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Vig I, Benkő Z, Gila BC, Palczert Z, Jakab Á, Nagy F, Miskei M, Lee MK, Yu JH, Pócsi I, Emri T. Functional characterization of genes encoding cadmium pumping P 1B-type ATPases in Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus nidulans. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0028323. [PMID: 37676031 PMCID: PMC10581124 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00283-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Several P1B-type ATPases are important Cd2+/Cu2+ pumps in Aspergillus species, and they are tightly associated with the heavy metal stress tolerance of these ascomycetous fungi. To better understand the roles of the two P1B-type ATPases, Aspergillus nidulans CrpA Cd2+/Cu2+ pump (orthologue of the Candida albicans Crp1 Cd2+/Cu2+ pump) and Aspergillus fumigatus PcaA Cd2+ pump (orthologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pca1 Cd2+ pump), we have generated individual mutants and characterized their heavy metal susceptibilities. The deletion of CrpA in A. nidulans has led to the increased sensitivity of the fungus to stresses induced by Zn2+, Fe2+, or the combination of oxidative-stress-inducing menadione sodium bisulfite and Fe3+. Heterologous expression of A. fumigatus PcaA in the S. cerevisiae pca1 deletion mutant has resulted in enhanced tolerance of the yeast to stresses elicited by Cd2+or Zn2+ but not by Fe2+/Fe3+ or Cu2+. Mammalian host immune defense can attack microbes by secreting Zn2+ or Cu2+, and the oxidative stress induced by host immune systems can also disturb metal (Cu2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+) homeostasis in microbes. In summary, PcaA and CrpA can protect fungal cells from these complex stresses that contribute to the virulence of the pathogenic Aspergillus species. Moreover, due to their presence on the fungal cell surface, these P1B-type ATPases may serve as a novel drug target in the future. IMPORTANCE Mammalian host immune defense disrupts heavy metal homeostasis of fungal pathogens. P1B-type ATPase of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus nidulans may help to cope with this stress and serve as virulence traits. In our experiments, both A. nidulans Cd2+/Cu2+ pump CrpA and A. fumigatus Cd2+ pump PcaA protected fungal cells from toxic Zn2+, and CrpA also decreased Fe2+ susceptibility most likely indirectly. In addition, CrpA protected cells against the combined stress induced by the oxidative stressor menadione and Fe3+. Since P1B-type ATPases are present on the fungal cell surface, these proteins may serve as a novel drug target in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Vig
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zsigmond Benkő
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Barnabás Cs. Gila
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Palczert
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Jakab
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Fruzsina Nagy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Márton Miskei
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mi-Kyung Lee
- Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup-si, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
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Karmilkar K, Patel A, Vaughn TM. Navigating the Diagnostic Challenge of Aspergillus Spinal Epidural Abscess in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e42770. [PMID: 37663990 PMCID: PMC10469057 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus spinal epidural abscess (ASEA) is a rare, life-threatening condition that can cause spinal cord compression with neurologic deficits. The diagnosis of ASEA can be challenging due to the atypical clinical presentation and low prevalence. We describe the successful management of a rare, immunocompetent, 85-year-old male with ASEA at the T12-L1 and L1-L2 levels and present a review of the literature. Based on most case reports and our knowledge, this is a rare presentation of ASEA in a patient without systemic symptoms, leukocytosis, or a history of immunosuppressive status due to chronic steroid use. The patient presented with multiple falls and lower extremity paraparesis with near-complete paralysis of the right lower extremity for a duration of three months. Systemic symptoms of infection were absent and standard lab evaluations were unremarkable. CT imaging identified cord signal changes at the level of T10-T11 and a contrast block at L1 suspicious for spinal stenosis and impingement. During lumbar spine exploration, purulent fluid consistent with an abscess was found in the epidural space. Cultures were forwarded to microbiology and returned with Aspergillus. Postoperatively, Infectious Disease (ID) recommended treatment with voriconazole, cefepime, and vancomycin, which yielded gradual symptom improvement. The successful management of ASEA requires a multidisciplinary approach involving neurosurgeons, infectious disease specialists, radiologists, and physical therapists. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of ASEA regardless of systemic symptoms, and early diagnosis and prompt treatment with surgical decompression and appropriate antifungal therapy are imperative for successful management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Karmilkar
- Medicine, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) - Louisiana, Monroe, USA
| | - Aditi Patel
- Medicine, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) - Louisiana, Monroe, USA
| | - Troy M Vaughn
- Neurological Surgery, Alexandria Neurosurgical Clinic, Alexandria, USA
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Koutserimpas C, Chamakioti I, Raptis K, Alpantaki K, Vrioni G, Samonis G. Osseous Infections Caused by Aspergillus Species. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12010201. [PMID: 35054368 PMCID: PMC8774735 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12010201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus spp. is a severe, but rare, clinical entity. However, clear guidelines regarding the most effective medical management have not yet been established. The present study is a literature review of all such cases, in an effort to elucidate epidemiology, as well as the therapeutic management and the infection’s outcome. Methods: A thorough review of all reports of osteomyelitis of the appendicular and the axial skeleton, without the skull and the spine, caused by Aspergillus spp. was undertaken. Data about demographics, imaging techniques facilitating diagnosis, causative Aspergillus, method of mold isolation, antifungal treatment (AFT), surgical treatment, as well as the infection’s outcome were recorded and evaluated. Results: A total of 63 cases of osseous infection due to Aspergillus spp. were identified. The studied population’s mean age was 37.9 years. The most commonly affected site was the rib cage (36.8%). Most hosts suffered immunosuppressive conditions (76.2%). Regarding imaging methods indicating diagnosis, computer tomography (CT) was performed in most cases (42.9%), followed by plain X-ray (41.3%) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (34.9%). The most frequent isolated mold was Aspergillus fumigatus (49.2%). Cultures and/or histopathology were used for definite diagnosis in all cases, while galactomannan antigen test was additionally used in seven cases (11.1%), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in four cases (6.3%), and beta-d-glucan testing in three cases (4.8%). Regarding AFT, the preferred antifungal was voriconazole (61.9%). Most patients underwent surgical debridement (63.5%). The outcome was successful in 77.5%. Discussion: Osteomyelitis due to Aspergillus spp. represents a severe infection. The available data suggest that prolonged AFT in combination with surgical debridement is the preferred management of this infection, while identification of the responsible mold is of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Koutserimpas
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, “251” Hellenic Air Force General Hospital of Athens, 11525 Athens, Greece; (C.K.); (I.C.); (K.R.)
| | - Ifigeneia Chamakioti
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, “251” Hellenic Air Force General Hospital of Athens, 11525 Athens, Greece; (C.K.); (I.C.); (K.R.)
| | - Konstantinos Raptis
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, “251” Hellenic Air Force General Hospital of Athens, 11525 Athens, Greece; (C.K.); (I.C.); (K.R.)
| | - Kalliopi Alpantaki
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, “Venizeleion” General Hospital of Heraklion, 17121 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Georgia Vrioni
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - George Samonis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-6948712130
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