1
|
Riebold D, Mahnkopf M, Wicht K, Zubiria-Barrera C, Heise J, Frank M, Misch D, Bauer T, Stocker H, Slevogt H. Axenic Long-Term Cultivation of Pneumocystis jirovecii. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:903. [PMID: 37755011 PMCID: PMC10533121 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090903] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii, a fungus causing severe Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in humans, has long been described as non-culturable. Only isolated short-term experiments with P. jirovecii and a small number of experiments involving animal-derived Pneumocystis species have been published to date. However, P. jirovecii culture conditions may differ significantly from those of animal-derived Pneumocystis, as there are major genotypic and phenotypic differences between them. Establishing a well-performing P. jirovecii cultivation is crucial to understanding PCP and its pathophysiological processes. The aim of this study, therefore, was to develop an axenic culture for Pneumocystis jirovecii. To identify promising approaches for cultivation, a literature survey encompassing animal-derived Pneumocystis cultures was carried out. The variables identified, such as incubation time, pH value, vitamins, amino acids, and other components, were trialed and adjusted to find the optimum conditions for P. jirovecii culture. This allowed us to develop a medium that produced a 42.6-fold increase in P. jirovecii qPCR copy numbers after a 48-day culture. Growth was confirmed microscopically by the increasing number and size of actively growing Pneumocystis clusters in the final medium, DMEM-O3. P. jirovecii doubling time was 8.9 days (range 6.9 to 13.6 days). In conclusion, we successfully cultivated P. jirovecii under optimized cell-free conditions in a 70-day long-term culture for the first time. However, further optimization of the culture conditions for this slow grower is indispensable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Riebold
- Research Centre of Medical Technology and Biotechnology (FZMB), 99947 Bad Langensalza, Germany; (M.M.); (J.H.)
| | - Marie Mahnkopf
- Research Centre of Medical Technology and Biotechnology (FZMB), 99947 Bad Langensalza, Germany; (M.M.); (J.H.)
| | - Kristina Wicht
- Separation Science Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, B-9000 Gent, Belgium;
| | - Cristina Zubiria-Barrera
- Respiratory Infection Dynamics Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; (C.Z.-B.); (H.S.)
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), BREATH, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Heise
- Research Centre of Medical Technology and Biotechnology (FZMB), 99947 Bad Langensalza, Germany; (M.M.); (J.H.)
| | - Marcus Frank
- Medical Biology and Electron Microscopy Centre (EMZ), University Medicine Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Daniel Misch
- Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Helios Klinikum Emil-von-Behring, 14165 Berlin, Germany; (D.M.); (T.B.)
| | - Torsten Bauer
- Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Helios Klinikum Emil-von-Behring, 14165 Berlin, Germany; (D.M.); (T.B.)
| | - Hartmut Stocker
- Clinic for Infectiology, St. Joseph’s Hospital Berlin, 12101 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Hortense Slevogt
- Respiratory Infection Dynamics Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; (C.Z.-B.); (H.S.)
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), BREATH, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ardiaca García M, Montesinos Barceló A, Bonvehí Nadeu C, Jekl V. Respiratory Diseases in Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas and Degus. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2021; 24:419-457. [PMID: 33892894 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease in pet guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus still face profoundly serious challenges owing to their relatively small size, conspicuous clinical signs, difficulty for sampling, and insufficient scientific evidence to correlate signs and particular pathologies. This article is intended to summarize the available information on the relevant anatomy, physiology, and respiratory pathology in these species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrés Montesinos Barceló
- Centro Veterinario Los Sauces, Calle Santa Engracia, 63, Madrid 28010, Spain; Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro, s/n 28040 Madrid Spain
| | | | - Vladimír Jekl
- Small Mammal, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; Jekl and Hauptman Veterinary Clinic, Focused on Exotic Companion Mammal Care, Mojmírovo Náměstí 3105/6a, Brno 612 00, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Danesi P, Corrò M, Falcaro C, Carminato A, Furlanello T, Cocchi M, Krockenberger MB, Meyer W, Capelli G, Malik R. Molecular detection of Pneumocystis in the lungs of cats. Med Mycol 2020; 57:813-824. [PMID: 30566653 PMCID: PMC7107658 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Pneumocystis comprises potential pathogens that reside normally in the lungs of a wide range of mammals. Although they generally behave as transient or permanent commensals, they can occasionally cause life-threatening pneumonia (Pneumocystis pneumonia; PCP) in immunosuppressed individuals. Several decades ago, the presence of Pneumocystis morphotypes (trophic forms and cysts) was described in the lungs of normal cats and cats with experimentally induced symptomatic PCP (after immunosuppression by corticosteroids); yet to date spontaneous or drug-induced PCP has not been described in the clinical feline literature, despite immunosuppression of cats by long-standing retrovirus infections or after kidney transplantation. In this study, we describe the presence of Pneumocystis DNA in the lungs of normal cats (that died of various unrelated causes; n = 84) using polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) targeting the mitochondrial small and large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (mtSSU rRNA and mtLSU rRNA). The presence of Pneumocystis DNA was confirmed by sequencing in 24/84 (29%) cats, with evidence of two different sequence types (or lineages). Phylogenetically, lineage1 (L1; 19 cats) and lineage 2 (L2; 5 cats) formed separate clades, clustering with Pneumocystis from domestic pigs (L1) and carnivores (L2), respectively. Results of the present study support the notion that cats can be colonized or subclinically infected by Pneumocystis, without histological evidence of damage to the pulmonary parenchyma referable to pneumocystosis. Pneumocystis seems most likely an innocuous pathogen of cats’ lungs, but its possible role in the exacerbation of chronic pulmonary disorders or viral/bacterial coinfections should be considered further in a clinical setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Danesi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Michela Corrò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Christian Falcaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Antonio Carminato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | | | - Monia Cocchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Mark B Krockenberger
- Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Westmead Clinical School, Marie Bashir Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Richard Malik
- Centre for Veterinary Education, B22, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chabé M, Aliouat-Denis CM, Delhaes L, Aliouat EM, Viscogliosi E, Dei-Cas E. Pneumocystis: from a doubtful unique entity to a group of highly diversified fungal species. FEMS Yeast Res 2010; 11:2-17. [PMID: 21114625 DOI: 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2010.00698.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
At the end of the 20th century the unique taxonomically enigmatic entity called Pneumocystis carinii was identified as a heterogeneous group of microscopic Fungi, constituted of multiple stenoxenic biological entities largely spread across ecosystems, closely adapted to, and coevolving in parallel with, mammal species. The discoveries and reasoning that led to the current conceptions about the taxonomy of Pneumocystis at the species level are examined here. The present review also focuses on the biological, morphological and phylogenetical features of Pneumocystis jirovecii, Pneumocystis oryctolagi, Pneumocystis murina, P. carinii and Pneumocystis wakefieldiae, the five Pneumocystis species described until now, mainly on the basis of the phylogenetic species concept. Interestingly, Pneumocystis organisms exhibit a successful adaptation enabling them to dwell and replicate in the lungs of both immunocompromised and healthy mammals, which can act as infection reservoirs. The role of healthy carriers in aerial disease transmission is nowadays recognized as a major contribution to Pneumocystis circulation, and Pneumocystis infection of nonimmunosuppressed hosts has emerged as a public health issue. More studies need to be undertaken both on the clinical consequences of the presence of Pneumocystis in healthy carriers and on the intricate Pneumocystis life cycle to better define its epidemiology, to adapt existing therapies to each clinical context and to discover new drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magali Chabé
- Biology and Diversity of Emergent Eukaryotic Pathogens (BDEEP)-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Pasteur Institute of Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, University Lille-Nord-de-France, Lille, France.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Aliouat-Denis CM, Chabé M, Demanche C, Aliouat EM, Viscogliosi E, Guillot J, Delhaes L, Dei-Cas E. Pneumocystis species, co-evolution and pathogenic power. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2008; 8:708-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2008.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2008] [Revised: 05/02/2008] [Accepted: 05/03/2008] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
|
6
|
Kim JS, Kim YK, Park JY, Mo EK, Kim HS, Song W, Cho HC, Lee KM. Analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 Sequences of Pneumocystis jiroveci from Clinical Specimens. Chonnam Med J 2008. [DOI: 10.4068/cmj.2008.44.2.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Seok Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Kyun Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Young Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Kyung Mo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Han Sung Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Wonkeun Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyoun Chan Cho
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyu Man Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Pneumocystis organisms can cause pneumonia in mammals that lack a strong immune defense. The genus Pneumocystis contains many different organisms that can be distinguished by DNA sequence analysis. These different organisms are different species of yeast-like fungi that are most closely related to the ascomycete, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Each species of Pneumocystis appears to be specific for the mammal in which it is found. The species that infects humans is Pneumocystis jiroveci. P. jiroveci has not been found in any other mammal and the species of Pneumocystis found in other mammals have not been seen in humans. Genetic variation among P. jiroveci samples is common, suggesting that there are many strains. Strain analysis shows that adults can be infected by more than one strain, and suggests that pneumonia can be the result of infection occurring proximal to the time of disease, rather than to reactivation of dormant organisms acquired in early childhood. Nevertheless, long-term colonisation may be occurring. A large fraction of normal children and animals show evidence of infection. A Pneumocystis species that grows in rats has been shown to possess a complex genetic system for surface antigen variation, a strategy employed by other microbes that dwell in immunocompetent hosts. These findings, together with strong host specificity, suggest that Pneumocystis species may be obligate parasites. The source of infection is not clear. Pneumocystis DNA is detectable in the air, but is scarce except in environments occupied by individuals with Pneumocystis pneumonia. In a few cases, there is direct evidence of person to person transmission. In general, however, patients and their contacts have been found to have different strains of P. jiroveci.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James R Stringer
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45220-0524, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chung BS, Pars YK, Huh S, Yu JR, Kim J, Shi X, Cho SR, Lee SH, Hong ST. Genetic heterogeneity of Pneumocystis carinii from rats of several regions and strains. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2000; 38:151-8. [PMID: 11002650 PMCID: PMC2721194 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2000.38.3.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pneumocystis carinii is a major opportunistic pathogen which has been found in the lungs of a wide variety of mammalian host species, and the fact suggests the possibility of intraspecific variation. Until now, P. carinii from different mammalian species are differentiated as subspecies, and the rats are known to be infected by two subspecies. The present study investigated genetic heterogeneity of P. carinii isolates from two strains of rats in Korea and China by molecular karyotyping, RFLP and sequencing analysis. Karyotypes of P. carinii were grouped into three, two from two strains of rats in Korea and one from rats in China. However RFLP of PCR product of ribosomal and MSG gene of the P. carinii isolates showed same pattern. The sequence homology rates of alpha-tubulin DNA of the P. carinii isolates were 96% in Seoul Wistar rats, 93% in Seoul Sprague-Dawley rats, and 85% in Chinese Sprague-Dawley rats. The present finding confirmed that P. carinii from rats in Korea are grouped into two karyotype strains which are different from that of P. carinii from rats in China. The Chinese isolate shows a little different sequences of alpha-tubulin DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B S Chung
- Department of Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|