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Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii Oct 2014Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The infection usually results from a traumatic injury and inoculation of... (Review)
Review
Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The infection usually results from a traumatic injury and inoculation of microorganism from a specific group of dematiaceous fungi (usually Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Phialophora verrucosa, Cladophialophora carrionii). In the tissues fungi produce characteristic sclerotic cells or muriform cells. Dermal lesions can range from small nodules to large papillary-like eruptions. The disease has been described worldwide but the prevalence is higher in rural populations in countries with a tropical or subtropical climate, such as Madagascar in Africa and Brazil in South America. Diagnostic techniques are based on direct examination, culture and histopathology. Despite a variety of treatment modalities, which include long courses of antifungals, surgical excision and destructive physical therapies, the disease remains one of the most difficult deep mycotic infections to eradicate.
PubMed: 25395928
DOI: 10.5114/pdia.2014.40949 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Aug 2021Chromoblastomycosis (CBM), represents one of the primary implantation mycoses caused by melanized fungi widely found in nature. It is characterized as a Neglected...
BACKGROUND
Chromoblastomycosis (CBM), represents one of the primary implantation mycoses caused by melanized fungi widely found in nature. It is characterized as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) and mainly affects populations living in poverty with significant morbidity, including stigma and discrimination.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
In order to estimate the global burden of CBM, we retrospectively reviewed the published literature from 1914 to 2020. Over the 106-year period, a total of 7,740 patients with CBM were identified on all continents except Antarctica. Most of the cases were reported from South America (2,619 cases), followed by Africa (1,875 cases), Central America and Mexico (1,628 cases), Asia (1,390 cases), Oceania (168 cases), Europe (35 cases), and USA and Canada (25 cases). We described 4,022 (81.7%) male and 896 (18.3%) female patients, with the median age of 52.5 years. The average time between the onset of the first lesion and CBM diagnosis was 9.2 years (range between 1 month to 50 years). The main sites involved were the lower limbs (56.7%), followed by the upper limbs (19.9%), head and neck (2.9%), and trunk (2.4%). Itching and pain were reported by 21.5% and 11%, respectively. Malignant transformation was described in 22 cases. A total of 3,817 fungal isolates were cultured, being 3,089 (80.9%) Fonsecaea spp., 552 (14.5%) Cladophialophora spp., and 56 Phialophora spp. (1.5%).
CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE
This review represents our current knowledge on the burden of CBM world-wide. The global incidence remains unclear and local epidemiological studies are required to improve these data, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The recognition of CBM as NTD emphasizes the need for public health efforts to promote support for all local governments interested in developing specific policies and actions for preventing, diagnosing and assisting patients.
Topics: Ascomycota; Chromoblastomycosis; Fonsecaea; Global Burden of Disease; Humans; Phialophora
PubMed: 34383752
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009611 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2021Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic severely mutilating disease caused by fungi of the order . Classically, has been listed among these etiologic agents. This species is...
Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic severely mutilating disease caused by fungi of the order . Classically, has been listed among these etiologic agents. This species is known to occur in the environment and has been found to cause other infections like phaeohyphomycosis, while reported cases of chromoblastomycosis are scant. is phylogenetically diverse, and thus retrospective confirmation of etiology is necessary. We studied ten proven cases of chromoblastomycosis from Mexico and further analyzed the population genetics and genomics of the species to understand their pathogenicity and predilection. The clinical strains were molecularly identified as ( = 4), ( = 4), and ( = 2). No genetic distinction between clinical and environmental strains was possible. Further analysis of strains from diverse origins are needed to address eventual differences in virulence and niche predilection between the species.
PubMed: 33572699
DOI: 10.3390/jof7020095 -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Jan 2020
PubMed: 31992652
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.01657-18 -
Persoonia Jun 2017as defined by its type species is a genus of , and a member of the group known as 'black yeasts and relatives'. has been reported from mutilating human infections...
as defined by its type species is a genus of , and a member of the group known as 'black yeasts and relatives'. has been reported from mutilating human infections such as chromoblastomycosis, disseminated phaeohyphomycosis and mycetoma, while morphologically similar fungi are rather commonly isolated from the environment. Phenotypes are insufficient for correct species identification, and molecular data have revealed significant genetic variation within the complex of species currently identified as or . Multilocus analysis of 118 strains revealed the existence of five reproductively isolated species apparently having different infectious potentials. Strains of the sexual morph cluster within . The newly defined taxa differ markedly in their predilection for the human host.
PubMed: 29151624
DOI: 10.3767/003158517X692779 -
International Biodeterioration &... 2017Water-damaged buildings can lead to fungal growth and occupant health problems. Green building materials, derived from renewable sources, are increasingly utilized in...
Water-damaged buildings can lead to fungal growth and occupant health problems. Green building materials, derived from renewable sources, are increasingly utilized in construction and renovations. However, the question as to what fungi will grow on these green compared to non-green materials, after they get wet, has not been adequately studied. By determining what fungi grow on each type of material, the potential health risks can be more adequately assessed. In this study, we inoculated green and non-green pieces of ceiling tile, composite board, drywall, and flooring with indoor dust containing a complex mixture of naturally occurring fungi. The materials were saturated with water and incubated for two months in a controlled environment. The resulting fungal microbiomes were evaluated using ITS amplicon sequencing. Overall, the richness and diversity of the mycobiomes on each pair of green and non-green pieces were not significantly different. However, different genera dominated on each type of material. For example, spp. had the highest relative abundance on green and non-green ceiling tiles and green composite boards, but spp. dominated the non-green composite board. In contrast, spp. dominated green and non-green flooring samples. Green gypsum board was dominated by spp. and spp., but non-green gypsum board by spp. These data suggest that water-damaged green and non-green building materials can result in mycobiomes that are dominated by fungal genera whose member species pose different potentials for health risks.
PubMed: 29681691
DOI: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2017.07.018 -
Allergologie Select 2018Allergic skin and respiratory diseases range among the most frequent afflictions in industrialized countries. Due to this fact the importance of indoor mold pollution... (Review)
Review
Allergic skin and respiratory diseases range among the most frequent afflictions in industrialized countries. Due to this fact the importance of indoor mold pollution based on dampness is discussed. In a sentinel health study of the State Health Agency (LGA) children attending of 4th grade of a primary school were tested by an in-vitro allergy screening (UniCap 100/Phadia) for the mold allergens mx1 (Penicillium chrysogenum m1, Cladosporium herbarum m2, Aspergillus fumigatus m3 and Alternaria alternata m6). Primarily about 5% of the children were sensitized against molds which are associated with the ambient air. The investigations showed that most of the children were sensitized against Alternaria alternata and concerning the IgE-concentration (kU/l) Alternaria alternata had the highest concentration among the tested allergens. Commonly children with sensitization against molds were polysensitized. It is unclear if the allergy screening against mold mx1 includes molds with indication for indoor mold pollution such as Acremonium spp., Aspergillus penicillioides, Aspergillus restrictus, Aspergillus versicolor, Chaetomium spp., Phialophora spp., Stachybotrys chartarum, Tritirachium (Engyodontium) album und Trichoderma spp. by means of crossreaction. Therefore, such investigations do not admit any conclusion about health problems as a result of indoor mold pollution. At the present state of knowledge exposure measurements of indoor mold pollutions are not possible, at most a semiquantitative assessment. Although it is generally accepted that dwellings with moisture and mold represent a health risk, knowledge about indoor mold pollution and the related health problems is lacking.
PubMed: 31826039
DOI: 10.5414/ALX01296E -
Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia 2015Onychomycosis are caused by dermatophytes and Candida, but rarely by non- dermatophyte molds. These opportunistic agents are filamentous fungi found as soil and plant...
BACKGROUND
Onychomycosis are caused by dermatophytes and Candida, but rarely by non- dermatophyte molds. These opportunistic agents are filamentous fungi found as soil and plant pathogens.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the frequency of opportunistic molds in onychomycosis.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 4,220 cases with onychomycosis, diagnosed in a 39-month period at the Institute of Dermatology and Skin surgery "Prof. Dr. Fernando A. Cordero C." in Guatemala City, and confirmed with a positive KOH test and culture.
RESULTS
32 cases (0.76%) of onychomycosis caused by opportunistic molds were confirmed. The most affected age group ranged from 41 to 65 years (15 patients, 46.9%) and females were more commonly affected (21 cases, 65.6%) than males. Lateral and distal subungual onychomycosis (OSD-L) was detected in 20 cases (62.5%). The microscopic examination with KOH showed filaments in 19 cases (59.4%), dermatophytoma in 9 cases (28.1%), spores in 2 cases (6.25%), and filaments and spores in 2 cases (6.25%). Etiologic agents: Aspergillus sp., 11 cases (34.4%); Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, 8 cases (25.0%); Cladosporium sp., 3 cases (9.4%); Acremonium sp., 2 cases (6.25%); Paecilomyces sp., 2 cases (6.25%); Tritirachium oryzae, 2 cases (6.25%); Fusarium sp., Phialophora sp., Rhizopus sp. and Alternaria alternate, 1 case (3.1%) each.
CONCLUSIONS
We found onychomycosis by opportunistic molds in 0.76% of the cases and DLSO was present in 62.5%. The most frequent isolated etiological agents were: Aspergillus sp. and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Brazil; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Fungi; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Onychomycosis; Opportunistic Infections; Retrospective Studies; Sex Distribution; Young Adult
PubMed: 26131862
DOI: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153521 -
American Journal of Ophthalmology Case... Mar 2023To report the initial case of microbial keratitis caused by , a rare cause of fungal keratitis.
PURPOSE
To report the initial case of microbial keratitis caused by , a rare cause of fungal keratitis.
OBSERVATIONS
A 66-year-old gentleman with a complex right eye (OD) ocular history including herpes simplex virus infectious epithelial keratitis with subsequent neurotrophic keratopathy, and prior combined and fungal keratitis presented with pain OD in the absence of an antecedent trauma. The patient was found to have a filamentous fungal keratitis, which was subsequently cultured and identified as by the laboratory. Despite topical and oral antifungal treatment based on sensitivities determined by the lab, the patient ultimately required intrastromal and subconjunctival antifungal injections, corneal crosslinking, and superficial keratectomy with amniotic membrane to clinically improve. The fungal keratitis recurred twice, with each occurrence rapidly progressing to corneal perforation. Months after the second penetrating keratoplasty, the patient's mental status declined due to multiorgan failure. An occult pulmonary malignancy was discovered during this hospital stay, and the patient was lost to follow-up after entering hospice.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE
We report a unique case of fungal keratitis caused by and the subsequent management, including both medical and surgical interventions Despite a multimodal treatment regimen, this case demonstrates the recalcitrant and potentially recurrent nature of fungal keratitis caused by .
PubMed: 36714019
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2023.101800 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Jan 2020Our objective was to characterize the fungal microbiota on normal ocular surface of humans with the culture-based method and high-throughput sequencing approach.
OBJECTIVES
Our objective was to characterize the fungal microbiota on normal ocular surface of humans with the culture-based method and high-throughput sequencing approach.
METHODS
A total of 45 adults were recruited from an urban community, and 90 conjunctival swabs were obtained, one from each eye of each participant. One of the two swabs from each participant was randomly chosen and allocated to internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing, and the other was subjected to conventional fungal cultivation.
RESULTS
Four filamentous fungi were isolated from the 45 samples using the culture-based method, Penicillium citrinum, Aspergillus niger, Phialophora and Trichoderma. In the other 45 samples, 18 samples were positive for PCR amplification and sent for subsequent ITS sequencing. A total of 518 703 valid reads were generated and assigned into 467 operational taxonomic units. Overall, 4 phyla and 94 genera were identified. Two phyla, Basidiomycota (78.67%) and Ascomycota (19.54%), and five genera, Malassezia (74.65%), Rhodotorula (1.93%), Davidiella (1.89%), Aspergillus (1.25%) and Alternaria (0.61%), which accounted for >80% of the fungal microbiome and presented in >80% of the individuals tested, constituted the possible 'core fungal taxa' on normal ocular surface.
CONCLUSIONS
The fungal microbiome on normal ocular surface of humans was identified using the high-throughput sequencing method, providing a basis for further investigations on the potential role of the fungal microbiota in ocular health and disease.
Topics: Adult; Aged; DNA, Intergenic; Eye; Female; Fungi; Healthy Volunteers; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobiome; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 31128284
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.05.011