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Lee J, Wickes BL, Fu J, Brockman NE, Garg H, Jobin C, Johson-Pais T, Leach R, Lai Z, Liss MA. Prevalence of genotoxic bacteria in men undergoing biopsy for prostate cancer. Prostate 2023; 83:663-669. [PMID: 36842100 PMCID: PMC10364089 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New evidence suggests that bacteria-produced DNA toxins may have a role in the development or progression of prostate cancer. To determine the prevalence of these genes in a noninfection (i.e., colonized) state, we screened urine specimens in men before undergoing a biopsy for prostate cancer detection. METHODS We developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction using three of the most described bacterial genotoxin gene primers: Colibactin (polyketone synthase [pks] gene island: clbN and clbB), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (cnf1) toxin, and cytolethal distending toxin B (cdtB) represented gene islands. After calibration on Escherichia coli samples of known genotypes, we used a training and validation cohort. We performed multiplex testing on a training cohort of previously collected urine from 45 men undergoing prostate biopsy. For the validation cohort, we utilized baseline urine samples from a previous randomized clinical trial (n = 263) with known prostate cancer outcomes. RESULTS The prevalence of four common bacterial genotoxin genes detected in the urine before prostate biopsy for prostate cancer is 8% (25/311). The prevalence of pks island (clbN and clbB), cnf1, and cdt toxin genes are 6.1%, 2.4%, and 1.7%, respectively. We found no association between urinary genotoxins and prostate cancer (p = 0.83). We did identify a higher proportion of low-grade cancer (92% vs. 44%) in those men positive for urinary genotoxin and higher-grade cancer in those genotoxin negative (8% vs. 56%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of urinary genotoxins is low and does not correspond to a prostate cancer diagnosis. The urine was taken at one point in time and does not rule out the possibility of previous exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Lee
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Brian L Wickes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jianmin Fu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Nohelli E Brockman
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Harshit Garg
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Christian Jobin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Teresa Johson-Pais
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Robin Leach
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Zhao Lai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Michael A Liss
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Liss MA, Garg H, Sokurenko EV, Patterson JE, Wickes BL. Molecular genetic testing does not improve the detection of fluoroquinolone resistance before transrectal prostate biopsy. Prostate Int 2022; 10:194-199. [PMID: 36570643 PMCID: PMC9747570 DOI: 10.1016/j.prnil.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fluoroquinolone-resistant (FQR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) causes transrectal prostate biopsy infections. We seek to further identify fluoroquinolones resistance by the incorporation of genetic profiling to influence antibiotic selection for transrectal prostate biopsy and whether the addition of this genetic testing could improve the prediction of FQR detection at the time of biopsy. Materials and methods In this prospective observational cohort study, rectal swabs were collected within 30 days of an upcoming prostate biopsy. These swabs were sent for phenotypic and genotypic assessment to predict FQR on the day of the biopsy. Phenotype: Specimens were inoculated onto MacConkey agar containing ciprofloxacin using standard culture techniques to determine FQR status. Genotype: We compared cultures to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence typing (E.coli- ST131/H30/ST69) and bacterial plasmids (gyrA, qnrQ, and qnrS). The presence of FQR on this testing was compared to the second rectal swab collected just before biopsy (2 hours after ciprofloxacin prophylaxis), which served as the gold standard for FQR. Results Overall, the FQR rate was 23.6%. The bacterial plasmids (qnr) were present in 54.1% of samples, and multidrug-resistant E. coli ST131 was present in 12.5% of samples. In comparison, phenotypic assessment using rectal culture had a better prediction for the presence of FQR as compared to genotypic testing [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.85 in phenotype arm vs. AUC = 0.45 in genotype arm]. Conclusion We detected a high prevalence of FQR genes in the rectum, but the addition of PCR-based genotyping did not improve the prediction of culture-based FQR at the time of biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Liss
- University of Texas Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine, Department of Urology, USA
- South Texas Veterans Healthcare System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Harshit Garg
- University of Texas Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine, Department of Urology, USA
| | | | - Jan E. Patterson
- University of Texas Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, USA
| | - Brian L. Wickes
- University of Texas Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, USA
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D’Spain S, Andrade PI, Brockman NE, Fu J, Wickes BL. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation of Candida glabrata. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:596. [PMID: 35736079 PMCID: PMC9225417 DOI: 10.3390/jof8060596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of broad-spectrum antimycotic therapy, immunosuppressive therapy, and indwelling medical devices has contributed to the increased frequency of mucosal and systemic infections caused by Candida glabrata. A major concern for C. glabrata and other Candida spp. infections is the increase in drug resistance. To address these issues, additional molecular tools for the study of C. glabrata are needed. In this investigation, we developed an Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation system for C. glabrata. A number of parameters were investigated to determine their effect on transformation frequency, and then an optimized protocol was developed. The optimal conditions for the transformation of C. glabrata were found to be an infection incubation temperature of 26 °C, 0.2 mM acetosyringone in both induction media and co-culture media, 0.7% agar concentration, and a multiplicity of infection of 50:1 A. tumefaciens to C. glabrata. Importantly, the frequency of multiple integrations was low (5%), demonstrating that A. tumefaciens generally integrates at single sites in C. glabrata, which is consistent with other fungal A. tumefaciens transformation systems. The development of this system in C. glabrata adds another tool for the molecular manipulation of this increasingly important fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Brian L. Wickes
- The Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (S.D.); (P.I.A.); (N.E.B.); (J.F.)
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4
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Geiser DM, Al-Hatmi AMS, Aoki T, Arie T, Balmas V, Barnes I, Bergstrom GC, Bhattacharyya MK, Blomquist CL, Bowden RL, Brankovics B, Brown DW, Burgess LW, Bushley K, Busman M, Cano-Lira JF, Carrillo JD, Chang HX, Chen CY, Chen W, Chilvers M, Chulze S, Coleman JJ, Cuomo CA, de Beer ZW, de Hoog GS, Del Castillo-Múnera J, Del Ponte EM, Diéguez-Uribeondo J, Di Pietro A, Edel-Hermann V, Elmer WH, Epstein L, Eskalen A, Esposto MC, Everts KL, Fernández-Pavía SP, da Silva GF, Foroud NA, Fourie G, Frandsen RJN, Freeman S, Freitag M, Frenkel O, Fuller KK, Gagkaeva T, Gardiner DM, Glenn AE, Gold SE, Gordon TR, Gregory NF, Gryzenhout M, Guarro J, Gugino BK, Gutierrez S, Hammond-Kosack KE, Harris LJ, Homa M, Hong CF, Hornok L, Huang JW, Ilkit M, Jacobs A, Jacobs K, Jiang C, Jiménez-Gasco MDM, Kang S, Kasson MT, Kazan K, Kennell JC, Kim HS, Kistler HC, Kuldau GA, Kulik T, Kurzai O, Laraba I, Laurence MH, Lee T, Lee YW, Lee YH, Leslie JF, Liew ECY, Lofton LW, Logrieco AF, López-Berges MS, Luque AG, Lysøe E, Ma LJ, Marra RE, Martin FN, May SR, McCormick SP, McGee C, Meis JF, Migheli Q, Mohamed Nor NMI, Monod M, Moretti A, Mostert D, Mulè G, Munaut F, Munkvold GP, Nicholson P, Nucci M, O'Donnell K, Pasquali M, Pfenning LH, Prigitano A, Proctor RH, Ranque S, Rehner SA, Rep M, Rodríguez-Alvarado G, Rose LJ, Roth MG, Ruiz-Roldán C, Saleh AA, Salleh B, Sang H, Scandiani MM, Scauflaire J, Schmale DG, Short DPG, Šišić A, Smith JA, Smyth CW, Son H, Spahr E, Stajich JE, Steenkamp E, Steinberg C, Subramaniam R, Suga H, Summerell BA, Susca A, Swett CL, Toomajian C, Torres-Cruz TJ, Tortorano AM, Urban M, Vaillancourt LJ, Vallad GE, van der Lee TAJ, Vanderpool D, van Diepeningen AD, Vaughan MM, Venter E, Vermeulen M, Verweij PE, Viljoen A, Waalwijk C, Wallace EC, Walther G, Wang J, Ward TJ, Wickes BL, Wiederhold NP, Wingfield MJ, Wood AKM, Xu JR, Yang XB, Yli-Mattila T, Yun SH, Zakaria L, Zhang H, Zhang N, Zhang SX, Zhang X. Phylogenomic Analysis of a 55.1-kb 19-Gene Dataset Resolves a Monophyletic Fusarium that Includes the Fusarium solani Species Complex. Phytopathology 2021; 111:1064-1079. [PMID: 33200960 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-08-20-0330-le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Scientific communication is facilitated by a data-driven, scientifically sound taxonomy that considers the end-user's needs and established successful practice. In 2013, the Fusarium community voiced near unanimous support for a concept of Fusarium that represented a clade comprising all agriculturally and clinically important Fusarium species, including the F. solani species complex (FSSC). Subsequently, this concept was challenged in 2015 by one research group who proposed dividing the genus Fusarium into seven genera, including the FSSC described as members of the genus Neocosmospora, with subsequent justification in 2018 based on claims that the 2013 concept of Fusarium is polyphyletic. Here, we test this claim and provide a phylogeny based on exonic nucleotide sequences of 19 orthologous protein-coding genes that strongly support the monophyly of Fusarium including the FSSC. We reassert the practical and scientific argument in support of a genus Fusarium that includes the FSSC and several other basal lineages, consistent with the longstanding use of this name among plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, students, and researchers with a stake in its taxonomy. In recognition of this monophyly, 40 species described as genus Neocosmospora were recombined in genus Fusarium, and nine others were renamed Fusarium. Here the global Fusarium community voices strong support for the inclusion of the FSSC in Fusarium, as it remains the best scientific, nomenclatural, and practical taxonomic option available.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Geiser
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, U.S.A
| | | | - Takayuki Aoki
- Genetic Resources Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Arie
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Virgilio Balmas
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Irene Barnes
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Gary C Bergstrom
- Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, U.S.A
| | | | - Cheryl L Blomquist
- Plant Pest Diagnostics Branch, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, CA 95832, U.S.A
| | - Robert L Bowden
- Hard Winter Wheat Genetics Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Manhattan, KS 66506, U.S.A
| | - Balázs Brankovics
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Daren W Brown
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Lester W Burgess
- Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kathryn Bushley
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, U.S.A
| | - Mark Busman
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - José F Cano-Lira
- Mycology Unit and IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Medical School, Reus, Spain
| | - Joseph D Carrillo
- Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL 33598, U.S.A
| | - Hao-Xun Chang
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yu Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wanquan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Martin Chilvers
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, U.S.A
| | - Sofia Chulze
- Research Institute on Mycology and Mycotoxicology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, National University of Rio Cuarto, Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Jeffrey J Coleman
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, U.S.A
| | | | - Z Wilhelm de Beer
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - G Sybren de Hoog
- Department of Medical Mycology and Infectious Diseases, Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Emerson M Del Ponte
- Departamento de Fitopatologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | | | - Antonio Di Pietro
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Wade H Elmer
- Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06504, U.S.A
| | - Lynn Epstein
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A
| | - Akif Eskalen
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A
| | | | - Kathryne L Everts
- Wye Research and Education Center, University of Maryland, Queenstown, MD 21658, U.S.A
| | - Sylvia P Fernández-Pavía
- Laboratorio de Patología Vegetal, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Tarímbaro, Michoacán 58880, México
| | | | - Nora A Foroud
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Gerda Fourie
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rasmus J N Frandsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Stanley Freeman
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Michael Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, U.S.A
| | - Omer Frenkel
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Kevin K Fuller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, U.S.A
| | - Tatiana Gagkaeva
- Laboratory of Mycology and Phytopathology, All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, St. Petersburg-Pushkin, Russia
| | | | - Anthony E Glenn
- Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Athens, GA 30605, U.S.A
| | - Scott E Gold
- Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Athens, GA 30605, U.S.A
| | - Thomas R Gordon
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A
| | - Nancy F Gregory
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, DE 19716, U.S.A
| | - Marieka Gryzenhout
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Josep Guarro
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Beth K Gugino
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, U.S.A
| | | | - Kim E Hammond-Kosack
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Linda J Harris
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6, Canada
| | - Mónika Homa
- MTA-SZTE Fungal Pathogenicity Mechanisms Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Cheng-Fang Hong
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - László Hornok
- Institute of Plant Protection, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Jenn-Wen Huang
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Sarıçam, Adana, Turkey
| | - Adriaana Jacobs
- Biosystematics Unit, Plant Health and Protection, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Karin Jacobs
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Cong Jiang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
| | - María Del Mar Jiménez-Gasco
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, U.S.A
| | - Seogchan Kang
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, U.S.A
| | - Matthew T Kasson
- Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, U.S.A
| | - Kemal Kazan
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - John C Kennell
- Biology Department, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63101, U.S.A
| | - Hye-Seon Kim
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - H Corby Kistler
- USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, U.S.A
| | - Gretchen A Kuldau
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, U.S.A
| | - Tomasz Kulik
- Department of Botany and Nature Protection, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Oliver Kurzai
- German National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections NRZMyk, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Imane Laraba
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Matthew H Laurence
- Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Royal Botanic Garden and Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia
| | - Theresa Lee
- Microbial Safety Team, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yin-Won Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Hwan Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - John F Leslie
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, U.S.A
| | - Edward C Y Liew
- Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Royal Botanic Garden and Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lily W Lofton
- Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Athens, GA 30605, U.S.A
| | - Antonio F Logrieco
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Research National Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Manuel S López-Berges
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Alicia G Luque
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Centro de Referencia de Micología, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Erik Lysøe
- Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Høgskoleveien, Ås, Norway
| | - Li-Jun Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, U.S.A
| | - Robert E Marra
- Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06504, U.S.A
| | - Frank N Martin
- Crop Improvement and Protection Research Unit, ARS-USDA, Salinas, CA 93905, U.S.A
| | - Sara R May
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, U.S.A
| | - Susan P McCormick
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Chyanna McGee
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, U.S.A
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Mycology and Infectious Diseases, Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Quirico Migheli
- Dipartimento di Agraria and Nucleo Ricerca Desertificazione, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - N M I Mohamed Nor
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Michel Monod
- Laboratoire de Mycologie, Service de Dermatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Moretti
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Research National Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Diane Mostert
- Department of Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Giuseppina Mulè
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Research National Council, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Gary P Munkvold
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, U.S.A
| | - Paul Nicholson
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Marcio Nucci
- Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kerry O'Donnell
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Matias Pasquali
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ludwig H Pfenning
- Departamento de Fitopatologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - Anna Prigitano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Robert H Proctor
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Stéphane Ranque
- Institut Hospitalier Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Stephen A Rehner
- Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, U.S.A
| | - Martijn Rep
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerardo Rodríguez-Alvarado
- Laboratorio de Patología Vegetal, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Tarímbaro, Michoacán 58880, México
| | - Lindy Joy Rose
- Department of Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Mitchell G Roth
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, U.S.A
| | - Carmen Ruiz-Roldán
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Amgad A Saleh
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Baharuddin Salleh
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Hyunkyu Sang
- Department of Integrative Food, Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - María Mercedes Scandiani
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Centro de Referencia de Micología, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Jonathan Scauflaire
- Centre de Recherche et de Formation Agronomie, Haute Ecole Louvain en Hainaut, Montignies-sur-Sambre, Belgium
| | - David G Schmale
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, U.S.A
| | | | - Adnan Šišić
- Department of Ecological Plant Protection, University of Kassel, Witzenhausen, Germany
| | - Jason A Smith
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, U.S.A
| | - Christopher W Smyth
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, U.S.A
| | - Hokyoung Son
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ellie Spahr
- Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, U.S.A
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, U.S.A
| | - Emma Steenkamp
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Christian Steinberg
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Rajagopal Subramaniam
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6, Canada
| | - Haruhisa Suga
- Life Science Research Center, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Brett A Summerell
- Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Royal Botanic Garden and Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia
| | - Antonella Susca
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Research National Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Cassandra L Swett
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A
| | | | - Terry J Torres-Cruz
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, U.S.A
| | - Anna M Tortorano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Martin Urban
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa J Vaillancourt
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, U.S.A
| | - Gary E Vallad
- Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL 33598, U.S.A
| | - Theo A J van der Lee
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dan Vanderpool
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, U.S.A
| | - Anne D van Diepeningen
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martha M Vaughan
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Eduard Venter
- Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa
| | - Marcele Vermeulen
- Department of Microbial Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Paul E Verweij
- Department of Medical Mycology and Infectious Diseases, Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Altus Viljoen
- Department of Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Cees Waalwijk
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Emma C Wallace
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, U.S.A
| | - Grit Walther
- German National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections NRZMyk, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Jie Wang
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94702
| | - Todd J Ward
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Brian L Wickes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, U.S.A
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, U.S.A
| | - Michael J Wingfield
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ana K M Wood
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Jin-Rong Xu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, U.S.A
| | - Xiao-Bing Yang
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sung-Hwan Yun
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea
| | - Latiffah Zakaria
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, U.S.A
| | - Sean X Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, U.S.A
| | - Xue Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
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Fu J, Brockman NE, Wickes BL. Optimizing Transformation Frequency of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii Using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7070520. [PMID: 34209781 PMCID: PMC8305055 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The transformation of Cryptococcus spp. by Agrobacterium tumefaciens has proven to be a useful genetic tool. A number of factors affect transformation frequency. These factors include acetosyringone concentration, bacterial cell to yeast cell ratio, cell wall damage, and agar concentration. Agar concentration was found to have a significant effect on the transformant number as transformants increased with agar concentration across all four serotypes. When infection time points were tested, higher agar concentrations were found to result in an earlier transfer of the Ti-plasmid to the yeast cell, with the earliest transformant appearing two h after A. tumefaciens contact with yeast cells. These results demonstrate that A. tumefaciens transformation efficiency can be affected by a variety of factors and continued investigation of these factors can lead to improvements in specific A. tumefaciens/fungus transformation systems.
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Groff JM, Mok MY, Kubiski SV, Michel AO, Cortés-Hinojosa GA, Byrne BA, Wickes BL, Scott Weber E, Campbell LA, Waltzek TB. Phaeohyphomycosis due to Veronaea botryosa in cultured white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus Richardson) from California USA during 2006 to 2015. J Fish Dis 2021; 44:793-801. [PMID: 33332625 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Infection with Veronaea botryosa can result in rare cutaneous or disseminated, granulomatous to pyogranulomatous phaeohyphomycosis in humans, although disease due to the fungus has also been reported in non-mammalian vertebrates. This report documents disease due to V. botryosa in captive, juvenile to subadult or young adult white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus Richardson) from California USA and complements a previous report of the disease in captive Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) from Florida USA. Pathological examinations revealed granulomatous to pyogranulomatous inflammation of multiple organs. Isolates of the fungal agent were phenotypically consistent with V. botryosa, and molecular analyses of the D1/D2 region of the fungal 28S rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region located between the fungal 18S and 28S rRNA genes confirmed the aetiologic agent as V. botryosa. The disease in captive sturgeon results in a considerable economic encumbrance to the producer due to the loss of the cumulative financial resources invested in the production of older subadult to young adult sturgeon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Groff
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mai Y Mok
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Steven V Kubiski
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Adam O Michel
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Galaxia A Cortés-Hinojosa
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Barbara A Byrne
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Brian L Wickes
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - E Scott Weber
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Lori A Campbell
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Thomas B Waltzek
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Ganesan A, Wells J, Shaikh F, Peterson P, Bradley W, Carson ML, Petfield JL, Klassen-Fischer M, Akers KS, Downing K, Bialek R, Tribble DR, Wickes BL. Molecular Detection of Filamentous Fungi in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Specimens in Invasive Fungal Wound Infections Is Feasible with High Specificity. J Clin Microbiol 2019; 58:e01259-19. [PMID: 31619528 PMCID: PMC6935896 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01259-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Trauma-related invasive fungal wound infections (IFIs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early identification and treatment are critical. Traditional identification methods (e.g., fungal cultures and histopathology) can be delayed and insensitive. We assessed a PCR-based sequencing assay for rapid identification of filamentous fungi in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens obtained from combat casualties injured in Afghanistan. Blinded FFPE specimens from cases (specimens positive on histopathology) and controls (specimens negative on histopathology) were submitted for evaluation with a panfungal PCR. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of the fungal ribosomal repeat was amplified and sequenced. The PCR results were compared with findings from histopathology and/or culture. If injury sites contributed multiple specimens, findings for the site were collapsed to the site level. We included 64 case subjects (contributing 95 sites) and 102 controls (contributing 118 sites). Compared to histopathology, panfungal PCR was specific (99%), but not as sensitive (63%); however, sensitivity improved to 83% in specimens from sites with angioinvasion. Panfungal PCR identified fungi of the order Mucorales in 33 of 44 sites with angioinvasion (75%), whereas fungal culture was positive in 20 of 44 sites (45%). Saksenaea spp. were the dominant fungi identified by PCR in specimens from angioinvasion sites (57%). Panfungal PCR is specific, albeit with lower sensitivity, and performs better at identifying fungi of the order Mucorales than culture. DNA sequencing offers significant promise for the rapid identification of fungal infection in trauma-related injuries, leading to more timely and accurate diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Ganesan
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Justin Wells
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Faraz Shaikh
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Philip Peterson
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - William Bradley
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Brooke Army Medical Center, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - M Leigh Carson
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Kevin S Akers
- U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kevin Downing
- Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany
| | - Ralf Bialek
- LADR GmbH Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum Dr. Kramer und Kollegen, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - David R Tribble
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Brian L Wickes
- University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Arastehfar A, Wickes BL, Ilkit M, Pincus DH, Daneshnia F, Pan W, Fang W, Boekhout T. Identification of Mycoses in Developing Countries. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:E90. [PMID: 31569472 PMCID: PMC6958481 DOI: 10.3390/jof5040090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive advances in technology offer a vast variety of diagnostic methods that save time and costs, but identification of fungal species causing human infections remains challenging in developing countries. Since the echinocandins, antifungals widely used to treat invasive mycoses, are still unavailable in developing countries where a considerable number of problematic fungal species are present, rapid and reliable identification is of paramount importance. Unaffordability, large footprints, lack of skilled personnel, and high costs associated with maintenance and infrastructure are the main factors precluding the establishment of high-precision technologies that can replace inexpensive yet time-consuming and inaccurate phenotypic methods. In addition, point-of-care lateral flow assay tests are available for the diagnosis of Aspergillus and Cryptococcus and are highly relevant for developing countries. An Aspergillus galactomannan lateral flow assay is also now available. Real-time PCR remains difficult to standardize and is not widespread in countries with limited resources. Isothermal and conventional PCR-based amplification assays may be alternative solutions. The combination of real-time PCR and serological assays can significantly increase diagnostic efficiency. However, this approach is too expensive for medical institutions in developing countries. Further advances in next-generation sequencing and other innovative technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based diagnostic tools may lead to efficient, alternate methods that can be used in point-of-care assays, which may supplement or replace some of the current technologies and improve the diagnostics of fungal infections in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Arastehfar
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Brian L Wickes
- The Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana 01330, Turkey.
| | | | - Farnaz Daneshnia
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Weihua Pan
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Wenjie Fang
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Teun Boekhout
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Biagi MJ, Wiederhold NP, Gibas C, Wickes BL, Lozano V, Bleasdale SC, Danziger L. Development of High-Level Echinocandin Resistance in a Patient With Recurrent Candida auris Candidemia Secondary to Chronic Candiduria. Open Forum Infect Dis 2019; 6:ofz262. [PMID: 31281859 PMCID: PMC6602379 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Candida auris is a globally emerging pathogen associated with significant mortality. This pathogen frequently is misidentified by traditional biochemical methods and is resistant to commonly used antifungals. The echinocandins currently are recommended as the first-line treatment for C. auris infections. The objective of this work is to demonstrate the challenges associated with C. auris in the real-world setting. Methods A 54-year-old male presented to our institution for concerns of sepsis on multiple occasions over a 5-month period. Eleven urine cultures were positive over this timeframe for yeast (9 unidentified Candida isolates and 2 C. lusitaniae isolates). On day 27, the patient developed echinocandin-susceptible candidemia, which was initially identified as C. haemulonii but later accurately identified as C. auris at an outside mycology reference laboratory. Approximately 10 weeks later, the patient had a recurrence of candidemia, this time caused by an echinocandin-resistant C. auris strain. Results Genomic DNA sequencing performed at the outside mycology reference laboratory identified a single serine to proline base pair change at position 639 (S639P) in the hotspot 1 region of the FKS1 gene of the echinocandin-resistant strain. Conclusions Our experiences highlight 4 major concerns associated with C. auris: misidentification, persistent colonization, infection recurrence despite the receipt of appropriate initial therapy, and development of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Biagi
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fungus Testing Laboratory
| | - Connie Gibas
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fungus Testing Laboratory
| | - Brian L Wickes
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Long School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
| | - Victoria Lozano
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Long School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
| | - Susan C Bleasdale
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | - Larry Danziger
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice
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Alwan SN, Shamran HA, Ghaib AH, Kadhim HS, Al-Mayah QS, AL-Saffar AJ, Bayati AH, Arif HS, Fu J, Wickes BL. Genotyping of Cytomegalovirus from Symptomatic Infected Neonates in Iraq. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019; 100:957-963. [PMID: 30810104 PMCID: PMC6447132 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Among all other viruses, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infection worldwide. Strain variation in HCMV may predict severity or outcome of congenital HCMV disease. Previous studies have associated a particular genotype with specific sequelae or more severe illness, but the results were contradictory. There are no previous studies addressing the genotype of HCMV in Iraq. Therefore, the present study is aimed at molecular detection and genotyping of HCMV isolated from symptomatic congenitally/perinatally infected neonates. This prospective study comprised 24 serum samples from symptomatic neonates with congenital/perinatal infection. Viral DNA was extracted from these serum samples; nested polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the HCMV gB (UL55) gene. Polymerase chain reaction products of the second round of amplification were subjected to direct Sanger sequencing. Bioedit and MEGA5 software (EMBL-EBI, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK) were used for alignment and construction of a phylogenetic tree. Human cytomegalovirus DNA was detected in 23 of 24 samples (95.8%). According to the phylogenetic analysis, three genotypes of the virus were identified; gB1, gB2, and gB3 genotypes. However, the gB4 genotype was not detected. Human cytomegalovirus gB3 was the most frequent genotype: 14 of 24 (58.33%) among symptomatic infected infants, followed by gB1 (6/24; 25%) and gB2 (4/24; 16.67%). A mixed HCMV infection with gB3/gB1 was detected in only one case. Human cytomegalovirus gB3 was the most predominant genotype among symptomatic congenitally/perinatally HCMV-infected neonates. No association was found between B3 genotype and specific clinical presentation. Jaundice was the most common clinical feature among symptomatically infected neonates, followed by hepatosplenomegaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevan N. Alwan
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, UT Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Haidar A. Shamran
- Medical Research Unit, College of Medicine, University of AL-Nahrain, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Avan H. Ghaib
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Haider S. Kadhim
- Microbiology Department, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Qasim S. Al-Mayah
- Medical Research Unit, College of Medicine, University of AL-Nahrain, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Atheer J. AL-Saffar
- Community and Family Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali H. Bayati
- Community Health Department, Technical College of Health, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Hala S. Arif
- Pediatric Department, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Jianmin Fu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, UT Heath at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Brian L. Wickes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, UT Heath at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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11
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Vipulanandan G, Herrera M, Wiederhold NP, Li X, Mintz J, Wickes BL, Kadosh D. Dynamics of Mixed- Candida Species Biofilms in Response to Antifungals. J Dent Res 2017; 97:91-98. [PMID: 28850289 DOI: 10.1177/0022034517729351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral infections caused by Candida species, the most commonly isolated human fungal pathogen, are frequently associated with biofilms. Although Candida albicans is the predominant organism found in patients with oral thrush, a biofilm infection, there is an increasing incidence of oral colonization and infections caused by non- albicans Candida species, including C. glabrata, C. dubliniensis, and C. tropicalis, which are frequently more resistant to antifungal treatment. While single-species Candida biofilms have been well studied, considerably less is known about the dynamics of mixed- Candida species biofilms and how these dynamics are altered by antifungal treatment. To address these questions, we developed a quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based approach to determine the precise species composition of mixed- Candida species biofilms formed by clinical isolates and laboratory strains in the presence and absence of clinically relevant concentrations of 3 commonly used antifungals: fluconazole, caspofungin, and amphotericin B. In monospecies biofilms, fluconazole exposure favored growth of C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, while caspofungin generally favored significant growth of all species to a varying degree. Fluconazole was not effective against preformed mixed- Candida species biofilms while amphotericin B was potent. As a general trend, in mixed- Candida species biofilms, C. albicans lost dominance in the presence of antifungals. Interestingly, presence in mixed versus monospecies biofilms reduced susceptibility to amphotericin B for C. tropicalis and C. glabrata. Overall, our data suggest that antifungal treatment favors the growth of specific non- albicans Candida species in mixed- Candida species biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Vipulanandan
- 1 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - M Herrera
- 1 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - N P Wiederhold
- 2 Department of Pathology and Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - X Li
- 3 Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - J Mintz
- 3 Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - B L Wickes
- 1 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - D Kadosh
- 1 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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12
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Hong G, White M, Lechtzin N, West NE, Avery R, Miller H, Lee R, Lovari RJ, Massire C, Blyn LB, Liang X, Sutton DA, Fu J, Wickes BL, Wiederhold NP, Zhang SX. Fatal disseminated Rasamsonia infection in cystic fibrosis post-lung transplantation. J Cyst Fibros 2017; 16:e3-e7. [PMID: 28185887 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disseminated fungal infections are a known serious complication in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) following orthotopic lung transplantation. Aspergillus fumigatus and Scedosporium species are among the more common causes of invasive fungal infection in this population. However, it is also important for clinicians to be aware of other emerging fungal species which may require markedly different antifungal therapies. CASE SUMMARY We describe the first laboratory-documented case of a fatal disseminated fungal infection caused by Rasamsonia aegroticola in a 21-year-old female CF patient status post-bilateral lung transplantation, which was only identified post-mortem. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of the identical Rasamsonia strains in the patient's respiratory cultures preceding transplantation. DISCUSSION We propose that the patient's disseminated fungal disease and death occurred as a result of recrudescence of Rasamsonia infection from her native respiratory system in the setting of profound immunosuppression post-operatively. Since Rasamsonia species have been increasingly recovered from the respiratory tract of CF patients, we further review the literature on these fungi and discuss their association with invasive fungal infections in the CF lung transplant host. CONCLUSION Our report suggests Rasamsonia species may be important fungal pathogens that may have fatal consequences in immunosuppressed CF patients after solid organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Hong
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marissa White
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Noah Lechtzin
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Natalie E West
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robin Avery
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Heather Miller
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Richard Lee
- Microbiology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Xinglun Liang
- Department of Geriatrics, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Deanna A Sutton
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC7750 San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Jianmin Fu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Brian L Wickes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC7750 San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Sean X Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA; Microbiology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Fu J, Blaylock M, Wickes CF, Welte W, Mehrtash A, Wiederhold N, Wickes BL. Development of a Candida glabrata dominant nutritional transformation marker utilizing the Aspergillus nidulans acetamidase gene (amdS). FEMS Yeast Res 2016; 16:fow023. [PMID: 26975388 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fow023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene encoding Aspergillus nidulans acetamidase (amdS) was placed under control of Candida albicans ACT1 promoter and terminator sequences and then cloned into a plasmid containing C. glabrata ARS10,CEN8 or ARS10+CEN8 sequences. All plasmids transformed C. glabrata wild-type cells to acetamide+, with the ARS-only containing plasmid transforming cells at the highest frequencies (>1.0 × 10(4) transformants μg(-1)). Plasmids were rapidly lost under non-selective conditions with the frequency dependent on chromosomal element, thus recycling the acetamide- phenotype. The amdS plasmid was used to transform a set of clinical isolates resistant to a variety of antifungal drugs. All strains were successfully transformed to the acetamide+ phenotype at high frequency, confirming that this plasmid construct could be used as a simple dominant marker on virtually any strain. Gap repair experiments demonstrated that just as in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, gap repair functions efficiently inC. glabrata, suggesting that C. glabrata has numerous similarities toS. cerevisiae with regard to ease of molecular manipulation. The amdS system is inexpensive and efficient, and combined with existing C. glabrata plasmid elements, confers a high transformation frequency for C. glabrata with a phenotype that can be easily recycled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmin Fu
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Morganne Blaylock
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Cameron F Wickes
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - William Welte
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Adrian Mehrtash
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Nathan Wiederhold
- The Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Brian L Wickes
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
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14
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Cho JC, Sharma RS, Sutton DA, Wiederhold NP, Sanders C, Wickes BL, Estrada SJ. Fungal arthritis secondary to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. JMM Case Rep 2015. [DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.000012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan C. Cho
- Pharmacy Department, Lee Memorial Health System, Fort Myers, FL, USA
| | - Rajendra S. Sharma
- Lee Physician Group – Infectious Diseases, Lee Memorial Health System, Fort Myers, FL, USA
| | - Deanna A. Sutton
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Nathan P. Wiederhold
- Departments of Pathology & Medicine/Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Carmita Sanders
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Brian L. Wickes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Sandy J. Estrada
- Pharmacy Department, Lee Memorial Health System, Fort Myers, FL, USA
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15
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Steckler NK, Yanong RPE, Pouder DB, Nyaoke A, Sutton DA, Lindner JR, Wickes BL, Frasca S, Wolf JC, Waltzek TB. New disease records for hatchery-reared sturgeon. II. Phaeohyphomycosis due to Veronaea botryosa. Dis Aquat Organ 2014; 111:229-238. [PMID: 25320035 DOI: 10.3354/dao02755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A series of fungal cases in hatchery-reared juvenile and young adult Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii and white sturgeon A. transmontanus occurred at production facilities in Florida and California, USA, respectively. Affected fish exhibited abnormal orientation and/or buoyancy, emaciation, coelomic distension, exophthalmos, cutaneous erythema, and ulcerative skin and eye lesions. Necropsies revealed haemorrhage throughout the coelom, serosanguinous coelomic effusion and organomegaly with nodular or cystic lesions in multiple organs. Fungal hyphae were observed in 27 fish (24 A. baerii and 3 A. transmontanus) via microscopic examination of tissue wet mounts and on slides prepared from colonies grown on culture media. Histopathological examination of these infected tissues revealed extensive infiltration by melanised fungal hyphae that were recovered in culture. Phenotypic characteristics and sequencing of the fungal isolates with the use of the internal transcribed spacer region and 28S rRNA gene confirmed the aetiological agent as Veronaea botryosa. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of V. botryosa infection in fish, although melanised fungi of the closely related genus Exophiala are well-known pathogens of freshwater and marine fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie K Steckler
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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16
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Romanelli AM, Fu J, Herrera ML, Wickes BL. A universal DNA extraction and PCR amplification method for fungal rDNA sequence-based identification. Mycoses 2014; 57:612-22. [PMID: 24865530 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Accurate identification of fungal pathogens using a sequence-based approach requires an extraction method that yields template DNA pure enough for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other types of amplification. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop and standardise a rapid, inexpensive DNA extraction protocol applicable to the major fungal phyla, which would yield sufficient template DNA pure enough for PCR and sequencing. A total of 519 clinical and culture collection strains, comprised of both yeast and filamentous fungi, were prepared using our extraction method to determine its applicability for PCR, which targeted the ITS and D1/D2 regions in a single PCR amplicon. All templates were successfully amplified and found to yield the correct strain identification when sequenced. This protocol could be completed in approximately 30 min and utilised a combination of physical and chemical extraction methods but did not require organic solvents nor ethanol precipitation. The method reduces the number of tube manipulations and yielded suitable template DNA for PCR amplification from all phyla that were tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Romanelli
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
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17
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Rizzo L, Sutton DA, Wiederhold NP, Thompson EH, Friedman R, Wickes BL, Cano-Lira JF, Stchigel AM, Guarro J. Isolation and characterisation of the fungus Spiromastix asexualis sp. nov. from discospondylitis in a German Shepherd dog, and review of Spiromastix with the proposal of the new order Spiromastixales (Ascomycota). Mycoses 2014; 57:419-28. [PMID: 24621407 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The genus Spiromastix consists of several fungal species that have been isolated from soil and animal dung in various parts of the world. However, these species are considered to be of low pathogenic potential, as no cases of infections caused by these fungi have been reported. Here, we describe the clinical course of discospondylitis in a dog from which a fungus was cultured from a biopsy and identified as a Spiromastix species by morphologic characteristics and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis determined this to be a new species, Spiromastix asexualis, which is described, and a new order, Spiromastixales, is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Rizzo
- Sonora Veterinary Specialists, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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18
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Cheng Z, Zhou T, Merchant A, Prihoda TJ, Wickes BL, Xu G, Walter CA, Rebel VI. Identifying DNA mutations in purified hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. J Vis Exp 2014:e50752. [PMID: 24637843 DOI: 10.3791/50752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, it has become apparent that genomic instability is tightly related to many developmental disorders, cancers, and aging. Given that stem cells are responsible for ensuring tissue homeostasis and repair throughout life, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the stem cell population is critical for preserving genomic integrity of tissues. Therefore, significant interest has arisen in assessing the impact of endogenous and environmental factors on genomic integrity in stem cells and their progeny, aiming to understand the etiology of stem-cell based diseases. LacI transgenic mice carry a recoverable λ phage vector encoding the LacI reporter system, in which the LacI gene serves as the mutation reporter. The result of a mutated LacI gene is the production of β-galactosidase that cleaves a chromogenic substrate, turning it blue. The LacI reporter system is carried in all cells, including stem/progenitor cells and can easily be recovered and used to subsequently infect E. coli. After incubating infected E. coli on agarose that contains the correct substrate, plaques can be scored; blue plaques indicate a mutant LacI gene, while clear plaques harbor wild-type. The frequency of blue (among clear) plaques indicates the mutant frequency in the original cell population the DNA was extracted from. Sequencing the mutant LacI gene will show the location of the mutations in the gene and the type of mutation. The LacI transgenic mouse model is well-established as an in vivo mutagenesis assay. Moreover, the mice and the reagents for the assay are commercially available. Here we describe in detail how this model can be adapted to measure the frequency of spontaneously occurring DNA mutants in stem cell-enriched Lin(-)IL7R(-)Sca-1(+)cKit(++)(LSK) cells and other subpopulations of the hematopoietic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Cheng
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Ting Zhou
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio; Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Azhar Merchant
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Thomas J Prihoda
- Department of Pathology, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Brian L Wickes
- Department of Microbiology, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio; Cancer Therapy and Research Center, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Guogang Xu
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Christi A Walter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio; Cancer Therapy and Research Center, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Vivienne I Rebel
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio; Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio; Cancer Therapy and Research Center, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio;
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19
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Wiederhold NP, Sutton DA, Li DW, Liang Y, Thompson EH, Wickes BL, Herrera ML, Rhoads SL, Mortensen JE. Stachybotrys eucylindrospora isolated from foreign material following a traumatic eye injury. Mycoses 2014; 57:437-41. [PMID: 24446794 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Stachybotrys eucylindrospora was characterised as a new species in 2007, and we present the first report of this organism isolated from foreign material recovered from a patient. It is probable that isolates of this species have been previously identified as either Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys cylindrospora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P Wiederhold
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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20
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Cardile AP, Briggs H, Burguete SR, Herrera M, Wickes BL, Jorgensen JH. Treatment of KPC-2 Enterobacter cloacae empyema with cefepime and levofloxacin. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2013; 78:199-200. [PMID: 24268534 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2013.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections are becoming more common, are associated with high mortality rates, and are difficult to treat due to multiple mechanisms of resistance. We describe the successful treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-expressing Enterobacter cloacae empyema in a lung transplant recipient with cefepime and levofloxacin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony P Cardile
- Infectious Disease Service Brooke Army Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Heather Briggs
- Department of Medicine University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - S Rodrigo Burguete
- Department of Medicine University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Monica Herrera
- Department of Microbiology University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Brian L Wickes
- Department of Microbiology University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - James H Jorgensen
- Department of Medicine University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Pathology University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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21
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Fu J, Morris IR, Wickes BL. The production of monokaryotic hyphae by Cryptococcus neoformans can be induced by high temperature arrest of the cell cycle and is independent of same-sex mating. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003335. [PMID: 23658522 PMCID: PMC3642078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a heterothallic fungal pathogen of humans and animals. Although the fungus grows primarily as a yeast, hyphae are produced during the sexual phase and during a process called monokaryotic fruiting, which is also believed to involve sexual reproduction, but between cells of the same mating type. Here we report a novel monokaryotic fruiting mechanism that is dependent on the cell cycle and occurs in haploid cells in the absence of sexual reproduction. Cells grown at 37°C were found to rapidly produce hyphae (∼4 hrs) and at high frequency (∼40% of the population) after inoculation onto hyphae-inducing agar. Microscopic examination of the 37°C seed culture revealed a mixture of normal-sized and enlarged cells. Micromanipulation of single cells demonstrated that only enlarged cells were able to produce hyphae and genetic analysis confirmed that hyphae did not arise from α-α mating or endoduplication. Cell cycle analysis revealed that cells grown at 37°C had an increased population of cells in G2 arrest, with the proportion correlated with the frequency of monokaryotic fruiting. Cell sorting experiments demonstrated that enlarged cells were only found in the G2-arrested population and only this population contained cells able to produce hyphae. Treatment of cells at low temperature with the G2 cell cycle arrest agent, nocodazole, induced hyphal growth, confirming the role of the cell cycle in this process. Taken together, these results reveal a mating-independent mechanism for monokaryotic fruiting, which is dependent on the cell cycle for induction of hyphal competency. Fungi typically grow vegetatively as either yeast or hyphae. Many of the major human fungal pathogens can generate both morphologies and are referred to as the dimorphic fungi. Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeast-like fungus that has not been traditionally thought to be dimorphic since hyphae production typically occurs during the mating process between cells of opposite mating types. However, C. neoformans also can generate the hyphal state from haploid cells (called monokaryotic or haploid fruiting) in the absence of the opposite mating type. Recent studies have shown that the mechanism behind this process also involves mating, however, the mating reaction occurs between cells of the same mating type. Here we describe a unique mechanism responsible for monokaryotic fruiting that is independent of mating and does not proceed through a diploid intermediate. Instead, the key requirement for hyphal induction appears to be cell cycle arrest. Importantly, arrested cells display an enlarged cell phenotype, which has been observed in vivo in recent reports and has been hypothesized to be a novel protection strategy against host defenses. C. neoformans appears to have an extensive morphological repertoire, which likely contributes to its success as both a pathogen and a saprophyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmin Fu
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ian R. Morris
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Brian L. Wickes
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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22
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Armentano RA, Cooke KL, Wickes BL. Disseminated mycotic infection caused byWesterdykellaspecies in a German Shepherd Dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013; 242:381-7. [DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.3.381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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23
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Cariello PF, Wickes BL, Sutton DA, Castlebury LA, Levitz SM, Finberg RW, Thompson EH, Daly JS. Phomopsis bougainvilleicola prepatellar bursitis in a renal transplant recipient. J Clin Microbiol 2013; 51:692-5. [PMID: 23196359 PMCID: PMC3553907 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02674-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 11/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Prepatellar bursitis is typically a monomicrobial bacterial infection. A fungal cause is rarely identified. We describe a 61-year-old man who had received a renal transplant 21 months prior to presentation whose synovial fluid and surgical specimens grew Phomopsis bougainvilleicola, a pycnidial coelomycete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma F Cariello
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
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24
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Troy GC, Panciera DL, Pickett JP, Sutton DA, Gene J, Cano JF, Guarro J, Thompson EH, Wickes BL. Mixed infection caused by Lecythophora canina sp. nov. and Plectosphaerella cucumerina in a German shepherd dog. Med Mycol 2013; 51:455-60. [PMID: 23294425 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2012.754998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe an opportunistic, disseminated infection in a German shepherd dog associated with two fungal organisms not previously reported to cause disease. Lecythophora canina, a new species here described, was isolated from an osteolytic bone lesion. A fine needle aspirate of the lesion demonstrated septate hyphae. Plectospharella cucumerina (anamorph Plectosporium tabacinum) was isolated from a urine sample. Clinical manifestations were blindness, altered mentation, and osteomyelitis. Treatment with itraconazole and terbinafine for greater than one year resulted in stable clinical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory C Troy
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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25
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumari Rajeev
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, USA.
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26
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Sutton DA, Marín Y, Thompson EH, Wickes BL, Fu J, García D, Swinford A, de Maar T, Guarro J. Isolation and characterization of a new fungal genus and species, Aphanoascella galapagosensis, from carapace keratitis of a Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra microphyes). Med Mycol 2012; 51:113-20. [PMID: 22852752 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2012.701767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A new fungal genus and species, Aphanoascella galapagosensis, recovered from carapace keratitis in a Galapagos tortoise residing in a south Texas zoological collection, is characterized and described. The presence of a pale peridium composed of textura epidermoidea surrounded by scarce Hülle cell-like chlamydospores, and the characteristic reticulate ascospores with an equatorial rim separates it from other genera within the Onygenales. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the analysis of D1/D2 sequences demonstrates that this fungus represents a new lineage within that order. As D1/D2 and ITS sequence data also shows a further separation of Aphanoascus spp. into two monophyletic groups, we propose to retain the generic name Keratinophyton for species whose ascospores are pitted and display a conspicuous equatorial rim, and thereby propose new combinations in this genus for four Aphanoascus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Sutton
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
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27
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Lawhon SD, Corapi WV, Hoffmann AR, Libal MC, Alvarez E, Guarro J, Wickes BL, Fu J, Thompson EH, Sutton DA. In utero infection of a calf by Saksenaea erythrospora resulting in neonatal abomasitis and dermatitis. J Vet Diagn Invest 2012; 24:990-3. [DOI: 10.1177/1040638712452106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Saksenaea erythrospora is a filamentous fungus belonging to the order Mucorales. Cases of cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Saksenaea spp. have previously been reported in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed people. A premature, 1-day-old bull calf from Texas with numerous plaque-like and ulcerative lesions in the skin was found at necropsy to have multiple areas of mycotic dermatitis and abomasitis. Fungal culture of the skin followed by morphological characterization and genetic analysis identified the etiologic agent as S. erythrospora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara D. Lawhon
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Lawhon, Corapi, Rodrigues, Libal)
- Department of Pathology (Thompson, Sutton), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Wickes, Fu), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Mycology Unit, Medical School, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain (Alvarez, Guarro)
| | - Wayne V. Corapi
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Lawhon, Corapi, Rodrigues, Libal)
- Department of Pathology (Thompson, Sutton), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Wickes, Fu), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Mycology Unit, Medical School, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain (Alvarez, Guarro)
| | - Aline Rodrigues Hoffmann
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Lawhon, Corapi, Rodrigues, Libal)
- Department of Pathology (Thompson, Sutton), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Wickes, Fu), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Mycology Unit, Medical School, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain (Alvarez, Guarro)
| | - Melissa C. Libal
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Lawhon, Corapi, Rodrigues, Libal)
- Department of Pathology (Thompson, Sutton), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Wickes, Fu), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Mycology Unit, Medical School, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain (Alvarez, Guarro)
| | - Eduardo Alvarez
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Lawhon, Corapi, Rodrigues, Libal)
- Department of Pathology (Thompson, Sutton), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Wickes, Fu), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Mycology Unit, Medical School, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain (Alvarez, Guarro)
| | - Josep Guarro
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Lawhon, Corapi, Rodrigues, Libal)
- Department of Pathology (Thompson, Sutton), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Wickes, Fu), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Mycology Unit, Medical School, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain (Alvarez, Guarro)
| | - Brian L. Wickes
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Lawhon, Corapi, Rodrigues, Libal)
- Department of Pathology (Thompson, Sutton), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Wickes, Fu), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Mycology Unit, Medical School, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain (Alvarez, Guarro)
| | - Jianmin Fu
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Lawhon, Corapi, Rodrigues, Libal)
- Department of Pathology (Thompson, Sutton), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Wickes, Fu), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Mycology Unit, Medical School, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain (Alvarez, Guarro)
| | - Elizabeth H. Thompson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Lawhon, Corapi, Rodrigues, Libal)
- Department of Pathology (Thompson, Sutton), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Wickes, Fu), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Mycology Unit, Medical School, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain (Alvarez, Guarro)
| | - Deanna A. Sutton
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Lawhon, Corapi, Rodrigues, Libal)
- Department of Pathology (Thompson, Sutton), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Wickes, Fu), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Mycology Unit, Medical School, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain (Alvarez, Guarro)
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Koo S, Sutton DA, Yeh WW, Thompson EH, Sigler L, Shearer JF, Hofstra DE, Wickes BL, Marty FM. Invasive Mycoleptodiscus fungal cellulitis and myositis. Med Mycol 2012; 50:740-5. [PMID: 22332907 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2012.656717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We report progressive necrotizing fungal cellulitis and myositis in the leg of a patient with glioblastoma multiforme treated with temozolomide and corticosteroids. While the morphologic appearance of the isolate and its ability to grow at temperatures greater than 32°C were suggestive of Mycoleptodiscus indicus, some of the conidia were atypical for this species in that they had single septa and occasional lateral appendages. Furthermore, the isolate was different from M. indicus based on the sequencing analysis of two rDNA regions. This is the first case of Mycoleptodiscus invasive fungal disease in which the causative agent could not be resolved at the species level because of inconsistencies between morphological and molecular data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Koo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Fu J, Mares C, Lizcano A, Liu Y, Wickes BL. Insertional mutagenesis combined with an inducible filamentation phenotype reveals a conserved STE50 homologue in Cryptococcus neoformans that is required for monokaryotic fruiting and sexual reproduction. Mol Microbiol 2011; 79:990-1007. [PMID: 21299652 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07501.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans typically grows in a yeast-like morphology; however, under specific conditions the fungus can produce hyphae that are either dikaryotic or monokaryotic. In this study, we developed a simple method for inducing robust monokaryotic fruiting and combined the assay with Agrobacterium tumefaciens insertional mutagenesis to screen for hyphal mutants. A C. neoformans homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae STE50 gene was identified and characterized. STE50 was found to be required for sexual reproduction and monokaryotic fruiting. Ste50p has conserved SAM and RA domains, as well as two SH3 domains specific to basidiomycetous Ste50 proteins. Analysis of protein-protein interaction showed that Ste50p can interact with Ste11p and Ste20p, and epistasis experiments placed STE50 between STE20 and STE11. Genetic analysis of the role of STE50 in sexual reproduction showed that it was required for all steps, from response to pheromone to production of hyphae. Analysis of the effect of individual Ste50p domains on sexual reproduction and monokaryotic fruiting revealed domain-specific effects for both processes. This study revealed that the C. neoformans STE50 gene has both conserved and novel functions during sexual reproduction and monokaryotic fruiting, and these functions are domain-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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30
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De Ravin SS, Challipalli M, Anderson V, Shea YR, Marciano B, Hilligoss D, Marquesen M, Decastro R, Liu YC, Sutton DA, Wickes BL, Kammeyer PL, Sigler L, Sullivan K, Kang EM, Malech HL, Holland SM, Zelazny AM. Geosmithia argillacea: an emerging cause of invasive mycosis in human chronic granulomatous disease. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 52:e136-43. [PMID: 21367720 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciq250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited disorder of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase that leads to defective production of microbicidal superoxide and other oxidative radicals, resulting in increased susceptibility to invasive infections, especially those due to fungi. METHODS Geosmithia argillacea was identified from cultured isolates by genomic sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region. Isolates previously identified as Paecilomyces variotii, a filamentous fungus closely resembling G. argillacea, were also examined. RESULTS We identified G. argillacea as the cause of invasive mycosis in 7 CGD patients. In 5 cases, the fungus had been previously identified morphologically as P. variotii. All patients had pulmonary lesions; 1 had disseminated lesions following inhalational pneumonia. Infections involved the chest wall and contiguous ribs in 2 patients and disseminated to the brain in 1 patient. Four patients with pneumonia underwent surgical intervention. All patients responded poorly to medical treatment, and 3 died. CONCLUSIONS We report the first cases of invasive mycosis caused by G. argillacea in CGD patients. G. argillacea infections in CGD are often refractory and severe with a high fatality rate. Surgical intervention has been effective in some cases. G. argillacea is a previously underappreciated and frequently misidentified pathogen in CGD that should be excluded when P. variotii is identified morphologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suk See De Ravin
- Laboratory of Host Defense, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Abstract
We report the first case of Engyodontium album bioprosthetic valve endocarditis in a 44-year-old male with a history of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. There is only one other report of Engyodontium album as a human pathogen. The present case supports the increased incidence of fungal endocarditis especially in patients receiving immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Balasingham
- Bridgeport Hospital/Yale University Internal Medicine Program, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604, USA.
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Abstract
The filamentous basidiomycetous fungus, Oxyporus corticola, has not previously been reported in the human or veterinary medical literature. Identification of this organism as the etiologic agent of fungal osteomyelitis and multiorgan dissemination in a German shepherd dog was confirmed by comparison of ITS and D1/D2 sequences with known isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Brockus
- Charles River Laboratories, Preclinical Services, Reno, Nevada 89511, USA.
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33
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Taj-Aldeen SJ, Almaslamani M, Alkhalf A, Al Bozom I, Romanelli AM, Wickes BL, Fothergill AW, Sutton DA. Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis due toRhinocladiella mackenziei(formerlyRamichloridium mackenziei): a taxonomic update and review of the literature. Med Mycol 2010; 48:546-56. [DOI: 10.3109/13693780903383914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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34
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Bennett JW, Mende K, Herrera ML, Yu X, Lewis JS, Wickes BL, Jorgensen JH, Murray CK. Mechanisms of carbapenem resistance among a collection of Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates in a Texas city. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2010; 66:445-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2009.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2009] [Revised: 11/23/2009] [Accepted: 11/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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35
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Grant DC, Sutton DA, Sandberg CA, Tyler RD, Thompson EH, Romanelli AM, Wickes BL. Disseminated Geosmithia argillacea infection in a German shepherd dog. Med Mycol 2009; 47:221-6. [PMID: 19169949 DOI: 10.1080/13693780802559023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a systemic mycosis in a German Shepherd dog caused by Geosmithia argillacea. Although this etiologic agent microscopically resembles a Penicillium species, and is histopathologically compatible with members of the genus Aspergillus, morphologic features and molecular characterization clearly separate it from these genera. This appears to be the first report of disseminated disease by this species in humans or animals. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing suggests resistance to amphotericin B and voriconazole and susceptibility to caspofungin, itraconazole, and posaconazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Grant
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg. VA, USA.
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36
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Koonce RC, Price CS, Sutton DA, Wickes BL, Montero PN, Morgan SJ. Lower-extremity zygomycosis in a patient with traumatic injuries. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2009; 91:686-92. [PMID: 19255231 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.h.00187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Koonce
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Denver Health Medical Center and University of Colorado School of Medicine, 777 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204, USA.
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37
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Sutton DA, Wickes BL, Thompson EH, Rinaldi MG, Roland RM, Libal MC, Russell K, Gordon S. Pulmonary Phialemonium curvatum phaeohyphomycosis in a Standard Poodle dog. Med Mycol 2008; 46:355-9. [PMID: 18415843 DOI: 10.1080/13693780701861470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Phialemonium curvatum, frequently misidentified as an Acremonium species, is reported here as a new agent of pulmonary phaeohyphomycosis in a Standard Poodle dog, and added as a new species in the genus to cause mycoses in canines. In vitro susceptibility data, for both human and animal isolates, suggests resistance to amphotericin B and susceptibility to the triazole agents itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Sutton
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
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38
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Ramage G, Wickes BL, López-Ribot JL. A seed and feed model for the formation of Candida albicans biofilms under flow conditions using an improved modified Robbins device. Rev Iberoam Micol 2008; 25:37-40. [PMID: 18338926 DOI: 10.1016/s1130-1406(08)70009-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of manifestations of Candida albicans infections are associated with the formation of biofilms on the surface of biomaterials. In order to maintain their niche these adherent populations need to withstand the continuous bathing action of physiological fluids (saliva, blood), which also provide water and nutrients to the fungal cells. Thus, it was the aim of this study to examine and further characterize the development of C. albicans biofilms under shear forces and a flow of replenishing nutrients, emulating the conditions that fungal cells would normally encounter within the host. An improved modified Robbins device (MRD) was designed to hold six poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) plugs of 25 mm in diameter. A "seed and feed" model of biofilm formation was then implemented for which the apparatus was initially seeded with a C. albicans cell suspension to allow initial adhesion of fungal cells to the biomaterial. Following this initial step, sterile medium was then pumped through the MRD at a constant flow rate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity associated with the structure of biofilms formed under flowing conditions using the MRD. In addition, these biofilms displayed a complex three dimensional architecture and increased production of exopolymeric material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Ramage
- Department of Biology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249, USA
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39
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Ramage G, Wickes BL, López-Ribot JL. Inhibition on Candida albicans biofilm formation using divalent cation chelators (EDTA). Mycopathologia 2007; 164:301-6. [PMID: 17909983 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-007-9068-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2007] [Accepted: 09/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans can readily form biofilms on both inanimate and biological surfaces. In this study we investigated a means of inhibiting biofilm formation using EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid), a divalent cation chelating agent, which has been shown to affect C. albicans filamentation. Candida albicans biofilms were formed in 96-well microtitre plates. Cells were allowed to adhere for 1, 2, and 4 h at 37 degrees C, washed in PBS, and then treated with different concentrations of EDTA (0, 2.5, 25, and 250 mM). EDTA was also added to the standardized suspension prior to adding to the microtiter plate and to a preformed 24 h biofilm. All plates were then incubated at 37 degrees C for an additional 24 h to allow for biofilm formation. The extent and characteristics of biofilm formation were then microscopically assessed and with a semi-quantitative colorimetric technique based on the use of an XTT-reduction assay. Northern blot analysis of the hyphal wall protein (HWP1) expression was also monitored in planktonic and biofilm cells treated with EDTA. Microscopic analysis and colorimetric readings revealed that filamentation and biofilm formation were inhibited by EDTA in a concentration dependent manner. However, preformed biofilms were minimally affected by EDTA (maximum of 31% reduction at 250 mM). The HWP1 gene expression was reduced in EDTA-treated planktonic and biofilm samples. These results indicate that EDTA inhibits C. albicans biofilm formation are most likely through its inhibitory effect on filamentation and indicates the potential therapeutic effects of EDTA. This compound may serve a non-toxic means of preventing biofilm formation on infections with a C. albicans biofilm etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Ramage
- Section of Infection and Immunity, Glasgow Dental School and Hospital, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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40
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Keller SM, Hettler EA, Wickes BL. A retrotransposon-derived probe for discriminating strains of Cryptococcus neoformans. Mycopathologia 2007; 162:377-87. [PMID: 17146581 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-006-0073-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2006] [Accepted: 09/20/2006] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hybridization of digested DNA to probes derived from repeated sequences has proven to be an extremely powerful epidemiologic tool for studying the relatedness of fungi. The dispersed nature of these sequences throughout the genome provides the discriminatory power for distinguishing two independent isolates from each other based on banding pattern. The genome of Cryptococcus neoformans contains a number of classes of transposable elements, which are often present in multiple copies. We characterized a probe related to the Ty3/gypsy class of transposable elements called TCN1 and used it to screen multiple isolates from all four serotypes of C. neoformans. DNA with TCN1 homology could be amplified from each isolate of serotypes A and D and all isolates hybridized to a probe derived from TCN1. Isolates from serotype B and C were also tested for the presence of a TCN1 homolog, however, only some of these isolates yielded both a TCN1-specific PCR product or hybridization signal. Comparison of the TCN1 hybridization patterns of serotypes A and D to multiple RAPD patterns of the same isolates suggested that TCN1 was more discriminating and therefore, a useful epidemiological tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Keller
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, Mail Code 7758, USA
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Abstract
While dematiaceous (dark-walled) fungi are ubiquitous in the environment, their involvement in invasive human infections has rarely been reported. However, these organisms have been identified as potential emerging pathogens, particularly among immunocompromised hosts. We describe a diabetic patient with Lecythophora mutabilis prosthetic valve endocarditis who was treated surgically, as well as with amphotericin B lipid complex and voriconazole, which were subsequently followed by prolonged voriconazole suppressive therapy. To the best of our knowledge, our patient is the first reported survivor of L. mutabilis prosthetic valve endocarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marci Drees
- Division of Geographic Medicine & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA
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42
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Saracli MA, Yildiran ST, Sener K, Gonlum A, Doganci L, Keller SM, Wickes BL. Genotyping of Turkish environmental Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans isolates by pulsed field gel electrophoresis and mating type. Mycoses 2006; 49:124-9. [PMID: 16466446 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2006.01203.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A total of 26 environmental Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans strains isolated from 634 samples of pigeon droppings collected from 54 different provinces of Turkey in 1996 and 1997 were included in this study. The results of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) showed that the 26 strains could be separated into 24 different PFGE patterns. In a mating-type study, of 26 strains, 20 were MATalpha, four were MATa, one was MATa/alpha and one was non-typable by STE20 specific primers. By the polymerase chain reaction typing, all the isolates were serotype A. The extensive heterogeneity among these isolates suggests that a single clonal population may not be present in Turkey. Additionally, the presence of an AMATa/DMATalpha hybrid may indicate the existence of strains that are AMATa mating type in Turkish environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Saracli
- Division of Medical Mycology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy and School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
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Fu J, Hettler E, Wickes BL. Split marker transformation increases homologous integration frequency in Cryptococcus neoformans. Fungal Genet Biol 2006; 43:200-12. [PMID: 16497523 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2005.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2005] [Revised: 09/01/2005] [Accepted: 09/02/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene disruption in Cryptococcus neoformans can be problematic due to high frequencies of ectopic integration and telomerization. To improve the frequency of homologous integration, a transformation strategy was employed called split marker, which utilizes a mixture of DNAs comprised of overlapping truncations of the selectable marker. Five genes were compared for homologous integration frequencies using various constructs. Homologous integration was highest when the split marker approach was used, with rates as high as 60% depending on target gene. A second factor that contributed to an increased homologous integration frequency was strain background, which was highest when a double auxotroph was used as a host. The split marker strategy was combined with an ura-blaster construct, which has been used in other fungi to recycle ura5 or ura3 mutations. When a hisG-URA5-hisG cassette was successfully integrated at the target locus, the URA5 gene could be easily evicted by plating onto 5-FOA agar. The cassette was then successfully used for a second cycle of transformation-eviction. The effectiveness of the split marker disruption strategy suggests that continued investigation and modification of traditional molecular techniques could increase the efficiency of C. neoformans molecular manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 78229-3900, USA
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44
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Antachopoulos C, Meletiadis J, Roilides E, Sein T, Sutton DA, Wickes BL, Rinaldi MG, Merz WG, Shea YR, Walsh TJ. Relationship between metabolism and biomass of medically important zygomycetes. Med Mycol 2006; 44:429-38. [PMID: 16882609 DOI: 10.1080/13693780600644878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the relationships between metabolic activity and fungal biomass or time of incubation for medically important fungal pathogens. Understanding these relationships may be especially relevant for rapidly growing organisms, such as zygomycetes. A range of inocula of five clinical isolates of zygomycetes (one each of Rhizopus oryzae,Rhizopus microsporus, Cunninghamella bertholletiae, Mucor circinelloides and Absidia corymbifera) were incubated for 6, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h, after which hyphal mass was assessed spectrophotometrically and metabolic activity was measured using various concentrations of XTT and menadione. Both linear regression and the Boltzmann sigmoid model were used and compared for description of relationships between metabolic activity, biomass and time of incubation. Modeling was further applied to eleven additional zygomycete isolates. The relationships of biomass or metabolic activity as a function of time of incubation were well described with the Boltzmann sigmoid model. The latter was superior to linear regression in describing the relationship between metabolic activity and fungal biomass. For all isolates of zygomycetes, increases in metabolic activity preceded increases in biomass. Inter-species differences in growth patterns were observed, with Rhizopus microsporus and Mucor spp. reaching the plateau of growth earlier compared to other species. These findings on the temporal relationship and inter-species differences of hyphal growth and metabolic activity for zygomycetes may be useful in the design and interpretation of in vitro studies of these emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Antachopoulos
- Immunocompromised Host Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Jain N, Wickes BL, Keller SM, Fu J, Casadevall A, Jain P, Ragan MA, Banerjee U, Fries BC. Molecular epidemiology of clinical Cryptococcus neoformans strains from India. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43:5733-42. [PMID: 16272511 PMCID: PMC1287776 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.43.11.5733-5742.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the molecular epidemiology of the human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans in India, a country now in the midst of an epidemic of AIDS-related cryptococcosis. We studied 57 clinical isolates from several regions in India, of which 51 were C. neoformans var. grubii, 1 was C. neoformans var. neoformans, and 5 were C. neoformans var. gattii. This strain set included 18 additional sequential isolates from 14 patients. Strains were characterized phenotypically by measuring the polysaccharide capsule and by determining the MICs of standard antifungals. Molecular typing was performed by a PCR-based method using the minisatellite-specific core sequence (M13), by electrophoretic karyotyping, by restriction fragment length polymorphisms with the C. neoformans transposon 1 (TCN-1), and by URA5 DNA sequence analysis. Overall, Indian isolates were less heterogeneous than isolates from other regions and included a subset that clustered into one group based on URA5 DNA sequence analysis. In summary, our results demonstrate (i) differences in genetic diversity of C. neoformans isolates from India compared to isolates from other regions in the world; (ii) that DNA typing with the TCN-1 probe can adequately distinguish C. neoformans var. grubii strains; (iii) that TCN-1 sequences are absent in many C. neoformans var. gattii strains, supporting previous studies indicating that these strains have a limited geographical dispersal; and (iv) that human cryptococcal infection can be associated with microevolution of the infecting strain and by simultaneous coinfection with two distinct C. neoformans strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Jain
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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46
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Barchiesi F, Cogliati M, Esposto MC, Spreghini E, Schimizzi AM, Wickes BL, Scalise G, Viviani MA. Comparative analysis of pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes A, D and AD in murine cryptococcosis. J Infect 2005; 51:10-6. [PMID: 15979484 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2004.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2004] [Accepted: 07/21/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To characterize the pathogenicity of 15 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans belonging to several serotype/mating type allele patterns (Dalpha, Da, A(alpha), A(a), A(alpha)/D(a) and D(alpha)/A(a)) in experimental models of murine cryptococcosis. METHODS CD1-infected mice were examined for survival and fungal loads in either brain or lung during the course of infection. RESULTS All strains, with the exception of one Da strain, produced melanin in vitro. Similarly, all strains were encapsulated and produced phospholipase. When CD1 mice were challenged intravenously (i.v.) with 5x10(5)CFU/mouse and observed for 60 days post-infection, a significant variation of mortality rate was observed among mice infected with different strains. A(alpha) and A(alpha)/D(a) strains all produced 100% mortality within the study period with mean survivals significantly shorter than those of mice infected with strains belonging to any other allele type (P<0.0001). A wide range of pathogenicity was shown by haploid and diploid strains presenting D(alpha) allele. This finding was confirmed by an intranasal model of challenge. To investigate the progression of infection, the mice were challenged i.v. with 5x10(4)CFU/mouse and tissue burden experiments (brain and lung) were performed on days 6 and 12 post-infection. Only the mice infected with A(alpha) and A(alpha)/D(a) strains showed a >1 log(10) increase of CFU/g in both tissues throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the presence of the A(alpha) mating type allele in either haploid or diploid strains is correlated with virulence, while the presence of the A(a) or D(a) allele in haploid strains is associated with moderate or no virulence. Finally, either haploid or diploid strains presenting D(alpha) allele vary in virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Barchiesi
- Istituto di Malattie Infettive e Medicina Pubblica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Umberto Io, Via Conca 60020 Torrette di Ancona, Ancona, Italy.
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47
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Loftus BJ, Fung E, Roncaglia P, Rowley D, Amedeo P, Bruno D, Vamathevan J, Miranda M, Anderson IJ, Fraser JA, Allen JE, Bosdet IE, Brent MR, Chiu R, Doering TL, Donlin MJ, D'Souza CA, Fox DS, Grinberg V, Fu J, Fukushima M, Haas BJ, Huang JC, Janbon G, Jones SJM, Koo HL, Krzywinski MI, Kwon-Chung JK, Lengeler KB, Maiti R, Marra MA, Marra RE, Mathewson CA, Mitchell TG, Pertea M, Riggs FR, Salzberg SL, Schein JE, Shvartsbeyn A, Shin H, Shumway M, Specht CA, Suh BB, Tenney A, Utterback TR, Wickes BL, Wortman JR, Wye NH, Kronstad JW, Lodge JK, Heitman J, Davis RW, Fraser CM, Hyman RW. The genome of the basidiomycetous yeast and human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Science 2005; 307:1321-4. [PMID: 15653466 PMCID: PMC3520129 DOI: 10.1126/science.1103773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 519] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a basidiomycetous yeast ubiquitous in the environment, a model for fungal pathogenesis, and an opportunistic human pathogen of global importance. We have sequenced its approximately 20-megabase genome, which contains approximately 6500 intron-rich gene structures and encodes a transcriptome abundant in alternatively spliced and antisense messages. The genome is rich in transposons, many of which cluster at candidate centromeric regions. The presence of these transposons may drive karyotype instability and phenotypic variation. C. neoformans encodes unique genes that may contribute to its unusual virulence properties, and comparison of two phenotypically distinct strains reveals variation in gene content in addition to sequence polymorphisms between the genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Loftus
- Institute for Genomic Research, 9712 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
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48
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Abstract
DNA was successfully isolated from numerous Aspergillus spp. by use of a commercial kit. DNA that was easily digested and yielded PCR products up to 8.5 kb in size was recovered from broth or agar cultures. The ease and speed of this protocol provide an alternative to physical methods of DNA isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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49
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Revankar SG, Fu J, Rinaldi MG, Kelly SL, Kelly DE, Lamb DC, Keller SM, Wickes BL. Cloning and characterization of the lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (ERG11) gene in Cryptococcus neoformans. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2004; 324:719-28. [PMID: 15474487 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.09.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The ergosterol pathway in fungal pathogens is an attractive antimicrobial target because it is unique from the major sterol (cholesterol) producing pathway in humans. Lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase is the target for a major class of antifungals, the azoles. In this study we have isolated the gene for this enzyme from Cryptococcus neoformans. The gene, ERG11, was recovered using degenerate PCR with primers designed with a novel algorithm called CODEHOP. Sequence analysis of Erg11p identified a highly conserved region typical of the cytochrome P450 class of mono-oxygenases. The gene was present in single copy in the genome and mapped to one end of the largest chromosome. Comparison of the protein sequence to a number of major human fungal pathogen Erg11p homologs revealed that the C. neoformans protein was highly conserved, and most closely related to the Erg11p homologs from other basidiomycetes. Functional studies demonstrated that the gene could complement a Saccharomyces cerevisiae erg11 mutant, which confirmed the identity of the C. neoformans gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Revankar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 75216, USA
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50
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Bachmann SP, Ramage G, VandeWalle K, Patterson TF, Wickes BL, López-Ribot JL. Antifungal combinations against Candida albicans biofilms in vitro. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 47:3657-9. [PMID: 14576141 PMCID: PMC253764 DOI: 10.1128/aac.47.11.3657-3659.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida biofilms display increased resistance to most antifungal agents. We have evaluated the efficacy of combinations of fluconazole (FLC), amphotericin B, and caspofungin (CSP) against Candida albicans biofilms in vitro. Indifference was observed for all the combinations of paired antifungal agents when a checkerboard titration method was used. Time-kill experiments revealed an antagonistic effect of high FLC doses with CSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano P Bachmann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78245, USA
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