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Chen S, Zhu G, Lin H, Guo J, Deng S, Wu W, Goldman GH, Lu L, Zhang Y. Variability in competitive fitness among environmental and clinical azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates. mBio 2024; 15:e0026324. [PMID: 38407058 PMCID: PMC11005360 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00263-24] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Azoles are the primary antifungal drugs used to treat infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. However, the emergence of azole resistance in A. fumigatus has become a global health concern despite the low proportion of resistant isolates in natural populations. In bacteria, antibiotic resistance incurs a fitness cost that renders strains less competitive in the absence of antibiotics. Consequently, fitness cost is a key determinant of the spread of resistant mutations. However, the cost of azole resistance and its underlying causes in A. fumigatus remain poorly understood. In this observation, we revealed that the 10 out of 15 screened azole-resistant isolates, which possessed the most common azole-targeted cyp51A mutations, particularly the presence of tandem repeats in the promoter region, exhibit fitness cost when competing with the susceptible isolates in azole-free environments. These results suggest that fitness cost may significantly influence the dynamics of azole resistance, which ultimately contributes to the low prevalence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates in the environment and clinic. By constructing in situ cyp51A mutations in a parental azole-susceptible strain and reintroducing the wild-type cyp51A gene into the azole-resistant strains, we demonstrated that fitness cost is not directly dependent on cyp51A mutations but is instead associated with the evolution of variable mutations related to conidial germination or other unknown development-related processes. Importantly, our observations unexpectedly revealed that some azole-resistant isolates showed no detectable fitness cost, and some even exhibited significantly increased competitive fitness in azole-free environments, highlighting the potential risk associated with the prevalence of these isolates. IMPORTANCE Azole resistance in the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus presents a global public health challenge. Understanding the epidemic trends and evolutionary patterns of azole resistance is critical to prevent and control the spread of azole-resistant isolates. The primary cause is the mutation of the drug target 14α-sterol-demethylase Cyp51A, yet its impact on competitive ability remains uncertain. Our competition assays revealed a diverse range of fitness outcomes for environmental and clinical cyp51A-mutated isolates. We have shown that this fitness cost is not reliant on cyp51A mutations but might be linked to unknown mutations induced by stress conditions. Among these isolates, the majority displayed fitness costs, while a few displayed enhanced competitive ability, which may have a potential risk of spread and the need to closely monitor these isolates. Our observation reveals the variation in fitness costs among azole-resistant isolates of A. fumigatus, highlighting the significant role of fitness cost in the spread of resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoxing Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huiping Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuwen Deng
- The People’s Hospital of SND (Suzhou New District), Suzhou, China
| | - Wenjuan Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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Lucio J, Alcazar-Fuoli L, Gil H, Cano-Pascual S, Hernandez-Egido S, Cuetara MS, Mellado E. Distribution of Aspergillus species and prevalence of azole resistance in clinical and environmental samples from a Spanish hospital during a three-year study period. Mycoses 2024; 67:e13719. [PMID: 38551063 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13719] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surveillance studies are crucial for updating trends in Aspergillus species and antifungal susceptibility information. OBJECTIVES Determine the Aspergillus species distribution and azole resistance prevalence during this 3-year prospective surveillance study in a Spanish hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three hundred thirty-five Aspergillus spp. clinical and environmental isolates were collected during a 3-year study. All isolates were screened for azole resistance using an agar-based screening method and resistance was confirmed by EUCAST antifungal susceptibility testing. The azole resistance mechanism was confirmed by sequencing the cyp51A gene and its promoter. All Aspergillus fumigatus strains were genotyped using TRESPERG analysis. RESULTS Aspergillus fumigatus was the predominant species recovered with a total of 174 strains (51.94%). The rest of Aspergillus spp. were less frequent: Aspergillus niger (14.93%), Aspergillus terreus (9.55%), Aspergillus flavus (8.36%), Aspergillus nidulans (5.37%) and Aspergillus lentulus (3.28%), among other Aspergillus species (6.57%). TRESPERG analysis showed 99 different genotypes, with 72.73% of the strains being represented as a single genotype. Some genotypes were common among clinical and environmental A. fumigatus azole-susceptible strains, even when isolated months apart. We describe the occurrence of two azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains, one clinical and another environmental, that were genotypically different and did not share genotypes with any of the azole-susceptible strains. CONCLUSIONS Aspergillus fumigatus strains showed a very diverse population although several genotypes were shared among clinical and environmental strains. The isolation of azole-resistant strains from both settings suggest that an efficient analysis of clinical and environmental sources must be done to detect azole resistance in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Lucio
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Alcazar-Fuoli
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in Network in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC-CB21/13/00105), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Horacio Gil
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Samuel Cano-Pascual
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Hernandez-Egido
- Microbiology Department, University Hospital Severo Ochoa, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Emilia Mellado
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in Network in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC-CB21/13/00105), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Najafzadeh MJ, Shaban T, Zarrinfar H, Sedaghat A, Hosseinikargar N, Berenji F, Jalali M, Lackner M, James JE, Ilkit M, Lass-Flörl C. COVID-19 associated candidemia: From a shift in fungal epidemiology to a rise in azole drug resistance. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myae031. [PMID: 38521982 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae031] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of fungal epidemiology and the burden of antifungal drug resistance in COVID-19-associated candidemia (CAC) patients is limited. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective multicenter study in Iran to explore clinical and microbiological profiles of CAC patients. Yeast isolated from blood, were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) using the broth microdilution method M27-A3 protocol. A total of 0.6% of the COVID-19 patients acquired CAC (43/6174). Fluconazole was the most widely used antifungal, and 37% of patients were not treated. Contrary to historic candidemia patients, Candida albicans and C. tropicalis were the most common species. In vitro resistance was high and only noted for azoles; 50%, 20%, and 13.6% of patients were infected with azole-non-susceptible (ANS) C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. albicans isolates, respectively. ERG11 mutations conferring azole resistance were detected for C. parapsilosis isolates (Y132F), recovered from an azole-naïve patient. Our study revealed an unprecedented rise in ANS Candida isolates, including the first C. parapsilosis isolate carrying Y132F, among CAC patients in Iran, which potentially threatens the efficacy of fluconazole, the most widely used drug in our centers. Considering the high mortality rate and 37% of untreated CAC cases, our study underscores the importance of infection control strategies and antifungal stewardship to minimize the emergence of ANS Candida isolates during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Tahmineh Shaban
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Zarrinfar
- Allergy Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alireza Sedaghat
- Lung Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Neginsadat Hosseinikargar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fariba Berenji
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahsa Jalali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Michaela Lackner
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jasper Elvin James
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Türkiye
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Librais GMN, Jiang Y, Razzaq I, Brandl CJ, Shapiro RS, Lajoie P. Evolutionary diversity of the control of the azole response by Tra1 across yeast species. G3 (Bethesda) 2024; 14:jkad250. [PMID: 37889998 PMCID: PMC10849324 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad250] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Tra1 is an essential coactivator protein of the yeast SAGA and NuA4 acetyltransferase complexes that regulate gene expression through multiple mechanisms including the acetylation of histone proteins. Tra1 is a pseudokinase of the PIKK family characterized by a C-terminal PI3K domain with no known kinase activity. However, mutations of specific arginine residues to glutamine in the PI3K domains (an allele termed tra1Q3) result in reduced growth and increased sensitivity to multiple stresses. In the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans, the tra1Q3 allele reduces pathogenicity and increases sensitivity to the echinocandin antifungal drug caspofungin, which disrupts the fungal cell wall. Here, we found that compromised Tra1 function, in contrast to what is seen with caspofungin, increases tolerance to the azole class of antifungal drugs, which inhibits ergosterol synthesis. In C. albicans, tra1Q3 increases the expression of genes linked to azole resistance, such as ERG11 and CDR1. CDR1 encodes a multidrug ABC transporter associated with efflux of multiple xenobiotics, including azoles. Consequently, cells carrying tra1Q3 show reduced intracellular accumulation of fluconazole. In contrast, a tra1Q3 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain displayed opposite phenotypes: decreased tolerance to azole, decreased expression of the efflux pump PDR5, and increased intracellular accumulation of fluconazole. Therefore, our data provide evidence that Tra1 differentially regulates the antifungal response across yeast species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuwei Jiang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Iqra Razzaq
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Christopher J Brandl
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Patrick Lajoie
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
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Kang Y, Li Q, Yao Y, Xu C, Qiu Z, Jia W, Li G, Wang P. Epidemiology and Azole Resistance of Clinical Isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus from a Large Tertiary Hospital in Ningxia, China. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:427-439. [PMID: 38328338 PMCID: PMC10849152 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s440363] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The objective of this study was to determine the clinical distribution, in vitro antifungal susceptibility and underlying resistance mechanisms of Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) isolates from the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between November 2021 and May 2023. Methods Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the Sensititre YeastOne YO10, and isolates with high minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were further confirmed using the standard broth microdilution assays established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M38-third edition. Whole-Genome Resequencing and RT-qPCR in azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains were performed to investigate the underlying resistance mechanisms. Results Overall, a total of 276 A. fumigatus isolates were identified from various clinical departments, showing an increasing trend in the number of isolates over the past 3 years. Two azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains (0.72%) were observed, one of which showed overexpression of cyp51A, cyp51B, cdr1B, MDR1/2, artR, srbA, erg24A, and erg4B, but no cyp51A mutation. However, the other strain harbored two alterations in the cyp51A sequences (L98H/S297T). Therefore, we first described two azole-resistant clinical A. fumigatus strains in Ningxia, China, and reported one azole-resistant strain that has the L98H/S297T mutations in the cyp51A gene without any tandem repeat (TR) sequences in the promoter region. Conclusions This study emphasizes the importance of enhancing attention and surveillance of azole-resistant A. fumigatus, particularly those with non-TR point mutations of cyp51A or non-cyp51A mutations, in order to gain a better understanding of their prevalence and spread in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Kang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical and Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiujie Li
- College of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yao Yao
- Center of Medical Laboratory, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Xu
- College of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhuoran Qiu
- College of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Jia
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical and Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
- Center of Medical Laboratory, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gang Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical and Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
- Center of Medical Laboratory, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pengtao Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical and Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People’s Republic of China
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Pontes L, Arai T, Gualtieri Beraquet CA, Giordano ALPL, Reichert-Lima F, da Luz EA, Fernanda de Sá C, Ortolan Levy L, Tararam CA, Watanabe A, Moretti ML, Zaninelli Schreiber A. Uncovering a Novel cyp51A Mutation and Antifungal Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus through Culture Collection Screening. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:122. [PMID: 38392794 PMCID: PMC10890095 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020122] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aspergillus fumigatus is an important concern for immunocompromised individuals, often resulting in severe infections. With the emergence of resistance to azoles, which has been the therapeutic choice for Aspergillus infections, monitoring the resistance of these microorganisms becomes important, including the search for mutations in the cyp51A gene, which is the gene responsible for the mechanism of action of azoles. We conducted a retrospective analysis covering 478 A. fumigatus isolates. METHODS This comprehensive dataset comprised 415 clinical isolates and 63 isolates from hospital environmental sources. For clinical isolates, they were evaluated in two different periods, from 1998 to 2004 and 2014 to 2021; for environmental strains, one strain was isolated in 1998, and 62 isolates were evaluated in 2015. Our primary objectives were to assess the epidemiological antifungal susceptibility profile; trace the evolution of resistance to azoles, Amphotericin B (AMB), and echinocandins; and monitor cyp51A mutations in resistant strains. We utilized the broth microdilution assay for susceptibility testing, coupled with cyp51A gene sequencing and microsatellite genotyping to evaluate genetic variability among resistant strains. RESULTS Our findings reveal a progressive increase in Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) for azoles and AMB over time. Notably, a discernible trend in cyp51A gene mutations emerged in clinical isolates starting in 2014. Moreover, our study marks a significant discovery as we detected, for the first time, an A. fumigatus isolate carrying the recently identified TR46/F495I mutation within a sample obtained from a hospital environment. The observed cyp51A mutations underscore the ongoing necessity for surveillance, particularly as MICs for various antifungal classes continue to rise. CONCLUSIONS By conducting resistance surveillance within our institution's culture collection, we successfully identified a novel TR46/F495I mutation in an isolate retrieved from the hospital environment which had been preserved since 1998. Moreover, clinical isolates were found to exhibit TR34/L98H/S297T/F495I mutations. In addition, we observed an increase in MIC patterns for Amphotericin B and azoles, signaling a change in the resistance pattern, emphasizing the urgent need for the development of new antifungal drugs. Our study highlights the importance of continued monitoring and research in understanding the evolving challenges in managing A. fumigatus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís Pontes
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Teppei Arai
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | | | | | - Franqueline Reichert-Lima
- Department of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences in São José dos Campos-Humanitas, São José dos Campos 12220-061, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edson Aparecido da Luz
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Microbiology Laboratory, University of Campinas Clinical Hospital, Campinas 13083-888, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Fernanda de Sá
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Microbiology Laboratory, University of Campinas Clinical Hospital, Campinas 13083-888, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Ortolan Levy
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Akira Watanabe
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Maria Luiza Moretti
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
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Amadesi S, Palombo M, Bovo F, Liberatore A, Vecchi E, Cricca M, Lazzarotto T, Ambretti S, Gaibani P. Clonal Dissemination of Candida auris Clinical Isolates in Northern Italy, 2021. Microb Drug Resist 2024; 30:50-54. [PMID: 37851491 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2023.0150] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a concerning pathogen in health care due to its ability to spread in medical settings. In this study, we characterized the genome of three C. auris clinical isolates collected in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northeastern Italy from January 2020 to May 2021. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using Illumina iSeq 100 and Oxford Nanopore MinION systems. Genomes were assembled with Flye. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out with RaxML. The ERG11, TAC1b, and FKS1 genes were examined for known substitutions associated with resistance to azoles and caspofungin using Diamond. All three C. auris isolates belonged to clade I (South Asian lineage) and showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations for fluconazole. Two of the three isolates were closely related to the first Italian index case of C. auris occurred in the 2019 and carried similar mutations associated to azole resistance. The third isolate showed a greater phylogenetic distance from these strains and had a different genetic determinant not previously seen in Italy. Our data suggest that two C. auris clinical isolates may have been epidemiologically related to the first outbreak previously observed in Italy, while the remaining isolate may have originated from a different source. Further research is needed to understand C. auris transmission and resistance and to control its spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Amadesi
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marta Palombo
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Bovo
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Liberatore
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Vecchi
- Department of Public Health of Emilia-Romagna Region, Bologna, Italy
| | - Monica Cricca
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- DIMEC, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Tiziana Lazzarotto
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- DIMEC, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Ambretti
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- DIMEC, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Gaibani
- Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Khalifa HO, Watanabe A, Kamei K. Antifungal Resistance and Genotyping of Clinical Candida parapsilosis Complex in Japan. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 10:4. [PMID: 38276020 PMCID: PMC10816931 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010004] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-albicans Candida infections have recently gained worldwide attention due to their intrinsic resistance to different antifungal agents and the limited therapeutic options for treating them. Although the Candida parapsilosis complex is reported to be the second or third most prevalent Candida spp., little information is available on the prevalence of antifungal resistance along with genotyping of the C. parapsilosis complex. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of antifungal resistance, the genetic basis of such resistance, and the genotyping of C. parapsilosis complex isolates that were recovered from hospitalized patients in Japan from 2005 to 2019. Our results indicated that, with the exception of one single C. metapsilosis isolate that was dose-dependently susceptible to fluconazole, all other isolates were susceptible or showed wild phenotypes to all tested antifungals, including azoles, echinocandins, amphotericin B, and flucytosine. Molecular analyses for azole and echinocandin resistance via evaluating ERG11 mutation and FKS1 hotspot one (HS1) and hotspot two (HS2) mutations, respectively, confirmed the phenotypic results. Genotyping of our isolates confirmed that they belong to 53 different but closely related genotypes, with a similarity percentage of up to 90%. Our results are of significant concern, since understanding the genetic basis of echinocandin resistance in the C. parapsilosis complex as well their genotyping is essential for directing targeted therapy, identifying probable infection sources, and developing strategies for overcoming epidemic spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazim O. Khalifa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 1555, United Arab Emirates
- Medical Mycology Research Centre, Division of Clinical Research, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan; (A.W.); (K.K.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Medical Mycology Research Centre, Division of Clinical Research, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan; (A.W.); (K.K.)
| | - Katsuhiko Kamei
- Medical Mycology Research Centre, Division of Clinical Research, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan; (A.W.); (K.K.)
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Derkacz D, Grzybowska M, Cebula L, Krasowska A. Surfactin and Capric Acid Affect the Posaconazole Susceptibility of Candida albicans Strains with Altered Sterols and Sphingolipids Biosynthesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17499. [PMID: 38139328 PMCID: PMC10743603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417499] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by Candida spp. pose a continuing challenge for modern medicine, due to widespread resistance to commonly used antifungal agents (e.g., azoles). Thus, there is considerable interest in discovering new, natural compounds that can be used in combination therapy with conventional antibiotics. Here, we investigate whether the natural compounds surfactin and capric acid, in combination with posaconazole, enhance the growth inhibition of C. albicans strains with alterations in sterols and the sphingolipids biosynthesis pathway. We demonstrate that combinations of posaconazole with surfactin or capric acid correspond with the decreased growth of C. albicans strains. Moreover, surfactin and capric acid can independently contribute to the reduced adhesion of C. albicans strains with altered ergosterol biosynthesis to abiotic surfaces (up to 90% reduction in adhesion). A microscopic study of the C. albicans plasma membrane revealed that combinations of those compounds do not correspond with the increased permeabilization of the plasma membrane when compared to cells treated with posaconazole alone. This suggests that the fungistatic effect of posaconazole in combination with surfactin or capric acid is related to the reduction in adhesion of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anna Krasowska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (D.D.); (M.G.); (L.C.)
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10
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Colosi HA, Baciu AM, Costache C, Opris RV, Popp RA, Sabou M, Colosi IA. Prevalence of Azole-Resistant Aspergillus Section Fumigati Strains Isolated from Romanian Vineyard Soil Samples. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1695. [PMID: 38136729 PMCID: PMC10741105 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121695] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between fungal species and their resistance patterns in vineyard soils has important implications for agriculture and medicine. This study explored the prevalence of Aspergillus section Fumigati species and their resistance to azole compounds in Romanian vineyard soils. METHODS A total of 265 soil samples from various Romanian vineyards were screened for fungi resistant to azoles. RESULTS Aspergillus section Fumigati isolates exhibited significant resistance to itraconazole and voriconazole, but no azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains were detected. Six percent of the samples were positive for Aspergillus section Fumigati strains, all of which were azole-resistant. The strains were mainly Aspergillus udagawae (93.75%) and Aspergillus lentulus (6.25%). The predominant azole-resistant Aspergillus species were Aspergillus section Nigri strains, which were found in 75 soil samples. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of understanding fungal resistance in vineyard soils for both the agricultural and clinical sectors. The presence of resistant strains may affect vine health and wine production while also constituting a challenge in the selection of effective treatments against severe and potentially fatal fungal infections in humans, stressing the importance of species-specific antifungal resistance knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horațiu Alexandru Colosi
- Department of Medical Education, Division of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (H.A.C.); (I.A.C.)
| | - Alina Mihaela Baciu
- Division of Microbiology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Carmen Costache
- Division of Microbiology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Razvan Vlad Opris
- Division of Microbiology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Radu Anghel Popp
- Division of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Marcela Sabou
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Les Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, UR7292 Dynamique des Interactions hôte Pathogène, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Ioana Alina Colosi
- Department of Medical Education, Division of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (H.A.C.); (I.A.C.)
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11
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Ghazanfari M, Abastabar M, Haghani I, Moazeni M, Hedayati S, Yaalimadad S, Nikoueian Shirvan B, Bongomin F, Hedayati MT. Azole-Containing Agar Plates and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing for the Detection of Azole-Resistant Aspergillus Species in Hospital Environmental Samples. Microb Drug Resist 2023; 29:561-567. [PMID: 37713303 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2023.0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The indoor environment of hospitals should be considered as an important reservoir of azole resistant Aspergillus species. In this study, we evaluated azole-containing agar plates (ACAPs) and antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) for the detection of azole-resistant Aspergillus species in hospital environmental samples. Between September 2021 and January 2022, environmental samples (108 instruments and 12 air) were collected from different wards of 4 educational hospitals in Mazandaran province, Iran. All samples were cultured using ACAPs. Recovered Aspergillus isolates were molecularly identified at species level using partial DNA sequencing of beta-tubulin gene. AFST of Aspergillus species was performed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A3 guideline. Screening for cyp51A mutations was also done. Overall, 18 (15.0%) isolates of Aspergillus species were recovered from ACAPs, of which Aspergillus tubingensis (50%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (38.9%) were the commonest species. No isolate of Aspergillus species grew on posaconazole (PCZ)-containing agar plates. Among the 18 Aspergillus isolated species from ACAPs, 83.3% were related to samples from instruments. Of the nine isolates of A. tubingensis, 22.2% and 44.4% isolates showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 2 μg/mL against voriconazole (VCZ) and itraconazole, respectively; and 44.4% isolates showed MIC = 1 μg/mL against PCZ. Of the seven isolates of A. fumigatus, one (14.3%) was resistant to VCZ. This isolate showed F46Y, G54E, G138C, M172V, M220I, D255E, T289F, G432C, and G448S mutation in cyp51A. Our finding showed the emergence of high MICs in cryptic and non-fumigatus species of Aspergillus such as A. tubingensis and VCZ resistance in A. fumigatus in indoor environment of hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Ghazanfari
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahdi Abastabar
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Iman Haghani
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Maryam Moazeni
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shakiba Hedayati
- Student Research Committee Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sanaz Yaalimadad
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Bahador Nikoueian Shirvan
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Mohammad T Hedayati
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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12
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Kühbacher A, Merschak P, Haas H, Liebl M, Müller C, Gsaller F. The cytochrome P450 reductase CprA is a rate-limiting factor for Cyp51A-mediated azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0091823. [PMID: 37815358 PMCID: PMC10648939 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00918-23] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Azole antifungals remain the "gold standard" therapy for invasive aspergillosis. The world-wide emergence of isolates resistant to this drug class, however, developed into a steadily increasing threat to human health over the past years. In Aspergillus fumigatus, major mechanisms of resistance involve increased expression of cyp51A encoding one of two isoenzymes targeted by azoles. Yet, the level of resistance caused by cyp51A upregulation, driven by either clinically relevant tandem repeat mutations within its promoter or the use of high expressing heterologous promoters, is limited. Cytochrome P450 enzymes such as Cyp51A rely on redox partners that provide electrons for their activity. A. fumigatus harbors several genes encoding putative candidate proteins including two paralogous cytochrome P450 reductases, CprA and CprB, and the cytochrome b 5 CybE. In this work, we investigated the contribution of each cprA, cprB, and cybE overexpression to cyp51A-mediated resistance to different medical and agricultural azoles. Using the bidirectional promoter PxylP, we conditionally expressed these genes in combination with cyp51A, revealing cprA as the main limiting factor. Similar to this approach, we overexpressed cprA in an azole-resistant background strain carrying a cyp51A allele with TR34 in its promoter, which led to a further increase in its resistance. Employing sterol measurements, we demonstrate an enhanced eburicol turnover during upregulation of either cprA or cyp51A, which was even more pronounced during their simultaneous overexpression. In summary, our work suggests that mutations leading to increased Cyp51A activity through increased electron supply could be key factors that elevate azole resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kühbacher
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Petra Merschak
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maximilian Liebl
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Müller
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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13
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Zeng M, Zhou X, Yang C, Liu Y, Zhang J, Xin C, Qin G, Liu F, Song Z. Comparative analysis of the biological characteristics and mechanisms of azole resistance of clinical Aspergillus fumigatus strains. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1253197. [PMID: 38029222 PMCID: PMC10665732 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1253197] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a common causative pathogen of aspergillosis. At present, triazole resistance of A. fumigatus poses an important challenge to human health globally. In this study, the biological characteristics and mechanisms of azole resistance of five A. fumigatus strains (AF1, AF2, AF4, AF5, and AF8) were explored. There were notable differences in the sporulation and biofilm formation abilities of the five test strains as compared to the standard strain AF293. The ability of strain AF1 to avoid phagocytosis by MH-S cells was significantly decreased as compared to strain AF293, while that of strains AF2, AF4, and AF5 were significantly increased. Fungal burden analysis with Galleria mellonella larvae revealed differences in pathogenicity among the five strains. Moreover, the broth microdilution and E-test assays confirmed that strains AF1 and AF2 were resistant to itraconazole and isaconazole, while strains AF4, AF5, and AF8 were resistant to voriconazole and isaconazole. Strains AF1 and AF2 carried the cyp51A mutations TR34/L98H/V242I/S297T/F495I combined with the hmg1 mutation S541G, whereas strains AF4 and AF8 carried the cyp51A mutation TR46/Y121F/V242I/T289A, while strain AF5 had no cyp51A mutation. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis revealed differences in the expression levels of genes associated with ergosterol synthesis and efflux pumps among the five strains. In addition, transcriptomics, RT-qPCR, and the NAD+/NADH ratio demonstrated that the mechanism of voriconazole resistance of strain AF5 was related to overexpression of genes associated with energy production and efflux pumps. These findings will help to further elucidate the triazole resistance mechanism in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zeng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Chunhong Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yanfei Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jinping Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Caiyan Xin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Gang Qin
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Fangyan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhangyong Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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14
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Schmidlin, Apodaca, Newell, Sastokas, Kinsler, Geiler-Samerotte. Distinguishing mutants that resist drugs via different mechanisms by examining fitness tradeoffs across hundreds of fluconazole-resistant yeast strains. bioRxiv 2023:2023.10.17.562616. [PMID: 37905147 PMCID: PMC10614906 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.17.562616] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
There is growing interest in designing multidrug therapies that leverage tradeoffs to combat resistance. Tradeoffs are common in evolution and occur when, for example, resistance to one drug results in sensitivity to another. Major questions remain about the extent to which tradeoffs are reliable, specifically, whether the mutants that provide resistance to a given drug all suffer similar tradeoffs. This question is difficult because the drug-resistant mutants observed in the clinic, and even those evolved in controlled laboratory settings, are often biased towards those that provide large fitness benefits. Thus, the mutations (and mechanisms) that provide drug resistance may be more diverse than current data suggests. Here, we perform evolution experiments utilizing lineage-tracking to capture a fuller spectrum of mutations that give yeast cells a fitness advantage in fluconazole, a common antifungal drug. We then quantify fitness tradeoffs for each of 774 evolved mutants across 12 environments, finding these mutants group into 6 classes with characteristically different tradeoffs. Their unique tradeoffs may imply that each group of mutants affects fitness through different underlying mechanisms. Some of the groupings we find are surprising. For example, we find some mutants that resist single drugs do not resist their combination, and some mutants to the same gene have different tradeoffs than others. These findings, on one hand, demonstrate the difficulty in relying on consistent or intuitive tradeoffs when designing multidrug treatments. On the other hand, by demonstrating that hundreds of adaptive mutations can be reduced to a few groups with characteristic tradeoffs, our findings empower multidrug strategies that leverage tradeoffs to combat resistance. Finally, by grouping mutants that likely affect fitness through similar underlying mechanisms, our work guides efforts to map the phenotypic effects of mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Schmidlin
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ
| | - Apodaca
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ
| | - Newell
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ
| | - Sastokas
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ
| | - Kinsler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Geiler-Samerotte
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ
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15
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Gauthier J, Mohammadi S, Huffman J, Lawal OU, Kukavica-Ibrulj I, Potvin M, Goodridge L, Levesque RC. Complete genome sequences of agricultural azole-resistant Penicillium rubens encoding CYP51A and ERG11 paralogues. Microbiol Resour Announc 2023; 12:e0018823. [PMID: 37655927 PMCID: PMC10586116 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00188-23] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Azoles are major antifungals in agriculture and medicine. However, the surge of intrinsic azole resistance is critical for public health. Here, we present the complete long-read sequencing of three azole-resistant Penicillium rubens from food crops. The presence of CYP51A and ERG11 paralogues was confirmed, as in other azole-resistant P. rubens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Gauthier
- Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes (IBIS), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Sima Mohammadi
- Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes (IBIS), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Jesse Huffman
- Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Opeyemi U. Lawal
- Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Irena Kukavica-Ibrulj
- Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes (IBIS), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marianne Potvin
- Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes (IBIS), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Lawrence Goodridge
- Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roger C. Levesque
- Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes (IBIS), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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16
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Byun SA, Kwon YJ, Lee GY, Choi MJ, Jeong SH, Kim D, Choi MH, Kee SJ, Kim SH, Shin MG, Won EJ, Shin JH. Virulence Traits and Azole Resistance in Korean Candida auris Isolates. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:979. [PMID: 37888235 PMCID: PMC10607439 DOI: 10.3390/jof9100979] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We analyzed the virulence traits and azole resistance mechanisms of 104 Candida auris isolates collected from 13 Korean hospitals from 1996 to 2022. Of these 104 isolates, 96 (5 blood and 91 ear isolates) belonged to clade II, and 8 (6 blood and 2 other isolates) belonged to clade I. Fluconazole resistance (minimum inhibitory concentration ≥32 mg/L) was observed in 68.8% of clade II and 25.0% of clade I isolates. All 104 isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B and three echinocandins. In 2022, six clade I isolates indicated the first nosocomial C. auris cluster in Korea. Clade II C. auris isolates exhibited reduced thermotolerance at 42 °C, with diminished in vitro competitive growth and lower virulence in the Galleria mellonella model compared to non-clade II isolates. Of the 66 fluconazole-resistant clade II isolates, several amino acid substitutions were identified: Erg11p in 14 (21.2%), Tac1Ap in 2 (3.0%), Tac1Bp in 62 (93.9%), and Tac1Bp F214S in 33 (50.0%). Although there were a limited number of non-clade II isolates studied, our results suggest that clade II C. auris isolates from Korean hospitals might display lower virulence traits than non-clade II isolates, and their primary fluconazole resistance mechanism is linked to Tac1Bp mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung A Byun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Jun Kwon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Ga Yeong Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ji Choi
- Microbiological Analysis Team, Biometrology Group, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Hoon Jeong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Dokyun Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hyuk Choi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Jung Kee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Hyun Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Geun Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jeong Won
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hee Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
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17
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Elgammal Y, Salama EA, Seleem MN. Saquinavir potentiates itraconazole's antifungal activity against multidrug-resistant Candida auris in vitro andin vivo. Med Mycol 2023; 61:myad081. [PMID: 37558393 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida species are highly opportunistic yeasts that are responsible for serious invasive fungal infections among immunocompromised patients worldwide. Due to the increase in drug resistance and incidence of infections, there is an urgent need to develop new antifungals and to identify co-drugs that can sensitize drug-resistant Candida to antifungals. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of saquinavir on the activity of azole antifungals against C. auris. The in vitro interaction of saquinavir and three azole antifungals (itraconazole, voriconazole, and fluconazole) was evaluated against a panel of C. auris isolates. The itraconazole/saquinavir combination exhibited a synergistic (SYN) relationship against all C. auris isolates tested with the fractional inhibitory concentration index ranging from 0.03 to 0.27. Moreover, a time-kill kinetics assay revealed that saquinavir restored the itraconazole's fungistatic activity against C. auris. Furthermore, saquinavir restored itraconazole's antifungal activity against other clinically important Candida species. The mechanistic investigation indicated that saquinavir significantly inhibited efflux pumps, glucose utilization, and ATP synthesis in Candida. Finally, a murine model of C. auris infection was used to evaluate the efficacy of the itraconazole/saquinavir combination in the presence of ritonavir (as a pharmacokinetic enhancer). The combination significantly reduced the fungal burden in the kidneys by 0.93-log10 colony-forming units (88%) compared to itraconazole alone. This study identified that saquinavir exhibits a potent SYN relationship in combination with itraconazole against Candida species, which warrants further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehia Elgammal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Ehab A Salama
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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18
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Alabi PE, Gautier C, Murphy TP, Gu X, Lepas M, Aimanianda V, Sello JK, Ene IV. Small molecules restore azole activity against drug-tolerant and drug-resistant Candida isolates. mBio 2023; 14:e0047923. [PMID: 37326546 PMCID: PMC10470600 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00479-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Each year, fungi cause more than 1.5 billion infections worldwide and have a devastating impact on human health, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or patients in intensive care units. The limited antifungal arsenal and emerging multidrug-resistant species necessitate the development of new therapies. One strategy for combating drug-resistant pathogens is the administration of molecules that restore fungal susceptibility to approved drugs. Accordingly, we carried out a screen to identify small molecules that could restore the susceptibility of pathogenic Candida species to azole antifungals. This screening effort led to the discovery of novel 1,4-benzodiazepines that restore fluconazole susceptibility in resistant isolates of Candida albicans, as evidenced by 100-1,000-fold potentiation of fluconazole activity. This potentiation effect was also observed in azole-tolerant strains of C. albicans and in other pathogenic Candida species. The 1,4-benzodiazepines selectively potentiated different azoles, but not other approved antifungals. A remarkable feature of the potentiation was that the combination of the compounds with fluconazole was fungicidal, whereas fluconazole alone is fungistatic. Interestingly, the potentiators were not toxic to C. albicans in the absence of fluconazole, but inhibited virulence-associated filamentation of the fungus. We found that the combination of the potentiators and fluconazole significantly enhanced host survival in a Galleria mellonella model of systemic fungal infection. Taken together, these observations validate a strategy wherein small molecules can restore the activity of highly used anti-infectives that have lost potency. IMPORTANCE In the last decade, we have been witnessing a higher incidence of fungal infections, due to an expansion of the fungal species capable of causing disease (e.g., Candida auris), as well as increased antifungal drug resistance. Among human fungal pathogens, Candida species are a leading cause of invasive infections and are associated with high mortality rates. Infections by these pathogens are commonly treated with azole antifungals, yet the expansion of drug-resistant isolates has reduced their clinical utility. In this work, we describe the discovery and characterization of small molecules that potentiate fluconazole and restore the susceptibility of azole-resistant and azole-tolerant Candida isolates. Interestingly, the potentiating 1,4-benzodiazepines were not toxic to fungal cells but inhibited their virulence-associated filamentous growth. Furthermore, combinations of the potentiators and fluconazole decreased fungal burdens and enhanced host survival in a Galleria mellonella model of systemic fungal infections. Accordingly, we propose the use of novel antifungal potentiators as a powerful strategy for addressing the growing resistance of fungi to clinically approved drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip E. Alabi
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cécile Gautier
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Paris, France
| | - Thomas P. Murphy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Xilin Gu
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mathieu Lepas
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR2000, Molecular Mycology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Vishukumar Aimanianda
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR2000, Molecular Mycology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Jason K. Sello
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Iuliana V. Ene
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Paris, France
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Carvajal SK, Melendres J, Escandón P, Firacative C. Reduced Susceptibility to Azoles in Cryptococcus gattii Correlates with the Substitution R258L in a Substrate Recognition Site of the Lanosterol 14-α-Demethylase. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0140323. [PMID: 37341584 PMCID: PMC10434158 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01403-23] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii cause cryptococcosis, a life-threatening fungal infection affecting mostly immunocompromised patients. In fact, cryptococcal meningitis accounts for about 19% of AIDS-related deaths in the world. Because of long-term azole therapies to treat this mycosis, resistance to fluconazole leading to treatment failure and poor prognosis has long been reported for both fungal species. Among the mechanisms implicated in resistance to azoles, mutations in the ERG11 gene, encoding the azole target enzyme lanosterol 14-α-demethylase, have been described. This study aimed to establish the amino acid composition of ERG11 of Colombian clinical isolates of C. neoformans and C. gattii and to correlate any possible substitution with the in vitro susceptibility profile of the isolates to fluconazole, voriconazole, and itraconazole. Antifungal susceptibility testing results showed that C. gattii isolates are less susceptible to azoles than C. neoformans isolates, which could correlate with differences in the amino acid composition and structure of ERG11 of each species. In addition, in a C. gattii isolate with high MICs for fluconazole (64 μg/mL) and voriconazole (1 μg/mL), a G973T mutation resulting in the substitution R258L, located in substrate recognition site 3 of ERG11, was identified. This finding suggests the association of the newly reported substitution with the azole resistance phenotype in C. gattii. Further investigations are needed to determine the exact role that R258L plays in the decreased susceptibility to fluconazole and voriconazole, as well as to determine the participation of additional mechanisms of resistance to azole drugs. IMPORTANCE The fungal species Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are human pathogens for which drug resistance or other treatment and management challenges exist. Here, we report differential susceptibility to azoles among both species, with some isolates displaying resistant phenotypes. Azoles are among the most commonly used drugs to treat cryptococcal infections. Our findings underscore the necessity of testing antifungal susceptibility in the clinical setting in order to assist patient management and beneficial outcomes. In addition, we report an amino acid change in the sequence of the target protein of azoles, which suggests that this change might be implicated in resistance to these drugs. Identifying and understanding possible mechanisms that affect drug affinity will eventually aid the design of new drugs that overcome the global growing concern of antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Javier Melendres
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Group of Microbiology, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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20
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Zhu G, Chen S, Zhang Y, Lu L. Mitochondrial Membrane-Associated Protein Mba1 Confers Antifungal Resistance by Affecting the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species in Aspergillus fumigatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0022523. [PMID: 37428039 PMCID: PMC10433838 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00225-23] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Azole resistance in the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is becoming a major threat to global health. To date, mutations in the azole target-encoding cyp51A gene have been implicated in conferring azole resistance, but a steady increase in the number of A. fumigatus isolates with azole resistance resulting from non-cyp51A mutations has been recognized. Previous studies have revealed that some isolates with non-cyp51A mutation-induced azole resistance are related to mitochondrial dysfunction. However, knowledge of the molecular mechanism underlying the involvement of non-cyp51A mutations is limited. In this study, using next-generation sequencing, we found that nine independent azole-resistant isolates without cyp51A mutations had normal mitochondrial membrane potential. Among these isolates, a mutation in a mitochondrial ribosome-binding protein, Mba1, conferred multidrug resistance to azoles, terbinafine, and amphotericin B but not caspofungin. Molecular characterization verified that the TIM44 domain of Mba1 was crucial for drug resistance and that the N terminus of Mba1 played a major role in growth. Deletion of mba1 had no effect on Cyp51A expression but decreased the fungal cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, which contributed to mba1-mediated drug resistance. The findings in this study suggest that some non-cyp51A proteins drive drug resistance mechanisms that result from reduced ROS production induced by antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxing Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shu Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanwei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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21
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Gerges MA, Fahmy YA, Hosny T, Gandor NH, Mohammed SY, Mohamed TMA, Abdelmoteleb NEM, Esmaeel NE. Biofilm Formation and Aspartyl Proteinase Activity and Their Association with Azole Resistance Among Candida albicans Causing Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Egypt. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:5283-5293. [PMID: 37601561 PMCID: PMC10439283 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s420580] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Candida albicans (C. albicans) is a major cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), a condition that is commonly treated with azole agents. Biofilm formation and aspartyl proteinase production are important virulence factors that could be linked to azole resistance in C. albicans impeding therapy. Aim To find out the association of both factors with azole resistance among C. albicans isolated from VVC cases in Egyptian nonpregnant women of childbearing age. Patients and Methods In a cross-sectional study, C. albicans was isolated from nonpregnant females diagnosed clinically as having VVC during a 1-year study period. Susceptibility to azole agents was tested using the disc diffusion method. Biofilm formation and aspartyl proteinase production were assessed phenotypically. Additionally, two biofilm-related genes (ALS1 and HWP1) and three proteinase genes (SAP2, SAP4, and SAP6) were screened for using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Among 204 C. albicans isolates, azole resistance ratios were as follows: voriconazole (30.4%), itraconazole (17.6%), fluconazole (11.3%) and econazole (6.4%). Biofilm-producing capacity was detected in 63.2% of isolates, and 63.2% were proteinase producers. The frequencies of ALS1 and HWP1 were 69.6% and 74.5%, respectively, while SAP2, SAP4, and SAP6 were 69.2%, 88.7%, and 64.7%, respectively. Biofilm formation was significantly associated with azole resistance (P < 0.001 for each tested azole agent) as was proteinase production (P < 0.001 for fluconazole, voriconazole, and econazole resistance and P = 0.047 for itraconazole). Conclusion Among nonpregnant Egyptian women of childbearing age, azole resistance in C. albicans causing VVC is significantly associated with biofilm formation and proteinase production. The development of new therapeutic agents that can target these factors is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian A Gerges
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Yasmin Ahmed Fahmy
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Thoraya Hosny
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Nessma H Gandor
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Sherif Y Mohammed
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | | | | | - Noura E Esmaeel
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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22
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Hokken MWJ, Coolen JPM, Steenbreker H, Zoll J, Baltussen TJH, Verweij PE, Melchers WJG. The Transcriptome Response to Azole Compounds in Aspergillus fumigatus Shows Differential Gene Expression across Pathways Essential for Azole Resistance and Cell Survival. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:807. [PMID: 37623579 PMCID: PMC10455693 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is found on all continents and thrives in soil and agricultural environments. Its ability to readily adapt to novel environments and to produce billions of spores led to the spread of azole-resistant A. fumigatus across the globe, posing a threat to many immunocompromised patients, including critically ill patients with severe influenza or COVID-19. In our study, we sought to compare the adaptational response to azoles from A. fumigatus isolates that differ in azole susceptibility and genetic background. To gain more insight into how short-term adaptation to stressful azole compounds is managed through gene expression, we conducted an RNA-sequencing study on the response of A. fumigatus to itraconazole and the newest clinically approved azole, isavuconazole. We observed many similarities in ergosterol biosynthesis up-regulation across isolates, with the exception of the pan-azole-resistant isolate, which showed very little differential regulation in comparison to other isolates. Additionally, we found differential regulation of membrane efflux transporters, secondary metabolites, iron metabolism, and various stress response and cell signaling mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margriet W. J. Hokken
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands (T.J.H.B.)
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jordy P. M. Coolen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands (T.J.H.B.)
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hilbert Steenbreker
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands (T.J.H.B.)
| | - Jan Zoll
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands (T.J.H.B.)
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tim J. H. Baltussen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands (T.J.H.B.)
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul E. Verweij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands (T.J.H.B.)
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Willem J. G. Melchers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands (T.J.H.B.)
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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23
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Maione A, Imparato M, Galdiero M, Alteriis ED, Feola A, Galdiero E, Guida M. Effect of Escin Alone or in Combination with Antifungal Agents on Resistant Candida glabrata Biofilms: Mechanisms of Action. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1210. [PMID: 37508306 PMCID: PMC10376425 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12071210] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the increase in antimicrobial-resistant fungi (AMR) is certainly a major health concern, and the development of alternative therapeutic strategies has become crucial. Natural products have been used to treat various infections, and their chemical properties contribute to the performance of their biological activities, such as antifungal action. The various virulence factors and mechanisms of resistance to antifungals contribute to making Candida glabrata one of the most frequent agents of candidiasis. Here we investigate the in vitro and in vivo activity of β-escin against Candida glabrata. The β-escin MICs were determined for a reference strain and two clinical isolates of C. glabrata. Furthermore, growth kinetics assays and biofilm inhibition/eradication assays (crystal violet) were performed. The differences in the expression of some anti-biofilm-associated genes were analyzed during biofilm inhibition treatment so that reactive oxygen species could be detected. The efficacy of β-escin was evaluated in combination with fluconazole, ketoconazole, and itraconazole. In addition, a Galleria mellonella infection model was used for in vivo treatment assays. Results have shown that β-escin had no toxicity in vitro or in vivo and was able to inhibit or destroy biofilm formation by downregulating some important genes, inducing ROS activity and affecting the membrane integrity of C. glabrata cells. Furthermore, our study suggests that the combination with azoles can have synergistic effects against C. glabrata biofilm. In summary, the discovery of new antifungal drugs against these resistant fungi is crucial and could potentially lead to the development of future treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Maione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Imparato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Marilena Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Naples, Italy
| | - Elisabetta de Alteriis
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonia Feola
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Emilia Galdiero
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Naples, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Naples, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), 80055 Portici, Italy
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24
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Huygens S, Dunbar A, Buil JB, Klaassen CHW, Verweij PE, van Dijk K, de Jonge N, Janssen JJWM, van der Velden WJFM, Biemond BJ, Bart A, Bruns AHW, Haas PJA, Demandt AMP, Oudhuis G, von dem Borne P, van der Beek MT, Klein SK, Godschalk P, Span LFR, Postma DF, Kampinga GA, Maertens J, Lagrou K, Mercier T, Moors I, Boelens J, Selleslag D, Reynders M, Zandijk W, Doorduijn JK, Cornelissen JJ, Schauwvlieghe AFAD, Rijnders BJA. Clinical Impact of Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Aspergillus and Azole Resistance Detection in Invasive Aspergillosis: A Prospective Multicenter Study. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 77:38-45. [PMID: 36905147 PMCID: PMC10320047 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive aspergillosis (IA) by a triazole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus is associated with high mortality. Real-time resistance detection will result in earlier initiation of appropriate therapy. METHODS In a prospective study, we evaluated the clinical value of the AsperGenius polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in hematology patients from 12 centers. This PCR assay detects the most frequent cyp51A mutations in A. fumigatus conferring azole resistance. Patients were included when a computed tomography scan showed a pulmonary infiltrate and bronchoalveolar fluid (BALf) sampling was performed. The primary end point was antifungal treatment failure in patients with azole-resistant IA. RESULTS Of 323 patients enrolled, complete mycological and radiological information was available for 276 (94%), and probable IA was diagnosed in 99/276 (36%). Sufficient BALf for PCR testing was available for 293/323 (91%). Aspergillus DNA was detected in 116/293 (40%) and A. fumigatus DNA in 89/293 (30%). The resistance PCR was conclusive in 58/89 (65%) and resistance detected in 8/58 (14%). Two had a mixed azole-susceptible/azole-resistant infection. In the 6 remaining patients, treatment failure was observed in 1. Galactomannan positivity was associated with mortality (P = .004) while an isolated positive Aspergillus PCR was not (P = .83). CONCLUSIONS Real-time PCR-based resistance testing may help to limit the clinical impact of triazole resistance. In contrast, the clinical impact of an isolated positive Aspergillus PCR on BALf seems limited. The interpretation of the EORTC/MSGERC PCR criterion for BALf may need further specification (eg, minimum cycle threshold value and/or PCR positive on >1 BALf sample).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sammy Huygens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Dunbar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jochem B Buil
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Corné H W Klaassen
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul E Verweij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karin van Dijk
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nick de Jonge
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen J W M Janssen
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bart J Biemond
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aldert Bart
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anke H W Bruns
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter-Jan A Haas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid M P Demandt
- Department of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Oudhuis
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Peter von dem Borne
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | | | - Saskia K Klein
- Department of Hematology, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peggy Godschalk
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Lambert F R Span
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Douwe F Postma
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Greetje A Kampinga
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Maertens
- Department of Hematology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Centre for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Toine Mercier
- Department of Hematology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ine Moors
- Department of Hematology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jerina Boelens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dominik Selleslag
- Department of Hematology, AZ St-Jan Brugge-Oostende Hospital, Bruges, Belgium
| | - Marijke Reynders
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Microbiology, AZ St-Jan Brugge-Oostende Hospital, Bruges, Belgium
| | - Willemien Zandijk
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanette K Doorduijn
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan J Cornelissen
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bart J A Rijnders
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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25
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Gyurtane Szabo N, Joste V, Houzé S, Dannaoui E, Bonnal C. Comparison of the Micronaut-AM System and the EUCAST Broth Microdilution Reference Method for MIC Determination of Four Antifungals against Aspergillus fumigatus. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:721. [PMID: 37504710 PMCID: PMC10381152 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070721] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Antifungal Susceptibility Testing method of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST-AFST) is a reference technique for the determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of antifungals for Aspergillus fumigatus. However, it is time-consuming and requires expertise. Micronaut-AM (M-AM) is a fast, simple, time-saving, and ready-to-use new colorimetric method using an indicator (resazurin) to facilitate the visual reading. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the performance of the M-AM system and compare it with the EUCAST broth microdilution reference method to determine the susceptibility of 77 A. fumigatus clinical strains to amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole. Overall, the essential agreements within ±2 dilutions were 100%, 62%, 58%, and 30% and the categorical agreements were 100%, 97%, 91%, and 87% for amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole, respectively. No categorical discrepancy was found for amphotericin B, but several categorical discordances were observed with azole antifungals. However, only 2 of the 16 azole-resistant strains confirmed by the cyp51A sequencing would have been misclassified by M-AM. The use of M-AM is probably suitable for the determination of the MICs of amphotericin B, but further evaluations are needed to confirm its usefulness for the determination of the MICs of azoles for A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolett Gyurtane Szabo
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, CHU Bichat-Claude-Bernard, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Valentin Joste
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, CHU Bichat-Claude-Bernard, 75018 Paris, France
- MERIT, IRD, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Houzé
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, CHU Bichat-Claude-Bernard, 75018 Paris, France
- MERIT, IRD, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Eric Dannaoui
- Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Service de Microbiologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, 75015 Paris, France
- DYNAMYC 7380, Faculté de Santé, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), 94010 Créteil, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Christine Bonnal
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, CHU Bichat-Claude-Bernard, 75018 Paris, France
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Furnica DT, Dittmer S, Scharmann U, Meis JF, Steinmann J, Rath PM, Kirchhoff L. In Vitro and In Vivo Effect of the Imidazole Luliconazole against Lomentospora prolificans and Scedosporium spp. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0513022. [PMID: 37017567 PMCID: PMC10269907 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05130-22] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections with Scedosporium spp. and Lomentospora prolificans have become a serious threat in clinical settings. The high mortality rates associated with these infections can be correlated with their multidrug resistance. The development of alternative treatment strategies has become crucial. Here, we investigate the in vitro and in vivo activity of luliconazole (LLCZ) against Scedosporium apiospermum (including its teleomorph Pseudallescheria boydii) and Lomentospora prolificans. The LLCZ MICs were determined for a total of 37 isolates (31 L. prolificans isolates, 6 Scedosporium apiospermum/P. boydii strains) according to EUCAST. Furthermore, the LLCZ antifungal activity was tested in vitro, using an XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide salt] growth kinetics assay and biofilm assays (crystal violet and XTT assay). In addition, a Galleria mellonella infection model was used for in vivo treatment assays. The MIC90 of LLCZ was determined to be 0.25 mg/L for all tested pathogens. Growth was inhibited within 6 to 48 h of the start of incubation. LLCZ inhibited biofilm formation in both preadhesion stages and late-stage adhesion. In vivo, a single dose of LLCZ increased the survival rate of the larvae by 40% and 20% for L. prolificans and Scedosporium spp., respectively. This is the first study demonstrating LLCZ activity against Lomentospora prolificans in vitro and in vivo and the first study showing the antibiofilm effect of LLCZ in Scedosporium spp. IMPORTANCE Lomentospora prolificans and S. apiospermum/P. boydii are opportunistic, multidrug-resistant pathogens causing invasive infections in immunosuppressed patients and sometimes in healthy persons. Lomentospora prolificans is panresistant against the currently available antifungals, and both species are associated with high mortality rates. Thus, the discovery of novel antifungal drugs exhibiting an effect against these resistant fungi is crucial. Our study shows the effect of luliconazole (LLCZ) against L. prolificans and Scedosporium spp. in vitro, as well as in an in vivo infection model. These data reveal the previously unknown inhibitory effect of LLCZ against L. prolificans and its antibiofilm effect in Scedosporium spp. It represents an extension of the literature regarding azole-resistant fungi and could potentially lead to the development of future treatment strategies against these opportunistic fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Tiberiu Furnica
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Silke Dittmer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Scharmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jacques F. Meis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany
- Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Centre of Expertise in Mycology, Radboudumc/Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joerg Steinmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Peter-Michael Rath
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lisa Kirchhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Bauer K, Rafael B, Vágó B, Kiss-Vetráb S, Molnár A, Szebenyi C, Varga M, Szekeres A, Vágvölgyi C, Papp T, Nagy G. Characterization of the Sterol 24-C-Methyltransferase Genes Reveals a Network of Alternative Sterol Biosynthetic Pathways in Mucor lusitanicus. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0031523. [PMID: 37036336 PMCID: PMC10269636 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00315-23] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Certain members of the order Mucorales can cause a life-threatening, often-fatal systemic infection called mucormycosis. Mucormycosis has a high mortality rate, which can reach 96 to 100% depending on the underlying condition of the patient. Mucorales species are intrinsically resistant to most antifungal agents, such as most of the azoles, which makes mucormycosis treatment challenging. The main target of azoles is the lanosterol 14α-demethylase (Erg11), which is responsible for an essential step in the biosynthesis of ergosterol, the main sterol component of the fungal membrane. Mutations in the erg11 gene can be associated with azole resistance; however, resistance can also be mediated by loss of function or mutation of other ergosterol biosynthetic enzymes, such as the sterol 24-C-methyltransferase (Erg6). The genome of Mucor lusitanicus encodes three putative erg6 genes (i.e., erg6a, erg6b, and erg6c). In this study, the role of erg6 genes in azole resistance of Mucor was analyzed by generating and analyzing knockout mutants constructed using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique. Susceptibility testing of the mutants suggested that one of the three genes, erg6b, plays a crucial role in the azole resistance of Mucor. The sterol composition of erg6b knockout mutants was significantly altered compared to that of the original strain, and it revealed the presence of at least four alternative sterol biosynthesis pathways leading to formation of ergosterol and other alternative, nontoxic sterol products. Dynamic operation of these pathways and the switching of biosynthesis from one to the other in response to azole treatment could significantly contribute to avoiding the effects of azoles by these fungi. IMPORTANCE The fungal membrane contains ergosterol instead of cholesterol, which offers a specific point of attack for the defense against pathogenic fungi. Indeed, most antifungal agents target ergosterol or its biosynthesis. Mucormycoses-causing fungi are resistant to most antifungal agents, including most of the azoles. For this reason, the drugs of choice to treat such infections are limited. The exploration of ergosterol biosynthesis is therefore of fundamental importance to understand the azole resistance of mucormycosis-causing fungi and to develop possible new control strategies. Characterization of sterol 24-C-methyltransferase demonstrated its role in the azole resistance and virulence of M. lusitanicus. Moreover, our experiments suggest that there are at least four alternative pathways for the biosynthesis of sterols in Mucor. Switching between pathways may contribute to the maintenance of azole resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitti Bauer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bence Rafael
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Vágó
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sándor Kiss-Vetráb
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anna Molnár
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csilla Szebenyi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mónika Varga
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - András Szekeres
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Vágvölgyi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Papp
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Nagy
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Fungal Pathomechanisms Research Group, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Abstract
Candida auris represents an urgent health threat. Here, we identified atazanavir as a potent drug capable of resensitizing C. auris clinical isolates to the activity of azole antifungals. Atazanavir was able to significantly inhibit the efflux pumps, glucose transport, and ATP synthesis of all tested isolates of C. auris. In addition, the combination of itraconazole with atazanavir-ritonavir significantly reduced the burden of azole-resistant C. auris in murine kidneys by 1.3 log10 (95%), compared to itraconazole alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehia Elgammal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Ehab A. Salama
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Mohamed N. Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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Ngo TMC, Santona A, Fiamma M, Ton Nu PA, Do TBT, Cappuccinelli P, Paglietti B. Azole non-susceptible C. tropicalis and polyclonal spread of C. albicans in Central Vietnam hospitals. J Infect Dev Ctries 2023; 17:550-558. [PMID: 37159900 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.17574] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Candida spp. are responsible for infections ranging from local to systemic, and resistance to antifungal first-line therapy is increasing in non-albicans Candida species. We aimed to determine the etiology of candidiasis and the antifungal resistance of Candida spp. isolated in Hue hospitals, Central-Vietnam. METHODS Species identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry supported by fungal internal-transcribed-spacer amplification and sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentrations of azoles, caspofungin, and amphotericin B against C. tropicalis were determined by broth microdilution. Polymorphism of erg11 gene associated with fluconazole resistance was carried out by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used for typing selected C. albicans isolates. RESULTS Overall, 196 Candida isolates were detected, mostly C. albicans (48%), followed by C. tropicalis (16%), C. parapsilosis (11%), C. glabrata (9%), C. orthopsilosis (6%) and to a lesser extent another eight species. High rates of resistance to fluconazole and voriconazole (18.8%) were observed in C. tropicalis with five isolates co-resistant to both agents. Y132F and S154F missense mutations in the ERG11 protein were associated with fluconazole-resistance in C. tropicalis (67.7%). Resistance to caspofungin was found in one isolate of C. albicans. MLST identified a polyclonal population of C. albicans with multiple diploid sequence types, and with few lineages showing potential nosocomial spread. CONCLUSIONS Resistance to triazole agents should be considered in C. tropicalis infections in the studied hospitals, and surveillance measures taken to avoid Candida diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Minh Chau Ngo
- Department of Parasitology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
| | - Antonella Santona
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maura Fiamma
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Phuong Anh Ton Nu
- Department of Parasitology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
| | - Thi Bich Thao Do
- Department of Parasitology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
| | | | - Bianca Paglietti
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Imbert S, Normand AC, Costa D, Gabriel F, Lachaud L, Schuttler C, Cassaing S, Mahinc C, Hasseine L, Demar M, Brun S, Bonnal C, Moreno-Sabater A, Becker P, Piarroux R, Fekkar A. Multicentric Analysis of the Species Distribution and Antifungal Susceptibility of Clinical Isolates from Aspergillus Section Circumdati. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0146222. [PMID: 36892306 PMCID: PMC10112188 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01462-22] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical involvement and antifungal susceptibility of Aspergillus section Circumdati are poorly known. We analyzed 52 isolates, including 48 clinical isolates, belonging to 9 species inside the section Circumdati. The whole section exhibited, by the EUCAST reference method, a poor susceptibility to amphotericin B, but species/series-specific patterns were observed for azole drugs. This underlines the interest in getting an accurate identification inside the section Circumdati to guide the choice of antifungal treatment in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Imbert
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Paris, France
| | - A. C. Normand
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Paris, France
| | - D. Costa
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Rouen, France
| | - F. Gabriel
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Bordeaux, France
| | - L. Lachaud
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Montpellier, France
| | | | - S. Cassaing
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Toulouse, France
| | - C. Mahinc
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Saint Etienne, France
| | - L. Hasseine
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Nice, France
| | - M. Demar
- Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Département de Parasitologie Mycologie, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - S. Brun
- AP-HP, Hôpital Avicenne, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Bobigny, France
| | - C. Bonnal
- AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Paris, France
| | - A. Moreno-Sabater
- AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Paris, France
| | - P. Becker
- Service of Mycology and Aerobiology, BCCM/IHEM Fungal Collection, Brussels, Belgium
| | - R. Piarroux
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Paris, France
| | - A. Fekkar
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Parasitologie Mycologie, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Paris, France
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Serrano-Lobo J, Gómez A, Reigadas E, Muñoz P, Escribano P, Guinea J, Lozano I, Marfil E, Muñoz de la Rosa M, García RT, Cobo F, Castro C, López C, Rezusta A, Peláez T, Serra JL, Jiménez R, Echeverría CL, Pérez CL, Megías‐Lobón G, Lorenzo B, Sánchez‐Reus F, Ayats J, Martín MT, Vidal I, Sánchez‐Hellín V, Ibáñez E, Valentín A, Pemán J, Fajardo M, Pazos C, Rodríguez‐Mayo M, Pérez‐Ayala A, Gómez E, Guinea J, Escribano P, Serrano J, Reigadas E, Rodríguez B, Zvezdanova E, Díaz‐García J, Núñez A, Machado M, Muñoz P, Sánchez‐Romero I, García‐Rodríguez J, del Pozo JL, Vallejo MR, de Alegría‐Puig CR, López‐Soria L, Marimón JM, Fernández‐Torres M, Hernáez‐Crespo S. Gradient diffusion strips for detecting azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus sensu lato. Mycoses 2023; 66:196-201. [PMID: 36305878 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13541] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies comparing gradient diffusion strips (GDSs) and the EUCAST E.Def 9.4 microdilution method are scarce, thwarted by a low number of isolates, and restricted to selected antifungal agents. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the performance of GDSs to detect azole resistance in A. fumigatus, including cryptic species. PATIENTS/METHODS A. fumigatus sensu stricto (n = 89) and cryptic species (n = 52) were classified as susceptible or resistant to itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and isavuconazole (EUCAST E.Def 9.4; clinical breakpoints v10). A. fumigatus sensu stricto azole-resistant isolates had the following cyp51A gene mutations: TR34 -L98H (n = 24), G54R (n = 5), TR46 -Y121F-T289A (n = 1), F46Y-M172V-N248T-D255E-E427K (n = 1), F165L (n = 1) and cyp51A gene wild type (n = 3). GDSs (ETEST®, bioMèrieux, Marcy-l'Etoile, France and Liofilchem®, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy) MICs were obtained by following the manufacturer's guidelines. RESULTS For A. fumigatus sensu stricto, itraconazole MICs >1.5 mg/L, voriconazole >0.38 mg/L, posaconazole >0.75 mg/L, and isavuconazole >0.5 mg/L correctly separated resistant from susceptible isolates with two exceptions. Considering the aforementioned cut-off MICs, sensitivity/specificity values of GDSs to detect azole resistance were: itraconazole (97%/100%), voriconazole (97%/100%), posaconazole (97%/100%) and isavuconazole (93.3%/100%). For cryptic species isolates, voriconazole MICs >1 mg/L and isavuconazole >0.75 mg/L separated resistant isolates from susceptible isolates with 15 and 27 exceptions, respectively. Considering the aforementioned cut-off MICs, sensitivity/specificity values were as follows: voriconazole (68.1%/100%) and isavuconazole (25%/100%). For itraconazole and posaconazole, it was not possible to establish cut-off values. CONCLUSIONS We set tentative cut-off MIC values to correctly spot resistant Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto isolates using GDSs. The performance against cryptic species was poor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Serrano-Lobo
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Gómez
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Reigadas
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias-CIBERES (CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Muñoz
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias-CIBERES (CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain.,Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Escribano
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Guinea
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias-CIBERES (CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain
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Khan MI, Choudhry H, Jahan S, Rather IA. Reversal of Azole Resistance in Candida albicans by Human Neutrophil Peptide. Biomedicines 2023; 11. [PMID: 36831048 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
With the spread of AIDS and the increase in immunocompromised patients, multi-drug-resistant fungal infections have become a serious concern among clinicians, predominantly in the developing world. Therefore, developing novel strategies and new drugs is essential to overcome drug resistance in fungal pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides of human origin have been investigated as a potential treatment against Candida infections. In this study, human neutrophil peptide (HNP) was tested for its antifungal activity alone and in combination with fluconazole (FLC) against azole-susceptible and resistant C. albicans isolates, following CLSI guidelines. Susceptibility and combination interactions were also confirmed by MUSE cell viability assay and isobolograms for synergistic combinations, respectively. The effect of HNP on biofilm inhibition was determined spectrophotometrically and microscopically. Drug susceptibility testing showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) ranging from 7.813 to 62.5 µg/mL and 15.625 to 250 µg/mL against all the tested C. albicans strains. The combination activity of FLC with HNP exhibited synergistic and additive interactions in 43% of each and indifferent interaction in 14%, and none of the combinations showed antagonistic interaction. Furthermore, HNB inhibited biofilm formation in all the tested C. albicans isolates. At the respective MICs, HNP exhibited inhibitory effects on the activity of the drug efflux pumps and their genes. These results warrant the application of HNP as a mono- or combination therapy with FLC to treat azole-resistant C. albicans.
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Khojasteh S, Abastabar M, Haghani I, Valadan R, Ghazanfari S, Abbasi K, Ahangarkani F, Zarrinfar H, Khodavaisy S, Badali H. Five-year surveillance study of clinical and environmental Triazole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in Iran. Mycoses 2023; 66:98-105. [PMID: 36196507 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive aspergillosis is one of the most common fungal infections and azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus (ARAf) is a growing medical concern in high-risk patients. To our knowledge, there is no comprehensive epidemiological surveillance study on the prevalence and incidence of ARAf isolates available in Iran. OBJECTIVES The study aimed to report a five-year survey of triazole phenotypes and genotype patterns concerning the resistance in clinical and environmental A. fumigatus in Iran. METHODS During the study time frame (2016-2021), a total of 1208 clinical and environmental Aspergillus species were collected. Isolates were examined and characterised by in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing (CLSI M38 broth microdilution) and cyp51A sequencing. RESULTS In total, 485 Aspergillus section Fumigati strains were recovered (clinical, n = 23; 4.74% and environment, n = 462; 95.26%). Of which A. fumigatus isolates were the most prevalent species (n = 483; 99.59%). Amphotericin B and the echinocandins demonstrated good in vitro activity against the majority of isolates in comparison to triazole. Overall, 16.15% (n = 78) of isolates were phenotypically resistant to at least one of the azoles. However, 9.73% of A. fumigatus isolates for voriconazole were classified as resistant, 89.03% were susceptible, and 1.24% were intermediate. While, for itraconazole and posaconazole, using the epidemiological cut-off value 16.15% and 6.83% of isolates were non-wild types, respectively. Remarkably, in 21.79% (n = 17) phenotypically resistant isolates, no mutations were detected within the cyp51A gene. CONCLUSION Although the incidence of ARAf varies from country to country, in Iran the rate has ranged from 3.3% to 18%, significantly increasing from 2013 to 2021. Strikingly, a quarter of the phenotypically resistant isolates harboured no mutations in the cyp51A gene. It seems that other mechanisms of resistance are importantly increasing. To fill a gap in our understanding of the mechanism for azole resistance in the non-cyp51A strains, we highly recommend further and more extensive monitoring of the soil with or without exposure to fungicides in agricultural and hospital areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaghayegh Khojasteh
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahdi Abastabar
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Iman Haghani
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Reza Valadan
- Department of Immunology, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sahar Ghazanfari
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiana Abbasi
- Department of Microbiology, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ahangarkani
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hossein Zarrinfar
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sadegh Khodavaisy
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Badali
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Toepfer S, Lackner M, Keniya MV, Monk BC. Functional Expression of Recombinant Candida auris Proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Enables Azole Susceptibility Evaluation and Drug Discovery. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9. [PMID: 36836283 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris infections are difficult to treat due to acquired drug resistance against one or multiple antifungal drug classes. The most prominent resistance mechanisms in C. auris are overexpression and point mutations in Erg11, and the overexpression of efflux pump genes CDR1 and MDR1. We report the establishment of a novel platform for molecular analysis and drug screening based on acquired azole-resistance mechanisms found in C. auris. Constitutive functional overexpression of wild-type C. auris Erg11, Erg11 with amino acid substitutions Y132F or K143R and the recombinant efflux pumps Cdr1 and Mdr1 has been achieved in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Phenotypes were evaluated for standard azoles and the tetrazole VT-1161. Overexpression of CauErg11 Y132F, CauErg11 K143R, and CauMdr1 conferred resistance exclusively to the short-tailed azoles Fluconazole and Voriconazole. Strains overexpressing the Cdr1 protein were pan-azole resistant. While CauErg11 Y132F increased VT-1161 resistance, K143R had no impact. Type II binding spectra showed tight azole binding to the affinity-purified recombinant CauErg11 protein. The Nile Red assay confirmed the efflux functions of CauMdr1 and CauCdr1, which were specifically inhibited by MCC1189 and Beauvericin, respectively. CauCdr1 exhibited ATPase activity that was inhibited by Oligomycin. The S. cerevisiae overexpression platform enables evaluation of the interaction of existing and novel azole drugs with their primary target CauErg11 and their susceptibility to drug efflux.
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Fan X, Tsui CKM, Chen X, Wang P, Liu ZJ, Yang CX. High prevalence of fluconazole resistant Candida tropicalis among candiduria samples in China: An ignored matter of concern. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1125241. [PMID: 36937265 PMCID: PMC10017723 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1125241] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The rapid rise of azole resistance in Candida tropicalis causing invasive infections has become a public health concern; however, the prevalence of resistant isolates in urine samples was not well studied, because the clinical significance of candiduria was not unambiguous due to possible host colonization. Methods We performed a 12-year laboratory-based surveillance study of C. tropicalis causing either invasive infection or candiduria and studied their susceptibility profiles to common antifungal drugs. The complete coding domain sequence of the ERG11 gene was amplified in all fluconazole resistant isolates, and aligned with the wild-type sequence to detect nucleotide mutations. Results A total of 519 unique C. tropicalis strains isolates, 69.9% of which were isolated from urine samples and remaining 30.1% were invasive strains. Overall, 16.5% isolates were confirmed to be resistant to fluconazole, of which 91.9% were cross-resistant voriconazole. Of note, at the beginning of surveillance (2010-2011), the fluconazole resistance rates were low in both candiduria and invasive groups (6.8% and 5.9%, respectively). However, the resistant rate in the candiduria group significantly increased to 29.5% since 2012-2013 (p = 0.001) and stayed high since then, whilst the resistance rate in the invasive group only showed a gradually increasing trends till 2021 (p > 0.05). Sequence analysis of ERG11 from fluconazole-resistant strains revealed the prevalence of A395T/W mutations were relatively low (16.7%) in the beginning but reached 87.5-100% after 2014. Moreover, the A395W heterozygous mutation isolates became predominant (>60% of resistant strains) after 2016, and indeed isolates carrying corresponding amino acid substitution (Y132F) was highly resistant to fluconazole with MIC50 exceeded 256 μg/ml. Conclusion Our study revealed high azole resistant rate in candiduria with its increasing trends observed much earlier than stains causing invasive infections. Given antimicrobial resistance as a critical "One Health" issue, the emergence of antifungal resistance in Candida species that are common commensal colonizers in the human body should be concerned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Clement K. M. Tsui
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen-jia Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Zhen-jia Liu,
| | - Chun-xia Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Chun-xia Yang,
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Celia-Sanchez BN, Mangum B, Brewer M, Momany M. Analysis of Cyp51 protein sequences shows 4 major Cyp51 gene family groups across fungi. G3 (Bethesda) 2022; 12:jkac249. [PMID: 36130263 PMCID: PMC9635630 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac249] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Azole drugs target fungal sterol biosynthesis and are used to treat millions of human fungal infections each year. Resistance to azole drugs has emerged in multiple fungal pathogens including Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Aspergillus fumigatus. The most well-studied resistance mechanism in A. fumigatus arises from missense mutations in the coding sequence combined with a tandem repeat in the promoter of cyp51A, which encodes a cytochrome P450 enzyme in the fungal sterol biosynthesis pathway. Filamentous members of Ascomycota such as A. fumigatus have either 1 or 2 of 3 Cyp51 paralogs (Cyp51A, Cyp51B, and Cyp51C). Most previous research in A. fumigatus has focused on Cyp51A due to its role in azole resistance. We used the A. fumigatus Cyp51A protein sequence as the query in database searches to identify Cyp51 proteins across fungi. We found 435 Cyp51 proteins in 295 species spanning from early-diverging fungi (Blastocladiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Zoopagomycota, and Mucormycota) to late-diverging fungi (Ascomycota and Basidiomycota). We found these sequences formed 4 major Cyp51 groups: Cyp51, Cyp51A, Cyp51B, and Cyp51C. Surprisingly, we found all filamentous Ascomycota had a Cyp51B paralog, while only 50% had a Cyp51A paralog. We created maximum likelihood trees to investigate the evolution of Cyp51 in fungi. Our results suggest Cyp51 is present in all fungi with 3 paralogs emerging in Pezizomycotina, including Cyp51C which appears to have diverged from the progenitor of the Cyp51A and Cyp51B groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon Mangum
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30606, USA
| | - Marin Brewer
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30606, USA
| | - Michelle Momany
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30606, USA
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Viegas C, Gomes B, Oliveira F, Dias M, Cervantes R, Pena P, Gomes AQ, Caetano LA, Carolino E, de Andrade ET, Viegas S. Microbial Contamination in the Coffee Industry: An Occupational Menace besides a Food Safety Concern? Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph192013488. [PMID: 36294069 PMCID: PMC9602572 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory abnormalities among workers at coffee roasting and packaging facilities have already been reported; however, little is known about microbiological contamination inside coffee production facilities. This study intends to assess the microbial contamination (fungi and bacteria) in two coffee industries from Brazil with a multi-approach protocol for sampling and for subsequent analyses using four main sources of samples: filtering respiratory protection devices (FRPD) used by workers, settled dust, electrostatic dust cloths (EDC) and coffee beans. The fungal contamination in the assessed industries was also characterized through the molecular detection of toxigenic species and antifungal resistance. Total bacteria contamination presented the highest values in FRPD collected from both industries (7.45 × 104 CFU·m-2; 1.09 × 104 CFU·m-2). Aspergillus genera was widespread in all the environmental samples collected and sections with clinical relevance (Fumigati) and with toxigenic potential (Nigri and Circumdati) were recovered from FRPD. Circumdati section was observed in 4 mg/mL itraconazole. Sections Circumdati (EDC, coffee beans and settled dust) and Nidulantes (EDC, coffee beans and FRPD) were detected by qPCR. Some of the targeted Aspergillus sections that have been identified microscopically were not detected by qPCR and vice-versa. Overall, this study revealed that microbial contamination is a potential occupational risk in the milling stage and should be tackled when assessing exposure and performing risk assessment. In addition, a multi-sampling campaign should be the approach to follow when assessing microbial contamination and FRPD should be included in this campaign. Occupational exposure to mycotoxins should be considered due to high fungal diversity and contamination. A One Health approach should address these issues in order to prevent consumption of coffee crops and beans infected by fungi and, more specifically, to avoid widespread azole resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H & TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Bianca Gomes
- H & TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filipe Oliveira
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, Brazil
| | - Marta Dias
- H & TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Renata Cervantes
- H & TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pena
- H & TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anita Quintal Gomes
- H & TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Liliana Aranha Caetano
- H & TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.uLisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Carolino
- H & TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ednilton Tavares de Andrade
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, Brazil
| | - Susana Viegas
- H & TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
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Edlind T, Katiyar S. Intrinsically High Resistance of Candida glabrata to Hydrogen Peroxide and Its Reversal in a Fluconazole-Resistant Mutant. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0072122. [PMID: 35916516 PMCID: PMC9487529 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00721-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tom Edlind
- MicrobiType LLC, Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Santosh Katiyar
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Kajihara T, Yahara K, Nagi M, Kitamura N, Hirabayashi A, Hosaka Y, Abe M, Miyazaki Y, Sugai M. Distribution, trends, and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species causing candidemia in Japan, 2010-2019: A retrospective observational study based on national surveillance data. Med Mycol 2022; 60:6696379. [PMID: 36095139 PMCID: PMC9521341 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence of candidemia and the emergence of drug-resistant Candida species are major concerns worldwide. Therefore, long-term surveillance studies are required. Here, we provide one of the largest longitudinal overviews of the trends in the prevalence of Candida species using national data of 57 001 candidemia isolates obtained from more than 2000 hospitals for the 2010-2019 period in the Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance database. The proportion of Candida species, except Candida krusei and Candida guilliermondii, was almost the same during the study period. The proportion of C. guilliermondii surpassed that of C. krusei in 2014. The incidence of candidemia due to C. albicans (p < 0.0001), C. parapsilosis (p = 0.0002), and C. tropicalis (p < 0.0001) have decreased significantly over this period. Azole susceptibility of Candida tropicalis was low, with 17.8% of isolates resistant to fluconazole and 13.5% resistant to voriconazole. The micafungin susceptibility of C. glabrata was low, with 8.0% of isolates showing resistance. The resistance rate of C. krusei toward amphotericin B fluctuated considerably (between 3.2% and 35.7%) over this period. The incidence rate of candidemia caused by C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii in hospitals responsible for bone marrow transplantation was significantly higher than that in other hospitals. Overall, our study suggests that in Japan, the species distribution of Candida was almost the same in this period and similar to that reported in North America and Europe. A relatively high resistance to azoles and micafungin was observed in C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei isolates, which require continued surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiki Kajihara
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-2-1 Aoba-cho Higashimurayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
| | - Koji Yahara
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-2-1 Aoba-cho Higashimurayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
| | - Minoru Nagi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-2-1 Aoba-cho Higashimurayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan.,Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Norikazu Kitamura
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-2-1 Aoba-cho Higashimurayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
| | - Aki Hirabayashi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-2-1 Aoba-cho Higashimurayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
| | - Yumiko Hosaka
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-2-1 Aoba-cho Higashimurayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
| | - Masahiro Abe
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Sugai
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-2-1 Aoba-cho Higashimurayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan
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Merdan O, Şişman AS, Aksoy SA, Kızıl S, Tüzemen NÜ, Yılmaz E, Ener B. Investigation of the Defective Growth Pattern and Multidrug Resistance in a Clinical Isolate of Candida glabrata Using Whole-Genome Sequencing and Computational Biology Applications. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0077622. [PMID: 35867406 PMCID: PMC9430859 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00776-22] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is increasingly isolated from blood cultures, and multidrug-resistant isolates have important implications for therapy. This study describes a cholesterol-dependent clinical C. glabrata isolate (ML72254) that did not grow without blood (containing cholesterol) on routine mycological media and that showed azole and amphotericin B (AmB) resistance. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) were used for species identification. A modified Etest method (Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood) was used for antifungal susceptibility testing. WGS data were processed via the Galaxy platform, and the genomic variations of ML72254 were retrieved. A computational biology workflow utilizing web-based applications (PROVEAN, AlphaFold Colab, and Missense3D) was constructed to predict possible deleterious effects of these missense variations on protein functions. The predictive ability of this workflow was tested with previously reported missense variations in ergosterol synthesis genes of C. glabrata. ML72254 was identified as C. glabrata sensu stricto with MALDI-TOF, and WGS confirmed this identification. The MICs of fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B were >256, >32, and >32 μg/mL, respectively. A novel frameshift mutation in the ERG1 gene (Pro314fs) and many missense variations were detected in the ergosterol synthesis genes. None of the missense variations in the ML72254 ergosterol synthesis genes were deleterious, and the Pro314fs mutation was identified as the causative molecular change for a cholesterol-dependent and multidrug-resistant phenotype. This study verified that web-based computational biology solutions can be powerful tools for examining the possible impacts of missense mutations in C. glabrata. IMPORTANCE In this study, a cholesterol-dependent C. glabrata clinical isolate that confers azole and AmB resistance was investigated using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and cloud computing applications. This is the first of the known cholesterol-dependent C. glabrata isolate to be found in Turkey. Cholesterol-dependent C. glabrata isolates are rarely isolated in clinical samples; they can easily be overlooked during routine laboratory procedures. Microbiologists therefore need to be alert when discrepancies occur between microscopic examination and growth on routine media. In addition, because these isolates confer antifungal resistance, patient management requires extra care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osman Merdan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Sena Şişman
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Seçil Ak Aksoy
- İnegöl Vocational School, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Samet Kızıl
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Nazmiye Ülkü Tüzemen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Emel Yılmaz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Beyza Ener
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
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Salazar SB, Pinheiro MJF, Sotti-Novais D, Soares AR, Lopes MM, Ferreira T, Rodrigues V, Fernandes F, Mira NP. Disclosing azole resistance mechanisms in resistant Candida glabrata strains encoding wild-type or gain-of-function CgPDR1 alleles through comparative genomics and transcriptomics. G3 (Bethesda) 2022; 12:jkac110. [PMID: 35532173 PMCID: PMC9258547 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata is intrinsically resilient to azoles and rapidly acquires resistance to these antifungals, in vitro and in vivo. In most cases azole-resistant C. glabrata clinical strains encode hyperactive CgPdr1 variants, however, resistant strains encoding wild-type CgPDR1 alleles have also been isolated, although remaining to be disclosed the underlying resistance mechanism. In this study, we scrutinized the mechanisms underlying resistance to azoles of 8 resistant clinical C. glabrata strains, identified along the course of epidemiological surveys undertaken in Portugal. Seven of the strains were found to encode CgPdr1 gain-of-function variants (I392M, E555K, G558C, and I803T) with the substitutions I392M and I803T being herein characterized as hyper-activating mutations for the first time. While cells expressing the wild-type CgPDR1 allele required the mediator subunit Gal11A to enhance tolerance to fluconazole, this was dispensable for cells expressing the I803T variant indicating that the CgPdr1 interactome is shaped by different gain-of-function substitutions. Genomic and transcriptomic profiling of the sole azole-resistant C. glabrata isolate encoding a wild-type CgPDR1 allele (ISTB218) revealed that under fluconazole stress this strain over-expresses various genes described to provide protection against this antifungal, while also showing reduced expression of genes described to increase sensitivity to these drugs. The overall role in driving the azole-resistance phenotype of the ISTB218 C. glabrata isolate played by these changes in the transcriptome and genome of the ISTB218 isolate are discussed shedding light into mechanisms of resistance that go beyond the CgPdr1-signalling pathway and that may alone, or in combination, pave the way for the acquisition of resistance to azoles in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara B Salazar
- iBB, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico—Department of Bioengineering, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Maria Joana F Pinheiro
- iBB, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico—Department of Bioengineering, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Danielle Sotti-Novais
- iBB, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico—Department of Bioengineering, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Ana R Soares
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810, Portugal
| | - Maria M Lopes
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1649-003, Portugal
| | - Teresa Ferreira
- Laboratório de Microbiologia, Hospital Dona Estefânia (Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central), Lisboa 1169-045, Portugal
| | - Vitória Rodrigues
- Seção de Microbiologia, Laboratório SYNLAB—Lisboa, Grupo SYNLAB Portugal, Lisboa 1070-061, Portugal
| | - Fábio Fernandes
- iBB, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico—Department of Bioengineering, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Nuno P Mira
- iBB, Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico—Department of Bioengineering, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
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Kühbacher A, Peiffer M, Hortschansky P, Merschak P, Bromley MJ, Haas H, Brakhage AA, Gsaller F. Azole Resistance-Associated Regulatory Motifs within the Promoter of cyp51A in Aspergillus fumigatus. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0120922. [PMID: 35575535 PMCID: PMC9241776 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01209-22] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the deadliest fungal species, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Because azoles provide the preferred first-line option for treatment of aspergillosis, the increase in rates of resistance and the poor therapeutic outcomes for patients infected with a resistant isolate constitute a serious global health threat. Azole resistance is frequently associated with specific tandem repeat duplications of a promoter element upstream of cyp51A, the gene that encodes the target for this drug class in A. fumigatus. This promoter element is recognized by the activating transcription factors SrbA and AtrR. This region also provides a docking platform for the CCAAT-binding complex (CBC) and HapX, which cooperate in the regulation of genes involved in iron-consuming pathways, including cyp51A. Here, we studied the regulatory contributions of SrbA, AtrR, CBC, and HapX binding sites to cyp51A expression and azole resistance under different iron availability employing promoter mutational analysis and protein-DNA interaction analysis. This strategy revealed iron status-dependent and -independent roles of these regulatory elements. We show that promoter occupation by both AtrR and SrbA is required for iron-independent steady-state transcriptional activation of cyp51A and its induction during short-term iron exposure relies on HapX binding. We further reveal the HapX binding site as a repressor element, disruption of which increases cyp51A expression and azole resistance regardless of iron availability. IMPORTANCE First-line treatment of aspergillosis typically involves the use of azole antifungals. Worryingly, their future clinical use is challenged by an alarming increase in resistance. Therapeutic outcomes for such patients are poor due to delays in switching to alternative treatments and reduced efficacy of salvage therapeutics. Our lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underpin resistance hampers our ability to develop novel therapeutic interventions. In this work, we dissect the regulatory motifs associated with azole resistance in the promoter of the gene that encodes the azole drug target Cyp51A. These motifs include binding platforms for SrbA and AtrR, as well as the CCAAT-binding complex and HapX. Employing mutational analyses, we uncovered crucial cyp51A-activating and -repressing functions of the binding sites. Remarkably, disrupting binding of the iron regulator HapX increased cyp51A expression and azole resistance in an iron-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kühbacher
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mandy Peiffer
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Hortschansky
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
| | - Petra Merschak
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael J. Bromley
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity, and Respiratory Medicine, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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43
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Paul S, Verweij PE, Melchers WJG, Moye-Rowley WS. Differential Functions of Individual Transcription Factor Binding Sites in the Tandem Repeats Found in Clinically Relevant cyp51A Promoters in Aspergillus fumigatus. mBio 2022; 13:e0070222. [PMID: 35467427 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00702-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is the major filamentous fungal pathogen in humans. The gold standard treatment of A. fumigatus is based on azole drug use, but the appearance of azole-resistant isolates is increasing at an alarming rate. The cyp51A gene encodes the enzymatic target of azole drugs, and azole-resistant alleles of cyp51A often have an unusual genetic structure containing a duplication of a 34- or 46-bp region in the promoter causing enhanced gene transcription. These tandem repeats are called TR34 and TR46 and produce duplicated binding sites for the SrbA and AtrR transcription factors. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we demonstrate that both the SrbA (sterol response element [SRE]) and AtrR binding sites (AtrR response element [ATRE]) are required for normal cyp51A gene expression. Loss of either the SRE or ATRE from the distal 34-bp repeat of the TR34 promoter (further 5′ from the transcription start site) caused loss of expression of cyp51A and decreased voriconazole resistance. Surprisingly, loss of these same binding sites from the proximal 34- or 46-bp repeat led to increased cyp51A expression and voriconazole resistance. These data indicate that these duplicated regions in the cyp51A promoter function differently. Our findings suggest that the proximal 34- or 46-bp repeat in cyp51A recruits a corepressor that requires multiple factors to act while the distal repeat is free of this repression and provides the elevated cyp51A expression caused by these promoter duplications.
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Hou J, Deng J, Liu Y, Zhang W, Wu S, Liao Q, Ma Y, Kang M. Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Candidemia in a Large Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Western China: A Retrospective 5-Year Study from 2016 to 2020. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11060788. [PMID: 35740194 PMCID: PMC9220019 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11060788] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of candidemia and evaluate the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes among different species. We conducted a retrospective study by univariate and multivariate analysis between Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida (NAC) species in a Chinese national medical center from 2016 to 2020. Among the 259 episodes, C. albicans (38.6%) was the leading species, followed by C. tropicalis (24.3%), C. parapsilosis (20.5%), and C. glabrata (12.4%). Most C. albicans and C. parapsilosis were susceptible to nine tested antifungal agents, whereas C. tropicalis showed 30.2~65.9% resistance/non-wild-type to four azoles with great cross-resistance, indicating that fluconazole should not be used for empirical antifungal treatment. In multivariable models, the factor related to an increased risk of NAC was glucocorticoid exposure, whereas gastrointestinal hemorrhage and thoracoabdominal drainage catheters were associated with an increased risk in C. albicans. Subgroup analysis revealed leukemia and lymphoma, as well as glucocorticoid exposure, to be factors independently associated with C. tropicalis in comparison with C. albicans candidemia. No significant differences in 7-day mortality or 30-day mortality were observed between C. albicans and NAC. This study may provide useful information with respect to choosing empirical antifungal agents and exploring differences in molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ying Ma
- Correspondence: (Y.M.); (M.K.)
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Lofgren LA, Lorch JM, Cramer RA, Blehert DS, Berlowski-Zier BM, Winzeler ME, Gutierrez-Perez C, Kordana NE, Stajich JE. Avian-associated Aspergillus fumigatus displays broad phylogenetic distribution, no evidence for host specificity, and multiple genotypes within epizootic events. G3 (Bethesda) 2022; 12:jkac075. [PMID: 35377435 PMCID: PMC9073692 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Birds are highly susceptible to aspergillosis, which can manifest as a primary infection in both domestic and wild birds. Aspergillosis in wild birds causes mortalities ranging in scale from single animals to large-scale epizootic events. However, pathogenicity factors associated with aspergillosis in wild birds have not been examined. Specifically, it is unknown whether wild bird-infecting strains are host-adapted (i.e. phylogenetically related). Similarly, it is unknown whether epizootics are driven by contact with clonal strains that possess unique pathogenic or virulence properties, or by distinct and equally pathogenic strains. Here, we use a diverse collection of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates taken from aspergillosis-associated avian carcasses, representing 24 bird species from a wide geographic range, and representing individual bird mortalities as well as epizootic events. These isolates were sequenced and analyzed along with 130 phylogenetically diverse human clinical isolates to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic placement of avian-associated A. fumigatus, the geographic and host distribution of avian isolates, evidence for clonal outbreaks among wild birds, and the frequency of azole resistance in avian isolates. We found that avian isolates were phylogenetically diverse, with no clear distinction from human clinical isolates, and no sign of host or geographic specificity. Avian isolates from the same epizootic events were diverse and phylogenetically distant, suggesting that avian aspergillosis is not contagious among wild birds and that outbreaks are likely driven by environmental spore loads or host comorbidities. Finally, all avian isolates were susceptible to Voriconazole and none contained the canonical azole resistance gene variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotus A Lofgren
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Lorch
- U.S. Geological Survey—National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Robert A Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - David S Blehert
- U.S. Geological Survey—National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | | | - Megan E Winzeler
- U.S. Geological Survey—National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Cecilia Gutierrez-Perez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Nicole E Kordana
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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46
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Hu C, Zhou M, Cao X, Xue W, Zhang Z, Li S, Sun X. Coordinated Regulation of Membrane Homeostasis and Drug Accumulation by Novel Kinase STK-17 in Response to Antifungal Azole Treatment. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0012722. [PMID: 35196787 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00127-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antifungal resistance, especially to the most widely used azole class of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors, makes fungal infections difficult to treat in clinics and agriculture. When exposed to azoles, fungi can make adaptive responses to alleviate azole toxicity and produce azole tolerance. However, except for azole efflux pumps and ergosterol biosynthesis genes, the role of most azole responsive genes in azole resistance is unknown. In this study, STK-17, whose transcription is upregulated by azoles, was characterized as a novel kinase that is required for azole resistance. Deletion or dysfunction of STK-17 led to azole hypersensitivity in Neurospora crassa and to other ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors such as amorolfine, terbinafine, and amphotericin B, but not fatty acid and ceramide biosynthesis inhibitors. STK-17 was also required for oxidative stress resistance, but this was not connected to azole resistance. RNA-seq results showed that stk-17 deletion affected the basal expression and the response to ketoconazole of some membrane protein genes, indicating functional association of STK-17 with the membrane. Notably, deletion of stk-17 affected the normal response to azoles of erg genes, including the azole target-encoding gene erg11, and erg2, erg6, and erg24, and led to abnormal accumulation of sterols in the presence of azoles. HPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed increased intracellular azole accumulation in the stk-17 mutant, possibly due to enhanced azole influx and reduced azole efflux that was independent of the major efflux pump CDR4. Importantly, STK-17 was widely distributed and functionally conserved among fungi, thus providing a potential antifungal target. IMPORTANCE Antifungal resistance is increasing worldwide, especially to the most widely used azole class of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors, making control of fungal infections more challenging. A lot of effort has been expended in elucidating the mechanism of azole resistance and revealing potential antifungal targets. In this study, by analyzing azole-responsive genes in Neurospora crassa, we discovered STK-17, a novel kinase, that is required for azole resistance in several types of fungi. It has a role in regulating membrane homeostasis, responses to azole by ergosterol biosynthesis genes and azole accumulation, thus, deepening our understanding on the mechanism of azole stress response. Additionally, STK-17 is conserved among fungi and plays important roles in fungal development and stress resistance. Kinase inhibitors are broadly used for treating diseases, and our study pinpoints a potential drug target for antifungal development.
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Tateno M, Umeyama T, Inukai T, Takatsuka S, Hoshino Y, Yamagoe S, Yamagata Murayama S, Ishino K, Miyazaki Y. Examination of Cyp51A-Mediated Azole Resistance in Aspergillus lentulus Using CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing. Med Mycol J 2022; 63:27-35. [PMID: 35173102 DOI: 10.3314/mmj.21-00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus lentulus was first reported in 2005 as a cryptic species of Aspergillus fumigatus, and since then, its resistance to azole drugs and the high mortality rate of infected individuals have emerged as problems. Although it has been reported that P450 14-α sterol demethylase (Cyp51) is involved in azole resistance in A. lentulus, the specific resistance mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we successfully introduced the entire A. fumigatus cyp51A gene into the cyp51A locus in A. lentulus using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system. The A. lentulus strains harboring A. fumigatus cyp51A showed reduced minimum inhibitory concentrations for itraconazole and voriconazole compared with those of the parent strain. This finding suggests that Cyp51A is involved in azole resistance in A. lentulus and may contribute to the elucidation of the mechanism of resistance to azole drugs via Cyp51A and to the development of new antifungal drugs. In addition, our successful application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to A. lentulus opens the door to examination of other gene functions in this fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madoka Tateno
- Division of Infection Control Sciences, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Showa University.,Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Takashi Umeyama
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Tatsuya Inukai
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases.,Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Medical University
| | - Shogo Takatsuka
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Yasutaka Hoshino
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Satoshi Yamagoe
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | | | - Keiko Ishino
- Division of Infection Control Sciences, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Showa University
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48
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Paul S, Bowyer P, Bromley M, Moye-Rowley WS. Aspergillus fumigatus ffmA Encodes a C 2H 2-Containing Transcriptional Regulator That Modulates Azole Resistance and Is Required for Normal Growth. mSphere 2022;:e0093821. [PMID: 35138125 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00938-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of a collection of deletion mutant strains corresponding to a large number of transcription factors from the filamentous fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus has permitted rapid identification of transcriptional regulators involved in a range of different processes. Here, we characterize a gene designated ffmA (favors fermentative metabolism) as a C2H2-containing transcription factor that is required for azole drug resistance and normal growth. Loss of ffmA caused cells to exhibit significant defects in growth, either under untreated or azole-challenged conditions. Loss of FfmA caused a reduction in expression of the AbcG1 ATP-binding cassette transporter, previously shown to contribute to azole resistance. Strikingly, overproduction of the AtrR transcription factor gene restored a wild-type growth phenotype to an ffmAΔ strain. Overexpression of AtrR also suppressed the defect in AbcG1 expression caused by loss of FfmA. Replacement of the ffmA promoter with a doxycycline-repressible promoter restored nearly normal growth in the absence of doxycycline. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that FfmA bound to its own promoter as well as to the abcG1 promoter. These data imply that FfmA and AtrR interact both with respect to abcG1 expression and also more broadly to regulate hyphal growth. IMPORTANCE Infections associated with azole-resistant forms of the primary human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus are associated with poor outcomes in patient populations. This makes analysis of the mechanisms underlying azole resistance of A. fumigatus a high priority. In this work, we describe characterization of a gene designated ffmA that encodes a sequence-specific transcriptional regulator. We identified ffmA in a screen of a collection of gene deletion mutant strains made in A. fumigatus. Loss of ffmA caused sensitivity to azole drugs and also a large reduction in normal growth. We found that overproduction of the AtrR transcription factor could restore growth to ffmA null cells. We provide evidence that FfmA can recognize promoters of genes involved in azole resistance as well as the ffmA promoter itself. Our data indicate that FfmA and AtrR interact to support azole resistance and normal growth.
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49
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Jemel S, Guillot J, Kallel K, Jouvion G, Brisebard E, Billaud E, Jullien V, Botterel F, Dannaoui E. In Vivo Efficacy of Voriconazole in a Galleria mellonella Model of Invasive Infection Due to Azole-Susceptible or Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:1012. [PMID: 34946994 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an environmental filamentous fungus responsible for life-threatening infections in humans and animals. Azoles are the first-line treatment for aspergillosis, but in recent years, the emergence of azole resistance in A. fumigatus has changed treatment recommendations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of voriconazole (VRZ) in a Galleria mellonella model of invasive infection due to azole-susceptible or azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. We also sought to describe the pharmacokinetics of VRZ in the G. mellonella model. G. mellonella larvae were infected with conidial suspensions of azole-susceptible and azole-resistant isolates of A. fumigatus. Mortality curves were used to calculate the lethal dose. Assessment of the efficacy of VRZ or amphotericin B (AMB) treatment was based on mortality in the lethal model and histopathologic lesions. The pharmacokinetics of VRZ were determined in larval hemolymph. Invasive fungal infection was obtained after conidial inoculation. A dose-dependent reduction in mortality was observed after antifungal treatment with AMB and VRZ. VRZ was more effective at treating larvae inoculated with azole-susceptible A. fumigatus isolates than larvae inoculated with azole-resistant isolates. The concentration of VRZ was maximal at the beginning of treatment and gradually decreased in the hemolymph to reach a Cmin (24 h) between 0.11 and 11.30 mg/L, depending on the dose. In conclusion, G. mellonella is a suitable model for testing the efficacy of antifungal agents against A. fumigatus.
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50
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Lucio J, Gonzalez-Jimenez I, Garcia-Rubio R, Cuetara MS, Mellado E. An expanded agar-based screening method for azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus. Mycoses 2021; 65:178-185. [PMID: 34806786 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13400] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Antifungal susceptibility testing is an essential tool for guiding antifungal therapy. Reference methods are complex and usually only available in specialised laboratories. We have designed an expanded agar-based screening method for the detection of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates. Normally, identification of resistance mechanisms is obtained only after sequencing the cyp51A gene and promoter. However, our screening method provides azole resistance detection and presumptive resistance mechanisms identification. A previous agar-based method consisting of four wells containing voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole and a growth control, detected azole resistance to clinical azoles. Here, we have modified the concentrations of voriconazole and posaconazole to adapt to the updated EUCAST breakpoints against A. fumigatus. We have also expanded the method to include environmental azoles to assess azole resistance and the azole resistance mechanism involved. We used a collection of A. fumigatus including 54 azole-resistant isolates with Cyp51A modifications (G54, M220, G448S, TR53 , TR34 /L98H, TR46 /Y121F/T289A, TR34 /L98H/S297T/F495I), and 50 azole susceptible isolates with wild-type Cyp51A. The screening method detects azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates when there is growth in any of the azole-containing wells after 48h. The growth pattern in the seven azoles tested helps determine the underlying azole resistance mechanism. This approach is designed for surveillance screening of A. fumigatus azole-resistant isolates and can be useful for the clinical management of patients prior to antifungal susceptibility testing confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Lucio
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Irene Gonzalez-Jimenez
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Rocio Garcia-Rubio
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain
| | | | - Emilia Mellado
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain.,Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD16/0016), ISCIII, Majadahonda, Spain
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