-
Journal de Mycologie Medicale Jun 2021Papiliotrema laurentii (formerly Cryptococcus laurentii) and Papiliotrema albidus (formerly Cryptococcus albidus) are yeast-like environmental fungi which are largely...
Papiliotrema laurentii (formerly Cryptococcus laurentii) and Papiliotrema albidus (formerly Cryptococcus albidus) are yeast-like environmental fungi which are largely considered as non-pathogenic to humans. However, invasive infections caused by P. laurentii have recently been reported in some patients with an impaired immune system. Here, we describe the first case of P. laurentii fungemia in a premature, very low-birth-weight neonate in Kuwait and the Middle East. Repeated bloodstream isolates were obtained and were tentatively identified as P. laurentii by Vitek 2 yeast identification system. The identification of the yeast isolates as P. laurentii was confirmed by PCR-sequencing of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Antifungal susceptibility testing data showed that the isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, fluconazole and voriconazole but appeared resistant to caspofungin. The baby was successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B.
Topics: Adult; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Basidiomycota; DNA, Ribosomal; Female; Fungemia; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Kuwait; Male; Mycological Typing Techniques; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33639444
DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2021.101123 -
Biointerphases May 2023Microbial growth on surfaces poses health concerns and can accelerate the biodegradation of engineered materials and coatings. Cyclic peptides are promising agents to...
Microbial growth on surfaces poses health concerns and can accelerate the biodegradation of engineered materials and coatings. Cyclic peptides are promising agents to combat biofouling because they are more resistant to enzymatic degradation than their linear counterparts. They can also be designed to interact with extracellular targets and intracellular targets and/or self-assemble into transmembrane pores. Here, we determine the antimicrobial efficacy of two pore-forming cyclic peptides, α-K3W3 and β-K3W3, against bacterial and fungal liquid cultures and their capacity to inhibit biofilm formation on coated surfaces. These peptides display identical sequences, but the additional methylene group in the peptide backbone of β-amino acids results in a larger diameter and an enhancement in the dipole moment. In liquid cultures, β-K3W3 exhibited lower minimum inhibitory concentration values and greater microbicidal power in reducing the number of colony forming units (CFUs) when exposed to a gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, and two fungal strains, Naganishia albida and Papiliotrema laurentii. To evaluate the efficacy against the formation of fungal biofilms on painted surfaces, cyclic peptides were incorporated into polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane. The formation of N. albida and P. laurentii microcolonies (105 per inoculation) for cells extracted from coatings containing either peptide could not be detected after a 7-day exposure. Moreover, very few CFUs (∼5) formed after 35 days of repeated depositions of freshly cultured P. laurentii every 7 days. In contrast, the number of CFUs for cells extracted from the coating without cyclic peptides was >8 log CFU.
Topics: Polyurethanes; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms; Peptides; Peptides, Cyclic; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 37289032
DOI: 10.1116/6.0002515 -
Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek Dec 2018Strain DMKU-SP105 representing a novel yeast species was isolated from the external surface of a sugarcane leaf (Saccharum officinarum L.) collected from a sugarcane...
Strain DMKU-SP105 representing a novel yeast species was isolated from the external surface of a sugarcane leaf (Saccharum officinarum L.) collected from a sugarcane plantation field in Phichit province, Thailand. On the basis of sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the strain DMKU-SP105 differed by 7-16 substitutions in the D1/D2 region of LSU rRNA gene and 6-22 substitutions in the ITS region from a group of related species, Papiliotrema aspenensis, Papiliotrema odontotermitis, Papiliotrema rajasthanensis and Papiliotrema laurentii. A phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of ITS region and the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene indicated that strain DMKU-SP105 belongs to the laurentii clade of Papiliotrema in the Tremellales and is distinct from other related species in the clade. It therefore represents a novel species of the genus Papiliotrema although the formation of basidiospores was not observed. The name Papiliotrema phichitensis f.a., sp. nov. is proposed. The type is DMKU-SP105 (= CBS 13390 = BCC 61187 = NBRC 109699).
Topics: Basidiomycota; Cell Division; DNA, Fungal; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Genotype; Mycological Typing Techniques; Phenotype; Phylogeny; Plant Leaves; RNA, Ribosomal; Saccharum; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Thailand
PubMed: 30062388
DOI: 10.1007/s10482-018-1134-5 -
BMJ Case Reports May 2022A man in mid-50s presented with progressive blurred vision in his left eye for over 6 weeks. He was a known diabetic with history of COVID-19 pneumonia treated with...
A man in mid-50s presented with progressive blurred vision in his left eye for over 6 weeks. He was a known diabetic with history of COVID-19 pneumonia treated with steroids and remdesivir. He had pyelonephritis and urinary culture grown He was referred as a case of non-resolving vitreous haemorrhage. Visual acuity (VA) was hand movements with fundus showing dense vitritis. He underwent pars plana vitrectomy, vitreous biopsy with intraocular antibiotics (imipenem) suspecting as a case of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis. Vitreous biopsy did not yield organisms on the smear/culture. The patient's condition worsened with perception of light and fundus showing dense vitritis with discrete yellowish white deposits on the surface of the retina. A repeat vitreous biopsy done along with intravitreal injection of voriconazole (suspecting fungal aetiology) grown fungal colonies and the organism was identified as At 4-month follow-up, the VA improved to 6/24.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Basidiomycota; COVID-19; Endophthalmitis; Eye Infections, Bacterial; Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Vitrectomy
PubMed: 35545307
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-246637 -
International Journal of Biological... Jul 2022Alginates are widely used polysaccharides for biomaterials engineering, which functional properties depend on guluronic and mannuronic acid as the building blocks. In...
Alginates are widely used polysaccharides for biomaterials engineering, which functional properties depend on guluronic and mannuronic acid as the building blocks. In this study, enzymatically crosslinked hydrogels based on sodium alginate (Na-Alg) and the exopolysaccharide (EPS) derived from Cryptococcus laurentii 70766 with glucuronic acid residues were synthesized and characterized as a new potential source of polysaccharide for biomaterials engineering. The EPS was extracted (1.05 ± 0.57 g/L) through ethanol precipitation. Then the EPS and Na-Alg were functionalized with tyramine hydrochloride to produce enzymatically crosslinked hydrogels in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and HO. Major characteristics of the hydrogels such as gelling time, swelling ratio, rheology, cell viability, and biodegradability were studied. The swelling ratio and degradation profile of both hydrogels showed negative values, indicating an increased crosslinking degree and a lower water uptake percentage. The EPS hydrogel showed similar gelation kinetics compared to the Alg hydrogel. The EPS and its hydrogel were found cytocompatible. The results indicate the potential of EPS from C. laurentii 70766 for biomedical engineering due to its biocompatibility and degradability. Further studies are needed to confirm this EPS as an alternative for Alg in tissue engineering applications, particularly in the development of wound dressing products.
Topics: Alginates; Basidiomycota; Biocompatible Materials; Hydrogels; Hydrogen Peroxide; Ions; Tissue Engineering
PubMed: 35613678
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.05.133 -
Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology 2023Cryptococcosis is one of the most significant systemic fungal infections worldwide. Epidemiological data for pediatric cryptococcosis is very limited. Therefore, we... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Cryptococcosis is one of the most significant systemic fungal infections worldwide. Epidemiological data for pediatric cryptococcosis is very limited. Therefore, we planned this study to determine the burden of cryptococcosis in the pediatric population at our tertiary care center and performed review of literature.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this retrospective study, all the patients less than 18 years of age were diagnosed with cryptococcosis, from January 2015-June 2021 were included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory details of all the patients were noted. Furthermore, PubMed and MedLine databases were comprehensively searched for cases of pediatric cryptococcosis till June 2021.
RESULTS
Of the total 5420 samples from suspected cryptococcosis cases processed at mycology laboratory, a total of 21 episodes of cryptococcosis (0.39%) were identified in 15 pediatric patients. The majority of the patients were apparently immunocompetent (10/15). Central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcosis was the most common presentation, followed by disseminated disease. All the isolates were identified as Cryptococcus neoformans (formerly referred to as C. neoformans var grubii), except one that was identified as Papiliotrema laurentii (formerly referred to as Cryptococcus laurentii). A standard treatment regimen inclusive of induction and maintenance therapy was provided in only five patients. The literature review revealed a total of 125 studies describing 1134 cases, of which 76.4% are reported from outside Asia, the majority (65.7%) restricted to CNS with C. neoformans as the commonest species. The management profile divulged a significantly higher use of standard drug regimen in Asia as compared to the rest of the world. Mortality of 13.32% was noted worldwide.
CONCLUSION
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinico-epidemiological study of pediatric cryptococcosis from India and the largest retrospective study worldwide. The rising incidence among immunocompetent individuals, especially in Asia, is a matter of concern. Clinical suspicion and early diagnosis are the cornerstones for the management of cases.
Topics: Humans; Child; Tertiary Care Centers; Retrospective Studies; Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus neoformans; Asia
PubMed: 36464534
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2022.11.002 -
Archives of Microbiology Apr 2021This study aimed to identify the yeast strains associated with the tree bark samples collected from the Aegean and Marmara regions and from rotten fruit samples....
This study aimed to identify the yeast strains associated with the tree bark samples collected from the Aegean and Marmara regions and from rotten fruit samples. Fifty-one yeast strains were successfully isolated and screened for their abilities to produce industrially important extracellular enzymes. Thirty isolates demonstrated ability to produce at least two different enzymes and were selected for subsequent molecular identification using sequence analysis of ITS region and D1/D2 domain of the 26S rDNA. The most prevalent strains belonged to Papiliotrema laurentii (%23), Papiliotrema terrestris (%13) and Candida membranifaciens (%10). Papiliotrema laurentii and Papiliotrema terrestris recorded the highest enzymatic activities for all the screened enzymes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that identifies the yeast strains associated with the tree barks of Turkey and among the limited comprehensive studies that screened considerable number of isolates for their ability to produce several industrially important enzymes.
Topics: DNA, Fungal; Fruit; Industrial Microbiology; Molecular Typing; Plant Bark; RNA, Ribosomal; Turkey; Yeasts
PubMed: 33156373
DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-02104-6 -
European Journal of Clinical... Mar 2021In recent years, the frequency of infections due to saprophytic fungi has increased. Cryptococcus laurentii, recently classified as Papiliotrema laurentii, is...
In recent years, the frequency of infections due to saprophytic fungi has increased. Cryptococcus laurentii, recently classified as Papiliotrema laurentii, is responsible for fungemia, meningitis, and superficial infections. Here, we report the first case of cutaneous Papiliotrema (Cryptococcus) laurentii infection in a 23-year-old Caucasian woman affected by an autoimmune thyroiditis with hypothyroidism. Impairments of the immune system are often associated with unusual fungal infections, which cannot be neglected. The isolate strain was susceptible to Amphotericin B while resistant to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and terbinafine. The patient was successfully treated with Amphotericin B.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Basidiomycota; Dermatomycoses; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 33025101
DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-04058-5 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Jun 2019Fungi of the genus Cryptococcus are cosmopolitan and may be agents of opportunistic mycoses in immunocompromised and sometimes immunocompetent individuals. Cryptococcus...
INTRODUCTION
Fungi of the genus Cryptococcus are cosmopolitan and may be agents of opportunistic mycoses in immunocompromised and sometimes immunocompetent individuals. Cryptococcus species are frequently isolated from trees and bird excreta in the environment and infection occurs by inhalation of propagules dispersed in the air. The aim was to investigate Cryptococcus species in bird excreta and tree hollows located in a university hospital area and in an academic area of a university campus.
METHODOLOGY
A total of 40 samples of bird excreta and 41 samples of tree hollows were collected. The identification of the isolates was done by classical methodology and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
RESULTS
Twenty (62.5%) isolates of Cryptococcus were found in bird excreta and 12 (37.5%) in tree hollows. C. laurentii (currently Papiliotrema laurentii) was the most frequent species in both samples, being found in 5 samples of excreta and in 8 tree hollows. The diversity of species found in excreta (C. laurentii, C. albidus [currently Naganishia albida], C. liquefaciens [currently N. liquefaciens], C. friedmanii [currently N. friedmannii] and others) was higher than in tree hollows (C. laurentii, C. flavescens [currently Papiliotrema flavescens], and other yeasts).
CONCLUSION
Many Cryptococcus species were isolated from excreta and tree hollows, and this fact is important for understanding the environmental epidemiology of those emerging pathogens for public health, as a way to implement surveillance actions and control of cryptococcosis.
Topics: Academic Medical Centers; Animals; Birds; Cryptococcus; Environmental Microbiology; Feces; Hospitals, University
PubMed: 32058990
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.10849 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology May 2020Orange peel waste (OPW), the primary byproduct of the juice extraction process, is annually generated in massive amounts (21 Mton), and its aqueous extraction in...
Orange peel waste (OPW), the primary byproduct of the juice extraction process, is annually generated in massive amounts (21 Mton), and its aqueous extraction in biorefining operations yields a liquid fraction, referred to as orange peel extract (OPE). Although OPE contains significant amounts of easily assimilable carbohydrates, such as fructose, glucose, and sucrose, no investigations have been conducted yet to assess its possible use in biodiesel production by oleaginous yeasts. Consequently, the objective of the present study was to assess whether OPE might act as the basis of a liquid medium for microbial lipid production. A screening conducted with 18 strains of oleaginous yeasts in shaken flask on the OPE-based medium showed that Rhodosporidium toruloides NRRL 1091 and Cryptococcus laurentii UCD 68-201 gave the best results in terms of lipid production (5.8 and 4.5 g L, respectively) and accumulation (77 and 47% on a dry matter basis, respectively). The subsequent scale transfer of the process to a 3-L STR operated in batch mode halved the time required to reach the lipid peak with the ensuing increase in volumetric productivities in R. toruloides NRRL 1091 (3646 mg L day) and C. laurentii UCD 68-201 (2970.7 mg L day). The biodiesel yields from the lipids of the former and the latter strain were 36.9 and 31.9%, respectively. Based on multivariate analysis of fatty acid methyl ester compositions, the lipids from the former and the latter strain were highly resembling those of Jatropha and palm oils, two commonly used feedstocks for biodiesel manufacturing.
Topics: Basidiomycota; Biofuels; Citrus sinensis; Culture Media; Fruit; Fungi; Industrial Waste; Lipids; Plant Extracts; Rhodotorula
PubMed: 32236680
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10579-y