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Revista Chilena de Infectologia :... Jun 2021
Topics: Mucorales
PubMed: 34479295
DOI: 10.4067/S0716-10182021000300381 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Mucormycosis is known to be a rare opportunistic infection caused by fungal organisms belonging to the order, which includes the species. These moulds are rarely...
Mucormycosis is known to be a rare opportunistic infection caused by fungal organisms belonging to the order, which includes the species. These moulds are rarely involved in clinical diseases and are generally seen as contaminants in clinical laboratories. However, in recent years, case reports of human infections due to have increased, especially in immunocompromised hosts. In this study, we described two new species, which were isolated from human nails and sputum samples from two different patients. We used several methods for genomic and phenotypic characterisation. The phenotypic analysis relied on the morphological features, analysed both by optical and scanning electron microscopy. We used matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and BiologTM technology to characterise the proteomic, chemical mapping, and carbon source assimilation profiles, respectively. The genomic analysis relied on a multilocus DNA sequence analysis of the rRNA internal transcribed spacers and D1/D2 large subunit domains, fragments of the translation elongation factor-1 alpha, and the β-tubulin genes. The two novel species in the genus , namely PMMF0073 and PMMF0107, presented a similar morphology: irregular branched and aseptate hyphae with ribbon-like aspects and terminal vesicles at the apices all surrounded by cylindrical merosporangia. However, each species displayed distinct phenotypic and genotypic features. For example, PMMF0107 was able to assimilate more carbon sources than PMMF0073, such as adonitol, α-methyl-D-glucoside, trehalose, turanose, succinic acid mono-methyl ester, and alaninamide. The polyphasic approach, combining the results of complementary phenotypic and genomic assays, was instrumental for describing and characterising these two new species.
PubMed: 38248973
DOI: 10.3390/jof10010064 -
IDCases 2020species belong to the class Zygomycetes and order Mucorale. These are found in the environment and tropical soil, usually presenting as colonizers and rarely cause...
BACKGROUND
species belong to the class Zygomycetes and order Mucorale. These are found in the environment and tropical soil, usually presenting as colonizers and rarely cause human infection. is a species of the genus and is the most commonly identified pathogen. Most cases are reported in immunocompromised individuals, such as patients on long term steroids, poorly controlled diabetes, or patients with malignancy.
CASE PRESENTATION
We are describing two cases of rare fungal infection by species causing invasive pulmonary manifestation. Both patients had compromised immune status and presented with worsening dyspnea to the emergency room. Both had signs and symptoms of bilateral worsening pneumonia evident by chest X-ray showing bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. species were isolated from sputum cultures. Deoxycholate amphotericin B was started and the response was monitored. One patient expired while the other improved. species belong to class Mucormycosis, rarely causing invasive infection but when they do outcome is potentially fatal. Very few cases are reported worldwide so the clinical course is still unclear. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first two cases to be reported from Pakistan.
CONCLUSIONS
These two cases describe pneumonia as a result of concomitant infection by rare fungal species and MRSA in immunocompromised patients. Few cases are reported so limited data is available to understand complete disease implications. Mucormycosis is a therapeutic challenge because of the phylogenetic diversity, un-availability of any serological testing and invasive disease pattern.
PubMed: 32775204
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2020.e00913 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2022Fungal necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection (NSSTI) represents a rare clinical entity. An extremely rare case of NSSTI, following an open tibia fracture in a...
Fungal necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection (NSSTI) represents a rare clinical entity. An extremely rare case of NSSTI, following an open tibia fracture in a 36-year-old male caused by both spp. and species complex (SC) is presented. The infection was diagnosed through direct microscopy, cultures and histology. The disease had a long course. The patient underwent a total of seven consecutive surgical debridements, while proper and timely antifungal treatment was initiated and included liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole. He gradually recovered and 4 years later he is completely functioning and healthy. Invasive fungal infections are well-documented causes of high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals, whereas in immunocompetent hosts, trauma-related fungal infections have also been reported. It is of note that spp. has very rarely been identified to cause infection in immunocompromised or immunocompetent hosts, whereas spp. has rarely been involved in skin necrotic lesions in non-immunocompromised individuals. A high suspicion index, especially in necrotic lesions in trauma patients, is pivotal for early diagnosis, which may lead to lower mortality as well as lower amputation rates. Definite diagnosis through microscopy, histology and/or cultures are of paramount importance, whereas PCR testing may also be extremely useful.
PubMed: 35626316
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051163 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2021Grains and cassava-based foods serve as major dietary sources for many households in Nigeria. However, these foods are highly prone to contamination by moulds and...
Grains and cassava-based foods serve as major dietary sources for many households in Nigeria. However, these foods are highly prone to contamination by moulds and aflatoxins owing to poor storage and vending practices. Therefore, we studied the fungal diversity in maize, cassava-based flour (pupuru), and rice vended in markets from Ondo state, Nigeria, and assessed their aflatoxin levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Molecular analysis of 65 representative fungal isolates recovered from the ground grains and pupuru samples revealed 26 species belonging to five genera: (80.9%), (15.4%), and (1.9%) in the ; (1.2%) and (0.6%) in . was the predominant species in the ground grains and pupuru samples. Aflatoxins were found in 73.8% of the 42 representative food samples and 41.9% exceeded the 10 μg/kg threshold adopted in Nigeria for total aflatoxins.
PubMed: 34436174
DOI: 10.3390/jof7080635 -
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Jan 2017Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah is the second holiest site in Islam. The possibility of new emerging microbes is valid due to the increased number of pilgrims. The objectives...
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah is the second holiest site in Islam. The possibility of new emerging microbes is valid due to the increased number of pilgrims. The objectives of the current study were to estimate the numbers of fungi and bacteria inside and outside Al-Haram Al-Nabawi and to find whether new bacterial and fungal species have emerged compared to previous studies. Air samples were collected twice a day from 12 spots and four directions during the pilgrim year of 2013 for four consecutive weeks by using the sedimentation method. Thirty five genera and fifty eight species were identified. The most recovered bacterial genera were Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Bacillus, and Dermacoccus with 32.47%, 18.18%, 12.85%, and 11.23%, respectively. Fifty nine isolates of fungi were molecularly identified. Aspergillus species had the highest percentage (78%). The other fungal genera identified (, , , , , , , , and ) had less than 5% frequency. In places such as Al-Haram Al-Nabawi, a large and crowded public (millions) exist especially during pilgrimages and Ramadan, thus, exposure to microorganisms is high. On the other hand, microorganism infectivity depends on many factors including their virulence, landing site, and person's immunity. For those reasons, many aspects should be considered to avoid aerosol contaminants.
PubMed: 28053593
DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.08.003 -
Journal of Cytology 2024Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that can affect multiple organs. The role of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in its diagnosis is not well documented.
BACKGROUND
Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that can affect multiple organs. The role of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in its diagnosis is not well documented.
AIM
The objective of this study was to describe the detailed cytomorphologic features of mucormycosis on FNAC samples.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective analysis of all cases diagnosed as mucormycosis on FNAC between January 2014 and July 2021 was performed for detailed cytomorphological evaluation and correlation to clinical data and microbiological studies wherever available. FNA was computed tomography-guided ( = 38), ultrasonography-guided ( = 31) or palpation-guided ( = 12), and slides were reviewed in two cases.
RESULTS
A total of 83 cases of mucormycosis were evaluated. An immunocompromised setting was observed in 48 cases. The most common site of FNA was the lung ( = 57) followed by liver, soft tissue, palate, mediastinum, orbital/ocular region, and lymph node. Isolated renal involvement, a unique feature, was seen in seven cases. The aspirates were necrotic to pus-like or blood-mixed particulate. Broad, nonseptate, foldable, ribbon-like fungal hyphae showing right-angled branching were seen. The tissue reaction was predominantly necro-inflammatory ( = 36), bland necrotic ( = 22), mixed inflammatory ( = 16), suppurative ( = 5), necrotizing granulomatous ( = 3), and granulomatous ( = 1). Immunocompromised patients showed mixed inflammatory responses more frequently. Fungal culture was positive for species in 2/13 cases and molecular testing in two additional cases corresponding to and spp.
CONCLUSION
FNA provides quick and conclusive diagnosis of mucormycosis from varied anatomic sites enabling prompt institution of therapy. The tissue response is variable and to some extent dependent on the immune status of the patient.
PubMed: 38282815
DOI: 10.4103/joc.joc_107_23 -
Ecology and Evolution Jul 2022Leaf-cutting ants and their fungal crops are a textbook example of a long-term obligatory mutualism. Many microbes continuously enter their nest containing the fungal...
Leaf-cutting ants and their fungal crops are a textbook example of a long-term obligatory mutualism. Many microbes continuously enter their nest containing the fungal cultivars, destabilizing the symbiosis and, in some cases, outcompeting the mutualistic partners. Preferably, the ant workers should distinguish between different microorganisms to respond according to their threat level and recurrence in the colony. To address these assumptions, we investigated how workers of sanitize their fungal crop toward five different fungi commonly isolated from the fungus gardens: sp., , , , and sp. Also, to investigate the plasticity of these responses toward recurrences of these fungi, we exposed the colonies with each fungus three times fourteen days apart. As expected, intensities in sanitization differed according to the fungal species. Ants significantly groom their fungal crop more toward , , and sp. than toward sp. and . Weeding, self-, and allogrooming were observed in less frequency than fungus grooming in all cases. Moreover, we detected a significant increase in the overall responses after repeated exposures for each fungus, except for sp. Our results indicate that workers are able to distinguish between different fungi and apply distinct responses to remove these from the fungus gardens. Our findings also suggest that successive exposures to the same antagonist increase hygiene, indicating plasticity of ant colonies' defenses to previously encountered pathogens.
PubMed: 35866016
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9112 -
Microorganisms Oct 2022Broussonetia papyrifera has a high lignocellulose content leading to poor palatability and low digestion rate of ruminants. Thus, dynamic profiles of fermentation...
Broussonetia papyrifera has a high lignocellulose content leading to poor palatability and low digestion rate of ruminants. Thus, dynamic profiles of fermentation lignocellulose characteristics, microbial community structure, potential function, and interspecific relationships of B. papyrifera mixing with wheat bran in different ratios: 100:0 (BP100), 90:10 (BP90), 80:20 (BP80), and 65:35 (BP65) were investigated on ensiling days 5, 15, 30, and 50. The results showed that adding bran increased the degradation rate of hemicellulose, neutral detergent fiber, and the activities of filter paper cellulase, endoglucanase, acid protease, and neutral protease, especially in the ratio of 65:35. Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Weissella genus bacteria were the dominant genera in silage fermentation, and Pediococcus and Weissella genus bacteria regulated the process of silage fermentation. Compared with monospecific B. papyrifera silage, adding bran significantly increased the abundance of Weissella sp., and improved bacterial fermentation potential in BP65 (p < 0.05). Distance-based redundancy analysis showed that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were significantly positive correlated with most lignocellulose content and degrading enzymes activities, while Monascus sp. and Syncephalastrum sp. were opposite (p < 0.05). Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that there were significant differences in microbial networks among different mixing ratios of B. papyrifera silage prepared with bran. There was a more complex, highly diverse and less competitive co-occurrence network in BP65, which was helpful to silage fermentation. In conclusion, B. papyrifera ensiled with bran improved the microbial community structure and the interspecific relationship and reduced the content of lignocellulose.
PubMed: 36296291
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10102015 -
Pharmacognosy Magazine Oct 2017() is an ornamental plant, used in the traditional medicine and known to have a variety of constituents as alkaloids, flavonoids, and iridoids. Extracts of this plant...
BACKGROUND
() is an ornamental plant, used in the traditional medicine and known to have a variety of constituents as alkaloids, flavonoids, and iridoids. Extracts of this plant were proved to have antimicrobial and anticancer activities.
OBJECTIVES
This research was conducted for the evaluation of the biological activities of stem bark and isolation and structural elucidation of various chemical compounds from the biologically active fractions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Methanol extract of stem bark of was successively fractionated with petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and -butanol. The fractions were evaluated for their antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities. Fractions with promising biological activities were subjected to chromatographic techniques for the isolation of compounds, followed by structural elucidation using several spectroscopic techniques.
RESULTS
stem bark showed a significant antimicrobial activity, where the ethyl acetate fraction was active against (7.81 μg/ml) and (3.9 μg/ml). The cytotoxic activity against HEPG-2, HCT-116, and MCF-7 cell lines was highest in the petroleum ether fraction, using concentrations of 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 μl/ml. The antioxidant activity was concentration dependent; ethyl acetate fraction showed the most predominant effect, with an IC of 197.1 μg/ml. Five compounds were identified as narcissin (1), quercitrin (2), sweroside (3), gaertneroside (4), and plumieride (5).
CONCLUSION
was proved to have significant antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities; the isolated compounds were flavonoids, iridoids, and secoiridoid, some of which were reported for the first time in genus and/or family .
SUMMARY
stem bark showed a significant antimicrobial activity, where the ethyl acetate fraction was active against and . The cytotoxic activity against HEPG-2, HCT-116, and MCF-7 cell lines was highest in the petroleum ether fraction. The antioxidant activity was concentration dependent; ethyl acetate fraction showed the most predominant effect. Five compounds were identified as narcissin (1), quercitrin (2), sweroside (3), gaertneroside (4), and plumieride (5). mp: Melting point, NMR: Nuclear magnetic resonance, s: Singlet, d: Double, t: Triplet, q: Quartet, dd: Double-double, m: Multiplet, br: Broad.
PubMed: 29142406
DOI: 10.4103/pm.pm_22_17