Severe pneumonia with a massive pleural effusion in a child caused by Tilletiopsis minor: the first case from Saudi Arabia

A fungi hotspot deep in the ocean: explaining the presence of Gjaerumia minor in equatorial Pacific bathypelagic waters

A plant parasite associated with the white haze disease in apples, the Basidiomycota Gjaerumia minor, has been found in most samples of the global bathypelagic ocean. An analysis of environmental 18S rDNA sequences on 12 vertical profiles of the Malaspina 2010 expedition shows that the relative abundance of this cultured species increases with depth while its distribution is remarkably different between the deep waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, being present in higher concentrations in the former. This is evident from sequence analysis and a microscopic survey with a species-specific newly designed TSA-FISH probe. Several hints point to the hypothesis that G. minor is transported to the deep ocean attached to particles, and the absence of G. minor in bathypelagic Atlantic waters could then be explained by the absence of this organism in surface waters of the equatorial Atlantic. The good correlation of G. minor biomass with Apparent Oxygen Utilization, recalcitrant carbon and free-living prokaryotic biomass in South Pacific waters, together with the identification of the observed cells as yeasts and not as resting spores (teliospores), point to the possibility that once arrived at deep layers this species keeps on growing and thriving.

Diversity of Tilletiopsis-Like Fungi in Exobasidiomycetes (Ustilaginomycotina) and Description of Six Novel Species

In 2006 several yeast-like fungi were isolated from apples that showed a postharvest disorder named “white haze.” These strains were morphologically and molecularly assigned to the genus Tilletiopsis. Following the recent reclassification of yeasts in Ustilaginomycotina and the genus Tilletiopsis in particular, species that caused “white haze” disorder were re-identified based on the phylogenetic analysis of five DNA-loci (ITS, LSU, SSU, RPB2, and TEF1) and analysis of D1/D2 domains of the 26S/28S rRNA (LSU). Six novel species belonging to three orders in the Exobasidiomycetes, namely Entyloma belangeri (holotype: CBS 111600; ex-type: DSM 29114) MB 823155, Entyloma davenportii (holotype: CBS 111604; ex-type: DSM 100135) MB 823154, Entyloma elstari (holotype: CBS 111593; ex-type: DSM 29113) MB 823153, Entyloma randwijkense (holotype: CBS 111606; ex-type: DSM 100136) MB 823156, Jamesdicksonia mali (holotype: CBS 111625; ex-type: DSM 29121) MB 823151 and Golubevia heteromorpha (holotype: CBS 111610; ex-type: DSM 100176) MB 823152 are proposed to accommodate these strains. In addition, sequences representing phylogenetically related but yet undescribed fungi were obtained from GenBank in order to show the diversity of Tilletiopsis-like yeast states in Exobasidiomycetes.

Sino-Orbital Fungal Infection by Tilletiopsis minor, a Rare Human Pathogen, Diagnosed by Internal Transcribed Spacer Sequencing

Orbital infection can be caused by numerous pathogens, and accurate diagnosis informs appropriate therapy. The authors report a case of a 78-year-old man with well-controlled diabetes mellitus and recurrent sino-orbital infection following multiple surgical procedures with negative microbiologic results. This case presented a diagnostic and treatment challenge and was aided by the use of internal transcribed spacer sequencing for pathogen identification. The fungal pathogen, Tilletiopsis minor, has not previously been described as a human pathogen in the sinus and orbit. This report describes a novel orbital pathogen and highlights the importance of diagnostic diligence and utilizing internal transcribed spacer sequencing in the workup of atypical orbital infection.

Fungal keratitis caused by a rare ocular pathogen, Gjaerumia minor: A case report

Fungal keratitis is an important infection of the eye that may cause devastating effects. Keratitis caused by fungi has been described in many parts of the world mainly in tropical countries. The objective of this study is to report a serious eye infection in an adult with a known history of diabetes caused by an uncommon yeast fungus with details of clinical findings and laboratory investigations. Left eye visual acuity was no perception of light due to end stage neovascular glaucoma. The patient was pseudophakic in both eyes. Culture of a corneal scraping showed yeast like organism on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Gjaerumia minor, a rare yeast but with history of a pulmonary infection in the region, was confirmed with 98% similarity in the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (accession KY690175). Topical Amphotericin B and oral fluconazole were initiated. The patient showed gradual improvement, epithelial defect healed, infiltration steadily regressed and hypopyon disappeared. We report the first case of fungal keratitis caused by G. minor in Saudi Arabia. Fungal Keratitis should be considered in cases where clinical response to the conventional antibacterial antibiotic treatment is not optimal.