have not provided enough detail about how plants and these fungi interact, especially in ways that could show the fungi are capable of causing disease. This review synthesizes recent findings from studies utilizing different plant models associated with the ecology of C. neoformans and C. gattii. Unanswered questions about their environmental role are highlighted. Overall, current research indicates that Cryptococcus utilizes plants as a substrate rather than harming them, arguing against Cryptococcus as a genuine plant pathogen. We hypothesize that plants represent reservoirs that aid dispersal, not hosts vulnerable to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Hallas-Mølle
- Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Meike Burow
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Bernard Henrissat
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 224, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Katja Salomon Johansen
- Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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Tshekiso K, Loeto D, Muzila M, Seetswane E, Kenosi K, Jongman M. Prevalence, molecular and phenotypic profiles of arboreal associated Cryptococcus neoformans in Botswana. Fungal Biol 2023; 127:1129-1135. [PMID: 37495303 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2023.06.008] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Mopane tree (Colophospermum mopane) is one of the main ecological niches of Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes cryptococcosis primarily on immunocompromised hosts after inhalation of basidiospores from the environment. Hence, we investigated the prevalence, and phenotypically (antifungal resistance and biofilm formation capacity) and genotypically (mating type and genetic structure) characterized C. neoformans isolated from C. mopane, Acacia tortilis, Adansonia digitata and Ziziphus mucronata in Botswana. We report 7.1% and 2.9% prevalence of C. neoformans in C. mopane and other trees, respectively. All tested C. neoformans isolates were determined to be non-WT to fluconazole. Most isolates (65%) of C. neoformans isolates were biofilm producers. Mating type determination revealed a higher proportion of the globally rare MATa allele (53%) and a single MATα/MATa hybrid. The observed genotypeswere VNI (71%), VNB (23%) and VNB/VNB hybrids (6%). Native trees other than C. mopane are alternative ecological niches of antifungal resistant C. neoformans, and this represents a serious public health concern,and this represents a serious public health concern, especially for high-risk populations. Prevalence of C. neoformans on native trees and the observed emergence of hybrids (evidence of sexual recombination) highlight the need for increased surveillance and risk assessment within a One Health paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kgomotso Tshekiso
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Daniel Loeto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Mbaki Muzila
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Eunicah Seetswane
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Kebabonye Kenosi
- School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Mosimanegape Jongman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana.
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Soussi M, El Yaagoubi W, Nekhla H, El Hanafi L, Squalli W, Benjelloun M, El Ghadraoui L. A Multidimensional Review of Pimpinella anisum and Recommendation for Future Research to Face Adverse Climatic Conditions. CHEMISTRY AFRICA 2023. [PMCID: PMC10035495 DOI: 10.1007/s42250-023-00633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Anise, or Pimpinella anisum, has a long history of usage in traditional and alternative medicine, as well as in the pharmaceutical sector. The species is native to Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean region. The current studies have revealed that wild and cultivated P. anisum are rich in bioactive compounds, such as phenols, tannins, carotenoids, and fatty acids. Different parts of P. anisum plant are used treatment of diseases, the treatment of pathogens for antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal purposes, and cosmetics. In this paper, we reviewed the current knowledge on geographical distribution, cultivation, chemical compounds, extraction methods, and agronomic and medicinal uses of Pimpinella anisum. Equally, we suggested guidelines for future research to fill the gap in less investigated issues. Data for this paper was gathered via electronic literature search on Google, Google Scholar, and databases counting, Science Direct, Scopus, Springer, PubMed, and Hindawi, from 1930 to 2022. Analyzed data show that Pimpinella anisum is currently recorded from Portugal on the Atlantic Ocean in the west to China in the East. With new extraction methods, such as Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, scientists have explored the higher quantities of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants, and revealed new constituents such as trans-anethole and estragole found in essential oil fruits by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). These compounds showed significant therapeutic benefits against diseases, pathogens, and cosmetic roles. However, with the current impacts of climate change on natural vegetation cover, more investigations are needed to understand how these affect the geographical distribution, metabolic aspects, and chemical properties of Pimpinella anisum. These are suggested to increase the value of the species and ensure its conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriem Soussi
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Wissal El Yaagoubi
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Houria Nekhla
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Laila El Hanafi
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Wafae Squalli
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Meryem Benjelloun
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Lahsen El Ghadraoui
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
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Cryptococcoma Presenting as a Central Nervous System Mass in an Immunocompetent Patient. INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0000000000001227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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de Almeida Campos L, Fin MT, Santos KS, de Lima Gualque MW, Freire Cabral AKL, Khalil NM, Fusco-Almeida AM, Mainardes RM, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Nanotechnology-Based Approaches for Voriconazole Delivery Applied to Invasive Fungal Infections. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010266. [PMID: 36678893 PMCID: PMC9863752 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010266] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections increase mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. The treatment of these infections is still limited due to the low bioavailability and toxicity, requiring therapeutic monitoring, especially in the most severe cases. Voriconazole is an azole widely used to treat invasive aspergillosis, other hyaline molds, many dematiaceous molds, Candida spp., including those resistant to fluconazole, and for infections caused by endemic mycoses, in addition to those that occur in the central nervous system. However, despite its broad activity, using voriconazole has limitations related to its non-linear pharmacokinetics, leading to supratherapeutic doses and increased toxicity according to individual polymorphisms during its metabolism. In this sense, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have successfully improved the physicochemical and biological aspects of different classes of drugs, including antifungals. In this review, we highlighted recent work that has applied nanotechnology to deliver voriconazole. These systems allowed increased permeation and deposition of voriconazole in target tissues from a controlled and sustained release in different routes of administration such as ocular, pulmonary, oral, topical, and parenteral. Thus, nanotechnology application aiming to delivery voriconazole becomes a more effective and safer therapeutic alternative in the treatment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís de Almeida Campos
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Midwest State University (UNICENTRO), Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia St, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
| | - Margani Taise Fin
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Midwest State University (UNICENTRO), Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia St, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
| | - Kelvin Sousa Santos
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, Araraquara 14801-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos William de Lima Gualque
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, Araraquara 14801-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Karla Lima Freire Cabral
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, Araraquara 14801-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Najeh Maissar Khalil
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Midwest State University (UNICENTRO), Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia St, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
| | - Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, Araraquara 14801-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Rubiana Mara Mainardes
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Midwest State University (UNICENTRO), Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia St, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
- Correspondence: (R.M.M.); (M.J.S.M.-G.)
| | - Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, Araraquara 14801-902, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: (R.M.M.); (M.J.S.M.-G.)
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Stempinski PR, Gerbig GR, Greengo SD, Casadevall A. Last but not yeast-The many forms of Cryptococcus neoformans. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011048. [PMID: 36602969 PMCID: PMC9815591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr R. Stempinski
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Gracen R. Gerbig
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Seth D. Greengo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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11
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Dornelas JCM, Costa MC, Carmo PHF, Paixão VM, Carvalho VSD, Barreto LC, Garcia QS, Bragança GPP, Isaias RMS, Brito JCM, Resende-Stoianoff MA, Santos DA. Nicotiana benthamiana as a model for studying Cryptococcus-plant interaction. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:fiac036. [PMID: 35348680 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac036] [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: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii, an environmental yeast isolated from plants, is one of the agents of cryptococcosis. Here, we aimed to develop a plant model to study C. gattii-plant interaction, since it is unclear how it affects the plant and the yeast. We tested three inoculation methods (scarification, infiltration, and abrasion) in three plant species: Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana tabacum, and N. benthamiana. Cryptococcus gattii was able to grow in all three models, with a peak of yeast cell burden after 7 days, without any pathological effects. Furthermore, the fungal burden was reduced later, confirming that C. gattii is not a phytopathogen. Cryptococcus gattii proliferation was higher in N. benthamiana, which presented an increase in the hydrogen peroxide content, antioxidant system activity, and indoleacetic acid (IAA) production. Cryptococcus gattii colonies recovered from N. benthamiana presented lower ergosterol content, reduced capsule, and increased growth rate in vitro and inside macrophages. In vitro, IAA altered C. gattii morphology and susceptibility to antifungal drugs. We hypothesize that C. gattii can temporarily colonize plant living tissues, which can be a potential reservoir of yeast virulence, with further dissemination to the environment, birds, and mammals. In conclusion, N. benthamiana is suitable for studying C. gattii-plant interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C M Dornelas
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marliete C Costa
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Paulo H F Carmo
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vivian M Paixão
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vanessa S D Carvalho
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Leilane C Barreto
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Queila S Garcia
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Gracielle P P Bragança
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rosy M S Isaias
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Júlio C M Brito
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias (FUNED), Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 80, Gameleira, CEP 30.510-000, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria A Resende-Stoianoff
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Daniel A Santos
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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A Possible Link between the Environment and Cryptococcus gattii Nasal Colonisation in Koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus) in the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084603. [PMID: 35457470 PMCID: PMC9028200 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis caused by yeasts of the Cryptococcus gattii species complex is an increasingly important mycological disease in humans and other mammals. In Australia, cases of C. gattii-related cryptococcosis are more prevalent in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) compared to humans and other animals, likely due to the close association that both C. gattii and koalas have with Eucalyptus species. This provides a cogent opportunity to investigate the epidemiology of spontaneous C. gattii infections in a free-living mammalian host, thereby offering insights into similar infections in humans. This study aimed to establish a link between nasal colonisation by C. gattii in free-ranging koalas and the tree hollows of Eucalyptus species, the key environmental source of the pathogen. We (i) detected and genotyped C. gattii from nine out of 169 free-ranging koalas and representative tree hollows within their home range in the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales, and (ii) examined potential environmental predictors of nasal colonisation in koalas and the presence of C. gattii in tree hollows. Phylogenetic analyses based on multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) revealed that the koalas were most likely colonised by the most abundant C. gattii genotypes found in the Eucalyptus species, or closely related genotypes. Importantly, the likelihood of the presence of C. gattii in tree hollows was correlated with increasing hollow size.
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13
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Bertout S, Gouveia T, Krasteva D, Pierru J, Pottier C, Bellet V, Arianiello E, Salipante F, Roger F, Drakulovski P. Search for Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii Complexes and Related Genera (Filobasidium, Holtermanniella, Naganishia, Papiliotrema, Solicoccozyma, Vishniacozyma) spp. Biotope: Two Years Surveillance of Wild Avian Fauna in Southern France. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8030227. [PMID: 35330229 PMCID: PMC8948691 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi belonging to the Cryptococcus genus and related genera (Filobasidium, Holtermanniella, Naganishia, Papiliotrema, Solicoccozyma, Vishniacozyma) are encapsulated yeasts found in either the environment or animal sources. However, the precise biotopes of most species remain poorly defined. To assess whether wild birds from southern France can carry or spread the most pathogenic species (i.e., species belonging to the C. neoformans and C. gattii complexes), as well as lesser-studied species (non-neoformans/gattii Cryptococcus and former Cryptococcus spp.), 669 birds belonging to 89 species received for care over a two-year period at the Centre de Protection de la Faune Sauvage of Villeveyrac (Bird Protection League nongovernmental organization (NGO) care center) were sampled. Samples were cultured, and Cryptococcus and former Cryptococcus yeasts were identified by PCR sequencing. The purpose was to evaluate whether there was any health risk to local populations or care personnel in aviaries and gather new data on the ecological niches of lesser-known species. One hundred and seven birds (16%) were found to be positive for at least one Cryptococcus or former Cryptococcus species. No yeasts belonging to the highly pathogenic C. neoformans or C. gattii complexes were isolated. However, diversity was notable, with 20 different Cryptococcus or former Cryptococcus species identified. Furthermore, most bird–yeast species associations found in this study have never been described before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Bertout
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, UMI 233 TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, IRD, INSERM U1175, 15 Avenue Charles Flahaut, 34093 Montpellier, France; (S.B.); (T.G.); (D.K.); (C.P.); (V.B.); (F.R.)
| | - Tiphany Gouveia
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, UMI 233 TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, IRD, INSERM U1175, 15 Avenue Charles Flahaut, 34093 Montpellier, France; (S.B.); (T.G.); (D.K.); (C.P.); (V.B.); (F.R.)
| | - Donika Krasteva
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, UMI 233 TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, IRD, INSERM U1175, 15 Avenue Charles Flahaut, 34093 Montpellier, France; (S.B.); (T.G.); (D.K.); (C.P.); (V.B.); (F.R.)
| | - Julie Pierru
- Centre Régional de Sauvegarde de la Faune Sauvage, LPO Hérault, 15 rue de Faucon Crécelerette, 34560 Villeveyrac, France; (J.P.); (E.A.)
| | - Cyrille Pottier
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, UMI 233 TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, IRD, INSERM U1175, 15 Avenue Charles Flahaut, 34093 Montpellier, France; (S.B.); (T.G.); (D.K.); (C.P.); (V.B.); (F.R.)
| | - Virginie Bellet
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, UMI 233 TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, IRD, INSERM U1175, 15 Avenue Charles Flahaut, 34093 Montpellier, France; (S.B.); (T.G.); (D.K.); (C.P.); (V.B.); (F.R.)
| | - Emilie Arianiello
- Centre Régional de Sauvegarde de la Faune Sauvage, LPO Hérault, 15 rue de Faucon Crécelerette, 34560 Villeveyrac, France; (J.P.); (E.A.)
| | - Florian Salipante
- Department of Biostatistics, Clinical Epidemiology, Public Health, and Innovation in Methodology, Nîmes University Hospital Center, University of Montpellier, 34000 Nîmes, France;
| | - Frédéric Roger
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, UMI 233 TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, IRD, INSERM U1175, 15 Avenue Charles Flahaut, 34093 Montpellier, France; (S.B.); (T.G.); (D.K.); (C.P.); (V.B.); (F.R.)
| | - Pascal Drakulovski
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, UMI 233 TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, IRD, INSERM U1175, 15 Avenue Charles Flahaut, 34093 Montpellier, France; (S.B.); (T.G.); (D.K.); (C.P.); (V.B.); (F.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-4-11-75-94-24
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14
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Baker RP, Chrissian C, Stark RE, Casadevall A. Cryptococcus neoformans melanization incorporates multiple catecholamines to produce polytypic melanin. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101519. [PMID: 34942148 PMCID: PMC8760516 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanin is a major virulence factor in pathogenic fungi that enhances the ability of fungal cells to resist immune clearance. Cryptococcus neoformans is an important human pathogenic fungus that synthesizes melanin from exogenous tissue catecholamine precursors during infection, but the type of melanin made in cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is unknown. We analyzed the efficacy of various catecholamines found in brain tissue in supporting melanization using animal brain tissue and synthetic catecholamine mixtures reflecting brain tissue proportions. Solid-state NMR spectra of the melanin pigment produced from such mixtures yielded more melanin than expected if only the preferred constituent dopamine had been incorporated, suggesting uptake of additional catecholamines. Probing the biosynthesis of melanin using radiolabeled catecholamines revealed that C. neoformans melanization simultaneously incorporated more than one catecholamine, implying that the pigment was polytypic in nature. Nonetheless, melanin derived from individual or mixed catecholamines had comparable ability to protect C. neoformans against ultraviolet light and oxidants. Our results indicate that melanin produced during infection differs depending on the catecholamine composition of tissue and that melanin pigment synthesized in vivo is likely to accrue from the polymerization of a mixture of precursors. From a practical standpoint, our results strongly suggest that using dopamine as a polymerization precursor is capable of producing melanin pigment comparable to that produced during infection. On a more fundamental level, our findings uncover additional structural complexity for natural cryptococcal melanin by demonstrating that pigment produced during human infection is likely to be composed of polymerized moieties derived from chemically different precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna P Baker
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine Chrissian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York and CUNY Institute for Macromolecular Assemblies, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ruth E Stark
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York and CUNY Institute for Macromolecular Assemblies, New York, New York, USA; Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York, USA; Ph.D. Program in Chemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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15
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Borruso L, Checcucci A, Torti V, Correa F, Sandri C, Luise D, Cavani L, Modesto M, Spiezio C, Mimmo T, Cesco S, Di Vito M, Bugli F, Randrianarison RM, Gamba M, Rarojoson NJ, Zaborra CA, Mattarelli P, Trevisi P, Giacoma C. I Like the Way You Eat It: Lemur (Indri indri) Gut Mycobiome and Geophagy. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 82:215-223. [PMID: 33471174 PMCID: PMC8282574 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-020-01677-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Here, we investigated the possible linkages among geophagy, soil characteristics, and gut mycobiome of indri (Indri indri), an endangered lemur species able to survive only in wild conditions. The soil eaten by indri resulted in enriched secondary oxide-hydroxides and clays, together with a high concentration of specific essential micronutrients. This could partially explain the role of the soil in detoxification and as a nutrient supply. Besides, we found that soil subject to geophagy and indris' faeces shared about 8.9% of the fungal OTUs. Also, several genera (e.g. Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium) commonly associated with soil and plant material were found in both geophagic soil and indri samples. On the contrary, some taxa with pathogenic potentials, such as Cryptococcus, were only found in indri samples. Further, many saprotrophs and plant-associated fungal taxa were detected in the indri faeces. These fungal species may be involved in the digestion processes of leaves and could have a beneficial role in their health. In conclusion, we found an intimate connection between gut mycobiome and soil, highlighting, once again, the potential consequent impacts on the wider habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigimaria Borruso
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 5, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy.
| | - Alice Checcucci
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valeria Torti
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federico Correa
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Camillo Sandri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Animal Health Care and Management, Parco Natura Viva - Garda Zoological Park, Bussolengo, Verona, Italy
| | - Daine Luise
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luciano Cavani
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Monica Modesto
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Caterina Spiezio
- Department of Animal Health Care and Management, Parco Natura Viva - Garda Zoological Park, Bussolengo, Verona, Italy
| | - Tanja Mimmo
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 5, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
| | - Stefano Cesco
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 5, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
| | - Maura Di Vito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bugli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Rose M Randrianarison
- Groupe d'Étude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), Cité des Professeurs, Fort Duchesne, BP 779, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Mention d'Anthropobiologie et de Développement Durable (MADD), Université de Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Marco Gamba
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Nianja J Rarojoson
- Laboratoire de Pédologie, FOFIFA à Tsimbazaza, BP.1690, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Cesare Avesani Zaborra
- Department of Animal Health Care and Management, Parco Natura Viva - Garda Zoological Park, Bussolengo, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Mattarelli
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Paolo Trevisi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Giacoma
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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16
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Midiri A, Mancuso G, Lentini G, Famà A, Galbo R, Zummo S, Giardina M, De Gaetano GV, Teti G, Beninati C, Biondo C. Characterization of an immunogenic cellulase secreted by Cryptococcus pathogens. Med Mycol 2021; 58:1138-1148. [PMID: 32246714 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the C. neoformans/C. gattiii species complex are an important cause of serious humans infections, including meningoencephalitis. We describe here a 45 kDa extracellular cellulase purified from culture supernatants of C. neoformans var. neoformans. The N-terminal sequence obtained from the purified protein was used to isolate a clone containing the full-length coding sequence from a C. neoformans var. neoformans (strain B-3501A) cDNA library. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that this gene is present, with variable homology, in all sequenced genomes of the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex. The cDNA clone was used to produce a recombinant 45 kDa protein in E. coli that displayed the ability to convert carboxymethyl cellulose and was therefore designated as NG-Case (standing for Neoformans Gattii Cellulase). To explore its potential use as a vaccine candidate, the recombinant protein was used to immunize mice and was found capable of inducing T helper type 1 responses and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, but not immune protection against a highly virulent C. neoformans var grubii strain. These data may be useful to better understand the mechanisms underlying the ability C. neoformans/C. gattii to colonize plant habitats and to interact with the human host during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Midiri
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancuso
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Germana Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Galbo
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiana Zummo
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Miriam Giardina
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | | | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Scylla Biotech Srl, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Biondo
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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17
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Molik DC, Tomlinson D, Davitt S, Morgan EL, Sisk M, Roche B, Meyers N, Pfrender ME. Combining natural language processing and metabarcoding to reveal pathogen-environment associations. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0008755. [PMID: 33826634 PMCID: PMC8055023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is responsible for life-threatening infections that primarily affect immunocompromised individuals and has an estimated worldwide burden of 220,000 new cases each year—with 180,000 resulting deaths—mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Surprisingly, little is known about the ecological niches occupied by C. neoformans in nature. To expand our understanding of the distribution and ecological associations of this pathogen we implement a Natural Language Processing approach to better describe the niche of C. neoformans. We use a Latent Dirichlet Allocation model to de novo topic model sets of metagenetic research articles written about varied subjects which either explicitly mention, inadvertently find, or fail to find C. neoformans. These articles are all linked to NCBI Sequence Read Archive datasets of 18S ribosomal RNA and/or Internal Transcribed Spacer gene-regions. The number of topics was determined based on the model coherence score, and articles were assigned to the created topics via a Machine Learning approach with a Random Forest algorithm. Our analysis provides support for a previously suggested linkage between C. neoformans and soils associated with decomposing wood. Our approach, using a search of single-locus metagenetic data, gathering papers connected to the datasets, de novo determination of topics, the number of topics, and assignment of articles to the topics, illustrates how such an analysis pipeline can harness large-scale datasets that are published/available but not necessarily fully analyzed, or whose metadata is not harmonized with other studies. Our approach can be applied to a variety of systems to assert potential evidence of environmental associations. We expand the utility of Natural Language Processing (NLP), backtracking through metabarcodes, utilizing papers that may not mention our subject of interest, C. neoformans, in a departure from usual text analysis methods. We confirm that C. neoformans is associated with decomposing wood which is reinforced by the inferred literature studied here on C. neoformans and its close congeneric relatives. This work demonstrates the potential utility of pairing NLP with single-locus metagenetic data for the study of Neglected Tropical Diseases. While the results of this article are largely confirmatory, we present a novel method to study the ecological niches of rare pathogens that leverages the immense amount of data available to researchers in the NCBI Sequence Read Archive (SRA) combined with a text-mining analysis based on Natural Language Processing. We demonstrate that text processing, noun identification, and verb identification can play an important role in analyzing a large corpus of documents together with metagenetic data. Forging this connection requires access to all of the available ecological 18S ribosomal RNA and Internal Transcribed Spacer NCBI SRA datasets. These datasets use metabarcoding to query taxonomic diversity in eukaryotic organisms, and in the case of the Internal Transcribed Spacer, they specifically target Fungi. The presence of specific species is inferred when diagnostic 18S or ITS gene region sequences are found in the SRA data. We searched for C. neoformans in all 18S and ITS datasets available and gathered all associated journal articles that either cite the SRA data accessions or are cited in the SRA data accessions. Published metagenetic data often have associated metadata including: latitude and longitude, temperature, and other physical characteristics describing the conditions in which the metagenetic sample was collected. These metadata are not always presented in consistent formats, so harmonizing study methods may be needed to appropriately compare metagenetic data as commonly required in metanalysis studies. We present an analysis which takes as input articles associated with SRA datasets that were found to contain evidence of C. neoformans. We apply NLP methods to this corpus of articles to describe the niche of C. neoformans. Our results reinforce the current understanding of C. neoformans’s niche, indicating the pertinence of employing an NLP analysis to identify the niche of an organism. This approach could further the description of virtually any other organism that routinely appears in metagenetic surveys, especially pathogens, whose ecological niches are unknown or poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Molik
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Navari Center for Digital Scholarship, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - DeAndre Tomlinson
- Science-Computing Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Shane Davitt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Eric L. Morgan
- Navari Center for Digital Scholarship, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Matthew Sisk
- Navari Center for Digital Scholarship, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Roche
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, United States of America
| | - Natalie Meyers
- Navari Center for Digital Scholarship, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Michael E. Pfrender
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
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18
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Danesi P, Falcaro C, Schmertmann LJ, de Miranda LHM, Krockenberger M, Malik R. Cryptococcus in Wildlife and Free-Living Mammals. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7010029. [PMID: 33419125 PMCID: PMC7825559 DOI: 10.3390/jof7010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is typically a sporadic disease that affects a broad range of animal species globally. Disease is a consequence of infection with members of the Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii species complexes. Although cryptococcosis in many domestic animals has been relatively well-characterized, free-living wildlife animal species are often neglected in the literature outside of occasional case reports. This review summarizes the clinical presentation, pathological findings and potential underlying causes of cryptococcosis in various other animals, including terrestrial wildlife species and marine mammals. The evaluation of the available literature supports the hypothesis that anatomy (particularly of the respiratory tract), behavior and environmental exposures of animals play vital roles in the outcome of host–pathogen–environment interactions resulting in different clinical scenarios. Key examples range from koalas, which exhibit primarily C. gattii species complex disease presumably due to their behavior and environmental exposure to eucalypts, to cetaceans, which show predominantly pulmonary lesions due to their unique respiratory anatomy. Understanding the factors at play in each clinical scenario is a powerful investigative tool, as wildlife species may act as disease sentinels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Danesi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Christian Falcaro
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy;
| | - Laura J. Schmertmann
- Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (L.J.S.); (L.H.M.d.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Luisa Helena Monteiro de Miranda
- Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (L.J.S.); (L.H.M.d.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Mark Krockenberger
- Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (L.J.S.); (L.H.M.d.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Richard Malik
- Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia;
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19
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Lin KH, Lin YP, Ho MW, Chen YC, Chung WH. Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analyses of environmental and clinical isolates of Cryptococcus gattii sensu lato in Taiwan. Mycoses 2020; 64:324-335. [PMID: 33037734 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rare occurrence of cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii sensu lato (C. gattii s.l.) leads to the difficulties in studying the molecular epidemiology of this globally emerging disease. OBJECTIVES To establish the molecular epidemiological profile of C. gattii s.l. in Taiwan, and understand the genetic relationship between locally endemic and global isolates. METHODS A nationwide survey on environmental C. gattii s.l. in Taiwan was conducted from 2017 to 2019. The geographic distribution and molecular epidemiology based on multilocus sequence typing (MLST) data of the environmental isolates were compared with 18 previously collected clinical isolates. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to elucidate the genetic relationship between the global isolates and the isolates endemic to Taiwan. RESULTS From a total of 622 environmental samples, 104 (16.7%) were positive for C. gattii s.l.. Seven sequence types were identified among the environmental isolates. The genetic population structure showed that the environmental and clinical isolates were closely linked by sequence types and geographical locations. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the association between the C. gattii s.l. isolates in Taiwan and those from South America and South Asia. The recombination test suggested that, in Taiwan, the C. gattii sensu stricto (C. gattii s.s). isolates undergo clonal reproduction and sexual recombination, whereas C. deuterogattii isolates were clonal. CONCLUSIONS The molecular epidemiology of environmental C. gattii s.l. isolates is closely linked to the clinical isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the environmental isolates provides an insight into the mechanisms underlying reproduction and dispersal of C. gattii s.l. in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Hsi Lin
- Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Pei Lin
- Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Mao-Wang Ho
- China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Wen-Hsin Chung
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Innovation and Development Center of Sustainable Agriculture (IDCSA), Taichung, Taiwan
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20
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Wang CJ, Thanarut C, Sun PL, Chung WH. Colonization of human opportunistic Fusarium oxysporum (HOFo) isolates in tomato and cucumber tissues assessed by a specific molecular marker. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234517. [PMID: 32530955 PMCID: PMC7292389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusarium oxysporum is a large complex cosmopolitan species composed of plant pathogens, human opportunistic pathogens, and nonpathogenic isolates. Many plant pathogenic strains are known based on host plant specificity and the large number of plant species attacked. F. oxysporum is an opportunistic pathogen in humans with a compromised immune system. The objectives of this study were: (1) to develop a specific marker to detect human opportunistic F. oxysporum (HOFo) isolates; (2) to determine whether or not HOFo isolates can colonize and cause disease symptoms in plants; and (3) to assess Taiwan isolates sensitivity to two agro-fungicides. The primer pair, Primer 5/ST33-R, specifically amplifying Taiwan and international reference HOFo isolates was developed and used to detect and assess the distribution of a Taiwan isolate in inoculated tomato plants and tomato and cucumber fruit. Taiwan HOFo isolate MCC2074 was shown to colonize tomato roots, hypocotyls, and cotyledons, but did not show any visible symptoms. Four days after surface inoculation of tomato and cucumber fruit with the same isolate, MCC2074 was detected in the pericarp and locular cavities of both tomato and cucumber fruit and in columella of tomato fruit. Three Taiwan HOFo isolates were found to be moderately sensitive to azoxystrobin and highly sensitive to difenconazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Jen Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chinnapan Thanarut
- Faculty of Agricultural Production, Division of Pomology Maejo University, Chiangmai, Thailand
| | - Pei-Lun Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hsin Chung
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Cogliati M, Patrizia P, Vincenzo C, Esposto MC, Prigitano A, Romanò L, Puccianti E. Cryptococcus neoformans species complex isolates living in a tree micro-ecosystem. FUNGAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2019.100889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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22
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Ergin Ç, Şengül M, Aksoy L, Döğen A, Sun S, Averette AF, Cuomo CA, Seyedmousavi S, Heitman J, Ilkit M. Cryptococcus neoformans Recovered From Olive Trees ( Olea europaea) in Turkey Reveal Allopatry With African and South American Lineages. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:384. [PMID: 31788454 PMCID: PMC6856141 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus species are life-threatening human fungal pathogens that cause cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in both immunocompromised and healthy hosts. The natural environmental niches of Cryptococcus include pigeon (Columba livia) guano, soil, and a variety of tree species such as Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Ceratonia siliqua, Platanus orientalis, and Pinus spp. Genetic and genomic studies of extensive sample collections have provided insights into the population distribution and composition of different Cryptococcus species in geographic regions around the world. However, few such studies examined Cryptococcus in Turkey. We sampled 388 Olea europaea (olive) and 132 E. camaldulensis trees from seven locations in coastal and inland areas of the Aegean region of Anatolian Turkey in September 2016 to investigate the distribution and genetic diversity present in the natural Cryptococcus population. We isolated 84 Cryptococcus neoformans strains (83 MATα and 1 MAT a) and 3 Cryptococcus deneoformans strains (all MATα) from 87 (22.4% of surveyed) O. europaea trees; a total of 32 C. neoformans strains were isolated from 32 (24.2%) of the E. camaldulensis trees, all of which were MATα. A statistically significant difference was observed in the frequency of C. neoformans isolation between coastal and inland areas (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the MAT a C. neoformans isolate was fertile in laboratory crosses with VNI and VNB MATα tester strains and produced robust hyphae, basidia, and basidiospores, thus suggesting potential sexual reproduction in the natural population. Sequencing analyses of the URA5 gene identified at least five different genotypes among the isolates. Population genetics and genomic analyses revealed that most of the isolates in Turkey belong to the VNBII lineage of C. neoformans, which is predominantly found in southern Africa; these isolates are part of a distinct minor clade within VNBII that includes several isolates from Zambia and Brazil. Our study provides insights into the geographic distribution of different C. neoformans lineages in the Mediterranean region and highlights the need for wider geographic sampling to gain a better understanding of the natural habitats, migration, epidemiology, and evolution of this important human fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çağri Ergin
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Şengül
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Levent Aksoy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Aylin Döğen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mersin, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Anna F Averette
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Christina A Cuomo
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Seyedmojtaba Seyedmousavi
- Microbiology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey
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23
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Trovato L, Oliveri S, Esposto MC, Prigitano A, Romanò L, Cogliati M. Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii Species Complex Isolates on the Slopes of Mount Etna, SICILY, Italy. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2390. [PMID: 31681242 PMCID: PMC6813189 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complex isolates on olive trees growing in the Eastern part of Sicily (Italy) characterized by the presence of the volcano Etna and the ability of these fungal pathogens to sexually reproduce on medium containing volcanic soil. Samples from 124 olive trees were collected from 14 different sites around Mount Etna. Eighteen trees (14.5%) resulted colonized by C. neoformans VNI-αA isolates, one (0.8%) by VNIV-αD isolates, and two (1.6%) by C. gattii VGI-αB isolates. The ability of environmental and reference strains belonging to VNI, VNIV, and VGI molecular types to sexually reproduce on a medium containing volcanic soil was also tested. VNI and VNIV strains were able to produce filaments and basiodiospores more vigorously than on the control medium, whereas VGI strains were not fertile. In conclusion, the present study identified which C. neoformans and C. gattii species complex genotypes are circulating in Eastern Sicily and confirmed the ecological role of olive trees as environmental reservoir of these pathogens. It also showed that Cryptococcus is able to colonize and sexually reproduce in inhospitable environments such as the slopes of a volcano.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Trovato
- U.O.C. Laboratory Analysis Unit, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Oliveri
- U.O.C. Laboratory Analysis Unit, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Esposto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Prigitano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Romanò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Pllana-Hajdari D, Cogliati M, Čičmak L, Pleško S, Mlinarić-Missoni E, Mareković I. First Isolation, Antifungal Susceptibility, and Molecular Characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans from the Environment in Croatia. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5040099. [PMID: 31614885 PMCID: PMC6958495 DOI: 10.3390/jof5040099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans species complex isolates from environmental sources in Croatia and to determine their molecular types and antifungal susceptibility. Swab samples of tree hollows and bird excreta in the soil beneath trees were collected. Samples included 472 (92.73%) samples obtained from tree hollows and 37 (7.27%) samples from bird excreta. Four C. neoformans species complex isolates were recovered from tree hollow swabs along the Mediterranean coast, while there were no isolates recovered from bird excreta or from the continental area. Three isolates were identified as molecular types VNI and one as VNIV. All tested antifungals showed high in vitro activity against the four isolates. This is the first report proving the presence of C. neoformans species complex in the environment of Croatia. The results of the study suggest a major risk of exposure for inhabitants living along the Croatian coast and that both VNI and VNIV molecular types can be expected in clinical cases of cryptococcosis. Susceptibility to antifungals confirmed that no resistance should be expected in patients with cryptococcosis at the present time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donjeta Pllana-Hajdari
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Public Health, Prishtina 10 000, Kosovo.
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Laboratorio di Micologia Medica, Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy.
| | - Ljiljana Čičmak
- Department for Parasitology and Mycology, Croatian Institute for Public Health, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia.
| | - Sanja Pleško
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia.
| | - Emilija Mlinarić-Missoni
- Department for Parasitology and Mycology, Croatian Institute for Public Health, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia.
| | - Ivana Mareković
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia.
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Lin KH, Lin YP, Chung WH. Two-step method for isolating Cryptococcus species complex from environmental material using a new selective medium. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2019; 11:651-658. [PMID: 31215749 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic infection caused by the Cryptococcus species complex. An outbreak of cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii (AFLP6/VGII) in North America has indicated the need for studies of this organism and its environmental niche. Difficulties in isolating the Cryptococcus spp. because of the overgrowth of filamentous fungi onto culture media and its low fungal population size under natural conditions limit studies of these pathogenic yeasts. We designed a selective medium that inhibits the growth of environmental filamentous fungi but does not inhibit that of Cryptococcus cells. After enrichment in acidified YPD media and inoculation onto selective media, Cryptococcus cells in brown-coloured colonies were isolated from environmental materials. This two-step method is useful for isolating environmental members of the Cryptococcus species complex, which is essential for further studies involving diversity and the microbe-environment relationship of this yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Hsi Lin
- National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Pei Lin
- Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hsin Chung
- National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Innovation and Development Center of Sustainable Agriculture (IDCSA), Taichung, Taiwan
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26
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Abstract
Strategies to manage plant disease-from use of resistant varieties to crop rotation, elimination of reservoirs, landscape planning, surveillance, quarantine, risk modeling, and anticipation of disease emergences-all rely on knowledge of pathogen host range. However, awareness of the multitude of factors that influence the outcome of plant-microorganism interactions, the spatial and temporal dynamics of these factors, and the diversity of any given pathogen makes it increasingly challenging to define simple, all-purpose rules to circumscribe the host range of a pathogen. For bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, and viruses, we illustrate that host range is often an overlapping continuum-more so than the separation of discrete pathotypes-and that host jumps are common. By setting the mechanisms of plant-pathogen interactions into the scales of contemporary land use and Earth history, we propose a framework to assess the frontiers of host range for practical applications and research on pathogen evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benoît Moury
- Pathologie Végétale, INRA, 84140, Montfavet, France;
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Cryptococcus neoformans Cda1 and Its Chitin Deacetylase Activity Are Required for Fungal Pathogenesis. mBio 2018; 9:mBio.02087-18. [PMID: 30459196 PMCID: PMC6247093 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02087-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is unique among fungal pathogens that cause disease in a mammalian host, as it secretes a polysaccharide capsule that hinders recognition by the host to facilitate its survival and proliferation. Even though it causes serious infections in immunocompromised hosts, reports of infection in hosts that are immunocompetent are on the rise. The cell wall of a fungal pathogen, its synthesis, composition, and pathways of remodelling are attractive therapeutic targets for the development of fungicides. Chitosan, a polysaccharide in the cell wall of C. neoformans is one such target, as it is critical for pathogenesis and absent in the host. The results we present shed light on the importance of one of the chitin deacetylases that synthesize chitosan during infection and further implicates chitosan as being a critical factor for the pathogenesis of C. neoformans. Chitin is an essential component of the cell wall of Cryptococcus neoformans conferring structural rigidity and integrity under diverse environmental conditions. Chitin deacetylase genes encode the enyzmes (chitin deacetylases [Cdas]) that deacetylate chitin, converting it to chitosan. The functional role of chitosan in the fungal cell wall is not well defined, but it is an important virulence determinant of C. neoformans. Mutant strains deficient in chitosan are completely avirulent in a mouse pulmonary infection model. C. neoformans carries genes that encode three Cdas (Cda1, Cda2, and Cda3) that appear to be functionally redundant in cells grown under vegetative conditions. Here we report that C. neoformans Cda1 is the principal Cda responsible for fungal pathogenesis. Point mutations were introduced in the active site of Cda1 to generate strains in which the enzyme activity of Cda1 was abolished without perturbing either its stability or localization. When used to infect CBA/J mice, Cda1 mutant strains produced less chitosan and were attenuated for virulence. We further demonstrate that C. neoformans Cda genes are transcribed differently during a murine infection from what has been measured in vitro.
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28
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Flowers A, Gu X, Herrera GA, Gibson S, King J. A case of HIV associated cryptococcal nephritis: Ultrastructural findings and literature review. Ultrastruct Pathol 2018; 42:193-197. [PMID: 29466085 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2018.1440271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Acute renal failure in the setting of infection with human immunodeficiency virus can be due to various causes including pre-renal causes such as hypotension, sepsis, and nephrotoxic agents; thrombotic microangiopathy; or direct renal parenchymal infections by opportunistic organisms. We present a case of cryptococcal nephritis in a patient with systemic cryptococcosis and discuss the clinical findings as well as the histological, immunofluorescent, and transmission electron microscopy findings in the renal biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Flowers
- a Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology , Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , Shreveport , Louisiana , USA
| | - Xin Gu
- a Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology , Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , Shreveport , Louisiana , USA
| | - Guillermo A Herrera
- a Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology , Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , Shreveport , Louisiana , USA
| | - Sandy Gibson
- b Mid Atlantic Kidney Centers , Richmond , Virginia , USA
| | - Judy King
- a Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology , Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , Shreveport , Louisiana , USA
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29
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Dating the Cryptococcus gattii Dispersal to the North American Pacific Northwest. mSphere 2018; 3:mSphere00499-17. [PMID: 29359190 PMCID: PMC5770541 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00499-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent emergence of the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus gattii in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) resulted in numerous investigations into the epidemiological and enzootic impacts, as well as multiple genomic explorations of the three primary molecular subtypes of the fungus that were discovered. These studies lead to the general conclusion that the subtypes identified likely emerged out of Brazil. Here, we conducted genomic dating analyses to determine the ages of the various lineages seen in the PNW and propose hypothetical causes for the dispersal events. Bayesian evolutionary analysis strongly suggests that these independent fungal populations in the PNW are all 60 to 100 years old, providing a timing that is subsequent to the opening of the Panama Canal, which allowed for more direct shipping between Brazil and the western North American coastline, a possible driving event for these fungal translocation events. The emergence of Cryptococcus gattii, previously regarded as a predominantly tropical pathogen, in the temperate climate of the North American Pacific Northwest (PNW) in 1999 prompted several questions. The most prevalent among these was the timing of the introduction of this pathogen to this novel environment. Here, we infer tip-dated timing estimates for the three clonal C. gattii populations observed in the PNW, VGIIa, VGIIb, and VGIIc, based on whole-genome sequencing of 134 C. gattii isolates and using Bayesian evolutionary analysis by sampling trees (BEAST). We estimated the nucleotide substitution rate for each lineage (1.59 × 10−8, 1.59 × 10−8, and 2.70 × 10−8, respectively) to be an order of magnitude higher than common neutral fungal mutation rates (2.0 × 10−9), indicating a microevolutionary rate (e.g., successive clonal generations in a laboratory) in comparison to a species’ slower, macroevolutionary rate (e.g., when using fossil records). The clonal nature of the PNW C. gattii emergence over a narrow number of years would therefore possibly explain our higher mutation rates. Our results suggest that the mean time to most recent common ancestor for all three sublineages occurred within the last 60 to 100 years. While the cause of C. gattii dispersal to the PNW is still unclear, our research estimates that the arrival is neither ancient nor very recent (i.e., <25 years ago), making a strong case for an anthropogenic introduction. IMPORTANCE The recent emergence of the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus gattii in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) resulted in numerous investigations into the epidemiological and enzootic impacts, as well as multiple genomic explorations of the three primary molecular subtypes of the fungus that were discovered. These studies lead to the general conclusion that the subtypes identified likely emerged out of Brazil. Here, we conducted genomic dating analyses to determine the ages of the various lineages seen in the PNW and propose hypothetical causes for the dispersal events. Bayesian evolutionary analysis strongly suggests that these independent fungal populations in the PNW are all 60 to 100 years old, providing a timing that is subsequent to the opening of the Panama Canal, which allowed for more direct shipping between Brazil and the western North American coastline, a possible driving event for these fungal translocation events.
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Hagen F, Lumbsch HT, Arsic Arsenijevic V, Badali H, Bertout S, Billmyre RB, Bragulat MR, Cabañes FJ, Carbia M, Chakrabarti A, Chaturvedi S, Chaturvedi V, Chen M, Chowdhary A, Colom MF, Cornely OA, Crous PW, Cuétara MS, Diaz MR, Espinel-Ingroff A, Fakhim H, Falk R, Fang W, Herkert PF, Ferrer Rodríguez C, Fraser JA, Gené J, Guarro J, Idnurm A, Illnait-Zaragozi MT, Khan Z, Khayhan K, Kolecka A, Kurtzman CP, Lagrou K, Liao W, Linares C, Meis JF, Nielsen K, Nyazika TK, Pan W, Pekmezovic M, Polacheck I, Posteraro B, de Queiroz Telles F, Romeo O, Sánchez M, Sampaio A, Sanguinetti M, Sriburee P, Sugita T, Taj-Aldeen SJ, Takashima M, Taylor JW, Theelen B, Tomazin R, Verweij PE, Wahyuningsih R, Wang P, Boekhout T. Importance of Resolving Fungal Nomenclature: the Case of Multiple Pathogenic Species in the Cryptococcus Genus. mSphere 2017; 2:e00238-17. [PMID: 28875175 PMCID: PMC5577652 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00238-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a major fungal disease caused by members of the Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans species complexes. After more than 15 years of molecular genetic and phenotypic studies and much debate, a proposal for a taxonomic revision was made. The two varieties within C. neoformans were raised to species level, and the same was done for five genotypes within C. gattii. In a recent perspective (K. J. Kwon-Chung et al., mSphere 2:e00357-16, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00357-16), it was argued that this taxonomic proposal was premature and without consensus in the community. Although the authors of the perspective recognized the existence of genetic diversity, they preferred the use of the informal nomenclature "C. neoformans species complex" and "C. gattii species complex." Here we highlight the advantage of recognizing these seven species, as ignoring these species will impede deciphering further biologically and clinically relevant differences between them, which may in turn delay future clinical advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferry Hagen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Hamid Badali
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology/Invasive Fungi Research Center (IFRC), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sebastien Bertout
- Unité Mixte Internationale Recherches Translationnelles sur l’Infection à VIH et les Maladies Infectieuses, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, UFR Pharmacie, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - R. Blake Billmyre
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - M. Rosa Bragulat
- Veterinary Mycology Group, Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F. Javier Cabañes
- Veterinary Mycology Group, Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mauricio Carbia
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Arunaloke Chakrabarti
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sudha Chaturvedi
- Mycology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Vishnu Chaturvedi
- Mycology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Min Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Dermatology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Anuradha Chowdhary
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | | - Oliver A. Cornely
- CECAD Cluster of Excellence, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Clinical Trials, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Pedro W. Crous
- Phytopathology Research, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Maria S. Cuétara
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Severo Ochoa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mara R. Diaz
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, Florida, USA
- Rosentiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - Hamed Fakhim
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology/Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Rama Falk
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nir-David, Israel
| | - Wenjie Fang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Dermatology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Patricia F. Herkert
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Biological Sciences, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | - James A. Fraser
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Josepa Gené
- Unitat de Micologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Josep Guarro
- Unitat de Micologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Alexander Idnurm
- School of BioSciences, BioSciences 2, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Ziauddin Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Kantarawee Khayhan
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
- Yeast Research, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Kolecka
- Yeast Research, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cletus P. Kurtzman
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, USDA-ARS, Peoria, Illinois, USA
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wanqing Liao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Dermatology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Carlos Linares
- Medical School, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jacques F. Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kirsten Nielsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tinashe K. Nyazika
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
- School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Weihua Pan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Dermatology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Itzhack Polacheck
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Brunella Posteraro
- Institute of Public Health (Section of Hygiene), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio de Queiroz Telles
- Department of Communitarian Health, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Orazio Romeo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy
| | - Manuel Sánchez
- Medical School, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Ana Sampaio
- Centro de Investigação e de Tecnologias Agro-ambientais e Biológicas (CITAB), Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta dos Prados, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Institute of Microbiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Pojana Sriburee
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Takashi Sugita
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saad J. Taj-Aldeen
- Mycology Unit, Microbiology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Masako Takashima
- Japan Collection of Microorganisms, RIKEN BioResource Center, Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - John W. Taylor
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Bart Theelen
- Yeast Research, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rok Tomazin
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Paul E. Verweij
- Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Retno Wahyuningsih
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Teun Boekhout
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystems Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Yeast Research, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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