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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 -
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 -
Microorganisms Aug 2020Some soil microorganisms, especially bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, play a role in the promotion of plant growth. However, plant growth promotion involving yeasts in...
Some soil microorganisms, especially bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, play a role in the promotion of plant growth. However, plant growth promotion involving yeasts in soil has not yet been extensively investigated. This study aimed to isolate and identify yeast strains obtained from soils of the Assam tea plant ( var. ) in northern Thailand and to investigate their plant growth promoting capabilities. A total of 42 yeast strains were obtained and identified by analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene. We identified 35 strains of six species belonging to the phylum Ascomycota, namely , , and and six species were determined to belong to the phylum Basidiomycota, namely , , , and . Seven strains were representative of potential new species and belonged to the genera Galactomyces and Wickerhamomyces. A total of 28 strains were found to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in a range of 2.12 to 37.32 mg/L, with the highest amount of IAA produced by . SDBR-CMU-S1-03. All yeast strains were positive in terms of ammonia production, and only eight strains were positive for siderophore production. Two yeast species, and , were able to solubilize the insoluble form of calcium and zinc. The ability to produce amylase, endogulcanase, lipase, pectinase, protease and xylanase was dependent upon the yeast species and strain involved.
PubMed: 32752164
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8081168 -
AIMS Microbiology 2023The diversity of duckweed () associated yeasts was studied using a culture-dependent method. A total of 252 yeast strains were isolated from 53 duckweed samples out of...
The diversity of duckweed () associated yeasts was studied using a culture-dependent method. A total of 252 yeast strains were isolated from 53 duckweed samples out of the 72 samples collected from 16 provinces in Thailand. Yeast identification was conducted based on the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene sequence analysis. It revealed that 55.2% and 44.8% yeast species were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota duckweed associated yeasts, respectively. Among all, , a basidiomycetous yeast, was found as the most prevalent species showing a relative of frequency and frequency of occurrence of 21.8% and 25%, respectively. In this study, high diversity index values were shown, indicated by the Shannon-Wiener index (), Shannon equitability index () and Simpson diversity index () values of 3.48, 0.86 and 0.96, respectively. The present results revealed that the yeast community on duckweed had increased species diversity, with evenness among species. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed no marked differences in yeast communities among duckweed genera. The species accumulation curve showed that the observed species richness was lower than expected. Investigation of the plant growth promoting traits of the isolated yeast on duckweed revealed that 178 yeast strains produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at levels ranging from 0.08-688.93 mg/L. Moreover, siderophore production and phosphate solubilization were also studied. One hundred and seventy-three yeast strains produced siderophores and exhibited siderophores that showed 0.94-2.55 activity units (AU). One hundred six yeast strains showed phosphate solubilization activity, expressed as solubilization efficiency (SE) units, in the range of 0.32-2.13 SE. This work indicates that duckweed associated yeast is a potential microbial resource that can be used for plant growth promotion.
PubMed: 37649804
DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2023026 -
PloS One 2020Secondary peat swamp forest (PSF) arise by degradation of primary PSF as a result of fire and human activities. Yeasts diversity of Kuan Kreng (KK) and Rayong Botanical...
Secondary peat swamp forest (PSF) arise by degradation of primary PSF as a result of fire and human activities. Yeasts diversity of Kuan Kreng (KK) and Rayong Botanical Garden (RBG) PSF, which are two secondary PSF in southern and in eastern Thailand, respectively, were investigated. Yeasts were isolated from soil and peat soil by the dilution plate and enrichment techniques. From six samples collected from KK PSF, 35 strains were obtained, and they were identified based on the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene 13 species in 12 genera, and one potential new species of the genus Galactomyces were detected. Thirty-two strains were obtained from six samples collected from RBG PSF and 26 strains were identified as 13 known yeast species in 11 genera, whereas six strains were found to represent two potential new species of the genera Papiliotrema and Moesziomyces. Among yeast strains isolated from KK PSF, the number of strains in the phylum Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were equal, whereas there were slightly fewer strains in Ascomycota than in Basidiomycota among the strains obtained from RBG PSF. The yeast strains were evaluated for their antagonistic activities against fungal pathogens which cause rice diseases (Fusarium moniliforme, Helminthosporium oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani, Curvularia lunata and Pyricularia grisea) and postharvest disease of fruits (Phytophthora palmivora, Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides). Twelve strains of seven species were found to be antagonistic yeast strains. Starmerella kuoi DMKU-SPS13-6, Hanseniaspora lindneri DMKU ESS10-9 and Piskurozyma taiwanensis DMKU-SPS12-2 capable to inhibit R. solani by 70.1-76.2%, Wickerhamomyces anomalus DMKU SPS6-1 and three Rhodotorula taiwanensis strains (DMKU SPS8-1, DMKU ESS9-3, DMKU SPS9-2) inhibited C. lunata by 69.8-71.9%, Hanseniaspora lindneri DMKU ESS10-9 and Scheffersomyces spartinae DMKU SPS9-3 inhibited P. grisea by 81.9-84.4% and four Papiliotrema laurentii strains (DMKU-SPS15-1, DMKU-ESS11-2, DMKU-ESS8-2, DMKU-ESS6-4) inhibited P. palmivora by 53.2-59.5%.
Topics: Forests; Fruit; Geography; Phylogeny; Plant Diseases; Soil; Soil Microbiology; Thailand; Wetlands; Yeasts
PubMed: 32176885
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230269 -
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de... 2024Previously considered saprobe and non-pathogenic, the fungus Papiliotrema laurentii (formerly known as Cryptococcus laurentii), is rarely associated with human...
Previously considered saprobe and non-pathogenic, the fungus Papiliotrema laurentii (formerly known as Cryptococcus laurentii), is rarely associated with human infection. Nevertheless, there has been an increase in reported infections by non-neoformans cryptococci. After a literature search on the Cochrane Library, LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE, PubMed, and PMC (PubMed Central) databases, we conclude that this is the first case report of fungemia and probable meningitis caused by Papiliotrema laurentii in a previously immunocompetent host with associated COVID-19.
Topics: Humans; Fungemia; Cryptococcosis; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Cryptococcus; Basidiomycota
PubMed: 38324809
DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0480-2024