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Haranto T, Khunnamwong P, Wongkamhaeng K, Lueangjaroenkit P. Exophiala amphawaensis sp. nov., a novel black yeast isolated from the gut of amphipods in Thailand. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2024; 74. [PMID: 38713196 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The genus Exophiala is polymorphic, able to transition between yeast, hyphal and pseudohyphal forms. Species of the genus Exophiala are ubiquitous fungi that are distributed in various environments around the world. During a survey of fungal diversity in the gut of amphipods (Floresorchestia amphawaensis and undescribed Dogielinotid amphipods) from the Amphawa estuary, Samut Songkhram province, Thailand, five black yeast strains (DMKU-MG01, DMKU-MG07, DMKU-MG08, DMKU-HG10 and DMKU-FG04) were identified as representing a novel taxon on the basis of a combination of morphological and molecular phylogenetic features. The five strains did not produce filamentous hyphae or pseudohyphae. Only budding yeast cells were observed. On the basis of the phenotypic characteristics and the results of molecular analyses of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the five strains were identified as representing a novel species via applied nucleotide pairwise analysis. They differed from the most closely related species Exophiala alcalophiala by 3.54 % nucleotide substitutions (20 nucleotide substitutions in 572 bp) in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene. Moreover, the sequences of the ITS region of the five strains differed from those of the most closely related species E. alcalophiala, by 7.44-9.62 % nucleotide substitutions, and Exophiala halophiala, by 7.2-7.53 % nucleotide substitutions. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated sequences of the ITS regions and the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene confirmed that the five black yeast strains represented a single novel species of the genus Exophiala. In this study, Exophiala amphawaensis sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these strains. The holotype is TBRC 15626T and the isotype is PYCC9020. The MycoBank accession number of the novel species is MB 851477.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tita Haranto
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Pannida Khunnamwong
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Biodiversity Center Kasetsart University (BDCKU), Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Koraon Wongkamhaeng
- Biodiversity Center Kasetsart University (BDCKU), Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Piyangkun Lueangjaroenkit
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Biodiversity Center Kasetsart University (BDCKU), Bangkok 10900, Thailand
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2
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Guerra-Mateo D, Cano-Lira JF, Fernández-Bravo A, Gené J. Sunken Riches: Ascomycete Diversity in the Western Mediterranean Coast through Direct Plating and Flocculation, and Description of Four New Taxa. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:281. [PMID: 38667952 PMCID: PMC11051201 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040281] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea stands out as a hotspot of biodiversity, whose fungal composition remains underexplored. Marine sediments represent the most diverse substrate; however, the challenge of recovering fungi in culture hinders the precise identification of this diversity. Concentration techniques like skimmed milk flocculation (SMF) could represent a suitable solution. Here, we compare the effectiveness in recovering filamentous ascomycetes of direct plating and SMF in combination with three culture media and two incubation temperatures, and we describe the fungal diversity detected in marine sediments. Sediments were collected at different depths on two beaches (Miracle and Arrabassada) on the Spanish western Mediterranean coast between 2021 and 2022. We recovered 362 strains, and after a morphological selection, 188 were identified primarily with the LSU and ITS barcodes, representing 54 genera and 94 species. Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Scedosporium were the most common genera, with different percentages of abundance between both beaches. Arrabassada Beach was more heterogeneous, with 42 genera representing 60 species (Miracle Beach, 28 genera and 54 species). Although most species were recovered with direct plating (70 species), 20 species were exclusively obtained using SMF as a sample pre-treatment, improving our ability to detect fungi in culture. In addition, we propose three new species in the genera Exophiala, Nigrocephalum, and Queenslandipenidiella, and a fourth representing the novel genus Schizochlamydosporiella. We concluded that SMF is a useful technique that, in combination with direct plating, including different culture media and incubation temperatures, improves the chance of recovering marine fungal communities in culture-dependent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Josepa Gené
- Unitat de Micologia i Microbiologia Ambiental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut and Institut Universitari de Recerca en Sostenibilitat, Canvi Climàtic i Transició Energètica (IU-RESCAT), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain; (D.G.-M.); (J.F.C.-L.); (A.F.-B.)
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3
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Zareshahrabadi Z, Amirzadeh N, Pakshir K, Nasr R, Mohammadi R, Zomorodian K. Evaluation of building washing machines as an extreme environment for potentially pathogenic fungi. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21408. [PMID: 38049507 PMCID: PMC10695939 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48598-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Washing machines are commonly used in households and are considered indispensable appliances for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. Environmental conditions within household washing machines are ideal for fungal colonization, which may pose risks to human health and contribute to sick building syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the fungal species contamination in the building washing machines. A total of 50 building washing machines were swab-sampled at three locations: the detergent drawer, the inner and outer parts of the rubber door seal. The housekeeping conditions of these appliances were assessed through a questionnaire. The isolated fungi were identified using standard mycological diagnostic procedures and molecular analysis based on the ITS1/ITS4 and β-tubulin gene regions. The possibility of fungal agents transferring from contaminated washing machines to autoclaved clothes during laundry cycles was investigated. Fungi were detected in 82% of the sampled appliances, with the inner rubber door seal being the most frequently colonized area. Using conventional and molecular techniques, we identified 122 fungal isolates, encompassing 17 diverse genera of molds, yeast-like, and yeast fungi. The mold fungi included 14 genera of hyaline and black genus. Among these, the most frequently identified genera of hyaline and black fungi were Aspergillus (27.7%), and Cladosporium (10.7%), respectively. This study demonstrates that building washing machines may serve as suitable ecological niches for fungal growth and transmission. Therefore, regular cleaning and disinfection of these devices are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Zareshahrabadi
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Neda Amirzadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Keyvan Pakshir
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Nasr
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Rasoul Mohammadi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Kamiar Zomorodian
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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4
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Costa FDF, Souza RSCD, Voidaleski MF, Gomes RR, Reis GF, Lima BJFDS, Candido GZ, Geraldo MR, Soares JMB, Schneider GX, Trindade EDS, Bini IH, Moreno LF, Bombassaro A, Queiroz-Telles F, Raittz RT, Quan Y, Arruda P, Attili-Angelis D, de Hoog S, Vicente VA. Sugarcane: an unexpected habitat for black yeasts in Chaetothyriales. IMA Fungus 2023; 14:20. [PMID: 37794500 PMCID: PMC10552356 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-023-00124-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum, Poaceae) is cultivated on a large scale in (sub)tropical regions such as Brazil and has considerable economic value for sugar and biofuel production. The plant is a rich substrate for endo- and epiphytic fungi. Black yeasts in the family Herpotrichiellaceae (Chaetothyriales) are colonizers of human-dominated habitats, particularly those rich in toxins and hydrocarbon pollutants, and may cause severe infections in susceptible human hosts. The present study assessed the diversity of Herpotrichiellaceae associated with sugarcane, using in silico identification and selective isolation. Using metagenomics, we identified 5833 fungal sequences, while 639 black yeast-like isolates were recovered in vitro. In both strategies, the latter fungi were identified as members of the genera Cladophialophora, Exophiala, and Rhinocladiella (Herpotrichiellaceae), Cyphellophora (Cyphellophoraceae), and Knufia (Trichomeriaceae). In addition, we discovered new species of Cladophialophora and Exophiala from sugarcane and its rhizosphere. The first environmental isolation of Cladophialophora bantiana is particularly noteworthy, because this species up to now is exclusively known from the human host where it mostly causes fatal brain disease in otherwise healthy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia de F Costa
- Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Rafael S C de Souza
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Engineering Center, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Morgana F Voidaleski
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Renata R Gomes
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Guilherme F Reis
- Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Bruna J F de S Lima
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Z Candido
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marlon R Geraldo
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Jade M B Soares
- Biological Sciences Graduation, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Gabriela X Schneider
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Israel H Bini
- Department of Cell Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Leandro F Moreno
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Amanda Bombassaro
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Flávio Queiroz-Telles
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Roberto T Raittz
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Professional and Technological Education Sector, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Yu Quan
- Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud, University Medical Center / Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paulo Arruda
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Engineering Center, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Genetics and Evolution Department, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Derlene Attili-Angelis
- Division of Microbial Resources (DRM/CPQBA), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
- Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud, University Medical Center / Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Vania A Vicente
- Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
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Thitla T, Kumla J, Hongsanan S, Senwanna C, Khuna S, Lumyong S, Suwannarach N. Exploring diversity rock-inhabiting fungi from northern Thailand: a new genus and three new species belonged to the family Herpotrichiellaceae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1252482. [PMID: 37692164 PMCID: PMC10485699 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1252482] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the family Herpotrichiellaceae are distributed worldwide and can be found in various habitats including on insects, plants, rocks, and in the soil. They are also known to be opportunistic human pathogens. In this study, 12 strains of rock-inhabiting fungi that belong to Herpotrichiellaceae were isolated from rock samples collected from forests located in Lamphun and Sukhothai provinces of northern Thailand during the period from 2021 to 2022. On the basis of the morphological characteristics, growth temperature, and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of a combination of the internal transcribed spacer, the large subunit, and the small subunit of ribosomal RNA, beta tubulin and the translation elongation factor 1-a genes, the new genus, Petriomyces gen. nov., has been established to accommodate the single species, Pe. obovoidisporus sp. nov. In addition, three new species of Cladophialophora have also been introduced, namely, Cl. rupestricola, Cl. sribuabanensis, and Cl. thailandensis. Descriptions, illustrations, and a phylogenetic trees indicating the placement of these new taxa are provided. Here, we provide updates and discussions on the phylogenetic placement of other fungal genera within Herpotrichiellaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanapol Thitla
- Master of Science Program in Applied Microbiology (International Program), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Jaturong Kumla
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Sinang Hongsanan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chanokned Senwanna
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Surapong Khuna
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Saisamorn Lumyong
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nakarin Suwannarach
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Jirawat N, Leelayuwatanakul N. Unusual manifestation of pulmonary Verruconis gallopava infection with synchronous reactive pericardial effusion in a non-transplanted patient. BMJ Case Rep 2023; 16:e251835. [PMID: 37474138 PMCID: PMC10360439 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-251835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Verruconis gallopava is an emerging causative agent in solid organ transplant patients, increasing in prevalence both in non-transplanted patients and also in immunocompetent ones, albeit rarely. In this case report, we describe an unusual V. gallopava infection in a patient with steroid-dependent autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. The chest CT scan revealed a mass-like consolidation in the superior segment of the right lower lobe, and bronchoscopic examination confirmed V. gallopava from bronchoalveolar lavage. The histopathology showed non-necrotising granulomatous inflammation concurrent with septate-pigmented hyphae, which is compatible with dematiaceous fungi. After 3 weeks of posaconazole treatment, the patient developed a new pericardial effusion. Further investigations, including culture, cytology and histopathology, yielded negative results, leading to suspicion of reactive pericardial effusion associated with V. gallopava pulmonary infection. The patient received antifungal therapy for 9 months, after which a follow-up chest CT scan showed complete resolution of consolidation and pericardial effusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Napat Jirawat
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nophol Leelayuwatanakul
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Chang R, Wang Y, Liu Y, Wang Y, Li S, Zhao G, Zhang S, Dai M, Zheng X, Bose T, Si H. Nine new species of black lichenicolous fungi from the genus Cladophialophora (Chaetothyriales) from two different climatic zones of China. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1191818. [PMID: 37396360 PMCID: PMC10312087 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1191818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichenicolous fungi are parasites of lichens. Many of these fungi are referred to as "black fungi". A diversity of these black fungi include species that are pathogenic to humans and plants. A majority of black fungi reside in the phylum Ascomycota within the sub-classes Chaetothyriomycetidae and Dothideomycetidae. To explore the diversity of lichenicolous "black fungi" associated with lichens in China, we conducted several field surveys in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province between 2019 and 2020. We recovered 1,587 fungal isolates from the lichens collected during these surveys. During the preliminary identification of these isolates using the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), and small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (SSU), we identified 15 fungal isolates from the genus Cladophialophora. However, these isolates had low sequence similarities with all known species from the genus. Therefore, we amplified additional gene regions, such as, translation elongation factor (TEF) and partial β-tubulin gene (TUB), and constructed a multi-gene phylogeny using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference. In our datasets, we included type sequences where available for all Cladophialophora species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that none of the 15 isolates belonged to any of the previously described species in the genus. Therefore, using both morphological and molecular data, we classified these 15 isolates as nine new species within the genus Cladophialophora: C. flavoparmeliae, C. guttulate, C. heterodermiae, C. holosericea, C. lichenis, C. moniliformis, C. mongoliae, C. olivacea, and C. yunnanensis. The outcome from this study shows that lichens are an important refugia for black lichenicolous fungi, such as those from Chaetothyriales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runlei Chang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Dongying Institute, Shandong Normal University, Dongying, China
| | - Yichen Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Yanyu Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Yiran Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Shiguo Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Dongying Institute, Shandong Normal University, Dongying, China
| | - Guoyan Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Dongying Institute, Shandong Normal University, Dongying, China
| | - Susu Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Dongying Institute, Shandong Normal University, Dongying, China
| | - Meixue Dai
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Dongying Institute, Shandong Normal University, Dongying, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zheng
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Tanay Bose
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Hongli Si
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Dongying Institute, Shandong Normal University, Dongying, China
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Torres-Garcia D, García D, Réblová M, Jurjević Ž, Hubka V, Gené J. Diversity and novel lineages of black yeasts in Chaetothyriales from freshwater sediments in Spain. PERSOONIA 2023; 51:194-228. [PMID: 38665982 PMCID: PMC11041900 DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Black yeasts comprise a group of Ascomycota of the order Chaetothyriales with highly variable morphology, a great diversity of ecological niches and life cycles. Despite the ubiquity of these fungi, their diversity in freshwater sediments is still poorly understood. During a survey of culturable Ascomycota from river and stream sediments in various sampling sites in Spain, we obtained 47 isolates of black yeasts by using potato dextrose agar supplemented with cycloheximide. A preliminary morphological study and sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear rDNA revealed that most of the isolates belonged to the family Herpotrichiellaceae. We have confidently identified 30 isolates representing the following species: Capronia pulcherrima, Cladophialophora emmonsii, Exophiala equina, Exophiala pisciphila, Exophiala radicis, and Phialophora americana. However, we encountered difficulty in assigning 17 cultures to any known species within Chaetothyriales. Combining phenotypic and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on the ITS, LSU, β-tubulin (tub2) and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α) gene markers, we propose the new genus Aciculomyces in the Herpotrichiellaceae to accommodate the novel species Aciculomyces restrictus. Other novel species in this family include Cladophialophora denticulata, Cladophialophora heterospora, Cladophialophora irregularis, Exophiala candelabrata, Exophiala dehoogii, Exophiala ramosa, Exophiala verticillata and Phialophora submersa. The new species Cyphellophora spiralis, closely related to Cyphellophora suttonii, is described, and the phylogeny of the genus Anthopsis in the family Cyphellophoraceae is discussed. By utilizing these four markers, we were able to strengthen the phylogenetic resolution and provide more robust taxonomic assessments within the studied group. Our findings indicate that freshwater sediments may serve as a reservoir for intriguing black yeasts, which warrant further investigation to address gaps in phylogenetic relationships, particularly within Herpotrichiellaceae. Citation: Torres-Garcia D, García D, Réblová M, et al. 2023. Diversity and novel lineages of black yeasts in Chaetothyriales from freshwater sediments in Spain. Persoonia 51: 194-228. doi: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.05.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Torres-Garcia
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut and IU-RESCAT, Unitat de Micologia i Microbiologia Ambiental, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - D. García
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut and IU-RESCAT, Unitat de Micologia i Microbiologia Ambiental, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - M. Réblová
- The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany, Department of Taxonomy, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | - Ž. Jurjević
- EMSL Analytical, Cinnaminson, New Jersey, USA
| | - V. Hubka
- Charles University, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany, Prague, Czech Republic
- The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J. Gené
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut and IU-RESCAT, Unitat de Micologia i Microbiologia Ambiental, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
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9
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Barrantes Murillo DF, Anderson S, Capobianco C, Lewbart GA, Wiederhold NP, Cañete-Gibas CF, Negrão Watanabe TT. Systemic Exophiala equina infection in an Eastern box turtle ( Terrapene carolina carolina): a case report and literature review. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1158393. [PMID: 37252397 PMCID: PMC10213272 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1158393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by melanized fungi. This disease has been reported in several animal species including invertebrates, cold-blooded vertebrates, mammals, and humans. Melanized fungi have similar phenotypical features and confirmation requires culture and molecular diagnostics. To exemplify this we present a case of a 333 g adult of unknown age, free-ranging, male Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) that was referred to the Turtle Rescue Team at North Carolina State University for evaluation of multilobulated masses occupying the entire left orbit and at the right forelimb on the plantarolateral aspect of the foot. A fine needle aspirate cytologic examination of the mass on the right forelimb revealed large numbers of inflammatory cells and fungal organisms. Histopathology of the skin biopsies from the right forefoot was consistent with phaeohyphomycosis. A course of antifungal medication was started (Fluconazole 21 mg/kg loading dose IV then 5 mg/kg PO SID q 30 days). Due to concern for the patient's quality of life and the lack of a curative treatment plan, humane euthanasia was elected. Gross and histological postmortem examination confirmed the presence of multiple coelomic masses similar in appearance to those observed in the left orbit and right forefoot indicating disseminated phaeohyphomycosis. A swab of the periocular mass was submitted for fungal culture and phenotypic identification. The isolate was later identified as Exophiala equina through a combination of phenotypic characterization and sequencing of the ITS region of the nuclear rDNA. Exophiala is a genus in the family Herpotrichiellaceae, order Chaetothyriales and is considered an opportunistic "black yeast" causing infection in aquatic invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals including humans. Exophiala equina is infrequently reported in animals, with only three cases in the literature including the herein report.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephanie Anderson
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Christian Capobianco
- Department of Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Nathan P. Wiederhold
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Connie F. Cañete-Gibas
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Tatiane Terumi Negrão Watanabe
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Antech Diagnostics, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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10
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The origin of human pathogenicity and biological interactions in Chaetothyriales. FUNGAL DIVERS 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s13225-023-00518-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
AbstractFungi in the order Chaetothyriales are renowned for their ability to cause human infections. Nevertheless, they are not regarded as primary pathogens, but rather as opportunists with a natural habitat in the environment. Extremotolerance is a major trend in the order, but quite different from black yeasts in Capnodiales which focus on endurance, an important additional parameter is advancing toxin management. In the ancestral ecology of rock colonization, the association with metabolite-producing lichens is significant. Ant-association, dealing with pheromones and repellents, is another mainstay in the order. The phylogenetically derived family, Herpotrichiellaceae, shows dual ecology in monoaromatic hydrocarbon assimilation and the ability to cause disease in humans and cold-blooded vertebrates. In this study, data on ecology, phylogeny, and genomics were collected and analyzed in order to support this hypothesis on the evolutionary route of the species of Chaetothyriales. Comparing the ribosomal tree with that of enzymes involved in toluene degradation, a significant expansion of cytochromes is observed and the toluene catabolism is found to be complete in some of the Herpotrichiellaceae. This might enhance human systemic infection. However, since most species have to be traumatically inoculated in order to cause disease, their invasive potential is categorized as opportunism. Only in chromoblastomycosis, true pathogenicity might be surmised. The criterion would be the possible escape of agents of vertebrate disease from the host, enabling dispersal of adapted genotypes to subsequent generations.
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11
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Grassi A, Gambini M, Pantoli M, Toscano S, Albertetti A, Del Frassino DM, Ugochukwu ICI, Romeo O, Otranto D, Cafarchia C. A Lethal Case of Disseminated Cladosporium allicinum Infection in a Captive African Bullfrog. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9020191. [PMID: 36836306 PMCID: PMC9967566 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cladosporium infections have a poor prognosis in animals, most likely due to a lack of knowledge about diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we described a case of a lethal Cladosporium allicinum infection in a captive bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) in Europe. One adult male bullfrog was referred with clinical signs of lethargy and a cutaneous nodule. Fungal infection was suspected on cytology and confirmed by histology and cultural isolation. The mold was identified by molecular methods using partial sequencing of the TEF1α gene and the ITS region of rDNA. Climbazole antifungal treatment was started but the frog died after 30 days, and necropsy was done. Pigmented hyphae and structures consistent with muriform bodies were found on a background of diffuse granulomatous inflammation at cytological and histopathological examinations. Fungal culture revealed the presence of pigmented fungi identified as Cladosporium allicinum only by partial sequencing of the TEF1α gene. A focally extensive granuloma with intralesional hyphae and muriform bodies effacing the architecture of head, liver, kidneys, lungs, and large intestine were retrieved after necropsy. This study is the first Italian report of the occurrence of lethal C. allicinum infection in a frog and highlights the role of this Cladosporium sp. in chromoblastomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Grassi
- I-Vet Diagnostica Veterinaria, 25020 Brescia, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Iniobong Chukwuebuka Ikenna Ugochukwu
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 400001, Nigeria
| | - Orazio Romeo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 6517833131, Iran
| | - Claudia Cafarchia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence:
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12
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Slama SL, Williams GS, Painter MN, Sheedy MD, Sandmeier FC. Temperature and Season Influence Phagocytosis by B1 Lymphocytes in the Mojave Desert Tortoise. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:1683-1692. [PMID: 35536570 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymphocytes are usually interpreted as functioning in adaptive immunity despite evidence that large proportions of these cells (B1 lymphocytes) have innate immune functions, including phagocytosis, in the peripheral blood of ectothermic vertebrates. We used a recently optimized assay to assess environmental influences on phagocytic activity of lymphocytes isolated from the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Previous studies suggest that lymphocytes in this species are associated with reduced pathogen loads, especially in cooler climates, and that lymphocyte numbers fluctuate seasonally. Thus, we evaluated thermal dependence of phagocytic activity in vitro and across seasons. While B1 lymphocytes appeared to be cold-adapted and always increased phagocytosis at cool temperatures, we also found evidence of thermal acclimation. Tortoises upregulated these lymphocytes during cooler seasons in the fall as their preferred body temperatures dropped, and phagocytosis also increased in efficiency during this same time. Like many other ectothermic species, populations of desert tortoises are in decline, in part due to a cold-adapted pathogen that causes chronic respiratory disease. Future studies, similarly focused on the function of B1 lymphocytes, could serve to uncover new patterns in thermal acclimation of immune functions and disease ecology across taxa of ectothermic vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Summer L Slama
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University-Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Blvd Pueblo, CO 81001, USA
| | - Grace S Williams
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University-Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Blvd Pueblo, CO 81001, USA
| | - Mariah N Painter
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University-Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Blvd Pueblo, CO 81001, USA
| | - Maxwell D Sheedy
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University-Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Blvd Pueblo, CO 81001, USA
| | - Franziska C Sandmeier
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University-Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Blvd Pueblo, CO 81001, USA
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13
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Lv R, Yang X, Qiao M, Fang L, Li J, Yu Z. Exophialayunnanensis and Exophialayuxiensis (Chaetothyriales, Herpotrichiellaceae), two new species of soil-inhabiting Exophiala from Yunnan Province, China. MycoKeys 2022; 94:109-124. [PMID: 36760541 PMCID: PMC9836470 DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.94.96782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During a survey of soil fungi collected from Yunnan Province, China, two new species of Exophiala, E.yunnanensis and E.yuxiensis, were isolated from the soil of karst rocky desertification (KRD). The DNA sequences of these respective strains, including internal transcribed spacers (ITS), large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA), partial small subunit (SSU) and β-tubulin (tub2) were sequenced and compared with those from species closely-related to Exophiala. Exophialayunnanensis differs from the phylogenetically closely related E.nagquensis and E.brunnea by its smaller aseptate conidia. Exophialayuxiensis is phylogenetically related to E.lecanii-corni, E.lavatrina and E.mali, but can be distinguished from them by its larger conidia. Full descriptions, illustrations and phylogenetic positions of E.yunnanensis and E.yuxiensis were provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruili Lv
- Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, ChinaYunnan UniversityKunmingChina
| | - Xiaoqian Yang
- Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, ChinaYunnan UniversityKunmingChina
| | - Min Qiao
- Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, ChinaYunnan UniversityKunmingChina
| | - Linlin Fang
- Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, ChinaYunnan UniversityKunmingChina
| | - Jianying Li
- Kunming Edible Fungi Institute of All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, Kunming 650221, ChinaKunming Edible Fungi Institute of All China Federation of Supply and Marketing CooperativesKunmingChina
| | - Zefen Yu
- Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, ChinaYunnan UniversityKunmingChina
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14
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Phaeohyphomycosis due to Exophiala in Aquarium-Housed Lumpfish ( Cyclopterus lumpus): Clinical Diagnosis and Description. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121401. [PMID: 36558735 PMCID: PMC9784618 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala species represents an important disease of concern for farmed and aquarium-housed fish. The objective of this study was to summarize the clinical findings and diagnosis of Exophiala infections in aquarium-housed Cyclopterus lumpus. Clinical records and postmortem pathology reports were reviewed for 15 individuals from 5 public aquaria in the United States and Canada from 2007 to 2015. Fish most commonly presented with cutaneous ulcers and progressive clinical decline despite topical or systemic antifungal therapy. Antemortem fungal culture of cutaneous lesions resulted in colonial growth for 7/12 samples from 8 individuals. Amplification of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of nuclear rDNA identified Exophiala angulospora or Exophiala aquamarina in four samples from three individuals. Postmortem histopathologic findings were consistent with phaeohyphomycosis, with lesions most commonly found in the integument (11/15), gill (9/15), or kidney (9/15) and evidence of fungal angioinvasion and dissemination. DNA extraction and subsequent ITS sequencing from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of seven individuals identified E. angulospora, E. aquamarina, or Cyphellophora sp. in four individuals. Lesion description, distribution, and Exophiala spp. identifications were similar to those reported in farmed C. lumpus. Antemortem clinical and diagnostic findings of phaeohyphomycosis attributable to several species of Exophiala provide insight on the progression of Exophiala infections in lumpfish that may contribute to management of the species in public aquaria and under culture conditions.
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15
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Species Diversity, Distribution, and Phylogeny of Exophiala with the Addition of Four New Species from Thailand. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080766. [PMID: 35893134 PMCID: PMC9331753 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Exophiala is an anamorphic ascomycete fungus in the family Herpotrichiellaceae of the order Chaetothyriales. Exophiala species have been classified as polymorphic black yeast-like fungi. Prior to this study, 63 species had been validated, published, and accepted into this genus. Exophiala species are known to be distributed worldwide and have been isolated in various habitats around the world. Several Exophiala species have been identified as potential agents of human and animal mycoses. However, in some studies, Exophiala species have been used in agriculture and biotechnological applications. Here, we provide a brief review of the diversity, distribution, and taxonomy of Exophiala through an overview of the recently published literature. Moreover, four new Exophiala species were isolated from rocks that were collected from natural forests located in northern Thailand. Herein, we introduce these species as E. lamphunensis, E. lapidea, E. saxicola, and E. siamensis. The identification of these species was based on a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular analyses. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of a combination of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and small subunit (nrSSU) of ribosomal DNA, along with the translation elongation factor (tef), partial β-tubulin (tub), and actin (act) genes support that these four new species are distinct from previously known species of Exophiala. A full description, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree showing the position of four new species are provided.
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16
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Zalar P, Gubenšek A, Gostincar C, Kostanjšek R, Bizjak-Mali L, Gunde-Cimerman N. Cultivable Skin Mycobiota of Healthy and Diseased Blind Cave Salamander (Proteus anguinus). Front Microbiol 2022; 13:926558. [PMID: 35910647 PMCID: PMC9329069 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.926558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteus anguinus is a neotenic cave salamander, endemic to the Dinaric Karst and a symbol of world natural heritage. It is classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is one of the EU priority species in need of strict protection. Due to inaccessibility of their natural underground habitat, scientific studies of the olm have been conducted mainly in captivity, where the amphibians are particularly susceptible to opportunistic microbial infections. In this report, we focused on the diversity of cultivable commensal fungi isolated from the skin of asymptomatic and symptomatic animals obtained from nature (20 specimens) and captivity (22 specimens), as well as from underground water of two karstic caves by direct water filtration and by exposure of keratin-based microbial baits and subsequent isolation from them. In total 244 fungal isolates were recovered from the animals and additional 153 isolates were obtained from water samples. Together, these isolates represented 87 genera and 166 species. Symptomatic animals were colonized by a variety of fungal species, most of them represented by a single isolate, including genera known for their involvement in chromomycosis, phaeohyphomycosis and zygomycosis in amphibians: Acremonium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Exophiala, Fusarium, Mucor, Ochroconis, Phialophora and Penicillium. One symptomatic specimen sampled from nature was infected by the oomycete Saprolegnia parasitica, the known causative agent of saprolegniosis. This is the first comprehensive report on cultivable skin mycobiome of this unique amphibian in nature and in captivity, with an emphasis on potentially pathogenic fungi and oomycetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polona Zalar
- Chair of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Gubenšek
- Chair of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Cene Gostincar
- Chair of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Kostanjšek
- Chair of Zoology, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lilijana Bizjak-Mali
- Chair of Zoology, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Chair of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Nina Gunde-Cimerman,
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17
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Marques GN, Cota JB, Leal MO, Silva NU, Flanagan CA, Crosta L, Tavares L, Oliveira M. First Documentation of Exophiala spp. Isolation in Psittaciformes. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131699. [PMID: 35804598 PMCID: PMC9264867 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Several fungi species are reported to act as opportunistic agents of infection in avian species. After the isolation of Exophiala spp., a dematiaceous fungal pathogen associated with a mucosal lesion in a military macaw (Ara militar), samples were collected from another 24 birds of the order Psittaciformes to study the possibility of Exophiala spp. being part of the commensal microbiota of these animals or its possible association with other clinical conditions. Swab samples were collected from the trachea and/or choanae of the birds and inoculated in Sabouraud chloramphenicol agar for fungal isolation. After incubation, fungal species were identified through their macroscopic and microscopic morphology. The presence of Exophiala spp. was identified in 15 of the 25 birds sampled and no statistical association was found between the clinical record of the birds and the fungal isolation. Our results suggest that Exophiala spp. can colonize the upper respiratory airways of psittaciform birds and has a low pathogenic potential in these animals. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of Exophiala spp. isolation from samples of the upper respiratory tract of Psittaciformes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo N. Marques
- Zoomarine Portugal, E.N. 125, Km 65, 8201-864 Guia, Portugal; (G.N.M.); (M.O.L.); (N.U.S.); (C.A.F.)
| | - João B. Cota
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.B.C.); (L.T.)
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miriam O. Leal
- Zoomarine Portugal, E.N. 125, Km 65, 8201-864 Guia, Portugal; (G.N.M.); (M.O.L.); (N.U.S.); (C.A.F.)
| | - Nuno U. Silva
- Zoomarine Portugal, E.N. 125, Km 65, 8201-864 Guia, Portugal; (G.N.M.); (M.O.L.); (N.U.S.); (C.A.F.)
| | - Carla A. Flanagan
- Zoomarine Portugal, E.N. 125, Km 65, 8201-864 Guia, Portugal; (G.N.M.); (M.O.L.); (N.U.S.); (C.A.F.)
| | - Lorenzo Crosta
- AEZAVEC (Avian, Exotic and Zoo Animal Veterinary Consultants), 22040 Tirol, Italy;
| | - Luís Tavares
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.B.C.); (L.T.)
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.B.C.); (L.T.)
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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Calabon MS, Hyde KD, Jones EBG, Luo ZL, Dong W, Hurdeal VG, Gentekaki E, Rossi W, Leonardi M, Thiyagaraja V, Lestari AS, Shen HW, Bao DF, Boonyuen N, Zeng M. Freshwater fungal numbers. FUNGAL DIVERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13225-022-00503-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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19
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20
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Likar M, Grašič M, Stres B, Regvar M, Gaberščik A. Original Leaf Colonisers Shape Fungal Decomposer Communities of Phragmites australis in Intermittent Habitats. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8030284. [PMID: 35330286 PMCID: PMC8951327 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030284] [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: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Common reed (Phragmites australis) has high biomass production and is primarily subjected to decomposition processes affected by multiple factors. To predict litter decomposition dynamics in intermittent lakes, it is critical to understand how communities of fungi, as the primary decomposers, form under different habitat conditions. This study reports the shotgun metagenomic sequencing of the initial fungal communities on common reed leaves decomposing under different environmental conditions. We demonstrate that a complex network of fungi forms already on the plant persists into the decomposition phase. Phragmites australis leaves contained at least five fungal phyla, with abundant Ascomycota (95.7%) and Basidiomycota (4.1%), identified as saprotrophs (48.6%), pathotrophs (22.5%), and symbiotrophs (12.6%). Most of the correlations between fungi in fresh and decomposing leaves were identified as co-occurrences (positive correlations). The geographic source of litter and leaf age did not affect the structure and diversity of fungal communities. Keystone taxa were mostly moisture-sensitive. Our results suggest that habitat has a strong effect on the formation of the fungal communities through keystone taxa. Nevertheless, it can also alter the proportions of individual fungal groups in the community through indirect effects on competition between the fungal taxa and their exploitation of favourable conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matevž Likar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (M.R.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-320-3-418
| | - Mateja Grašič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (M.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Blaž Stres
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Marjana Regvar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (M.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Alenka Gaberščik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.G.); (M.R.); (A.G.)
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Oliva A, Garner RE, Walsh D, Huot Y. The occurrence of potentially pathogenic fungi and protists in Canadian lakes predicted using geomatics, in situ and satellite-derived variables: Towards a tele-epidemiological approach. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 209:117935. [PMID: 34915335 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic pathogens including fungi and enteroparasites infect humans, animals and plants. As integrators of landscape catchment, lakes can reflect and record biological and geochemical events or anthropogenic changes and provide useful knowledge to formulate public health, food security and water policies to manage and prevent diseases. In this context, potentially pathogenic fungi and parasites were sampled using 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in 382 lakes displaying a broad range of sizes and human impact on the watershed in 10 ecozones across Canada. Based on pathogen classifications from the ePATHogen database published by the Public Health Agency of Canada, we identified 23 health-relevant genera for human and animal hosts, including Cryptococcus and Cryptosporidium. Our study investigated the potential of remote sensing and geomatics to predict microbial contamination in a tele-epidemiological approach. We used boosted regression tree modeling to evaluate the probability of occurrence of the most common genera found in our dataset based on 10 satellite-derivable, geomatics and field survey variables which could be potential sources or transport mechanisms through the watershed or survival factors in the water. We found that southern ecozones that possess the highest agricultural and pasture activities tend to contain lakes with the largest number of potential pathogens including several fungi associated with plant diseases. Bio-optical factors, such as colored dissolved organic matter, were highly related to the occurrence of the genera, potentially by protecting against damage from ultraviolet light. Our results demonstrate the capability of tele-epidemiology to provide useful information to develop government policies for recreational and drinking water regulations as well as for food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Oliva
- Département de Géomatique Appliquée, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; CARTEL - Centre d'applications et de recherche en télédétection, Département de Géomatique Appliquée, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; GRIL - Groupement de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie, Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Campus MIL, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
| | - Rebecca E Garner
- GRIL - Groupement de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie, Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Campus MIL, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - David Walsh
- GRIL - Groupement de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie, Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Campus MIL, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Yannick Huot
- Département de Géomatique Appliquée, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; CARTEL - Centre d'applications et de recherche en télédétection, Département de Géomatique Appliquée, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada; GRIL - Groupement de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie, Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Campus MIL, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
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22
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Wolińska A, Podlewski J, Słomczewski A, Grządziel J, Gałązka A, Kuźniar A. Fungal Indicators of Sensitivity and Resistance to Long-Term Maize Monoculture: A Culture-Independent Approach. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:799378. [PMID: 35046921 PMCID: PMC8761758 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.799378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Although fungi are regarded as very important components of soils, the knowledge of their community in agricultural (monocultural) soils is still limited. This indicates that soil fungal communities are investigated less intensively than bacteria. Therefore, the main goal of this paper was to evaluate the fungal mycobiome structure in monoculture soils in a culture-independent approach. Firstly, the study was conducted to identify the core mycobiome composition and its variability at different stages of the maize growing season (spring, summer, and autumn). Secondly, we identified and recommended fungal indicators of both sensitivity and resistance to long-term maize monoculture. Two neighboring fields from the Potulicka Foundation area were selected for the study: K20 sown with a Gorzow mixture (intercropping mixture) to improve soil quality after a maize monoculture in 2020 and K21, where long-term (over 30 years) monoculture cultivation was continued. The basic chemical features [acidity, redox potential, total organic carbon (TOC), and moisture] of soils were determined, fungal genetic diversity was assessed by ITS next generation sequencing (NGS) analyses, and biodiversity indices were calculated. The results of the NGS technique facilitated recognition and classification of the fungal mycobiome to the taxonomic genus level and changes in the fungal structure in the three periods (spring, summer, and autumn) were assessed. It was evidenced that the mycobiome composition was dependent on both the seasons and the agricultural practices. It was also found that even a 1-year break in the monoculture in favor of an intercropping mixture improved soil properties thus contributing to higher biodiversity. Mortierella was recommended as a potential indicator of sensitivity to long-term maize cultivation, whereas Solicoccozyma and Exophiala were proposed as indicators of resistance to long-term maize cultivation. We proved that the precision farming principles applied on the Potulicka Foundation farm had a very positive effect on fungal biodiversity, which was high even in the long-term maize monoculture field. Therefore, the monoculture cultivation carried out in this way does not induce biological degradation of monoculture soils but preserves their good biological quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Wolińska
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology of Microorganisms, Institute of Biological Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | | | | | - Jarosław Grządziel
- Department of Agriculture Microbiology, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation in Pulawy, Puławy, Poland
| | - Anna Gałązka
- Department of Agriculture Microbiology, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation in Pulawy, Puławy, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kuźniar
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology of Microorganisms, Institute of Biological Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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23
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Alimu Y, Ban S, Yaguchi T. Molecular Phylogenetic Study of Strains Morphologically Identified as <i>Exophiala dermatitidis</i> from Clinical and Environmental Specimens in Japan. Med Mycol J 2022; 63:1-9. [DOI: 10.3314/mmj.21-00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yikelamu Alimu
- Medical Mycology Research Center (MMRC), Chiba University
| | - Sayaka Ban
- Medical Mycology Research Center (MMRC), Chiba University
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24
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Romsdahl J, Schultzhaus Z, Cuomo CA, Dong H, Abeyratne-Perera H, Hervey WJ, Wang Z. Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast Exophiala lecanii-corni Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:1078. [PMID: 34947060 PMCID: PMC8709033 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The black yeast Exophiala lecanii-corni of the order Chaetothyriales is notable for its ability to produce abundant quantities of DHN-melanin. While many other Exophiala species are frequent causal agents of human infection, E. lecanii-corni CBS 102400 lacks the thermotolerance requirements that enable pathogenicity, making it appealing for use in targeted functional studies and biotechnological applications. Here, we report the stress tolerance characteristics of E. lecanii-corni, with an emphasis on the influence of melanin on its resistance to various forms of stress. We find that E. lecanii-corni has a distinct stress tolerance profile that includes variation in resistance to temperature, osmotic, and oxidative stress relative to the extremophilic and pathogenic black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis. Notably, the presence of melanin substantially impacts stress resistance in E. lecanii-corni, while this was not found to be the case in E. dermatitidis. The cellular context, therefore, influences the role of melanin in stress protection. In addition, we present a detailed analysis of the E. lecanii-corni genome, revealing key differences in functional genetic content relative to other ascomycetous species, including a significant decrease in abundance of genes encoding ribosomal proteins. In all, this study provides insight into how genetics and physiology may underlie stress tolerance and enhances understanding of the genetic diversity of black yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Romsdahl
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA;
| | - Zachary Schultzhaus
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA; (Z.S.); (W.J.H.IV)
| | - Christina A. Cuomo
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA;
| | - Hong Dong
- Biotechnology Branch, CCDC Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD 20783, USA;
| | - Hashanthi Abeyratne-Perera
- American Society for Engineering Education Postdoctoral Research Associate, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA;
| | - W. Judson Hervey
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA; (Z.S.); (W.J.H.IV)
| | - Zheng Wang
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA; (Z.S.); (W.J.H.IV)
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25
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Yang XQ, Feng MY, Yu ZF. Exophiala pseudooligosperma sp. nov., a novel black yeast from soil in southern China. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021; 71. [PMID: 34846290 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exophiala is an important genus, with several species associated with infections in humans and animals. In a survey of soil fungal diversity in Yunnan province, PR China, a novel taxon, Exophiala pseudooligosperma sp. nov., was identified based on combined morphological and molecular phylogenetic features. Morphologically, this species is characterized by having torulose, septate hyphae and swollen, terminal or intercalary conidiogenous cells arising at acute angles from aerial hyphae. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, the small and large nuclear subunit of the rRNA gene and part of the β-tubulin gene confirmed the phylogenetic position of the new species within the genus Exophiala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qian Yang
- Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, PR China
| | - Man-Yao Feng
- Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, PR China
| | - Ze-Fen Yu
- Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources, Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, PR China
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26
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Pang KL, Hassett BT, Shaumi A, Guo SY, Sakayaroj J, Chiang MWL, Yang CH, Jones EG. Pathogenic fungi of marine animals: A taxonomic perspective. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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27
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The Mycobiota of High Altitude Pear Orchards Soil in Colombia. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10101002. [PMID: 34681101 PMCID: PMC8533231 DOI: 10.3390/biology10101002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Soil fungi are extremely important in the agro-environment. They are among the main decomposers of organic matter, contributing to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous cycles. They often establish positive relationships with plants, protecting them from pathogens and abiotic stresses. This study aimed to uncover the soil fungal communities of two high altitude pear orchards with biomolecular techniques. We found a rich and diverse assemblage, dominated by fungi belonging to Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota. Most of the found species were novel records for soil fungi in Colombia. The most common fungal genera were Mortierella, Fusarium, Pseudaleria and Cylindrocarpon. Among the identified fungi, some species are known to be bioactive, with promising activities as biocontrol agents, plant-growth promoters, and producers of valuable substances. These results could contribute for a more attentive management of Colombian pear orchards in future and an enrichment of knowledge on Colombian biodiversity. Abstract In Colombia, the cultivation of deciduous fruit trees such as pear is expanding for socio-economic reasons and is becoming more and more important for the local population. Since organized cultivation is slowly replacing sustenance cultivation, scientific information on the present agro-environment is needed to proceed in this change in an organic and environmentally friendly way. In particular, this study is an accurate description of the mycobiota present in the bulk soil of two different high altitude pear orchards in the Colombian Andes. The metabarcoding of soil samples allowed an in-depth analysis of the whole fungal community. The fungal assemblage was generally dominated by Ascomycota and secondly by Mortierellomycota. As observed in other studies in Colombia, the genus Mortierella was found to be especially abundant. The soil of the different pear orchards appeared to host quite different fungal communities according to the soil physico-chemical properties. The common mycobiota contained 35 fungal species, including several species of Mortierella, Humicola, Solicoccozyma and Exophiala. Moreover, most of the identified fungal species (79%) were recorded for the first time in Colombian soils, thus adding important information on soil biodiversity regarding both Colombia and pear orchards.
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28
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Armwood AR, Cañete-Gibas CF, Dill-Okubo JA, Wiederhold NP, Camus AC. Retrospective study of phaeohyphomycosis in aquarium-housed fish, with first descriptions of Exophiala lecanii-corni and Neodevriesia cladophorae in fish. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2021; 44:1563-1577. [PMID: 34148252 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A broadening fish host range is affected by novel and known pigmented fungal pathogens. A review of 2,250 piscine submissions received by the Aquatic Pathology Service, University of Georgia, revealed 47 phaeohyphomycosis cases (2.1%), representing 34 bony and cartilaginous fish species. The majority involved bony fish (45/47, 95.7%) and were predominantly marine (41/47, 87.2%), with only a few freshwater species (4/47, 8.5%). Cartilaginous fish cases included two zebra sharks (Stegostoma fasciatum) (2/47, 4.3%). Northern seahorses (Hippocampus erectus) had the highest incidence overall (7/47, 14.9%). Culture and sequencing of the internal-transcribed spacer region of the rDNA (ITS), large ribosomal subunit gene D1/D2 domains (LSU) and the DNA polymerase II gene (RPB2) were performed for fungal identification when fresh tissue was obtainable. Exophiala, Ochroconis and Neodevriesia spp. were identified, with Exophiala as the most common fungal genus (8/11, 72.7%). Exophiala lecanii-corni and Neodevriesia cladophorae were described for the first time from fish. Microscopically, lesions were characterized by necrosis, granulomatous inflammation and angioinvasion most frequently affecting the skin/fin, skeletal muscle and kidneys. In this study of diverse aquarium-housed fish species, phaeohyphomycosis cases occurred sporadically and in rare outbreaks with variable pathologic presentations, tissue distributions and severities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail R Armwood
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Connie F Cañete-Gibas
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Nathan P Wiederhold
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Alvin C Camus
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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29
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Isola D, Scano A, Orrù G, Prenafeta-Boldú FX, Zucconi L. Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Sites: Is There Something More Than Exophiala xenobiotica? New Insights into Black Fungal Diversity Using the Long Cold Incubation Method. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7100817. [PMID: 34682237 PMCID: PMC8538888 DOI: 10.3390/jof7100817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Human-made hydrocarbon-rich environments are important reservoirs of microorganisms with specific degrading abilities and pathogenic potential. In particular, black fungi are of great interest, but their presence in the environment is frequently underestimated because they are difficult to isolate. In the frame of a biodiversity study from fuel-contaminated sites involving 30 diesel car tanks and 112 fuel pump dispensers (52 diesel and 60 gasoline, respectively), a total of 181 black fungal strains were isolated. The long cold incubation (LCI) of water-suspended samples, followed by plating on Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar (DRBC), gave isolation yields up to six times (6.6) higher than those of direct plating on DRBC, and those of enrichment with a phenolic mix. The sequencing of ITS and LSU-rDNA confirmed the dominance of potentially pathogenic fungi from the family Herpotrichiellaceae and Exophiala xenobiotica. Moreover, other opportunistic species were found, including E. opportunistica, E. oligosperma, E. phaeomuriformis, and Rhinocladiella similis. The recurrent presence of E. crusticola, Knufia epidermidis, Aureobasidium melanogenum, Cladosporium spp., and Scolecobasidium spp. was also recorded. Interestingly, 12% of total isolates, corresponding to 50% of taxa found (16/32), represent new species. All the novel taxa in this study were isolated by LCI. These findings suggest that black fungal diversity in hydrocarbon-rich niches remains largely unexplored and that LCI can be an efficient tool for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Isola
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0761-357138
| | - Alessandra Scano
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (A.S.); (G.O.)
| | - Germano Orrù
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (A.S.); (G.O.)
| | | | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
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30
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Najafzadeh MJ, Dolatabadi S, Vicente VA, de Hoog GS, Meis JF. In vitro activities of 8 antifungal drugs against 126 clinical and environmental Exophiala isolates. Mycoses 2021; 64:1328-1333. [PMID: 34411353 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exophiala is the main genus of black fungi comprising numerous opportunistic species. Data on antifungal susceptibility of Exophiala isolates are limited, while infections are potentially fatal. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro activities of eight antifungal drugs (AMB, five azoles, two echinocandins) against 126 clinical (n = 76) and environmental (n = 47) isolates from around the world were investigated. E. oligosperma (n = 58), E. spinifera (n = 33), E. jeanselmei (n = 14) and E. xenobiotica (n = 21) were included in our dataset. RESULTS The resulting MIC90 s of all strains were as follows, in increasing order: posaconazole 0.063 μg/ml, itraconazole 0.125 μg/ml, voriconazole and amphotericin B 1 μg/ml, isavuconazole 2 μg/ml, micafungin and caspofungin 4 μg/ml, and fluconazole 64 μg/ml. Posaconazole, itraconazole and micafungin were the drugs with the best overall activity against Exophiala species. Fluconazole could not be considered as a treatment choice. No significant difference could be found among antifungal drug activities between these four species, neither in clinical nor in environmental isolates. CONCLUSION Antifungal susceptibility data for Exophiala spp. are crucial to improve the management of this occasionally fatal infection and the outcome of its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Vania Aparecida Vicente
- Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Gerrit Sybren de Hoog
- Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboudumc/Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboudumc/Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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31
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Tischner Z, Sebők R, Kredics L, Allaga H, Vargha M, Sebestyén Á, Dobolyi C, Kriszt B, Magyar D. Mycological Investigation of Bottled Water Dispensers in Healthcare Facilities. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070871. [PMID: 34358021 PMCID: PMC8308914 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The usage of bottled water dispensers (BWDs) has spread worldwide. Despite their popularity, few studies have dealt with their microbial contaminants, and little attention is given to their fungal contamination. To our knowledge this is the first mycological study of BWDs in Europe. 36 devices have been examined in Budapest, Hungary. Despite of the strictly regulated water hygiene system in Hungary, molds and yeasts were detected in 86.8% of the samples, 56.76% were highly contaminated. Elevated heterotrophic plate counts were also observed in all samples compared to that of Hungarian drinking water. As all physical and chemical water quality characteristics have met the relevant national and European parametric values and neither totally explained the results of microbial counts, the effect of usage and maintenance habits of the devices were examined. Fungal concentrations were affected by the time elapsed since disinfection, days remaining until expiration of bottles, month of sampling and exposure to sunlight during storage. Microbes are able to proliferate in the bottled water and disperse inside the BWDs. Many of the detected fungal species (Sarocladium kiliense, Acremonium sclerotigenum/egyptiacum, Exophiala jeanselmei var. lecanii-corni, Exophiala equina, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Cystobasidium slooffiae, Aspergillus jensenii, Bisifusarium biseptatum) are opportunistic pathogens for subpopulations of sensitive age groups and patients with immunodeficient conditions, including cystic fibrosis. Thus BWDs may pose a health risk to visitors of healthcare institutions, especially to patients with oral lesions in dental surgeries. The study draws attention to the need to investigate microbial contamination of these devices in other countries as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsófia Tischner
- Department of Environmental Safety, Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (C.D.); (B.K.)
- National Public Health Center, H-1097 Budapest, Hungary; (M.V.); (Á.S.); (D.M.)
- Correspondence: (Z.T.); (R.S.)
| | - Rózsa Sebők
- Department of Environmental Safety, Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (C.D.); (B.K.)
- Correspondence: (Z.T.); (R.S.)
| | - László Kredics
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (L.K.); (H.A.)
| | - Henrietta Allaga
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (L.K.); (H.A.)
| | - Márta Vargha
- National Public Health Center, H-1097 Budapest, Hungary; (M.V.); (Á.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Ágnes Sebestyén
- National Public Health Center, H-1097 Budapest, Hungary; (M.V.); (Á.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Csaba Dobolyi
- Department of Environmental Safety, Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (C.D.); (B.K.)
| | - Balázs Kriszt
- Department of Environmental Safety, Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (C.D.); (B.K.)
| | - Donát Magyar
- National Public Health Center, H-1097 Budapest, Hungary; (M.V.); (Á.S.); (D.M.)
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32
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A new lineage of mazaediate fungi in the Eurotiomycetes: Cryptocaliciomycetidae subclass. nov., based on the new species Cryptocalicium blascoi and the revision of the ascoma evolution. Mycol Prog 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11557-021-01710-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe class Eurotiomycetes (Ascomycota, Pezizomycotina) comprises important fungi used for medical, agricultural, industrial and scientific purposes. Eurotiomycetes is a morphologically and ecologically diverse monophyletic group. Within the Eurotiomycetes, different ascoma morphologies are found including cleistothecia and perithecia but also apothecia or stromatic forms. Mazaediate representatives (with a distinct structure in which loose masses of ascospores accumulate to be passively disseminated) have evolved independently several times. Here we describe a new mazaediate species belonging to the Eurotiomycetes. The multigene phylogeny produced (7 gene regions: nuLSU, nuSSU, 5.8S nuITS, mtSSU, RPB1, RPB2 and MCM7) placed the new species in a lineage sister to Eurotiomycetidae. Based on the evolutionary relationships and morphology, a new subclass, a new order, family and genus are described to place the new species: Cryptocalicium blascoi. This calicioid species occurs on the inner side of loose bark strips of Cupressaceae (Cupressus, Juniperus). Morphologically, C. blascoi is characterized by having minute apothecioid stalked ascomata producing mazaedia, clavate bitunicate asci with hemiamyloid reaction, presence of hamathecium and an apothecial external surface with dark violet granules that becomes turquoise green in KOH. The ancestral state reconstruction analyses support a common ancestor with open ascomata for all deep nodes in Eurotiomycetes and the evolution of closed ascomata (cleistothecioid in Eurotiomycetidae and perithecioid in Chaetothyriomycetidae) from apothecioid ancestors. The appropriateness of the description of a new subclass for this fungus is also discussed.
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Groff JM, Mok MY, Kubiski SV, Michel AO, Cortés-Hinojosa GA, Byrne BA, Wickes BL, Scott Weber E, Campbell LA, Waltzek TB. Phaeohyphomycosis due to Veronaea botryosa in cultured white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus Richardson) from California USA during 2006 to 2015. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2021; 44:793-801. [PMID: 33332625 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Infection with Veronaea botryosa can result in rare cutaneous or disseminated, granulomatous to pyogranulomatous phaeohyphomycosis in humans, although disease due to the fungus has also been reported in non-mammalian vertebrates. This report documents disease due to V. botryosa in captive, juvenile to subadult or young adult white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus Richardson) from California USA and complements a previous report of the disease in captive Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) from Florida USA. Pathological examinations revealed granulomatous to pyogranulomatous inflammation of multiple organs. Isolates of the fungal agent were phenotypically consistent with V. botryosa, and molecular analyses of the D1/D2 region of the fungal 28S rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region located between the fungal 18S and 28S rRNA genes confirmed the aetiologic agent as V. botryosa. The disease in captive sturgeon results in a considerable economic encumbrance to the producer due to the loss of the cumulative financial resources invested in the production of older subadult to young adult sturgeon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Groff
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mai Y Mok
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Steven V Kubiski
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Adam O Michel
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Galaxia A Cortés-Hinojosa
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Barbara A Byrne
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Brian L Wickes
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - E Scott Weber
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Lori A Campbell
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Thomas B Waltzek
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Auxiliary rapid identification of pathogenic and antagonistic microorganisms associated with Coptis chinensis root rot by high-throughput sequencing. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11141. [PMID: 34045546 PMCID: PMC8160328 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90489-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Root rot reduces the yield and medical quality of C. chinensis (Cc). Previous studies of Coptis root rot focused on the identification of pathogens and the rhizosphere microbial community composition. The present study aimed to identify potential pathogenic and antagonistic microorganisms associated with root rot based on a high-throughput sequencing technique to prevent this disease. Healthy and diseased Cc in the endosphere and rhizosphere from the same field were collected to investigate the differences in microbiome composition and function. The results showed that the composition and function of microbes were different. The numbers of animal pathogens, soil saprotrophs, plant saprotrophs, and wood saprotrophs in the endosphere of diseased Cc were higher than those in the healthy endosphere and were dominated by Phaeosphaeriaceae, Cladorrhinum, Fusarium, Exophiala, and Melanommataceae. Fusarium, Volutella, Cladorrhinum, Cylindrocarpon, and Exophiala were significantly enriched in the endosphere of the diseased plants. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that Bacillus was negatively correlated with Fusarium, Volutella, and Cylindrocarpon, indicating that Bacillus may be antagonistic microorganisms. To verify the sequencing results, F. solani and F. avenaceum were isolated and verified as pathogens, and 14 Bacillus strains were isolated, which displayed an apparent suppression effect against the two pathogens on PDA medium and detached roots. The strategy of high-throughput sequencing has the potential for the comprehensive identification of pathogenic and antagonistic microorganisms for plant disease. These results provide research ideas and microbial resources for future studies on mitigating or preventing root rot damage to Cc.
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Dark-pigmented biodeteriogenic fungi in etruscan hypogeal tombs: New data on their culture-dependent diversity, favouring conditions, and resistance to biocidal treatments. Fungal Biol 2021; 125:609-620. [PMID: 34281654 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Subterranean Cultural Heritage sites are frequently subject to biological colonization due to the high levels of humidity, even in conditions of low irradiance and oligotrophy. Here microorganisms form complex communities that may be dangerous through mineral precipitation, through the softening of materials or causing frequent surface discolorations. A reduction of contamination's sources along with the control of microclimatic conditions and biocide treatments (overall performed with benzalkonium chloride) are necessary to reduce microbial growths. Dark discolorations have been recorded in the painted Etruscan tombs of Tarquinia, two of which have been analyzed to collect taxonomical, physiological, and ecological information. Eighteen dark-pigmented fungi were isolated among a wider culturable fraction: nine from blackening areas and nine from door sealings, a possible route of contamination. Isolates belonged to three major groups: Chaetothyriales, Capnodiales (Family Cladosporiaceae), and Acremonium-like fungi. Exophiala angulospora and Cyphellophora olivacea, a novelty for hypogea, were identified, while others need further investigations as possible new taxa. The metabolic skills of the detected species showed their potential dangerousness for the materials. Their tolerance to benzalkonium chloride-based products suggested a certain favouring effect through the decreasing competitiveness of less resistant species. The type of covering of the dromos may influence the risk of outer contamination. Fungal occurrence can be favoured by root penetration.
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Brooks DR, Hoberg EP, Boeger WA, Trivellone V. Emerging infectious disease: An underappreciated area of strategic concern for food security. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:254-267. [PMID: 33527632 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) increasingly threaten global food security and public health. Despite technological breakthroughs, we are losing the battle with (re)emerging diseases as treatment costs and production losses rise. A horizon scan of diseases of crops, livestock, seafood and food-borne illness suggests these costs are unsustainable. The paradigm of coevolution between pathogens and particular hosts teaches that emerging diseases occur only when pathogens evolve specific capacities that allow them to move to new hosts. EIDs ought to be rare and unpredictable, so crisis response is the best we can do. Alternatively, the Stockholm Paradigm suggests that the world is full of susceptible but unexposed hosts that pathogens could infect, given the opportunity. Global climate change, globalized trade and travel, urbanization and land-use changes (often associated with biodiversity loss) increase those opportunities, making EID frequent. We can, however, anticipate their arrival in new locations and their behaviour once they have arrived. We can 'find them before they find us', mitigating their impacts. The DAMA (Document, Assess, Monitor, Act) protocol alters the current reactive stance and embodies proactive solutions to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of EID, extending human and material resources and buying time for development of new vaccinations, medications and control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Brooks
- Institute for Evolution, Centre for Ecological Research, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Harold W. Manter Laboratory, Division of Parasitology, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Eric P Hoberg
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Biology, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Walter A Boeger
- Biological Interactions, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Valeria Trivellone
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
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Chromoblastomycosis Caused by Phialophora-Proven Cases from Mexico. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020095. [PMID: 33572699 PMCID: PMC7910919 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020095] [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: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic severely mutilating disease caused by fungi of the order Chaetothyriales. Classically, Phialophora verrucosa has been listed among these etiologic agents. This species is known to occur in the environment and has been found to cause other infections like phaeohyphomycosis, while reported cases of chromoblastomycosis are scant. Phialophora is phylogenetically diverse, and thus retrospective confirmation of etiology is necessary. We studied ten proven cases of chromoblastomycosis from Mexico and further analyzed the population genetics and genomics of the Phialophora species to understand their pathogenicity and predilection. The clinical strains were molecularly identified as Phialophora americana (n = 4), Phialophorachinensis (n = 4), and Phialophora macrospora (n = 2). No genetic distinction between clinical and environmental strains was possible. Further analysis of strains from diverse origins are needed to address eventual differences in virulence and niche predilection between the species.
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Abdolrasouli A, Gibani MM, de Groot T, Borman AM, Hoffman P, Azadian BS, Mughal N, Moore LSP, Johnson EM, Meis JF. A pseudo-outbreak of Rhinocladiella similis in a bronchoscopy unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in London, United Kingdom. Mycoses 2020; 64:394-404. [PMID: 33314345 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13227] [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] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Outbreaks of fungal infections due to emerging and rare species are increasingly reported in healthcare settings. We investigated a pseudo-outbreak of Rhinocladiella similis in a bronchoscopy unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in London, UK. We aimed to determine route of healthcare-associated transmission and prevent additional infections. From July 2018 through February 2019, we detected a pseudo-outbreak of R. similis isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples collected from nine patients who had undergone bronchoscopy in a multispecialty teaching hospital, during a period of 8 months. Isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by EUCAST broth microdilution. To determine genetic relatedness among R. similis isolates, we undertook amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis. To determine the potential source of contamination, an epidemiological investigation was carried out. We reviewed patient records retrospectively and audited steps taken during bronchoscopy as well as the subsequent cleaning and decontamination procedures. Fungal cultures were performed on samples collected from bronchoscopes and automated endoscope washer-disinfector systems. No patient was found to have an infection due to R. similis either before or after bronchoscopy. One bronchoscope was identified to be used among all affected patients with positive fungal cultures. Physical damage was found in the index bronchoscope; however, no fungus was recovered after sampling of the affected scope or the rinse water of automated endoscope washer-disinfectors. Use of the scope was halted, and, during the following 12-month period, Rhinocladiella species were not isolated from any BAL specimen. All pseudo-outbreak isolates were identified as R. similis with high genetic relatedness (>90% similarity) on ALFP analysis. The study emphasises the emergence of a rare and uncommon black yeast R. similis, with reduced susceptibility to echinocandins, in a bronchoscope-related pseudo-outbreak with a potential water-related reservoir. Our findings highlight the importance of prolonged fungal culture and species-level identification of melanised yeasts isolated from bronchoscopy samples. Possibility of healthcare-associated transmission should be considered when R. similis is involved in clinical microbiology samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Abdolrasouli
- Department of Medical Microbiology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Malick M Gibani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Theun de Groot
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew M Borman
- National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Bristol, UK.,Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Peter Hoffman
- HCAI & AMR Division, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Berge S Azadian
- Chelsea and Westminster National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Nabeela Mughal
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Chelsea and Westminster National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, UK.,North West London Pathology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Luke S P Moore
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Chelsea and Westminster National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, UK.,North West London Pathology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Johnson
- National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Bristol, UK.,Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ), Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Fungal Planet description sheets: 1112-1181. Persoonia - Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi 2020; 45:251-409. [PMID: 34456379 PMCID: PMC8375349 DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2020.45.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Australia, Austroboletus asper on soil, Cylindromonium alloxyli on leaves of Alloxylon pinnatum, Davidhawksworthia quintiniae on leaves of Quintinia sieberi, Exophiala prostantherae on leaves of Prostanthera sp., Lactifluus lactiglaucus on soil, Linteromyces quintiniae (incl. Linteromyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Quintinia sieberi, Lophotrichus medusoides from stem tissue of Citrus garrawayi, Mycena pulchra on soil, Neocalonectria tristaniopsidis (incl. Neocalonectria gen. nov.) and Xyladictyochaeta tristaniopsidis on leaves of Tristaniopsis collina, Parasarocladium tasmanniae on leaves of Tasmannia insipida, Phytophthora aquae-cooljarloo from pond water, Serendipita whamiae as endophyte from roots of Eriochilus cucullatus, Veloboletus limbatus (incl. Veloboletus gen. nov.) on soil. Austria, Cortinarius glaucoelotus on soil. Bulgaria, Suhomyces rilaensis from the gut of Bolitophagus interruptus found on a Polyporus sp. Canada, Cantharellus betularum among leaf litter of Betula, Penicillium saanichii from house dust. Chile, Circinella lampensis on soil, Exophiala embothrii from rhizosphere of Embothrium coccineum.China, Colletotrichum cycadis on leaves of Cycas revoluta.Croatia, Phialocephala melitaea on fallen branch of Pinus halepensis. Czech Republic, Geoglossum jirinae on soil, Pyrenochaetopsis rajhradensis from dead wood of Buxus sempervirens.Dominican Republic, Amanita domingensis on litter of deciduous wood, Melanoleuca dominicana on forest litter. France, Crinipellis nigrolamellata (Martinique) on leaves of Pisonia fragrans, Talaromyces pulveris from bore dust of Xestobium rufovillosum infesting floorboards. French Guiana, Hypoxylon hepaticolor on dead corticated branch. Great Britain, Inocybe ionolepis on soil. India, Cortinarius indopurpurascens among leaf litter of Quercus leucotrichophora.Iran, Pseudopyricularia javanii on infected leaves of Cyperus sp., Xenomonodictys iranica (incl. Xenomonodictys gen. nov.) on wood of Fagus orientalis.Italy, Penicillium vallebormidaense from compost. Namibia, Alternaria mirabibensis on plant litter, Curvularia moringae and Moringomyces phantasmae (incl. Moringomyces gen. nov.) on leaves and flowers of Moringa ovalifolia, Gobabebomyces vachelliae (incl. Gobabebomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Vachellia erioloba, Preussia procaviae on dung of Procavia capensis.Pakistan, Russula shawarensis from soil on forest floor. Russia, Cyberlindnera dauci from Daucus carota. South Africa, Acremonium behniae on leaves of Behnia reticulata, Dothiora aloidendri and Hantamomyces aloidendri (incl. Hantamomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Aloidendron dichotomum, Endoconidioma euphorbiae on leaves of Euphorbia mauritanica, Eucasphaeria proteae on leaves of Protea neriifolia, Exophiala mali from inner fruit tissue of Malus sp., Graminopassalora geissorhizae on leaves of Geissorhiza splendidissima, Neocamarosporium leipoldtiae on leaves of Leipoldtia schultzii, Neocladosporium osteospermi on leaf spots of Osteospermum moniliferum, Neometulocladosporiella seifertii on leaves of Combretum caffrum, Paramyrothecium pituitipietianum on stems of Grielum humifusum, Phytopythium paucipapillatum from roots of Vitis sp., Stemphylium carpobroti and Verrucocladosporium carpobroti on leaves of Carpobrotus quadrifolius, Suttonomyces cephalophylli on leaves of Cephalophyllum pilansii. Sweden, Coprinopsis rubra on cow dung, Elaphomyces nemoreus from deciduous woodlands. Spain, Polyscytalum pini-canariensis on needles of Pinus canariensis, Pseudosubramaniomyces septatus from stream sediment, Tuber lusitanicum on soil under Quercus suber.Thailand, Tolypocladium flavonigrum on Elaphomyces sp. USA, Chaetothyrina spondiadis on fruits of Spondias mombin, Gymnascella minnisii from bat guano, Juncomyces patwiniorum on culms of Juncus effusus, Moelleriella puertoricoensis on scale insect, Neodothiora populina (incl. Neodothiora gen. nov.) on stem cankers of Populus tremuloides, Pseudogymnoascus palmeri from cave sediment. Vietnam, Cyphellophora vietnamensis on leaf litter, Tylopilus subotsuensis on soil in montane evergreen broadleaf forest. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.
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Assunção CB, de Aguiar EL, Al-Hatmi AMS, Silva Vieira VC, Machado AS, Junta C, de Hoog S, Caligiorne RB. New molecular marker for phylogenetic reconstruction of black yeast-like fungi (Chaetothyriales) with hypothetical EIF2AK2 kinase gene. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:1032-1038. [PMID: 33213783 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.09.007] [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: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, phosphorylation of the α-subunit of eIF2 is a mechanism to adjust cellular gene expression profiles in response to specific signals. The eIF2α kinases are a group of serine-threonine kinases that perform important functions in response to infection, proteotoxicity, and nutrient scavenging. The conserved nature of eIF2α kinases among fungi makes them potential evolutionary markers, which may contribute to deeper understanding of taxonomy and evolution. To date, only few studies are available of eIF2α kinases in black yeasts, which are members of Chaetothyriales containing potential agents of a gamut of major human diseases, such as chromoblastomycosis, phaeohyphomycosis and mycetoma. To establish the phylogenetic validity of sequences of eIF2α kinases hypothetical genes, we compared these genes between members of different classes of fungi, including black yeasts and allies, aiming at evaluation of the phylogeny of this group using an alternative molecular marker, compared to standard ribosomal genes. Trees generated with eIF2α kinase sequences of fungi were compared with those generated by ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS rDNA) sequences from the same species. Sequences used were obtained from the protein Non-redundant database of NCBI, were aligned using CLUSTALX v1.8 and alignments were analyzed with RAxML v8.2.9 on the CIPRES Science Gateway portal. The trees generated had similar topologies, demonstrating that eIF2α kinases hypothetical gene sequences present a coherent reflection of evolution among fungi, compared to trees reconstructed by the use of ribosomal sequences. Our preliminary findings with a limited dataset strongly suggest that the evolution of kinases among black yeasts follows a similar path as revealed by ribosomal data, which underlines the validity of current taxonomy of black yeasts and relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Abdullah M S Al-Hatmi
- Ministry of Health, Directorate General of Health Services, Ibri, Oman; Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center / Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Vanessa Cristina Silva Vieira
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências da Vida e Saúde (ICVS), Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Amanda Sanchez Machado
- Núcleo de Pós-Graduação, Ensino e Pesquisa, Hospital Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Cristina Junta
- Núcleo de Pós-Graduação, Ensino e Pesquisa, Hospital Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center / Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Unveiling the Hidden Diversity of Rock-Inhabiting Fungi: Chaetothyriales from China. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040187. [PMID: 32987844 PMCID: PMC7711927 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rock-inhabiting fungi (RIF) are nonlichenized fungi that naturally colonize rock surfaces and subsurfaces. The extremely slow growth rate and lack of distinguishing morphological characteristics of RIF resulted in a poor understanding on their biodiversity. In this study, we surveyed RIF colonizing historical stone monuments and natural rock formations from throughout China. Among over 1000 isolates, after preliminary delimitation using the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) sequences, representative isolates belonging to Trichomeriaceae and Herpotrichiellaceae were selected for a combined analysis of ITS and the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nucLSU) to determine the generic placements. Eight clades representing seven known genera and one new genus herein named as Anthracina were placed in Trichomeriaceae. While, for Herpotrichiellaceae, two clades corresponded to two genera: Cladophialophora and Exophiala. Fine-scale phylogenetic analyses using combined sequences of the partial actin gene (ACT), ITS, mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA (mtSSU), nucLSU, the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (SSU), translation elongation factor (TEF), and β-tubulin gene (TUB) revealed that these strains represented 11 and 6 new species, respectively, in Trichomeriaceae and Herpotrichiellaceae. The 17 new species were described, illustrated for their morphologies and compared with similar taxa. Our study demonstrated that the diversity of RIF is surprisingly high and still poorly understood. In addition, a rapid strategy for classifying RIF was proposed to determine the generic and familial placements through preliminary ITS and nucLSU analyses, followed by combined analyses of five loci selected from ACT, ITS, mtSSU, nucLSU, RPB1, and/or the second subunit of RNA polymerase II gene (RPB2), SSU, TEF, and TUB regions to classify RIF to the species level.
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Environmental prospecting of black yeast-like agents of human disease using culture-independent methodology. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14229. [PMID: 32848176 PMCID: PMC7450056 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70915-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanized fungi and black yeasts in the family Herpotrichiellaceae (order Chaetothyriales) are important agents of human and animal infectious diseases such as chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis. The oligotrophic nature of these fungi enables them to survive in adverse environments where common saprobes are absent. Due to their slow growth, they lose competition with common saprobes, and therefore isolation studies yielded low frequencies of clinically relevant species in environmental habitats from which humans are thought to be infected. This problem can be solved with metagenomic techniques which allow recognition of microorganisms independent from culture. The present study aimed to identify species of the family Herpotrichiellaceae that are known to occur in Brazil by the use of molecular markers to screen public environmental metagenomic datasets from Brazil available in the Sequence Read Archive (SRA). Species characterization was performed with the BLAST comparison of previously described barcodes and padlock probe sequences. A total of 18,329 sequences was collected comprising the genera Cladophialophora, Exophiala, Fonsecaea, Rhinocladiella and Veronaea, with a focus on species related to the chromoblastomycosis. The data obtained in this study demonstrated presence of these opportunists in the investigated datasets. The used techniques contribute to our understanding of environmental occurrence and epidemiology of black fungi.
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Borman AM, Fraser M, Schilling W, Jones G, Pearl R, Linton CJ, Johnson EM. Exophiala campbellii causing a subcutaneous palmar cyst in an otherwise healthy UK resident. Med Mycol Case Rep 2020; 29:43-45. [PMID: 32817812 PMCID: PMC7424171 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Exophiala is a ubiquitous genus encompassing more than forty species, a number of which have been associated with superficial or systemic infections in humans, and other hot- or cold-blooded animals. Here we report a human case of subcutaneous mycotic cyst caused by Exophiala campbellii. To our knowledge, this is only the third reported human infection caused by E. campbellii, all three of which involved subcutaneous nodules in patients who had resided in the United Kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Borman
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM), University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author. UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom.
| | - Mark Fraser
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
| | - William Schilling
- Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian Jones
- Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Pearl
- Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3DZ, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Linton
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth M. Johnson
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM), University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
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Abstract
AbstractChaetothyriales is an ascomycetous order within Eurotiomycetes. The order is particularly known through the black yeasts and filamentous relatives that cause opportunistic infections in humans. All species in the order are consistently melanized. Ecology and habitats of species are highly diverse, and often rather extreme in terms of exposition and toxicity. Families are defined on the basis of evolutionary history, which is reconstructed by time of divergence and concepts of comparative biology using stochastical character mapping and a multi-rate Brownian motion model to reconstruct ecological ancestral character states. Ancestry is hypothesized to be with a rock-inhabiting life style. Ecological disparity increased significantly in late Jurassic, probably due to expansion of cytochromes followed by colonization of vacant ecospaces. Dramatic diversification took place subsequently, but at a low level of innovation resulting in strong niche conservatism for extant taxa. Families are ecologically different in degrees of specialization. One of the clades has adapted ant domatia, which are rich in hydrocarbons. In derived families, similar processes have enabled survival in domesticated environments rich in creosote and toxic hydrocarbons, and this ability might also explain the pronounced infectious ability of vertebrate hosts observed in these families. Conventional systems of morphological classification poorly correspond with recent phylogenetic data. Species are hypothesized to have low competitive ability against neighboring microbes, which interferes with their laboratory isolation on routine media. The dataset is unbalanced in that a large part of the extant biodiversity has not been analyzed by molecular methods, novel taxonomic entities being introduced at a regular pace. Our study comprises all available species sequenced to date for LSU and ITS, and a nomenclatural overview is provided. A limited number of species could not be assigned to any extant family.
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Řehulka J, Kolařík M, Hubka V. Clinical and histopathological changes in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss experimentally infected with fungus Bradymyces oncorhynchi. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2020; 65:1025-1032. [PMID: 32729017 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-020-00813-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Bradymyces oncorhynchi is a poorly known melanised fungal species that has been isolated only from a hyperaemic focus near the enlarged spleen of a rainbow trout. Although the pathogenicity of this species to fish is suspected, it has not been fully confirmed. Four laboratory experiments were conducted to test the effect of the fungus on the health of rainbow trout fingerlings. Mycelia were cultivated under different conditions to increase inoculum variability and to test the impact of the conditions on the pathogenicity. The inoculum was subsequently administered by the intraperitoneal route. The clinical manifestations, gross pathological lesions and histopathological changes were identical in all experimental groups, i.e. lethargy, inappetence, anorexia, weight reduction, pale gills, full-thickness ulceration of the abdominal wall, muscle atrophy, haemorrhagic or pale liver, fat-altered pyloric region with haemorrhages, enlarged spleen, haemorrhagic ascites, systemic granulomatous lesions with the presence of melanised hyphae (phaeohyphomycosis), multifocal granulomatous hepatitis, perivascular lymphocytic infiltration, vacuolation of hepatocytes and vacuolation of the kidney tubule epithelium. No statistically significant differences were found in the survival of the fish with respect to experimental settings. The survival period ranged between 3 and 135 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Řehulka
- Department of Zoology, Silesian Museum, Opava, Czech Republic
| | - M Kolařík
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 128 01, Prague 2, Czech Republic.,Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - V Hubka
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 128 01, Prague 2, Czech Republic. .,Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
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First Report of Environmental Isolation of Exophiala spp. in Malaysia. Curr Microbiol 2020; 77:2915-2924. [PMID: 32661678 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-020-02109-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Exophiala dermatitidis has been frequently isolated from tropical regions of the world. However, there is no report of environmental isolation of Exophiala spp. from Malaysia. The information regarding the ecology of this microbe is important for a better understanding of the opportunism. This study aims to conduct a survey of natural distribution of Exophiala spp. in Malaysia. Forty-seven strains of Exophiala-like was isolated by using selective media. These isolates from the fields were molecularly identified based on the ITS region. The biochemical activity of these microbes was tested by conducting various tests, i.e. DNase test, proteinase activity, and urea hydrolysis. Overall, 22 strains of E. dermatitidis were successfully obtained and identified from burnt tree bark, oil dripped soil sample, hot spring biofilm, railway track stones, tar road contaminated with petrol hydrocarbon, drain and deep mud of Sungai Pinang besides the new discovery from pigeon droppings. A single strain of E. heteromorpha was identified from tar road contaminated with petrol hydrocarbon. Genotypes of the isolated E. dermatitidis were identified by the neighbor-joining tree and grouped into Genotype A, A2 and B. The existence of new Genotype A4 was confirmed by a similar cladogram position in both neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood tree. The survival of E. dermatitidis in the hydrocarbon contaminated environment was studied by supplying engine oil and observing the growth pattern. The results of this study suggest that the opportunistic Exophiala spp. was isolated from nutrient limited and harsh conditions in the natural environment.
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Fungal Planet description sheets: 1042-1111. Persoonia - Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi 2020; 44:301-459. [PMID: 33116344 PMCID: PMC7567971 DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2020.44.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Cladosporium arenosum from marine sediment sand. Argentina, Kosmimatamyces alatophylus (incl. Kosmimatamyces gen. nov.) from soil. Australia, Aspergillus banksianus, Aspergillus kumbius, Aspergillus luteorubrus, Aspergillus malvicolor and Aspergillus nanangensis from soil, Erysiphe medicaginis from leaves of Medicago polymorpha, Hymenotorrendiella communis on leaf litter of Eucalyptus bicostata, Lactifluus albopicri and Lactifluus austropiperatus on soil, Macalpinomyces collinsiae on Eriachne benthamii, Marasmius vagus on soil, Microdochium dawsoniorum from leaves of Sporobolus natalensis, Neopestalotiopsis nebuloides from leaves of Sporobolus elongatus, Pestalotiopsis etonensis from leaves of Sporobolus jacquemontii, Phytophthora personensis from soil associated with dying Grevillea mccutcheonii.Brazil, Aspergillus oxumiae from soil, Calvatia baixaverdensis on soil, Geastrum calycicoriaceum on leaf litter, Greeneria kielmeyerae on leaf spots of Kielmeyera coriacea. Chile, Phytophthora aysenensis on collar rot and stem of Aristotelia chilensis.Croatia, Mollisia gibbospora on fallen branch of Fagus sylvatica.Czech Republic, Neosetophoma hnaniceana from Buxus sempervirens.Ecuador, Exophiala frigidotolerans from soil. Estonia, Elaphomyces bucholtzii in soil. France, Venturia paralias from leaves of Euphorbia paralias.India, Cortinarius balteatoindicus and Cortinarius ulkhagarhiensis on leaf litter. Indonesia, Hymenotorrendiella indonesiana on Eucalyptus urophylla leaf litter. Italy, Penicillium taurinense from indoor chestnut mill. Malaysia, Hemileucoglossum kelabitense on soil, Satchmopsis pini on dead needles of Pinus tecunumanii.Poland, Lecanicillium praecognitum on insects’ frass. Portugal, Neodevriesia aestuarina from saline water. Republic of Korea, Gongronella namwonensis from freshwater. Russia, Candida pellucida from Exomias pellucidus, Heterocephalacria septentrionalis as endophyte from Cladonia rangiferina, Vishniacozyma phoenicis from dates fruit, Volvariella paludosa from swamp. Slovenia, Mallocybe crassivelata on soil. South Africa, Beltraniella podocarpi, Hamatocanthoscypha podocarpi, Coleophoma podocarpi and Nothoseiridium podocarpi (incl. Nothoseiridium gen. nov.) from leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Gyrothrix encephalarti from leaves of Encephalartos sp., Paraphyton cutaneum from skin of human patient, Phacidiella alsophilae from leaves of Alsophila capensis, and Satchmopsis metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros excelsa.Spain, Cladophialophora cabanerensis from soil, Cortinarius paezii on soil, Cylindrium magnoliae from leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, Trichophoma cylindrospora (incl. Trichophoma gen. nov.) from plant debris, Tuber alcaracense in calcareus soil, Tuber buendiae in calcareus soil. Thailand, Annulohypoxylon spougei on corticated wood, Poaceascoma filiforme from leaves of unknown Poaceae.UK, Dendrostoma luteum on branch lesions of Castanea sativa, Ypsilina buttingtonensis from heartwood of Quercus sp. Ukraine, Myrmecridium phragmiticola from leaves of Phragmites australis.USA, Absidia pararepens from air, Juncomyces californiensis (incl. Juncomyces gen. nov.) from leaves of Juncus effusus, Montagnula cylindrospora from a human skin sample, Muriphila oklahomaensis (incl. Muriphila gen. nov.) on outside wall of alcohol distillery, Neofabraea eucalyptorum from leaves of Eucalyptus macrandra, Diabolocovidia claustri (incl. Diabolocovidia gen. nov.) from leaves of Serenoa repens, Paecilomyces penicilliformis from air, Pseudopezicula betulae from leaves of leaf spots of Populus tremuloides. Vietnam, Diaporthe durionigena on branches of Durio zibethinus and Roridomyces pseudoirritans on rotten wood. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.
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Genome Sequence of the Human Opportunistic Fungus Arthrocladium fulminans (CBS 136243). G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:1817-1821. [PMID: 32238422 PMCID: PMC7263672 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The black yeast-like fungus Arthrocladium fulminans is known from strains that cause severe and eventually fatal disseminated infections in immunocompromised patients. Given the dramatic outcome of this clinical case, it is essential to understand the virulence potential of this species. The fungus is a member of the family Trichomeriaceae, at some phylogenetic distance from the Herpotrichiellaceae where most infectious fungi in the order Chaetothyriales are located. Main ecological preferences among Trichomeriaceae include colonization of exposed inert surfaces. Currently, black yeasts genomes that are available in public databases cover members of the families Herpotrichiellaceae and Cyphellophoraceae. In the present report, we sequenced the genome of the first member and only clinical representative of the family Trichomeriaceae.
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Harsonowati W, Marian M, Surono, Narisawa K. The Effectiveness of a Dark Septate Endophytic Fungus, Cladophialophora chaetospira SK51, to Mitigate Strawberry Fusarium Wilt Disease and With Growth Promotion Activities. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:585. [PMID: 32351466 PMCID: PMC7174500 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Strawberry Fusarium wilt, caused by the virulent fungus Fusarium oxysporum formae speciales fragariae (Fof) is a devastating soil-borne disease that causes severe production losses worldwide, including Japan. Fof is one of the top 10 fungal pathogens that threaten global crop security, and a method to effectively control this pathogen has yet to be found. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi against Fof to develop an efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly approach to improve plant health and fitness. A total of 19 fungal isolates were assessed, out of which three (SK47, SK48, and SK51) were selected based on their effectiveness in disease suppression in controlled growth chamber conditions using a soil system. Isolates SK47, SK48, and SK51 suppressed disease severity by 85.71, 61.90, and 90.48%, respectively. Molecular identification based on highly conserved small subunit (SSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and large subunit (LSU) nrRNA regions identified these isolates as DSE Exophiala sp., Exophiala pisciphila, and Cladophialophora chaetospira, respectively. The sequences were deposited under accession numbers MN811693-MN811695 in the GenBank database. Notably, our results revealed that isolate C. chaetospira SK51 possessed superior growth promotion activities as well as disease suppression by significantly increased plant growth parameters (shoot and root dry mass, chlorophyll content, flower bud initiation, and number of fruit) in comparison to control plants and other two fungal candidates. Root colonization by C. chaetospira SK51 was visualized, and it was confirmed that the symbiosis with strawberry plants occurred successfully. Our results provide new insights in the application of DSE fungus C. chaetospira SK51 as a biocontrol agent on strawberry plants could promote plant growth, flower bud initiation, and fruit formation. C. chaetospira SK51 exhibited remarkable beneficial traits for the host plant, and it can potentially be applied in the development of new, safe, and effective treatments as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and fungicides for sustainable crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiwiek Harsonowati
- Department of Symbiotic Science of Environment and Natural Resources, United Graduate School of Agriculture Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Malek Marian
- Department of Bioresource Science, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Surono
- Department Soil Biology and Health, Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Kazuhiko Narisawa
- Department of Symbiotic Science of Environment and Natural Resources, United Graduate School of Agriculture Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Bioresource Science, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ibaraki, Japan
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50
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Song Y, da Silva NM, Weiss VA, Vu D, Moreno LF, Vicente VA, Li R, de Hoog GS. Comparative Genomic Analysis of Capsule-Producing Black Yeasts Exophiala dermatitidis and Exophiala spinifera, Potential Agents of Disseminated Mycoses. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:586. [PMID: 32373085 PMCID: PMC7179667 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00586] [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: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The two black yeasts Exophiala dermatitidis and Exophiala spinifera that are clinically considered as the most virulent species potentially causing disseminated infections are both producing extracellular capsule-like material, are compared. In this study, 10 genomes of E. spinifera and E. dermatitidis strains, including both clinical and environmental isolates, were selected based on phylogenetic analysis, physiology tests and virulence tests, sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq sequencer and annotated. Comparison of genome data were performed between intraspecific and interspecific strains. We found capsule-associated genes were however not consistently present in both species by the comparative genomics. The prevalent clinical species, E. dermatitidis, has small genomes containing significantly less virulence-associated genes than E. spinifera, and also than saprobic relatives. Gene OG0012246 and Myb-like DNA-binding domain and SANT/Myb domain, restricted to two strains from human brain, was shared with the neurotropic species Rhinocladiella mackenziei. This study indicated that different virulence profiles existed in the two capsule-producing black yeasts, and the absence of consistent virulence-associated profiles supports the hypothesis that black yeasts are opportunists rather than primary pathogens. The results also provide the key virulence genes and drive the continuing research forward pathogen–host interactions to explore the pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinggai Song
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.,Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Nickolas Menezes da Silva
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center/Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Graduate Program in Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Almir Weiss
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Duong Vu
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Leandro F Moreno
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vania Aparecida Vicente
- Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Ruoyu Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.,Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - G Sybren de Hoog
- Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology Post-Graduation Program, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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