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Cheng J, Zeng D, Zhang T, Zhang L, Han X, Zhou P, Wang L, He J, Han Q. Microascus cirrosus SZ 2021: A potentially new genotype of Microascus cirrosus, which can cause fatal pulmonary infection in patients with acute leukemia following haplo‑HSCT. Exp Ther Med 2023; 26:404. [PMID: 37522054 PMCID: PMC10375443 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Uncommon Microascus cirrosus (M. cirrosus) species have been reported to cause an increasing number of subcutaneous and invasive fungal infections worldwide; since the first human infection was reported in 1992, seven cases have been reported in PubMed. The present study reports a novel genotype named M. cirrosus SZ 2021 isolated from a patient undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, who exhibited extensive drug resistance and suffered a fatal pulmonary infection. This isolated M. cirrosus was cultured and determined by morphological observation, multi-locus sequence typing, matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and whole genome sequencing by next-generation sequencing. The whole nucleotide sequence (32.61 Mb) has been uploaded in the NCBI database (PRJNA835605). In addition, M. cirrosus SZ 2021 was not sensitive to the commonly used antifungal drugs, including fluconazole, amphotericin B, 5-flucytosine and caspofungin. The current literature on human infections by M. cirrosus was reviewed to closely define the comprehensive clinical characteristics and etiological identification. In brief, the present study identified a new M. cirrosus and summarized the clinical characteristics of fungal pneumonia by M. cirrosus species. Complete laboratory identification methods from morphology to gene sequencing were also established for an improved etiological identification and further investigation into the real prevalence of invasive pneumonia by M. cirrosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Cheng
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
| | - Daxiong Zeng
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
| | - Xiu Han
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
| | - Peng Zhou
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
| | - Lin Wang
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
| | - Jun He
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
- Department of Human Leukocyte Antigen Laboratory, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215031, P.R. China
| | - Qingzhen Han
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
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Szleszkowski Ł, Kadej M, Ogórek R, Thannhäuser A, Dobrowolski MA, Jurek T. "Salt mummification" - atypical method of embalming a corpse. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:1829-1840. [PMID: 35739355 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02855-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
It is extremely rare for table salt to be used to preserve a dead body in criminal cases. In the case presented here, after the death of his 85-year-old mother, a son kept her body preserved in table salt for about 2 years to extort social benefits (pension). Before her death, the woman had been hospitalised twice due to chronic diseases. The case has been examined by the multi-disciplinary team. The unusual conditions in which the corpse was stored influenced its good condition (close to mummification), with limited colonisation of the corpse by necrophagous insects and insects involved in soft tissue biolysis (i.e. selected Diptera or Coleoptera). The use of table salt inhibited the growth of most fungi which would normally be present on a corpse stored in ambient conditions, and the corpse's surface was colonised by halophilic fungus (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Szleszkowski
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Mikulicza-Radeckiego 4, PL-50-345, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marcin Kadej
- Centre for Forensic Biology and Entomology, Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 65, PL-51-148, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Rafał Ogórek
- Department of Mycology and Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 63, PL-51-148, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agata Thannhäuser
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Mikulicza-Radeckiego 4, PL-50-345, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Michał A Dobrowolski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, PL-02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Jurek
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Mikulicza-Radeckiego 4, PL-50-345, Wrocław, Poland
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Kordalewska M, Jagielski T, Brillowska-Dąbrowska A. Rapid Assays for Specific Detection of Fungi of Scopulariopsis and Microascus Genera and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis Species. Mycopathologia 2016; 181:465-74. [PMID: 27255522 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-016-0008-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Fungi of Scopulariopsis and Microascus genera cause a wide range of infections, with S. brevicaulis being the most prevalent aetiological agent of mould onychomycosis. Proper identification of these pathogens requires sporulating culture, which considerably delays the diagnosis. So far, sequencing of rDNA regions of clinical isolates has produced ambiguous results due to the lack of reference sequences in publicly available databases. Thus, there is a clear need for the development of new molecular methods that would provide simple, rapid and highly specific identification of Scopulariopsis and Microascus species. The objective of this study was to develop simple and fast assays based on PCR and real-time PCR for specific detection of fungi from Scopulariopsis and Microascus genera, and separately, S. brevicaulis species. Methods On the basis of alignment of β-tubulin gene sequences, Microascus/Scopulariopsis-specific primers were designed and S. brevicaulis-specific primers were reevaluated. DNA from cultured fungal isolates, extracted in a two-step procedure, was used in Microascus/Scopulariopsis-specific and S. brevicaulis-specific PCR and real-time PCR followed by electrophoresis or melting temperature analysis, respectively. Results The specificity of the assays was confirmed, as positive results were obtained only for Scopulariopsis spp. and Microascus spp. isolates tested in Microascus/Scopulariopsis-specific assay, and only for S. brevicaulis and S. koningii (syn. S. brevicaulis) isolates in a S. brevicaulis-specific assay, respectively, and no positive results were obtained neither for other moulds, dermatophytes, yeast-like fungi, nor for human DNA. Conclusions The developed assays enable fast and unambiguous identification of Microascus spp. and Scopulariopsis spp. pathogens.
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Paredes K, Capilla J, Mayayo E, Guarro J. Virulence and Resistance to Antifungal Therapies of Scopulariopsis Species. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:2063-8. [PMID: 26787688 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.02275-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Scopulariopsisis an emerging opportunistic fungus characterized by its high resistance to antifungal therapies. We have developed a murine model of disseminated infection in immunosuppressed animals by intravenous inoculation ofScopulariopsis brevicaulisandScopulariopsis brumptii, the most clinically relevant species, in order to evaluate their virulence and their responses to conventional antifungal treatments. Survival and tissue burden studies showed thatS. brumptiiwas more virulent thanS. brevicaulis The three drugs tested, liposomal amphotericin B, posaconazole, and voriconazole, prolonged the survival of mice infected withS. brumptii, but none showed efficacy againstS. brevicaulis The different therapies were only able to modestly reduce the fungal burden of infected tissue; however, in general, despite the high serum levels reached, they showed poor efficacy in the treatment of the infection. Unfortunately, the most effective therapy forScopulariopsisinfections remains unresolved.
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Lackner M, Binder U, Reindl M, Gönül B, Fankhauser H, Mair C, Nagl M. N-Chlorotaurine Exhibits Fungicidal Activity against Therapy-Refractory Scedosporium Species and Lomentospora prolificans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:6454-62. [PMID: 26239996 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00957-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
N-Chlorotaurine (NCT), a well-tolerated endogenous long-lived oxidant that can be applied topically as an antiseptic, was tested on its fungicidal activity against Scedosporium and Lomentospora, opportunistic fungi that cause severe infections with limited treatment options, mainly in immunocompromised patients. In quantitative killing assays, both hyphae and conidia of Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium boydii, and Lomentospora prolificans (formerly Scedosporium prolificans) were killed by 55 mM (1.0%) NCT at pH 7.1 and 37°C, with a 1- to 4-log10 reduction in CFU after 4 h and a 4- to >6-log10 reduction after 24 h. The addition of ammonium chloride to NCT markedly increased this activity. LIVE/DEAD staining of conidia treated with 1.0% NCT for 0.5 to 3 h increased the permeability of the cell wall and membrane. Preincubation of the test fungi in 1.0% NCT for 10 to 60 min delayed the time to germination of conidia by 2 h to >12 h and reduced their germination rate by 10.0 to 100.0%. Larvae of Galleria mellonella infected with 1.0 × 10(7) conidia of S. apiospermum and S. boydii died at a rate of 90.0 to 100% after 8 to 12 days. The mortality rate was reduced to 20 to 50.0% if conidia were preincubated in 1.0% NCT for 0.5 h or if heat-inactivated conidia were used. Our study demonstrates the fungicidal activity of NCT against different Scedosporium and Lomentospora species. A postantifungal effect connected with a loss of virulence occurs after sublethal incubation times. The augmenting effect of ammonium chloride can be explained by the formation of monochloramine.
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Sattler L, Sabou M, Ganeval-Stoll A, Dissaux C, Candolfi E, Letscher-Bru V. Sinusitis caused by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis: Case report and review of the literature. Med Mycol Case Rep 2014; 5:24-7. [PMID: 25003024 PMCID: PMC4081977 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case of non-invasive sinusitis caused by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis in a 70-year-old immunocompetent patient who had an antibiotic-resistant suppurative tooth infection evolving for seven months. The sinus endoscopy highlighted a foreign body at the bottom of the sinus, which led to the hypothesis of fungal ball sinusitis. Culture of excised tissue was positive for S. brevicaulis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Sattler
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Plateau Technique de Microbiologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l׳Hôpital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Marcela Sabou
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Plateau Technique de Microbiologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l׳Hôpital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg Cedex, France ; Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Amina Ganeval-Stoll
- Service de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale et Réparatrice, Pavillon Chirurgie B, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l׳Hôpital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Caroline Dissaux
- Service de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale et Réparatrice, Pavillon Chirurgie B, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l׳Hôpital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Ermanno Candolfi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Plateau Technique de Microbiologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l׳Hôpital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg Cedex, France ; Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Valérie Letscher-Bru
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Plateau Technique de Microbiologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l׳Hôpital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg Cedex, France ; Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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