1
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De Francesco MA. Drug-Resistant Aspergillus spp.: A Literature Review of Its Resistance Mechanisms and Its Prevalence in Europe. Pathogens 2023; 12:1305. [PMID: 38003770 PMCID: PMC10674884 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections due to the Aspergillus species constitute an important challenge for human health. Invasive aspergillosis represents a life-threatening disease, mostly in patients with immune defects. Drugs used for fungal infections comprise amphotericin B, triazoles, and echinocandins. However, in the last decade, an increased emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus strains has been reported, principally belonging to Aspergillus fumigatus species. Therefore, both the early diagnosis of aspergillosis and its epidemiological surveillance are very important to establish the correct antifungal therapy and to ensure a successful patient outcome. In this paper, a literature review is performed to analyze the prevalence of Aspergillus antifungal resistance in European countries. Amphotericin B resistance is observed in 2.6% and 10.8% of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in Denmark and Greece, respectively. A prevalence of 84% of amphotericin B-resistant Aspergillus flavus isolates is reported in France, followed by 49.4%, 35.1%, 21.7%, and 20% in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and amphotericin B resistance of Aspergillus niger isolates is observed in Greece and Belgium with a prevalence of 75% and 12.8%, respectively. The prevalence of triazole resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates, the most studied mold obtained from the included studies, is 0.3% in Austria, 1% in Greece, 1.2% in Switzerland, 2.1% in France, 3.9% in Portugal, 4.9% in Italy, 5.3% in Germany, 6.1% in Denmark, 7.4% in Spain, 8.3% in Belgium, 11% in the Netherlands, and 13.2% in the United Kingdom. The mechanism of resistance is mainly driven by the TR34/L98H mutation. In Europe, no in vivo resistance is reported for echinocandins. Future studies are needed to implement the knowledge on the spread of drug-resistant Aspergillus spp. with the aim of defining optimal treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonia De Francesco
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Microbiology, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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2
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Steixner S, Vahedi Shahandashti R, Siller A, Ulmer H, Reider N, Schennach H, Lass-Flörl C. Aspergillus terreus Antibody Serosurveillance in Tyrol: A Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Study of a Healthy Population. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1008. [PMID: 37888264 PMCID: PMC10607556 DOI: 10.3390/jof9101008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The rare, but emerging mold Aspergillus terreus is an important pathogen in some geographical areas, like Tyrol (Austria) and Houston (Texas). The reason for this high prevalence is unknown. The present serosurveillance study aimed to evaluate the trends in levels of A. terreus-specific IgG antibodies in various regions of Tyrol and to compare the results to the environmental spread of A. terreus in Tyrol. Therefore, 1058 serum samples from healthy blood donors were evaluated. Data revealed a significant difference between the Tyrolean Upland and Lowland. Moreover, female participants had higher A. terreus IgG antibody levels than male participants. The differences found in our study are consistent with the distributional differences in environmental and clinical samples described in previous studies, supporting that A. terreus IgG antibody levels reflect the environmental epidemiology of A. terreus in Tyrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Steixner
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria; (S.S.); (R.V.S.)
| | - Roya Vahedi Shahandashti
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria; (S.S.); (R.V.S.)
| | - Anita Siller
- Central Institute for Blood Transfusion and Immunology, Tirol Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria; (A.S.); (H.S.)
| | - Hanno Ulmer
- Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria;
| | - Norbert Reider
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria;
| | - Harald Schennach
- Central Institute for Blood Transfusion and Immunology, Tirol Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria; (A.S.); (H.S.)
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria; (S.S.); (R.V.S.)
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3
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Kakoschke TK, Kleinemeier C, Knösel T, Kakoschke SC, Ebel F. The Novel Monoclonal IgG 1-Antibody AB90-E8 as a Diagnostic Tool to Rapidly Distinguish Aspergillus fumigatus from Other Human Pathogenic Aspergillus Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:622. [PMID: 37367559 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In most cases, invasive aspergillosis (IA) is caused by A. fumigatus, though infections with other Aspergillus spp. with lower susceptibilities to amphotericin B (AmB) gain ground. A. terreus, for instance, is the second leading cause of IA in humans and of serious concern because of its high propensity to disseminate and its in vitro and in vivo resistance to AmB. An early differentiation between A. fumigatus and non-A. fumigatus infections could swiftly recognize a potentially ineffective treatment with AmB and lead to the lifesaving change to a more appropriate drug regime in high-risk patients. In this study, we present the characteristics of the monoclonal IgG1-antibody AB90-E8 that specifically recognizes a surface antigen of A. fumigatus and the closely related, but not human pathogenic A. fischeri. We show immunostainings on fresh frozen sections as well as on incipient mycelium picked from agar plates with tweezers or by using the expeditious tape mount technique. All three methods have a time advantage over the common procedures currently used in the routine diagnosis of IA and outline the potential of AB90-E8 as a rapid diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Katharina Kakoschke
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Lindwurmstrasse 2a, 80337 Munich, Germany
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Christoph Kleinemeier
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Thomas Knösel
- Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sara Carina Kakoschke
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81337 Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Ebel
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
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4
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Arastehfar A, Carvalho A, Houbraken J, Lombardi L, Garcia-Rubio R, Jenks J, Rivero-Menendez O, Aljohani R, Jacobsen I, Berman J, Osherov N, Hedayati M, Ilkit M, Armstrong-James D, Gabaldón T, Meletiadis J, Kostrzewa M, Pan W, Lass-Flörl C, Perlin D, Hoenigl M. Aspergillus fumigatus and aspergillosis: From basics to clinics. Stud Mycol 2021; 100:100115. [PMID: 34035866 PMCID: PMC8131930 DOI: 10.1016/j.simyco.2021.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The airborne fungus Aspergillus fumigatus poses a serious health threat to humans by causing numerous invasive infections and a notable mortality in humans, especially in immunocompromised patients. Mould-active azoles are the frontline therapeutics employed to treat aspergillosis. The global emergence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates in clinic and environment, however, notoriously limits the therapeutic options of mould-active antifungals and potentially can be attributed to a mortality rate reaching up to 100 %. Although specific mutations in CYP 51A are the main cause of azole resistance, there is a new wave of azole-resistant isolates with wild-type CYP 51A genotype challenging the efficacy of the current diagnostic tools. Therefore, applications of whole-genome sequencing are increasingly gaining popularity to overcome such challenges. Prominent echinocandin tolerance, as well as liver and kidney toxicity posed by amphotericin B, necessitate a continuous quest for novel antifungal drugs to combat emerging azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. Animal models and the tools used for genetic engineering require further refinement to facilitate a better understanding about the resistance mechanisms, virulence, and immune reactions orchestrated against A. fumigatus. This review paper comprehensively discusses the current clinical challenges caused by A. fumigatus and provides insights on how to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Arastehfar
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - A. Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - J. Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - L. Lombardi
- UCD Conway Institute and School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - R. Garcia-Rubio
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - J.D. Jenks
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
- Clinical and Translational Fungal-Working Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - O. Rivero-Menendez
- Medical Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28222, Spain
| | - R. Aljohani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - I.D. Jacobsen
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - J. Berman
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - N. Osherov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - M.T. Hedayati
- Invasive Fungi Research Center/Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - M. Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey
| | | | - T. Gabaldón
- Life Sciences Programme, Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS), Jordi Girona, Barcelona, 08034, Spain
- Mechanisms of Disease Programme, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J. Meletiadis
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - W. Pan
- Medical Mycology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - C. Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - D.S. Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - M. Hoenigl
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
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5
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Abstract
Infections due to Aspergillus species are an acute threat to human health; members of the Aspergillus section Fumigati are the most frequently occurring agents, but depending on the local epidemiology, representatives of section Terrei or section Flavi are the second or third most important. Aspergillus terreus species complex is of great interest, as it is usually amphotericin B resistant and displays notable differences in immune interactions in comparison to Aspergillus fumigatus. The latest epidemiological surveys show an increased incidence of A. terreus as well as an expanding clinical spectrum (chronic infections) and new groups of at-risk patients being affected. Hallmarks of these non-Aspergillus fumigatus invasive mold infections are high potential for tissue invasion, dissemination, and possible morbidity due to mycotoxin production. We seek to review the microbiology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of A. terreus species complex, address clinical characteristics, and highlight the underlying mechanisms of amphotericin B resistance. Selected topics will contrast key elements of A. terreus with A. fumigatus. We provide a comprehensive resource for clinicians dealing with fungal infections and researchers working on A. terreus pathogenesis, aiming to bridge the emerging translational knowledge and future therapeutic challenges on this opportunistic pathogen.
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Molecular Diversity of Aspergilli in Two Iranian Hospitals. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:519-533. [PMID: 34052941 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00563-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Aspergillus species are main causative agents of various infections such as invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised patients and these infections have high mortality rates. In this study, we provide insight in the species causing aspergillosis in Iran based on morphology and sequence data. Clinical (n = 117) and environmental isolates (n = 54) collected during 2010-2016 from University hospitals in Mashhad and Tehran (Iran) were identified both morphologically and molecularly using partial calmodulin (CaM) gene sequences. Clinical cases were identified based on EORTC/MSG criteria. Aspergillus flavus (n = 96, 55%) was the most prevalent species among the clinical and environmental isolates while A. fumigatus (n = 13, 7.5%) ranked fourth after A. tubingensis (n = 23, 13%) and A. welwitchiae (n = 18, 10%). Species such as A. tubingensis, A. welwitschiae, A. fumigatus, A. sydowii, A. neoniger and A. terreus were present in both clinical and environmental samples indicating the possible environmental source of infections. Interestingly, A. niger was isolated only once. Furthermore, 13 other rare and cryptic Aspergillus species were detected. Pulmonary and respiratory disorders (n = 33), followed by transplantation (n = 23), invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (n = 14), and haematological malignancies (n = 12) were major predisposing factors. According to EORTC/MSG criteria, there were 43 probable cases identified followed by 36 cases for each of proven and possible ones. Correct molecular identification will be useful for further epidemiological studies.
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The Environmental Spread of Aspergillus terreus in Tyrol, Austria. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030539. [PMID: 33808004 PMCID: PMC7998223 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections due to Aspergillus species have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. At the Medical University of Innsbruck, A. terreus and related species are the second most common causative agents of aspergillosis. In this one-year study we collected environmental samples to investigate (i) the environmental distribution, (ii) the ecological niche of A. terreus in Tyrol, (iii) the genetic relatedness of environmental and clinical isolates and the correlation between those two groups of isolates, and (iv) the antifungal susceptibility patterns. A. terreus was present in 5.4% of 3845 environmental samples, with a significantly higher frequency during winter (6.8%) than summer (3.9%). An increased A. terreus abundance in Tyrol’s Eastern part was detected which is in agreement with the proof of clinical cases. In total, 92% of environmental and 98% of clinical A. terreus isolates were amphotericin B resistant; 22.6% and 9.8% were resistant against posaconazole. Overall, 3.9% of clinical isolates were resistant against voriconazole. Short tandem repeat analysis identified three major genotypes persisting in Tyrol. Soil from agricultural cornfields seems to be an important source; the environmental frequency of A. terreus correlates with the high incidence of A. terreus infections in certain geographical areas.
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Lackner M, Obermair J, Naschberger V, Raschbichler LM, Kandelbauer C, Pallua J, Metzlaff J, Furxer S, Lass-Flörl C, Binder U. Cryptic species of Aspergillus section Terrei display essential physiological features to cause infection and are similar in their virulence potential in Galleria mellonella. Virulence 2020; 10:542-554. [PMID: 31169442 PMCID: PMC6592363 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1614382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species account for the majority of invasive mold infections in immunocompromised patients. Most commonly, members of the Aspergillus section Fumigati are isolated from clinical material, followed by isolates belonging to section Terrei. The section Terrei contains 16 accepted species. Six species were found to be of clinical relevance and studied for differences in growth adaptability and virulence potential. Therefore, a set of 73 isolates (22 A. terreus s.s., 8 A. alabamensis, 27 A. citrinoterreus, 2 A. floccosus, 13 A. hortai, and 1 A. neoafricanus) was studied to determine differences in (a) germination kinetics, (b) temperature tolerance, (c) oxygen stress tolerance (1% O2), and (d) a combination of the latter two. Virulence potential of phialidic (PC) and accessory conidia (AC) was studied in G. mellonella larvae, using survival as read out. Further, the formation of AC was evaluated in larval tissue. All isolates were able to grow at elevated temperature and hypoxia, with highest growth and germination rates at 37°C. A. terreus s.s., A. citrinoterreus, and A. hortai exhibited highest growth rates. Virulence potential in larvae was inoculum and temperature dependent. All species except A. floccosus formed AC and germination kinetics of AC was variable. Significantly higher virulence potential of AC was found for one A. hortai isolate. AC could be detected in larval tissue 96 h post infection. Based on these findings, cryptic species of section Terrei are well adapted to the host environment and have similar potential to cause infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Lackner
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Judith Obermair
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Verena Naschberger
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | | | - Carmen Kandelbauer
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Johannes Pallua
- b Department of Pathology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Julia Metzlaff
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Sibylle Furxer
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Ulrike Binder
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
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Vahedi Shahandashti R, Lass-Flörl C. Antifungal resistance in Aspergillus terreus: A current scenario. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 131:103247. [PMID: 31247322 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.103247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis caused by intrinsically resistant non-fumigatus Aspergillus species displays a poor outcome in immunocompromised patients. The polyene antifungal amphotericin B (AmB) remains to be "gold standard" in the treatment of invasive fungal infections. Aspergillus terreus is innately resistant to AmB, in vivo and in vitro. Till now, the exact mode of action in polyene resistance is not well understood. This review highlights the underlying molecular basis of AmB resistance in A. terreus, displaying data obtained from AmB susceptible A. terreus and AmB resistant A. terreus strains. The effect of AmB on main cellular and molecular functions such as fungal respiration and stress response pathways will be discussed in detail and resistance mechanisms will be highlighted. The fungal stress response machinery seems to be a major player in the onset of AmB resistance in A. terreus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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10
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Kontoyiannis DP. Antifungal Resistance: An Emerging Reality and A Global Challenge. J Infect Dis 2019; 216:S431-S435. [PMID: 28911044 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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11
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Shishodia SK, Tiwari S, Shankar J. Resistance mechanism and proteins in Aspergillus species against antifungal agents. Mycology 2019; 10:151-165. [PMID: 31448149 PMCID: PMC6691784 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2019.1574927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species contain pathogenic and opportunistic fungal pathogens which have the potential
to cause mycosis (invasive aspergillosis) in humans. The existing antifungal drugs have
limitation largely due to the development of drug-resistant isolates. To gain insight
into the mechanism of action and antifungal drug resistance in Aspergillus species including biofilm formation, we have reviewed protein
data of Aspergillus species during interaction with
antifungals drugs (polynes, azoles and echinocandin) and phytochemicals (artemisinin,
coumarin and quercetin). Our analyses provided a list of Aspergillus proteins (72 proteins) that were abundant during interaction
with different antifungal agents. On the other hand, there are 26 proteins, expression
level of which is affected by more than two antifungal agents, suggesting the more
general response to the stress induced by the antifungal agents. Our analysis showed
enzymes from cell wall remodelling, oxidative stress response and energy metabolism are
the responsible factors for providing resistance against antifungal drugs in Aspergillus species and could be explored further in clinical
isolates. Also, these findings have clinical importance since the effect of drug
targeting different proteins can be potentiated by combination therapy. We have also
discussed the opportunities ahead to study the functional role of proteins from
environmental and clinical isolates of Aspergillus during
its interaction with the antifungal drugs. Abbreviations IPA: invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; IA: invasive aspergillosis; AmB: Amphotericin B;
CAS: Caspofungin; VRC: Voriconazole; ITC: Itraconazole; POS: Posaconazole; ART:
Artemisinin; QRT: Quercetin; CMR: Coumarin; MIC: minimal inhibitory concentration
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Kumari Shishodia
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
| | - Shraddha Tiwari
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
| | - Jata Shankar
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, India
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12
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Posch W, Blatzer M, Wilflingseder D, Lass-Flörl C. Aspergillus terreus: Novel lessons learned on amphotericin B resistance. Med Mycol 2018. [PMID: 29538736 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The polyene antifungal amphotericin B (AmB) exerts a powerful and broad activity against a vast array of fungi and in general displays a remarkably low rate of antimicrobial resistance. Aspergillus terreus holds an exceptional position among the Aspergilli due to its intrinsic AmB resistance, in vivo and in vitro. Until now, the underlying mechanisms of polyene resistance were not well understood. This review will highlight the molecular basis of A. terreus and AmB resistance recently gained and will display novel data on the mode of action of AmB. A main focus is set on fundamental stress response pathways covering the heat shock proteins (Hsp) 90/Hsp70 axis, as well as reactive oxygen species detoxifying enzymes in response to AmB. The effect on main cellular functions such as fungal respiration will be addressed in detail and resistance mechanisms will be highlighted. Based on these novel findings we will discuss new molecular targets for alternative options in the treatment of invasive infections due to A. terreus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfried Posch
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Schöpfstrasse 41, A- 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Blatzer
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Schöpfstrasse 41, A- 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Doris Wilflingseder
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Schöpfstrasse 41, A- 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Schöpfstrasse 41, A- 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.,ISHAM Aspergillus terreus Working Group
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13
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Lass-Flörl C. Treatment of Infections Due to Aspergillus terreus Species Complex. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:jof4030083. [PMID: 29987241 PMCID: PMC6162764 DOI: 10.3390/jof4030083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Aspergillus terreus species complex is found in a wide variety of habitats, and the spectrum of diseases caused covers allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, Aspergillus bronchitis and/or tracheobronchitis, and invasive and disseminated aspergillosis. Invasive infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality mainly in patients with hematological malignancy. The section Terrei covers a total of 16 accepted species of which most are amphotericin B resistant. Triazoles are the preferred agents for treatment and prevention of invasive aspergillosis. Poor prognosis in patients with invasive A. terreus infections seems to be independent of anti-Aspergillus azole-based treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Schöpfstraße 41, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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14
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Species Identification and In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility of Aspergillus terreus Species Complex Clinical Isolates from a French Multicenter Study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.02315-17. [PMID: 29439956 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02315-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus section Terrei is a species complex currently comprised of 14 cryptic species whose prevalence in clinical samples as well as antifungal susceptibility are poorly known. The aims of this study were to investigate A. Terrei clinical isolates at the species level and to perform antifungal susceptibility analyses by reference and commercial methods. Eighty-two clinical A. Terrei isolates were collected from 8 French university hospitals. Molecular identification was performed by sequencing parts of beta-tubulin and calmodulin genes. MICs or minimum effective concentrations (MECs) were determined for 8 antifungal drugs using both EUCAST broth microdilution (BMD) methods and concentration gradient strips (CGS). Among the 79 A. Terrei isolates, A. terreus stricto sensu (n = 61), A. citrinoterreus (n = 13), A. hortai (n = 3), and A. alabamensis (n = 2) were identified. All strains had MICs of ≥1 mg/liter for amphotericin B, except for two isolates (both A. hortai) that had MICs of 0.25 mg/liter. Four A. terreus isolates were resistant to at least one azole drug, including one with pan-azole resistance, yet no mutation in the CYP51A gene was found. All strains had low MECs for the three echinocandins. The essential agreements (EAs) between BMD and CGS were >90%, except for those of amphotericin B (79.7%) and itraconazole (73.4%). Isolates belonging to the A section Terrei identified in clinical samples show wider species diversity beyond the known A. terreus sensu stricto Azole resistance inside the section Terrei is uncommon and is not related to CYP51A mutations here. Finally, CGS is an interesting alternative for routine antifungal susceptibility testing.
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15
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Mahfooz S, Singh SP, Mishra N, Mishra A. A Comparison of Microsatellites in Phytopathogenic Aspergillus Species in Order to Develop Markers for the Assessment of Genetic Diversity among Its Isolates. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1774. [PMID: 28979242 PMCID: PMC5611378 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of Microsatellites (SSRs) has been witnessed in most of the fungal genomes however its abundance varies across species. In the present study, we analyzed the frequency of SSRs in the whole genome and transcripts of two phyto-pathogenic (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus) and compared them with two non-pathogenic (Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus oryzae) Aspergillus. Higher relative abundance and relative density of SSRs were observed in the whole genome and transcript sequences of the pathogenic Aspergillus when compared to the non-pathogenic. The relative abundance and density of SSRs were positively correlated with the G+C content of transcripts. Among the different classes of SSR, the percentage of tetra-nucleotide SSRs were maximum in A. niger (36.7%) and A. oryzae (35.9%) whereas A. nidulans and A. terreus preferred tri-nucleotide SSRs (38.2 and 42.1%) in whole genome sequences. In transcripts, tri-nucleotide SSRs were the most abundant whereas di-nucleotide SSRs were the least favored. Motif conservation study among the transcripts revealed conservation of only 27% motif within Aspergillus species. Furthermore, a similar relationship among the Ascomycetes was obtained on the basis of motif conservation and conserved genes (rDNA). To analyze the diversity present within the Indian isolates of Aspergillus, primers were successfully designed for 692 motifs in A. niger and A. terreus of which 20 were selected for diversity analysis. Among all the markers amplified, 10 markers (83.3%) were polymorphic, whereas remaining two markers (16.6%) were monomorphic. Ten polymorphic markers acquired in this investigation showed the utility of recently created SSR markers in the assessment of genetic diversity among various isolates of Aspergillus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Aradhana Mishra
- Division of Plant Microbe Interaction, CSIR-National Botanical Research InstituteLucknow, India
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16
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Thakur R, Shankar J. Proteome Profile of Aspergillus terreus Conidia at Germinating Stage: Identification of Probable Virulent Factors and Enzymes from Mycotoxin Pathways. Mycopathologia 2017. [PMID: 28647921 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-017-0161-5] [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] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus terreus is an emerging opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised individuals. The main risk group of individuals for this organism is leukopenic patients, individuals having cancers, bone marrow transplant persons and those who have immunological disorders. The lack of early diagnostic marker for A. terreus and intrinsic resistance to Amphotericin B, further limits the successful therapy of A. terreus-associated infections. The germination of inhaled conidia is the key step to establish successful invasion in host tissues or organs. Thus, profiling of expressed proteins during germination of conidia not only shed light on proteins that are involved in invasion or virulence but may also provide early diagnostic markers. We used nanoLC-Q-TOF to study the proteome of germinating conidia (at 16 h time points) of A. terreus. We observed expression of 373 proteins in germinating conidia of A. terreus. A total of 74 proteins were uncharacterized in the database. The expressed proteins were associated with various processes like cell wall modulation, virulence factors and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. The most abundant proteins were associated with protein biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and unknown functions. Among virulent proteins, mitogen-activated protein kinase (hog1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (mpkC) are key virulent proteins observed in our study. We observed 7 enzymes from terretonin and 10 enzymes from geodin mycotoxin biosynthesis pathway. Interestingly, we observed expression of terrelysin protein, associated with blood cell lysis. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed 26-fold increase in transcripts encoding for dihydrogeodin oxidase and 885-fold for terrelysin gene in germinating conidia in comparison to conidia. Further, we propose that terrelysin protein and secondary metabolite such as geodin could be explored as diagnostic marker for A. terreus-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raman Thakur
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173234, India
| | - Jata Shankar
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173234, India.
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17
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Risslegger B, Zoran T, Lackner M, Aigner M, Sánchez-Reus F, Rezusta A, Chowdhary A, Taj-Aldeen SJ, Arendrup MC, Oliveri S, Kontoyiannis DP, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Lagrou K, Lo Cascio G, Meis JF, Buzina W, Farina C, Drogari-Apiranthitou M, Grancini A, Tortorano AM, Willinger B, Hamprecht A, Johnson E, Klingspor L, Arsic-Arsenijevic V, Cornely OA, Meletiadis J, Prammer W, Tullio V, Vehreschild JJ, Trovato L, Lewis RE, Segal E, Rath PM, Hamal P, Rodriguez-Iglesias M, Roilides E, Arikan-Akdagli S, Chakrabarti A, Colombo AL, Fernández MS, Martin-Gomez MT, Badali H, Petrikkos G, Klimko N, Heimann SM, Houbraken J, Uzun O, Edlinger M, Fuente SDL, Lass-Flörl C. A prospective international Aspergillus terreus survey: an EFISG, ISHAM and ECMM joint study. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 23:776.e1-776.e5. [PMID: 28412383 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A prospective international multicentre surveillance study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and amphotericin B susceptibility of Aspergillus terreus species complex infections. METHODS A total of 370 cases from 21 countries were evaluated. RESULTS The overall prevalence of A. terreus species complex among the investigated patients with mould-positive cultures was 5.2% (370/7116). Amphotericin B MICs ranged from 0.125 to 32 mg/L, (median 8 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS Aspergillus terreus species complex infections cause a wide spectrum of aspergillosis and the majority of cryptic species display high amphotericin B MICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Risslegger
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - T Zoran
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M Lackner
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M Aigner
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - F Sánchez-Reus
- Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Rezusta
- Microbiologia, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, IIS Aragon, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - A Chowdhary
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - S J Taj-Aldeen
- Microbiology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - M C Arendrup
- Statens Serum Institute, Unit of Mycology, & Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S Oliveri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - D P Kontoyiannis
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - K Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - G Lo Cascio
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Microbiologia e virologia, Dipartimento di Patologia e diagnostica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy
| | - J F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - W Buzina
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - C Farina
- Microbiology Institute, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - M Drogari-Apiranthitou
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, 4(th) Department of Internal Medicine, ATTIKON University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - A Grancini
- Laboratorio Centrale di Analisi Chimico Cliniche e Microbiologia, IRCCS Foundation, Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - A M Tortorano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - B Willinger
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Hamprecht
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - E Johnson
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Bristol, UK
| | - L Klingspor
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Laboratory Medicine, F 68, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - V Arsic-Arsenijevic
- National Reference Medical Mycology Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - O A Cornely
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Department I of Internal Medicine, Clinical Trials Centre Cologne (ZKS Köln), Centre for Integrated Oncology (CIO Köln-Bonn), German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - J Meletiadis
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, ATTIKON University Hospital Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - W Prammer
- Department of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels, Austria
| | - V Tullio
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, Microbiology Division, Turin, Italy
| | - J-J Vehreschild
- Department I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne and German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Germany
| | - L Trovato
- A.O.U. Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele Catania, Biometec - University of Catania, Italy
| | - R E Lewis
- Infectious Diseases Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - E Segal
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - P-M Rath
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - P Hamal
- Department of of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - M Rodriguez-Iglesias
- Clinical Microbiology, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - E Roilides
- Infectious Diseases Unit, 3(rd) Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University School of Health Sciences, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - S Arikan-Akdagli
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - A Chakrabarti
- Division of Mycology, Department of Medial Microbiology, Chandigarh, India
| | - A L Colombo
- Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M S Fernández
- Departmento de Micología, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, CONICET, Resistencia, Argentina
| | - M T Martin-Gomez
- Division of Clinical Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - H Badali
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology/Invasive Fungi Research Centre, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - G Petrikkos
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - N Klimko
- Department of Clinical Mycology, Allergy and Immunology, North Western State Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - S M Heimann
- Department I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - J Houbraken
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - O Uzun
- Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - M Edlinger
- Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - S de la Fuente
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital Ernest Lluch Martin, Calatayud, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - C Lass-Flörl
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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18
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Blatzer M, Jukic E, Posch W, Schöpf B, Binder U, Steger M, Blum G, Hackl H, Gnaiger E, Lass-Flörl C, Wilflingseder D. Amphotericin B Resistance in Aspergillus terreus Is Overpowered by Coapplication of Pro-oxidants. Antioxid Redox Signal 2015; 23:1424-38. [PMID: 26054424 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2014.6220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Invasive fungal infections have significantly increased over the past decades in immunocompromised individuals and high-risk patients. Amphotericin B (AmB) exerts a powerful and broad activity against a vast array of fungi and has a remarkably low rate of microbial resistance. However, most isolates of Aspergillus terreus developed an intrinsic resistance against AmB, and during this study, we characterized the mode of action of this polyene antifungal drug in more detail in resistant (ATR) and rare susceptible (ATS) clinical isolates of A. terreus. RESULTS We illustrate that AmB treatment changes cellular redox status and promotes the generation of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ATS. In contrast, ATR isolates were able to cope better with AmB-induced oxidative stress. INNOVATION Most importantly, we demonstrate in this study that coapplication of anti- and pro-oxidants significantly affects AmB efficacy in an antithetic manner--antioxidants and ROS-scavenging agents increase AmB tolerance in susceptible strains, while pro-oxidants render formerly resistant isolates considerably susceptible to the antifungal drug also in vivo in a Galleria animal model. CONCLUSION Thereby, our study provides novel therapeutic options to treat formerly resistant fungal strains by a combination of AmB and pro-oxidant compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Blatzer
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Emina Jukic
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wilfried Posch
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bernd Schöpf
- 2 Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ulrike Binder
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marion Steger
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerhard Blum
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubert Hackl
- 3 Division of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Erich Gnaiger
- 4 D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Doris Wilflingseder
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
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19
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Lackner M, Coassin S, Haun M, Binder U, Kronenberg F, Haas H, Jank M, Maurer E, Meis JF, Hagen F, Lass-Flörl C. Geographically predominant genotypes of Aspergillus terreus species complex in Austria: s microsatellite typing study. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 22:270-6. [PMID: 26577144 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus terreus species complex is recognized as a frequent agent of invasive aspergillosis in Tyrol. The reason for this specific epidemiological situation is unclear. Aspergillus terreus strains isolated from environmental and clinical sources were genotyped using a novel panel of short tandem repeats and were evaluated for virulence. Three major endemic genotypes collected from the Inn region and its side valleys were found to cause the majority of invasive A. terreus infections. All of these genotypes were of the same mating type, which suggests that a mating barrier is present between these geographically well-adapted strains which is found to persist for at least 11 years. The three major genotypes were prevalent in both human infections and the environment. No major differences in virulence were observed using Galleria mellonella as model. Our data suggest a specific environmental exposure being responsible for the high incidence of A. terreus infections in Innsbruck, the Inn valley and side valleys (Tyrol, Austria).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lackner
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Austria.
| | - S Coassin
- Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Austria
| | - M Haun
- Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Austria
| | - U Binder
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Austria
| | | | - H Haas
- Division of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M Jank
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Austria
| | - E Maurer
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Austria
| | - J F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - F Hagen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - C Lass-Flörl
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Austria
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20
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Vehreschild MJGT, Cornely OA. [Resistant fungi]. Internist (Berl) 2015; 56:1271-6. [PMID: 26432089 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-015-3704-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Particularly in the area of hematology/oncology and intensive care medicine, infections due to resistant fungi are to be expected. Emergence of resistance in fungi is a less dynamic process than in bacteria; it can, however, have an equally important impact on treatment strategies. In the following article, the most important resistance patterns of yeasts and molds (Candida albicans , Aspergillus fumigatus, the order Mucorales and the genus Fusarium) will be presented and discussed. Their diagnosis mostly being based on blood cultures, resistance testing for yeasts is usually readily available. Culture-based therapeutic adjustments in mold infections are, however, only rarely possible, as most antifungal therapies for these infections are initiated on an empirical basis after identification of typical infiltrates on a CT scan. Response to therapy is then evaluated on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms in combination with follow-up CT scans. In case of therapeutic failure or appearance of suspicious infiltrates under antifungal prophylaxis, an open or CT-guided biopsy is recommended to allow efficient adaptation of antifungal treatment. In individual cases, particularly in patients diagnosed with mucormycosis, resection of the focus of infection may be necessary to achieve a satisfactory treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J G T Vehreschild
- Klinisches Studienzentrum II für Infektiologie, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Uniklinik Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, 50924, Köln, Deutschland. .,Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Bonn/Köln, Köln, Deutschland.
| | - O A Cornely
- Klinisches Studienzentrum II für Infektiologie, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Uniklinik Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, 50924, Köln, Deutschland.,Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Bonn/Köln, Köln, Deutschland.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Universität zu Köln, Köln, Deutschland
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21
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Maurer E, Browne N, Surlis C, Jukic E, Moser P, Kavanagh K, Lass-Flörl C, Binder U. Galleria mellonella as a host model to study Aspergillus terreus virulence and amphotericin B resistance. Virulence 2015; 6:591-8. [PMID: 26107350 PMCID: PMC4720272 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2015.1045183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate if the alternative in vivo model Galleria mellonella can be used (i) to determine differences in pathogenicity of amphotericin B (AMB) resistant and susceptible A. terreus isolates, (ii) to evaluate AMB efficacy in vivo (iii) and to correlate outcome to in vitro susceptibility data. Larvae were infected with 2 A. terreus AMB resistant (ATR) and 3 AMB susceptible (ATS) isolates and survival rates were correlated to physiological attributes and killing ability of larval haemocytes. Additionally, infected larvae were treated with different concentrations of L-AMB. Haemocyte density were ascertained to evaluate the influence of L-AMB on the larval immune cells. Larvae were sensitive to A. terreus infection in an inoculum-size and temperature dependent manner. In vitro susceptibility to L-AMB correlated with in vivo outcome of antifungal treatment, defining an AMB susceptible strain cluster of A. terreus. Susceptibility to L-AMB increased virulence potential in the larval model, but this increase was also in accordance with faster growth and less damage caused by larval haemocytes. L-AMB treatment primed the larval immune response by increasing haemocyte density. G. mellonella provides a convenient model for the in vivo screening of A. terreus virulence and treatment options, contributing to the generation of a hypothesis that can be further tested in refined experiments in mammalian models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Maurer
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology; Medical University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Niall Browne
- Medical Mycology Unit; Department of Biology; Maynooth University; Maynooth; Kildare, Ireland
| | - Carla Surlis
- Medical Mycology Unit; Department of Biology; Maynooth University; Maynooth; Kildare, Ireland
| | - Emina Jukic
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology; Medical University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Patrizia Moser
- Department of Pathology; Medical University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Medical Mycology Unit; Department of Biology; Maynooth University; Maynooth; Kildare, Ireland
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology; Medical University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ulrike Binder
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology; Medical University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck, Austria
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22
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Kathuria S, Sharma C, Singh PK, Agarwal P, Agarwal K, Hagen F, Meis JF, Chowdhary A. Molecular epidemiology and in-vitro antifungal susceptibility of Aspergillus terreus species complex isolates in Delhi, India: evidence of genetic diversity by amplified fragment length polymorphism and microsatellite typing. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118997. [PMID: 25781896 PMCID: PMC4363790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus terreus is emerging as an etiologic agent of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised individuals in several medical centers in the world. Infections due to A. terreus are of concern due to its resistance to amphotericin B, in vivo and in vitro, resulting in poor response to antifungal therapy and high mortality. Herein we examined a large collection of molecularly characterized, geographically diverse A. terreus isolates (n = 140) from clinical and environmental sources in India for the occurrence of cryptic A. terreus species. The population structure of the Indian A. terreus isolates and their association with those outside India was determined using microsatellite based typing (STR) technique and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis (AFLP). Additionally, in vitro antifungal susceptibility of A. terreus isolates was determined against 7 antifungals. Sequence analyses of the calmodulin locus identified the recently described cryptic species A. hortai, comprising 1.4% of Aspergillus section Terrei isolates cultured from cases of aspergilloma and probable invasive aspergillosis not reported previously. All the nine markers used for STR typing of A. terreus species complex proved to be highly polymorphic. The presence of high genetic diversity revealing 75 distinct genotypes among 101 Indian A. terreus isolates was similar to the marked heterogeneity noticed in the 47 global A. terreus population exhibiting 38 unique genotypes mainly among isolates from North America and Europe. Also, AFLP analysis showed distinct banding patterns for genotypically diverse A. terreus isolates. Furthermore, no correlation between a particular genotype and amphotericin B susceptibility was observed. Overall, 8% of the A. terreus isolates exhibited low MICs of amphotericin B. All the echinocandins and azoles (voriconazole, posaconazole and isavuconazole) demonstrated high potency against all the isolates. The study emphasizes the need of molecular characterization of A. terreus species complex isolates to better understand the ecology, acquisition and transmission of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shallu Kathuria
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Cheshta Sharma
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar Singh
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Puneet Agarwal
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Kshitij Agarwal
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Rajan Babu Institute of Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis, Delhi, India
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques F. Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anuradha Chowdhary
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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Aspergillus citrinoterreus, a new species of section Terrei isolated from samples of patients with nonhematological predisposing conditions. J Clin Microbiol 2014; 53:611-7. [PMID: 25502530 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.03088-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of molecular identification techniques has revealed an increasing number of new species within Aspergillus section Terrei. We phenotyped a set of 26 clinical isolates that showed genetic differences from Aspergillus terreus sensu stricto by analyzing sequences from PCR-amplified β-tubulin and calmodulin genes and the internal transcribed spacer region. Since the isolates were phylogenetically and morphologically different from all of the members of Aspergillus section Terrei, they are described here as a new species, Aspergillus citrinoterreus, so named because it produces a diffusible yellowish pigment in agar. A. citrinoterreus isolates were significantly more susceptible to itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole than A. terreus sensu stricto isolates were; in contrast, the amphotericin B MICs for both species were high. A. citrinoterreus was found in clinical samples from patients with proven or probable invasive aspergillosis and colonized patients, none of whom had hematological malignancies as predisposing conditions. However, they did have other underlying conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, and cancer or had received a solid organ transplants and presented not only with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis but also with mediastinitis. A. citrinoterreus isolates were detected for the first time in 2002. In all cases of invasive aspergillosis, A. citrinoterreus was found to be a copathogen, mostly with A. fumigatus.
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Hachem R, Gomes MZR, El Helou G, El Zakhem A, Kassis C, Ramos E, Jiang Y, Chaftari AM, Raad II. Invasive aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus terreus: an emerging opportunistic infection with poor outcome independent of azole therapy. J Antimicrob Chemother 2014; 69:3148-55. [PMID: 25006241 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dku241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Invasive aspergillosis (IA) caused by Aspergillus terreus is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with haematological malignancy (HM). Very few data are available in this patient population to differentiate IA patients with A. terreus from those with non-terreus species of Aspergillus to compare outcomes. We retrospectively investigated 513 HM patients who were treated for either definite or probable IA between June 1993 and August 2012 in a cancer centre. METHODS We compared baseline characteristics, antifungal therapies and outcomes between patients infected with A. terreus (n = 96, 18.7%) and those infected with non-terreus Aspergillus species (n = 335, 65.3%). Eighty-one patients with mixed or unspecified Aspergillus infections were excluded. RESULTS Breakthrough infections occurred more frequently in the A. terreus group (91% versus 77%, P = 0.009). A. terreus infection was associated with a lower rate of final response to antifungal therapy (21% versus 38%, P = 0.0015) and a higher rate of IA-associated mortality (51% versus 30%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that these associations were independent of patients' clinical characteristics and the antifungal regimens they received. Factors independently associated with final response included treatment with azoles (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9-5.0, P < 0.0001) and Aspergillus species (A. terreus versus non-terreus Aspergillus species) (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.98, P = 0.043). Additionally, Aspergillus species and treatment with azoles were independently associated with IA-associated mortality. CONCLUSIONS A. terreus IA in HM patients was associated with worse outcome than IA caused by non-terreus Aspergillus species. Poor prognosis in patients with invasive A. terreus infections is independent of anti-Aspergillus azole-based treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray Hachem
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marisa Zenaide Ribeiro Gomes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gilbert El Helou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Aline El Zakhem
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christelle Kassis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elizabeth Ramos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Chaftari
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Issam I Raad
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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25
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Rougeron A, Giraud S, Razafimandimby B, Meis J, Bouchara JP, Klaassen C. Different colonization patterns of Aspergillus terreus in patients with cystic fibrosis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2014; 20:327-33. [DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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26
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Rare Invasive Fungal Infections: Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Management. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-013-0155-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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27
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Mutschlechner W, Grif K, Blum G, Lass-Flörl C. Rep-PCR and RAPD-PCR fingerprinting of Aspergillus terreus. Med Mycol 2013; 51:876-9. [PMID: 23758105 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2013.793458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We compared two PCR methods for molecular typing the medically important filamentous fungus Aspergillus terreus. In a set of 46 strains investigated we found 19 and 12 different fingerprinting types obtained by random amplified polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD) and semi-automated repetitive element PCR (rep-PCR), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Mutschlechner
- Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University , Austria
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28
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Speth C, Blum G, Hagleitner M, Hörtnagl C, Pfaller K, Posch B, Ott HW, Würzner R, Lass-Flörl C, Rambach G. Virulence and thrombocyte affectation of two Aspergillus terreus isolates differing in amphotericin B susceptibility. Med Microbiol Immunol 2013; 202:379-89. [DOI: 10.1007/s00430-013-0300-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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29
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Lewis RE, Albert NP, Liao G, Wang W, Prince RA, Kontoyiannis DP. High-dose induction liposomal amphotericin B followed by de-escalation is effective in experimental Aspergillus terreus pneumonia. J Antimicrob Chemother 2013; 68:1148-51. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dks521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
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30
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New insight into amphotericin B resistance in Aspergillus terreus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:1583-8. [PMID: 23318794 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01283-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AMB) is the predominant antifungal drug, but the mechanism of resistance is not well understood. We compared the in vivo virulence of an AMB-resistant Aspergillus terreus (ATR) isolate with that of an AMB-susceptible A. terreus isolate (ATS) using a murine model for disseminated aspergillosis. Furthermore, we analyzed the molecular basis of intrinsic AMB resistance in vitro by comparing the ergosterol content, cell-associated AMB levels, AMB-induced intracellular efflux, and prooxidant effects between ATR and ATS. Infection of immunosuppressed mice with ATS or ATR showed that the ATS strain was more lethal than the ATR strain. However, AMB treatment improved the outcome in ATS-infected mice while having no positive effect on the animals infected with ATR. The in vitro data demonstrated that ergosterol content is not the molecular basis for AMB resistance. ATR absorbed less AMB, discharged more intracellular compounds, and had better protection against oxidative damage than the susceptible strain. Our experiments showed that ergosterol content plays a minor role in intrinsic AMB resistance and is not directly associated with intracellular cell-associated AMB content. AMB might exert its antifungal activity by oxidative injury rather than by an increase in membrane permeation.
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31
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Lass-Flörl C. Aspergillus terreus: how inoculum size and host characteristics affect its virulence. J Infect Dis 2012; 205:1192-4. [PMID: 22438395 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jis185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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32
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Rambach G, Oberhauser H, Speth C, Lass-Flörl C. Susceptibility of Candida species and various moulds to antimycotic drugs: use of epidemiological cutoff values according to EUCAST and CLSI in an 8-year survey. Med Mycol 2011; 49:856-63. [DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2011.583943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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33
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Neal COS, Richardson AO, Hurst SF, Tortorano AM, Viviani MA, Stevens DA, Balajee SA. Global population structure of Aspergillus terreus inferred by ISSR typing reveals geographical subclustering. BMC Microbiol 2011; 11:203. [PMID: 21923908 PMCID: PMC3197500 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-11-203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aspergillus terreus causes invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised individuals and can be the leading cause of IA in certain medical centers. We examined a large isolate collection (n = 117) for the presence of cryptic A. terreus species and employed a genome scanning method, Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) PCR to determine A. terreus population structure. Results Comparative sequence analyses of the calmodulin locus revealed the presence of the recently recognized species A. alabamensis (n = 4) in this collection. Maximum parsimony, Neighbor joining, and Bayesian clustering of the ISSR data from the 113 sequence-confirmed A. terreus isolates demonstrated that one clade was composed exclusively of isolates from Europe and another clade was enriched for isolates from the US. Conclusions This study provides evidence of a population structure linked to geographical origin in A. terreus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn O S Neal
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
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Rüping M, Gerlach S, Fischer G, Lass-Flörl C, Hellmich M, Vehreschild J, Cornely O. Environmental and clinical epidemiology of Aspergillus terreus: data from a prospective surveillance study. J Hosp Infect 2011; 78:226-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2011.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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35
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Vanhee LME, Nelis HJ, Coenye T. What can be learned from genotyping of fungi? Med Mycol 2010; 48 Suppl 1:S60-9. [DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2010.484816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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36
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Ben-Ami R, Lamaris GA, Lewis RE, Kontoyiannis DP. Interstrain variability in the virulence ofAspergillus fumigatusandAspergillus terreusin aToll-deficientDrosophilafly model of invasive aspergillosis. Med Mycol 2010. [DOI: 10.3109/13693780903148346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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37
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Narasimhan B, Asokan M. Genetic variability of Aspergillus terreus from dried grapes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.4236/abb.2010.14046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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38
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Tortorano AM, Prigitano A, Dho G, Biraghi E, Stevens DA, Ghannoum M, Nolard N, Viviani MA. In vitro activity of amphotericin B against Aspergillus terreus isolates from different countries and regions. J Chemother 2009; 20:756-7. [PMID: 19129077 DOI: 10.1179/joc.2008.20.6.756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A M Tortorano
- Department of Public Health-Microbiology-Virology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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Aspergillus alabamensis, a new clinically relevant species in the section Terrei. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2009; 8:713-22. [PMID: 19304950 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00272-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Phylogenetic analyses of sequences generated from portions of three genes coding for the proteins enolase (enoA), beta-tubulin (benA), and calmodulin (calM) of a large number of isolates within the section Terrei, genus Aspergillus, revealed the presence of a new cryptic species within this section, Aspergillus alabamensis. Most members of this new cryptic species were recovered as colonizing isolates from immunocompetent patient populations, had decreased in vitro susceptibilities to the antifungal drug amphotericin B, and were morphologically similar to but genetically distinct from Aspergillus terreus isolates.
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40
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Abstract
Aspergillus terreus can cause invasive infections in humans, which are often refractory to therapy with the antifungal drug amphotericin B and have a propensity to dissemination. The organism has diverse colony morphology, and sub-typing studies have demonstrated that isolates of A. terreus are diverse in their genotypes. However, detailed phylogenetic studies of section Terrei employing sequence information from protein coding regions have not been thus far attempted. Interestingly, A. terreus produces unicellular forms called accessory conidia in vitro and during infection; the clinical relevance of these structures are not well understood. This paper presents an overview of the morphology, species identification strategies, and molecular epidemiology of A. terreus.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Arunmozhi Balajee
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
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41
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Blum G, Perkhofer S, Grif K, Mayr A, Kropshofer G, Nachbaur D, Kafka-Ritsch R, Dierich M, Lass-Flörl C. A 1-year Aspergillus terreus surveillance study at the University Hospital of Innsbruck: molecular typing of environmental and clinical isolates. Clin Microbiol Infect 2008; 14:1146-51. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02099.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
Aspergillus species are widely distributed fungi that release large amounts of airborne conidia, which are dispersed in the environment. Several Aspergillus species have been described as human pathogens. Molecular techniques have been developed to investigate the epidemiological relation between environmental and clinical isolates. Several typing methods have been described for Aspergillus species, most of them with reference to Aspergillus fumigatus. Here, we summarise all the different available molecular typing techniques for Aspergillus. The performance of these techniques is evaluated with respect to their practical feasibility, and their interpretation and discriminatory power assessed. For A. fumigatus isolates, a large extent of genetic variability is demonstrated and therefore fingerprinting techniques with high discriminatory power and high reproducibility are required for this species. Afut1-restriction fragment length polymorphism and microsatellite typing showed the highest discriminatory power. In addition, the microsatellites show excellent reproducibility. Other typing techniques are still useful for smaller epidemiological problems and for less well-equipped laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A de Valk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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43
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Differentiation of Aspergillus niger by random amplification of polymorphic DNA. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2008; 35:1027-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s10295-008-0378-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2008] [Accepted: 05/22/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Einsele H, Loeffler J. Contribution of new diagnostic approaches to antifungal treatment plans in high-risk haematology patients. Clin Microbiol Infect 2008; 14 Suppl 4:37-45. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.01980.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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45
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Richardson M, Lass-Flörl C. Changing epidemiology of systemic fungal infections. Clin Microbiol Infect 2008; 14 Suppl 4:5-24. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.01978.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 341] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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