1
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Viale MN, López-Joffre MC, Motter AN, Mansilla PE, Vivot FG, Muise Acevedo FM, David VDV, Carrizo SG, Serrano J, Chacón Y, Miranda PC, Alvarez C, Colombres MS, Riera F, Dávalos F, Fernández N, Fernández A, Posse G, Fraenza L, Giordano A, Ampuero A, Amigot S, Guelfand L, Formosa P, Machain M, Saavedra R, Giusiano G, Toranzo AI, Canteros CE. Epidemiology of coccidioidomycosis in Argentina, an update. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myae024. [PMID: 38479781 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The National Reference Laboratory in Clinical Mycology of Argentina conducted a retrospective review of human coccidioidomycosis cases diagnosed by the National Mycology Laboratory Network of Argentina between 2010 and 2022 to determine the burden of the disease in the country. A total of 100 human coccidioidomycosis cases were documented, with a higher prevalence in male patients (male-to-female ratio of 1.9:1), with a median age of 41 years. Comparing the number of cases between two 10-year periods (2000-2009 and 2010-2019), the increase was 36.51% (from 63 to 86 cases). Among the 100 recorded cases, 79 tested positive using the double immunodiffusion test. Spherules were observed in 19 cases through histopathology or direct microscopic examination and the fungus was isolated in 39 cases. Thirty-six isolates were identified as Coccidioides posadasii through partial sequencing of the Ag2/PRA gene. Catamarca province had the highest number of cases, comprising 64% of the total, with an incidence rate above 1.0-2.5/100,000 inhabitants until 2018. However, there has been a recent downward trend in the region from 2018 to 2022. It is concerning that more than half of diagnosed cases were chronic pulmonary or disseminated forms, indicating a lack of early disease detection. To rectify this issue, it is imperative to conduct targeted training programs for healthcare personnel and enhance public awareness within the endemic area. This will contribute to a better understanding of the true burden of coccidioidomycosis and enable the implementation of appropriate sanitary control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Noelia Viale
- Departamento Micología, Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia en Micología Clínica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Argentina
| | - María Cecilia López-Joffre
- Departamento Micología, Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia en Micología Clínica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Argentina
| | - Andrea Nora Motter
- Unidad Operativa Centro de Contención Biológica, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Argentina
| | | | - Flavia Gisele Vivot
- Departamento Micología, Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia en Micología Clínica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Argentina
| | - Facundo Manuel Muise Acevedo
- Departamento Micología, Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia en Micología Clínica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Argentina
| | | | | | - Julián Serrano
- Laboratorio de Micología, Hospital Independencia, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Norma Fernández
- Sección Micología-División Infectología, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Argentina
| | | | - Gladys Posse
- Hospital Nacional Profesor Alejandro Posadas, Argentina
| | - Laura Fraenza
- Hospital Nacional de Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | | | - Susana Amigot
- Centro De Especialidades Médicas Ambulatorias Rosario, Argentina
| | | | | | - Mónica Machain
- Hospital Interzonal de Agudos Dr. Abraham Piñeyro, Argentina
| | | | - Gustavo Giusiano
- Instituto de Medicina Regional-Departamento Micología-CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina
| | - Adriana Inés Toranzo
- Departamento Micología, Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia en Micología Clínica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Argentina
| | - Cristina Elena Canteros
- Departamento Micología, Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia en Micología Clínica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Argentina
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Wagner R, Montoya L, Head JR, Campo S, Remais J, Taylor JW. Coccidioides undetected in soils from agricultural land and uncorrelated with time or the greater soil fungal community on undeveloped land. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011391. [PMID: 37228157 PMCID: PMC10246812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is a typically respiratory fungal disease that, in the United States, occurs primarily in Arizona and California. In California, most coccidioidomycosis cases occur in the San Joaquin Valley, a primarily agricultural region where the disease poses a risk for outdoor workers. We collected 710 soil samples and 265 settled dust samples from nine sites in the San Joaquin Valley and examined how Coccidioides detection varied by month, site, and the presence and abundance of other fungal species. We detected Coccidioides in 89 of 238 (37.4%) rodent burrow soil samples at five undeveloped sites and were unable to detect Coccidioides in any of 472 surface and subsurface soil samples at four agricultural sites. In what is the largest sampling effort undertaken on agricultural land, our results provide no evidence that agricultural soils in the San Joaquin Valley harbor Coccidioides. We found no clear association between Coccidioides and the greater soil fungal community, but we identified 19 fungal indicator species that were significantly associated with Coccidioides detection in burrows. We also did not find a seasonal pattern in Coccidioides detection in the rodent burrow soils we sampled. These findings suggest both the presence of a spore bank and that coccidioidomycosis incidence may be more strongly associated with Coccidioides dispersal than Coccidioides growth. Finally, we were able to detect Coccidioides in only five of our 265 near-surface settled dust samples, one from agricultural land, where Coccidioides was undetected in soils, and four from undeveloped land, where Coccidioides was common in the rodent burrow soils we sampled. Our ability to detect Coccidioides in few settled dust samples indicates that improved methods are likely needed moving forward, though raises questions regarding aerial dispersal in Coccidioides, whose key transmission event likely occurs over short distances in rodent burrows from soil to naïve rodent lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Wagner
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Liliam Montoya
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Jennifer R. Head
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Simon Campo
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Justin Remais
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - John W. Taylor
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
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Yang X, Song Y, Liang T, Wang Q, Li R, Liu W. Application of laser capture microdissection and PCR sequencing in the diagnosis of Coccidioides spp. infection: A case report and literature review in China. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 10:331-341. [PMID: 33576325 PMCID: PMC7919914 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1889931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is endemic to California, Arizona, and Mexico. In recent years, the reported cases of coccidioidomycosis have increased in nonendemic regions. Here, we reported a case of imported pulmonary coccidioidomycosis in a Chinese patient. A 63-year-old man presented with dry cough and fatigue for 6 months, and a computed tomography scan revealed a solitary nodule in the right lower lung and small nodules in both lungs. The diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis was initially confirmed by histopathologic examination. The pathogen Coccidioides spp. was identified by laser capture microdissection (LCM) combined with subsequent molecular techniques based on the positive histopathologic features. Additionally, we reviewed 47 reported cases of coccidioidomycosis in China. The number of reported cases is increasing, and the incidence of disseminated infection has exhibited a trend of shifting towards healthy young adults in China. Since clinical presentations and imaging findings lack specificity, a majority of domestic cases of coccidioidomycosis were initially misdiagnosed as tumours or tuberculosis. Moreover, the diagnosis of endemic mycoses may be challenging because of their rarity and the limited availability of diagnostic tests. The diagnosis was mainly confirmed by histopathological examination. The species involved were identified based on positive cultures in only 4 cases. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use LCM and molecular techniques to identify Coccidioides spp. in the histopathologically positive but uncultivable specimen. Comparing with previous reported studies, LCM combined with nucleic acid amplification techniques improve the ability of species identification for the timely diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Yang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Research Center for Medical Mycology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yinggai Song
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Research Center for Medical Mycology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - TianYu Liang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Research Center for Medical Mycology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiqi Wang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Research Center for Medical Mycology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruoyu Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Research Center for Medical Mycology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Research Center for Medical Mycology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Lockhart SR, Bialek R, Kibbler CC, Cuenca-Estrella M, Jensen HE, Kontoyiannis DP. Molecular Techniques for Genus and Species Determination of Fungi From Fresh and Paraffin-Embedded Formalin-Fixed Tissue in the Revised EORTC/MSGERC Definitions of Invasive Fungal Infection. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:S109-S113. [PMID: 33709128 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The EORTC/MSGERC have revised the definitions for proven, probable, and possible fungal diseases. The tissue diagnosis subcommittee was tasked with determining how and when species can be determined from tissue in the absence of culture. The subcommittee reached a consensus decision that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from tissue, but not immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization, can be used for genus or species determination under the new EORTC/MSGERC guidelines, but only when fungal elements are identified by histology. Fungal elements seen in tissue samples by histopathology and identified by PCR followed by sequencing should fulfill the definition of a proven fungal infection, identified to genus/species, even in the absence of culture. This summary discusses the issues that were deliberated by the subcommittee to reach the consensus decision and outlines the criteria a laboratory should follow in order to produce data that meet the EORTC/MSGERC definitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn R Lockhart
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ralf Bialek
- LADR GmbH MVZ Dr. Kramer und Kollegen, Geesthacht, Germany
| | | | - Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
- Laboratorio de referencia e investigación en Micología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Henrik E Jensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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5
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Motter AN, López-Joffre MC, Toranzo A, Salas D, Viale M, Vivot F, Hevia A, Abrantes R, Fernández J, Canteros C, Suárez-Alvarez R. Molecular Characterization of Coccidioides spp. Strains Isolated from Patients in the Argentine Republic. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-020-00372-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Population Structure and Genetic Diversity among Isolates of Coccidioides posadasii in Venezuela and Surrounding Regions. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.01976-19. [PMID: 31772050 PMCID: PMC6879716 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01976-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coccidioides posadasii is a pathogenic fungus that causes coccidioidomycosis in many arid regions of the Americas. One of these regions is bordered by the Caribbean Sea, and the surrounding landscape may play an important role in the dispersion of C. posadasii across South America through southeastern Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and Venezuela. Comparative phylogenomic analyses of C. posadasii reveal that clinical strains from Venezuela are genetically distinct from the North American populations found in (i) Arizona and (ii) Texas, Mexico, and the rest of South America (TX/MX/SA). We find evidence for admixture between the Venezuela and the North American populations of C. posadasii in Central America. Additionally, the proportion of Venezuelan alleles in the admixed population decreases as latitude (and distance from Venezuela) increases. Our results indicate that the population in Venezuela may have been subjected to a recent bottleneck and shows a strong population structure. This analysis provides insight into potential for Coccidioides spp. to invade new regions.IMPORTANCE Valley Fever is a fungal disease caused by two species of fungi: Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii These fungi are found throughout the arid regions of North and South America; however, our understanding of genetic diversity and disease in South America is limited. In this report, we analyze 10 new genomes of Coccidioides posadasii from regions bordering the Caribbean Sea. We show that these populations are distinct and that isolates from Venezuela are likely a result of a recent bottleneck. These data point to patterns that might be observed when investigating recently established populations.
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7
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Laniado-Laborín R, Arathoon EG, Canteros C, Muñiz-Salazar R, Rendon A. Coccidioidomycosis in Latin America. Med Mycol 2019; 57:S46-S55. [PMID: 30690597 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is a highly prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America and has been reported (human and zoonotic cases) in México, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. The incidence of coccidioidomycosis in Latin America is unknown due to lack of clinical awareness and limited access to laboratory diagnosis. Coccidioidomycosis is as prevalent in Mexico as in the endemic regions of the United States. The number of cases reported in Brazil and Argentina has progressively increased during the last decade, including areas that were not considered as endemic. Genetic studies have shown that the prevalent species in Latin America is Coccidioides posadasii. Coccidioides immitis has been reported sporadically in indigenous cases from Mexico and Colombia. Coccidioidomycosis and tuberculosis share some risk factors such as immunosuppression and residing in areas endemic for these conditions, so their coexistence in the same patient is not uncommon in Latin America. In most regions, clinical diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is based on direct sputum examination and histopathology results from biopsies or autopsies. This would explain why primary coccidioidomycosis is rarely diagnosed, and most cases published are about chronic pulmonary or disseminated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo G Arathoon
- Asociación de Salud Integral, Hospital General San Juan de Dios, Guatemala
| | - Cristina Canteros
- Servicio Micosis Profundas, Departamento Micología, INEI-ANLIS "Dr Carlos G. Malbrán," República Argentina
| | | | - Adrián Rendon
- CIPTIR, Hospital Universitario de Monterrey UANL, Mexico
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Barker BM, Litvintseva AP, Riquelme M, Vargas-Gastélum L. Coccidioides ecology and genomics. Med Mycol 2019; 57:S21-S29. [PMID: 30690605 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the natural history and ecology of Coccidioides spp. have been studied for over 100 years, many fundamental questions about this fungus remain unanswered. Two of the most challenging aspects of the study of Coccidioides have been the undefined ecological niche and the outdated geographic distribution maps dating from midcentury. This review details the history of Coccidioides ecological research, and discusses current strategies and advances in understanding Coccidioides genetics and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget M Barker
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Meritxell Riquelme
- Department of Microbiology, Centro de Investigación Científica y Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Ctra. Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, Mexico
| | - Lluvia Vargas-Gastélum
- Department of Microbiology, Centro de Investigación Científica y Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Ctra. Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, Mexico
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Alvarado P, Teixeira MDM, Andrews L, Fernandez A, Santander G, Doyle A, Perez M, Yegres F, Barker BM. Detection of Coccidioides posadasii from xerophytic environments in Venezuela reveals risk of naturally acquired coccidioidomycosis infections. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:46. [PMID: 29593263 PMCID: PMC5874253 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0049-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
A wide range of mammals are susceptible to infection by the fungal species Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii. In humans, 60% of infections are asymptomatic; however, certain patients may develop a severe and deep systemic mycosis called coccidioidomycosis. Genetic analysis suggests that the majority of clinical isolates recovered from South America are C. posadasii; however, little is known about the prevalence, species distribution, and ecological factors that favor the occurrence of this pathogen in those areas. By using a combined quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based approach and mycobiome amplicon sequencing, we provide evidence that at least two genotypes of C. posadasii are found in the xerophytic environment in Venezuela. We detected a 3806-fold range in the amount of Coccidioides DNA when comparing among the sampled locations, which indicates that human exposure risk is variable, and is one critical factor for disease manifestation. We identified fungal communities that are correlated with a higher prevalence of C. posadasii, suggesting that a combination of specific microbes and a xeric microenvironment may favor the growth of Coccidioides in certain locations. Moreover, we discuss the use of a combinatorial approach, using both qPCR and deep-sequencing methods to assess and monitor fungal pathogen burden at outbreak sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Primavera Alvarado
- Laboratorio de Micología, Servicio Autonomo Instituto de Biomedicina Dr. Jacinto Convit, Caracas, 4043, Venezuela
| | | | - Lela Andrews
- Environmental Genetics and Genomics Laboratory, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Alexis Fernandez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología II, Servicio Autónomo Instituto de Biomedicina Dr. Jacinto Convit, Caracas, 4043, Venezuela
| | - Gerardo Santander
- Laboratory Geomatics, Universidad Bolivariana de Venezuela, Caracas, 1040, Venezuela
| | - Adina Doyle
- Division of Pathogen Genomics, Translational Genomics Research Institute-North, Flagstaff, AZ, 86005, USA
| | - Magaly Perez
- Laboratory Geomatics, Universidad Bolivariana de Venezuela, Caracas, 1040, Venezuela
| | - Francisco Yegres
- Laboratorio de Investigación y Apoyo Docente del Santa Ana (LIADSA), Universidad Nacional Experimental Francisco de Miranda (UNEFM), Coro, 4101, Venezuela
| | - Bridget Marie Barker
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA.
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Teixeira MM, Barker BM. Use of Population Genetics to Assess the Ecology, Evolution, and Population Structure of Coccidioides. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 22:1022-30. [PMID: 27191589 PMCID: PMC4880095 DOI: 10.3201/eid2206.151565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Coccidioides genotypes are highly genetically variable,
they cluster into discrete populations, which has implications for human
infections. During the past 20 years, a general picture of the genetic diversity and population
structure of Coccidioides, the causal agent of coccidioidomycosis
(Valley fever), has emerged. The genus consists of 2 genetically diverse species,
C. immitis and C. posadasii, each of which
contains 1 or more distinct populations with limited gene flow. Genotypic data
indicate that C. immitis is divided into 2 subpopulations (central
and southern California populations) and C. posadasii is divided
into 3 subpopulations (Arizona, Mexico, and Texas/South America populations).
However, admixture within and among these populations and the current paucity of
environmental isolates limit our understanding of the population genetics of
Coccidioides. We assessed population structure of
Coccidioides in Arizona by analyzing 495 clinical and
environmental isolates. Our findings confirm the population structure as previously
described and indicate a finer scale population structure in Arizona. Environmental
isolates appear to have higher genetic diversity than isolates from human
patients.
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Molecular Identification of Saprochaete capitata in Human Blood and Paraffinized Tissue Samples. J Clin Microbiol 2017; 55:2556-2559. [PMID: 28592551 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00876-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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12
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Local Population Structure and Patterns of Western Hemisphere Dispersal for Coccidioides spp., the Fungal Cause of Valley Fever. mBio 2016; 7:e00550-16. [PMID: 27118594 PMCID: PMC4850269 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00550-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis (or valley fever) is a fungal disease with high morbidity and mortality that affects tens of thousands of people each year. This infection is caused by two sibling species, Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii, which are endemic to specific arid locales throughout the Western Hemisphere, particularly the desert southwest of the United States. Recent epidemiological and population genetic data suggest that the geographic range of coccidioidomycosis is expanding, as new endemic clusters have been identified in the state of Washington, well outside the established endemic range. The genetic mechanisms and epidemiological consequences of this expansion are unknown and require better understanding of the population structure and evolutionary history of these pathogens. Here we performed multiple phylogenetic inference and population genomics analyses of 68 new and 18 previously published genomes. The results provide evidence of substantial population structure in C. posadasii and demonstrate the presence of distinct geographic clades in central and southern Arizona as well as dispersed populations in Texas, Mexico, South America, and Central America. Although a smaller number of C. immitis strains were included in the analyses, some evidence of phylogeographic structure was also detected in this species, which has been historically limited to California and Baja, Mexico. Bayesian analyses indicated that C. posadasii is the more ancient of the two species and that Arizona contains the most diverse subpopulations. We propose a southern Arizona-northern Mexico origin for C. posadasii and describe a pathway for dispersal and distribution out of this region. Coccidioidomycosis, or valley fever, is caused by the pathogenic fungi Coccidioides posadasii and C. immitis. The fungal species and disease are primarily found in the American desert southwest, with spotted distribution throughout the Western Hemisphere. Initial molecular studies suggested a likely anthropogenic movement of C. posadasii from North America to South America. Here we comparatively analyze eighty-six genomes of the two Coccidioides species and establish local and species-wide population structures to not only clarify the earlier dispersal hypothesis but also provide evidence of likely ancestral populations and patterns of dispersal for the known subpopulations of C. posadasii.
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