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Scientific Reports Dec 2022Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important annual crop known for its edible oil. Sunflower is susceptible to many fungal diseases including rusts, rotting,...
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important annual crop known for its edible oil. Sunflower is susceptible to many fungal diseases including rusts, rotting, mildews, and leaf spots that result in low crop yield. Presently, infected leaves with leaf spot disease symptoms were collected from Jallo Park, Botanical Garden; University of the Punjab, Canal road, and Johar Town, Lahore for pathogen/s isolation and identification. The identification was executed morphologically as well as genetically by nucleotide sequencing of rDNA using Internal spacer region (ITS) and Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) primers. Morphological characters demonstrated a rapidly growing colony on MEA reaching 5.0-5.5 cm in diameter without zonation. The mycelial growth was rough and cottony white from the front and light pink from the reverse side. Conidia were brown, verruculose, and ellipsoidal with three to five transverse septations and one longitudinal septum ranging from 15 to 30 ± 2 µm in the broadest part. Conidiophores were long, branched, septate, 70-80 × 3-4 µm in size. Based on morphological characteristics, the pathogen was identified as Pithomyces sacchari. In genetic characterization BLAST analysis of the rDNA-ITS region of the pathogen exhibited maximum (100%) homology with other P. sacchari GenBank strains. Similarly, 99% homology was found with partial glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). To confirm the pathogenicity, Koch's pathogenicity test was performed by inoculating artificial fungal suspension in pots and plate assays. The emergence of similar disease symptoms and re-isolation of the same pathogens verified Koch's pathogenicity postulates. Conclusively this study confirms the identification of this novel pathogen of sunflowers and necessitates the quick development of management tools.
Topics: Helianthus; Pakistan; Ascomycota; Asteraceae; DNA, Ribosomal
PubMed: 36539434
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25890-z -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Apr 2021Facial eczema (FE) is a secondary photosensitization disease of farm ruminants caused by the sporidesmin A, produced in the spores of the saprophytic fungus . This study...
Facial eczema (FE) is a secondary photosensitization disease of farm ruminants caused by the sporidesmin A, produced in the spores of the saprophytic fungus . This study communicates an outbreak of ovine FE in Asturias (Spain) and characterizes the serum biochemical pattern and the immune response that may contribute to liver damage, favoring cholestasis and the progression to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Animals showed clinical signs of photosensitivity, with decrease of daily weight gain and loss of wool and crusting for at least 6 months after the FE outbreak. Serum activity of γ-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased in sheep with skin lesions. In the acute phase, edematous skin lesions in the head, hepatocytic and canalicular cholestasis in centrilobular regions, presence of neutrophils in small clumps surrounding deposits of bile pigment, ductular proliferation, as well as cholemic nephrosis, were observed. Macrophages, stained positively for MAC387, were found in areas of canalicular cholestasis. In the chronic phase, areas of alopecia and crusting were seen in the head, and the liver was atrophic with large regeneration nodules and gallstones. Fibrosis around dilated bile ducts, "typical" and "atypical" ductular reaction and an inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and pigmented macrophages, with iron deposits and lipofuscin, were found. The surviving parenchyma persisted with a jigsaw pattern characteristic of biliary cirrhosis. Concentric and eccentric myointimal proliferation was found in arteries near damaged bile ducts. In cirrhotic livers, stellated cells, ductular reaction, ectatic bile ducts and presence of M2 macrophages and lymphocytes, were observed in areas of bile ductular reaction.
PubMed: 33918904
DOI: 10.3390/ani11041070 -
Journal of Clinical Virology : the... Mar 2021Molecular diagnostics such as pathogen-directed PCRs have transformed testing for ocular infections since the late 1990s. Although these assays remain important...
BACKGROUND
Molecular diagnostics such as pathogen-directed PCRs have transformed testing for ocular infections since the late 1990s. Although these assays remain important diagnostic tools for samples with low biomass, the lack of diagnostic range motivates alternative molecular approaches for ocular infections. The aim of this study was to determine the performance of a high-throughput RNA sequencing approach, RNA-seq, to detect infectious agents in ocular samples from patients with presumed ocular infections.
METHODS
We compared the performance of RNA-seq to pathogen-directed PCRs using remnant nucleic acids from 41 aqueous or vitreous samples of patients with presumed ocular infections. Pathogen-directed PCRs were performed at the CLIA-certified Stanford Clinical Virology Laboratory. RNA-seq was performed in a masked manner at the Proctor Foundation at the University of California San Francisco. Percent positive and negative agreement between the two testing approaches were calculated. Discordant results were subjected to orthogonal testing.
RESULTS
The positive percent agreement between RNA-seq and pathogen-directed PCRs was 100% (95% confidence interval (CI): 78.5%-100%). The negative percent agreement was 92.6% (95% CI: 76.6%-97.9%). RNA-seq identified pathogens not on the differential diagnosis for 9.7% (4/41) of the samples. Two pathogens solely identified with RNA-seq were confirmed with orthogonal testing.
CONCLUSIONS
RNA-seq can accurately identify common and rare pathogens in aqueous and vitreous samples of patients with presumed ocular infections. Such an unbiased approach to testing has the potential to improve diagnostics although practical clinical utility warrants additional studies.
Topics: Eye Infections; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 33609933
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2021.104759 -
Medical Mycology Case Reports Jun 2018Fungal meningitis is most commonly causes by species and dimorphic fungi. We present a rare case of mould meningitis, ventriculitis and subependymal nodules in an...
Fungal meningitis is most commonly causes by species and dimorphic fungi. We present a rare case of mould meningitis, ventriculitis and subependymal nodules in an immunocompetent patient, having likely seeded the meninges and ventricular system through intravenous drug use. The causative mould remains undetermined. The case highlights the poor sensitivity of CSF culture and the need to consider surgical biopsy where there is diagnostic difficulty and fungal infection is being considered.
PubMed: 30148056
DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2018.01.004 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Oct 2020Some species of the genus Brachiaria are cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical climate regions as the main feed for ruminants. Several studies report...
Some species of the genus Brachiaria are cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical climate regions as the main feed for ruminants. Several studies report photosensitization by Brachiaria decumbens, Brachiaria brizantha, and Brachiaria humidicola, but the poisoning by Brachiaria ruziziensis have been reported only twice. Cutaneous and hepatic lesions may be caused by the steroidal saponins present in the leaves or by the mycotoxin sporidesmin produced by the saprophyte fungus Pithomyces chartarum. The present report describes the clinical and pathological changes observed in an outbreak of hepatogenic photosensitization in sheep kept in B. ruziziensis pastures. In addition, the present study will provide a better understanding of the etiology of this photosensitization through the evaluation of the saponin protodioscin and the spore count of P. chartarum. Santa Inês and Lacaune mixed-breed sheep showed signs of photosensitization after feeding B. ruziziensis. Clinical signs included jaundice, apathy, dehydration, and photosensitization characterized by facial edema and cutaneous scars, especially in the ears. Pathological examination of the liver revealed diffuse infiltrates of foamy cells, rare multinucleated cells, and mild enlargement of hepatocytes (megalocytosis). The skin showed acute epidermal and dermal necrosis with occlusive thrombi. B. ruziziensis showed low levels of protodioscin (0.020 ± 0.024% in mature leaves and 0.065 ± 0.084% in sprouts) but high P. chartarum spore counts (mean of 479,844 ± 443,951 spores/g plant). Thus, sheep grazing B. ruziziensis pastures must be closely monitored because of the risk of photosensitization.
Topics: Animals; Brachiaria; Diosgenin; Liver; Photosensitivity Disorders; Plant Poisoning; Saponins; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Skin
PubMed: 32598988
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.06.022 -
Acta Medica Portuguesa May 2023Pithomyces, a dematiaceous fungus, is a common colonizer of dead leaves and stems of many different plants and is associated with facial eczema in some animals. We...
Pithomyces, a dematiaceous fungus, is a common colonizer of dead leaves and stems of many different plants and is associated with facial eczema in some animals. We report a case of invasive fungal pulmonary disease by Pithomyces chartarum in a healthy, nonimmunocompromised patient. We aim to demonstrate our diagnostic and therapeutic approach and focus on the major challenges arising from the lack of scientific evidence regarding infection by this fungus in humans.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mycoses; Aspergillus; Mitosporic Fungi; Lung; Neoplasms
PubMed: 35973433
DOI: 10.20344/amp.16859 -
Aerobiologia 2016The ambient atmosphere is dominated with pollen and spores, which trigger allergic reactions and diseases and impact negatively on human health. A survey of pollen and...
The ambient atmosphere is dominated with pollen and spores, which trigger allergic reactions and diseases and impact negatively on human health. A survey of pollen and fungal spores constituents of the atmosphere of Garki, Abuja (North-Central Nigeria) was carried out for 1 year (June 1, 2011-May 31, 2012). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and abundance of pollen and fungal spores in the atmosphere and their relationship with meteorological parameters. Airborne samples were trapped using modified Tauber-like pollen trap, and the recipient solutions were subjected to acetolysis. Results revealed the abundance of fungal spores, pollen, fern spores, algal cysts and diatoms in decreasing order of dominance. The atmosphere was qualitatively and quantitatively dominated by pollen during the period of late rainy/harmattan season than the rainy season. Numerous fungal spores were trapped throughout the sampling periods among which spp., spp., spp. and spp. dominated. These fungi have been implicated in allergic diseases and are dermatophytic, causing diverse skin diseases. Other pathogenic fungi found in the studied aeroflora spp., spp., spp., spp., spp., ssp., spp., spp. Total pollen and fungal spores counts do not show significant correlation with meteorological parameters.
PubMed: 27890967
DOI: 10.1007/s10453-016-9443-5 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2022Fungal spores are universal atmospheric components associated to allergic reactions. (Ascomycota) is considered the most allergenic spore taxa. Alt a 1 is the major...
Fungal spores are universal atmospheric components associated to allergic reactions. (Ascomycota) is considered the most allergenic spore taxa. Alt a 1 is the major allergen of and is present also in other . In this study, standard Hirst-based sampling and analyzing methods for measuring spore daily concentrations of , , , , , , and (all included in the taxon ) have been used as well as two high-volume samplers, Burkard Cyclone (2017) and MCV CAV-A/mb (2019-2020), and ELISA kits for measuring the allergen. The detection and quantification of Alt a 1 was only possible in the samples from the MCV sampler. Although Alt a 1 was better correlated with spores than with spores, the three of them showed high correlations. It is shown that there is a high and significant correlation of Alt a 1 with temperature, a negative correlation with relative humidity and no correlation with precipitation. The aerobiological monitoring of these three elements ensures the best information for understanding the affectation to allergy sufferers, but, if this is not possible, as a minimum public health service aimed at the detection, treatment and prevention of allergies, the study of the airborne spores should be ensured.
PubMed: 35205882
DOI: 10.3390/jof8020125 -
Marine Drugs Mar 2024, a common food-borne pathogen, forms biofilms and generates virulence factors through a quorum sensing (QS) mechanism. In this study, six compounds (dankasterone A,...
, a common food-borne pathogen, forms biofilms and generates virulence factors through a quorum sensing (QS) mechanism. In this study, six compounds (dankasterone A, demethylincisterol A, zinnimidine, cyclo-(L-Val-L-Pro), cyclo-(L-Ile-L-Pro), and cyclo-(L-Leu-L-Pro)) were isolated from the endophytic fungus of the sp. in the South China Sea. Among them, demethylincisterol A, a sterol derivative, exhibited strong QS inhibitory activity against . The QS inhibitory activity of demethylincisterol A was evaluated through experiments. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of demethylincisterol A against was 6.25 μg/mL. At sub-MIC concentrations, it significantly decreased biofilm formation, hindered mobility, and diminished the production of protease and hemolysin activity. Moreover, RT-qPCR results demonstrated that demethylincisterol A markedly inhibited the expression of QS-related genes ( and ) in . The exposure to demethylincisterol A3 resulted in the downregulation of genes (, , , , , , , and ) associated with biofilm formation, mobility, and virulence factors. Hence, demethylincisterol A is a potentially effective compound in the pipeline of innovative antimicrobial therapies.
Topics: Quorum Sensing; Bacillus cereus; Biofilms; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Laurencia; Virulence Factors; China; Endophytes
PubMed: 38667778
DOI: 10.3390/md22040161 -
Toxins Feb 2021The fungal metabolite sporidesmin is responsible for severe necrotizing inflammation of biliary tract and liver of livestock grazing on pasture containing spores of...
The fungal metabolite sporidesmin is responsible for severe necrotizing inflammation of biliary tract and liver of livestock grazing on pasture containing spores of that synthesizes the toxin. The toxin is secreted into bile causing the erosion of the biliary epithelium accompanied by inflammation and damage to surrounding tissues. Toxicity has been suggested to be due to cycles of reduction and oxidation of sporidesmin leading to oxidative damage from the formation of reactive oxygen species. The current work is the first test of the oxidative stress hypothesis using cultured cells. Oxidative stress could not be detected in HepG2 cells incubated with sporidesmin using a dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay or by use of two-dimensional electrophoresis to search for oxidized peroxiredoxins. There was also no evidence for necrosis or apoptosis, although there was a loss of cell adhesion that was accompanied by the disruption of intracellular actin microfilaments that have known roles in cell adhesion. The results are consistent with a model in which altered contact between cells in situ leads to altered permeability and subsequent inflammation and necrosis, potentially from the leakage of toxic bile into surrounding tissues. There is now a need for the further characterization of the damage processes in vivo, including the investigation of altered permeability and mechanisms of cell death in the biliary tract and other affected organs.
Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Apoptosis; Cell Adhesion; Hep G2 Cells; Hepatocytes; Humans; Necrosis; Oxidative Stress; Sporidesmins
PubMed: 33670922
DOI: 10.3390/toxins13030179