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López-Ramírez LA, Martínez-Álvarez JA, Martínez-Duncker I, Lozoya-Pérez NE, Mora-Montes HM. Silencing of Sporothrix schenckii GP70 Reveals Its Contribution to Fungal Adhesion, Virulence, and the Host-Fungus Interaction. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:302. [PMID: 38786657 PMCID: PMC11121839 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050302] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix schenckii is one of the etiological agents of sporotrichosis, a cutaneous and subcutaneous infection distributed worldwide. Like other medically relevant fungi, its cell wall is a molecular scaffold to display virulence factors, such as protective pigments, hydrolytic enzymes, and adhesins. Cell wall proteins with adhesive properties have been previously reported, but only a handful of them have been identified and characterized. One of them is Gp70, an abundant cell wall protein mainly found on the surface of yeast-like cells. Since the protein also has a role in the activity of 3-carboxy-cis,cis-muconate cyclase and its abundance is low in highly virulent strains, its role in the Sporothrix-host interaction remains unclear. Here, a set of GP70-silenced strains was generated, and the molecular and phenotypical characterization was performed. The results showed that mutants with high silencing levels showed a significant reduction in the adhesion to laminin and fibrinogen, enzyme activity, and defects in the cell wall composition, which included reduced mannose, rhamnose, and protein content, accompanied by an increment in β-1,3-glucans levels. The cell wall N-linked glycan content was significantly reduced. These strains induced poor TNFα and IL-6 levels when interacting with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a dectin-1-, TLR2-, and TLR4-dependent stimulation. The IL-1β and IL-10 levels were significantly higher and were stimulated via dectin-1. Phagocytosis and stimulation of neutrophil extracellular traps by human granulocytes were increased in highly GP70-silenced strains. Furthermore, these mutants showed virulence attenuation in the invertebrate model Galleria mellonella. Our results demonstrate that Gp70 is a versatile protein with adhesin properties, is responsible for the activity of 3-carboxy-cis,cis-muconate cyclase, and is relevant for the S. schenckii-host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz A. López-Ramírez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato Gto. 36050, Mexico; (L.A.L.-R.); (J.A.M.-Á.); (N.E.L.-P.)
| | - José A. Martínez-Álvarez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato Gto. 36050, Mexico; (L.A.L.-R.); (J.A.M.-Á.); (N.E.L.-P.)
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca Mor. 62209, Mexico;
| | - Nancy E. Lozoya-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato Gto. 36050, Mexico; (L.A.L.-R.); (J.A.M.-Á.); (N.E.L.-P.)
| | - Héctor M. Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato Gto. 36050, Mexico; (L.A.L.-R.); (J.A.M.-Á.); (N.E.L.-P.)
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Ribeiro dos Santos A, Gade L, Misas E, Litvintseva AP, Nunnally NS, Parnell LA, Rajeev M, de Souza Carvalho Melhem M, Takahashi JPF, Oliboni GM, Bonfieti LX, Araujo LS, Cappellano P, Venturini J, Lockhart SR, Sexton DJ. Bimodal distribution of azole susceptibility in Sporothrix brasiliensis isolates in Brazil. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0162023. [PMID: 38385701 PMCID: PMC10989022 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01620-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix brasiliensis is an emerging zoonotic fungal pathogen that can be difficult to treat. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed on the mold phase of a convenience sample of 61 Sporothrix spp. isolates from human and cat sporotrichosis cases in Brazil using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute standard M38. A bimodal distribution of azole susceptibility was observed with 50% (28/56) of S. brasiliensis isolates showing elevated itraconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations ≥16 µg/mL. Phylogenetic analysis found the in vitro resistant isolates were not clonal and were distributed across three different S. brasiliensis clades. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed to identify potential mechanisms of in vitro resistance. Two of the 28 resistant isolates (MIC ≥16 mg/L) had a polymorphism in the cytochrome P450 gene, cyp51, corresponding to the well-known G448S substitution inducing azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. SNPs corresponding to other known mechanisms of azole resistance were not identified in the remaining 26 in vitro resistant isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Ribeiro dos Santos
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lalitha Gade
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Elizabeth Misas
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Natalie S. Nunnally
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lindsay A. Parnell
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Malavika Rajeev
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Marcia de Souza Carvalho Melhem
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Tropical Diseases, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
- Parasitology and Mycology Center, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Possato Fernandes Takahashi
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
- Parasitology and Mycology Center, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Manzi Oliboni
- Graduate Program in Sciences, Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças, Secretary of Health, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Lisandra Siufi Araujo
- Central Public Health Laboratory of Mato Grosso do Sul, Secretary of Health, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - James Venturini
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Shawn R. Lockhart
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - D. Joseph Sexton
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Ribeiro Dos Santos A, Misas E, Min B, Le N, Bagal UR, Parnell LA, Sexton DJ, Lockhart SR, de Souza Carvalho Melhem M, Takahashi JPF, Oliboni GM, Bonfieti LX, Cappellano P, Sampaio JLM, Araujo LS, Alves Filho HL, Venturini J, Chiller TM, Litvintseva AP, Chow NA. Emergence of zoonotic sporotrichosis in Brazil: a genomic epidemiology study. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024; 5:e282-e290. [PMID: 38432234 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00364-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zoonotic sporotrichosis is a neglected fungal disease, whereby outbreaks are primarily driven by Sporothrix brasiliensis and linked to cat-to-human transmission. To understand the emergence and spread of sporotrichosis in Brazil, the epicentre of the current epidemic in South America, we aimed to conduct whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to describe the genomic epidemiology. METHODS In this genomic epidemiology study, we included Sporothrix spp isolates from sporotrichosis cases from Brazil, Colombia, and the USA. We conducted WGS using Illumina NovaSeq on isolates collected by three laboratories in Brazil from humans and cats with sporotrichosis between 2013 and 2022. All isolates that were confirmed to be Sporothrix genus by internal transcribed spacer or beta-tubulin PCR sequencing were included in this study. We downloaded eight Sporothrix genome sequences from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (six from Brazil, two from Colombia). Three Sporothrix spp genome sequences from the USA were generated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of this study. We did phylogenetic analyses and correlated geographical and temporal case distribution with genotypic features of Sporothrix spp isolates. FINDINGS 72 Sporothrix spp isolates from 55 human and 17 animal sporotrichosis cases were included: 67 (93%) were from Brazil, two (3%) from Colombia, and three (4%) from the USA. Cases spanned from 1999 to 2022. Most (61 [85%]) isolates were S brasiliensis, and all were reported from Brazil. Ten (14%) were Sporothrix schenckii and were reported from Brazil, USA, and Colombia. For S schenckii isolates, two distinct clades were observed wherein isolates clustered by geography. For S brasiliensis isolates, five clades separated by more than 100 000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were observed. Among the five S brasiliensis clades, clades A and C contained isolates from both human and cat cases, and clade A contained isolates from six different states in Brazil. Compared with S brasiliensis isolates, larger genetic diversity was observed among S schenckii isolates from animal and human cases within a clade. INTERPRETATION Our results suggest that the ongoing epidemic driven by S brasiliensis in Brazil represents several, independent emergence events followed by animal-to-animal and animal-to human transmission within and between Brazilian states. These results describe how S brasiliensis can emerge and spread within a country. FUNDING Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil; the São Paulo Research Foundation; Productivity in Research fellowships by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, and Ministry of Science and Technology of Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Ribeiro Dos Santos
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA; School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Misas
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brian Min
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ngoc Le
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ujwal R Bagal
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lindsay A Parnell
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - D Joseph Sexton
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shawn R Lockhart
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Marcia de Souza Carvalho Melhem
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil; Parasitology and Mycology Center, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Possatto Fernandes Takahashi
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil; Parasitology and Mycology Center, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Manzi Oliboni
- Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças, Secretaria de Estado de Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Lisandra Siufi Araujo
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil; Central Public Health Laboratory of Mato Grosso do Sul, Secretaria de Estado de Saúde de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | | | - James Venturini
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Tom M Chiller
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Nancy A Chow
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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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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Galván-Hernández AK, Gómez-Gaviria M, Martínez-Duncker I, Martínez-Álvarez JA, Mora-Montes HM. Differential Recognition of Clinically Relevant Sporothrix Species by Human Granulocytes. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:986. [PMID: 37888242 PMCID: PMC10607474 DOI: 10.3390/jof9100986] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is a cutaneous mycosis that affects humans and animals and has a worldwide distribution. This infection is mainly caused by Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa. Current research about anti-Sporothrix immunity has been mainly focused on S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis, using different types of human or animal immune cells. Granulocytes are a group of cells relevant for cytokine production, with the capacity for phagocytosis and the generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Considering their importance, this study aimed to compare the capacity of human granulocytes to stimulate cytokines, uptake, and form NETs when interacting with different Sporothrix species. We found that conidia, germlings, and yeast-like cells from S. schenckii, S. brasiliensis, and S. globosa play an important role in the interaction with these immune cells, establishing morphology- and species-specific cytokine profiles. S. brasil-iensis tended to stimulate an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile, whilst the other two species had a proinflammatory one. S. globosa cells were the most phagocytosed cells, which occurred through a dectin-1-dependent mechanism, while the uptake of S. brasiliensis mainly occurred via TLR4 and CR3. Cell wall N-linked and O-linked glycans, along with β-1,3-glucan, played a significant role in the interaction of these Sporothrix species with human granulocytes. Finally, this study indicates that conidia and yeast-like cells are capable of inducing NETs, with the latter being a better stimulant. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reports the cytokine profiles produced by human granulocytes interacting with Sporothrix cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana K. Galván-Hernández
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato Gto. 36050, Mexico; (A.K.G.-H.); (M.G.-G.); (J.A.M.-Á.)
| | - Manuela Gómez-Gaviria
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato Gto. 36050, Mexico; (A.K.G.-H.); (M.G.-G.); (J.A.M.-Á.)
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca Mor. 62209, Mexico;
| | - José A. Martínez-Álvarez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato Gto. 36050, Mexico; (A.K.G.-H.); (M.G.-G.); (J.A.M.-Á.)
| | - Héctor M. Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato Gto. 36050, Mexico; (A.K.G.-H.); (M.G.-G.); (J.A.M.-Á.)
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Hatinguais R, Leaves I, Brown GD, Brown AJP, Brock M, Peres da Silva R. CRISPR-based tools for targeted genetic manipulation in pathogenic Sporothrix species. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0507822. [PMID: 37707447 PMCID: PMC10581184 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05078-22] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix brasiliensis is an emerging fungal pathogen frequently associated with zoonotic transmission of sporotrichosis by contaminated cats. Within 25 years, the disease has spread not only throughout Brazil but now to neighboring countries in Latin America. Thermo-dimorphism, melanin, glycans, adhesins, and secreted vesicles have been associated with the ability of Sporothrix species to cause disease in the mammalian host. Although certain virulence factors have been proposed as potential determinants for sporotrichosis, the scarcity of molecular tools for performing reverse genetics in Sporothrix has significantly impeded the dissection of mechanisms underlying the disease. Here, we demonstrate that PEG-mediated protoplast transformation is a powerful method for heterologous gene expression in S. brasiliensis, S. schenckii, and S. chilensis. Combined with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, this transformation protocol enabled the deletion of the putative DHN-melanin synthase gene pks1, which is a proposed virulence factor of Sporothrix species. To improve in locus integration of deletion constructs, we deleted the KU80 homolog that is critical for non-homologous end-joining DNA repair. The use of Δku80 strains from S. brasiliensis enhanced homologous-directed repair during transformation resulting in increased targeted gene deletion in combination with CRISPR/Cas9. In conclusion, our CRISPR/Cas9-based transformation protocol provides an efficient tool for targeted gene manipulation in Sporothrix species. IMPORTANCE Sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis is a disease that requires long periods of treatment and is rapidly spreading across Latin America. The virulence of this fungus and the surge of atypical and more severe presentations of the disease raise the need for an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sporotrichosis, as well as the development of better diagnostics and antifungal therapies. By developing molecular tools for accurate genetic manipulation in Sporothrix, this study addresses the paucity of reliable and reproducible tools for stable genetic engineering of Sporothrix species, which has represented a major obstacle for studying the virulence determinants and their roles in the establishment of sporotrichosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remi Hatinguais
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Leaves
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon D. Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair J. P. Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Brock
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Peres da Silva
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Kuan CS, Ng KP, Yew SM, Umar Meleh H, Seow HF, How KN, Yeo SK, Jee JM, Tan YC, Yee WY, Hoh CC, Velayuthan RD, Na SL, Masri SN, Chew SY, Than LTL. Comparative genomic and phenotypic analyses of pathogenic fungi Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Bipolaris papendorfii isolated from human skin scraping. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:1351-1372. [PMID: 37351789 PMCID: PMC10485236 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01032-z] [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: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Bipolaris species are fungal plant pathogens that have been reported to cause human diseases. Recently, we have isolated numerous N. dimidiatum and Bipolaris species from the skin scrapings and nails of different patients. In this work, we have sequenced the genome of one strain of N. dimidiatum. The sequenced genome was compared to that of a previously reported Bipolaris papendorfii genome for a better understanding of their complex lifestyle and broad host-range pathogenicity. Both N. dimidiatum UM 880 (~ 43 Mb) and B. papendorfii UM 226 (~ 33 Mb) genomes include 11,015-12,320 putative coding DNA sequences, of which 0.51-2.49% are predicted transposable elements. Analysis of secondary metabolism gene clusters revealed several genes involved in melanin biosynthesis and iron uptake. The arsenal of CAZymes related to plants pathogenicity is comparable between the species, including genes involved in hemicellulose and pectin decomposition. Several important gene encoding keratinolytic peptidases were identified in N. dimidiatum and B. papendorfii, reflecting their potential pathogenic role in causing skin and nail infections. In this study, additional information on the metabolic features of these two species, such as nutritional profiling, pH tolerance, and osmotolerant, are revealed. The genomic characterization of N. dimidiatum and B. papendorfii provides the basis for the future functional studies to gain further insights as to what makes these fungi persist in plants and why they are pathogenic to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee Sian Kuan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kee Peng Ng
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Su Mei Yew
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hadiza Umar Meleh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Heng Fong Seow
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kang Nien How
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siok Koon Yeo
- School of Biosciences, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jap Meng Jee
- School of Biosciences, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, Subang Jaya, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yung-Chie Tan
- Codon Genomics Sdn Bhd, 43200 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wai-Yan Yee
- Codon Genomics Sdn Bhd, 43200 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Choong Hoh
- Codon Genomics Sdn Bhd, 43200 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rukumani Devi Velayuthan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shiang Ling Na
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siti Norbaya Masri
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shu Yih Chew
- Department of Pathology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Leslie Thian Lung Than
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Procópio-Azevedo AC, de Abreu Almeida M, Almeida-Paes R, Zancopé-Oliveira RM, Gutierrez-Galhardo MC, de Macedo PM, Novaes E, Bailão AM, de Almeida Soares CM, Freitas DFS. The State of the Art in Transcriptomics and Proteomics of Clinically Relevant Sporothrix Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:790. [PMID: 37623561 PMCID: PMC10455387 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080790] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteomics provide a robust approach to profile and quantify proteins within cells, organs, or tissues, providing comprehensive insights about the dynamics of cellular processes, modifications, and interactions. Similarly, understanding the transcriptome is essential to decipher functional elements of the genome, unraveling the mechanisms of disease development and the molecular constituents of cells and tissues. Some thermodimorphic fungi of the genus Sporothrix cause sporotrichosis, a subcutaneous mycosis of worldwide relevance. The transcriptome and proteome of the main Sporothrix species of clinical interest can elucidate the mechanisms underlying pathogenesis and host interactions. Studies of these techniques can contribute to the advancement of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. A literature review was carried out, addressing all articles based on proteomics using mass spectrometry and transcriptomics of Sporothrix spp. Twenty-one studies were eligible for this review. The main findings include proteins and genes involved in dimorphism, cell differentiation, thermotolerance, virulence, immune evasion, metabolism, cell adhesion, cell transport, and biosynthesis. With the spread and emergence of sporotrichosis in different countries, ongoing research efforts and new discoveries are welcome to advance knowledge about this mycosis and its agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Carolina Procópio-Azevedo
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcos de Abreu Almeida
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria Clara Gutierrez-Galhardo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Priscila Marques de Macedo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Evandro Novaes
- Setor de Genética, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, MG, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Dayvison Francis Saraiva Freitas
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
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9
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Gómez-Gaviria M, Martínez-Duncker I, García-Carnero LC, Mora-Montes HM. Differential Recognition of Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa by Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages and Dendritic Cells. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:4817-4834. [PMID: 37520448 PMCID: PMC10386844 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s419629] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sporotrichosis is a mycosis frequently caused by Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa. The cell wall is a species-specific fungal structure with a direct role in activating the host's immune response. The current knowledge about anti-Sporothrix immunity comes from studies using S. schenckii or S. brasiliensis and murine cells. Macrophages and dendritic cells detect and eliminate pathogens, and although the function of these cells links innate with adaptive immunity, little is known about their interaction with Sporothrix spp. Methods S. schenckii, S. brasiliensis, and S. globosa conidia or yeast-like cells were co-incubated with human monocyte-derived macrophages or dendritic cells, and the phagocytosis and cytokine stimulation were assessed. These interactions were also performed in the presence of specific blocking agents of immune receptors or fungal cells with altered walls to analyze the contribution of these molecules to the immune cell-fungus interaction. Results Both types of immune cells phagocytosed S. globosa conidia and yeast-like cells to a greater extent, followed by S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii. Furthermore, when the wall internal components were exposed, the phagocytosis level increased for S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis, in contrast to S. globosa. Thus, the cell wall components have different functions during the interaction with macrophages and dendritic cells. S. globosa stimulated an increased proinflammatory response when compared to the other species. In macrophages, this was a dectin-1-, mannose receptor-, and TLR2-dependent response, but dectin-1- and TLR2-dependent stimulation in dendritic cells. For S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis, cytokine production was dependent on the activation of TLR4, CR3, and DC-SIGN. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that these species are recognized by immune cells differently and that this may depend on both the structure and cell wall organization of the different morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Gómez-Gaviria
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GuanajuatoMéxico
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular; Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Laura C García-Carnero
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GuanajuatoMéxico
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GuanajuatoMéxico
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10
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Gómez-Gaviria M, Martínez-Álvarez JA, Mora-Montes HM. Current Progress in Sporothrix brasiliensis Basic Aspects. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9050533. [PMID: 37233242 DOI: 10.3390/jof9050533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is known as a subacute or chronic infection, which is caused by thermodimorphic fungi of the genus Sporothrix. It is a cosmopolitan infection, which is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and can affect both humans and other mammals. The main etiological agents causing this disease are Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa, which have been recognized as members of the Sporothrix pathogenic clade. Within this clade, S. brasiliensis is considered the most virulent species and represents an important pathogen due to its distribution and prevalence in different regions of South America, such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay, and Central American countries, such as Panama. In Brazil, S. brasiliensis has been of great concern due to the number of zoonotic cases that have been reported over the years. In this paper, a detailed review of the current literature on this pathogen and its different aspects will be carried out, including its genome, pathogen-host interaction, resistance mechanisms to antifungal drugs, and the caused zoonosis. Furthermore, we provide the prediction of some putative virulence factors encoded by the genome of this fungal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Gómez-Gaviria
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico
| | - José A Martínez-Álvarez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico
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11
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García-Carnero LC, Martínez-Duncker I, Gómez-Gaviria M, Mora-Montes HM. Differential Recognition of Clinically Relevant Sporothrix Species by Human Mononuclear Cells. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040448. [PMID: 37108903 PMCID: PMC10146672 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040448] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is a human and animal fungal infection distributed worldwide that is caused by the thermodimorphic species of the Sporothrix pathogenic clade, which includes Sporothrix brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii, and Sporothrix globosa. The cell wall composition and the immune response against the Sporothrix species have been studied mainly in S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii, whilst little is known about the S. globosa cell wall and the immune response that its components trigger. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to analyze the cell wall composition of S. globosa in three morphologies (germlings, conidia, and yeast-like cells) and the differences in cytokine production when human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) interact with these morphotypes, using S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis as a comparison. We found that S. globosa conidia and yeast-like cells have a higher cell wall chitin content, while all three morphologies have a higher β-1,3-glucan content, which was found most exposed at the cell surface when compared to S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis. In addition, S. globosa has lower levels of mannose- and rhamnose-based glycoconjugates, as well as of N- and O-linked glycans, indicating that this fungal cell wall has species-specific proportions and organization of its components. When interacting with PBMCs, S. brasiliensis and S. globosa showed a similar cytokine stimulation profile, but with a higher stimulation of IL-10 by S. globosa. Additionally, when the inner cell wall components of S. globosa were exposed at the surface or N- and O-glycans were removed, the cytokine production profile of this species in its three morphotypes did not significantly change, contrasting with the S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis species that showed different cytokine profiles depending on the treatment applied to the walls. In addition, it was found that the anti-inflammatory response stimulated by S. globosa was dependent on the activation of dectin-1, mannose receptor, and TLR2, but not TLR4. All of these results indicate that the cell wall composition and structure of the three Sporothrix species in the three morphologies are different, affecting their interaction with human PBMCs and generating species-specific cytokine profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C García-Carnero
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mor., Mexico
| | - Manuela Gómez-Gaviria
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico
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Granados-Casas AO, Sastoque AP, Stchigel AM, Fernández-Bravo A, Cano-Lira JF. Hybrid De Novo Whole-Genome Assembly, Annotation, and Identification of Secondary Metabolite Gene Clusters in the Ex-Type Strain of Chrysosporium keratinophilum. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040389. [PMID: 37108844 PMCID: PMC10145314 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040389] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chrysosporium is a polyphyletic genus belonging (mostly) to different families of the order Onygenales (Eurotiomycetes, Ascomycota). Certain species, such as Chrysosporium keratinophilum, are pathogenic for animals, including humans, but are also a source of proteolytic enzymes (mainly keratinases) potentially useful in bioremediation. However, only a few studies have been published regarding bioactive compounds, of which the production is mostly unpredictable due to the absence of high-quality genomic sequences. During the development of our study, the genome of the ex-type strain of Chrysosporium keratinophilum, CBS 104.66, was sequenced and assembled using a hybrid method. The results showed a high-quality genome of 25.4 Mbp in size spread across 25 contigs, with an N50 of 2.0 Mb, 34,824 coding sequences, 8002 protein sequences, 166 tRNAs, and 24 rRNAs. The functional annotation of the predicted proteins was performed using InterProScan, and the KEGG pathway mapping using BlastKOALA. The results identified a total of 3529 protein families and 856 superfamilies, which were classified into six levels and 23 KEGG categories. Subsequently, using DIAMOND, we identified 83 pathogen-host interactions (PHI) and 421 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Finally, the analysis using AntiSMASH showed that this strain has a total of 27 biosynthesis gene clusters (BGCs), suggesting that it has a great potential to produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites. This genomic information provides new knowledge that allows for a deeper understanding of the biology of C. keratinophilum, and offers valuable new information for further investigations of the Chrysosporium species and the order Onygenales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Omar Granados-Casas
- Mycology Unit, Medical School, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain
| | - Angie Paola Sastoque
- Mycology Unit, Medical School, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain
| | - Alberto Miguel Stchigel
- Mycology Unit, Medical School, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain
| | - Ana Fernández-Bravo
- Mycology Unit, Medical School, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain
| | - José Francisco Cano-Lira
- Mycology Unit, Medical School, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain
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13
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Losada LCDML, Monteiro RC, de Carvalho JA, Hagen F, Fisher MC, Spruijtenburg B, Meis JF, de Groot T, Gonçalves SS, Negroni R, Kano R, Bonifaz A, de Camargo ZP, Rodrigues AM. High-Throughput Microsatellite Markers Development for Genetic Characterization of Emerging Sporothrix Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:354. [PMID: 36983522 PMCID: PMC10054832 DOI: 10.3390/jof9030354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is the main subcutaneous mycosis worldwide transmitted by animal or plant vectors and often escalates to outbreaks or epidemics. The current cat-transmitted sporotrichosis driven by Sporothrix brasiliensis has become a significant public health issue in South America. Transmission dynamics remain enigmatic due to the lack of development of polymorphic markers for molecular epidemiological analysis. This study used a high-throughput mining strategy to characterize simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from Sporothrix genomes. A total of 118,140-143,912 SSR loci were identified (82,841-98,369 unique markers), with a 3651.55-3804.65 SSR/Mb density and a majority of dinucleotides motifs (GC/CG). We developed a panel of 15 highly polymorphic SSR markers suitable for genotyping S. brasiliensis, S. schenckii, and S. globosa. PCR amplification revealed 240 alleles in 180 Sporothrix isolates with excellent polymorphic information content (PIC = 0.9101), expected heterozygosity (H = 0.9159), and discriminating power (D = 0.7127), supporting the effectiveness of SSR markers in uncovering cryptic genetic diversity. A systematic population genetic study estimated three clusters, corresponding to S. brasiliensis (population 1, n = 97), S. schenckii (population 2, n = 49), and S. globosa (population 3, n = 34), with a weak signature of mixed ancestry between populations 1 and 2 or 3 and 2. Partitioning of genetic variation via AMOVA revealed highly structured populations (ΦPT = 0.539; Nm = 0.213; p < 0.0001), with approximately equivalent genetic variability within (46%) and between (54%) populations. Analysis of SSR diversity supports Rio de Janeiro (RJ) as the center of origin for contemporary S. brasiliensis infections. The recent emergence of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis in northeastern Brazil indicates an RJ-Northeast migration resulting in founder effects during the introduction of diseased animals into sporotrichosis-free areas. Our results demonstrated high cross-species transferability, reproducibility, and informativeness of SSR genetic markers, helping dissect deep and fine-scale genetic structures and guiding decision making to mitigate the harmful effects of the expansion of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Chaves de Miranda Leonhardt Losada
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
- Department of Medicine, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
| | - Ruan Campos Monteiro
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
| | - Jamile Ambrósio de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Department of Medical Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Sciencepark 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew C. Fisher
- Medical Research Council Center for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Bram Spruijtenburg
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboud University Medical Center/Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques F. Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboud University Medical Center/Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Theun de Groot
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboud University Medical Center/Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah Santos Gonçalves
- Infectious Diseases Postgraduate Program, Center for Research in Medical Mycology, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória 29043900, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Negroni
- Mycology Unit of the Infectious Diseases Hospital Francisco Javier Muñiz, Reference Center of Mycology of Buenos Aires City, Uspallata, Buenos Aires 2272, Argentina
| | - Rui Kano
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology (TIMM), 359 Otsuka, Tokyo 192-0395, Japan
| | - Alexandro Bonifaz
- Dermatology Service, Mycology Department, Hospital General de México, “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”, Balmis 148, Colonia Doctores, Mexico City 03020, Mexico
| | - Zoilo Pires de Camargo
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
- Department of Medicine, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
| | - Anderson Messias Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
- Department of Medicine, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
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Tavares M, Sousa-Filho JC, Machado IA, Gonçales RA, Antunes D, Mendes-Frias A, Silvestre R, Carvalho A, Torrado E, Cunha C, Rodrigues F. Development of a Versatile Toolbox for Genetic Manipulation of Sporothrix brasiliensis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0456422. [PMID: 36847570 PMCID: PMC10101026 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04564-22] [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: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix brasiliensis has emerged as the most virulent species in the Sporothrix schenckii complex, accounting for sporotrichosis. Albeit the new insights into the understanding of host-pathogen interactions and comparative genomics of this fungi, the lack of genetic tools has hindered significant advances in this field of research. Here, we established an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) system to transform different strains of S. brasiliensis. We report parameters that account for a transformation efficiency of 3,179 ± 1,171 transformants/co-cultivation, which include the use of A. tumefaciens AGL-1 in a 2:1 ratio (bacteria:fungi) during 72 h at 26°C. Our data show that a single-copy transgene is transferred to S. brasiliensis that is mitotically stable in 99% of cells after 10 generations without selective pressure. In addition, we created a plasmid toolkit that allows the establishment of fusion proteins of any S. brasiliensis gene of interest with sGFP or mCherry under the control of the GAPDH or H2A endogenous promoters. These modules allow different levels of expression of the desired fusion. Moreover, we successfully targeted these fluorescent proteins to the nucleus and used fluorescence-tagged strains to assess phagocytosis. Overall, our data show that the ATMT system is an easy-to-use and efficient genetic toolbox for studies on recombinant expression and gene function in S. brasiliensis. IMPORTANCE Sporotrichosis is the most prevalent subcutaneous mycosis worldwide and has recently become a public health concern. Although immunocompetent hosts are also prone to sporotrichosis, immunodeficient hosts often develop a more severe and disseminated form of disease. To date, the Rio de Janeiro state in Brazil is the most significant feline zoonotic transmission epicenter in the world, with more than 4,000 human and feline diagnosed cases. Cats play an essential role in the S. brasiliensis infection due to their high susceptibility and transmissibility to other felines and humans. S. brasiliensis is the most virulent etiological agent of sporotrichosis, causing the most severe clinical manifestations. Despite the increasing incidence of sporotrichosis, the identification of virulence traits important for disease establishment, development, and severity has been lacking. In this work, we established an efficient genetic toolbox to manipulate S. brasiliensis that will guide future studies to define new virulence mechanisms and a better understanding of host-pathogen interactions from a molecular perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Tavares
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Jorge Carlos Sousa-Filho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Ian Alves Machado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Relber Aguiar Gonçales
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Daniela Antunes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Mendes-Frias
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Silvestre
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Egídio Torrado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Cristina Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
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Zhou D, Liu Q, Su X, Zhou X. Transcriptomic analysis of the fungus Graphilbum sp. in response to the pine wood nematode. J Basic Microbiol 2023. [PMID: 36808634 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202200615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Graphilbum species are important blue stain fungi associated with pine trees and are widely distributed throughout Asia, Australia, and North Africa. Pine wood nematode (PWN) primarily feed on ophiostomatoid fungi such as Graphilbum sp. in wood, the population of PWNs was increased, and incomplete organelle structures were observed in Graphilbum sp. hyphal cells following exposure to PWNs. In this study, we showed that Rho and Ras were involved in the MAPK pathway, SNARE binding and small GTPase-mediated signal transduction, and their expression was upregulated in the treatment group. However, the expression of the Rab7 involved in MAPK and small GTPase-mediated signal pathway was downregulated in the treatment group. Thus, further research is needed to study the MAPK pathway and related Ras and Rho genes in Graphilbum sp. associated with the PWN population. Overall, transcriptomic analysis clarified the basic mechanisms of mycelial growth in Graphilbum sp. fungus used as a food source by PWNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duanxu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qinge Liu
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, China
| | - Xiu Su
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xudong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
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Genetic Diversity of Human Fungal Pathogens. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s40588-023-00188-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
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17
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López-Ramírez LA, Martínez-Duncker I, Márquez-Márquez A, Vargas-Macías AP, Mora-Montes HM. Silencing of ROT2, the Encoding Gene of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Glucosidase II, Affects the Cell Wall and the Sporothrix schenckii-Host Interaction. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1220. [PMID: 36422041 PMCID: PMC9692468 DOI: 10.3390/jof8111220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix schenckii is a member of the Sporothrix pathogenic clade and one of the most common etiological agents of sporotrichosis, a subcutaneous fungal infection that affects both animal and human beings. Like other fungal pathogens, the Sporothrix cell wall is composed of structural polysaccharides and glycoproteins that are covalently modified with both N-linked and O-linked glycans. Thus far, little is known about the N-linked glycosylation pathway in this organism or its contribution to cell wall composition and interaction with the host. Here, we silenced ROT2, which encodes the catalytic subunit of the endoplasmic reticulum α-glucosidase II, a processing enzyme key for the N-linked glycan core processing. Silencing of ROT2 led to the accumulation of the Glc2Man9GlcNAC2 glycan core at the cell wall and a reduction in the total content of N-linked glycans found in the wall. However, the highly silenced mutants showed a compensatory mechanism with increased content of cell wall O-linked glycans. The phenotype of mutants with intermediate levels of ROT2 silencing was more informative, as they showed changes in the cell wall composition and exposure of β-1.3-glucans and chitin at the cell surface. Furthermore, the ability to stimulate cytokine production by human mononuclear cells was affected, along with the phagocytosis by human monocyte-derived macrophages, in a mannose receptor-, complement receptor 3-, and TLR4-dependent stimulation. In an insect model of experimental sporotrichosis, these mutant cells showed virulence attenuation. In conclusion, S. schenckii ROT2 is required for proper N-linked glycosylation, cell wall organization and composition, and interaction with the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz A. López-Ramírez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Mexico
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico
| | - Anayeli Márquez-Márquez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Mexico
| | - Ana P. Vargas-Macías
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Mexico
| | - Héctor M. Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Mexico
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Lin P, Zhang J, Xie G, Li J, Guo C, Lin H, Zhang Y. Innate Immune Responses to Sporothrix schenckii: Recognition and Elimination. Mycopathologia 2022; 188:71-86. [PMID: 36329281 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-022-00683-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Sporothrix schenckii (S. schenckii), a ubiquitous thermally dimorphic fungus, is the etiological agent of sporotrichosis, affecting immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Despite current antifungal regimens, sporotrichosis results in prolonged treatment and significant mortality rates in the immunosuppressed population. The innate immune system forms the host's first and primary line of defense against S. schenckii, which has a bi-layered cell wall structure. Many components act as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in pathogen-host interactions. PAMPs are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as toll-like receptors, C-type lectin receptors, and complement receptors, triggering innate immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells to phagocytize or produce mediators, contributing to S. schenckii elimination. The ultrastructure of S. schenckii and pathogen-host interactions, including PRRs and innate immune cells, are summarized in this review, promoting a better understanding of the innate immune response to S. schenckii and aiding in the development of protective and therapeutic strategies to combat sporotrichosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lin
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianfeng Zhang
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Guinan Xie
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Junchen Li
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Chenqi Guo
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Haiyue Lin
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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Teixeira MM, Almeida-Paes R, Bernardes-Engemann AR, Nicola AM, de Macedo PM, Valle ACF, Gutierrez-Galhardo MC, Freitas DFS, Barker BM, Matute DR, Stajich JE, Zancopé-Oliveira RM. Single nucleotide polymorphisms and chromosomal copy number variation may impact the Sporothrix brasiliensis antifungal susceptibility and sporotrichosis clinical outcomes. Fungal Genet Biol 2022; 163:103743. [PMID: 36152775 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2022.103743] [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: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Feline-transmitted sporotrichosis has garnered attention due to the recent high incidence and the lack of efficient control in the epicenter of the epidemic, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sporothrix brasiliensis is the major pathogen involved in feline-to-human sporotrichosis in Brazil and displays more virulent genotypes than the closely related species S. schenckii. Over the last two decades, several reports of antifungal-resistant strains have emerged. Sequencing and comparison analysis of the outbreak strains allowed us to observe that the azole non-wild-type S. brasiliensis strain CFP 1054 had significant chromosomal variations compared to wild-type strains. One of these variants includes a region of 231 Kb containing 75 duplicated genes, which were overrepresented for lipid and isoprenoid metabolism. We also identified an additional strain (CFP 1055) that was resistant to itraconazole and amphotericin B, which had a single nucleotide polymorphism in the tac1 gene. The patients infected with these two strains showed protracted clinical course and sequelae. Even though our sample size is modest, these results suggest the possibility of identifying specific point mutations and large chromosomal duplications potentially associated with antifungal resistance and clinical outcomes of sporotrichosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus M Teixeira
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA; Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andréa R Bernardes-Engemann
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Priscila M de Macedo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Antonio Carlos F Valle
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria Clara Gutierrez-Galhardo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Dayvison F S Freitas
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Bridget M Barker
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Daniel R Matute
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Rosely M Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Alvarez CM, Oliveira MME, Pires RH. Sporotrichosis: A Review of a Neglected Disease in the Last 50 Years in Brazil. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2152. [PMID: 36363744 PMCID: PMC9695284 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is caused by fungi belonging to the genus Sporothrix, which saprophytically are found in plants and organic matter. However, cats are highly susceptible to contamination with fungal spores and, when they become sick, they can transmit it to other animals and to man. The objective of this study is to carry out a systematic review on the emergency, diagnosis, clinical symptoms, therapeutics, and control of zoonotic sporotrichosis. Published data covering the last 50 years using a combination of keywords were selected to answer the question: Why has the zoonotic sporotrichosis been a neglected disease up to now? A total of 135 studies were included in this review. The studies emphasize that in recent decades, Brazil has experienced an unprecedented zoonotic outbreak of sporotrichosis. Advances on the genus Sporothrix allowed one to associate thermotolerance, capacity for melanin synthesis, potential for adhesion to tissue macromolecules, ergosterol peroxide production, and expression of virulence proteins as tools for infection and invasion in S. brasiliensis, the main species involved, although cases with S. schenckii or S. lurei were also reported. Correct diagnosis, early treatment, basic educational measures that emphasize responsible ownership of animals and reproductive control programs for felines can contribute to the control of zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Magaly Alvarez
- Laboratory of Mycology and Environmental Diagnosis, Postgraduate Program in Health Promotion, University of Franca, Franca 14404-600, SP, Brazil
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Agraria del Ecuador, Guayaquil 090104, Ecuador
| | | | - Regina Helena Pires
- Laboratory of Mycology and Environmental Diagnosis, Postgraduate Program in Health Promotion, University of Franca, Franca 14404-600, SP, Brazil
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Arvizu-Rubio VJ, García-Carnero LC, Mora-Montes HM. Moonlighting proteins in medically relevant fungi. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14001. [PMID: 36117533 PMCID: PMC9480056 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Moonlighting proteins represent an intriguing area of cell biology, due to their ability to perform two or more unrelated functions in one or many cellular compartments. These proteins have been described in all kingdoms of life and are usually constitutively expressed and conserved proteins with housekeeping functions. Although widely studied in pathogenic bacteria, the information about these proteins in pathogenic fungi is scarce, but there are some reports of their functions in the etiological agents of the main human mycoses, such as Candida spp., Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Sporothrix schenckii. In these fungi, most of the described moonlighting proteins are metabolic enzymes, such as enolase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; chaperones, transcription factors, and redox response proteins, such as peroxiredoxin and catalase, which moonlight at the cell surface and perform virulence-related processes, contributing to immune evasion, adhesions, invasion, and dissemination to host cells and tissues. All moonlighting proteins and their functions described in this review highlight the limited information about this biological aspect in pathogenic fungi, representing this a relevant opportunity area that will contribute to expanding our current knowledge of these organisms' pathogenesis.
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Gallo S, Arias-Rodriguez C, Sánchez-Cifuentes EA, Santa-Vélez C, Larrañaga-Piñeres I, Gaviria-Barrera ME, Vásquez-Ochoa LA, Montoya D, Jiménez-Alzate MDP. First three cases of cat-associated zoonotic cutaneous sporotrichosis in Colombia. Int J Dermatol 2022; 61:1276-1279. [PMID: 35959537 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by dimorphic fungi of the genus Sporothrix. The route of entry of the causative agent is direct inoculation by skin trauma, generally with decaying wood and other vegetation. However, cat-transmitted sporotrichosis has become more relevant in recent decades especially in South America. Until now, there are no case reports of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis in Colombia. CASE REPORT We present three cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis after the scratches of an ill cat, in the feline's owners and its veterinarian, confirmed by culture and PCR, where S. schenckii sensu stricto was isolated and typified. CONCLUSIONS Cat-transmitted sporotrichosis is becoming more relevant in recent decades due to its potential to generate epidemics and become a public health problem. In addition, since the associated species are more virulent, the disease has more aggressive behavior. In Colombia, this is the first case series of cat-transmitted cutaneous sporotrichosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Gallo
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Camilo Arias-Rodriguez
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Erika A Sánchez-Cifuentes
- Grupo Micología Médica, Microbiology and Parasitology Department, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Catalina Santa-Vélez
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Isabel Larrañaga-Piñeres
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cali, Colombia
| | | | | | - Daniel Montoya
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Maria Del P Jiménez-Alzate
- Grupo Micología Médica, Microbiology and Parasitology Department, School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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de Carvalho JA, Monteiro RC, Hagen F, de Camargo ZP, Rodrigues AM. Trends in Molecular Diagnostics and Genotyping Tools Applied for Emerging Sporothrix Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080809. [PMID: 36012797 PMCID: PMC9409836 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is the most important subcutaneous mycosis that affects humans and animals worldwide. The mycosis is caused after a traumatic inoculation of fungal propagules into the host and may follow an animal or environmental transmission route. The main culprits of sporotrichosis are thermodimorphic Sporothrix species embedded in a clinical clade, including S. brasiliensis, S. schenckii, S. globosa, and S. luriei. Although sporotrichosis occurs worldwide, the etiological agents are not evenly distributed, as exemplified by ongoing outbreaks in Brazil and China, caused by S. brasiliensis and S. globosa, respectively. The gold standard for diagnosing sporotrichosis has been the isolation of the fungus in vitro. However, with the advance in molecular techniques, molecular assays have complemented and gradually replaced the classical mycological tests to quickly and accurately detect and/or differentiate molecular siblings in Sporothrix. Nearly all techniques available for molecular diagnosis of sporotrichosis involve PCR amplification, which is currently moving towards detecting Sporothrix DNA directly from clinical samples in multiplex qPCR assays. From an epidemiological perspective, genotyping is key to tracing back sources of Sporothrix infections, detecting diversity in outbreak areas, and thus uncovering finer-scale epidemiological patterns. Over the past decades, molecular epidemiological studies have provided essential information to policymakers regarding outbreak management. From high-to-low throughput genotyping methods, MLSA, AFLP, SSR, RAPD, PCR-RFLP, and WGS are available to assess the transmission dynamics and sporotrichosis expansion. This review discusses the trends in the molecular diagnosis of sporotrichosis, genotyping techniques applied in molecular epidemiological studies, and perspectives for the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamile Ambrósio de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil; (J.A.d.C.); (R.C.M.); (Z.P.d.C.)
| | - Ruan Campos Monteiro
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil; (J.A.d.C.); (R.C.M.); (Z.P.d.C.)
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Department of Medical Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands;
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Sciencepark 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Zoilo Pires de Camargo
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil; (J.A.d.C.); (R.C.M.); (Z.P.d.C.)
- Department of Medicine, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
| | - Anderson Messias Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil; (J.A.d.C.); (R.C.M.); (Z.P.d.C.)
- Department of Medicine, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-1155764551 (ext. 1540)
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Long-read PacBio genome sequencing of four environmental saprophytic Sporothrix species spanning the pathogenic clade. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:506. [PMID: 35831806 PMCID: PMC9281073 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08736-w] [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: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genus Sporothrix belongs to the order Ophiostomatales and contains mainly saprobic soil and plant fungi, although pathogenic species capable of causing human infections are also present. The whole-genomes of disease-causing species have already been sequenced and annotated but no comprehensive genomic resources for environmental Sporothrix species are available, thus limiting our understanding of the evolutionary origin of virulence-related genes and pathogenicity. RESULT The genome assembly of four environmental Sporothrix species resulted in genome size of ~ 30.9 Mbp in Sporothrix phasma, ~ 35 Mbp in S. curviconia, ~ 38.7 Mbp in S. protearum, and ~ 39 Mbp in S. variecibatus, with a variable gene content, ranging from 8142 (S. phasma) to 9502 (S. variecibatus). The analysis of mobile genetic elements showed significant differences in the content of transposable elements within the sequenced genomes, with the genome of S. phasma lacking several class I and class II transposons, compared to the other Sporothrix genomes investigated. Moreover, the comparative analysis of orthologous genes shared by clinical and environmental Sporothrix genomes revealed the presence of 3622 orthogroups shared by all species, whereas over 4200 genes were species-specific single-copy gene products. Carbohydrate-active enzyme analysis revealed a total of 2608 protein-coding genes containing single and/or multiple CAZy domains, resulting in no statistically significant differences among pathogenic and environmental species. Nevertheless, some families were not found in clinical species. Furthermore, for each sequenced Sporothrix species, the mitochondrial genomes was assembled in a single circular DNA molecule, ranging from 25,765 bp (S. variecibatus) to 58,395 bp (S. phasma). CONCLUSION In this study, we present four annotated genome assemblies generated using PacBio SMRT sequencing data from four environmental species: S. curviconia, S. phasma, S. protearum and S. variecibatus with the aim to provide a starting point for future comparative genome evolution studies addressing species diversification, ecological/host adaptation and origin of pathogenic lineages within the genus Sporothrix.
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Mora-Montes HM, García-Gutiérrez K, García-Carnero LC, Lozoya-Pérez NE, Ramirez-Prado JH. The Search for Cryptic L-Rhamnosyltransferases on the Sporothrix schenckii Genome. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050529. [PMID: 35628784 PMCID: PMC9145935 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050529] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The fungal cell wall is an attractive structure to look for new antifungal drug targets and for understanding the host-fungus interaction. Sporothrix schenckii is one of the main causative agents of both human and animal sporotrichosis and currently is the species most studied of the Sporothrix genus. The cell wall of this organism has been previously analyzed, and rhamnoconjugates are signature molecules found on the surface of both mycelia and yeast-like cells. Similar to other reactions where sugars are covalently linked to other sugars, lipids, or proteins, the rhamnosylation process in this organism is expected to involve glycosyltransferases with the ability to transfer rhamnose from a sugar donor to the acceptor molecule, i.e., rhamnosyltransferases. However, no obvious rhamnosyltransferase has thus far been identified within the S. schenckii proteome or genome. Here, using a Hidden Markov Model profile strategy, we found within the S. schenckii genome five putative genes encoding for rhamnosyltransferases. Expression analyses indicated that only two of them, named RHT1 and RHT2, were significantly expressed in yeast-like cells and during interaction with the host. These two genes were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified recombinant proteins showed rhamnosyltransferase activity, dependent on the presence of UDP-rhamnose as a sugar donor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about rhamnosyltransferases in S. schenckii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor M. Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N, Col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato, Guanajuato 360501, Mexico; (H.M.M.-M.); (K.G.-G.); (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.)
| | - Karina García-Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N, Col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato, Guanajuato 360501, Mexico; (H.M.M.-M.); (K.G.-G.); (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.)
| | - Laura C. García-Carnero
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N, Col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato, Guanajuato 360501, Mexico; (H.M.M.-M.); (K.G.-G.); (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.)
| | - Nancy E. Lozoya-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N, Col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato, Guanajuato 360501, Mexico; (H.M.M.-M.); (K.G.-G.); (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.)
| | - Jorge H. Ramirez-Prado
- Unidad de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatan 97205, Mexico
- Correspondence:
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Nava-Pérez N, Neri-García LG, Romero-González OE, Terrones-Cruz JA, García-Carnero LC, Mora-Montes HM. Biological and Clinical Attributes of Sporothrix globosa, a Causative Agent of Sporotrichosis. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:2067-2090. [PMID: 35498634 PMCID: PMC9041366 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s362099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is an important subcutaneous mycosis with high prevalence and threat to human and animal health worldwide. Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa are the main etiological agents of this disease; and even though many efforts have been made recently to understand the Sporothrix-host interaction, little is known about S. globosa, an underestimated species. This organism shows the lowest virulence among the members of the Sporothrix pathogenic clade and represents an important pathogenic agent due to its global distribution. Here, we offer a review with all the known information about S. globosa, including its genome and proteomic information, and compare it with S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis, to explain the differences observed among these species, in terms of virulence, the host immune response, and the antifungal sensitivity. Also, we provide the gene prediction of some S. globosa putative virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nallely Nava-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Gto., México
| | - Lisset G Neri-García
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Gto., México
| | - Oscar E Romero-González
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Gto., México
| | - Joshua A Terrones-Cruz
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Gto., México
| | - Laura C García-Carnero
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Gto., México
- Correspondence: Laura C García-Carnero; Héctor M Mora-Montes, Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P, Guanajuato, 36050, Gto., México, Tel +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8193, Fax +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8153, Email ;
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Gto., México
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Molecular basis of cycloheximide resistance in the Ophiostomatales revealed. Curr Genet 2022; 68:505-514. [PMID: 35314878 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-022-01235-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to the antibiotic Cycloheximide has been reported for a number of fungal taxa. In particular, some yeasts are known to be highly resistant to this antibiotic. Early research showed that this resulted from a transition mutation in one of the 60S ribosomal protein genes. In addition to the yeasts, most genera and species in the Ophiostomatales are highly resistant to this antibiotic, which is widely used to selectively isolate these fungi. Whole-genome sequences are now available for numerous members of the Ophiostomatales providing an opportunity to determine whether the mechanism of resistance in these fungi is the same as that reported for yeast genera such as Kluyveromyces. We examined all the available genomes for the Ophiostomatales and discovered that a transition mutation in the gene coding for ribosomal protein eL42, which results in the substitution of the amino acid Proline to Glutamine, likely confers resistance to this antibiotic. This change across all genera in the Ophiostomatales suggests that the mutation arose early in the evolution of these fungi.
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Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Sporotrichosis in a Reference Center of Uruguay. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8030322. [PMID: 35330324 PMCID: PMC8950135 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030322] [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: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Sporotrichosis is a fungal implantation disease of subacute/ chronic course caused by species of the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix spp. This infection usually develops after traumatic inoculation of contaminated soil, plants or organic material contaminated by Sporothrix spp. conidia into skin or mucosa. The objective of this work is to contribute to the knowledge of sporotrichosis in Uruguay by providing a report of a series of cases diagnosed in a reference center. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of cases of sporotrichosis diagnosed in the last 38 years. Results: In the period analyzed, 157 cases of sporotrichosis were diagnosed, 152 of those corresponded to male patients. The most frequent clinical presentation was nodular lymphatic in 120 patients. In relation to epidemiological antecedents, 128 patients had been scratched by armadillos during hunting. Conclusions: Sporotrichosis in Uruguay is a sporadic disease with a clear seasonal pattern related to particular social practices, such as hunting armadillos. Related to this practice, the affectation is greater in males and in young adults.
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García-Carnero LC, Martínez-Álvarez JA. Virulence Factors of Sporothrix schenckii. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8030318. [PMID: 35330320 PMCID: PMC8949611 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix schenckii is one of the etiological agents of sporotrichosis. In this review, we discuss the virulence factors that have been proven to participate in the S. schenckii-host interaction. Among these known factors, we can find cell wall glycoproteins, adhesins, melanin, extracellular vesicles, and dimorphism. Furthermore, the morphological transition of S. schenckii in response to environmental conditions such as pH and temperature represents a means by which the fungus is able to establish mycosis in mammals. One of the key features in the development of sporotrichosis is the adhesion of the fungus to the host extracellular matrix. This event represents the first step to developing the mycosis, which involves adhesins such as the glycoproteins Gp70, Hsp60, and Pap1, which play a key role during the infection. The production of melanin helps the fungus to survive longer in the tissues and to neutralize or diminish many of the host’s attacks, which is why it is also considered a key factor in pathogenesis. Today, the study of human fungal pathogens’ virulence factors is a thriving area of research. Although we know some of the virulence factors in S. schenckii, much remains to be understood about the complex process of sporotrichosis development and the factors involved during the infection.
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De Carolis E, Posteraro B, Sanguinetti M. Old and New Insights into Sporothrix schenckii Complex Biology and Identification. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030297. [PMID: 35335621 PMCID: PMC8948913 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030297] [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: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix schenckii is a worldwide-distributed thermally dimorphic fungus, which usually causes a subacute to chronic infection through traumatic implantation or inoculation of its infectious propagules. The fungus encompasses a group of phylogenetically closely related species, thus named the S. schenckii complex, of which S. schenckii sensu stricto and S. brasiliensis are main causative species of sporotrichosis. Owing to a multifaceted molecular dynamic, the S. schenckii complex can switch between the mycelium and the yeast form. This characteristic along with a varying cell wall composition account for significant species-specific differences in the host range, virulence, and susceptibility to antifungal drugs. While culture remains the gold standard to diagnose sporotrichosis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry-based methods have become an essential for accurate species identification in many clinical laboratories. If directly applied on tissue samples, molecular methods are helpful to improve both sensitivity of and time to the etiological diagnosis of sporotrichosis. This mini-review aims to put together the old and new knowledge on the S. schenckii complex biology and identification, with particular emphasis on the laboratory diagnosis-related aspects of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena De Carolis
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Brunella Posteraro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
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Charles-Niño CL, Loera A, Medina-Guerrero EO, Sanroman-Loza EA, Toledo B, Pedroza-Roldan C. Sporotrichosis: an Overview in the Context of the One Health Approach. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-022-00250-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Hsieh DK, Chuang SC, Chen CY, Chao YT, Lu MYJ, Lee MH, Shih MC. Comparative Genomics of Three Colletotrichum scovillei Strains and Genetic Analysis Revealed Genes Involved in Fungal Growth and Virulence on Chili Pepper. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:818291. [PMID: 35154058 PMCID: PMC8828978 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.818291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colletotrichum scovillei causes anthracnose of chili pepper in many countries. Three strains of this pathogen, Coll-524, Coll-153, and Coll-365, show varied virulence on chili pepper. Among the three strains, Coll-365 showed significant defects in growth and virulence. To decipher the genetic variations among these strains and identify genes contributing to growth and virulence, comparative genomic analysis and gene transformation to show gene function were applied in this study. Compared to Coll-524, Coll-153, and Coll-365 had numerous gene losses including 32 candidate effector genes that are mainly exist in acutatum species complex. A cluster of 14 genes in a 34-kb genomic fragment was lost in Coll-365. Through gene transformation, three genes in the 34-kb fragment were identified to have functions in growth and/or virulence of C. scovillei. CsPLAA encoding a phospholipase A2-activating protein enhanced the growth of Coll-365. A combination of CsPLAA with one transcription factor CsBZTF and one C6 zinc finger domain-containing protein CsCZCP was found to enhance the pathogenicity of Coll-365. Introduction of CsGIP, which encodes a hypothetical protein, into Coll-365 caused a reduction in the germination rate of Coll-365. In conclusion, the highest virulent strain Coll-524 had more genes and encoded more pathogenicity related proteins and transposable elements than the other two strains, which may contribute to the high virulence of Coll-524. In addition, the absence of the 34-kb fragment plays a critical role in the defects of growth and virulence of strain Coll-365.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai-Keng Hsieh
- Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan
- Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Cheng Chuang
- Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yi Chen
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ting Chao
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yeh Jade Lu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Miin-Huey Lee
- Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan
- Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Miin-Huey Lee,
| | - Ming-Che Shih
- Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ming-Che Shih,
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Tamez-Castrellón AK, van der Beek SL, López-Ramírez LA, Martínez-Duncker I, Lozoya-Pérez NE, van Sorge NM, Mora-Montes HM. Disruption of protein rhamnosylation affects the Sporothrix schenckii-host interaction. Cell Surf 2021; 7:100058. [PMID: 34308006 PMCID: PMC8258688 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2021.100058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is a fungal disease caused by the members of the Sporothrix pathogenic clade, and one of the etiological agents is Sporothrix schenckii. The cell wall of this organism has been previously analyzed and thus far is known to contain an inner layer composed of chitin and β -glucans, and an outer layer of glycoproteins, which are decorated with mannose and rhamnose-containing oligosaccharides. The L-rhamnose biosynthesis pathway is common in bacteria but rare in members of the Fungi kingdom. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to disrupt this metabolic route to assess the contribution of rhamnose during the S. schenckii-host interaction. We identified and silenced in S. schenckii a functional ortholog of the bacterial rmlD gene, which encodes for an essential reductase for the synthesis of nucleotide-activated L-rhamnose. RmlD silencing did not affect fungal growth or morphology but decreased cell wall rhamnose content. Compensatory, the β-1,3-glucan levels increased and were more exposed at the cell surface. Moreover, when incubated with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the RmlD silenced mutants differentially stimulated cytokine production when compared with the wild-type strain, reducing TNFα and IL-6 levels and increasing IL-1 β and IL-10 production. Upon incubation with human monocyte-derived macrophages, the silenced strains were more efficiently phagocytosed than the wild-type strain. In both cases, our data suggest that rhamnose-based oligosaccharides are ligands that interact with TLR4. Finally, our findings showed that cell wall rhamnose is required for the S. schenckii virulence in the G. mellonella model of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma K. Tamez-Castrellón
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050 Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
| | - Samantha L. van der Beek
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Medical Microbiology, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Luz A. López-Ramírez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050 Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca Mor. 62209, Mexico
| | - Nancy E. Lozoya-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050 Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
| | - Nina M. van Sorge
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Medical Microbiology, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Héctor M. Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050 Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
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García-Carnero LC, Salinas-Marín R, Lozoya-Pérez NE, Wrobel K, Wrobel K, Martínez-Duncker I, Niño-Vega GA, Mora-Montes HM. The Heat Shock Protein 60 and Pap1 Participate in the Sporothrixschenckii-Host Interaction. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7110960. [PMID: 34829247 PMCID: PMC8620177 DOI: 10.3390/jof7110960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporothrixschenckii is one of the etiological agents of sporotrichosis, a worldwide-distributed subcutaneous mycosis. Its cell wall contains a glycoconjugate composed of rhamnose, mannose, glucuronic acid, and proteins, named peptidorhamnomannan, which harbors important Sporothrix-specific immunogenic epitopes. Although the peptidorhamnomannan carbohydrate moiety has been extensively studied, thus far, little is known about the protein core. Here, using LC-MS/MS, we analyzed the S.schenckii peptidorhamnomannan peptide fraction and generated mass signals of 325 proteins, most of them likely to be moonlighting proteins. Among the identified proteins, chaperonin GroEL/Hsp60 and the uncharacterized protein Pap1 were selected for further analysis. Both proteins were heterologously expressed in bacteria, and they showed adhesive properties to the extracellular matrix proteins laminin, elastin, fibrinogen, and fibronectin, although Pap1 also was bound to type-I and type-II collagen. The inoculation of concentrations higher than 40 μg of these proteins, separately, increased immune effectors in the hemolymph of Galleriamellonella larvae and protected animals from an S.schenckii lethal challenge. These observations were confirmed when yeast-like cells, pre-incubated with anti-rHsp60 or anti-rPap1 antibodies were used to inoculate larvae. The animals inoculated with pretreated cells showed increased survival rates when compared to the control groups. In conclusion, we report that Hsp60 and Pap1 are part of the cell wall peptidorhamnomannan, can bind extracellular matrix components, and contribute to the S.schenckii virulence. To our knowledge, this is the first report about moonlighting protein in the S.schenckii cell wall with an important role during the pathogen-host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C. García-Carnero
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.); (G.A.N.-V.)
| | - Roberta Salinas-Marín
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mor., Mexico; (R.S.-M.); (I.M.-D.)
| | - Nancy E. Lozoya-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.); (G.A.N.-V.)
| | - Katarzyna Wrobel
- Departamento de Química, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (K.W.); (K.W.)
| | - Kazimierz Wrobel
- Departamento de Química, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (K.W.); (K.W.)
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mor., Mexico; (R.S.-M.); (I.M.-D.)
| | - Gustavo A. Niño-Vega
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.); (G.A.N.-V.)
| | - Héctor M. Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P., Guanajuato 36050, Gto., Mexico; (L.C.G.-C.); (N.E.L.-P.); (G.A.N.-V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-473-7320006 (ext. 8193)
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de Carvalho JA, Pinheiro BG, Hagen F, Gonçalves SS, Negroni R, Kano R, Bonifaz A, de Camargo ZP, Rodrigues AM. A new duplex PCR assay for the rapid screening of mating-type idiomorphs of pathogenic Sporothrix species. Fungal Biol 2021; 125:834-843. [PMID: 34537179 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sporothrix schenckii and allied species are thermodimorphic fungi widely distributed in nature which causes human and animal sporotrichosis, the most common subcutaneous mycosis globally. Sporotrichosis is acquired after a traumatic inoculation of soil or plant material contaminated with Sporothrix propagules or through bites and scratches from diseased cats. In Ascomycota, the master regulators of sex are MAT genes that lie in a single mating-type locus, in Sporothrix these are determined by two nonhomologous alleles, MAT1-1 and MAT1-2. We assessed the whole-genome sequences of medically relevant Sporothrix to develop a single-tube duplex PCR assay to screen S. brasiliensis, S. schenckii, S. globosa, and S. luriei idiomorphs (MAT1-1 or MAT1-2) and understand the distribution and incidence of mating-type strains from natural populations. Using our duplex PCR assay, a 673 bp amplicon (α-box protein) was consistently amplified from all MAT1-1 isolates, while a 291 bp fragment was only amplified from the isolates harboring MAT1-2 (HMG box). Molecular evidence suggests heterothallism (self-sterility) as the unique mating strategy among the species evaluated. The mating-type identity of 93 isolates revealed a nearly equal distribution (1:1 ratio) of mating type alleles within species but deviating between different outbreak areas. Remarkably, for S. brasiliensis in Rio de Janeiro, we report an overwhelming occurrence of MAT1-2 (1:13 ratio; χ2 = 10.286, P = 0.0013) opposing the high prevalence MAT1-1 in the Rio Grande do Sul (10:1 ratio; χ2 = 7.364, P = 0.0067). Therefore, the population structure of Sporothrix species refers from paucity to regular cycles of sexual recombination in most of the studied regions. Our PCR-based mating-type diagnostic assay is proposed here as an important marker to track the geographical expansion during the long-lasting outbreak of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis driven by S. brasiliensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamile Ambrósio de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, 04023062, Brazil; Department of Medicine, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, 04023062, Brazil
| | - Breno Gonçalves Pinheiro
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, 04023062, Brazil
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Department of Medical Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584CT, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Sarah Santos Gonçalves
- Infectious Diseases Postgraduate Program, Center for Research in Medical Mycology, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Negroni
- Mycology Unit of the Infectious Diseases Hospital F.J. Muñiz, Reference Center of Mycology of Buenos Aires City, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rui Kano
- Department of Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Alexandro Bonifaz
- Dermatology Service, Mycology Department, Hospital General de México, "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Zoilo Pires de Camargo
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, 04023062, Brazil; Department of Medicine, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, 04023062, Brazil
| | - Anderson Messias Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, 04023062, Brazil; Department of Medicine, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, 04023062, Brazil.
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Trollip C, Carnegie AJ, Dinh Q, Kaur J, Smith D, Mann R, Rodoni B, Edwards J. Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with pine bark beetles and infested pines in south-eastern Australia, including Graphilbum ipis-grandicollis sp. nov. IMA Fungus 2021; 12:24. [PMID: 34465398 PMCID: PMC8408996 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-021-00076-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The ophiostomatoid fungi are an assemblage of ascomycetes which are arguably best-known for their associations with bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculonidae) and blue stain (sap stain) of many economically important tree species. These fungi are considered a significant threat to coniferous forests, which has resulted in numerous studies characterising the diversity of bark beetles and their ophiostomatoid associates globally. The diversity of ophiostomatoid fungi present in Australian pine plantations, however, remains largely undetermined. The aims of this study were therefore to reconsider the diversity of ophiostomatoid fungi associated with Pinus in Australia, and to establish the baseline of expected taxa found within these plantation ecosystems. To achieve this, we reviewed Australian plant pathogen reference collections, and analysed samples collected during forest health surveillance programs from the major pine growing regions in south-eastern Australia. In total, 135 ophiostomatoid isolates (15 from reference collections and 120 collected during the current study) were assessed using morphological identification and ITS screening which putatively distinguished 15 taxonomic groups. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of representative isolates from each taxon was performed to obtain high-quality sequence data for multi-locus phylogenetic analysis. Our results revealed a greater than expected diversity, expanding the status of ophiostomatoid fungi associated with Pinus in Australia to include 14 species from six genera in the Ophiostomatales and a single species residing in the Microascales. While most of these were already known to science, our study includes seven first records for Australia and the description of one new species, Graphilbum ipis-grandicollis sp. nov.. This study also provides an early example of whole genome sequencing (WGS) approaches replacing traditional PCR-based methods for taxonomic surveys. This not only allowed for robust multi-locus sequence extraction during taxonomic assessment, but also permitted the rapid establishment of a curated genomic database for ophiostomatoid fungi which will continue to aid in the development of improved diagnostic resources and capabilities for Australian biosecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conrad Trollip
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio Centre, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
| | - Angus J. Carnegie
- Forest Science, NSW Department of Primary Industries – Forestry, Parramatta, NSW 2150 Australia
| | - Quang Dinh
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio Centre, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
| | - Jatinder Kaur
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio Centre, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
| | - David Smith
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Biosecurity and Agricultural Services, Agriculture Victoria, Cranbourne, VIC 3977 Australia
| | - Ross Mann
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio Centre, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
| | - Brendan Rodoni
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio Centre, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
| | - Jacqueline Edwards
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio Centre, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
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Lozoya-Pérez NE, García-Carnero LC, Martínez-Álvarez JA, Martínez-Duncker I, Mora-Montes HM. Tenebrio molitor as an Alternative Model to Analyze the Sporothrix Species Virulence. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:2059-2072. [PMID: 34113132 PMCID: PMC8184153 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s312553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sporotrichosis is an increasing threat for humans, affecting mainly skin and subcutaneous tissues but that can cause disseminated infection in immunocompromised patients. Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa are the main etiological agents of this mycosis, and each species show different virulence levels. The gold standard to assess fungal virulence is the mouse model that is expensive and time-consuming. Thus, invertebrate models have been reported as an alternative for the evaluation of fungal virulence. Here, we assessed whether Tenebrio molitor larvae could be a new alternative to study Sporothrix spp. virulence. Methods T. molitor larvae were inoculated with different doses of S. schenckii, S. brasiliensis, and S. globosa, and animal mortality, cytotoxicity, and immunological parameters were analyzed, including the ability to stimulate immunological priming. Results Mortality curves demonstrated that yeast-like cells were the best fungal morphology to kill larvae and showed a similar ranking in virulence than that reported in other animal models, ie, being S. brasiliensis and S. globosa the species with the highest and lowest virulence, respectively. The usefulness of this model was validated with the analysis of several S. schenckii strains with different virulence degrees, and changes in cytotoxicity, humoral and cellular immunological parameters. Low-virulence strains stimulated low levels of cytotoxicity, phenoloxidase activity, and hemocyte countings, and these immunological cells poorly uptake fungi. Moreover, using recombinant Gp70 from S. schenckii immunological priming was stimulated in larvae and this protected against a lethal dose of fungal cells from any of the three species under study. Conclusion The study demonstrated that T. molitor larvae are an appropriate alternative invertebrate model to analyze the virulence of S. schenckii, S. brasiliensis, and S. globosa. Additionally, hemocyte levels, phenoloxidase activity, cytotoxicity, uptake by hemocytes, and immunological priming are biological parameters that can be used to study the Sporothrix-T. molitor interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy E Lozoya-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, México
| | - Laura C García-Carnero
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, México
| | - José A Martínez-Álvarez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, México
| | - Iván Martínez-Duncker
- Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular; Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, México
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Gremião IDF, Martins da Silva da Rocha E, Montenegro H, Carneiro AJB, Xavier MO, de Farias MR, Monti F, Mansho W, de Macedo Assunção Pereira RH, Pereira SA, Lopes-Bezerra LM. Guideline for the management of feline sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis and literature revision. Braz J Microbiol 2021; 52:107-124. [PMID: 32990922 PMCID: PMC7966609 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-020-00365-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We herein present a Brazilian guideline for the management of feline sporotrichosis, a mycosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis. This guideline is an effort of a national technical group organized by the Working Group on Sporothrix and Sporotrichosis of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM). This publication intends to provide information on clinical-epidemiological aspects of this zoonosis, as well as a literature revision. Moreover, it gives some practical information on diagnosis and treatment of feline sporotrichosis. It also contains information that can be helpful for the prevention and control of S. brasiliensis transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Dib Ferreira Gremião
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro. Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Hildebrando Montenegro
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Zoonoses, Divisão de Vigilância de Zoonoses (COVISA/SMS/PMSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aroldo José Borges Carneiro
- Secretaria Municipal da Saúde de Salvador (SMS), Salvador, Brazil
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva (ISC), Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Melissa Orzechowski Xavier
- Laboratório de Micologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Fabiana Monti
- Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Wilson Mansho
- Centro de Controle de Zoonoses (CCZ), Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Sandro Antonio Pereira
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro. Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Leila M Lopes-Bezerra
- BIDiagnostics, Centro de Inovação, Empreendedorismo e Tecnologia (CIETEC)/Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Etchecopaz A, Toscanini MA, Gisbert A, Mas J, Scarpa M, Iovannitti CA, Bendezú K, Nusblat AD, Iachini R, Cuestas ML. Sporothrix Brasiliensis: A Review of an Emerging South American Fungal Pathogen, Its Related Disease, Presentation and Spread in Argentina. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7030170. [PMID: 33652625 PMCID: PMC7996880 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis, caused by Sporothrix schenckii and related species, is the most frequent implantation mycosis in Latin America. In Argentina, over the last 8 years, there have been 0.16 new cases per month of feline sporotrichosis in 2011, increasing to 0.75 cases per month in 2019 and involving zoonotic transmission to humans. Molecular identification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected Sporothrix brasiliensis in these feline and zoonotic outbreaks. This study will focus on different feline and human sporotrichosis outbreaks caused by S. brasiliensis in Argentina during 2011–2019. We will address the sources of infection and environmental hotspots, as well as the application of several treatment strategies for improving the pharmacotherapy of the different clinical forms of the disease. Finally, we will provide a detailed summary of the clinical aspects and new advances in host–pathogen interactions, virulence factors and immune response, focusing on state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and potential vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Etchecopaz
- Cátedra de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1427 CWN, Argentina; (A.E.); (M.S.)
| | - María A. Toscanini
- Instituto de Nanobiotecnología (Nanobiotec), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1113 AAD, Argentina; (M.A.T.); (A.D.N.)
| | - Amelia Gisbert
- Cátedra de Clínica Médica, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1427 CWN, Argentina; (A.G.); (J.M.)
| | - Javier Mas
- Cátedra de Clínica Médica, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1427 CWN, Argentina; (A.G.); (J.M.)
| | - Miguel Scarpa
- Cátedra de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1427 CWN, Argentina; (A.E.); (M.S.)
| | - Cristina A. Iovannitti
- Centro de Micología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina; (C.A.I.); (K.B.)
| | - Karla Bendezú
- Centro de Micología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina; (C.A.I.); (K.B.)
| | - Alejandro D. Nusblat
- Instituto de Nanobiotecnología (Nanobiotec), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1113 AAD, Argentina; (M.A.T.); (A.D.N.)
| | - Ricardo Iachini
- Instituto de Zoonosis «Luis Pasteur», Buenos Aires C1405 DCD, Argentina;
| | - María L. Cuestas
- Cátedra de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1427 CWN, Argentina; (A.E.); (M.S.)
- Centro de Micología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina; (C.A.I.); (K.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +54-11-59509500 (ext. 2176/77)
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Tamez-Castrellón AK, Romeo O, García-Carnero LC, Lozoya-Pérez NE, Mora-Montes HM. Virulence Factors in Sporothrix schenckii, One of the Causative Agents of Sporotrichosis. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2021; 21:295-312. [PMID: 31589121 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666191007103004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sporothrix schenckii is one of the etiological agents of sporotrichosis, a fungal infection distributed worldwide. Both, the causative organism and the disease have currently received limited attention by the medical mycology community, most likely because of the low mortality rates associated with it. Nonetheless, morbidity is high in endemic regions and the versatility of S. schenckii to cause zoonosis and sapronosis has attracted attention. Thus far, virulence factors associated with this organism are poorly described. Here, comparing the S. schenckii genome sequence with other medically relevant fungi, genes involved in morphological change, cell wall synthesis, immune evasion, thermotolerance, adhesion, biofilm formation, melanin production, nutrient uptake, response to stress, extracellular vesicle formation, and toxin production are predicted and discussed as putative virulence factors in S. schenckii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma K Tamez-Castrellón
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
| | - Orazio Romeo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Laura C García-Carnero
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
| | - Nancy E Lozoya-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
| | - Héctor M Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico
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Eudes Filho J, dos Santos IB, Reis CMS, Patané JSL, Paredes V, Bernardes JPRA, Poggiani SDSC, Castro TDCB, Gomez OM, Pereira SA, Schubach EYP, Gomes KP, Mavengere H, Alves LGDB, Lucas J, Paes HC, Albuquerque P, Cruz LM, McEwen JG, Stajich JE, Almeida-Paes R, Zancopé-Oliveira RM, Matute DR, Barker BM, Felipe MSS, Teixeira MDM, Nicola AM. A novel Sporothrix brasiliensis genomic variant in Midwestern Brazil: evidence for an older and wider sporotrichosis epidemic. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020; 9:2515-2525. [PMID: 33155518 PMCID: PMC7717857 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1847001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous infection caused by fungi from the genus Sporothrix. It is transmitted by inoculation of infective particles found in plant-contaminated material or diseased animals, characterizing the classic sapronotic and emerging zoonotic transmission, respectively. Since 1998, southeastern Brazil has experienced a zoonotic sporotrichosis epidemic caused by S. brasiliensis, centred in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Our observation of feline sporotrichosis cases in Brasília (Midwestern Brazil), around 900 km away from Rio de Janeiro, led us to question whether the epidemic caused by S. brasiliensis has spread from the epicentre in Rio de Janeiro, emerged independently in the two locations, or if the disease has been present and unrecognized in Midwestern Brazil. A retrospective analysis of 91 human and 4 animal cases from Brasília, ranging from 1993 to 2018, suggests the occurrence of both sapronotic and zoonotic transmission. Molecular typing of the calmodulin locus identified S. schenckii as the agent in two animals and all seven human patients from which we were able to recover clinical isolates. In two other animals, the disease was caused by S. brasiliensis. Whole-genome sequence typing of seven Sporothrix spp. strains from Brasília and Rio de Janeiro suggests that S. brasiliensis isolates from Brasília are genetically distinct from those obtained at the epicentre of the outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, both in phylogenomic and population genomic analyses. The two S. brasiliensis populations seem to have separated between 2.2 and 3.1 million years ago, indicating independent outbreaks or that the zoonotic S. brasiliensis outbreak might have started earlier and be more widespread in South America than previously recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Eudes Filho
- Graduate Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Oscar Mauricio Gomez
- Cellular & Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Sandro Antonio Pereira
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Heidi Mavengere
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | | | - Joaquim Lucas
- Graduate Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | | | - Laurício Monteiro Cruz
- Office of Environmental Surveillance of Zoonoses, Federal District Health Secretariat, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Juan G. McEwen
- Cellular & Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel R. Matute
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Bridget M. Barker
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, USA
| | - Maria Sueli Soares Felipe
- Graduate Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Marcus de Melo Teixeira
- Graduate Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brazil
| | - André Moraes Nicola
- Graduate Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brazil
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Influences of the Culturing Media in the Virulence and Cell Wall of Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040323. [PMID: 33260702 PMCID: PMC7712150 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa are etiological agents of sporotrichosis, a human subcutaneous mycosis. Although the protocols to evaluate Sporothrix virulence in animal models are well described, the cell preparation before inoculation is not standardized, and several culturing media are used to grow yeast-like cells. Here, we found that carbon or nitrogen limitation during fungal cell preparation negatively impacted the ability of S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis to kill Galleria mellonella larvae, but not S. globosa. The fungal growth conditions associated with the short median survival of animals were accompanied by increased hemocyte countings, phenoloxidase activity, and cytotoxicity. The fungal growth under carbon or nitrogen limitation also affected the cell wall composition of both S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis and showed increased exposure of β-1,3-glucan at the cell surface, while those growing conditions had a minimal impact on the S.globosa wall, which had higher levels of this polysaccharide exposed on the wall regardless of the culture condition. This polysaccharide exposure was linked to the increased ability of insect hemocytes to uptake fungal cells, suggesting that this is one of the mechanisms behind the lower virulence of S.globosa or cells from the other species grown in carbon or nitrogen limitation.
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Prakash H, Karuppiah P, A Al-Dhabi N, Prasad GS, Badapanda C, Chakrabarti A, Rudramurthy SM. Comparative genomics of Sporothrix species and identification of putative pathogenic-gene determinants. Future Microbiol 2020; 15:1465-1481. [PMID: 33179528 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To understand the phylogenomics, pathogenic/virulence-associated genes and genomic evolution of pathogenic Sporothrix species. Materials & methods: We performed in silico comparative genome analysis of Sporothrix species using ab initio tools and in-house scripts. We predicted genes and repeats, compared genomes based on synteny, identified orthologous clusters, assessed genes family expansion/contraction, predicted secretory proteins and finally searched for similar sequences from various databases. Results: The phylogenomics revealed that Sporothrix species are closely related to Ophiostoma species. The gene family evolutionary analysis revealed the expansion of genes related to virulence (CFEM domain, iron acquisition genes, lysin motif domain), stress response (Su[var]3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste and Trithorax domain and Domain of unknown function 1996), proteases (aspartic protease, x-pro dipeptidyl-peptidase), cell wall composition associated genes (chitin deacetylase, chitinase) and transporters (major facilitator superfamily transporter, oligo-peptide transporter family) in Sporothrix species. Conclusion: The present study documents the putative pathogenic/virulence-associated genes in the Sporothrix species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hariprasath Prakash
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Ponmurugan Karuppiah
- Department of Botany & Microbiology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naif A Al-Dhabi
- Department of Botany & Microbiology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gandham S Prasad
- Technology, Industrial Liaison & Entrepreneurship Unit, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India
| | - Chandan Badapanda
- Bioinformatics Division, Xcelris Labs Limited, Ahmedabad 380015, Gujarat, India
| | - Arunaloke Chakrabarti
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Shivaprakash M Rudramurthy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
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Giosa D, Felice MR, Giuffrè L, Aiese Cigliano R, Paytuví-Gallart A, Lo Passo C, Barresi C, D'Alessandro E, Huang H, Criseo G, Mora-Montes HM, de Hoog S, Romeo O. Transcriptome-wide expression profiling of Sporothrix schenckii yeast and mycelial forms and the establishment of the Sporothrix Genome DataBase. Microb Genom 2020; 6:mgen000445. [PMID: 33034552 PMCID: PMC7660252 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix schenckii is a dimorphic fungus existing as mould in the environment and as yeast in the host. The morphological shift between mycelial/yeast phases is crucial for its virulence, but the transcriptional networks implicated in dimorphic transition are still not fully understood. Here, we report the global transcriptomic differences occurring between mould and yeast phases of S. schenckii, including changes in gene expression profiles associated with these distinct cellular phenotypes. Moreover, we also propose a new genome annotation, which reveals a more complex transcriptional architecture than previously assumed. Using RNA-seq, we identified a total of 17 307 genes, of which 11 217 were classified as protein-encoding genes, whereas 6090 were designated as non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Approximately ~71 % of all annotated genes were found to overlap and the different-strand overlapping type was the most common. Gene expression analysis revealed that 8795 genes were differentially regulated among yeast and mould forms. Differential gene expression was also observed for antisense ncRNAs overlapping neighbouring protein-encoding genes. The release of transcriptome-wide data and the establishment of the Sporothrix Genome DataBase (http://sporothrixgenomedatabase.unime.it) represent an important milestone for Sporothrix research, because they provide a strong basis for future studies on the molecular pathways involved in numerous biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Giosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina 98125, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Felice
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Letterio Giuffrè
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Division of Animal Production, University of Messina, Messina 98168, Italy
| | | | | | - Carla Lo Passo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Cinzia Barresi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Division of Animal Production, University of Messina, Messina 98168, Italy
| | - Enrico D'Alessandro
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Division of Animal Production, University of Messina, Messina 98168, Italy
| | - Huaiqiu Huang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, PR China
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Baoan District People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518012, PR China
| | - Giuseppe Criseo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Héctor M. Mora-Montes
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center/Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Orazio Romeo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
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Huang M, Ma Z, Zhou X. Comparative Genomic Data Provide New Insight on the Evolution of Pathogenicity in Sporothrix Species. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:565439. [PMID: 33117312 PMCID: PMC7561385 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.565439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix species are commonly isolated from environmental and clinical samples. As common causes of zoonotic mycosis, Sporothrix species may result in localized or disseminated infections, posing considerable threat to animal and human health. However, the pathogenic profiles of different Sporothrix species varied, in virulence, geographic location and host ranges, which have yet to be explored. Analysing the genomes of Sporothrix species are useful for understanding their pathogenicity. In this study, we analyzed the whole genome of 12 Sporothrix species and six S. globosa isolates from different clinical samples in China. By combining comparative analyses with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZy), antiSMASH, Pfam, and PHI annotations, Sporothrix species showed exuberant primary and secondary metabolism processes. The genome sizes of four main clinical species, i.e., S. brasiliensis, S. schenckii, S. globosa, and S. luriei were significantly smaller than other environmental and clinical Sporothrix species. The contracted genes included mostly CAZymes and peptidases genes that were usually associated with the decay of plants, as well as the genes that were associated with the loss of pathogenicity and the reduced virulence. Our results could, to some extent, explain a habitat shift of Sporothrix species from a saprobic life in plant materials to a pathogenic life in mammals and the increased pathogenicity during the evolution. Gene clusters of melanin and clavaric acid were identified in this study, which improved our understanding on their pathogenicity and possible antitumor effects. Moreover, our analyses revealed no significant genomic variations among different clinical isolates of S. globosa from different regions in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengya Huang
- Department of Dermatology and Cosmetology, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China.,College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ziying Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijin, China
| | - Xun Zhou
- Department of Dermatology and Cosmetology, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China.,College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Fatty Acid Synthase Beta Dehydratase in the Lipid Biosynthesis Pathway Is Required for Conidiogenesis, Pigmentation and Appressorium Formation in Magnaporthe oryzae S6. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197224. [PMID: 33007862 PMCID: PMC7582888 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid biosynthesis produces glycerol, which is important in fueling turgor pressure necessary for germination and penetration of plant host by fungi. As the relationship between pathogenicity and the lipid biosynthetic pathway is not fully understood, we have elucidated the role of the fatty acid synthase beta subunit dehydratase (FAS1) gene in lipid biosynthesis. The FAS1 gene was silenced through homologous double crossover in Magnaporthe oryzae strain S6 to study the effect on lipid biosynthesis. The vegetative growth of Δfas1 mutants show the highest drop on oleic acid (between 10 and 50%), while the mycelial dry weight of mutants dropped significantly on all media. Conidiation of FAS1 mutants show a ~10- and ~5-fold reduction on oatmeal and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), respectively. Mutants formed mycelium that were mildly pigmented, indicating that the deletion of FAS1 may have affected melanin biosynthesis. Biochemical and gene expression studies concluded that the fatty acid degradation pathway might have been interrupted by FAS1 deletion. FAS1 mutants showed no enzyme activity on glucose or olive oil, suggesting that the mutants may lack functional peroxisomes and be defective in β-oxidation of fatty acids, hence explaining the reduced lipid deposits in the spores.
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Silva-Bailão MG, Lima PDS, Oliveira MME, Oliveira LC, Almeida-Paes R, Borges CL, Bailão AM, Coelho ASG, Soares CMDA, Zancopé-Oliveira RM. Comparative proteomics in the three major human pathogenic species of the genus Sporothrix. Microbes Infect 2020; 23:104762. [PMID: 32992009 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2020.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis of humans and other mammals, caused by dimorphic species of the genus Sporothrix. In Brazil, human disease is broadly linked to transmission by infected cats and is mainly caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii and Sporothrix globosa. In this study, we used a nanoscale liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry approach to provide the yeast proteomic profiles of S. brasiliensis, S. schenckii and S. globosa. From a total of 247 identified proteins, 137 were found as differentially expressed. Functional classification revealed that most are related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism as well as stress response. Our data indicate that S. brasiliensis metabolism is distinct of that of S. schenckii and S. globosa, mainly regarding amino acid metabolism and cell wall remodeling, which are induced in the former. Enzymes belonging to glycolytic pathway are, on the other hand, up-regulated in S. schenckii and S. globosa. These findings may explain the previously described more virulent character of S. brasiliensis. Besides complementing genomic comparisons already published, this first comparative proteomic study provided information that indicates new aspects of Sporothrix species metabolism as well as offers information that may be useful in the development of prospective functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirelle Garcia Silva-Bailão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Patrícia de Sousa Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Clayton Luiz Borges
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | | | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
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Transcriptome Analysis of Dimorphic Fungus Sporothrix schenckii Exposed to Temperature Stress. Int Microbiol 2020; 24:25-35. [PMID: 32691258 PMCID: PMC7873001 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-020-00136-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sporothrix schenckii is a thermally dimorphic fungus. In a saprotrophic environment or culturing at 25 °C, it grows as mycelia, whereas in host tissues or culturing at 37 °C, it undergoes dimorphic transition and division into pathogenic yeast cells. S. schenckii can cause serious disseminated sporotrichosis in immunocompromised hosts and presents an emerging global health problem. The mycelium-to-yeast transition was a consequence of the adaptive process to different environment. Some studies showed that the transition was significantly related to the virulence and pathogenesis of dimorphic fungi. However the genetic mechanisms of this complicated biological process are poorly understood. METHOD Our study presented a comparative transcriptomic analysis perspective on temperature stress in a visceral isolates of S. schenckii, obtaining more genetic information related to dimorphic transition. RESULTS The 9.38 Gbp dataset was generated and assembled into 14,423 unigenes. Compared with gene and protein databases, 9561 unigenes were annotated. Comparative analysis identified 1259 genes expressed differentially in mycelium and yeast phase, and were categorized into a number of important biological processes, such as synthesis and metabolism, transmembrane transport, biocatalysis, oxidation reduction, and cellular signal transduction. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggested that temperature-dependent transition was tightly associated with stress adaptation, growth and development, signal regulation, adhesion, and colonization, which was predicted to be related with virulence and pathogenesis. Collection of these data should offer fine-scale insights into the mechanisms of dimorphism and pathogenesis of S. schenckii, and meanwhile facilitate the evolutionary and function studies of other dimorphic fungi.
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de Carvalho JA, Hagen F, Fisher MC, de Camargo ZP, Rodrigues AM. Genome-wide mapping using new AFLP markers to explore intraspecific variation among pathogenic Sporothrix species. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008330. [PMID: 32609739 PMCID: PMC7329091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by Sporothrix species, of which the main aetiological agents are S. brasiliensis, S. schenckii, and S. globosa. Infection occurs after a traumatic inoculation of Sporothrix propagules in mammals' skin and can follow either a classic route through traumatic inoculation by plant debris (e.g., S. schenckii and S. globosa) or an alternative route through zoonotic transmission from animals (e.g., S. brasiliensis). Epizootics followed by a zoonotic route occur in Brazil, with Rio de Janeiro as the epicenter of a recent cat-transmitted epidemic. DNA-based markers are needed to explore the epidemiology of these Sporothrix expansions using molecular methods. This paper reports the use of amplified-fragment-length polymorphisms (AFLP) to assess the degree of intraspecific variability among Sporothrix species. We used whole-genome sequences from Sporothrix species to generate 2,304 virtual AFLP fingerprints. In silico screening highlighted 6 primer pair combinations to be tested in vitro. The protocol was used to genotype 27 medically relevant Sporothrix. Based on the overall scored AFLP markers (97-137 fragments), the values of polymorphism information content (PIC = 0.2552-0.3113), marker index (MI = 0.002-0.0039), effective multiplex ratio (E = 17.8519-35.2222), resolving power (Rp = 33.6296-63.1852), discriminating power (D = 0.9291-0.9662), expected heterozygosity (H = 0.3003-0.3857), and mean heterozygosity (Havp = 0.0001) demonstrated the utility of these primer combinations for discriminating Sporothrix. AFLP markers revealed cryptic diversity in species previously thought to be the most prevalent clonal type, such as S. brasiliensis, responsible for cat-transmitted sporotrichosis, and S. globosa responsible for large sapronosis outbreaks in Asia. Three combinations (#3 EcoRI-FAM-GA/MseI-TT, #5 EcoRI-FAM-GA/MseI-AG, and #6 EcoRI-FAM-TA/MseI-AA) provide the best diversity indices and lowest error rates. These methods make it easier to track routes of disease transmission during epizooties and zoonosis, and our DNA fingerprint assay can be further transferred between laboratories to give insights into the ecology and evolution of pathogenic Sporothrix species and to inform management and mitigation strategies to tackle the advance of sporotrichosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamile Ambrósio de Carvalho
- Departament of Medicine, Discipline of infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Matthew C. Fisher
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zoilo Pires de Camargo
- Departament of Medicine, Discipline of infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anderson Messias Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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