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Koohsari P, Nakhaee A, Rahmanian M, Salahshour F, Parkhideh R, Larti F. Devastating fungal endocarditis involving ascending aorta in a patient with a history of aortic valve replacement: a case report. J Cardiothorac Surg 2024; 19:191. [PMID: 38589959 PMCID: PMC11003144 DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02733-8] [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: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal endocarditis is a rare but serious condition associated with high mortality rates. Various predisposing factors contribute to its occurrence, such as underlying cardiac abnormalities, cardiac surgeries, prosthetic cardiac devices, and central venous catheters. Diagnosing fungal endocarditis, particularly Aspergillus, poses challenges, often complicated by negative blood cultures. CASE PRESENTATION This report details a case of extensive ascending aorta involvement in Aspergillus endocarditis (AE) in a 24-year-old man with a history of bioprosthesis aortic valve replacement (AVR). Three months post-AVR, he presented with pericardial effusion and aortic rupture, leading to a redo biological valved conduit aortic root replacement (Bentall surgery). Despite the intervention, the tubular graft exhibited extensive Aspergillus involvement, resulting in graft disruption and significant peri-aortic infection. A second redo procedure involving aortic homograft root replacement was performed. Unfortunately, the patient succumbed two days after the surgery. CONCLUSION A combined approach of medical and surgical therapies is recommended to manage fungal endocarditis. Despite efforts, the mortality rate associated with Aspergillus endocarditis remains unacceptably high, with no significant difference observed between combination therapy and antifungal treatment alone. Further research is essential to explore novel therapeutic strategies and improve outcomes for patients with this challenging condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Koohsari
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Nakhaee
- Cardiology Department, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrzad Rahmanian
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faeze Salahshour
- Department of Radiology, Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Imam-Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Parkhideh
- Cardiology Department, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnoosh Larti
- Cardiology Department, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Peng D, Li A, Kong M, Mao C, Sun Y, Shen M. Pathogenic Aspergillus Strains Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility Analysis of 452 Cases with Otomycosis in Jingzhou, China. Mycopathologia 2024; 189:30. [PMID: 38578519 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00836-3] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the distribution of pathogenic Aspergillus strains of otomycosis in central China and the identification of their antifungal sensitivity. METHODS We collected external ear canal secretions clinically diagnosed as otomycosis from April 2020 to January 2023 from the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in central China. The pathogenic Aspergillus strains were identified through morphological examination and sequencing. The antifungal sensitivity was performed using the broth microdilution method described in the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute document M38-A3. RESULTS In the 452 clinical strains isolated from the external ear canal, 284 were identified as Aspergillus terreus (62.83%), 92 as Aspergillus flavus (20.35%), 55 as Aspergillus niger (12.17%). In antifungal susceptibility tests the MIC of Aspergillus strains to bifonazole and clotrimazole was high,all the MIC90 is > 16 ug/mL. However, most Aspergillus isolates show moderate greatly against terbinafine, itraconazole and voriconazole. CONCLUSION A. terreus is the most common pathogenic Aspergillus strain in otomycosis in central China. The selected topical antifungal drugs were bifonazole and clotrimazole; the drug resistance rate was approximately 30%. If the infection is persistent and requires systemic treatment, terbinafine and itraconazole can be used. The resistance of Aspergillus in otomycosis to voriconazole should be screened to avoid the systemic spread of infection in immunocompromised people and poor compliance with treatment. However, the pan-azole-resistant strain of Aspergillus should be monitored, particularly in high-risk patients with otomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Peng
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Aimin Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Mengdan Kong
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Chenggang Mao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Min Shen
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
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Chen X, Moran Torres JP, Wösten HAB. The role of the Flb protein family in the life cycle of Aspergillus niger. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2024; 117:58. [PMID: 38502333 PMCID: PMC10950988 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-024-01957-x] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Genes flbA-E are involved in sporulation and vegetative growth in Aspergillus nidulans. Inactivation of either of these genes results in a fluffy phenotype with delayed or even abolished sporulation. Previously, a non-sporulating phenotype was obtained by inactivating flbA in Aspergillus niger, which was accompanied by lysis, thinner cell walls, and an increased secretome complexity. Here, we further studied the role of the flb genes of A. niger. Strains ΔflbA, ΔflbB and ΔflbE showed increased biomass formation, while inactivation of flbA-D reduced, or even abolished, formation of conidia. Strain ΔflbA was more sensitive to H2O2, DTT, and the cell wall integrity stress compounds SDS and Congo Red (CR). Also, ΔflbC was more sensitive to SDS, while ΔflbB, ΔflbD, and ΔflbE were more sensitive to CR. On the other hand, inactivation of flbE increased resistance to H2O2. Enzyme secretion was impacted when the Δflb strains were grown on xylose. Strain ΔflbE showed reduced xylanase, cellulase and amylase secretion. On the other hand, amylase secretion at the periphery of the ΔflbA colony was reduced but not in its center, while secretion of this enzyme was increased in the center of the ΔflbB colony but not at its periphery. Inactivation of flbC and flbD also impacted zonal cellulase and amylase activity. Together, the Flb protein family of A. niger function in biomass formation, sporulation, stress response, and protein secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Chen
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Juan P Moran Torres
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Han A B Wösten
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Reyes Castillo N, Díaz CE, Andres MF, Imperial J, Valcárcel F, González Coloma AA. Optimization of fungicidal and acaricidal metabolite production by endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. SPH2. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2024; 11:28. [PMID: 38647905 PMCID: PMC10992823 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-024-00745-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. SPH2 was isolated from the stems of the endemic plant Bethencourtia palmensis and its extracts were found to have strong fungicidal effects against Botrytis cinerea and ixodicidal effects against Hyalomma lusitanicum at different fermentation times. In this study, the fungus was grown using three different culture media and two methodologies, Microparticulate Enhancement Cultivation (MPEC) and Semi-Solid-State Fermentation (Semi-SSF), to increase the production of secondary metabolites during submerged fermentation. The addition of an inert support to the culture medium (Semi-SSF) resulted in a significant increase in the extract production. However, when talcum powder was added to different culture media, unexpected results were observed, with a decrease in the production of the biocompounds of interest. Metabolomic analyses showed that the production of aspergillic, neoaspergillic, and neohydroxyaspergillic acids peaked in the first few days of fermentation, with notable differences observed among the methodologies and culture media. Mellein production was particularly affected by the addition of an inert support to the culture medium. These results highlight the importance of surface properties and morphology of spores and mycelia during fermentation by this fungal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Reyes Castillo
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias (ICA), Calle de Serrano 115B, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carmen E Díaz
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA) - CSIC, Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez, 3, Tenerife, 38206, La Laguna, Spain
| | - M Fe Andres
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias (ICA), Calle de Serrano 115B, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Imperial
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223, Madrid, Spain
| | - Félix Valcárcel
- Grupo de Parasitología Animal, Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA-CSIC, Carretera de La Coruña, Km 5,9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Grupo de Trabajo ESGARIBER, Sociedad Española de Parasitología,, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Azucena González Coloma
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias (ICA), Calle de Serrano 115B, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
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Goda DA, Shakam HM, Metwally ME, Abdelrasoul HA, Yacout MM. Enhancement of cellulolytic enzyme production from intrageneric protoplast fusion of Aspergillus species and evaluating the hydrolysate scavenging activity. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:73. [PMID: 38431598 PMCID: PMC10908185 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02343-y] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lignocellulosic biomass provides a great starting point for the production of energy, chemicals, and fuels. The major component of lignocellulosic biomass is cellulose, the employment of highly effective enzymatic cocktails, which can be produced by a variety of microorganisms including species of the genus Aspergillus, is necessary for its utilization in a more productive manner. In this regard, molecular biology techniques should be utilized to promote the economics of enzyme production, whereas strategies like protoplast fusion could be employed to improve the efficacy of the hydrolytic process. RESULTS The current study focuses on cellulase production in Aspergillus species using intrageneric protoplast fusion, statistical optimization of growth parameters, and determination of antioxidant activity of fermentation hydrolysate. Protoplast fusion was conducted between A. flavus X A. terreus (PFFT), A. nidulans X A. tamarii (PFNT) and A. oryzae X A. tubingensis (PFOT), and the resultant fusant PFNT revealed higher activity level compared with the other fusants. Thus, this study aimed to optimize lignocellulosic wastes-based medium for cellulase production by Aspergillus spp. fusant (PFNT) and studying the antioxidant effect of fermentation hydrolysate. The experimental strategy Plackett-Burman (PBD) was used to assess how culture conditions affected cellulase output, the best level of the three major variables namely, SCB, pH, and incubation temperature were then determined using Box-Behnken design (BBD). Consequently, by utilizing an optimized medium instead of a basal medium, cellulase activity increased from 3.11 U/ml to 7.689 U/ml CMCase. The following medium composition was thought to be ideal based on this optimization: sugarcane bagasse (SCB), 6.82 gm; wheat bran (WB), 4; Moisture, 80%; pH, 4; inoculum size, (3 × 106 spores/ml); and incubation Temp. 31.8 °C for 4 days and the fermentation hydrolysate has 28.13% scavenging activities. CONCLUSION The results obtained in this study demonstrated the significant activity of the selected fusant and the higher sugar yield from cellulose hydrolysis over its parental strains, suggesting the possibility of enhancing cellulase activity by protoplast fusion using an experimental strategy and the fermentation hydrolysate showed antioxidant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doaa A Goda
- Bioprocess Development Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Universities and Research Institutes Zone, P.O. 21934, New Borg El-Arab City, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Huda M Shakam
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mai E Metwally
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed M Yacout
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria, Egypt
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Li J, Sun Y, Liu F, Zhou Y, Yan Y, Zhou Z, Wang P, Zhou S. Increasing NADPH impairs fungal H 2O 2 resistance by perturbing transcriptional regulation of peroxiredoxin. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2022; 9:1. [PMID: 38647831 PMCID: PMC10992141 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-021-00489-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
NADPH provides the reducing power for decomposition of reactive oxygen species (ROS), making it an indispensable part during ROS defense. It remains uncertain, however, if living cells respond to the ROS challenge with an elevated intracellular NADPH level or a more complex NADPH-mediated manner. Herein, we employed a model fungus Aspergillus nidulans to probe this issue. A conditional expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-strain was constructed to manipulate intracellular NADPH levels. As expected, turning down the cellular NADPH concentration drastically lowered the ROS response of the strain; it was interesting to note that increasing NADPH levels also impaired fungal H2O2 resistance. Further analysis showed that excess NADPH promoted the assembly of the CCAAT-binding factor AnCF, which in turn suppressed NapA, a transcriptional activator of PrxA (the key NADPH-dependent ROS scavenger), leading to low antioxidant ability. In natural cell response to oxidative stress, we noticed that the intracellular NADPH level fluctuated "down then up" in the presence of H2O2. This might be the result of a co-action of the PrxA-dependent NADPH consumption and NADPH-dependent feedback of G6PD. The fluctuation of NADPH is well correlated to the formation of AnCF assembly and expression of NapA, thus modulating the ROS defense. Our research elucidated how A. nidulans precisely controls NADPH levels for ROS defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yanwei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Feiyun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yunfeng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Zhemin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology (Ministry of Education), School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin cities, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
| | - Shengmin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
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