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Lavrin T, Konte T, Kostanjšek R, Sitar S, Sepčič K, Prpar Mihevc S, Žagar E, Župunski V, Lenassi M, Rogelj B, Gunde Cimerman N. The Neurotropic Black Yeast Exophiala dermatitidis Induces Neurocytotoxicity in Neuroblastoma Cells and Progressive Cell Death. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040963. [PMID: 32295162 PMCID: PMC7226985 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotropic and extremophilic black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis (Herpotrichellaceae) inhabits diverse indoor environments, in particular bathrooms, steam baths, and dishwashers. Here, we show that the selected strain, EXF-10123, is polymorphic, can grow at 37 °C, is able to assimilate aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, mineral oil, n-hexadecane), and shows abundant growth with selected neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glycine, glutamate, and dopamine) as sole carbon sources. We have for the first time demonstrated the effect of E. dermatitidis on neuroblastoma cell model SH-SY5Y. Aqueous and organic extracts of E. dermatitidis biomass reduced SH-SY5Y viability by 51% and 37%, respectively. Melanized extracellular vesicles (EVs) prepared from this strain reduced viability of the SH-SY5Y to 21%, while non-melanized EVs were considerably less neurotoxic (79% viability). We also demonstrated direct interactions of E. dermatitidis with SH-SY5Y by scanning electron and confocal fluorescence microscopy. The observed invasion and penetration of neuroblastoma cells by E. dermatitidis hyphae presumably causes the degradation of most neuroblastoma cells in only three days. This may represent a so far unknown indirect or direct cause for the development of some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teja Lavrin
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.K.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: (T.L.); (N.G.C.); Tel.: +386-(0)1-543-7652 (T.L.); +386-(0)1-320-3400 (N.G.C.)
| | - Tilen Konte
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Rok Kostanjšek
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Simona Sitar
- Laboratory for Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.S.); (E.Ž.)
| | - Kristina Sepčič
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.K.); (K.S.)
| | | | - Ema Žagar
- Laboratory for Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.S.); (E.Ž.)
| | - Vera Župunski
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (V.Ž.); (B.R.)
| | - Metka Lenassi
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (V.Ž.); (B.R.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Biomedical Research Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Gunde Cimerman
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (R.K.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: (T.L.); (N.G.C.); Tel.: +386-(0)1-543-7652 (T.L.); +386-(0)1-320-3400 (N.G.C.)
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Kirschner R, Sun PL, Huang SL, Chen CL, Yang CP. A case of bilateral otomycosis associated with Aspergillus flavus and A. terreus in Taiwan. J Mycol Med 2017; 27:412-416. [PMID: 28501466 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Otitis externa caused by fungi (otomycosis) occurs more commonly in tropical areas with high moisture than in temperate regions. Bilateral otomycosis is, however, rarely reported. In a case of bilateral otitis externa in a 56-year-old male patient in Taiwan, direct microscopic examination of the cerumen as well as isolation of strains indicated the presence of two Aspergillus species being different in each of both ears. The species were identified by DNA sequence comparisons and additional morphological confirmation of diagnostic characteristics as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus terreus. The rarely reported occurrence of two Aspergillus species in otitis of the same patient deserves attention in other cases of otomycosis, particularly with respect to potentially different resistances of different species against antifungals. Treatment with nystatin/neomycin was not successful, but with clotrimazole was effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kirschner
- Department of life sciences, National Central university, Zhongda Rd. 300, Zhongli District, 320, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
| | - P-L Sun
- Department of dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; College of medicine, Chang Gung university, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - S-L Huang
- Institute of microbiology and immunology, National Yang Ming university, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - C-L Chen
- Division of nephrology, department of medicine, Taiwan Landseed hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - C-P Yang
- Chunghwa chemical synthesis & biotech company, 23850 New Taipei City, Taiwan.
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Ecology of the Human Opportunistic Black Yeast Exophiala dermatitidis Indicates Preference for Human-Made Habitats. Mycopathologia 2017; 183:201-212. [PMID: 28447292 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-017-0134-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Exophiala dermatitidis is an ascomycetous black yeast from the order Chaetothyriales. Its growth characteristics include the polymorphic life cycle, ability to grow at high and low temperatures, at a wide pH range, survival at high concentrations of NaCl, and survival at high UV and radioactive radiation. Exophiala dermatitidis causes deep or localized phaeohyphomycosis in immuno-compromised people worldwide and is regularly encountered in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. Regardless of numerous ecological studies worldwide, little is known about its natural habitat or the possible infection routes. The present review summarizes the published data on its frequency of occurrence in nature and in man-made habitats. We additionally confirmed its presence with culture-depending methods from a variety of habitats, such as glacial meltwater, mineral water, mineral-rich salt-pan mud, dishwashers, kitchens and different environments polluted with aromatic hydrocarbons. In conclusion, the frequency of its recovery was the highest in man-made indoor habitats, connected to water sources, and exposed to occasional high temperatures and oxidative stress.
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Suzuki K, Nakamura A, Fujieda A, Nakase K, Katayama N. Pulmonary infection caused by Exophiala dermatitidis in a patient with multiple myeloma: A case report and a review of the literature. Med Mycol Case Rep 2012; 1:95-8. [PMID: 24371750 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2012.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Exophiala dermatitidis is a dematiaceous fungus that is increasingly being identified as a cause of fungal infection especially in patients with immunodeficiency. To date, however, the factors predisposing E. dermatitidis and its optimal treatments have not been fully addressed. Here, we report the first patient with untreated multiple myeloma who developed E. dermatitidis pulmonary infection. We also review recent clinical reports describing the features of E. dermatitidis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Suzuki
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Akiko Nakamura
- Central Clinical Laboratories, Mie University Hospital, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Atsushi Fujieda
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Kazunori Nakase
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Katayama
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
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Patel AK, Patel KK, Darji P, Singh R, Shivaprakash MR, Chakrabarti A. Exophiala dermatitidisendocarditis on native aortic valve in a postrenal transplant patient and review of literature onE. dermatitidisinfections. Mycoses 2012; 56:365-72. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
Melanized or dematiaceous fungi are associated with a wide variety of infectious syndromes, including chromoblastomycosis, mycetoma, and phaeohyphomycosis. [corrected]. Many are soil organisms and are generally distributed worldwide, though certain species appear to have restricted geographic ranges. Though they are uncommon causes of disease, melanized fungi have been increasingly recognized as important pathogens, with most reports occurring in the past 20 years. The spectrum of diseases with which they are associated has also broadened and includes allergic disease, superficial and deep local infections, pneumonia, brain abscess, and disseminated infection. For some infections in immunocompetent individuals, such as allergic fungal sinusitis and brain abscess, they are among the most common etiologic fungi. Melanin is a likely virulence factor for these fungi. Diagnosis relies on careful microscopic and pathological examination, as well as clinical assessment of the patient, as these fungi are often considered contaminants. Therapy varies depending upon the clinical syndrome. Local infection may be cured with excision alone, while systemic disease is often refractory to therapy. Triazoles such as voriconazole, posaconazole, and itraconazole have the most consistent in vitro activity. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathogenesis and optimal treatment of these uncommon infections.
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Aboulmakarim S, Tligui H, El Mrini M, Zakaria I, Handour N, Agoumi A. Otomycoses : étude clinique et mycologique de 70 cas. J Mycol Med 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2010.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Sudhadham M, de Hoog GS, Menken SBJ, Gerrits van den Ende AHG, Sihanonth P. Rapid screening for genotypes as possible markers of virulence in the neurotropic black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis using PCR-RFLP. J Microbiol Methods 2009; 80:138-42. [PMID: 19961882 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2009.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2008] [Revised: 11/04/2009] [Accepted: 11/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A simple method for fungal genotype screening was developed for the black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis based on RFLP of ribosomal ITS regions currently used as potential virulence markers. In a study set of 502 strains of the species, two main genotypes were recognized. Only 0.97% of lanes were difficult to interpret as they did not clearly present one of the expected genotypes. Twenty strains were deviating and proved to be E. spinifera after sequencing. Eight common, related species (based on SSU data) with clinical significance yielded different patterns with TaqI digestion, and thus the method is also usable for routine diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sudhadham
- Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Sudhadham M, Prakitsin S, Sivichai S, Chaiyarat R, Dorrestein GM, Menken SBJ, de Hoog GS. The neurotropic black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis has a possible origin in the tropical rain forest. Stud Mycol 2008; 61:145-55. [PMID: 19287537 PMCID: PMC2610309 DOI: 10.3114/sim.2008.61.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is known as a rare etiologic agent of neurotropic infections in humans, occurring particularly in East and Southeast Asia. In search of its natural habitat, a large sampling was undertaken in temperate as well as in tropical climates. Sampling sites were selected on the basis of the origins of previously isolated strains, and on the basis of physiological properties of the species, which also determined a selective isolation protocol. The species was absent from outdoor environments in the temperate climate, but present at low abundance in comparable habitats in the tropics. Positive outdoor sites particularly included faeces of frugivorous birds and bats, in urban as well as in natural areas. Tropical fruits were found E. dermatitidis positive at low incidence. Of the human-made environments sampled, railway ties contaminated by human faeces and oily debris in the tropics were massively positive, while the known abundance of the fungus in steam baths was confirmed. On the basis of the species' oligotrophy, thermotolerance, acidotolerance, moderate osmotolerance, melanization and capsular yeast cells a natural life cycle in association with frugivorous animals in foci in the tropical rain forest, involving passage of living cells through the intestinal tract was hypothesized. The human-dominated environment may have become contaminated by ingestion of wild berries carrying fungal propagules.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sudhadham
- Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Taj-Aldeen SJ, El Shafie S, Alsoub H, Eldeeb Y, de Hoog GS. Isolation of Exophiala dermatitidis from endotracheal aspirate of a cancer patient. Mycoses 2006; 49:504-9. [PMID: 17022769 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2006.01280.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Exophiala (Wangiella) dermatitidis is a melanised (darkly pigmented) yeast-like organism that has been reported from the environment and wild animals. The organism is a frequent coloniser of lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis and causes occasional disseminated phaeohyphomycosis and fungaemia. Exophiala dermatitidis is distributed worldwide, but cerebral cases are restricted to East Asia. We report a case of 54-year-old Qatari female patient with a known history of cancer, suffering from pulmonary disorder. Culture of endotracheal aspirate revealed the growth of E. dermatitidis concomitant with Candida krusei. The final diagnosis of E. dermatitidis and attribution to genotype B was achieved by sequencing the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The present case concerns a pulmonary colonisation by E. dermatitidis, similar to that commonly seen in cystic fibrosis patients. For the detection of E. dermatitidis in clinical specimens culturing techniques are required. The patient finally expired with persistent cancer and C. krusei fungaemia. Review of literature and listing of E. dermatitidis cases published after 1992 show a sharp increase in clinical cases during the 1990s.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Taj-Aldeen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
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Matos T, de Hoog GS, de Boer AG, de Crom I, Haase G. High prevalence of the neurotrope Exophiala dermatitidis and related oligotrophic black yeasts in sauna facilities. Mycoses 2002; 45:373-7. [PMID: 12421284 DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0507.2002.00779.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis, an agent of fatal brain infections in East Asia, is common in European steam baths. The related fungi Sarcinomyces phaeomuriformis and Exophiala mesophila were isolated from locations in these complexes with lower ambient temperature and/or moisture. The latter two species had dry, rather than slimy, colonies and lower maximum growth temperatures (38 degrees C, 32 degrees C) than E. dermatitidis (42 degrees C). Exophiala dermatitidis produces abundant extracellular polysaccharide (EPS). The only E. dermatitidis strains lacking EPS were found outside the steam baths. Therefore it is likely that the extracellular polysaccharides commonly produced by E. dermatitidis are significant to survival under hot and moist conditions. Substrates sampled as controls, such as fruit surfaces and human faeces, yielded Exophiala dermatitidis at very low frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Matos
- Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany
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Abstract
A 14-year-old spayed domestic shorthair cat was referred for ultrasonographic evaluation of abnormally shaped kidneys. Multifocal lesions were detected ultrasonographically in the liver and kidneys; a fine-needle aspirate of the kidneys was performed, and numerous clumps of fungal hyphae were identified. The following day, the cat was recumbent with advanced neurologic signs. The cat was euthanatized, and a necropsy was performed. Multifocal granuloma-like masses were seen on the liver, kidneys, abdominal wall, mesentery, thoracic wall, pericardium, and epicardium. Similar lesions were found on the cervical portion of the spinal cord, the cerebrum, and cerebellum. Exophiala jeanselmei, an organism of the phaeohyphomycotic group, was identified on fungal culture. To our knowledge, systemic infections caused by this organism have not been reported. However, phaeohyphomycotic infections are believed to be an emerging disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Helms
- Unifour Veterinary Referrals, Hickory, NC 28602, USA
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