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The human gut mycobiome and the specific role of Candida albicans: where do we stand, as clinicians?Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Jan 2022The so-called 'mycobiome' has progressively acquired interest and increased the complexity of our understanding of the human gut microbiota. Several questions are... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The so-called 'mycobiome' has progressively acquired interest and increased the complexity of our understanding of the human gut microbiota. Several questions are arising concerning the role of fungi (and in particular of Candida albicans), the so-called 'mycobiome', that has been neglected for a long time and only recently gained interest within the scientific community. There is no consensus on mycobiome normobiosis because of its instability and variability. This review aims to raise awareness about this interesting topic and provide a framework to guide physicians faced with such questions.
OBJECTIVES
To summarize current knowledge and discuss current and potential implications of the mycobiome in clinical practice.
SOURCES
We performed a review of the existing literature in Medline Pubmed.
CONTENT
This review identifies several studies showing associations between specific mycobiome profiles and health. Fungi represent a significant biomass within the microbiota and several factors, such as diet, sex, age, co-morbidities, medications, immune status and inter-kingdom interactions, can influence its structure and population. The human gut mycobiota is indeed a key factor for several physiological processes (e.g. training of the immune system against infections) and pathological processes (e.g. immunological/inflammatory disorders, inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic syndromes). Moreover, the mycobiome (and C. albicans in particular) could influence an even broader spectrum of conditions such as psychiatric diseases (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) or chronic viral infections (human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus); moreover, it could be implicated in tumorigenesis.
IMPLICATIONS
Candida albicans is a well-known opportunistic pathogen and a major component of the mycobiome but its role in the gastrointestinal tract is still poorly understood. From a potential screening biomarker to a key factor for several pathological processes, its presence could influence or even modify our clinical practice.
Topics: Candida albicans; Fungi; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Mycobiome
PubMed: 34363944
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.07.034 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection might have effects on both the human bacteriome and mycobiome. Although many studies have focused on alteration of the... (Review)
Review
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection might have effects on both the human bacteriome and mycobiome. Although many studies have focused on alteration of the bacteriome in HIV infection, only a handful of studies have also characterized the composition of the mycobiome in HIV-infected individuals. Studies have shown that compromised immunity in HIV infection might contribute to the development of opportunistic fungal infections. Despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), opportunistic fungal infections continue to be a major cause of HIV-related mortality. Human immune responses are known to play a critical role in controlling fungal infections. However, the effect of HIV infection on innate and adaptive antifungal immunity remains unclear. Here, we review recent advances in understanding of the fungal microbiota composition and common fungal diseases in the setting of HIV. Moreover, we discuss innate and adaptive antifungal immunity in HIV infection.
Topics: Humans; Mycobiome; Antifungal Agents; HIV Infections; Mycoses; Opportunistic Infections
PubMed: 36439143
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1015775 -
Microbiome Apr 2022Extensive work has been accomplished to characterize the intestinal bacterial community, known as the microbiota, and its association with host health and disease....
BACKGROUND
Extensive work has been accomplished to characterize the intestinal bacterial community, known as the microbiota, and its association with host health and disease. However, very little is known about the spatiotemporal development and the origin of a minor intestinal fungal community, known as the mycobiota, in humans and animals, particularly in avian species.
RESULTS
In this study, we comprehensively characterized the biogeography and succession of the gastrointestinal (GI) mycobiota of broiler chickens and further revealed the fungal sources that are responsible for initial and long-term establishment of the mycobiota in the GI tract. Using Illumina sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of fungal rRNA genes, we detected significant spatial and temporal differences in the mycobiota along the GI tract. In contrary to the microbiota, the mycobiota was more diverse in the upper than the lower GI tract with no apparent trend of succession up to 42 days of age. The intestinal mycobiota was dominated by the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota with Gibberella, Aspergillus, and Candida being the most abundant genera. Although the chicken mycobiota was highly dynamic, Fusarium pseudonygamai was dominant throughout the GI tract regardless of age in this study. The core chicken mycobiome consisted of 26 fungal taxa accounting for greater than 85% of the fungal population in each GI location. However, we observed high variations of the intestinal mycobiota among different studies. We also showed that the total fungal population varied greatly from 1.0 × 10 to 1.1 × 10 /g digesta along the GI tract and only accounted for less than 0.06% of the bacteria in day-42 broilers. Finally, we revealed that the mycobiota from the hatchery environment was responsible for initial colonization in the GI tract of newly hatched chickens, but was quickly replaced by the fungi in the diet within 3 days.
CONCLUSIONS
Relative to the intestinal microbiota that consists of trillions of bacteria in hundreds of different species and becomes relatively stabilized as animals age, the chicken intestinal mycobiota is a minor microbial community that is temporally dynamic with limited diversity and no obvious pattern of successive changes. However, similar to the microbiota, the chicken mycobiota is spatially different along the GI tract, although it is more diverse in the upper than the lower GI tract. Dietary fungi are the major source of the intestinal mycobiota in growing chickens. Video abstract.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Fungi; Gastrointestinal Tract; Intestines; Mycobiome
PubMed: 35365230
DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01252-9 -
Cell Reports. Medicine Feb 2023Unlike the bacterial microbiome, the role of early-life gut fungi in host metabolism and childhood obesity development remains poorly characterized. To address this, we...
Unlike the bacterial microbiome, the role of early-life gut fungi in host metabolism and childhood obesity development remains poorly characterized. To address this, we investigate the relationship between the gut mycobiome of 100 infants from the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Cohort Study and body mass index Z scores (BMIz) in the first 5 years of life. An increase in fungal richness during the first year of life is linked to parental and infant BMI. The relationship between richness pattern and early-life BMIz is modified by maternal BMI, maternal diet, infant antibiotic exposure, and bacterial beta diversity. Further, the abundances of Saccharomyces, Rhodotorula, and Malassezia are differentially associated with early-life BMIz. Using structural equation modeling, we determine that the mycobiome's contribution to BMIz is likely mediated by the bacterial microbiome. This demonstrates that mycobiome maturation and infant growth trajectories are distinctly linked, advocating for inclusion of fungi in larger pediatric microbiome studies.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Child; Body Mass Index; Mycobiome; Cohort Studies; Pediatric Obesity; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Canada
PubMed: 36736319
DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.100928 -
Microbiology Spectrum Aug 2022The vaginal microbiota dysbiosis is closely associated with the development of reproductive diseases. However, the contribution of mycobiome to intrauterine adhesion...
The vaginal microbiota dysbiosis is closely associated with the development of reproductive diseases. However, the contribution of mycobiome to intrauterine adhesion (IUA) disease remains unknown. Harnessing 16S and ITS2 rDNA sequencing analysis, we investigate both bacterial and fungal microbiota compositions across 174 samples taken from both cervical canal (CC) and middle vagina (MV) sites of IUA patients. Overall, there is no significant difference in microbial diversity between healthy subjects (HS) and IUA patients. However, we observe the IUA-specific bacterial alterations such as increased and decreased and enriched fungal genera like increased and . Moreover, site-specific fungal-bacterial correlation networks are discovered in both CC and MV samples of IUA patients. Mechanistic investigation shows that Candida parapsilosis, other than Candida albicans and , prevents the exacerbation of inflammatory activities and fibrosis, and modulates bacterial microbiota during IUA progression in a rat model of IUA. Our study thus highlights the importance of mycobiota in IUA progression, which may facilitate the development of therapeutic target for IUA prevention. Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) often leads to hypomenorrhea, amenorrhea, repeat miscarriages, and infertility. It has been prevalent over the last few decades in up to 13% of women who experience pregnancy termination during the first trimester, and 30% of women undergo dilation and curettage after a late, spontaneous abortion. However, the pathogenesis of IUA remains unclear. Despite reports of microbiota dysbiosis during IUA progression, there is little information on the effect of fungal microbiota on the development of IUA. This study not only enhances our understanding of the mycobiome in IUA patients but also provides potential intervention strategies for prevention of IUA by targeting mycobiome.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Dysbiosis; Female; Humans; Microbiota; Mycobiome; Pregnancy; Rats; Tissue Adhesions; Uterine Diseases
PubMed: 35730962
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01324-22 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a phenotype of liver diseases associated with metabolic syndrome. The pathogenesis MAFLD remains unclear....
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a phenotype of liver diseases associated with metabolic syndrome. The pathogenesis MAFLD remains unclear. The liver maintains is located near the intestine and is physiologically interdependent with the intestine metabolic exchange and microbial transmission, underpinning the recently proposed "oral-gut-liver axis" concept. However, little is known about the roles of commensal fungi in the disease development. This study aimed to characterize the alterations of oral and gut mycobiota and their roles in MAFLD. Twenty-one MAFLD participants and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Metagenomics analyses of saliva, supragingival plaques, and feces revealed significant alterations in the gut fungal composition of MAFLD patients. Although no statistical difference was evident in the oral mycobiome diversity within MAFLD and healthy group, significantly decreased diversities were observed in fecal samples of MAFLD patients. The relative abundance of one salivary species, five supragingival species, and seven fecal species was significantly altered in MAFLD patients. Twenty-two salivary, 23 supragingival, and 22 fecal species were associated with clinical parameters. Concerning the different functions of fungal species, pathways involved in metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, and carbon metabolism were abundant both in the oral and gut mycobiomes. Moreover, different fungal contributions in core functions were observed between MAFLD patients and the healthy controls, especially in the supragingival plaque and fecal samples. Finally, correlation analysis between oral/gut mycobiome and clinical parameters identified correlations of certain fungal species in both oral and gut niches. Particularly, , which was abundant both in saliva and feces, was positively correlated with body mass index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, providing evidence of a possible "oral-gut-liver" axis. The findings illustrate the potential correlation between core mycobiome and the development of MAFLD and could propose potential therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Humans; Mycobiome; Fungi; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Feces; Saliva; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
PubMed: 37180439
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1157368 -
BMC Medicine Oct 2023The gut mycobiome of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unexplored. This study aimed to characterize the gut mycobiome in patients with LUAD and evaluate...
BACKGROUND
The gut mycobiome of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unexplored. This study aimed to characterize the gut mycobiome in patients with LUAD and evaluate the potential of gut fungi as non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis.
METHODS
In total, 299 fecal samples from Beijing, Suzhou, and Hainan were collected prospectively. Using internal transcribed spacer 2 sequencing, we profiled the gut mycobiome. Five supervised machine learning algorithms were trained on fungal signatures to build an optimized prediction model for LUAD in a discovery cohort comprising 105 patients with LUAD and 61 healthy controls (HCs) from Beijing. Validation cohorts from Beijing, Suzhou, and Hainan comprising 44, 17, and 15 patients with LUAD and 26, 19, and 12 HCs, respectively, were used to evaluate efficacy.
RESULTS
Fungal biodiversity and richness increased in patients with LUAD. At the phylum level, the abundance of Ascomycota decreased, while that of Basidiomycota increased in patients with LUAD. Candida and Saccharomyces were the dominant genera, with a reduction in Candida and an increase in Saccharomyces, Aspergillus, and Apiotrichum in patients with LUAD. Nineteen operational taxonomic unit markers were selected, and excellent performance in predicting LUAD was achieved (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.9350) using a random forest model with outcomes superior to those of four other algorithms. The AUCs of the Beijing, Suzhou, and Hainan validation cohorts were 0.9538, 0.9628, and 0.8833, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, the gut fungal profiles of patients with LUAD were shown to represent potential non-invasive biomarkers for early-stage diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Mycobiome; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fungi; Adenocarcinoma of Lung; Biomarkers; Lung Neoplasms; Early Diagnosis
PubMed: 37904139
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03095-z -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Nov 2022Grasses harbor diverse fungi, including some that produce mycotoxins or other secondary metabolites. Recently, Florida cattle farmers reported cattle illness, while the...
Grasses harbor diverse fungi, including some that produce mycotoxins or other secondary metabolites. Recently, Florida cattle farmers reported cattle illness, while the cattle were grazing on warm-season grass pastures, that was not attributable to common causes, such as nutritional imbalances or nitrate toxicity. To understand correlations between grass mycobiome and mycotoxin production, we investigated the mycobiomes associated with five prominent, perennial forage and weed grasses [Paspalum notatum Flügge, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Paspalum nicorae Parodi, Sporobolus indicus (L.) R. Br., and Andropogon virginicus (L.)] collected from six Florida pastures actively grazed by livestock. Black fungal stromata of and were observed on and leaves and were investigated. High-throughput amplicon sequencing was applied to delineate leaf mycobiomes. Mycotoxins from leaves were inspected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Grass species, cultivars, and geographic localities interactively affected fungal community assemblies of asymptomatic leaves. Among the grass species, the greatest fungal richness was detected in the weed . The black fungal structures of leaves were dominated by the genus , while those of were codominated by the genus and a hypermycoparasitic fungus of the genus . When comparing mycotoxins detected in leaves with and without , emodin, an anthraquinone, was the only compound which was significantly different ( < 0.05). Understanding the leaf mycobiome and the mycotoxins it may produce in warm-season grasses has important implications for how these associations lead to secondary metabolite production and their subsequent impact on animal health. The leaf mycobiome of forage grasses can have a major impact on their mycotoxin contents of forage and subsequently affect livestock health. Despite the importance of the cattle industry in warm-climate regions, such as Florida, studies have been primarily limited to temperate forage systems. Our study provides a holistic view of leaf fungi considering epibiotic, endophytic, and hypermycoparasitic associations with five perennial, warm-season forage and weed grasses. We highlight that plant identity and geographic location interactively affect leaf fungal community composition. Yeasts appeared to be an overlooked fungal group in healthy forage mycobiomes. Furthermore, we detected high emodin quantities in the leaves of a widely planted forage species () whenever epibiotic fungi occurred. Our study demonstrated the importance of identifying fungal communities, ecological roles, and secondary metabolites in perennial, warm-season grasses and their potential for interfering with livestock health.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Poaceae; Seasons; Mycobiome; Mycotoxins; Chromatography, Liquid; Emodin; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Livestock; Geography; Plant Leaves; Fungal Structures
PubMed: 36226941
DOI: 10.1128/aem.00942-22 -
Current Opinion in Plant Biology Apr 2021Plant-fungal interactions are widespread in nature, and their multiple benefits for plant growth and health have been amply demonstrated. Endophytic and epiphytic fungi... (Review)
Review
Plant-fungal interactions are widespread in nature, and their multiple benefits for plant growth and health have been amply demonstrated. Endophytic and epiphytic fungi can significantly increase plant resilience, improving plant nutrition, stress tolerance and defence. Although some of these interactions have been known for decades, the relevance of the plant mycobiome within the plant microbiome has been largely underestimated. Our limited knowledge of fungal biology and their interactions with plants in the broader phytobiome context has hampered the development of optimal biotechnological applications in agrosystems and natural ecosystems. Exciting recent technical and knowledge advances in the context of molecular and systems biology open a plethora of opportunities for developing this field of research.
Topics: Agriculture; Endophytes; Fungi; Mycobiome; Plants; Symbiosis
PubMed: 33827007
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102034 -
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) Mar 2024The human gut microbiota is composed of bacteria (microbiota or microbiome), fungi (mycobiome), viruses, and archaea, but most of the research is primarily focused on... (Review)
Review
The human gut microbiota is composed of bacteria (microbiota or microbiome), fungi (mycobiome), viruses, and archaea, but most of the research is primarily focused on the bacterial component of this ecosystem. Besides bacteria, fungi have been shown to play a role in host health and physiologic functions. However, studies on mycobiota composition during infancy, the factors that might shape infant gut mycobiota, and implications to child health and development are limited. In this review, we discuss the factors likely shaping gut mycobiota, interkingdom interactions, and associations with child health outcomes and highlight the gaps in our current knowledge of this ecosystem.
Topics: Child; Humans; Mycobiome; Child Health; Microbiota; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Bacteria; Fungi
PubMed: 38311313
DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100185