Characterization of a Novel Yeast Phase-Specific Antigen Expressed
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Calcium Affects Polyphosphate and Lipid Accumulation in Mucoromycota Fungi
Journal of Fungi Article Calcium Affects Polyphosphate and Lipid Accumulation in Mucoromycota Fungi Simona Dzurendova 1,*, Boris Zimmermann 1 , Achim Kohler 1, Kasper Reitzel 2 , Ulla Gro Nielsen 3 , Benjamin Xavier Dupuy--Galet 1 , Shaun Leivers 4 , Svein Jarle Horn 4 and Volha Shapaval 1 1 Faculty of Science and Technology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Drøbakveien 31, 1433 Ås, Norway; [email protected] (B.Z.); [email protected] (A.K.); [email protected] (B.X.D.–G.); [email protected] (V.S.) 2 Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark; [email protected] 3 Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark; [email protected] 4 Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Christian Magnus Falsens vei 1, 1433 Ås, Norway; [email protected] (S.L.); [email protected] (S.J.H.) * Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected] Abstract: Calcium controls important processes in fungal metabolism, such as hyphae growth, cell wall synthesis, and stress tolerance. Recently, it was reported that calcium affects polyphosphate and lipid accumulation in fungi. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of calcium on the accumulation of lipids and polyphosphate for six oleaginous Mucoromycota fungi grown under different phosphorus/pH conditions. A Duetz microtiter plate system (Duetz MTPS) was used for the cultivation. The compositional profile of the microbial biomass was recorded using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, the high throughput screening extension (FTIR-HTS). -
Ecology of Histoplasma Casulatum Var. Capsulatum
Vaccines & Vaccination Open Access Ecology of Histoplasma Casulatum var. Capsulatum Pal M* Editorial Founder of Narayan Consultancy on Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology, India Volume 2 Issue 1 Received Date: July 22, 2017 *Corresponding author: Mahendra Pal, Founder of Narayan Consultancy on Published Date: July 29, 2017 Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology, 4 Aangan, Jagnath Ganesh Dairy Road, Anand-388001, India, Tel: 091-9426085328; Email: [email protected] Editorial Ecology is defined as the study of an organism in Since the first recognition of Histoplasma capsulatum relation to its environment. Most of the fungi such as in 1905 by Darling, three varieties of this dimorphic Aspergillus fumigatus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, fungus are described. These are H. capsulatum var. Cryptococcus neoformans, Fusrium solani, Geotrichum capsulatum (American histoplasmosis), H. capsulatum var. candidum, Histoplasma capsulatum, Sprothrix schenckii duboisii (African histolasmosis, affects man and baboon) etc., have ecological association with environmental and H. capsulatum var. farciminosum. The later variety substrates. These mycotic agents are frequently causes epizootic lymphangitis in animals mainly in recovered from the soil, avian droppings, bat guano, equines. It is a major fungal disease of equines in Ethiopia. woods, litter, sewage, straw, vegetables, fruits and other Among these varieties, H.casulatum var. capsulatum, plant materials. Among these saprophytic fungi, commonly known as H. capsulatum, is global in Histoplasma capsulatum is an important dimorphic distribution, and causes infections in humans as well as in fungus, which can cause life threatening disease in many species of animals such as bat, bear, cat, cattle, dog, humans and in a wide variety of animals. The recorded ferret, fox, horse, monkey, sheep etc. -
Estimated Burden of Fungal Infections in Oman
Journal of Fungi Article Estimated Burden of Fungal Infections in Oman Abdullah M. S. Al-Hatmi 1,2,3,* , Mohammed A. Al-Shuhoumi 4 and David W. Denning 5 1 Department of microbiology, Natural & Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa 616, Oman 2 Department of microbiology, Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, 6500 Nijmegen, The Netherlands 3 Foundation of Atlas of Clinical Fungi, 1214GP Hilversum, The Netherlands 4 Ibri Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ibri 115, Oman; [email protected] 5 Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +968-25446328; Fax: +968-25446612 Abstract: For many years, fungi have emerged as significant and frequent opportunistic pathogens and nosocomial infections in many different populations at risk. Fungal infections include disease that varies from superficial to disseminated infections which are often fatal. No fungal disease is reportable in Oman. Many cases are admitted with underlying pathology, and fungal infection is often not documented. The burden of fungal infections in Oman is still unknown. Using disease frequencies from heterogeneous and robust data sources, we provide an estimation of the incidence and prevalence of Oman’s fungal diseases. An estimated 79,520 people in Oman are affected by a serious fungal infection each year, 1.7% of the population, not including fungal skin infections, chronic fungal rhinosinusitis or otitis externa. These figures are dominated by vaginal candidiasis, followed by allergic respiratory disease (fungal asthma). An estimated 244 patients develop invasive aspergillosis and at least 230 candidemia annually (5.4 and 5.0 per 100,000). -
Fungal Evolution: Major Ecological Adaptations and Evolutionary Transitions
Biol. Rev. (2019), pp. 000–000. 1 doi: 10.1111/brv.12510 Fungal evolution: major ecological adaptations and evolutionary transitions Miguel A. Naranjo-Ortiz1 and Toni Gabaldon´ 1,2,3∗ 1Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain 2 Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain 3ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain ABSTRACT Fungi are a highly diverse group of heterotrophic eukaryotes characterized by the absence of phagotrophy and the presence of a chitinous cell wall. While unicellular fungi are far from rare, part of the evolutionary success of the group resides in their ability to grow indefinitely as a cylindrical multinucleated cell (hypha). Armed with these morphological traits and with an extremely high metabolical diversity, fungi have conquered numerous ecological niches and have shaped a whole world of interactions with other living organisms. Herein we survey the main evolutionary and ecological processes that have guided fungal diversity. We will first review the ecology and evolution of the zoosporic lineages and the process of terrestrialization, as one of the major evolutionary transitions in this kingdom. Several plausible scenarios have been proposed for fungal terrestralization and we here propose a new scenario, which considers icy environments as a transitory niche between water and emerged land. We then focus on exploring the main ecological relationships of Fungi with other organisms (other fungi, protozoans, animals and plants), as well as the origin of adaptations to certain specialized ecological niches within the group (lichens, black fungi and yeasts). -
FUNGI Why Care?
FUNGI Fungal Classification, Structure, and Replication -Commonly present in nature as saprophytes, -transiently colonising or etiological agenses. -Frequently present in biological samples. -They role in pathogenesis can be difficult to determine. Why Care? • Fungi are a cause of nosocomial infections. • Fungal infections are a major problem in immune suppressed people. • Fungal infections are often mistaken for bacterial infections, with fatal consequences. Most fungi live harmlessly in the environment, but some species can cause disease in the human host. Patients with weakened immune function admitted to hospital are at high risk of developing serious, invasive fungal infections. Systemic fungal infections are a major problem among critically ill patients in acute care settings and are responsible for an increasing proportion of healthcare- associated infections THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNGI • saprobes • symbionts • commensals • parasites The fungi represent a ubiquitous and diverse group of organisms, the main purpose of which is to degrade organic matter. All fungi lead a heterotrophic existence as saprobes (organisms that live on dead or decaying matter), symbionts (organisms that live together and in which the association is of mutual advantage), commensals (organisms living in a close relationship in which one benefits from the relationship and the other neither benefits nor is harmed), or as parasites (organisms that live on or within a host from which they derive benefits without making any useful contribution in return; in the case of pathogens, the relationship is harmful to the host). Fungi have emerged in the past two decades as major causes of human disease, especially among those individuals who are immunocompromised or hospitalized with serious underlying diseases. -
6 Infections Due to the Dimorphic Fungi
6 Infections Due to the Dimorphic Fungi T.S. HARRISON l and S.M. LEVITZ l CONTENTS VII. Infections Caused by Penicillium marneffei .. 142 A. Mycology ............................. 142 I. Introduction ........................... 125 B. Epidemiology and Ecology .............. 142 II. Coccidioidomycosis ..................... 125 C. Clinical Manifestations .................. 142 A. Mycology ............................. 126 D. Diagnosis ............................. 143 B. Epidemiology and Ecology .............. 126 E. Treatment ............................. 143 C. Clinical Manifestations .................. 127 VIII. Conclusions ........................... 143 1. Primary Coccidioidomycosis ........... 127 References ............................ 144 2. Disseminated Disease ................ 128 3. Coccidioidomycosis in HIV Infection ... 128 D. Diagnosis ............................. 128 E. Therapy and Prevention ................. 129 III. Histoplasmosis ......................... 130 I. Introduction A. Mycology ............................. 130 B. Epidemiology and Ecology .............. 131 C. Clinical Manifestations .................. 131 1. Primary and Thoracic Disease ......... 131 The thermally dimorphic fungi grow as molds in 2. Disseminated Disease ................ 132 the natural environment or in the laboratory at 3. Histoplasmosis in HIV Infection ....... 133 25-30 DC, and as yeasts or spherules in tissue or D. Diagnosis ............................. 133 when incubated on enriched media at 37 DC. E. Treatment ............................ -
Turning on Virulence: Mechanisms That Underpin the Morphologic Transition and Pathogenicity of Blastomyces
Virulence ISSN: 2150-5594 (Print) 2150-5608 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/kvir20 Turning on Virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the Morphologic Transition and Pathogenicity of Blastomyces Joseph A. McBride, Gregory M. Gauthier & Bruce S. Klein To cite this article: Joseph A. McBride, Gregory M. Gauthier & Bruce S. Klein (2018): Turning on Virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the Morphologic Transition and Pathogenicity of Blastomyces, Virulence, DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1449506 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2018.1449506 © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group© Joseph A. McBride, Gregory M. Gauthier and Bruce S. Klein Accepted author version posted online: 13 Mar 2018. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 15 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=kvir20 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Journal: Virulence DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2018.1449506 Turning on Virulence: Mechanisms that underpin the Morphologic Transition and Pathogenicity of Blastomyces Joseph A. McBride, MDa,b,d, Gregory M. Gauthier, MDa,d, and Bruce S. Klein, MDa,b,c a Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA; b Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1675 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA; c Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1550 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA. -
Fungal Infection in the Lung
CHAPTER Fungal Infection in the Lung 52 Udas Chandra Ghosh, Kaushik Hazra INTRODUCTION The following risk factors may predispose to develop Pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death in fungal infections in the lungs 6 1, 2 developed countries . Though the fungal cause of 1. Acute leukemia or lymphoma during myeloablative pneumonia occupies a minor portion in the immune- chemotherapy competent patients, but it causes a major role in immune- deficient populations. 2. Bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation Fungi may colonize body sites without producing disease or they may be a true pathogen, generating a broad variety 3. Solid organ transplantation on immunosuppressive of clinical syndromes. treatment Fungal infections of the lung are less common than 4. Prolonged corticosteroid therapy bacterial and viral infections and very difficult for 5. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome diagnosis and treatment purposes. Their virulence varies from causing no symptoms to death. Out of more than 1 6. Prolonged neutropenia from various causes lakh species only few fungi cause human infection and 7. Congenital immune deficiency syndromes the most vulnerable organs are skin and lungs3, 4. 8. Postsplenectomy state RISK FACTORS 9. Genetic predisposition Workers or farmers with heavy exposure to bird, bat, or rodent droppings or other animal excreta in endemic EPIDEMIOLOGY OF FUNGAL PNEUMONIA areas are predisposed to any of the endemic fungal The incidences of invasive fungal infections have pneumonias, such as histoplasmosis, in which the increased during recent decades, largely because of the environmental exposure to avian or bat feces encourages increasing size of the population at risk. This population the growth of the organism. -
Blastomycoses Dermatitis Is a Dimorphic Fungus That Is Capable Of
BLASTOMYCOSES DERMATITIDIS IN KANSAS. Linh T. Nguyen, MD, and Maha Assi, MD, MPH. KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Blastomycoses dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungus that is capable of causing disseminated infection even in immunocompetent hosts. It exists in nature as a mold and converts to a yeast at a temperature of 37°C. Blastomycoses dermatitidis is typically contracted by inhalation of the conida in the environment. Infection primarily involves the lung, but may also disseminate to other organs, most commonly skin and bone. Although not endemic in Kansas, Blastomycoses dermatitidis is known to be endemic in the central United States, specifically around the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys. Several cases have also occurred in parts of Canada. A 10-year retrospective chart review performed at Infectious Disease Consultants office in Wichita revealed six cases of Blastomycoses dermatitidis identified in Kansas. The patients demonstrated a variation in clinical presentation and a delay in diagnosis. Pulmonary involvement was seen in five of the six cases and was mistaken for either pneumonia or malignancy on presentation. Two patients were asymptomatic and found incidentally to have nodules on chest radiograph. Of the three patients with cutaneous involvement, only one had primary cutaneous blastomycosis. Two patients had dissemination to bone. Exposure to soil was unknown in five of the cases. Only one patient was immunocompromised, demonstrating that this is not an opportunistic infection. Blastomycoses dermatitidis was identified by direct visualization from a culture in three cases and was diagnosed via polymerase chain reaction in the remaining three cases. Five patients responded to treatment with anti-fungals. -
PRIOR AUTHORIZATION CRITERIA BRAND NAME (Generic) SPORANOX ORAL CAPSULES (Itraconazole)
PRIOR AUTHORIZATION CRITERIA BRAND NAME (generic) SPORANOX ORAL CAPSULES (itraconazole) Status: CVS Caremark Criteria Type: Initial Prior Authorization Policy FDA-APPROVED INDICATIONS Sporanox (itraconazole) Capsules are indicated for the treatment of the following fungal infections in immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised patients: 1. Blastomycosis, pulmonary and extrapulmonary 2. Histoplasmosis, including chronic cavitary pulmonary disease and disseminated, non-meningeal histoplasmosis, and 3. Aspergillosis, pulmonary and extrapulmonary, in patients who are intolerant of or who are refractory to amphotericin B therapy. Specimens for fungal cultures and other relevant laboratory studies (wet mount, histopathology, serology) should be obtained before therapy to isolate and identify causative organisms. Therapy may be instituted before the results of the cultures and other laboratory studies are known; however, once these results become available, antiinfective therapy should be adjusted accordingly. Sporanox Capsules are also indicated for the treatment of the following fungal infections in non-immunocompromised patients: 1. Onychomycosis of the toenail, with or without fingernail involvement, due to dermatophytes (tinea unguium), and 2. Onychomycosis of the fingernail due to dermatophytes (tinea unguium). Prior to initiating treatment, appropriate nail specimens for laboratory testing (KOH preparation, fungal culture, or nail biopsy) should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis of onychomycosis. Compendial Uses Coccidioidomycosis2,3 -
Monoclonal Antibodies As Tools to Combat Fungal Infections
Journal of Fungi Review Monoclonal Antibodies as Tools to Combat Fungal Infections Sebastian Ulrich and Frank Ebel * Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, D-80539 Munich, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 26 November 2019; Accepted: 31 January 2020; Published: 4 February 2020 Abstract: Antibodies represent an important element in the adaptive immune response and a major tool to eliminate microbial pathogens. For many bacterial and viral infections, efficient vaccines exist, but not for fungal pathogens. For a long time, antibodies have been assumed to be of minor importance for a successful clearance of fungal infections; however this perception has been challenged by a large number of studies over the last three decades. In this review, we focus on the potential therapeutic and prophylactic use of monoclonal antibodies. Since systemic mycoses normally occur in severely immunocompromised patients, a passive immunization using monoclonal antibodies is a promising approach to directly attack the fungal pathogen and/or to activate and strengthen the residual antifungal immune response in these patients. Keywords: monoclonal antibodies; invasive fungal infections; therapy; prophylaxis; opsonization 1. Introduction Fungal pathogens represent a major threat for immunocompromised individuals [1]. Mortality rates associated with deep mycoses are generally high, reflecting shortcomings in diagnostics as well as limited and often insufficient treatment options. Apart from the development of novel antifungal agents, it is a promising approach to activate antimicrobial mechanisms employed by the immune system to eliminate microbial intruders. Antibodies represent a major tool to mark and combat microbes. Moreover, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are highly specific reagents that opened new avenues for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. -
AIDS-Related Mycoses in the Paediatric Population
Current Fungal Infection Reports (2019) 13:221–228 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-019-00352-8 PEDIATRIC FUNGAL INFECTIONS (D CORZO-LEON, SECTION EDITOR) AIDS-Related Mycoses in the Paediatric Population B. E. Ekeng1 & O. O. Olusoga2 & R. O. Oladele3 Published online: 16 November 2019 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2019 Abstract Purpose of Review Fungal infections account for significant morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected children particularly in developing countries where there is lack of skilled personnel and infrastructure to make the appropriate diagnosis. This is further compounded by poor availability and accessibility of the antifungals needed to treat these infections. The purpose of this review is to highlight the paucity of data on AIDS-related mycoses in the paediatric age group and make appropriate recommendations to address challenges associated with mycoses in this population. Recent Findings These infections are categorised in two broad groups in this population: mucocutaneous, which commonly affects nutrition and adherence to therapy and invasive fungal infections which are life-threatening. A literature search revealed a total of 29 published literatures across all AIDS-related mycoses in the paediatric population. Summary Research to determine the true burden of the problem and greater funding with implementation of a package of care that will result in substantial reductions in morbidity and mortality in relation to AIDS-related mycoses in children are needed. It is imperative that the programmatic optimal package of care for children with advanced HIV disease is designed and implemented. Keywords Mycoses . Paediatric . Advanced HIV disease . HIV/AIDS . LMICs Introduction defined as CD4+ of < 200 cells/mm3 or stage 3/4 disease (WHO staging) in children over 5 years of age, while any Advanced HIV disease (AHD) is one of the most current HIV-infected child less than 5 years is regarded as AHD [2••].