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Frontiers in Epidemiology 2023The prevalence of fungal infection is increasing globally due to an increase in the immunocompromised and aging population. We investigated epidemiological changes in...
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of fungal infection is increasing globally due to an increase in the immunocompromised and aging population. We investigated epidemiological changes in fungemia in one of the major centers in Medina over seven years period with 87,447 admissions.
METHODS
Retrospective search of records for causative agents of fungemia in inpatients at King Fahad Hospital (KFH) in 2013-2019. Fungal-positive blood cultures, demographic, and treatment data were extracted.
RESULTS
A total of 331 fungemia episodes proven by blood culture were identified in 46 patients. The annual prevalence of fungemia increased from 0.072 in 2013 to 1.546 patients per 1,000 in 2019. The mean age of fungemia episodes was 56 years, and 62% of episodes occurred in females. Samples from central blood incubated aerobically yielded the highest fungemia rate, accounting for 55% ( = 182). Among yeast species, was responsible for the highest number of episodes 37% ( = 122), followed by (32%; = 107), (29%; = 94), and (1%; = 4). Among molds, ( species was the most common (1%; = 3). Yeast-like fungi accounted for (0.003% = 1). The use of antifungal treatment has increased (96%) over the years (2013-2019). An increase in resistance rate of 2% was found in and C. . The most prevalent comorbidity was renal disease (24.2%).
CONCLUSIONS
was the leading cause of fungemia. The association of renal disease with increased candidemia was alarming. This study is a fundamental resource to establish management policies for fungal infection in the region.
PubMed: 38455891
DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2023.1180331 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2019Necrotizing mucormycosis is a devastating complication of wounds incurred in the setting of military (combat) injuries, natural disasters, burns, or other civilian... (Review)
Review
Necrotizing mucormycosis is a devastating complication of wounds incurred in the setting of military (combat) injuries, natural disasters, burns, or other civilian trauma. species, species and (formerly species, although uncommon as causes of sinopulmonary mucormycosis, are relatively frequent agents of trauma-related mucormycosis. The pathogenesis of these infections likely involves a complex interaction among organism, impaired innate host defenses, and biofilms related to traumatically implanted foreign materials. Effective management depends upon timely diagnosis, thorough surgical debridement, and early initiation of antifungal therapy.
PubMed: 31277364
DOI: 10.3390/jof5030057 -
Mycobiology 2021The species within the family Cunninghamellaceae are widely distributed and produce important metabolites. Morphological studies along with a molecular phylogeny based...
The species within the family Cunninghamellaceae are widely distributed and produce important metabolites. Morphological studies along with a molecular phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal DNA revealed two new species in this family from soils in China, that is, sp. nov. and sp. nov. The former is phylogenetically closely related to , but morphologically differs in sporangiospores, sporangia, sporangiophores, columellae, collars, and rhizoids. The latter is phylogenetically closely related to , but morphologically differs in sporangiola and colonies. They were described and illustrated.
PubMed: 37970189
DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2021.1904555 -
Persoonia Jun 2021Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , from , from soil. , as endophyte from healthy leaves of , in fruit...
Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , from , from soil. , as endophyte from healthy leaves of , in fruit of , from stem of , on stems of , from rhizosphere soil of , on living leaves of , , and on living leaves of sp. , from soil. , from soil under , from an unidentified fern. , on deteriorated hardwood. , from tea bag with fruit tea, as endophyte from , on surface of biscuits with chocolate glaze and filled with jam. , on basic to calcareous soil, from , from buds of , as endophyte from roots , on leaves of , on soil under sp., from soil. , from compost. , on leaves of unidentified succulent, on leaves of sp., on leaves of sp., from hypolith under a rock, on leaves of unidentified tree, and from hypolith under a rock, on leaves of sp., (incl. gen. nov.) on persistent inflorescence remains of , on twigs of , on dung of sp., on zebra dung, on stems of . , on sandy soil, on nutrient poor (acid) soil, on plant debris, amongst grasses. , from leaf spots of sp., and from stem discolouration and leaf spots of sp., from leaf spots of sp., (incl. gen. nov.) and from leaf spots of , from leaf spots of , from leaf spots of , on soil in semi-natural grassland, on soil in calcareous and forests, on soil semi-natural grasslands, on gravelly soil. , on soil in association with , on debris beneath fallen bark of Norway spruce , on à moss covered rotting trunk of , on debris of , on soil on calcareous grasslands, on soil in subalpine grasslands, on rotted wood of , on fallen dead branches of , from fruits of , on soil, as endophyte from , on mowed grassland, from corticated branches of sp. , on leaves of unidentified , on dead pods of , on leaves of sp., on leaves of sp., on bark of , on leaves of , as epiphyte on brown stem of , and on leaves of , on on bark of , (incl. gen. nov.) on leaves of , (incl. gen. nov.) on leaves of , (incl. gen. nov.) on leaf litter of , on leaves of , on leaf litter of , (incl. gen. nov.) on leaves of , on twigs of , on leaves of sp., from larval feed of an Afrotropical bee , on leaf litter of , on leaves of sp., on pods of , with in calcareus soils, under subsp in calcareous soil, (incl. gen. nov.) from root-associated soil in a wet heathland, on acidic soils, on volcanic lapilii material, in calcareus soil. , on soil under and , on inflorescence of , on on underside of unidentified dicotyledonous leaf. , on leaves of , from surface sterilised roots of , from outside wall of alcohol distillery. , on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes. : Crous PW, Cowan DA, Maggs-Kölling, et al. 2021. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1182-1283. Persoonia 46: 313-528. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.46.11.
PubMed: 35935893
DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2021.46.11 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2023The microbial transformations of lactones with a halogenoethylocyclohexane moiety were performed in a filamentous fungi culture. The selected, effective biocatalyst for...
The microbial transformations of lactones with a halogenoethylocyclohexane moiety were performed in a filamentous fungi culture. The selected, effective biocatalyst for this process was the AM177 strain. The lactones were transformed into the hydroxy derivative, regardless of the type of halogen atom in the substrate structure. For all lactones, the antiproliferative activity was determined toward several cancer cell lines. The antiproliferative potential of halolactones was much broader than that observed for the hydroxyderivative. According to the presented results, the most potent was chlorolactone, which exhibited significant activity toward the T-cell lymphoma line (CL-1) cell line. The hydroxyderivative obtained through biotransformation was not previously described in the literature.
Topics: Humans; Fungi; Lactones; Biotransformation; Cell Line; Lymphoma, T-Cell
PubMed: 37108750
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087587 -
Mycoscience 2021is a new species described in the genus after screening 16 strains of isolated from seven locations in the state of Victoria in Australia After initial analysis of...
is a new species described in the genus after screening 16 strains of isolated from seven locations in the state of Victoria in Australia After initial analysis of the large ribosomal subunit sequence, the genomes of representative strains from two clades were sequenced using short paired-reads. Additional taxonomic markers extracted from the genome sequencing data support the novelty of . The identification of a new species in the genus , from a relatively small collection of isolates, hints at an unexplored diversity in the early diverging lineages of fungi in Australia.
PubMed: 37089463
DOI: 10.47371/mycosci.2021.06.001 -
PloS One 2020Mucoromycota fungi possess a versatile metabolism and can utilize various substrates for production of industrially important products, such as lipids, chitin/chitosan,...
Mucoromycota fungi possess a versatile metabolism and can utilize various substrates for production of industrially important products, such as lipids, chitin/chitosan, polyphosphates, pigments, alcohols and organic acids. However, as far as commercialisation is concerned, establishing industrial biotechnological processes based on Mucoromycota fungi is still challenging due to the high production costs compared to the final product value. Therefore, the development of co-production concept is highly desired since more than one valuable product could be produced at the time and the process has a potentially higher viability. To develop such biotechnological strategy, we applied a high throughput approach consisting of micro-titre cultivation and FTIR spectroscopy. This approach allows single-step biochemical fingerprinting of either fungal biomass or growth media without tedious extraction of metabolites. The influence of two types of nitrogen sources and different levels of inorganic phosphorus on the co-production of lipids, chitin/chitosan and polyphosphates for nine different oleaginous Mucoromycota fungi was evaluated. FTIR analysis of biochemical composition of Mucoromycota fungi and biomass yield showed that variation in inorganic phosphorus had higher effect when inorganic nitrogen source-ammonium sulphate-was used. It was observed that: (1) Umbelopsis vinacea reached almost double biomass yield compared to other strains when yeast extract was used as nitrogen source while phosphorus limitation had little effect on the biomass yield; (2) Mucor circinelloides, Rhizopus stolonifer, Amylomyces rouxii, Absidia glauca and Lichtheimia corymbifera overproduced chitin/chitosan under the low pH caused by the limitation of inorganic phosphorus; (3) Mucor circinelloides, Amylomyces rouxii, Rhizopus stolonifer and Absidia glauca were able to store polyphosphates in addition to lipids when high concentration of inorganic phosphorus was used; (4) the biomass and lipid yield of high-value lipid producers Mortierella alpina and Mortierella hyalina were significantly increased when high concentrations of inorganic phosphorus were combined with ammonium sulphate, while the same amount of inorganic phosphorus combined with yeast extract showed negative impact on the growth and lipid accumulation. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the co-production potential of several oleaginous Mucoromycota fungi forming lipids, chitin/chitosan and polyphosphates in a single cultivation process.
Topics: Biotechnology; Cell Culture Techniques; Chitin; Culture Media; Fungi; Lipids; Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Polyphosphates; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
PubMed: 32569317
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234870 -
Medycyna Pracy Dec 2023The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) in reducing odour nuisances in agricultural work environment. Additionally, an...
BACKGROUND
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) in reducing odour nuisances in agricultural work environment. Additionally, an assessment was conducted on the microbiological contamination of FFRs and the functionality of Time4Mask application in enhancing workplace safety.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Two types of FFRs were used for the study: with absorbing properties and reference ones. The research was carried out in 6 livestock rooms during a 1-week period in early spring (February-March 2021) on a farm in central Poland. The microclimate conditions (thermoanemometer), and particulate matter concentrations (laser photometer) were assessed. Additionally, the odour content in the studied rooms and the breathing zone of FFR users (gas chromatography with mass spectrometry) were evaluated. The number of microorganisms on the respirators was determined (cultivation method), followed by their identification (biochemical tests, taxonomic keys). Breakthrough curves were determined for both FFR types to assess absorption capabilities.
RESULTS
The average temperature in the livestock rooms was about 13°C, relative humidity - 53%, air flow velocity - 0.21 m/s, and particulate matter concentration - 0.216 mg/m. A significant variety of odorants was found in the environment and the breathing zone under the FFRs. Bacterial counts ranged between 2.4 × 10 and 2.6 × 10 CFU/cm, fungi between 3.2 × 10 and 5.4 × 10 CFU/cm, xerophilic fungi from 4.4 × 10 to 4.0 × 10 CFU/cm, mannitol-positive staphylococci between 1.6 × 10 and 1.0 × 10 CFU/cm, and haemolytic staphylococci from 2.2 × 10 to 4.5 × 10 CFU/cm, depending on the respirator type. Respirators were colonized by bacteria from the genera: , , actinobacteria sp., and fungi: , , , , and . Respirators with absorbing properties had over 8-times longer breakthrough time than reference ones.
CONCLUSIONS
Respirators with activated carbon effectively improved work comfort when exposed to odours. Due to growth of microorganisms in the respirator materials, periodic replacement is necessary. It is crucial to provide workers with information about the safe-use time of respirators, considering environmental conditions. This is achievable using modern IT tools like Time4Mask application. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;76(5):363-75.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Occupational Exposure; Odorants; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Particulate Matter; Ventilators, Mechanical; Fungi; Bacteria; Respiratory Protective Devices
PubMed: 38104337
DOI: 10.13075/mp.5893.01441 -
Biology Jun 2021Bats can contribute to an increase of aeromycota in underground ecosystems and might be a vector/reservoir of microorganisms; however, there is no information about the...
Bats can contribute to an increase of aeromycota in underground ecosystems and might be a vector/reservoir of microorganisms; however, there is no information about the number and species composition of fungi around hibernating bats. One of the most common species in Europe with direct human contact is the greater mouse-eared bat (). The goal of our research was the first report of the airborne fungi present in the close vicinity of hibernating in the Nietoperek bat reserve (Western Poland) by the use of culture-based techniques and genetic and phenotypic identifications. Aerobiological investigations of mycobiota under hibernating bats were performed on two culture media (PDA and YPG) and at two incubation temperatures (7 and 24 ± 0.5 °C). Overall, we detected 32 fungal species from three phyla (, , and ) and 12 genera. The application of YPG medium and the higher incubation temperature showed higher numbers of isolated fungal species and CFU. spp. were dominant in the study, with spores found outside the underground hibernation site from 51.9% to 86.3% and from 56.7% to 100% inside the bat reserve. was the most frequently isolated species, then , , , , , and . Temperature, relative humidity, and the abundance of bats correlated positively with the concentration of airborne fungal propagules, between fungal species diversity, and the concentration of aeromycota, but the number of fungal species did not positively correlate with the number of bats. The air in the underground site was more contaminated by fungi than the air outside; however, the concentration of aeromycota does not pose a threat for human health. Nevertheless, hibernating bats contribute to an increase in the aeromycota and as a vector/reservoir of microscopic fungi, including those that may cause allergies and infections in mammals, and should be monitored.
PubMed: 34199108
DOI: 10.3390/biology10070593 -
American Journal of Otolaryngology 2021Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) is aggressive morbidity affecting immunocompromised patients. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may allow secondary fungal...
BACKGROUND
Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) is aggressive morbidity affecting immunocompromised patients. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may allow secondary fungal disease through a propensity to cause respiratory infection by affecting the immune system leading to dysregulation and reduced numbers of T lymphocytes, CD4+T, and CD8+T cells, altering the innate immunity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) in COVID-19 patients.
METHODOLOGY
Data for acute invasive rhinosinusitis was obtained from the Otorhinolaryngology departments at our tertiary hospital at the period from January 2017 to December 2020. Then the risk factors of comorbid diseases and fungal types between post-COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups regarding the incidence of AIFRS are compared.
RESULTS
Consequently, the incidence of AIFRS showed a more significant difference (P < 0.05) in post-COVID-19 patients than in non-COVID-19 especially in immunocompromised patients, diabetic, renal, and liver dysfunction patients as well as patients with risk factors of AIFRS. The most common organisms affecting patients with AIFRS are Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Absidia mucor.
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of AIFRS is markedly prominent in post-COVID-19 patients than in those of non-COVID-19, especially in immunocompromised, diabetic, renal, and liver dysfunction patients and patients with risk factors for rhinosinusitis.
Topics: Absidia; Acute Disease; Aged; Aspergillus fumigatus; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; COVID-19; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunocompromised Host; Incidence; Invasive Fungal Infections; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Rhinitis; Rhizopus oryzae; Risk Factors; Sinusitis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young Adult
PubMed: 34022619
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103080