1
|
Son YE, Park HS. Coordination of two regulators SscA and VosA in Aspergillus nidulans conidia. Fungal Genet Biol 2024; 171:103877. [PMID: 38447800 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103877] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Airborne fungal spores are a major cause of fungal diseases in humans, animals, and plants as well as contamination of foods. Previous studies found a variety of regulators including VosA, VelB, WetA, and SscA for sporogenesis and the long-term viability in Aspergillus nidulans. To gain a mechanistic understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms in asexual spores, here, we focused on the relationship between VosA and SscA using comparative transcriptomic analysis and phenotypic studies. The ΔsscA ΔvosA double-mutant conidia have lower spore viability and stress tolerance compared to the ΔsscA or ΔvosA single mutant conidia. Deletion of sscA or vosA affects chitin levels and mRNA levels of chitin biosynthetic genes in conidia. In addition, SscA and VosA are required for the dormant state of conidia and conidial germination by modulating the mRNA levels of the cytoskeleton and development-associated genes. Overall, these results suggest that SscA and VosA play interdependent roles in governing spore maturation, dormancy, and germination in A. nidulans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Eun Son
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Soo Park
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nguyen TTT, Kang KH, Kim DH, Kim SJ, Mun HY, Cheon W, Lee HB. Additions to the Knowledge of the Fungal Order Eurotiales in Korea: Eight Undescribed Species. Mycobiology 2023; 51:417-435. [PMID: 38179116 PMCID: PMC10763837 DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2023.2290759] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Eurotiales is a relatively large order of Ascomycetes, well-known for their ability to produce secondary metabolites with potential beneficial applications. To understand their diversity and distribution, different environmental sources including soil, freshwater, insect, and indoor air were investigated. Eight strains of Eurotiales were isolated and identified based on their morphological characters and a multi-gene phylogenetic analysis of the ITS, BenA, CaM, and RPB2 regions. We identified eight taxa that were previously not reported from Korea: Aspergillus baeticus, A. griseoaurantiacus, A. spinulosporus, Penicillium anthracinoglaciei, P. labradorum, P. nalgiovense, Talaromyces atroroseus, and T. georgiensis. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic tree for the eight new records species are presented, and information regarding the records is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thuong T. T. Nguyen
- Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Environmental Microbiology Lab, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Ki Hyun Kang
- Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Environmental Microbiology Lab, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Dong Hee Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Environmental Microbiology Lab, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Su Jin Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Environmental Microbiology Lab, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Hye Yeon Mun
- Microbial Research Department, Fungal Research Team, Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources, Sangju, South Korea
| | - Wonsu Cheon
- Microbial Research Department, Fungal Research Team, Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources, Sangju, South Korea
| | - Hyang Burm Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Environmental Microbiology Lab, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
De Francesco MA. Drug-Resistant Aspergillus spp.: A Literature Review of Its Resistance Mechanisms and Its Prevalence in Europe. Pathogens 2023; 12:1305. [PMID: 38003770 PMCID: PMC10674884 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111305] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections due to the Aspergillus species constitute an important challenge for human health. Invasive aspergillosis represents a life-threatening disease, mostly in patients with immune defects. Drugs used for fungal infections comprise amphotericin B, triazoles, and echinocandins. However, in the last decade, an increased emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus strains has been reported, principally belonging to Aspergillus fumigatus species. Therefore, both the early diagnosis of aspergillosis and its epidemiological surveillance are very important to establish the correct antifungal therapy and to ensure a successful patient outcome. In this paper, a literature review is performed to analyze the prevalence of Aspergillus antifungal resistance in European countries. Amphotericin B resistance is observed in 2.6% and 10.8% of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in Denmark and Greece, respectively. A prevalence of 84% of amphotericin B-resistant Aspergillus flavus isolates is reported in France, followed by 49.4%, 35.1%, 21.7%, and 20% in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and amphotericin B resistance of Aspergillus niger isolates is observed in Greece and Belgium with a prevalence of 75% and 12.8%, respectively. The prevalence of triazole resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates, the most studied mold obtained from the included studies, is 0.3% in Austria, 1% in Greece, 1.2% in Switzerland, 2.1% in France, 3.9% in Portugal, 4.9% in Italy, 5.3% in Germany, 6.1% in Denmark, 7.4% in Spain, 8.3% in Belgium, 11% in the Netherlands, and 13.2% in the United Kingdom. The mechanism of resistance is mainly driven by the TR34/L98H mutation. In Europe, no in vivo resistance is reported for echinocandins. Future studies are needed to implement the knowledge on the spread of drug-resistant Aspergillus spp. with the aim of defining optimal treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonia De Francesco
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Microbiology, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Amirizad K, Ghazanfari M, Javidnia J, Abastabar M, Haghi Ashtiani MT, Sotoudeh Anvari M, Fathi M, Espahbodi A, Badali H, Hedayati MT, Haghani I, Seyedmousavi S. Central nervous system Aspergillus quadrilineatus infection in a COVID-19 patient, a case report and literature review. J Clin Lab Anal 2023; 37:e24971. [PMID: 37798858 PMCID: PMC10681513 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24971] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viral pneumonia such as COVID-19-associated aspergillosis could increase susceptibility to fungal super-infections in critically ill patients. METHODS Here we report a pediatric case of Aspergillus quadrilineatus cerebral infection in a recently diagnosed COVID-19-positive patient underlying acute lymphocytic leukemia. Morphological, molecular methods, and sequencing were used to identify this emerging species. RESULTS Histopathological examination showed a granulomatous necrotic area containing dichotomously branching septate hyphae indicating a presumptive Aspergillus structure. The species-level identity of isolate growing on brain biopsy culture was confirmed by PCR sequencing of the β-tubulin gene as A. quadrilineatus. Using the CLSI M38-A3 broth microdilution methodology, the in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing demonstrated 0.032 μg/mL MIC for posaconazole, caspofungin, and anidulafungin and 8 μg/mL against amphotericin B. A combination of intravenous liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin therapy for 8 days did not improve the patient's condition. The patient gradually continued to deteriorate and expired. CONCLUSIONS This is the first COVID-19-associated cerebral aspergillosis due to A. quadrilineatus in a pediatric patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia. However, comprehensive screening studies are highly recommended to evaluate its frequency and antifungal susceptibility profiles. Before being recommended as first-line therapy in high-risk patients, more antifungal susceptibility data are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Amirizad
- Department of Mycology, Faculty of Medical SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Mona Ghazanfari
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of MedicineMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariMazandaranIran
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases InstituteMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariIran
| | - Javad Javidnia
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of MedicineMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariMazandaranIran
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases InstituteMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariIran
| | - Mahdi Abastabar
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of MedicineMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariMazandaranIran
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases InstituteMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariIran
| | | | - Maryam Sotoudeh Anvari
- Department of Surgical and Clinical Pathology, Cardiac Research, Tehran Heart CenterTehran University of Medical Sciences; TehranIran
| | - Maryam Fathi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Amirreza Espahbodi
- Student Research Committee, School of MedicineMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariMazandaranIran
| | - Hamid Badali
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious DiseasesThe University of Texas at San AntonioSan AntonioTexasUSA
| | - Mohammad Taghi Hedayati
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of MedicineMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariMazandaranIran
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases InstituteMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariIran
| | - Iman Haghani
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of MedicineMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariMazandaranIran
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases InstituteMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariIran
| | - Seyedmojtaba Seyedmousavi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology Service, Clinical CenterNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Stemler J, Többen C, Lass-Flörl C, Steinmann J, Ackermann K, Rath PM, Simon M, Cornely OA, Koehler P. Diagnosis and Treatment of Invasive Aspergillosis Caused by Non- fumigatus Aspergillus spp. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040500. [PMID: 37108955 PMCID: PMC10141595 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
With increasing frequency, clinical and laboratory-based mycologists are consulted on invasive fungal diseases caused by rare fungal species. This review aims to give an overview of the management of invasive aspergillosis (IA) caused by non-fumigatus Aspergillus spp.-namely A. flavus, A. terreus, A. niger and A. nidulans-including diagnostic and therapeutic differences and similarities to A. fumigatus. A. flavus is the second most common Aspergillus spp. isolated in patients with IA and the predominant species in subtropical regions. Treatment is complicated by its intrinsic resistance against amphotericin B (AmB) and high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for voriconazole. A. nidulans has been frequently isolated in patients with long-term immunosuppression, mostly in patients with primary immunodeficiencies such as chronic granulomatous disease. It has been reported to disseminate more often than other Aspergillus spp. Innate resistance against AmB has been suggested but not yet proven, while MICs seem to be elevated. A. niger is more frequently reported in less severe infections such as otomycosis. Triazoles exhibit varying MICs and are therefore not strictly recommended as first-line treatment for IA caused by A. niger, while patient outcome seems to be more favorable when compared to IA due to other Aspergillus species. A. terreus-related infections have been reported increasingly as the cause of acute and chronic aspergillosis. A recent prospective international multicenter surveillance study showed Spain, Austria, and Israel to be the countries with the highest density of A. terreus species complex isolates collected. This species complex seems to cause dissemination more often and is intrinsically resistant to AmB. Non-fumigatus aspergillosis is difficult to manage due to complex patient histories, varying infection sites and potential intrinsic resistances to antifungals. Future investigational efforts should aim at amplifying the knowledge on specific diagnostic measures and their on-site availability, as well as defining optimal treatment strategies and outcomes of non-fumigatus aspergillosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jannik Stemler
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), European Diamond Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
| | - Christina Többen
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), European Diamond Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, European Diamond Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jörg Steinmann
- Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Klinikum Nürnberg, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, European Diamond Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina Ackermann
- Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Klinikum Nürnberg, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Peter-Michael Rath
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, European Diamond Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Michaela Simon
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Oliver Andreas Cornely
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), European Diamond Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
- Clinical Trials Centre Cologne (ZKS Köln), University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Philipp Koehler
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), European Diamond Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vinh DC. Of Mycelium and Men: Inherent Human Susceptibility to Fungal Diseases. Pathogens 2023; 12:456. [PMID: 36986378 PMCID: PMC10058615 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In medical mycology, the main context of disease is iatrogenic-based disease. However, historically, and occasionally, even today, fungal diseases affect humans with no obvious risk factors, sometimes in a spectacular fashion. The field of “inborn errors of immunity” (IEI) has deduced at least some of these previously enigmatic cases; accordingly, the discovery of single-gene disorders with penetrant clinical effects and their immunologic dissection have provided a framework with which to understand some of the key pathways mediating human susceptibility to mycoses. By extension, they have also enabled the identification of naturally occurring auto-antibodies to cytokines that phenocopy such susceptibility. This review provides a comprehensive update of IEI and autoantibodies that inherently predispose humans to various fungal diseases.
Collapse
|
7
|
Géry A, Séguin V, Eldin de Pécoulas P, Bonhomme J, Garon D. Aspergilli series Versicolores: importance of species identification in the clinical setting. Crit Rev Microbiol 2022:1-14. [PMID: 35758008 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2082267] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The moulds of the genus Aspergillus section Nidulantes series Versicolores are ubiquitous and particularly recurrent in indoor air. They are considered present in 70% of the bioaerosols to which we are exposed most of our time spent indoors. With the taxonomic revision proposed in 2012 and the discovery of four new species, the series Versicolores currently includes 18 species. These moulds, although considered as cryptic (except Aspergillus sydowii), are opportunistic pathogens that can exhibit increased minimal inhibitory concentrations to conventional antifungal agents. In this review, we discuss the ecology and clinical implications of each species belonging to the series Versicolores. This survey also highlights the lack of consideration for taxonomic revisions in clinical practice and in scientific studies which greatly limits the acquisition of specific knowledge on species belonging to the series Versicolores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Géry
- Unicaen and Unirouen, ToxEMAC-ABTE, Centre F. Baclesse, Normandie Univ, Caen, France
| | - Virginie Séguin
- Unicaen and Unirouen, ToxEMAC-ABTE, Centre F. Baclesse, Normandie Univ, Caen, France
| | | | - Julie Bonhomme
- Unicaen and Unirouen, ToxEMAC-ABTE, Centre F. Baclesse, Normandie Univ, Caen, France.,Department of Microbiology, Caen University Hospital, Caen, France
| | - David Garon
- Unicaen and Unirouen, ToxEMAC-ABTE, Centre F. Baclesse, Normandie Univ, Caen, France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abastabar M, Zaedi A, Shabanzadeh S, Nosratabadi M, Moazeni M, Aghili SR, Haghani I, Khojasteh S, Javidnia J, Nargesi S, Shokohi T, Hedayati MT, Meis JF, Badali H. In vitro activity of 23 antifungal drugs against 54 clinical and environmental Aspergillus oryzae isolates. Mycoses 2022; 65:981-988. [PMID: 35689417 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13481] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of invasive aspergillosis caused by cryptic species remains a challenge due to the lack of randomised clinical trials and investigation of the efficacy and safety of different therapeutic strategies. We aimed to evaluate the in vitro activity of 23 conventional and new antifungal drugs against 54 clinical and environmental Aspergillus oryzae isolates by using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standard M38-A3. The lowest geometric mean MIC values were found for luliconazole and lanoconazole (0.001 μg/ml), followed by anidulafungin (0.104 μg/ml), posaconazole (0.15 μg/ml), itraconazole (0.37 μg/ml), efinaconazole (0.5 μg/ml), voriconazole (0.51 μg/ml), tavaborole (0.72 μg/ml), and amphotericin B (0.79 μg/ml). In contrast, ketoconazole, terbinafine, econazole, tioconazole, ravuconazole, miconazole, nystatin, clotrimazole, griseofulvin, sertaconazole, natamycin, tolnaftate, and fluconazole had no or low activity. Further studies are required to determine how well this in vitro activity translates into in vivo efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Abastabar
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Arezoo Zaedi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shafigheh Shabanzadeh
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nosratabadi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Maryam Moazeni
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Aghili
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Iman Haghani
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shaghayegh Khojasteh
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Javad Javidnia
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sanaz Nargesi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tahereh Shokohi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghi Hedayati
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hamid Badali
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Li Q, Kong D, Wang Y, Dou Z, Huang W, Hu B, Dong F, Jiang H, Lv Q, Zheng Y, Ren Y, Liu G, Liu P, Jiang Y. Characterization of a rare clinical isolate of A. spinulosporus following a central nervous system infection. Microbes Infect 2022; 24:104973. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2022.104973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
10
|
Arastehfar A, Carvalho A, Houbraken J, Lombardi L, Garcia-Rubio R, Jenks J, Rivero-Menendez O, Aljohani R, Jacobsen I, Berman J, Osherov N, Hedayati M, Ilkit M, Armstrong-James D, Gabaldón T, Meletiadis J, Kostrzewa M, Pan W, Lass-Flörl C, Perlin D, Hoenigl M. Aspergillus fumigatus and aspergillosis: From basics to clinics. Stud Mycol 2021; 100:100115. [PMID: 34035866 PMCID: PMC8131930 DOI: 10.1016/j.simyco.2021.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [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] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The airborne fungus Aspergillus fumigatus poses a serious health threat to humans by causing numerous invasive infections and a notable mortality in humans, especially in immunocompromised patients. Mould-active azoles are the frontline therapeutics employed to treat aspergillosis. The global emergence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates in clinic and environment, however, notoriously limits the therapeutic options of mould-active antifungals and potentially can be attributed to a mortality rate reaching up to 100 %. Although specific mutations in CYP 51A are the main cause of azole resistance, there is a new wave of azole-resistant isolates with wild-type CYP 51A genotype challenging the efficacy of the current diagnostic tools. Therefore, applications of whole-genome sequencing are increasingly gaining popularity to overcome such challenges. Prominent echinocandin tolerance, as well as liver and kidney toxicity posed by amphotericin B, necessitate a continuous quest for novel antifungal drugs to combat emerging azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. Animal models and the tools used for genetic engineering require further refinement to facilitate a better understanding about the resistance mechanisms, virulence, and immune reactions orchestrated against A. fumigatus. This review paper comprehensively discusses the current clinical challenges caused by A. fumigatus and provides insights on how to address them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A. Arastehfar
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - A. Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - J. Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - L. Lombardi
- UCD Conway Institute and School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - R. Garcia-Rubio
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - J.D. Jenks
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
- Clinical and Translational Fungal-Working Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - O. Rivero-Menendez
- Medical Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28222, Spain
| | - R. Aljohani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - I.D. Jacobsen
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - J. Berman
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - N. Osherov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - M.T. Hedayati
- Invasive Fungi Research Center/Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - M. Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey
| | | | - T. Gabaldón
- Life Sciences Programme, Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS), Jordi Girona, Barcelona, 08034, Spain
- Mechanisms of Disease Programme, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J. Meletiadis
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - W. Pan
- Medical Mycology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - C. Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - D.S. Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - M. Hoenigl
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bafghi MH, Nazari R, Darroudi M, Zargar M, Zarrinfar H. The effect of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles on the expression of CYP51A and HSP90 antifungal resistance genes in Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. Biotechnol Prog 2021; 38:e3206. [PMID: 34460147 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The application of biological nanoparticles (NPs) can be considered as a way to overcome the problem of antifungal resistance in pathogenic fungi. This study takes a new approach to biosynthesized NPs influence on the expression of CYP51A and HSP90 antifungal resistance genes in Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus, and comparison with antifungal agents. Selenium NPs (Se-NPs) were biosynthesized using Aspergillus strains and their production was proved by several methods including, UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and EDX techniques. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Aspergillus strains were determined using the CLSI M38-A2 broth microdilution method. The differences in expression levels of CYP51A and HSP90 genes were examined between untreated and treated of A. fumigatus and A. flavus using itraconazole and amphotericin B and biosynthesized Se-NPs through real-time PCR. After confirming the results of NPs synthesis, the MIC of itraconazole and amphotericin B against A. fumigatus and A. flavus was 4 μg/ml. Based on the real-time PCR results, the obtained ∆∆CTs for these strains were -0.18, -1.46, and -1.14. Whereas the MIC values for treated samples with Se-NPs have decreased to 0.5 μg/ml, and the ∆∆CTs for these were -0.25, -1.76, and -1.68. The expression of CYP51A and HSP90 genes was significantly down-regulated through the use of Se-NPs against A. fumigatus and A. flavus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Hosseini Bafghi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
| | - Razieh Nazari
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
| | - Majid Darroudi
- Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohsen Zargar
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
| | - Hossein Zarrinfar
- Allergy Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Robert MG, Cornet M, Hennebique A, Rasamoelina T, Caspar Y, Pondérand L, Bidart M, Durand H, Jacquet M, Garnaud C, Maubon D. MALDI-TOF MS in a Medical Mycology Laboratory: On Stage and Backstage. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1283. [PMID: 34204665 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The implementation of MALDI-TOF MS in medical microbiology laboratories has revolutionized practices and significantly reduced turnaround times of identification processes. However, although bacteriology quickly benefited from the contributions of this technique, adjustments were necessary to accommodate the specific characteristics of fungi. MALDI-TOF MS is now an indispensable tool in clinical mycology laboratories, both for the identification of yeasts and filamentous fungi, and other innovative uses are gradually emerging. Based on the practical experience of our medical mycology laboratory, this review will present the current uses of MALDI-TOF MS and the adaptations we implemented, to allow their practical execution in a daily routine. We will also introduce some less mainstream applications, like those for fungemia, or even still under development, as is the case for the determination of sensitivity to antifungal agents or typing methods.
Collapse
|
13
|
Macedo D, Leonardelli F, Gamarra S, Garcia-Effron G. Emergence of Triazole Resistance in Aspergillus spp. in Latin America. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 2021;:1-11. [PMID: 34025901 DOI: 10.1007/s12281-021-00418-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. is becoming a public health problem worldwide. However, data about this subject is lacking in Latin American countries. This review focuses in the epidemiology and molecular mechanisms of azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. emphasizing in Latin America. Data on Aspergillus fumigatus stands out because it is the most prevalent Aspergillus spp. pathogen. Recent Findings Azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. emergence was linked with intensive use of these antifungals both in the clinical setting and in the environment (as pesticides). Reports on azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains are being constantly published in different countries. Molecular mechanisms of resistance mainly involve substitution in the azole target (CYP51A) and/or overexpression of this gene. However, several other non-CYP51A-related mechanisms were described. Moreover, intrinsically resistant cryptic Aspergillus species are starting to be reported as human pathogens. Summary After a comprehensive literature review, it is clear that azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. is emerging in Latin America and perhaps it is underestimated. All the main molecular mechanisms of azole resistance were described in patients and/or environmental samples. Moreover, one of the molecular mechanisms was described only in South America. Cryptic intrinsic azole-resistant species are also described.
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhang L, Wang X, Wan X, Hasimu H, Abliz P. The Effects of Different Fungi on the IL-1β Expression in Mouse Dendritic Cells. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2020; 13. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.104089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Invasive fungal infection received more and more attention because of its high mortality, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common pathogenic fungus for systematic fungal infection, A. lentulus was isolated and identified recently and named as a sister of A. fumigatus. Objectives: The current study aimed to explore the concentration and time-dependent relationships of the virulence of fungi due to the change in the Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) level. Methods: Candida albicans, A. fumigatus, and A. lentulus suspensions with a multiplicity of infection = 0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 units were used to treat mouse dendritic cells. The IL-β level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after the treatment was administered. Results: The main effects and interactions between the multiplicity of infection, intervention duration, and the dependent variable of IL-1β were significant. Besides, there were statistically significant differences. Only C. albicans and A. lentulus could induce IL-1β 48 hours after administration. Furthermore, the production of IL-1β induced by A. fumigatus was higher than that induced by A. lentulus and C. albicans. Conclusions: This study demonstrated concentration- and time-dependent relationships in IL-1β production by dendritic cells induced by three types of fungi. Candida albicans and A. lentulus exhibited a slow phase-in in vitro inflammation induction. The inflammatory response induced by A. fumigatusin vitro has the characteristics of a short action time and a strong toxic effect. Finally, A. lentulus is less virulent than A. fumigatus, and its inflammation-inducing time is relatively longer.
Collapse
|
15
|
Bastos RW, Valero C, Silva LP, Schoen T, Drott M, Brauer V, Silva-Rocha R, Lind A, Steenwyk JL, Rokas A, Rodrigues F, Resendiz-Sharpe A, Lagrou K, Marcet-Houben M, Gabaldón T, McDonnell E, Reid I, Tsang A, Oakley BR, Loures FV, Almeida F, Huttenlocher A, Keller NP, Ries LNA, Goldman GH. Functional Characterization of Clinical Isolates of the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Aspergillus nidulans. mSphere 2020; 5:e00153-20. [PMID: 32269156 PMCID: PMC7142298 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00153-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus nidulans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen in patients with immunodeficiency, and virulence of A. nidulans isolates has mainly been studied in the context of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), with characterization of clinical isolates obtained from non-CGD patients remaining elusive. This study therefore carried out a detailed biological characterization of two A. nidulans clinical isolates (CIs), obtained from a patient with breast carcinoma and pneumonia and from a patient with cystic fibrosis that underwent lung transplantation, and compared them to the reference, nonclinical FGSC A4 strain. Both CIs presented increased growth in comparison to that of the reference strain in the presence of physiologically relevant carbon sources. Metabolomic analyses showed that the three strains are metabolically very different from each other in these carbon sources. Furthermore, the CIs were highly susceptible to cell wall-perturbing agents but not to other physiologically relevant stresses. Genome analyses identified several frameshift variants in genes encoding cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling components. Significant differences in CWI signaling were confirmed by Western blotting among the three strains. In vivo virulence studies using several different models revealed that strain MO80069 had significantly higher virulence in hosts with impaired neutrophil function than the other strains. In summary, this study presents detailed biological characterization of two A. nidulanssensu stricto clinical isolates. Just as in Aspergillus fumigatus, strain heterogeneity exists in A. nidulans clinical strains that can define virulence traits. Further studies are required to fully characterize A. nidulans strain-specific virulence traits and pathogenicity.IMPORTANCE Immunocompromised patients are susceptible to infections with opportunistic filamentous fungi from the genus Aspergillus Although A. fumigatus is the main etiological agent of Aspergillus species-related infections, other species, such as A. nidulans, are prevalent in a condition-specific manner. A. nidulans is a predominant infective agent in patients suffering from chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). A. nidulans isolates have mainly been studied in the context of CGD although infection with A. nidulans also occurs in non-CGD patients. This study carried out a detailed biological characterization of two non-CGD A. nidulans clinical isolates and compared the results to those with a reference strain. Phenotypic, metabolomic, and genomic analyses highlight fundamental differences in carbon source utilization, stress responses, and maintenance of cell wall integrity among the strains. One clinical strain had increased virulence in models with impaired neutrophil function. Just as in A. fumigatus, strain heterogeneity exists in A. nidulans clinical strains that can define virulence traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Wesley Bastos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Clara Valero
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lilian Pereira Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Taylor Schoen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Milton Drott
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Verônica Brauer
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Abigail Lind
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jacob L Steenwyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/3B's Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Agustin Resendiz-Sharpe
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marina Marcet-Houben
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
- Life Sciences Program, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, Barcelona, Spain
- Mechanisms of Disease Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
- Life Sciences Program, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, Barcelona, Spain
- Mechanisms of Disease Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erin McDonnell
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ian Reid
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Adrian Tsang
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Berl R Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Flávio Vieira Loures
- Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São José dos Campos, Brazil
| | - Fausto Almeida
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|