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Cureus Nov 2021A 28-year-old farmer with class IV lupus nephritis presented with a two-week history of a right shin lesion. The lesion was purple in color, fungating, and indurated...
A 28-year-old farmer with class IV lupus nephritis presented with a two-week history of a right shin lesion. The lesion was purple in color, fungating, and indurated with a focus of deep ulceration at the inferior pole and punctate, bleeding from its surface. Three months earlier, he was started on induction immunosuppression for a relapse of his lupus nephritis. Since the diagnosis of lupus nephritis, nine years previously, he had had six flares of his disease and had been treated at different time points with cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and high-dose corticosteroids, without adverse events. Laboratory investigations showed improving kidney function (chronic kidney disease [CKD] stage IV) with reducing proteinuria, on his current immunosuppressive regimen. The differential diagnosis for this lesion was calciphylaxis, pyoderma gangrenosum, vasculitic lesion, or an infection. Histology and microbiological analysis confirmed the presence of He was treated with a combination of isavuconazole, reduction of his immunosuppressive agents, excision of the lesion, and skin grafting.
PubMed: 34912648
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19512 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022-bark beetles are associated with microbes that can detoxify terpenes, degrade complex molecules, supplement and recycle nutrients, fix nitrogen, produce semiochemicals,...
-bark beetles are associated with microbes that can detoxify terpenes, degrade complex molecules, supplement and recycle nutrients, fix nitrogen, produce semiochemicals, and regulate ecological interactions between microbes. Females of some species harbor microbes in specialized organs called mycetangia; yet little is known about the microbial diversity contained in these structures. Here, we use metabarcoding to characterize mycetangial fungi from beetle species in the complex, and analyze variation in biodiversity of microbial assemblages between beetle species. Overall fungal diversity was represented by 4 phyla, 13 classes, 25 orders, 39 families, and 48 genera, including 33 filamentous fungi, and 15 yeasts. The most abundant genera were , , , , , , , , , and . Analysis of α-diversity indicated that fungal assemblages of . showed the highest richness and diversity, whereas those associated with . and . had the lowest richness and diversity, respectively. Analysis of β-diversity showed clear differentiation in the assemblages associated with . , . , and . , but not between closely related species, including . and . and . and . . A core mycobiome was not statistically identified; however, the genus was shared among seven beetle species. Interpretation of a tanglegram suggests evolutionary congruence between fungal assemblages and species of the . complex. The presence of different amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of the same genus in assemblages from species of the . complex outlines the complexity of molecular networks, with the most complex assemblages identified from . , . , . , and . . Analysis of functional variation of fungal assemblages indicated multiple trophic groupings, symbiotroph/saprotroph guilds represented with the highest frequency (∼31% of identified genera). These findings improve our knowledge about the diversity of mycetangial communities in species of the . complex and suggest that minimal apparently specific assemblages are maintained and regulated within mycetangia.
PubMed: 36187976
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.969230 -
Acta Bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Apr 2020Fungal contamination in a University building.
UNLABELLED
Fungal contamination in a University building.
BACKGROUND.
It is recognized that airborne fungi can cause illnesses in humans but data on environmental exposure are still poor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fungal airborne contamination in a university building.
METHODS.
The study was performed in February and May 2018; air samples were collected, before activity (on Monday) and during activity, (on Friday), both through active (CFU/m) and passive (Index of microbial air contamination, IMA) method. Fungi were identified by using the scotch test.
RESULTS.
In February the median fungal contamination value decreased from 14 CFU/m before activity to 7 CFU/m during activity, while IMA median remains 0. Instead in May both increased during activity (from 87 to 140 CFU/m; from 5.5 to 7.5 IMA). Overall values increased in May compared to February. spp., pp., spp. spp. were the genera most frequently isolated in both months, while in May spp. e spp. were recovered too.
CONCLUSIONS.
Seasonal trend in the levels of fungal contamination of the air was observed, with a statistically significant increase in May. This study represents the first step of a wider study aimed at enhancing knowledge about air fungal contamination.
Topics: Air Microbiology; Fungi; Humans; Italy; Universities
PubMed: 32275281
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i3-S.9426 -
PeerJ 2024Plastic waste is a global environmental issue that impacts the well-being of humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. Microplastic contamination has been previously...
BACKGROUND
Plastic waste is a global environmental issue that impacts the well-being of humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. Microplastic contamination has been previously reported at Kung Wiman Beach, located in Chanthaburi province along with the Eastern Gulf of Thailand. Our research aimed to study the microbial population of the sand and plastisphere and isolate microorganisms with potential plastic degradation activity.
METHODS
Plastic and sand samples were collected from Kung Wiman Beach for microbial isolation on agar plates. The plastic samples were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Plastic degradation properties were evaluated by observing the halo zone on mineral salts medium (MSM) supplemented with emulsified plastics, including polystyrene (PS), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). Bacteria and fungi were identified by analyzing nucleotide sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, respectively. 16S and ITS microbiomes analysis was conducted on the total DNA extracted from each sample to assess the microbial communities.
RESULTS
Of 16 plastic samples, five were identified as polypropylene (PP), four as polystyrene (PS), four as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), two as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and one sample remained unidentified. Only 27 bacterial and 38 fungal isolates were found to have the ability to degrade PLA or BHET on MSM agar. However, none showed degradation capabilities for PS or PVC on MSM agar. Notably, sp. PP5 showed the highest hydrolysis capacity of 1.64 ± 0.12. The 16S rRNA analysis revealed 13 bacterial genera, with seven showing plastic degradation abilities: , , , , , , and . This study reports, for the first time of the BHET-degrading properties of the genera and . Additionally, The ITS analysis identified nine fungal genera, five of which demonstrated plastic degradation abilities: , , , , and . Microbial community composition analysis and linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed certain dominant microbial groups in the plastic and sand samples that were absent under culture-dependent conditions. Furthermore, 16S and ITS amplicon microbiome analysis revealed microbial groups were significantly different in the plastic and sand samples collected.
CONCLUSIONS
We reported on the microbial communities found on the plastisphere at Kung Wiman Beach and isolated and identified microbes with the capacity to degrade PLA and BHET.
Topics: Actinomycetales; Agar; Bacteria; Microbiota; Plastics; Polyesters; Polystyrenes; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sand
PubMed: 38590706
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17165 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Mucormycosis, an invasive fungal disease with severe consequences, poses a significant threat to immunocompromised individuals. However, the timely and accurate...
Mucormycosis, an invasive fungal disease with severe consequences, poses a significant threat to immunocompromised individuals. However, the timely and accurate identification of Mucorales infection continues to present difficulties. In this study, novel detection techniques utilizing recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were developed, specifically targeting the mitochondrial gene, in order to address this challenge. The specificity of the RPA and qPCR assay was assessed by adding genomic DNAs extracted from 14 non-targeted strains, as well as human and mouse blood. No false-positive results were observed. Additionally, genomic DNAs from 13 species in five genera of order Mucorales were tested and yielded positive results in both methods. To further evaluate the sensitivity of the assays, DNAs from and were utilized, with concentrations ranging from 1 ng/μL to 1 fg/μL. The limit of detection (LoD) for the RPA assay was determined to be 1 pg., with the exception of which had a LoD of 1 ng. The LoD for the qPCR assay varied between 10 fg and 1 pg., depending on the specific species being tested. Sensitivity analysis conducted on simulated clinical samples revealed that the LoD for RPA and qPCR assays were capable of detecting DNA extracted from 10 and 10 colony forming units (CFU) conidia in 200 μL of blood and serum, respectively. Consequently, the real-time RPA and qPCR assays developed in this study exhibited favorable sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of mucormycosis.
PubMed: 37954252
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1273073 -
BMC Microbiology Mar 2020Daqu, the saccharification, fermentation, and aroma-producing agents for Baijiu brewing, is prepared using a complex process. Aging is important for improving the...
BACKGROUND
Daqu, the saccharification, fermentation, and aroma-producing agents for Baijiu brewing, is prepared using a complex process. Aging is important for improving the quality of Daqu, but its impact has rarely been studied. This study investigated changes in the physicochemical properties, flavor compounds, and microbial communities during aging of Daqu with a roasted sesame-like flavor.
RESULTS
The physicochemical properties changed continuously during aging to provide a high esterifying activity. Aging removed unpleasant flavor compounds and helped to stabilize the flavor compounds in mature Daqu. A high-throughput sequencing approach was used to analyze the changing composition of the microbial communities during aging. Aging helped to modify the microbial population to produce better Baijiu by eliminating low-abundance microbial communities and optimizing the proportion of predominant microbial communities. Nine genera of prokaryotic microbes formed the core microbiota in Daqu after aging. Regarding eukaryotic microbes, Zygomycota, the predominant community, increased in the first 2 months, then decreased in the third month of aging, while Ascomycota, the subdominant community, showed the opposite behavior. Absidia, Trichocomaceae_norank and Rhizopus were the predominant genera in the mature Daqu.
CONCLUSIONS
Significant correlations between microbiota and physicochemical properties or flavor compounds were observed, indicating that optimizing microbial communities is essential for aging Daqu. This study provides detailed information on aging during Daqu preparation.
Topics: Alcoholic Beverages; Ascomycota; Bacteria; Flavoring Agents; Food Industry; Food Microbiology; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Phylogeny; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 32216749
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01745-3 -
Dental Research Journal 2022Saprophytic molds such as , , and cause mucormycosis, a fungal infection. These saprophytic fungi are common in the environment and have a strong proclivity for...
Saprophytic molds such as , , and cause mucormycosis, a fungal infection. These saprophytic fungi are common in the environment and have a strong proclivity for invading major blood arteries, causing tissue ischemia, necrosis, and infarction. They have been linked to immunocompromised individuals with a history of diabetic ketoacidosis, corticosteroid medication, HIV infection, malignant lymphomas, and patients currently receiving and recovering from COVID-19 treatment. The foregoing is the case of a 78-year-old COVID-19 recovered male who presented with a primary complaint of upper tooth movement for 1 month and maxillary segmental mobility. The maxillary alveolar process was resected, and histopathological reports revealed mucormycosis, which was treated with antifungal medication and nasolabial flap surgery. For the past 6 months, he has been disease-free. Early detection and treatment may offer a higher chance of successfully minimizing this debilitating condition.
PubMed: 36159045
DOI: No ID Found -
BMC Ophthalmology Oct 2022Mucormycosis is a potentially lethal, angioinvasive fungal infection caused by the Mucoracea family comprising Mucor, Rhizopus, and Absidia species. It is commonly...
BACKGROUND
Mucormycosis is a potentially lethal, angioinvasive fungal infection caused by the Mucoracea family comprising Mucor, Rhizopus, and Absidia species. It is commonly associated with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, the use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, and Covid-19 infection. The occurrence of mucormycosis in an immunocompetent patient is rare. Also, only a few case reports have been published where patients developed mucormycosis with associated malarial infection.
CASE PRESENTATION
A young female presented with a 3-weeks history of painful swelling and outward protrusion of the right eye with complete loss of vision. She had a history of P.vivax malaria two weeks before her ocular symptoms. On ocular examination, there was proptosis and total ophthalmoplegia with loss of corneal sensations in the right eye. Hematological examination revealed normocytic normochromic anemia and thrombocytopenia. MRI was suggestive of right-sided pansinusitis and orbital cellulitis with right superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis and bulky cavernous sinus. Nasal biopsy was negative for fungal culture. An emergency surgical debridement of all the sinuses was done with right orbital exenteration. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of mucormycosis and the patient improved post-operatively on systemic antifungals.
CONCLUSION
Such an association of mucormycosis with malaria infection is rarely reported in the literature and is hypothesized to be a result of immunosuppression caused by malaria. Also, emphasis is laid upon having a high index of suspicion for fungal infection in the setting of pansinusitis even if the risk factors are absent. We hereby report a case of rhino-orbital mucormycosis following P.vivax malaria in a 20-year-old female with anemia and thrombocytopenia.
Topics: Adult; Antifungal Agents; COVID-19; Eye Infections, Fungal; Female; Humans; Malaria, Vivax; Mucormycosis; Orbital Cellulitis; Orbital Diseases; Thrombocytopenia; Young Adult
PubMed: 36183076
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-022-02611-8 -
Biology May 2021Hepatopancreas necrosis disease (HPND) of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis causes huge economic loss in China. However, the pathogenic factors and pathogenesis...
Hepatopancreas necrosis disease (HPND) of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis causes huge economic loss in China. However, the pathogenic factors and pathogenesis are still a matter of dissension. To search for potential pathogens, the hepatopancreatic flora of diseased crabs with mild symptoms, diseased crabs with severe symptoms, and crabs without visible symptoms were investigated using metatranscriptomics sequencing. The prevalence of Absidia glauca and Candidatus Synechococcus spongiarum decreased, whereas the prevalence of Spiroplasma eriocheiris increased in the hepatopancreatic flora of crabs with HPND. Homologous sequences of 34 viral species and 4 Microsporidian species were found in the crab hepatopancreas without any significant differences between crabs with and without HPND. Moreover, DEGs in the hepatopancreatic flora between crabs with severe symptoms and without visible symptoms were enriched in the ribosome, retinol metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and other glycan degradation. Moreover, the relative abundance of functions of DEDs in the hepatopancreatic flora changed with the pathogenesis process. These results suggested that imbalance of hepatopancreatic flora was associated with crab HPND. The identified DEGs were perhaps involved in the pathological mechanism of HPND; nonetheless, HPND did not occur due to virus or microsporidia infection.
PubMed: 34071147
DOI: 10.3390/biology10060462 -
IDCases 2023Purpura fulminans (PF) is a disorder with multifactorial causes that lead to acute localize skin microvasculature thrombosis. PF can be classified as one of the...
Purpura fulminans (PF) is a disorder with multifactorial causes that lead to acute localize skin microvasculature thrombosis. PF can be classified as one of the manifestations of disseminated vascular coagulation (DIC). Although, there are three types of PF including hereditary (autosomal dominant) due to mutations in single nucleotide polymorphisms (PROC and PROS1) and serpin family C member 1 (SERPINC1) genes. Idiopathic or acquired type of PF is complex and the pathophysiology is ambiguous, however, low levels of protein C and S were observed. The acute infectious form of PF occurs post-bacterial infection (e.g., ). The clinical presentation is limited to skin findings or systematic manifestation (shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or death). We are presenting two cases of PF sharing similar clinical manifestations developed within 12 h post-operatively with distinct micro-organisms infection. The first patient's wound culture grew fluffy mold, and the sequencing confirmed a , species while the second patient was infected by cutaneous which led to the development of PF. Our findings suggest that surgery can trigger local immunological responses in susceptible individuals such as concealed protein C and S deficiency or microorganism toxins that initiated the rapidly developing of PF in those patients.
PubMed: 37954167
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2023.e01918