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Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2021adopts a tolerant strategy as a metal excluder to survive toxic metal concentrations. Biodiversity and the endophytic fungal community colonizing the roots were...
adopts a tolerant strategy as a metal excluder to survive toxic metal concentrations. Biodiversity and the endophytic fungal community colonizing the roots were assessed from a mining area (MA) and a neighboring non-mining area (nMA) in southwestern China. All roots formed fully developed dark septate endophytes (DSEs) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Total DSE colonization was higher for the MA versus nMA, in contrast to the total AMF colonization in the two sites. The DSE colonization was higher than AMF colonization regardless of the site. Pure-culture data showed that the fungi closely related to , and dominantly colonized the roots. A total of 450 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified showing the presence of a distinct fungal community in MA and nMA, which was shaped by soil physiochemical properties, including soil Zn concentrations and organic matter. We found that accumulates and adapts efficiently to local endophytic fungi to achieve the expansion of its community, including the spontaneously reclaimed DSE. This property may be targeted to achieve its colonization with a pioneer plant for phytoremediation in the restoration of a vegetation cover in a metal-contaminated area.
PubMed: 34961202
DOI: 10.3390/plants10122731 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Aug 2018We report a rare case of Phialophora verrucosa fungal keratitis, which required various types of treatment according to the intractable natural history of the disease.
BACKGROUND
We report a rare case of Phialophora verrucosa fungal keratitis, which required various types of treatment according to the intractable natural history of the disease.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 51-year-old Thai man with poorly controlled diabetes received a bamboo branch injury and developed a perforated corneal lesion on his left eye. A pathological study from therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty showed fungal hyphae. This was later identified as Phialophora verrucosa by polymerase chain reaction. This organism was aggressive and recalcitrant because it relapsed with two corneal grafts and was resistant to amphotericin B, natamycin, and itraconazole. However, we found that the efficacy of voriconazole was promising for treating Phialophora verrucosa. We also used corneal cross-linking to establish corneal integrity after the infection was under control.
CONCLUSIONS
Because of the chronic nature of Phialophora verrucosa, a patient's first visit may occur many years after trauma, and sometimes clinical presentation might not appear to indicate fungal infection. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is needed in this situation. Voriconazole showed good results in our case. Instead of using a more invasive keratoplasty, we used corneal cross-linking to strengthen the corneal biomechanics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case showing the benefit of corneal cross-linking to improve corneal biomechanics in resolved Phialophora verrucosa keratitis.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Corneal Diseases; Corneal Injuries; Eye Infections, Fungal; Humans; Keratitis; Male; Middle Aged; Phialophora; Voriconazole
PubMed: 30121073
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-018-1765-1 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2021Microorganisms drive litter decomposition while maintaining the chemical cycle of ecosystems. We used the dominant vegetation () in the mining area selected for this...
Microorganisms drive litter decomposition while maintaining the chemical cycle of ecosystems. We used the dominant vegetation () in the mining area selected for this study for this experiment to explore fungal community characteristics, key fungal groups, and their associative driving factors during litter decomposition. Maximum litter C/N values occurred 100days after the commencement of the decomposition experiment during all different recovery years in this copper tailings area. Heavy metals in litter [copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), plumbum (Pb), and cadmium (Cd)] accumulated gradually with decomposition. The dominant fungal phyla observed in the community were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, while the classes Sordariomycetes and Eurotiomycetes significantly increased as litter decomposition progressed. Degrees of connectivity and interaction between fungal communities were highest during the early litter decomposition stage. Sordariomycetes, Dothideomycetes, and Leotiomycetes all played critical roles in maintaining fungal community relationships. The effect of physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in litter was significant on the dominant fungi, while driving factors that affected fungal communities differed over different recovery stages. Total nitrogen (TN), heavy metals, pH, and enzyme activities in the little were significantly correlated with fungal community composition. Litter properties throughout the litter decomposition process mainly affected the dynamics of the fungal community structure. The main environmental factors that affected fungal community structure were copper content and pH. , , , , , and , which all played important roles in litter decomposition, positively correlated with heavy metals, sucrase, and catalase. Finally, results from this study will help us better clarify litter decomposition mechanisms in degraded ecosystems as well as provide a scientific basis for improving species cycling and nutrient transformation efficiency in mining ecosystems.
PubMed: 34880848
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.780015 -
Journal of the American Podiatric... Nov 2018Madura foot is an uncommon invasive soft-tissue infection that foot and ankle specialists encounter. We present two rare cases of Phialemonium and Phaeoacremonium fungi... (Review)
Review
Madura foot is an uncommon invasive soft-tissue infection that foot and ankle specialists encounter. We present two rare cases of Phialemonium and Phaeoacremonium fungi infections of the foot diagnosed in northern California to inform physicians on the presentation and current treatment options for this unique pathology. The two cases presented outline the clinical presentations, diagnostic data, and surgical and antimicrobial interventions. There is a concentration on the antimicrobial options depending on which of the over 20 species is encountered. The pertinent literature and supporting data are reviewed to create an outline for discussion of treatment protocols when faced with these emerging opportunistic infections.
Topics: Adult; Antifungal Agents; California; Emigration and Immigration; Foot Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mycetoma; Phialophora; Rare Diseases; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Surgical Procedures, Operative
PubMed: 30742501
DOI: 10.7547/17-058 -
PloS One 2020Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by traumatic implantation of many species of black fungi. Due to the refractoriness of some cases and...
Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by traumatic implantation of many species of black fungi. Due to the refractoriness of some cases and common recurrence of CBM, a more effective and less time-consuming treatment is mandatory. The aim of this study was to identify compounds with in vitro antifungal activity in the Pathogen Box® compound collection against different CBM agents. Synergism of these compounds with drugs currently used to treat CBM was also assessed. An initial screening of the drugs present in this collection at 1 μM was performed with a Fonsecaea pedrosoi clinical strain according to the EUCAST protocol. The compounds with activity against this fungus were also tested against other seven etiologic agents of CBM (Cladophialophora carrionii, Phialophora verrucosa, Exophiala jeanselmei, Exophiala dermatitidis, Fonsecaea monophora, Fonsecaea nubica, and Rhinocladiella similis) at concentrations ranging from 0.039 to 10 μM. The analysis of potential synergism of these compounds with itraconazole and terbinafine was performed by the checkerboard method. Eight compounds inhibited more than 60% of the F. pedrosoi growth: difenoconazole, bitertanol, iodoquinol, azoxystrobin, MMV688179, MMV021013, trifloxystrobin, and auranofin. Iodoquinol produced the lowest MIC values (1.25-2.5 μM) and MMV688179 showed MICs that were higher than all compounds tested (5 - >10 μM). When auranofin and itraconazole were tested in combination, a synergistic interaction (FICI = 0.37) was observed against the C. carrionii isolate. Toxicity analysis revealed that MMV021013 showed high selectivity indices (SI ≥ 10) against the fungi tested. In summary, auranofin, iodoquinol, and MMV021013 were identified as promising compounds to be tested in CBM models of infection.
Topics: Acetates; Antifungal Agents; Ascomycota; Auranofin; Biphenyl Compounds; Chromoblastomycosis; Dioxolanes; Drug Synergism; Exophiala; Fungi; Humans; Imines; Iodoquinol; Pyrimidines; Strobilurins; Triazoles
PubMed: 32401759
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229630 -
Journal of Clinical Immunology May 2024Autosomal recessive CARD9 deficiency can underly deep and superficial fungal diseases. We identified two Japanese patients, suffering from superficial and invasive...
Autosomal recessive CARD9 deficiency can underly deep and superficial fungal diseases. We identified two Japanese patients, suffering from superficial and invasive Candida albicans diseases, carrying biallelic variants of CARD9. Both patients, in addition to another Japanese and two Korean patients who were previously reported, carried the c.820dup CARD9 variant, either in the homozygous (two patients) or heterozygous (three patients) state. The other CARD9 alleles were c.104G > A, c.1534C > T and c.1558del. The c.820dup CARD9 variant has thus been reported, in the homozygous or heterozygous state, in patients originating from China, Japan, or South Korea. The Japanese, Korean, and Chinese patients share a 10 Kb haplotype encompassing the c.820dup CARD9 variant. This variant thus originates from a common ancestor, estimated to have lived less than 4,000 years ago. While phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phialophora spp. was common in the Chinese patients, none of the five patients in our study displayed Phialophora spp.-induced disease. This difference between Chinese and our patients probably results from environmental factors. (161/250).
Topics: Humans; CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins; Founder Effect; Male; Female; Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous; Haplotypes; Mutation; Asia, Eastern; Alleles; Candida albicans; Adult; Pedigree; Asian People
PubMed: 38758287
DOI: 10.1007/s10875-024-01724-7 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2023Brown Stem Rot (BSR), caused by the soil borne fungal pathogen , can reduce soybean yields by as much as 38%. Previous allelism studies identified three Resistant to...
Brown Stem Rot (BSR), caused by the soil borne fungal pathogen , can reduce soybean yields by as much as 38%. Previous allelism studies identified three Resistant to brown stem Rot genes (, and ), all mapping to large, overlapping regions on soybean chromosome 16. However, recent fine-mapping and genome wide association studies (GWAS) suggest , and are alleles of a single locus. To address this conflict, we characterized the locus using the Williams82 reference genome (Wm82.a4.v1). We identified 120 Receptor-Like Proteins (RLPs), with hallmarks of disease resistance receptor-like proteins (RLPs), which formed five distinct clusters. We developed virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) constructs to target each of the clusters, hypothesizing that silencing the correct RLP cluster would result in a loss of resistance phenotype. The VIGS constructs were tested against resistant genotypes L78-4094 (), PI 437833 (), or PI 437970 (, infected with or mock infected. No loss of resistance phenotype was observed. We then developed VIGS constructs targeting two RLP clusters with a single construct. Construct B1a/B2 silenced resistance in L78-4094, confirming at least two genes confer -mediated resistance to . Failure of B1a/B2 to silence resistance in PI 437833 and PI 437970 suggests additional genes confer BSR resistance in these lines. To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) responding to silencing, we conducted RNA-seq of leaf, stem and root samples from B1a/B2 and empty vector control plants infected with or mock infected. B1a/B2 silencing induced DEGs associated with cell wall biogenesis, lipid oxidation, the unfolded protein response and iron homeostasis and repressed numerous DEGs involved in defense and defense signaling. These findings will improve integration of resistance into elite germplasm and provide novel insights into fungal disease resistance.
PubMed: 38259908
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1292605 -
Journal of Pesticide Science May 2023To elucidate the cause of brown stem rot in the adzuki bean, we re-evaluated the phytotoxins produced in cultures of the causative agent, f. sp. . The ethyl...
To elucidate the cause of brown stem rot in the adzuki bean, we re-evaluated the phytotoxins produced in cultures of the causative agent, f. sp. . The ethyl acetate-soluble acidic fraction of the culture, as well as the neutral fraction, inhibited the growth of alfalfa seedlings. In the neutral fraction, known phytotoxins gregatin A, B, and C or D and penicilliol A were present. Although the phytotoxins in the acidic fraction were unstable, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the partially purified material suggested that one phytotoxin present was the non-methylated gregatin desmethyl-gregatin A (gregatinic acid A).
PubMed: 37361487
DOI: 10.1584/jpestics.D22-070 -
International Journal of Hygiene and... Oct 2017The density of fungal contamination and the fungal diversity in an indoor swimming pool facility were assessed. A total of 16 surface samples and 6 water samples were... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The density of fungal contamination and the fungal diversity in an indoor swimming pool facility were assessed. A total of 16 surface samples and 6 water samples were analysed by using a combination of different (semi-) selective culture media. Isolated fungal colonies were identified to the genus or species level by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The highest fungal counts in water and on surfaces were in the recreational pool (17CFU/100mL) and on a flexibeam (5.8CFU/cm), respectively as compared with low counts (<0.1CFU/cm) on the diving platform, bench tops and walls. The 357 obtained isolates belonged to 79 species and species complexes, 42 of which known as clinically relevant. Phialophora oxyspora (13.7%) and Phoma spp. (12.3%) were the most frequently identified groups. We demonstrated that despite chlorine treatment and regular cleaning of surfaces both water and surfaces were commonly infested with fungi, including many clinically relevant species.
Topics: Analysis of Variance; Colony Count, Microbial; Equipment and Supplies; Floors and Floorcoverings; Fungi; Humans; Netherlands; Phialophora; Sequence Analysis; Swimming Pools; Water; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 28716483
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.07.002 -
MycoKeys 2020During a survey on fungi associated with wood necroses of trees in Germany, strains belonging to the Leotiomycetes and Eurotiomycetes were detected by preliminary...
During a survey on fungi associated with wood necroses of trees in Germany, strains belonging to the Leotiomycetes and Eurotiomycetes were detected by preliminary analyses of ITS sequences. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (LSU, ITS, , , depending on genus) of 31 of the 45 strains from and reference strains revealed several new taxa, including , a new genus in the Helotiales (Leotiomycetes) with a collophorina-like asexual morph. Seven species (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes) were treated. The 29 strains from belonged to five species, of which and were dominating; , and were revealed as new species. The genus was reported from for the first time. was combined in and differentiated from , which was resurrected. Asexual morphs of two species (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes) were described, including one new species, . Two species (Phaeomoniellales, Eurotiomycetes) were detected, including the new species . and are reported as host plants of .
PubMed: 32189979
DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.63.46836