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de Holanda Fonseca DL, Silva DMWD, de Albuquerque Maranhão FC. Molecular characterization of clinical and environmental isolates from the Cryptococcus neoformans/C. Gattii species complexes of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:1369-1380. [PMID: 38619732 PMCID: PMC11153433 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01313-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is one of the major life-threatening opportunistic/systemic fungal diseases of worldwide occurrence, which can be asymptomatic or establish pneumonia and meningoencephalitis mainly in immunosuppressed patients, caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes. Acquisition is by inhaling fungal propagules from avian droppings, tree hollows and decaying wood, and the association of the molecular types with geographic origin, virulence and antifungal resistance have epidemiological importance. Since data on cryptococcosis in Alagoas are limited, we sought to determine the molecular types of etiological agents collected from clinical and environmental sources. We evaluated 21 isolates previously collected from cerebrospinal fluid and from environment sources (pigeon droppings and tree hollows) in Maceió-Alagoas (Brazil). Restriction fragment length polymorphism of URA5 gene was performed to characterize among the eight standard molecular types (VNI-VNIV and VGI-VGIV). Among isolates, 66.67% (14) were assigned to C. neoformans VNI - 12 of them (12/14) recovered from liquor and 2 from a tree hollow (2/14). One isolate from pigeon droppings (4.76%) corresponded to C. neoformans VNIV, while five strains from tree hollows and one from pigeon droppings (6, 28.57%) to C. gattii VGII. VNI-type was present in clinical and environmental samples and most C. neoformans infections were observed in HIV-positive patients, while types VNIV and VGII were prevalent in environmental sources in Alagoas. This is the first molecular characterization of Cryptococcus spp. in Alagoas, our study provides additional information on the ecoepidemiology of Cryptococcus spp. in Brazil, contributing to a closer view of the endemic species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denise Maria Wanderlei da Silva
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Sector of Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Cristina de Albuquerque Maranhão
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Sector of Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Federal University of Alagoas, Av. Lourival de Melo Mota, S/N, Tabuleiro do Martins, Maceió, 57072-900, Alagoas, Brazil.
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Vázquez-González L, Regueira-Iglesias A, Balsa-Castro C, Vila-Blanco N, Tomás I, Carreira MJ. PrimerEvalPy: a tool for in-silico evaluation of primers for targeting the microbiome. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:189. [PMID: 38745271 PMCID: PMC11092261 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05805-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The selection of primer pairs in sequencing-based research can greatly influence the results, highlighting the need for a tool capable of analysing their performance in-silico prior to the sequencing process. We therefore propose PrimerEvalPy, a Python-based package designed to test the performance of any primer or primer pair against any sequencing database. The package calculates a coverage metric and returns the amplicon sequences found, along with information such as their average start and end positions. It also allows the analysis of coverage for different taxonomic levels. RESULTS As a case study, PrimerEvalPy was used to test the most commonly used primers in the literature against two oral 16S rRNA gene databases containing bacteria and archaea. The results showed that the most commonly used primer pairs in the oral cavity did not match those with the highest coverage. The best performing primer pairs were found for the detection of oral bacteria and archaea. CONCLUSIONS This demonstrates the importance of a coverage analysis tool such as PrimerEvalPy to find the best primer pairs for specific niches. The software is available under the MIT licence at https://gitlab.citius.usc.es/lara.vazquez/PrimerEvalPy .
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Vázquez-González
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Tecnoloxías Intelixentes (CiTIUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa de Jenaro de la Fuente Domínguez, E15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), E15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Alba Regueira-Iglesias
- Oral Sciences Research Group, Special Needs Unit, Department of Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialities, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), E15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carlos Balsa-Castro
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Tecnoloxías Intelixentes (CiTIUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa de Jenaro de la Fuente Domínguez, E15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Oral Sciences Research Group, Special Needs Unit, Department of Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialities, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), E15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Nicolás Vila-Blanco
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Tecnoloxías Intelixentes (CiTIUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa de Jenaro de la Fuente Domínguez, E15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Departamento de Electrónica e Computación, Escola Técnica Superior de Enxeñaría, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), E15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Tomás
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Tecnoloxías Intelixentes (CiTIUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa de Jenaro de la Fuente Domínguez, E15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Oral Sciences Research Group, Special Needs Unit, Department of Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialities, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), E15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - María J Carreira
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Tecnoloxías Intelixentes (CiTIUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa de Jenaro de la Fuente Domínguez, E15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Departamento de Electrónica e Computación, Escola Técnica Superior de Enxeñaría, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), E15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Makri N, Ring N, Shaw DJ, Athinodorou A, Robinson V, Paterson GK, Richardson J, Gow D, Nuttall T. Cytological evaluation, culture and genomics to evaluate the microbiome in healthy rabbit external ear canals. Vet Dermatol 2024. [PMID: 38742484 DOI: 10.1111/vde.13256] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lop-eared rabbits may be predisposed to otitis externa (OE) as a consequence of their ear conformation. Although otoscopy, otic cytological evaluation and culture are valuable tools in dogs and cats, published data on rabbits remain lacking. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the utility of otoscopy and cytological results in evaluating healthy rabbit external ear canals (EECs) and to characterise ear cytological and microbiological findings through culture techniques and metagenomic sequencing. ANIMALS Sixty-three otitis-free client-owned rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS All rabbits underwent otoscopy and ear cytological evaluation. In a subset of 12 rabbits, further bacterial and fungal culture, fungal DNA assessment and metagenomic sequencing were performed. RESULTS Otic cytological results revealed yeast in 73%, cocci in 42.9% and rods in 28.6% of healthy rabbit EECs. Compared to upright-eared rabbits, lop-eared rabbits had more discharge and more bacteria per oil immersion field. Culture isolated eight different species yet metagenomic sequencing identified 36, belonging to the Bacillota (Firmicutes), Pseudomonadota and Actinomycetota phyla. Staphylococcus were the most commonly observed species with both methods. Ten of 12 rabbits were yeast-positive on cytological evaluation with only three yielding fungal growth identified as Yarrowia (Candida) lipolytica, Eurotium echinulatum and Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Healthy rabbit EECs lack inflammatory cells yet can host yeast and bacteria, emphasising the need to evaluate cytological results alongside the clinical signs. Lop-ear anatomy may predispose to bacterial overgrowth and OE. Notably, yeasts may be present despite a negative culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoleta Makri
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Natalie Ring
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Darren J Shaw
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Athinodoros Athinodorou
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Victoria Robinson
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Gavin K Paterson
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Jenna Richardson
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Debbie Gow
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Tim Nuttall
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
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Hernández-Pabón JC, Tabares B, Gil Ó, Lugo-Sánchez C, Santana A, Barón A, Firacative C. Candida Non- albicans and Non- auris Causing Invasive Candidiasis in a Fourth-Level Hospital in Colombia: Epidemiology, Antifungal Susceptibility, and Genetic Diversity. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:326. [PMID: 38786681 PMCID: PMC11122357 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050326] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasingly common and associated with healthcare settings, Candida infections are very important, since some species of this genus can develop antifungal resistance. We contribute data on the epidemiology, antifungal susceptibility, and genetic diversity of Candida non-albicans and non-auris affecting critically ill patients in a fourth-level hospital in Colombia. Ninety-seven isolates causing invasive infections, identified by conventional methods over 18 months, were studied. Data from patients affected by these yeasts, including sex, age, comorbidities, treatment, and outcome, were analysed. The antifungal susceptibility of the isolates was determined, and the ribosomal DNA was sequenced. Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida dubliniensis, and Candida guilliermondii caused 48.5% of all cases of invasive candidiasis. The species were mainly recovered from blood (50%). Patients were mostly men (53.4%), between 18 days and 93 years old, hospitalized in the ICU (70.7%). Overall mortality was 46.6%, but patients in the ICU, using antibiotics, with diabetes mellitus, or with C. glabrata infections were more likely to die. Resistant isolates were identified in C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata. This study provides epidemiological data for the surveillance of emerging Candida species, highlighting their clinical impact, as well as the emergence of antifungal resistance and clonal dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Camilo Hernández-Pabón
- Group MICROS Research Incubator, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia; (J.C.H.-P.); (Ó.G.); (C.L.-S.)
| | - Bryan Tabares
- Unidad de Extensión Hospitalaria, Hospital Universitario Mayor Méderi, Bogota 111411, Colombia;
| | - Óscar Gil
- Group MICROS Research Incubator, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia; (J.C.H.-P.); (Ó.G.); (C.L.-S.)
| | - Carlos Lugo-Sánchez
- Group MICROS Research Incubator, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia; (J.C.H.-P.); (Ó.G.); (C.L.-S.)
| | - Aldair Santana
- Clinical Laboratory and Transfusion Service, Hospital Universitario Mayor Méderi, Bogota 111411, Colombia;
| | - Alfonso Barón
- Department of Medical Clinics, Hospital Universitario Mayor Méderi, Bogota 111411, Colombia;
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia
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Lipovy B, Hladik M, Vyklicka K, Kocmanova I, Lengerova M, Kren L, Srnik M, Bohm J, Andrla P, Borilova Linhartova P. Rare multi-fungal sepsis: a case of triple-impact immunoparalysis. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2024:10.1007/s12223-024-01165-0. [PMID: 38647991 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-024-01165-0] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Patients with burn injury and inhalation injury are highly susceptible to infectious complications, including opportunistic pathogens, due to the loss of skin cover and mucosal damage of respiratory tract as well as the disruption of homeostasis. This case report, a 34-year-old man suffered critical burns, provides the first literature description of triple-impact immunoparalysis (critical burns, inhalation injury, and SARS-CoV-2 infection), leading to a lethal multifocal infection caused by several fungi including very rare environmental representatives Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Wickerhamomyces anomalus. The co-infection by these common environmental yeasts in a human is unique and has not yet been described in the literature. Importantly, our patient developed refractory septic shock and died despite targeted antifungal therapy including the most potent current antifungal agent-isavuconazole. It can be assumed that besides immunoparalysis, effectiveness of therapy by isavuconazole was impaired by the large distribution volume in this case. As this is a common situation in intensive care patients, routine monitoring of plasmatic concentration of isavuconazole can be helpful in personalization of the treatment and dose optimization. Whatmore, many fungal species often remain underdiagnosed during infectious complications, which could be prevented by implementation of new methods, such as next-generation sequencing, into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bretislav Lipovy
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Institution Shared With University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Jihlavska 20, Brno, Czech Republic
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 656/123, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hladik
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Institution Shared With University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Jihlavska 20, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Vyklicka
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Kocmanova
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, University Hospital Brno, Jihlavska 20, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Lengerova
- Department of Internal Medicine - Haematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Institution Shared With University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Jihlavska 20, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Leos Kren
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Institution Shared With University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Jihlavska 20, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Srnik
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Institutions Shared With St. Anne's Faculty Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Pekarska 664/53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Bohm
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Andrla
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
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Salerno A, D’Amico M, Bergamini C, Maggiolini FAM, Vendemia M, Prencipe A, Catacchio CR, Ventura M, Cardone MF, Marsico AD. On the Way to the Technological Development of Newly Selected Non- Saccharomyces Yeasts Selected as Innovative Biocontrol Agents in Table Grapes. Microorganisms 2024; 12:340. [PMID: 38399744 PMCID: PMC10891982 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020340] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-harvest decay of fresh table grapes causes considerable annual production losses. The main fungal agents of decay both in pre- and post-harvest are B. cinerea, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp., and Cladosporium spp. To date, the use of agrochemicals and SO2 are the main methods to control grape molds in pre- and postharvest, respectively. Significant improvements, however, have already been made in to apply innovative and more environmentally sustainable control strategies, such as Biological Control Agents (BCAs), which can reduce disease severity in both pre- and post-harvest. In this study, 31 new non-Saccharomyces yeast strains, isolated from berries of native Apulian table grape genotypes, were tested for their in vivo effectiveness against grey mold of table grapes, resulting in two St. bacillaris ('N22_I1' and 'S13_I3'), one S. diversa ('N22_I3'), one A. pullulans ('OLB_9.1_VL') and one H. uvarum ('OLB_9.1_BR') yeast strains that were marked as efficient and good BCAs. Their mechanisms of action were characterized through in vitro assays, and additional characteristics were evaluated to assess the economic feasibility and viability for future technological employment. Their effectiveness was tested by reducing the working concentration, their antagonistic effect on a wide range of fungal pathogens, their ability to survive in formulations with long shelf life, and their safety to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Salerno
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Via Casamassima 148, 70010 Turi, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (F.A.M.M.)
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy (C.R.C.); (M.V.)
| | - Margherita D’Amico
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Via Casamassima 148, 70010 Turi, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (F.A.M.M.)
| | - Carlo Bergamini
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Via Casamassima 148, 70010 Turi, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (F.A.M.M.)
| | - Flavia Angela Maria Maggiolini
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Via Casamassima 148, 70010 Turi, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (F.A.M.M.)
| | - Marco Vendemia
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Via Casamassima 148, 70010 Turi, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (F.A.M.M.)
| | - Annalisa Prencipe
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy (C.R.C.); (M.V.)
| | - Claudia Rita Catacchio
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy (C.R.C.); (M.V.)
| | - Mario Ventura
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy (C.R.C.); (M.V.)
| | - Maria Francesca Cardone
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Via Casamassima 148, 70010 Turi, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (F.A.M.M.)
| | - Antonio Domenico Marsico
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Via Casamassima 148, 70010 Turi, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (F.A.M.M.)
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Oliveira LA, Sanches MA, Segundo WOPF, Santiago PAL, Lima RQ, Cortez ACA, Souza ÉS, Lima MP, Lima ES, Koolen HHF, Dufossé L, Souza JVB. Exploring colorant production by amazonian filamentous fungi: Stability and applications. J Basic Microbiol 2024; 64:e2300444. [PMID: 38051942 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the production, stability and applicability of colorants produced by filamentous fungi isolated from soil samples from the Amazon. Initially, the isolates were evaluated in a screening for the production of colorants. The influences of cultivation and nutritional conditions on the production of colorants by fungal isolates were investigated. The colorants produced by selected fungal isolates were chemically characterized using the Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry technique. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, stability evaluation and applicability of the colorants were investigated. As results, we observed that the isolates Penicillium sclerotiorum P3SO224, Clonostachys rosea P2SO329 and Penicillium gravinicasei P3SO332 stood out since they produced the most intense colorants. Compounds produced by Penicillium sclerotiorum P3SO224 and Clonostachys rosea P2SO329 were identified as sclerotiorin and penicillic acid. The colorant fraction (EtOAc) produced by these species has antimicrobial activity, stability at temperature and at different pHs, stability when exposure to light and UV, and when exposed to different concentrations of salts, as well as being nontoxic and having the ability to dye fabrics and be used as a pigment in creams and soap. Considering the results found in this study, it was concluded that fungi from the soil in the Amazon have the potential to produce colorants with applications in the textile and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana A Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Michele A Sanches
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Walter O P F Segundo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Paulo A L Santiago
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Química, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Q Lima
- Centro Universitário do Norte-UNINORTE, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Ana C A Cortez
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Érica S Souza
- Escola Superior de Tecnologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Maria P Lima
- Departamento de Produtos Naturais, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Emerson S Lima
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Hector H F Koolen
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Laurent Dufossé
- Chemistry and Biotechnology of Natural Products (CHEMBIOPRO), ESIROI Agroalimentaire, Université de La Réunion, Saint-Denis, France
| | - João V B Souza
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
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8
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de Souza Rabello VB, de Melo Teixeira M, Meyer W, Irinyi L, Xavier MO, Poester VR, Pereira Brunelli JG, Almeida-Silva F, Bernardes-Engemann AR, Ferreira Gremião ID, Dos Santos Angelo DF, Clementino IJ, Almeida-Paes R, Zancopé-Oliveira RM. Multi-locus sequencing typing reveals geographically related intraspecies variability of Sporothrix brasiliensis. Fungal Genet Biol 2024; 170:103845. [PMID: 38040325 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103845] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by pathogenic Sporothrix species. Among them, Sporothrix brasiliensis is the main species associated with endemic regions in South America, especially Brazil. It is highly virulent and can be spread through zoonotic transmission. Molecular epidemiological surveys are needed to determine the extent of genetic variation, to investigate outbreaks, and to identify genotypes associated with antifungal resistance and susceptibility. This study investigated the sequence variation of different constitutive genes and established a novel multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for S. brasiliensis. Specific primers were designed for 16 genes using Primer-BLAST software based on the genome sequences of three S. brasiliensis strains (ATCC MYA-4823, A001 and A005). Ninety-one human, animal, and environmental S. brasiliensis isolates from different Brazilian geographic regions (South, Southeast, Midwest and Northeast) andtwo isolates from Paraguay were sequenced. The loci that presented the highest nucleotide diversity (π) were selected for the MLST scheme. Among the 16 studied genetic loci, four presented increased π value and were able to distinguish all S. brasiliensis isolates into seven distinct haplotypes. The PCR conditions were standardized for four loci. Some of the obtained haplotypes were associated with the geographic origin of the strains. This study presents an important advance in the understanding of this important agent of sporotrichosis in Brazil. It significantly increased the discriminatory power for genotyping of S. brasiliensis isolates, and enabled new contributions to the epidemiological studies of this human and animal pathogen in Brazil and in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Brito de Souza Rabello
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Marcus de Melo Teixeira
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands; Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Laszlo Irinyi
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Melissa Orzechowski Xavier
- Laboratório de Micologia e Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FAMED-FURG), Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Vanice Rodrigues Poester
- Laboratório de Micologia e Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FAMED-FURG), Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Almeida-Silva
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andrea Reis Bernardes-Engemann
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Isabella Dib Ferreira Gremião
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Inácio José Clementino
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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9
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Rodríguez-Rojas JJ, Hernández-Mariscal TL, Sánchez-Montes S, Fernández-Salas I, Sánchez-Casas RM, Hernández-Escareño JJ. Molecular Evidence of Ehrlichia canis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in Ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Associated with Dogs (Carnivora: Canidae) from Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:10-16. [PMID: 38060712 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0020] [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] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Ehrlichia canis is transmitted by ticks causing Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, which is considered one of the most critical tickborne pathogens. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to identify by PCR technique E. canis in ticks associated with dogs from urban and rural homes in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The study was conducted at 13 localities in eight municipalities from 2012 to 2021. Results: A total of 1873 ticks of three species were captured: Amblyomma tenellum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. The overall infection rate of E. canis in ticks was 59.12% (149/252). Of the 15 sequences, three haplotypes were identified. Conclusion: The urban transmission cycle of canine ehrlichiosis is demonstrated, where the potential vector is the tick R. sanguineus s.l.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Jesús Rodríguez-Rojas
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Unidad de Patógenos y Vectores, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | | | - Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias región Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ildefonso Fernández-Salas
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Unidad de Patógenos y Vectores, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | - Rosa María Sánchez-Casas
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Unidad de Patógenos y Vectores, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, General Escobedo, México
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10
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Bendlin A, Gemensky-Metzler AJ, Diaz-Campos D, Newbold GM, Miller EJ, Chandler HL. Evaluation of a commercial NGS service for detection of bacterial and fungal pathogens in infectious ulcerative keratitis. Vet Ophthalmol 2023; 26:500-513. [PMID: 36943705 DOI: 10.1111/vop.13069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare results from a commercial next-generation sequencing (NGS) service to corneal cytology and culture for identification of causative organisms in veterinary patients presenting for infectious ulcerative keratitis (IUK). PROCEDURE Swabs for corneal aerobic and fungal cultures and DNA swabs for NGS were submitted for canine and equine normal controls (n = 11 and n = 4, respectively) and IUK patients (n = 22 and n = 8, respectively) for which microbrush cytology specimens confirmed the presence of infectious organisms. The sensitivity of the NGS results was compared with bacterial and fungal culture results. Concordance between the NGS and culture results was determined. RESULTS The NGS results were positive for bacterial and fungal organisms in 5 and 1 normal and 18 and 1 IUK cases, respectively. Bacterial and fungal cultures were positive for 7 and 2 normal and 20 and 5 IUK cases, respectively. Sensitivity of NGS was 82.14% (95% confidence interval (CI), 63.11% to 93.94%) and specificity was 76.47% (95% CI, 50.10% to 93.19%). Concordance (complete and partial) between identified bacterial and fungal organisms was found in 79% and 100% of cases, respectively. NGS identified organisms in 3 culture-negative IUK samples. CONCLUSION A commercial NGS service may be useful in the identification of causative agents in IUK cases with a sensitivity greater than the sensitivity previously reported for aerobic culture. Further testing is needed to determine the clinical significance of additional organisms isolated by NGS from infected cases, as well as organisms isolated from normal corneas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Bendlin
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Dubraska Diaz-Campos
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Georgina M Newbold
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Eric J Miller
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Heather L Chandler
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- College of Optometry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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11
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Carvajal SK, Melendres J, Escandón P, Firacative C. Reduced Susceptibility to Azoles in Cryptococcus gattii Correlates with the Substitution R258L in a Substrate Recognition Site of the Lanosterol 14-α-Demethylase. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0140323. [PMID: 37341584 PMCID: PMC10434158 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01403-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii cause cryptococcosis, a life-threatening fungal infection affecting mostly immunocompromised patients. In fact, cryptococcal meningitis accounts for about 19% of AIDS-related deaths in the world. Because of long-term azole therapies to treat this mycosis, resistance to fluconazole leading to treatment failure and poor prognosis has long been reported for both fungal species. Among the mechanisms implicated in resistance to azoles, mutations in the ERG11 gene, encoding the azole target enzyme lanosterol 14-α-demethylase, have been described. This study aimed to establish the amino acid composition of ERG11 of Colombian clinical isolates of C. neoformans and C. gattii and to correlate any possible substitution with the in vitro susceptibility profile of the isolates to fluconazole, voriconazole, and itraconazole. Antifungal susceptibility testing results showed that C. gattii isolates are less susceptible to azoles than C. neoformans isolates, which could correlate with differences in the amino acid composition and structure of ERG11 of each species. In addition, in a C. gattii isolate with high MICs for fluconazole (64 μg/mL) and voriconazole (1 μg/mL), a G973T mutation resulting in the substitution R258L, located in substrate recognition site 3 of ERG11, was identified. This finding suggests the association of the newly reported substitution with the azole resistance phenotype in C. gattii. Further investigations are needed to determine the exact role that R258L plays in the decreased susceptibility to fluconazole and voriconazole, as well as to determine the participation of additional mechanisms of resistance to azole drugs. IMPORTANCE The fungal species Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are human pathogens for which drug resistance or other treatment and management challenges exist. Here, we report differential susceptibility to azoles among both species, with some isolates displaying resistant phenotypes. Azoles are among the most commonly used drugs to treat cryptococcal infections. Our findings underscore the necessity of testing antifungal susceptibility in the clinical setting in order to assist patient management and beneficial outcomes. In addition, we report an amino acid change in the sequence of the target protein of azoles, which suggests that this change might be implicated in resistance to these drugs. Identifying and understanding possible mechanisms that affect drug affinity will eventually aid the design of new drugs that overcome the global growing concern of antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Javier Melendres
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Group of Microbiology, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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12
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Colom MF, Ferrer C, Ekai JL, Ferrández D, Ramírez L, Gómez-Sánchez N, Leting S, Hernández C. First report on mycetoma in Turkana County-North-western Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011327. [PMID: 37578968 PMCID: PMC10449206 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycetoma is one of the six Neglected Tropical Diseases that are prevalent in Turkana County (northwest Kenya). The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of mycetoma in the county, as well as to describe the main causative agents involved in the disease using methods affordable locally. Based on the data collected by the team of cooperative medicine Cirugia en Turkana (Surgery in Turkana), a specific study for mycetoma was started during the 16th humanitarian medicine campaign in February 2019. Patients with suspected mycetoma were studied at the Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH). After informing the patient and getting their consent, the lesions were examined and sampled (mainly by biopsy) and clinical data were recorded. Samples were washed in sterile saline solution and cut in fragments. Some of these were inoculated on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, Malt Extract Agar, and diluted Nutrient Agar plates. One fragment of each sample was used for DNA extraction. The DNA and the rest of the fragments of samples were kept at -20°C. All cultures were incubated at room temperature at the LCRH laboratory. The DNA obtained from clinical samples was submitted to PCR amplification of the ITS-5.8S and the V4-V5 16S rRNA gene region, for the detection and identification of fungi and bacteria respectively. From February 2019 till February 2022, 60 patients were studied. Most of them were men (43, 74,1%) between 13 and 78 y.o. (mean age 37). Half of the patients were herdsmen but, among women 40% (6) were housewives and 26.7% (4) charcoal burners. Lesions were mainly located at the feet (87.9%) and most of the patients (54; 93.1%) reported discharge of grains in the exudate, being 27 (46.6%) yellow or pale colored and 19 (32.8%) of them dark grains. Culture of clinical samples yielded 35 fungal and bacterial putative causative agents. Culture and molecular methods allowed the identification of a total of 21 causative agents of mycetoma (39.6% of cases studied). Most of them (17) corresponded to fungi causing eumycetoma (80.9%) being the most prevalent the genus Madurella (7; 41.2%), with two species involved (M. mycetomatis and M. fahalii), followed by Aspergillus (2; 11.8%). Other minority genera detected were Cladosporium, Fusarium, Acremonium, Penicillium, and Trichophyton (5.9% each of them). Actinobacteria were detected in 19.1% of samples, but only Streptomyces somaliensis was identified as a known agent of mycetoma, the rest being actinobacteria not previously described as causative agents of the disease, such as Cellulosimicrobium cellulans detected in two of the patients. Although Kenya is geographically located in the mycetoma belt, to our knowledge this is the first report on mycetoma in this country from 1973, and the first one for Turkana County.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Francisca Colom
- Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avenida Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Edificio Muhammad Al Shafra, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- NGO Medical direction, Cirugía en Turkana (Surgery in Turkana), Madrid, Spain
| | - Consuelo Ferrer
- Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avenida Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Edificio Muhammad Al Shafra, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - John Lochuke Ekai
- Medical Diagnosis Laboratory, Lodwar County and Referral Hospital, Turkana, Kenya
| | - David Ferrández
- Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avenida Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Edificio Muhammad Al Shafra, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
| | - Laura Ramírez
- Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avenida Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Edificio Muhammad Al Shafra, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
| | - Noelia Gómez-Sánchez
- Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avenida Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Edificio Muhammad Al Shafra, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Simion Leting
- Medical Diagnosis Laboratory, Lodwar County and Referral Hospital, Turkana, Kenya
| | - Carmen Hernández
- NGO Medical direction, Cirugía en Turkana (Surgery in Turkana), Madrid, Spain
- San Carlos University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
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13
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Ortiz-Ramírez JÁ, Rodríguez-Rojas JJ, Hernández-Escareño JJ, Galan-Huerta KA, Rebollar-Téllez EA, Moreno-Degollado G, Medina-De la Garza CE, Sánchez-Casas RM, Fernández-Salas I. Molecular and Serological Identification of Anaplasma marginale and Borrelia burgdorferi in Cattle and Ticks from Nuevo Leon, Northern Mexico. Pathogens 2023; 12:784. [PMID: 37375474 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060784] [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: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases affect livestock productivity and cause significant economic losses. Therefore, surveillance of these pathogens and vectors is paramount to reducing these effects in livestock. This study aimed to identify Anaplasma marginale and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks collected from cattle. Molecular biology techniques were utilized to identify A. marginale for both types of samples, i.e., ticks and bovine blood. Serology of cattle using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was conducted to determine antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l. from seven locations in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, between 2015 and 2017. From 404 bovines, 2880 ticks were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus (2391 females and 395 males), Amblyomma spp. (51 females and 42 males) and Dermacentor variabilis (1 female). Rhipicephalus microplus represented the largest specimens captured, with 96.7% within the seven study sites. PCR processed only 15% (442) of tick samples to identify A. marginale. Field genera proportions were followed to select testing tick numbers. Results showed that 9.9% (44/442) of A. maginale infected the pooled tick species, whereas the highest percent corresponded to 9.4% (38/404) in R. microplus. Regarding the molecular analysis of blood samples, 214 of 337 (63.5%) were positive for A. maginale. In each of the seven locations, at least one bovine sample tested positive for A. maginale. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. was not found either in the ticks or serum samples. Two A.marginale DNA nucleotide sequences obtained in this study were deposited in the GenBank with the following accession numbers OR050501 cattle, and OR050500 R.microplus tick. Results of this work point to current distribution of bovine anaplasmosis in northern Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ángel Ortiz-Ramírez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Escobedo 66054, NL, Mexico
| | - Jorge Jesús Rodríguez-Rojas
- Unidad de Patógenos y Vectores, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 66460, NL, Mexico
| | | | - Kame-A Galan-Huerta
- Departamento de Bioquímicay Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 66460, NL, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Alfonso Rebollar-Téllez
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, NL, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Moreno-Degollado
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Escobedo 66054, NL, Mexico
| | - Carlos E Medina-De la Garza
- Unidad de Patógenos y Vectores, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 66460, NL, Mexico
| | - Rosa María Sánchez-Casas
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Escobedo 66054, NL, Mexico
- Unidad de Patógenos y Vectores, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 66460, NL, Mexico
| | - Ildefonso Fernández-Salas
- Unidad de Patógenos y Vectores, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 66460, NL, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, NL, Mexico
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14
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Sousa MDB, Pereira ML, Cruz FPN, Romano LH, Albuquerque YR, Correia RO, Oliveira FM, Primo FL, Baptista-Neto Á, Sousa CP, Anibal FF, Moraes LAB, Badino AC. Red biocolorant from endophytic Talaromyces minnesotensis: production, properties, and potential applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:3699-3716. [PMID: 37083969 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12491-7] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Fungal colorants are gradually entering the global color market, given their advantages of being less harmful to human health, as well as having greater stability and biotechnological potential, compared to other natural sources. The present work concerns the isolation and identification of an endophytic filamentous fungus, together with the chemical characterization and assessment of the fluorescence, toxicity, stability, and application potential of its synthesized red colorant. The endophytic fungus was isolated from Hymenaea courbaril, a tree from the Brazilian savannah, and was identified as Talaromyces minnesotensis by phenotypic and genotypic characterization. Submerged cultivation of the fungus resulted in the production of approximately 12 AU500 of a red biocolorant which according to LC-DAD-MS analysis is characterized by being a complex mixture of molecules of the azaphilone class. Regarding cytotoxicity assays, activity against human hepatoblastoma (HepG2) cells was only observed at concentrations above 5.0 g L-1, while antimicrobial effects against pathogenic bacteria and yeast occurred at concentrations above 50.0 g L-1. The biocolorant showed high stability at neutral pH values and low temperatures (10 to 20 °C) and high half-life values (t1/2), which indicates potential versatility for application in different matrices, as observed in tests using detergent, gelatin, enamel, paint, and fabrics. The results demonstrated that the biocolorant synthesized by Talaromyces minnesotensis has potential for future biotechnological applications. KEY POINTS: • An endophytic fungus, which was isolated and identified, synthesize a red colorant. • The colorant showed fluorescence property, low toxicity, and application potential. • The red biocolorant was highly stable at pH 8.0 and temperatures below 20°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina D B Sousa
- Graduate Program of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, C.P. 676, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Murilo L Pereira
- Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Course, Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Felipe P N Cruz
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Biomolecules - LaMiB, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Luis H Romano
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Biomolecules - LaMiB, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Yulli R Albuquerque
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Infectious Diseases - LIDI, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Ricardo O Correia
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Infectious Diseases - LIDI, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Fernanda M Oliveira
- Graduate Program of Chemistry, Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Applied to Natural Products, Chemistry Department, School of Philosophy, Sciences and Languages, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Fernando L Primo
- Department of Engineering of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Álvaro Baptista-Neto
- Department of Engineering of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Cristina P Sousa
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Biomolecules - LaMiB, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Anibal
- Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Infectious Diseases - LIDI, Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Luiz Alberto B Moraes
- Graduate Program of Chemistry, Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Applied to Natural Products, Chemistry Department, School of Philosophy, Sciences and Languages, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Alberto C Badino
- Graduate Program of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, C.P. 676, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil.
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15
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Paraschou G, Cook JM, Priestnall SL, Evans NJ, Staton GJ, Paterson GK, Winkler B, Whitbread TJ. Treponema spp. spirochetes and keratinopathogenic fungi isolated from keratomas in donkeys. Vet Pathol 2023; 60:190-198. [PMID: 36565270 DOI: 10.1177/03009858221144730] [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: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Keratoma is an aberrant keratin mass thought to originate from epidermal horn-producing cells interposed between the stratum medium of the hoof wall and the underlying third phalanx. The cause is unknown, although the presence of keratomas is frequently associated with chronic irritation, focal infection, or trauma. A total of 167 donkeys with keratomas were presented in this study. The diagnosis of a keratoma was based on clinical signs, radiography, and histopathologic examination. Surgical excision was attempted on all donkeys with lameness unless euthanasia was advised. Histopathologic examination, including Giemsa, periodic acid Schiff, and Young's silver special histochemical stains, was performed and showed the presence of fungal hyphae and spirochete bacteria within the degenerate keratin. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for treponeme bacteria was performed on 10 keratoma lesions and 9 healthy pieces of hoof (controls). All healthy donkey tissues were negative for the 3 recognized digital dermatitis (DD) treponeme phylogroups, whereas 3 of 10 (30%) donkey keratoma samples were positive for one of the DD treponeme phylogroups. Routine fungal culture and PCR for fungi were performed on 8 keratoma lesions and 8 healthy pieces of hoof (controls). Keratinopathogenic fungi were detected in 1 of 8 (12.5%) keratomas, while only non-keratinopathogenic, environmental fungi were detected in 8 control healthy hoof samples. This is the first time the DD treponemes phylogroup and keratinopathogenic fungi have been detected in keratomas. Further studies are required to assess the significance of this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Paraschou
- The Donkey Sanctuary, Devon, UK.,Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.,Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | | | | | - Nicholas J Evans
- University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gareth J Staton
- University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science, Liverpool, UK
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16
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Tan CL, Sheorey H, Allen PJ, Dawkins RCH. Endophthalmitis: Microbiology and Organism Identification Using Current and Emerging Techniques. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2023; 31:393-401. [PMID: 35201917 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2027468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Endophthalmitis is an ophthalmological emergency requiring timely and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Microbiological methods of microscopy (Gram's staining) and culture are the current gold standard for organism identification. However, a significant proportion of endophthalmitis remains culture-negative-perhaps the inflammation is non-infectious in origin, results from a novel organism are unidentifiable or because the causative organism is non-culturable often due to pre-treatment with antibiotics. This review outlines the microbiological profile of endophthalmitis, current clinically used methods for organism identification, and the newer molecular techniques of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology as diagnostic tools for endophthalmitis. They offer the potential to improve organism identification rates and clinical outcomes in infectious diseases, representing an exciting future direction for organism identification in endophthalmitis. Based on the largest ophthalmic hospital in Australia, we highlight the key practical challenges faced by Australian diagnostic laboratories for their use in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L Tan
- Macular Research Unit, Centre for Eye Research Australia, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Harsha Sheorey
- Department of Microbiology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - Penelope J Allen
- Macular Research Unit, Centre for Eye Research Australia, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Vitreo-retinal Unit, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rosie C H Dawkins
- Macular Research Unit, Centre for Eye Research Australia, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Vitreo-retinal Unit, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
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17
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Gong Y, Zhang L, Liu S, Zhang H, Peng L, Li H, Dai S, Chen B. Continuous voriconazole lavage in managing moderate and severe fungal keratitis: a randomized controlled trial. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2023; 261:1639-1649. [PMID: 36642766 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-022-05969-z] [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: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the effectiveness and safety of continuous lavage with 1% voriconazole (CL) for moderate and severe fungal keratitis. METHODS Thirty-one patients were randomized to receive topical eye drops either alone (T) or combined with continuous 1% voriconazole lavage (CL-T). The primary outcome was the cure rate at 3 months. The secondary outcomes were the 6-day efficacy, 3-day infiltration size and depth, hypopyon height, central corneal thickness (CCT), epithelial defect size, and subject feelings and clinical signs assessment scores. RESULTS At 3 months, the cure rate was comparable between the groups in patients with moderate fungal keratitis (66.7% vs. 62.5%, P = 0.60). However, among severe cases, 4 cases (44.4%) in the CL-T group healed successfully, while none in the T group; this difference was not significant (P = 0.08), although it was very close to 0.05. This may be related to the small sample size. After 6 days, the percentage of patients with "worsened" ulcers in the CL-T group was lower than that in the T group (0% vs. 31%, P = 0.043). The infiltration size, infiltration depth, and hypopyon height in the CL-T group were smaller than those in the T group after 3 days (all P < 0.05). There was no difference in CCT, epithelial defect size, subject feelings scores, or clinical signs scores between groups. CONCLUSION These outcomes suggest that CL is an effective and safe adjuvant method for controlling the progression of moderate and severe fungal keratitis. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ChiCTR2100050565.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Liwei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Shaohua Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Li Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Haoyu Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Shirui Dai
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Baihua Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China. .,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, 410011, China.
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18
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Segundo WOPF, de Oliveira RS, Lima RM, Santiago PAL, de Oliveira LA, Cortez ACA, Lima ES, de Souza ÉS, Frickmann H, de Souza JVB. Antimicrobial Potential of Metabolites in Fungal Strains Isolated from a Polluted Stream: Annulohypoxylon stygium WL1B5 Produces Metabolites against Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Positive Escherichia coli. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 12:antibiotics12010027. [PMID: 36671231 PMCID: PMC9855114 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug resistance in bacterial pathogens is a growing public health concern requiring solutions including the discovery of new antimicrobial drugs. Fungi have been used for decades as a source of antimicrobials. Ongoing screenings for newly characterized fungal strains producing antimicrobials include environments that are difficult to access like the deep sea, glaciers, wastewaters and environments polluted due to human activity. In the present study, fungal microorganisms were isolated from water samples taken from a polluted stream in the city of Manaus, AM, Brazil, and screened for antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli. Using extracts from five isolates (Annulohypoxylon stygium WL1B5, Colletotrichum fructicola WL3B9, Clonostachys rosea WL5B18, Clonostachys rosea WL8B28 and Trichoderma harzianum WL9B49), antimicrobial activity against the reference strains Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 as well as E. coli NCTC 13353, an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-positive strain, was observed. Inhibition zones ranged from 1 to 35.9 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration of 400 µg/mL could be demonstrated. Assessments of the metabolites of Annulohypoxylon stygium WL1B5 allowed us to identify nodulisporone and daidzein, which have already been associated with antimicrobial activity. The findings confirm the feasibility of isolating fungal strains from polluted sites producing metabolites that can serve as potential future alternatives for the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Oliva Pinto Filho Segundo
- Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology of the Bionorte Network (PPG-BIONORTE), Amazonas State University (UEA), Manaus 69065-001, AM, Brazil
| | | | - Rildo Mendes Lima
- Central Public Health Laboratory of the State of Amazonas (LACEN/AM), Manaus 69020-040, AM, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Aires de Oliveira
- Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology of the Bionorte Network (PPG-BIONORTE), Amazonas State University (UEA), Manaus 69065-001, AM, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia Alves Cortez
- Mycology Laboratory, National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA), Manaus 69067-375, AM, Brazil
| | - Emerson Silva Lima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus 69067-005, AM, Brazil
| | | | - Hagen Frickmann
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (H.F.); (J.V.B.d.S.)
| | - João Vicente Braga de Souza
- Mycology Laboratory, National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA), Manaus 69067-375, AM, Brazil
- Correspondence: (H.F.); (J.V.B.d.S.)
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19
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de Andrade IB, Figueiredo-Carvalho MHG, Chaves ALDS, Coelho RA, Almeida-Silva F, Zancopé-Oliveira RM, Frases S, Brito-Santos F, Almeida-Paes R. Metabolic and phenotypic plasticity may contribute for the higher virulence of Trichosporon asahii over other Trichosporonaceae members. Mycoses 2022; 66:430-440. [PMID: 36564594 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13562] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Trichosporonaceae family comprises a large number of basidiomycetes widely distributed in nature. Some of its members, especially Trichosporon asahii, have the ability to cause human infections. This ability is related to a series of virulence factors, which include lytic enzymes production, biofilm formation, resistance to oxidising agents, melanin and glucuronoxylomannan in the cell wall, metabolic plasticity and phenotypic switching. The last two are poorly addressed within human pathogenic Trichosporonaceae. OBJECTIVE These factors were herein studied to contribute with the knowledge of these emerging pathogens and to uncover mechanisms that would explain the higher frequency of T. asahii in human infections. METHODS We included 79 clinical isolates phenotypically identified as Trichosporon spp. and performed their molecular identification. Lactate and N-acetyl glucosamine were the carbon sources of metabolic plasticity studies. Morphologically altered colonies after subcultures and incubation at 37°C indicated phenotypic switching. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The predominant species was T. asahii (n = 65), followed by Trichosporon inkin (n = 4), Apiotrichum montevideense (n = 3), Trichosporon japonicum (n = 2), Trichosporon faecale (n = 2), Cutaneotrichosporon debeurmannianum (n = 1), Trichosporon ovoides (n = 1) and Cutaneotrichosporon arboriforme (n = 1). T. asahii isolates had statistically higher growth on lactate and N-acetylglucosamine and on glucose during the first 72 h of culture. T. asahii, T. inkin and T. japonicum isolates were able to perform phenotypic switching. These results expand the virulence knowledge of Trichosporonaceae members and point for a role for metabolic plasticity and phenotypic switching on the trichosporonosis pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iara Bastos de Andrade
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos agas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Alessandra Leal da Silva Chaves
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Análises Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rowena Alves Coelho
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Almeida-Silva
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos agas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Rede Micologia RJ, FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Rede Micologia RJ, FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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20
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Molecular identification, phylogeny and antifungal susceptibilities of dematiaceous fungi isolated from human keratomycosis. J Infect Public Health 2022; 16:25-33. [PMID: 36459708 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.11.018] [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: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the dematiaceous fungal profile of patients with ocular mycoses attending a tertiary eye care hospital in Coimbatore, India METHODS: The identification of dematiaceous fungus based on their morphology, their genotypes, and the measurement of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using microdilution method of routinely used antifungal drugs were all compared. RESULTS A total of 148 dematiaceous fungi were isolated during a study period of 27 months. Isolates were confirmed as Curvularia spp. (n = 98), Exserohilum spp. (n = 32), Alternaria spp. (n = 14), Exophiala spp. (n = 2), Cladosporium sp. (n = 1) and Aureobasidium sp. (n = 1). Out of 50 well grown isolates characterized genotypically based on the amplification and sequencing of the ITS region of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster and subsequent BLAST analysis, Curvularia lunata (n = 24), C. aeria (n = 1), C. spicifera (n = 8), C. hawaiiensis (n = 1), C. maydis (n = 2), C. papendorfii (n = 2), C. geniculata (n = 3), C. tetramera (n = 2) and Exs. rostratum (n = 7) were identified. In vitro antifungal susceptibilities of the most tested dematiaceous isolates showed that voriconazole had a MIC50 of 0.25 μg ml-1, while amphotericin B had a MIC50 of 0.25 μg ml-1 for Curvularia spp. and Alternaria spp. CONCLUSION Voriconazole proved to be the most effective drug against the pigmented filamentous fungi, followed by amphotericin B, itraconazole and econazole.
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21
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Li G, Jian T, Liu X, Lv Q, Zhang G, Ling J. Application of Metabolomics in Fungal Research. Molecules 2022; 27:7365. [PMID: 36364192 PMCID: PMC9654507 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics is an essential method to study the dynamic changes of metabolic networks and products using modern analytical techniques, as well as reveal the life phenomena and their inherent laws. Currently, more and more attention has been paid to the development of metabolic histochemistry in the fungus field. This paper reviews the application of metabolomics in fungal research from five aspects: identification, response to stress, metabolite discovery, metabolism engineering, and fungal interactions with plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyao Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Tongtong Jian
- Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Xiaojin Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Qingtao Lv
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Guoying Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Jianya Ling
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
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22
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Chiquet C, Bron AM, Lundström M, Maurin M. Acute postoperative endophthalmitis: Microbiology from the laboratory to the bedside. Surv Ophthalmol 2022; 67:1698-1710. [PMID: 35843367 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2022.07.001] [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: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Postoperative endophthalmitis is a dreaded complication of intraocular surgery. Acute presentations need prompt management and good knowledge of differential diagnoses. In the last 10 years, progress in direct microbial detection and identification from intraocular samples included the use of blood culture systems and, more recently, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, improving the rate of bacterial identification. Whatever the method used, diagnostic sensitivity is better for vitreous samples than for aqueous humor samples. Besides, molecular biology techniques have further improved the identification rate of infectious agents in intraocular samples. They also provide faster results compared to culture-based techniques. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) can also determine the bacterial load in intraocular samples. Several studies have shown that intraocular bacterial loads in endophthalmitis patients are usually high, which helps differentiating infection from contamination. The prognostic value of qPCR remains to be validated. Whole genome DNA sequencing technologies facilitate direct and sequencing of single DNA molecules. They have the potential to increase the rate of microbiological identification. Some antibiotic resistance markers (e.g., methicillin resistance in staphylococci and vancomycin resistance in enterococci) may be detected earlier using molecular techniques (usually real-time PCR tests). Early determination of the involved microorganism and their antibiotic resistances can help establishing an earlier therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Chiquet
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Grenoble, France; Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble, France; HP2 Laboratory, INSERM U1042, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.
| | - Alain M Bron
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Dijon, France; Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAE, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000, Dijon, France
| | - Mats Lundström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Max Maurin
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Institut de Biologie et Pathologie, CHU, Grenoble, Alpes; University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble, INP; CHU Grenoble Alpes, TIMC-IMAG, 38000, Grenoble, France
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23
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Sarkar S, Kamke A, Ward K, Rudick AK, Baer SG, Ran Q, Feehan B, Thapa S, Anderson L, Galliart M, Jumpponen A, Johnson L, Lee STM. Bacterial but Not Fungal Rhizosphere Community Composition Differ among Perennial Grass Ecotypes under Abiotic Environmental Stress. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0239121. [PMID: 35442065 PMCID: PMC9241903 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02391-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental change, especially frequent droughts, is predicted to detrimentally impact the North American perennial grasslands. Consistent dry spells will affect plant communities as well as their associated rhizobiomes, possibly altering the plant host performance under environmental stress. Therefore, there is a need to understand the impact of drought on the rhizobiome, and how the rhizobiome may modulate host performance and ameliorate its response to drought stress. In this study, we analyzed bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizospheres of three ecotypes (dry, mesic, and wet) of dominant prairie grass, Andropogon gerardii. The ecotypes were established in 2010 in a common garden design and grown for a decade under persistent dry conditions at the arid margin of the species' range in Colby, Kansas. The experiment aimed to answer whether and to what extent do the different ecotypes maintain or recruit distinct rhizobiomes after 10 years in an arid climate. In order to answer this question, we screened the bacterial and fungal rhizobiome profiles of the ecotypes under the arid conditions of western Kansas as a surrogate for future climate environmental stress using 16S rRNA and ITS2 metabarcoding sequencing. Under these conditions, bacterial communities differed compositionally among the A. gerardii ecotypes, whereas the fungal communities did not. The ecotypes were instrumental in driving the differences among bacterial rhizobiomes, as the ecotypes maintained distinct bacterial rhizobiomes even after 10 years at the edge of the host species range. This study will aid us to optimize plant productivity through the use of different ecotypes under future abiotic environmental stress, especially drought. IMPORTANCE In this study, we used a 10-year long reciprocal garden system, and reports that different ecotypes (dry, mesic, and wet) of dominant prairie grass, Andropogon gerardii can maintain or recruit distinct bacterial but not fungal rhizobiomes after 10 years in an arid environment. We used both 16S rRNA and ITS2 amplicons to analyze the bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizospheres of the respective ecotypes. We showed that A. gerardii might regulate the bacterial community to adapt to the arid environment, in which some ecotypes were not adapted to. Our study also suggested a possible tradeoff between the generalist and the specialist bacterial communities in specific environments, which could benefit the plant host. Our study will provide insights into the plant host regulation of the rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities, especially during frequent drought conditions anticipated in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumyadev Sarkar
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Abigail Kamke
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Ward
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Aoesta K. Rudick
- Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Sara G. Baer
- Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - QingHong Ran
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Brandi Feehan
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Shiva Thapa
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lauren Anderson
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Matthew Galliart
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas, USA
| | - Ari Jumpponen
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Loretta Johnson
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Sonny T. M. Lee
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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24
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Ghareeb RY, Abdelsalam NR, El Maghraby DM, Ghozlan MH, EL-Argawy E, Abou-Shanab RAI. Oscillatoria sp. as a Potent Anti-phytopathogenic Agent and Plant Immune Stimulator Against Root-Knot Nematode of Soybean cv. Giza 111. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:870518. [PMID: 35720553 PMCID: PMC9199862 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.870518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant-parasitic nematodes are one of the major constraints to soybean production around the world. Plant-parasitic nematodes cause an estimated $78 billion in annual crop losses worldwide, with a 10-15% crop yield loss on average. Consequently, finding and applying sustainable methods to control diseases associated with soybean is currently in serious need. METHODS In this study, we isolated, purified, characterized, and identified a novel cyanobacterial strain Oscillatoria sp. (blue-green alga). Based on its microscopic examination and 16S rRNA gene sequence, the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Oscillatoria were used to test their nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita hatchability of eggs after 72 h of exposure time and juvenile mortality percentage in vitro after 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure time and reduction percentage of galls, eggmass, female number/root, and juveniles/250 soil. Also, the efficacy of the extract on improving the plant growth parameter and chlorophyll content under greenhouse conditions on soybean plant cv. Giza 111 was tested. Finally, the expression of PR-1, PR-2, PR-5, and PR15 (encoding enzymes) genes contributing to plant defense in the case of M. incognita invasion was studied and treated with Oscillatoria extract. RESULTS The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Oscillatoria sp. had nematicidal activity against M. incognita. The percentage of mortality and egg hatching of M. incognita were significantly increased with the increase of time exposure to Oscillatoria extract 96.7, 97, and 98 larvae mortality % with S concentration after 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure time. The aqueous extract significantly increased the percentage of Root-Knot nematodes (RKN) of egg hatching, compared with Oxamyl and methanol extract at 96.7 and 97% after 72 h and 1 week, respectively. With the same concentration in the laboratory experiment. Furthermore, water extracts significantly reduced the number of galls in soybean root, egg masses, and female/root by 84.1, 87.5, and 92.2%, respectively, as well as the percentage of J2s/250 g soil by 93.7%. Root, shoot lengths, dry weight, number of pods/plant, and chlorophyll content of soybean treated with Oscillatoria water extract were significantly higher than the control increasing by 70.3, 94.1, 95.5, and 2.02%, respectively. The plant defense system's gene expression was tracked using four important pathogenesis-related genes, PR-1, PR-2, PR-5, and PR15, which encode enzymes involved in plant defense. CONCLUSIONS Oscillatoria extract is a potential nematicide against root-knot nematode invasion in soybean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehab Y. Ghareeb
- Department of Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute (ALCRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nader R. Abdelsalam
- Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, Saba Basha, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Dahlia M. El Maghraby
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud H. Ghozlan
- Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Eman EL-Argawy
- Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Reda A. I. Abou-Shanab
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt
- Biotechnology Institute, College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
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25
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Clinical epidemiology and high genetic diversity amongst Cryptococcus spp. isolates infecting people living with HIV in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267842. [PMID: 35587939 PMCID: PMC9119562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromeningeal cryptococcosis (NMC) is a life-threatening opportunistic infection in advanced HIV disease patients (AHDP). It is caused by Cryptococcus spp. complexes and mainly occurs in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we performed molecular characterization and antifungal susceptibility profiling of Cryptococcus isolates from AHDP in Kinshasa (DRC). Additionally, we investigated a possible association between NMC severity factors and the Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) multilocus sequence typing (MLST) profiles. We characterized the isolates using PCR serotyping, MALDI-TOF MS, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing, and MLST. Susceptibility testing for the major antifungal drugs was performed according to the EUCAST guidelines. Parameters associated with NMC severity, such as hypoglycorrhachia (< 50 mg/dL), increased cerebral spinal fluid opening pressure (> 30 cm H2O), and poor therapeutic outcome were compared with the Cn MLST sequences type (ST). Twenty-three out of 29 Cryptococcus isolates were identified as serotype A using PCR serotyping (79.3%; 95% IC: 65.5–93.1), while six (20.7%; 95% IC: 6.9–34.5) were not serotypable. The 29 isolates were identified by ITS sequencing as follows: Cryptococcus neoformans (23/29, 79.3%), Cutaneotrichosporon curvatus (previously called Cryptococcus curvatus) (5/29, 17.2%), and Papiliotrema laurentii (Cryptococcus laurentii) (1/29, 3.5%). Using the ISHAM MLST scheme, all Cn isolates were identified as molecular type VNI. These comprised seven different STs: ST93 (n = 15), ST5 (n = 2), ST53 (n = 1), ST31 (n = 1), ST4 (n = 1), ST69 (n = 1), and one novel ST that has not yet been reported from other parts of the world and was subsequently assigned as ST659 (n = 2). Of the included strains, only Papiliotrema laurentii was resistant to amphoterin B (1/29, 3.5%), 6.8% (2/29) were resistant to 5-flucytosine (the single Papiliotrema laurentii strain and one Cryptococcus neoformans isolate), and 13.8% (4/29) to fluconazole, including two of five (40%) Cutaneotrichosporon curvatus and two of 23 (8.7%) C. neoformans strains. We found a significative association between poor therapeutic outcome and a non-ST93 sequence type of causative strains (these concerned the less common sequence types: ST53, ST31, ST5, ST4, ST659, and ST69) (87.5% versus 40%, p = 0.02). Molecular analysis of Cryptococcus spp. isolates showed a wide species diversity and genetic heterogenicity of Cn within the VNI molecular type. Furthermore, it is worrying that among included strains we found resistances to several of the commonly used antifungals.
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A Possible Link between the Environment and Cryptococcus gattii Nasal Colonisation in Koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus) in the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084603. [PMID: 35457470 PMCID: PMC9028200 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis caused by yeasts of the Cryptococcus gattii species complex is an increasingly important mycological disease in humans and other mammals. In Australia, cases of C. gattii-related cryptococcosis are more prevalent in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) compared to humans and other animals, likely due to the close association that both C. gattii and koalas have with Eucalyptus species. This provides a cogent opportunity to investigate the epidemiology of spontaneous C. gattii infections in a free-living mammalian host, thereby offering insights into similar infections in humans. This study aimed to establish a link between nasal colonisation by C. gattii in free-ranging koalas and the tree hollows of Eucalyptus species, the key environmental source of the pathogen. We (i) detected and genotyped C. gattii from nine out of 169 free-ranging koalas and representative tree hollows within their home range in the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales, and (ii) examined potential environmental predictors of nasal colonisation in koalas and the presence of C. gattii in tree hollows. Phylogenetic analyses based on multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) revealed that the koalas were most likely colonised by the most abundant C. gattii genotypes found in the Eucalyptus species, or closely related genotypes. Importantly, the likelihood of the presence of C. gattii in tree hollows was correlated with increasing hollow size.
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Wei S, Wang H, Li A, Yuan C. Kerion Celsi caused by Microsporum gypseum in a Chinese child, a case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e28936. [PMID: 35421059 PMCID: PMC9276258 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Kerion Celsi, a severe form of tinea capitis, is generally caused by zoophilic and geophilic fungi. This is the first report of an unusual case of kerion Celsi caused by Microsporum gypseum in a 6-year-old boy. PATIENT CONCERNS A 6-year-old boy presented to the dermatology clinic with the complaint of multiple pustules, edematous plaques over the scalp with hair loss for 1 month. DIAGNOSIS Clinical and laboratory investigations, including reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, confirmed M gypseum causing kerion Celsi. INTERVENTIONS Upon combination therapy using oral itraconazole and oral prednisolone along with the topical terbinafine, kerion Celsi remitted in the patient. OUTCOME New hair growth was noted during the 4-month follow-up. LESSON We presented the first case of kerion Celsi infection secondary to M gypseum that was probably transmitted from a guinea pig.
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Harun A, Kan A, Schwabenbauer K, Gilgado F, Perdomo H, Firacative C, Losert H, Abdullah S, Giraud S, Kaltseis J, Fraser M, Buzina W, Lackner M, Blyth CC, Arthur I, Rainer J, Lira JFC, Artigas JG, Tintelnot K, Slavin MA, Heath CH, Bouchara JP, Chen SCA, Meyer W. Multilocus Sequence Typing Reveals Extensive Genetic Diversity of the Emerging Fungal Pathogen Scedosporium aurantiacum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:761596. [PMID: 35024355 PMCID: PMC8744116 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.761596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Scedosporium spp. are the second most prevalent filamentous fungi after Aspergillus spp. recovered from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in various regions of the world. Although invasive infection is uncommon prior to lung transplantation, fungal colonization may be a risk factor for invasive disease with attendant high mortality post-transplantation. Abundant in the environment, Scedosporium aurantiacum has emerged as an important fungal pathogen in a range of clinical settings. To investigate the population genetic structure of S. aurantiacum, a MultiLocus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme was developed, screening 24 genetic loci for polymorphisms on a tester strain set. The six most polymorphic loci were selected to form the S. aurantiacum MLST scheme: actin (ACT), calmodulin (CAL), elongation factor-1α (EF1α), RNA polymerase subunit II (RPB2), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), and β-tubulin (TUB). Among 188 global clinical, veterinary, and environmental strains, 5 to 18 variable sites per locus were revealed, resulting in 8 to 23 alleles per locus. MLST analysis observed a markedly high genetic diversity, reflected by 159 unique sequence types. Network analysis revealed a separation between Australian and non-Australian strains. Phylogenetic analysis showed two major clusters, indicating correlation with geographic origin. Linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed evidence of recombination. There was no clustering according to the source of the strains: clinical, veterinary, or environmental. The high diversity, especially amongst the Australian strains, suggests that S. aurantiacum may have originated within the Australian continent and was subsequently dispersed to other regions, as shown by the close phylogenetic relationships between some of the Australian sequence types and those found in other parts of the world. The MLST data are accessible at http://mlst.mycologylab.org. This is a joined publication of the ISHAM/ECMM working groups on “Scedosporium/Pseudallescheria Infections” and “Fungal Respiratory Infections in Cystic Fibrosis”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azian Harun
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital-Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
| | - Alex Kan
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital-Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katharina Schwabenbauer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital-Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Felix Gilgado
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital-Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Haybrig Perdomo
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciencies de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital-Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Sarimah Abdullah
- School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
| | - Sandrine Giraud
- UNIV Angers, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) d'Angers, Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène (GEIHP), EA3142, Structure Fédérative de Recherche "Interactions Cellulaires et Applications Thérapeutiques (SFR ICAT), Angers, France
| | - Josef Kaltseis
- Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mark Fraser
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Infection Service, Public Health England South-West, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Walter Buzina
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University, Graz, Austria
| | - Michaela Lackner
- Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christopher C Blyth
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital-Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute and Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ian Arthur
- Mycology Laboratory, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Johannes Rainer
- Institute of Microbiology, Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - José F Cano Lira
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciencies de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Josep Guarro Artigas
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciencies de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | | | - Monica A Slavin
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher H Heath
- Department of Microbiology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch; & Infectious Diseases Department, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch; Department of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth; & the University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jean-Philippe Bouchara
- UNIV Angers, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) d'Angers, Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène (GEIHP), EA3142, Structure Fédérative de Recherche "Interactions Cellulaires et Applications Thérapeutiques (SFR ICAT), Angers, France
| | - Sharon C A Chen
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital-Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital-Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Tilahun S, Alemu M, Tsegaw M, Berhane N. Morphological and Molecular Diversity of Ginger ( Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Pathogenic Fungi in Chilga District, North Gondar, Ethiopia. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 2:765737. [PMID: 37744090 PMCID: PMC10512325 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2021.765737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Ginger diseases caused by fungal pathogens have become one of the most serious problems causing reduced production around the world. It has also caused a major problem among farmers in different parts of Ethiopia resulting in a huge decline in rhizome yield. However, the exact causative agents of this disease have not been identified in the state. Although there are few studies related to pathogenic fungus identification, molecular level identification of fungal pathogen was not done in the area. Therefore, this study was undertaken to isolate and characterized the fungal causative agent of ginger disease from the diseased plant and the soil samples collected around the diseased plant from Chilga district, Gondar, Ethiopia. Samples from infected ginger plants and the soil around the infected plant were collected. Culturing and purification of isolates were made using Potato Dextrose Agar supplemented with antibacterial agent chloramphenicol. The morphological characterization was done by structural identification of the isolates under the microscope using lactophenol cotton blue stains. Isolated fungi were cultured and molecular identification was done using an internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). A total of 15 fungal morphotypes including 11 Aspergillus spp. (73.3%), 2 Penicillium spp. (13.3%), and single uncultured fungus clone S23 were isolated from the samples representing all the plant organs and the soil. Aspergillus spp. (73.3%) was the most common and seems to be the major causative agent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of ginger pathogenic fungi in Ethiopia identified using ITS rDNA molecular techniques. This study will lay foundation for the development of management strategies for fungal diseases infecting ginger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sefinew Tilahun
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Marye Alemu
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mesfin Tsegaw
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Nega Berhane
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Andrade-Silva J, Andrade-Silva LE, Paes HC, Alves L, Rosa A, Tenório BG, Ferreira MS, Felipe MSS, Teixeira MDM, Silva-Vergara ML. Molecular epidemiology of Paracoccidiodes spp. recovered from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis in a teaching hospital from Minas Gerais State of Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009956. [PMID: 34843484 PMCID: PMC8659327 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is caused by several species of the Paracoccidioides genus which can be differentiated by interspecific genetic variations, morphology and geographic distribution. Intraspecific variability correlation with clinical and epidemiological aspects of these species still remains unclear. This study aimed to sequence the loci GP43, exon 2 and ARF of 23 clinical isolates of Paracoccidioides spp. from patients in the Southeast Region of Brazil. Methodology and main findings GenBank was used to compare the present (23) with previous described sequences (151) that included ARF and GP43. It was identified a high polymorphism rate among the 23 isolates in comparison to the other 151. Among the isolates, 22 (95.66%) were S1/P. brasiliensis and 1 (4.34%) was identified as PS2/P. americana. A total of 45 haplotypes were found as follows: 19 from S1/P. brasiliensis (13 from the present study), 15 from P. lutzii, 6 from PS2/P. americana (1 from the present study), 3 from PS3/P. restrepiensis and 2 from PS4/P. venezuelensis. Moreover, exclusive haplotypes according to clinical origin and geographical area were found. S1/P. brasiliensis (HD = 0.655 and K = 4.613) and P. lutzii (HD = 0.649 and K = 2.906) presented the highest rate of polymorphism among all species, from which 12 isolates of the present study were clustered within S1b/P. brasiliensis. The GP43 locus showed a higher variability and was found to be the main reason for the species differentiation. Conclusions The results herein decribed show a high intraspecific genetic variability among S1/P. brasiliensis isolates and confirm the predominance of this species in the Southeast region of Brazil. The finding of exclusive haplotypes according to clinical origin and geographical area would suggest correlation between the molecular profile with the clinical form and geographic origin of patients with PCM. Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is one of the most important systemic mycosis of Latin America. This disease can be caused by Paracoccidioides lutzii and four different phylogenetic species: S1/Paracoccidioides brasiliensis sensu stricto that harboring S1a and S1b, PS2/Paracoccidioides americana, PS3/Paracoccidioides restrepiensis and PS4/Paracoccidioides venezuelensis. Some of these species show differences in their main geographic region of predominance such as PS2/P. americana that can be found in Venezuela and Southern Brazil; PS3/P. restrepiensis and PS4/P. venezuelensis which are distributed in Colombia and Venezuela. However, and due to their wide geographical distribution, the species S1/P. brasiliensis and P. lutzii overlapping ecological niches and can be found in different regions of Brazil and other Latin American countries. Regarding eco-epidemiological aspects, the habitat is believed to be the soil due to the predominance of the disease among rural workers who become infected by inhaling infectious propagules during their farm activities. According to other authors, these species could have relation with the different PCM clinical presentation. This study aimed to describe the molecular epidemiology associated with clinical and epidemiological data of Paracoccidiodes spp. in the Minas Gerais State, located in the Southeast region, Brazil. Among the 23 isolates herein evaluated, 22 were S1/P. brasiliensis and 1 was identified as PS2/P. americana. A total of 45 haplotypes were found when these isolates were compared with other 151 deposited in the Genbank. The preliminar finding of exclusive haplotypes according to clinical origin and geographical area would suggest correlation between the molecular profile with the clinical form and geographic origin of patients with PCM. The GP43 locus showed a higher variability and was found to be the main promotor of species differentiation. The results herein described pointed out a high intraspecific genetic variability among S1/P. brasiliensis isolates and confirm the predominance of this species in the Southeast region of Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Andrade-Silva
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | | | - Hugo Costa Paes
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Lucas Alves
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Adair Rosa
- Faculty of Medicina, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Simão Ferreira
- Infectious diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mario León Silva-Vergara
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Zono B, Moutschen M, Situakibanza H, Sacheli R, Muendele G, Kabututu P, Biakabuswa A, Landu N, Mvumbi G, Hayette MP. Comparison of clinical and biological characteristics of HIV-infected patients presenting Cryptococcus neoformans versus C. curvatus/C. laurentii meningitis. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1157. [PMID: 34781895 PMCID: PMC8591831 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06849-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptococcal meningitis is mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii complex. We compared the clinical, biological, and antifungal susceptibility profiles of isolates from HIV-Infected Patients (HIVIP) with C. neoformans (Cn) versus C. curvatus/C. laurentii (Cc/Cl) meningitis. Methods Comparative analytical study were conducted. Apart from patients’ clinical data, the following analysis were performed and the results were compared in both groups: biochemical examination, cryptococcal antigen test, India ink staining, and culture on Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF), strains identification by mass spectrometry, ITS sequencing, PCR serotyping and antifungal susceptibility. The main outcome variable was the “species of Cryptococcus identified”, which was compared to other variables of the same type using the Pearson Chi-square test or the Fisher exact test. Results A total of 23 (79.3%) Cn meningitis cases versus 6 (20.7%) Cc/Cl meningitis were retained.Cn meningitis was more frequently associated with headache (100% vs 50%, p = 0.005) than Cc/Cl meningitis and meningeal signs were more frequent in Cn infected patients. Biologically, hypoglycorrhachia and low CD4 count were more observed in Cn group (90% vs 20% of patients, p = 0.01; 45.6 vs 129.8 cells/µL, p = 0.02, respectively). A higher proportion of Cn strains (91.3%) showed a low Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) (< 8 mg/L) for fluconazole compared to Cc/Cl strains (66.7%). Also, Cc/Cl strains resistant to 5-flucytosine and amphotericin B were found in 16.7% of cases for each of the two antifungal agents. Cryptococcus detection by routine analysis (India ink, culture, and antigens) was better for Cn samples than Cc/Cl. Except ITS sequencing, which identified all strains of both groups, mass spectrometry and serotyping PCR identified Cn strains better than Cc/Cl (100% vs 80%, p = 0.1; 100% vs 0%, p < 0.0001, respectively). After treatment with amphotericin B, 5-flucytosine, and fluconazole in both groups, the outcome was similar. Conclusions Clinical presentation of Cn meningitis is certainly more severe than that of Cc/Cl meningitis, but Cc/Cl infection should be considered in the management of HIVIP with meningeal syndrome because of the diagnostic difficulty and the high MICs of antifungal agents required for the treatment of meningitis due to these cryptococcal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bive Zono
- Molecular Biology Service, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. .,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium.
| | - Michel Moutschen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine, University Hospital Center of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Hippolyte Situakibanza
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Internal Medicine/Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Rosalie Sacheli
- National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospital Center of Liege, Liege, Belgium.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Gaultier Muendele
- Advanced HIV Infection Management Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Centre Hospitalier Mère et Enfant de NGABA, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Pius Kabututu
- Molecular Biology Service, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Adolphe Biakabuswa
- Advanced HIV Infection Management Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Centre Médical et Evangélique Révérend LUYINDU, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Nicole Landu
- Advanced HIV Infection Management Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Centre Médical et Evangélique Révérend LUYINDU, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Georges Mvumbi
- Molecular Biology Service, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Marie-Pierre Hayette
- National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospital Center of Liege, Liege, Belgium.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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Daidoji T, Morales Vargas RE, Hagiwara K, Arai Y, Watanabe Y, Nishioka K, Murakoshi F, Garan K, Sadakane H, Nakaya T. Development of genus-specific universal primers for the detection of flaviviruses. Virol J 2021; 18:187. [PMID: 34526049 PMCID: PMC8442469 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-021-01646-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Flaviviruses are representative arboviruses carried by arthropods and/or vertebrates; these viruses can pose a public health concern in many countries. By contrast, it is known that a novel virus group called insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) also infects arthropods, although no such virus has yet been isolated from vertebrates. The characteristics of ISFs, which affect replication of human-pathogenic flaviviruses within co-infected mosquito cells or mosquitoes without affecting the mosquitoes themselves, mean that we should pay attention to both ISFs and human-pathogenic flaviviruses, despite the fact that ISFs appear not to be directly hazardous to human health. To assess the risk of diseases caused by flaviviruses, and to better understand their ecology, it is necessary to know the extent to which flaviviruses are harbored by arthropods. Methods We developed a novel universal primer for use in a PCR-based system to detect a broad range of flaviviruses. We then evaluated its performance. The utility of the novel primer pair was evaluated in a PCR assay using artificially synthesized oligonucleotides derived from a template viral genome sequence. The utility of the primer pair was also examined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) using cDNA templates prepared from virus-infected cells or crude supernatants prepared from virus-containing mosquito homogenates. Results The novel primer pair amplified the flavivirus NS5 sequence (artificially synthesized) in all samples tested (six species of flavivirus that can cause infectious diseases in humans, and flaviviruses harbored by insects). In addition, the novel primer pair detected viral genomes in cDNA templates prepared from mosquito cells infected with live flavivirus under different infectious conditions. Finally, the viral genome was detected with high sensitivity in crude supernatants prepared from pooled mosquito homogenates. Conclusion This PCR system based on a novel primer pair makes it possible to detect arthropod-borne flaviviruses worldwide (the primer pair even detected viruses belonging to different genetic subgroups). As such, an assay based on this primer pair may help to improve public health and safety, as well as increase our understanding of flavivirus ecology. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12985-021-01646-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomo Daidoji
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
| | | | - Katsuro Hagiwara
- Veterinary Virology, School of Veterinary Medicine , Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, 069-8501, Japan
| | - Yasuha Arai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yohei Watanabe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Keisuke Nishioka
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Fumi Murakoshi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kotaro Garan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sadakane
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Takaaki Nakaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
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Niae S, Yurayart C, Thengchaisri N, Sattasathuchana P. Prevalence and in vitro antifungal susceptibility of commensal yeasts in the external ear canal of cats. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:288. [PMID: 34454490 PMCID: PMC8400901 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02995-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lifestyle factors such as hair length, the frequency of ear cleaning and bathing, age, cat rearing, and sex may contribute to opportunistic yeast infections in the external ear canal of cats. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of commensal yeast organisms in cats’ external ear canals, evaluate their predisposing lifestyle factors, and test the susceptibility of Malassezia pachydermatis to antifungal agents. Results A total of 53 cats (33 male and 20 female) seronegative for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus were enrolled in this study. Their mean age (± standard deviation) was 6.04 (± 3.49) years. Fungal cultures and polymerase chain reaction tests were performed to identify the yeast species derived from the external ear canal. The association between lifestyle factors and the presence of M. pachydermatis was evaluated using Fisher’s exact test. The susceptibility of M. pachydermatis to antifungal agents was also analyzed. M. pachydermatis was the most frequently recovered yeast species, with a prevalence of 50.94 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 36.84–64.94 %). There was an association between hair length and a positive culture for M. pachydermatis (p = 0.0001). The odds of a negative culture for M. pachydermatis among short-haired cats was 11.67 (95 % CI, 3.22–42.24) times higher than that among long-haired cats (p = 0.0002). There was also an association between the frequency of ear cleaning and the presence of M. pachydermatis (p = 0.007). The odds of a negative culture for M. pachydermatis in cats that were receiving ear cleaning at intervals of ≤ 2 weeks was 5.78 (95 % CI, 1.67–19.94) times greater than that of cats receiving ear cleaning at intervals greater than 2 weeks or never (p = 0.0055). Ranges of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations for itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, and terbinafine against M. pachydermatis were ≤ 0.063–4 and ≤ 0.063–≥32, ≤ 0.063–8 and 0.125–≥32, ≤ 0.063–≥32 and 0.5–≥32, and ≤ 0.016–1 and 0.125–8 µg/ml, respectively. Conclusions M. pachydermatis was the most commonly identified yeast organism in the external ear canal of healthy cats. Hair length and the frequency of ear cleaning played a role in the colonization of M. pachydermatis. The M. pachydermatis isolates had various MIC levels for common fungicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Niae
- Graduate Student in Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, 10900, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chompoonek Yurayart
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, 10900, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Naris Thengchaisri
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Rd, Latyao, Jatujak, 10900, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panpicha Sattasathuchana
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Rd, Latyao, Jatujak, 10900, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Chlorpyrifos degradation using binary fungal strains isolated from industrial waste soil. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00816-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Lipový B, Raška F, Kocmanová I, Hanslianová M, Hladík M, Holoubek J, Bezdíček M, Macháček C. Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Aspergillus fischeri Infection as a Cause of Skin Graft Failure in a Patient with Critical Burns after Liver Transplantation. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7060487. [PMID: 34207136 PMCID: PMC8234584 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious complications are responsible for the majority of mortalities and morbidities of patients with critical burns. Although bacteria are the predominant etiological agents in such patients, yeasts and fungi have become relatively common causes of infections over the last decade. Here, we report a case of a young man with critical burns on 88% TBSA (total body surface area) arising as a part of polytrauma. The patient's history of orthotopic liver transplantation associated with the patient's need to use combined immunosuppressant therapy was an additional complication. Due to deep burns in the forearm region, we have (after a suitable wound bed preparation) applied a new bi-layered dermal substitute. The patient, however, developed a combined fungal infection in the region of this dermal substitute caused by Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Aspergillus fischeri (the first case ever reported). The infection caused the loss of the split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs); we had to perform repeated hydrosurgical and mechanical debridement and a systemic antifungal treatment prior to re-application of the STSGs. The subsequent skin transplant was successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Břetislav Lipový
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Institution Shared with University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.L.); (F.R.); (J.H.)
- CEITEC—Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Raška
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Institution Shared with University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.L.); (F.R.); (J.H.)
| | - Iva Kocmanová
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Brno, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Markéta Hanslianová
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Vyškov Hospital, 628 01 Vyškov, Czech Republic;
| | - Martin Hladík
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Institution Shared with University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.L.); (F.R.); (J.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-532-232-206
| | - Jakub Holoubek
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Institution Shared with University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.L.); (F.R.); (J.H.)
| | - Matěj Bezdíček
- Centre of Molecular Biology and Gene Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine—Hematology and Oncology, Institution Shared with University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Ctirad Macháček
- Department of Pathology, Institution Shared with University Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
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Oliveira LA, Macedo MM, Rodrigues JLS, Lima ES, Hamill PG, Dallas TD, Lima MP, Souza ES, Hallsworth JE, Souza JVB. Plant metabolite 5-pentadecyl resorcinol is produced by the Amazonian fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum LM 5679. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e241863. [PMID: 34133562 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.241863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the classic studies of Alexander Flemming, Penicillium strains have been known as a rich source of antimicrobial substances. Recent studies have identified novel metabolites produced by Penicillium sclerotiorum that have antibacterial, antifouling and pharmaceutical activities. Here, we report the isolation of a P. sclerotiorum (LM 5679) from Amazonian soil and carry out a culture-based study to determine whether it can produce any novel secondary metabolite(s) that are not thus-far reported for this genus. Using a submerged culture system, secondary metabolites were recovered by solvent extract followed by thin-layer chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopy. One novel secondary metabolite was isolated from P. sclerotiorum (LM 5679); the phenolic compound 5-pentadecyl resorcinol widely known as an antifungal, that is produced by diverse plant species. This metabolite was not reported previously in any Penicillium species and was only found once before in fungi (that time, in a Fusarium). Here, we discuss the known activities of 5-pentadecyl resorcinol in the context of its mode-of-action as a hydrophobic (chaotropicity-mediated) stressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Oliveira
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - M M Macedo
- Centro Universitário do Norte - UNINORTE, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - J L S Rodrigues
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Departamento de Produtos Naturais, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - E S Lima
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - P G Hamill
- Queen's University Belfast, Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Belfast, UK
| | - T D Dallas
- Queen's University Belfast, Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Belfast, UK
| | - M P Lima
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Departamento de Produtos Naturais, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - E S Souza
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - J E Hallsworth
- Queen's University Belfast, Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Belfast, UK
| | - J V B Souza
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Laboratório de Micologia, Manaus, AM, Brasil
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Fungal Keratitis in Northern Thailand: Spectrum of Agents, Risk Factors and Putative Virulence Factors. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7060475. [PMID: 34208353 PMCID: PMC8231135 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal keratitis (FK) is a serious ocular infection that can result in various degrees of vision loss, including blindness. The aim of the study was to identify and retrospectively review all FK cases diagnosed between August 2012 and December 2020 at a tertiary care hospital in northern Thailand with a specific focus on epidemiologic features, including season, patient sex and age, the spectrum of pathogens, and presence of certain putative virulence factors. Of 1237 patients with corneal ulcers, 294 (23.8%) were confirmed by direct microscopic examination and/or fungal culture. For the positive cases, direct examinations of Calcofluor white (CW) stains and KOH mounts were found in 97.3% (286/294) and 76.5% (225/294), respectively (p < 0.05). Of the cases diagnosed by microscopy and culture, fungi were isolated in 152 (51.7%), with Fusarium spp. being the most frequently identified (n = 69, 45.5%) followed by dematiaceous fungi (n = 45, 29.6%) and Aspergillus spp. (n = 18, 11.8%). The incidence of FK was higher in the rainy season of July to October. The mean age was 54.4 ± 14.4 (SD) years, with a range of 9–88 years. Males (75.8%) were affected significantly more than females (24.2%) (p < 0.05). Of 294 patients, 132 (44.9%) were middle-aged adults (41–60 years) and 107 (36.4%) were older than 60 years. Trauma to the eye by soil or vegetative matter were the most common preceding factors (188/294; 64.0%). We assessed two virulence factors. First, 142 of the 152 culture-positive FK cases were due to molds, indicating that hyphal morphogenesis is extremely important in disease. We also demonstrated that fungal melanization occurs in the molds during the course of FK by applying a melanin-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) that labeled fungal elements in corneal samples of patients, and melanin particles derived from the hyphae were also recovered after treatment of the samples with proteolytic enzymes, denaturant and hot concentrated acid. In summary, we demonstrate that northern Thailand has a high rate of FK that is influenced by season and males engaged in outside activities are at highest risk for disease. Moulds are significantly more commonly responsible for FK, in part due to their capacity to form hyphae and melanins. Future studies will examine models of fungal corneal interactions and assess additional factors of virulence, such as secreted enzymes, to more deeply decipher the pathogenesis of FK.
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Heireman L, Patteet S, Steyaert S. Performance of the new ID-fungi plate using two types of reference libraries (Bruker and MSI) to identify fungi with the Bruker MALDI Biotyper. Med Mycol 2021; 58:946-957. [PMID: 32030423 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decade, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has revolutionized the diagnosis of fungal infections. Recently, a new Conidia ID-fungi plate (IDFP) medium was introduced to facilitate growth and sampling of fungi. This study aimed to evaluate the IDFP for fungal MALDI-TOF MS identification by comparison with a standard fungal growth medium using two reference libraries. A total of 75 filamentous fungal isolates (including 32 dermatophytes) were inoculated on IDFP and Sabouraud-gentamicin-chloramphenicol (SGC) agar and identified by MALDI-TOF MS using formic acid/acetonitrile extraction. Both the commercially available Bruker library (version 2.0) and the public available MSI web application (version 2018) were applied. For 15% of the isolates, a faster growth was noticed on IDFP compared to SGC. IDFP enhanced the performance of fungal identification compared to SGC for both MSI (increase of 16% identifications to genus and 5% to species level) and Bruker library (increase of 22% identifications to genus and 8% to species level). In total, only 73% of the tested isolates were present in the Bruker library compared to 92% for MSI library. No significant difference (P = 0.46) in MALDI score between IDFP and SGC was observed for the MSI library, but scores were significantly (P = 0.03) higher for IDFP when using Bruker library, potentially explained by the prevention of agar contamination by using IDFP since the Bruker database was created from liquid media. IDFP is a promising alternative growth medium for MALDI-TOF MS fungal identification which would strongly benefit from optimizing the Bruker reference library.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Heireman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital Maria Middelares, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sofie Patteet
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sophia Steyaert
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital Maria Middelares, Ghent, Belgium
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Ando T, Kawakami H, Mochizuki K, Murata K, Manabe Y, Takagi D, Yagasaki A, Niwa Y, Yamada N, Ogura S, Matsumoto K, Morita K, Todokoro D, Kamei K. Intraocular penetration of liposomal amphotericin B after intravenous injection in inflamed human eyes. J Infect Chemother 2021; 27:1319-1322. [PMID: 33994091 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2021.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the intraocular penetration of amphotericin B (AMPH-B) after an intravenously injection of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) in inflamed human eyes. METHODS Seven eyes of 5 patients with fungal eye diseases (endophthalmitis in 6 eyes and keratitis in 1 eye) were treated with intravenous injections of 100-250 mg/day of L-AMB. Samples of blood, corneal button, aqueous humor, and vitreous humor were collected and assessed for AMPH-B. RESULTS The AMPH-B level in the cornea (604.0 μg/g) of the case with fungal keratitis exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentration. However, the levels in the aqueous and vitreous humors of the cases with fungal endophthalmitis were lower, e.g., 0.02 ± 0.01 μg/ml (0.09% of serum level) in the aqueous humor and 0.05 ± 0.08 μg/ml (0.17% of serum level) in the vitreous humor. CONCLUSIONS The AMPH-B levels administered intravenously were very low in the aqueous and vitreous humors. Our findings indicate that intravenous L-AMB can be considered only for patients with mild endogenous fungal endophthalmitis, e.g., isolated chorioretinitis without vitreous extensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Ando
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan; Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu Municipal Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hideaki Kawakami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu Municipal Hospital, Gifu, Japan.
| | - Kiyofumi Mochizuki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Murata
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yusuke Manabe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Daisuke Takagi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Ayaka Yagasaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Niwa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Noriaki Yamada
- Department of Emergency & Disaster Medicine, Advanced Critical Care Center Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Shinji Ogura
- Department of Emergency & Disaster Medicine, Advanced Critical Care Center Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Kana Matsumoto
- Department of Clinical Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Morita
- Department of Clinical Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Daisuke Todokoro
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Kamei
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Production of Secreted Carbohydrates that Present Immunologic Similarities with the Cryptococcus Glucuronoxylomannan by Members of the Trichosporonaceae Family: A Comparative Study Among Species of Clinical Interest. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:377-385. [PMID: 33956292 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00558-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) participates in several immunoregulatory mechanisms, which makes it an important Cryptococcus virulence factor that is essential for the disease. Trichosporon asahii and Trichosporon mucoides share with Cryptococcus species the ability to produce GXM. To check whether other opportunistic species in the Trichosporonaceae family produce GXM-like polysaccharides, extracts from 28 strains were produced from solid cultures and their carbohydrate content evaluated by the sulfuric acid / phenol method. Moreover, extracts were assessed for cryptococcal GXM cross-reactivity through latex agglutination and lateral flow assay methods. Cryptococcus neoformans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. In addition to T. asahii, the species Trichosporon inkin, Apiotrichum montevideense, Trichosporon japonicum, Trichosporon faecale, Trichosporon ovoides, Cutaneotrichosporon debeurmannianum, and Cutaneotrichosporon arboriformis are also producers of a polysaccharide immunologically similar to the GXM produced by human pathogenic Cryptococcus species. The carbohydrate concentration of the extracts presented a positive correlation with the GXM contents determined by titration of both methodologies. These results add several species to the list of fungal pathogens that produce glycans of the GXM type and bring information about the origin of potential false-positive results on immunological tests for diagnosis of cryptococcosis based on GXM detection.
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Abdullah R, Tahseen M, Nisar K, Kaleem A, Iqtedar M, Saleem F, Aftab M. Statistical optimization of cellulases by Talaromyces thermophilus utilizing Saccharum spontaneum, a novel substrate. ELECTRON J BIOTECHN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Rosalie S, Lize C, Laurence S, Rajae D, Caroline A, Katrien L, Marie-Pierre H. Epidemiology of Dermatophytes in Belgium: A 5 Years' Survey. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:399-409. [PMID: 33900539 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00542-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Dermatophytes are among the most common fungal agents causing superficial skin infections worldwide. Epidemiology of these infections is evolving and variable in every country. This report presents the Belgian epidemiological data regarding the distribution of dermatophytes species isolated by the two national reference centers for mycosis during a period of 5 years (2012-2016). Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated species, considering all sampling sites (60.3% on average between 2012 and 2016). More precisely, this dermatophyte was the major agent of Tinea unguium and Tinea corporis during this period, followed by species of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex. Moreover, Microsporum audouinii was the main etiological agent of Tinea capitis (TC) with a frequency of 52.5% on average between 2012 and 2016. Other African dermatophytes species such as Trichophyton soudanense and Trichophyton violaceum were also agents of TC with a respective prevalence of 11.6% and 11.5% on average. This study highlights a different dermatophyte distribution in Belgium in comparison with other European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sacheli Rosalie
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Belgian National Reference Center, University Hospital of Liege, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Cuypers Lize
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Belgian National Reference Center, University Hospital of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Seidel Laurence
- Department of Biostatistics, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Darfouf Rajae
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Belgian National Reference Center, University Hospital of Liege, Liège, Belgium
| | - Adjetey Caroline
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Belgian National Reference Center, University Hospital of Liege, Liège, Belgium
| | - Lagrou Katrien
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Belgian National Reference Center, University Hospital of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hayette Marie-Pierre
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Belgian National Reference Center, University Hospital of Liege, Liège, Belgium
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Evaluation of Polymerase Chain Reaction over Routine Microbial Diagnosis for the Diagnosis of Fungal Keratitis. Optom Vis Sci 2021; 98:280-284. [PMID: 33633022 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE The significance of the study is that, although conventional culture remains the criterion standard for identifying the causative fungal pathogens, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may serve as a powerful and high-throughput tool for the early and definitive diagnosis of high-risk patients with mycotic keratitis owing to high sensitivity and specificity. PURPOSE This study was focused on comparing the results of PCR with traditional microbial studies for the detection and identification of fungal pathogens in patients with clinically suspected fungal keratitis. METHODS Corneal scrapings were collected from 59 patients with clinically suspected fungal keratitis for routine culture, staining, and seminested PCR assay for fungal pathogen identification. The results of PCR were compared with a conventional microbial workup (smear and culture). The samples that were unidentified by culture but were amplified by PCR were further identified by nucleotide sequencing. RESULTS Of the 59 patients with suspected fungal keratitis, 38 (64.40%) were found to be positive by PCR assay, 24 (40.67%) by culture, 18 (20.3%) by potassium hydroxide wet mount, and 8 (13.5%) by Gram stains for fungal pathogens. All the 24 isolates found positive with culture were also positive with PCR, so they had not been sequenced for molecular identification. The remaining 14 isolates that were positive with PCR but negative with culture were further identified as Cladosporium cladosporioides, Simplicillium species, Fusarium solani, Alternaria tenuissima, Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium citrinum, and Rhizopus microsporus by sequencing up to the species level. CONCLUSIONS The PCR was able to detect the presence of fungal pathogens in a high proportion of culture-negative cases. This study suggests that PCR may serve as a rapid, important complement to traditional culture with high-throughput means of fungal pathogen identification in patients with clinically suspected fungal keratitis.
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The Domestic Environment and the Lung Mycobiome. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111717. [PMID: 33147738 PMCID: PMC7693370 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study analyzes the relationship between the mycobiome of the Lower Respiratory Tract (LRT) and the fungi in the domestic environment. Samples studied consisted of Broncho-Alveolar Lavage (BAL) from 45 patients who underwent bronchoscopy for different diagnostic purposes, and dust and air from the houses (ENV) of 20 of them (44.4%). Additionally, five bronchoscopes (BS) were also analyzed and negative controls were included for every procedure. All samples were processed for DNA extraction and cultures, which were performed in Sabouraud Dextrose and Potato Dextrose Agar. The fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2) was sequenced by the Solexa/Illumina system and sequences were analyzed by QIIME 1.8.0 and compared with the UNITE Database for identification. The similarity between the two fungal communities (BAL and ENV) for a specific patient was assessed via the percentage of coincidence in the detection of specific operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and about 75% of co-occurrence was detected between the mycobiome of the LRT and the houses. Cultures confirmed the presence of the core mycobiome species. However, the low rate of isolation from BAL suggests that most of its mycobiome corresponds to non-culturable cells. This likely depends on the patient’s immune system activity and inflammatory status.
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Rodríguez-Rojas JJ, Rodríguez-Moreno Á, Sánchez-Casas RM, Hernández-Escareño JJ. Molecular Detection of Leptospira interrogans and Borrelia burgdorferi in Wild Rodents from Mexico. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 20:860-863. [PMID: 32639187 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis and Lyme borreliosis are zoonotic emerging diseases of global importance and wide distribution. The aim of this study was to detect by molecular testing to Leptospira interrogans and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in wild rodents from Nuevo Leon, Quintana Roo, and Campeche, Mexico. This study is the first in report to Chaetodipus nelsoni, Dipodomys merriami, and Peromyscus eremicus infected with L. interrogans in Mexico. Besides, Chaetodipus hispidus, Heteromys gaumeri, Heteromys irroratus, Neotoma micropus, Peromyscus leucopus, Peromyscus maniculatus, and Sigmodon hispidus infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. in Mexico. Also, is the first report in identify coinfection of L. interrogans and B. burgdorferi s.l. in wild rodents such as H. irroratus and S. hispidus in Nuevo Leon, and H. gaumeri in Quintana Roo, Mexico. These wild rodent species infected represent a risk factor for the exposed population in these sylvatic and rural areas of Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge J Rodríguez-Rojas
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Campus de la Salud, Unidad de Patógenos Emergentes, Reemergentes y Vectores, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Ángel Rodríguez-Moreno
- Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, México
| | - Rosa M Sánchez-Casas
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Campus de la Salud, Unidad de Patógenos Emergentes, Reemergentes y Vectores, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, México
| | - Jesús J Hernández-Escareño
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, México
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Pinheiro SB, Sousa ES, Cortez ACA, da Silva Rocha DF, Menescal LSF, Chagas VS, Gómez ASP, Cruz KS, Santos LO, Alves MJ, Matsuura ABJ, Wanke B, Trilles L, Frickmann H, de Souza JVB. Cryptococcal meningitis in non-HIV patients in the State of Amazonas, Northern Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2020; 52:279-288. [PMID: 33025379 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-020-00383-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening fungal infection caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex. Most cases are recorded in patients suffering from HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). However, this infection also occurs in non-HIV patients with a proportion of 10-30% of all cases. The study aimed at the clinical and molecular characterization of non-HIV patients diagnosed with cryptococcosis at the Tropical Medicine Foundation (FMT-HVD) from July 2016 to June 2019. Medical records of respective patients were analyzed to describe the course of cryptococcosis in non-HIV patients. In addition, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was applied to identify the sequence types of the isolated Cryptococcus strains, to perform phylogenetic analysis, and to evaluate the isolates' genetic relationship to global reference strains. Antifungal susceptibility profiles to amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole were assessed by broth microdilution. From a total of 7 patients, 4 were female, the age range varied between 10 and 53 years (median of 36.3 years). Cryptococcal meningitis was the common clinical manifestation (100%). The period between onset of symptoms and confirmed diagnosis ranged from 15 to 730 days (mean value of 172.9 days), and the observed mortality was 57.1%. Of note, comorbidities of the assessed cryptococcosis patients comprised hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and intestinal tuberculosis. Genotyping applying PCR-RFLP of the URA5 gene identified all clinical isolates as C. gattii genotype VGII. Using MLST, it was possible to discriminate the sequence types ST20 (n = 4), ST5 (n = 3), and the newly identified sequence type ST560 (n = 1). The antifungals amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole showed satisfactory inhibitory activity (microdilution test) against all C. gattii VGII strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silviane Bezerra Pinheiro
- Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil.,Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Ednaira Sullany Sousa
- Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil.,Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kátia Santana Cruz
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado - AM, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Bodo Wanke
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fiocruz - RJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Trilles
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fiocruz - RJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hagen Frickmann
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, External site at the Bernhard Nocht Institute, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Belgian National Survey on Tinea Capitis: Epidemiological Considerations and Highlight of Terbinafine-Resistant T. mentagrophytes with a Mutation on SQLE Gene. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040195. [PMID: 33003309 PMCID: PMC7712443 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In this last decade, a huge increase in African anthropophilic strains causing tinea capitis has been observed in Europe. The Belgian National Reference Center for Mycosis (NRC) conducted a surveillance study on tinea capitis in 2018 to learn the profile of circulating dermatophytes. Methods: Belgian laboratories were invited to send all dermatophyte strains isolated from the scalp with epidemiological information. Strain identification was confirmed by ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) sequencing. Mutation in the squalene epoxidase (SQLE) gene was screened by PCR. Results: The main population affected by tinea capitis was children from 5–9 years. Males were more affected than females. The majority of the strains were collected in the Brussels area followed by the Liege area. Among known ethnic origins, African people were more affected by tinea capitis than European people. The major aetiological agent was Microsporum audouinii, followed by Trichophyton soudanense. One strain of Trichophyton mentagrophytes has been characterized to have a mutation on the squalene epoxidase gene and to be resistant to terbinafine. Conclusions: African anthropophilic dermatophytes are mainly responsible for tinea capitis in Belgium. People of African origin are most affected by tinea capitis. The monitoring of terbinafine resistance among dermatophytes seems necessary as we have demonstrated the emergence of resistance in T. mentagrophytes.
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Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) for Identification of Pythium insidiosum. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 101:149-159. [PMID: 32987181 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.1430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pythium insidiosum causes a life-threatening condition called pythiosis. High morbidity and mortality of pythiosis are consequences of delayed diagnosis. We aimed to develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the rapid detection of P. insidiosum for use in remote areas, where pythiosis is prevalent. METHODS We designed four LAMP primers to amplify the rDNA sequence. A side-by-side comparison evaluated performances of LAMP and the previously-established multiplex PCR (M-PCR), using gDNA samples extracted from colonies of P. insidiosum (n = 28) and other fungi (n = 54), and tissues of animals with (n = 16) or without (n = 13) pythiosis. RESULTS LAMP demonstrated a 50% shorter assay duration (1.5 h) and a 10-fold lower limit of detection (10-4 ng) than did M-PCR. Based on colony-extracted gDNAs, LAMP and M-PCR correctly reported P. insidiosum in all 28 samples, providing 100% sensitivity. While M-PCR did not amplify all fungal controls (100% specificity), LAMP falsely detected one organism (98% specificity). Based on the clinical samples, LAMP and M-PCR provided an equivalently-high specificity (100%). However, LAMP showed a markedly-higher sensitivity than that of M-PCR (88% vs. 56%). CONCLUSIONS LAMP is a simple, useful, efficient assay for the detection of P. insidiosum in clinical specimens and pure cultures in resource-limited laboratories.
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Sacheli R, Henri AS, Seidel L, Ernst M, Darfouf R, Adjetey C, Schyns M, Marechal L, Meex C, Arrese J, Hayette MP. Evaluation of the new Id-Fungi plates from Conidia for MALDI-TOF MS identification of filamentous fungi and comparison with conventional methods as identification tool for dermatophytes from nails, hair and skin samples. Mycoses 2020; 63:1115-1127. [PMID: 32757444 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We first compare the efficiency of mould/dermatophyte identification by MALDI-TOF MS using a new medium called Id-Fungi plates (IDFP) from Conidia® and two different databases. For the second purpose, we evaluated a new version of the medium supplemented with cycloheximide, Id-Fungi plates Plus (IDFPC) for the direct inoculation of nails, hair and skin samples and compared the efficiency of MALDI-TOF MS identification of dermatophytes to classical methods based on culture and microscopy. METHODS A total of 71 strains have been cultured IDFP and Sabouraud gentamicin plates (SGC2) and were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. For the evaluation of the combination IDFPC/ MALDI-TOF MS as a method of identification for dermatophytes, 428 samples of hair nails and skin were cultivated in parallel on IDFPC and Sabouraud + cycloheximide medium (SAB-ACTI). RESULTS For Aspergillus sp and non-Aspergillus moulds, the best performances were obtained on IDFP after maximum 48-h growth, following protein extraction. For dermatophytes, the best condition was using the IDFP at 72 hours, after extended direct deposit. Regarding the direct inoculation of nails, hair skin on IDFPC, 129/428 (30.1%) showed a positive culture against 150/428 (35%) on SAB-ACTI medium. Among the 129 positive strains, the identification by MALDI-TOF MS was correct for 92/129 (71.4%). CONCLUSION The IDFP allows the generation of better spectra by MALDI-TOF MS compared to SGC2. It facilitates sampling and deposit. Regarding the use of IDFPC, this medium seems less sensitive than SAB-ACTI but among positive strains, the rate of correct identification by MALDI-TOF MS is satisfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalie Sacheli
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, National Reference Center for Mycosis, Center for Interdisciplinary research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Anne-Sophie Henri
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, National Reference Center for Mycosis, Center for Interdisciplinary research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Laurence Seidel
- Department of Biostatistics, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Marie Ernst
- Department of Biostatistics, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Rajae Darfouf
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, National Reference Center for Mycosis, Center for Interdisciplinary research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Caroline Adjetey
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, National Reference Center for Mycosis, Center for Interdisciplinary research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Marjorie Schyns
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, National Reference Center for Mycosis, Center for Interdisciplinary research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Ludwig Marechal
- Department of Dermatopathology, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Cécile Meex
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, National Reference Center for Mycosis, Center for Interdisciplinary research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Jorge Arrese
- Department of Dermatopathology, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Marie-Pierre Hayette
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, National Reference Center for Mycosis, Center for Interdisciplinary research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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Molecular Epidemiology Reveals Low Genetic Diversity among Cryptococcus neoformans Isolates from People Living with HIV in Lima, Peru, during the Pre-HAART Era. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9080665. [PMID: 32824653 PMCID: PMC7459599 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis, a mycosis presenting mostly as meningoencephalitis, affecting predominantly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people, is mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. The genetic variation of 48 C. neoformans isolates, recovered from 20 HIV-positive people in Lima, Peru, during the pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, was studied retrospectively. The mating type of the isolates was determined by PCR, and the serotype by agglutination and CAP59-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Genetic diversity was assessed by URA5-RFLP, PCR-fingerprinting, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). All isolates were mating type alpha, with 39 molecular type VNI, seven VNII, corresponding to C. neoformans var. grubii serotype A, and two VNIII AD hybrids. Overall, the cryptococcal population from HIV-positive people in Lima shows a low degree of genetic diversity. In most patients with persistent cryptococcal infection, the same genotype was recovered during the follow-up. In four patients with relapse and one with therapy failure, different genotypes were found in isolates from the re-infection and from the isolate recovered at the end of the treatment. In one patient, two genotypes were found in the first cryptococcosis episode. This study contributes data from Peru to the ongoing worldwide population genetic analysis of Cryptococcus.
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