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Kobmoo N, Mongkolsamrit S, Khonsanit A, Cedeño-Sanchez M, Arnamnart N, Noisripoom W, Kwantong P, Sonthirod C, Pootakham W, Amnuaykanjanasin A, Charria-Girón E, Stadler M, Luangsa-Ard JJ. Integrative taxonomy of Metarhizium anisopliae species complex, based on phylogenomics combined with morphometrics, metabolomics, and virulence data. IMA Fungus 2024; 15:30. [PMID: 39261927 PMCID: PMC11389511 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-024-00154-9] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Metarhizium anisopliae (Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreales) is a globally distributed entomopathogenic fungus, which has been largely studied and used in agriculture for its potent entomopathogenicity. Since its taxonomic establishment as a member of Metarhizium, many closely related taxa have been described with highly similar morphology (cryptic species). A holotype specimen of M. anisopliae is not extant, and the ex-neotype strain (CBS 130.71) does not form a monophyletic clade with other strains, up to now, recognized as M. anisopliae sensu stricto. In this study, we have conducted an integrative taxonomic treatment of M. anisopliae sensu lato by including the ex-neotype strain of M. anisopliae, other unknown strains from our collections identified as M. anisopliae s. lat., as well as other known species that have been previously delimited as closely related but distinct to M. anisopliae. By including whole-genome sequencing, morphometric analysis, LC-MS based metabolomics, and virulence assays, we have demonstrated that M. anisopliae s. str. should also include M. lepidiotae (synonym), and that M. anisopliae s. str. differentiates from the other species of the complex by its metabolome and less severe entomopathogenicity. New taxa, namely M. hybridum, M. neoanisopliae and M. parapingshaense spp. nov., are proposed. The novel taxa proposed here have strong phylogenomics support, corroborated by fine-scale differences in the length/width of conidia/phialides, while the metabolomics and virulence data still largely overlap. We have also demonstrated via population genomics data the existence of local clonal lineages, particularly the one corresponding to the persistence of a biocontrol candidate strain that has been used in the field application for three years. This study showcases the utility of combining various data sources for accurate delimitation of species within an important group of fungal biocontrol agents against pest insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noppol Kobmoo
- Integrative Crop Biotechnology and Management Research Group, Plant-Microbe Interaction Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand.
| | - Suchada Mongkolsamrit
- Integrative Crop Biotechnology and Management Research Group, Plant-Microbe Interaction Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Artit Khonsanit
- Integrative Crop Biotechnology and Management Research Group, Plant-Microbe Interaction Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Marjorie Cedeño-Sanchez
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI), Inhoffenstraße 7, 6 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstraβe 7, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
| | - Nuntanat Arnamnart
- Integrative Crop Biotechnology and Management Research Group, Plant-Microbe Interaction Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Wasana Noisripoom
- Integrative Crop Biotechnology and Management Research Group, Plant-Microbe Interaction Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Papichaya Kwantong
- Integrative Crop Biotechnology and Management Research Group, Plant-Microbe Interaction Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Chutima Sonthirod
- Genomics Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Omics Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Wirulda Pootakham
- Genomics Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Omics Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Alongkorn Amnuaykanjanasin
- Biorefinery and Bioproduct Technology Research Group, Biocontrol Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Esteban Charria-Girón
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI), Inhoffenstraße 7, 6 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstraβe 7, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
| | - Marc Stadler
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI), Inhoffenstraße 7, 6 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Janet Jennifer Luangsa-Ard
- Integrative Crop Biotechnology and Management Research Group, Plant-Microbe Interaction Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
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2
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Rinker DC, Sauters TJC, Steffen K, Gumilang A, Raja HA, Rangel-Grimaldo M, Pinzan CF, de Castro PA, Dos Reis TF, Delbaje E, Houbraken J, Goldman GH, Oberlies NH, Rokas A. Strain heterogeneity in a non-pathogenic Aspergillus fungus highlights factors associated with virulence. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1082. [PMID: 39232082 PMCID: PMC11374809 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06756-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungal pathogens exhibit extensive strain heterogeneity, including variation in virulence. Whether closely related non-pathogenic species also exhibit strain heterogeneity remains unknown. Here, we comprehensively characterized the pathogenic potentials (i.e., the ability to cause morbidity and mortality) of 16 diverse strains of Aspergillus fischeri, a non-pathogenic close relative of the major pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. In vitro immune response assays and in vivo virulence assays using a mouse model of pulmonary aspergillosis showed that A. fischeri strains varied widely in their pathogenic potential. Furthermore, pangenome analyses suggest that A. fischeri genomic and phenotypic diversity is even greater. Genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic profiling identified several pathways and secondary metabolites associated with variation in virulence. Notably, strain virulence was associated with the simultaneous presence of the secondary metabolites hexadehydroastechrome and gliotoxin. We submit that examining the pathogenic potentials of non-pathogenic close relatives is key for understanding the origins of fungal pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Rinker
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Thomas J C Sauters
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Karin Steffen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Adiyantara Gumilang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Huzefa A Raja
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Manuel Rangel-Grimaldo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Camila Figueiredo Pinzan
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Endrews Delbaje
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jos Houbraken
- Food and Indoor Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Nicholas H Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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3
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Spruijtenburg B, Rezusta A, Houbraken J, Hagen F, de Groot T, Meis JF, Meijer EFJ. Susceptibility Testing of Environmental and Clinical Aspergillus sydowii Demonstrates Potent Activity of Various Antifungals. Mycopathologia 2024; 189:61. [PMID: 38958798 PMCID: PMC11222195 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00869-8] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The genus Aspergillus consists of a vast number of medically and environmentally relevant species. Aspergillus species classified in series Versicolores are ubiquitous in the environment and include the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus sydowii, which is associated with onychomycosis and superficial skin infections. Despite frequent clinical reports of A. sydowii and related series Versicolores species, antifungal susceptibility data are scarce, hampering optimal treatment choices and subsequent patient outcomes. Here, we employed antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) based on microbroth dilution on a set of 155 series Versicolores strains using the common antifungals amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, isavuconazole and micafungin with the addition of luliconazole and olorofim. All strains were identified using partial calmodulin gene sequencing, with 145 being A. sydowii, seven A. creber and three A. versicolor, using the latest taxonomic insights. Overall, tested antifungals were potent against the entire strain collection. In comparison to A. fumigatus, azole and amphotericin B MICs were slightly elevated for some strains. AFST with luliconazole and olorofim, here reported for the first time, displayed the highest in vitro activity, making these antifungals interesting alternative drugs but clinical studies are warranted for future therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Spruijtenburg
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Weg Door Jonkerbos 100, 6532 SZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)/Dicoon, 6532 SZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Antonio Rezusta
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, IIS Aragon, Saragossa, Spain
| | - Jos Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystems Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Theun de Groot
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Weg Door Jonkerbos 100, 6532 SZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)/Dicoon, 6532 SZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Weg Door Jonkerbos 100, 6532 SZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster On Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eelco F J Meijer
- Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Weg Door Jonkerbos 100, 6532 SZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)/Dicoon, 6532 SZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Sáenz V, Lizcano Salas AF, Gené J, Celis Ramírez AM. Fusarium and Neocosmospora: fungal priority pathogens in laboratory diagnosis. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38949272 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2024.2369693] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Fusarium and Neocosmospora are two fungal genera recently recognized in the list of fungal priority pathogens. They cause a wide range of diseases that affect humans, animals, and plants. In clinical laboratories, there is increasing concern about diagnosis due to limitations in sample collection and morphological identification. Despite the advances in molecular diagnosis, due to the cost, some countries cannot implement these methodologies. However, recent changes in taxonomy and intrinsic resistance to antifungals reveal the necessity of accurate species-level identification. In this review, we discuss the current phenotypic and molecular tools available for diagnosis in clinical laboratory settings and their advantages and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeri Sáenz
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Andrés Felipe Lizcano Salas
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Josepa Gené
- Unitat de Micologia i Microbiologia Ambiental (MicroAmb), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut i Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Adriana Marcela Celis Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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Gluck-Thaler E, Forsythe A, Puerner C, Stajich JE, Croll D, Cramer RA, Vogan AA. Giant transposons promote strain heterogeneity in a major fungal pathogen. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.28.601215. [PMID: 38979181 PMCID: PMC11230402 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.28.601215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections are difficult to prevent and treat in large part due to heterogeneity in clinically relevant phenotypes. However, the genetic mechanisms driving pathogen variation remain poorly understood. Here, we determined the extent to which Starships -giant transposons capable of mobilizing numerous fungal genes-generate genetic and phenotypic variability in the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus . We analyzed 519 diverse strains, including 12 newly sequenced with long-read technology, to reveal 20 distinct Starships that generate genomic heterogeneity over timescales impacting experimental reproducibility. Starship -mobilized genes encode diverse functions, including biofilm-related virulence factors and biosynthetic gene clusters, and many are differentially expressed during infection and antifungal exposure in a strain-specific manner. These findings support a new model of fungal pathogenesis wherein Starships mediate variation in virulence-related gene content and expression. Together, our results demonstrate that Starships are a foundational mechanism generating disease-relevant genotypic and, in turn, phenotypic heterogeneity in a major human fungal pathogen.
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Steenwyk JL, Balamurugan C, Raja HA, Gonçalves C, Li N, Martin F, Berman J, Oberlies NH, Gibbons JG, Goldman GH, Geiser DM, Houbraken J, Hibbett DS, Rokas A. Phylogenomics reveals extensive misidentification of fungal strains from the genus Aspergillus. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0398023. [PMID: 38445873 PMCID: PMC10986620 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03980-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Modern taxonomic classification is often based on phylogenetic analyses of a few molecular markers, although single-gene studies are still common. Here, we leverage genome-scale molecular phylogenetics (phylogenomics) of species and populations to reconstruct evolutionary relationships in a dense data set of 710 fungal genomes from the biomedically and technologically important genus Aspergillus. To do so, we generated a novel set of 1,362 high-quality molecular markers specific for Aspergillus and provided profile Hidden Markov Models for each, facilitating their use by others. Examining the resulting phylogeny helped resolve ongoing taxonomic controversies, identified new ones, and revealed extensive strain misidentification (7.59% of strains were previously misidentified), underscoring the importance of population-level sampling in species classification. These findings were corroborated using the current standard, taxonomically informative loci. These findings suggest that phylogenomics of species and populations can facilitate accurate taxonomic classifications and reconstructions of the Tree of Life.IMPORTANCEIdentification of fungal species relies on the use of molecular markers. Advances in genomic technologies have made it possible to sequence the genome of any fungal strain, making it possible to use genomic data for the accurate assignment of strains to fungal species (and for the discovery of new ones). We examined the usefulness and current limitations of genomic data using a large data set of 710 publicly available genomes from multiple strains and species of the biomedically, agriculturally, and industrially important genus Aspergillus. Our evolutionary genomic analyses revealed that nearly 8% of publicly available Aspergillus genomes are misidentified. Our work highlights the usefulness of genomic data for fungal systematic biology and suggests that systematic genome sequencing of multiple strains, including reference strains (e.g., type strains), of fungal species will be required to reduce misidentification errors in public databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L. Steenwyk
- Howards Hughes Medical Institute and the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Charu Balamurugan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Huzefa A. Raja
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carla Gonçalves
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ningxiao Li
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- USDA-ARS, Salinas, California, USA
| | | | - Judith Berman
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Nicholas H. Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - John G. Gibbons
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - David M. Geiser
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jos Houbraken
- Food and Indoor Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David S. Hibbett
- Biology Department, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg, Heidelberg, Germany
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7
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Rinker DC, Sauters TJC, Steffen K, Gumilang A, Raja HA, Rangel-Grimaldo M, Pinzan CF, de Castro PA, dos Reis TF, Delbaje E, Houbraken J, Goldman GH, Oberlies NH, Rokas A. Strain heterogeneity in a non-pathogenic fungus highlights factors contributing to virulence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.08.583994. [PMID: 38496489 PMCID: PMC10942418 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.08.583994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens exhibit extensive strain heterogeneity, including variation in virulence. Whether closely related non-pathogenic species also exhibit strain heterogeneity remains unknown. Here, we comprehensively characterized the pathogenic potentials (i.e., the ability to cause morbidity and mortality) of 16 diverse strains of Aspergillus fischeri, a non-pathogenic close relative of the major pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. In vitro immune response assays and in vivo virulence assays using a mouse model of pulmonary aspergillosis showed that A. fischeri strains varied widely in their pathogenic potential. Furthermore, pangenome analyses suggest that A. fischeri genomic and phenotypic diversity is even greater. Genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic profiling identified several pathways and secondary metabolites associated with variation in virulence. Notably, strain virulence was associated with the simultaneous presence of the secondary metabolites hexadehydroastechrome and gliotoxin. We submit that examining the pathogenic potentials of non-pathogenic close relatives is key for understanding the origins of fungal pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Rinker
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Thomas J. C. Sauters
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Karin Steffen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Adiyantara Gumilang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Huzefa A. Raja
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Manuel Rangel-Grimaldo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Camila Figueiredo Pinzan
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thaila Fernanda dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Endrews Delbaje
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jos Houbraken
- Food and Indoor Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nicholas H. Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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8
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Wang Y, Xu J, Ben Abid F, Salah H, Sundararaju S, Al Ismail K, Wang K, Sara Matthew L, Taj-Aldeen S, Ibrahim EB, Tang P, Perez-Lopez A, Tsui CKM. Population genomic analyses reveal high diversity, recombination and nosocomial transmission among Candida glabrata ( Nakaseomyces glabrata) isolates causing invasive infections. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001179. [PMID: 38226964 PMCID: PMC10868614 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001179] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is a commensal yeast of the gastrointestinal tract and skin of humans. However, it causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, and is the second most common Candida pathogen causing bloodstream infections. Although there are many studies on the epidemiology of C. glabrata infections, the fine- and large-scale geographical nature of C. glabrata remain incompletely understood. Here we investigated both the fine- and large-scale population structure of C. glabrata through genome sequencing of 80 clinical isolates obtained from six tertiary hospitals in Qatar and by comparing with global collections. Our fine-scale analyses revealed high genetic diversity within the Qatari population of C. glabrata and identified signatures of recombination, inbreeding and clonal expansion within and between hospitals, including evidence for nosocomial transmission among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. In addition to signatures of recombination at the population level, both MATa and MATα alleles were detected in most hospitals, indicating the potential for sexual reproduction in clinical environments. Comparisons with global samples showed that the Qatari C. glabrata population was very similar to those from other parts of the world, consistent with the significant role of recent anthropogenic activities in shaping its population structure. Genome-wide association studies identified both known and novel genomic variants associated with reduced susceptibilities to fluconazole, 5-flucytosine and echinocandins. Together, our genomic analyses revealed the diversity, transmission patterns and antifungal drug resistance mechanisms of C. glabrata in Qatar as well as the relationships between Qatari isolates and those from other parts of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fatma Ben Abid
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Communicable Disease Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Husam Salah
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Khalil Al Ismail
- Communicable Disease Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kun Wang
- Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Saad Taj-Aldeen
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Emad B. Ibrahim
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Patrick Tang
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Andres Perez-Lopez
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Clement K. M. Tsui
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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