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PloS One 2013Although the Madurella mycetomatis grains seem to interfere with the host defense mechanisms and impede the antifungal drugs penetration, yet their histological features...
Although the Madurella mycetomatis grains seem to interfere with the host defense mechanisms and impede the antifungal drugs penetration, yet their histological features are not fully known and hence this study was set out to determine that. The study included 80 patients with confirmed M. mycetomatis eumycetoma. After informed written consent, surgical biopsies were obtained from the excised tissues during the patients' surgical treatment. All sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Grocott's hexamine silver, Periodic Acid-Schiff's, Masson-Fontana, Perl's Prussian Blue, Von-kossa's, Formalin Inducing Fluorescence and Schmorl's stains. Modified bleaching technique was used. The concentrations of Zinc, Copper, Calcium, Iron, Lead, Cobalt and Nickel were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The M. Mycetomatis grains appeared to consist of lipid, protein and melanin. The melanin was located on the hyphal wall as thick layers. The Zinc, Copper and Calcium concentrations in the grains were four, six, and sixteen folds higher than in normal tissue respectively, the other metals were found in the same concentrations as in normal tissue. In the grains, calcium was located in the melanin vicinity. From this study, it can be concluded that, the grains contain melanin, heavy metals, proteins, lipids and they contribute in the formation of the grain cement matrix. These elements seem to contribute in the organism pathogenicity and might impede the penetration of various anti-fungal agents.
Topics: Acids; Alkalies; Biopsy; Calcium; Copper; Humans; Hyphae; Madurella; Melanins; Mycetoma; Solubility; Solutions; Zinc
PubMed: 23483927
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057774 -
Mycoses Apr 2004The genus Madurella, described for non-sporulating agents of human mycetoma, is proven to be heterogeneous on the basis of rDNA small subunit (SSU) and Internal...
The genus Madurella, described for non-sporulating agents of human mycetoma, is proven to be heterogeneous on the basis of rDNA small subunit (SSU) and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequencing data. Madurella mycetomatis, the main agent of mycetoma in arid zones of Central and East Africa, probably belongs to the ascomycete order Sordariales. Madurella mycetomatis, the generic type species, is neotypified. Madurella grisea, with worldwide occurrence, is likely to be a member of the order Pleosporales, just as the mycetoma agents of Leptosphaeria, Pseudochaetosphaeronema, and Pyrenochaeta. Neotestudina rosatii belongs to the order Dothideales. Judging from ITS data, M. mycetomatis and N. rosatii are species complexes. The ex-type strain of N. rosatii, from a human mycetome, has an ITS sequence that deviates from that of environmental strains of the species.
Topics: DNA Primers; DNA, Fungal; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Humans; Madurella; Mycetoma; Mycological Typing Techniques; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
PubMed: 15078428
DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2004.00964.x -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Dec 2019The use of the Sensititre YeastOne YO10 alamarBlue assay for the susceptibility testing of was evaluated in isolates with and without pyomelanin secretion. Pyomelanin...
Pyomelanin Secretion in Madurella mycetomatis Interferes with Spectrophotometric Endpoint Reading Using the Sensititre YeastOne alamarBlue Assay but Not with Visual Endpoint Reading.
The use of the Sensititre YeastOne YO10 alamarBlue assay for the susceptibility testing of was evaluated in isolates with and without pyomelanin secretion. Pyomelanin secretion did not influence visual endpoint reading; however, it caused a shift in peak absorbance from 570 nm to 620 nm when read spectrophotometrically. Therefore, when choosing the method for endpoint reading, the presence of pyomelanin should be considered.
Topics: Azoles; Madurella; Melanins; Mycetoma
PubMed: 31611353
DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01532-19 -
Journal of the European Academy of... Apr 2023Eumycetoma is a neglected tropical infection of the subcutaneous tissue commonly caused by the fungus Madurella mycetomatis. Previously, we demonstrated that β-D-glucan...
BACKGROUND
Eumycetoma is a neglected tropical infection of the subcutaneous tissue commonly caused by the fungus Madurella mycetomatis. Previously, we demonstrated that β-D-glucan was present in the serum of eumycetoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the performance of the recently approved easy-to-use Wako β-D-glucan assay to that of the Fungitell assay in eumycetoma patients.
METHODS
Using sera obtained from 41 eumycetoma, 12 actinomycetoma and 29 healthy endemic controls, we measured the β-glucan serum concentrations using the Wako assay and compared the performance to that of the Fungitell assay.
RESULTS
With the Fungitell assay, median β-glucan serum concentrations of 208, 70 and 27 pg/ml were obtained for the 41 eumycetoma patients, the 12 actinomycetoma patients and the 29 healthy endemic controls, respectively. With the Wako assay these concentrations were 14.45, 11.57 and 2.5 pg/ml, respectively. We demonstrated that when using the optimized cut-off value (5.5 pg/ml) for the Wako assay, the Wako and Fungitell assays had comparable performance in terms of sensitivity and specificity.
CONCLUSION
The Wako assay is comparable to the Fungitell assay for measurement of serum β-glucan in mycetoma patients and hence can be used in combination with current diagnostic tools. However, this test should be used in combination with other tests to differentiate actinomycetoma from eumycetoma.
Topics: Humans; Mycetoma; Glucans; Madurella; Sensitivity and Specificity; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 36201367
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18642 -
Journal of Medical Microbiology Jun 2007
Topics: Antigens, Fungal; Cross Reactions; Galactose; Humans; Madurella; Mannans; Mycetoma
PubMed: 17510278
DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.47022-0 -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Feb 2015
Topics: Azoles; Itraconazole; Ketoconazole; Madurella; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Naphthalenes; Terbinafine
PubMed: 25487799
DOI: 10.1128/AAC.04487-14 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jul 2020Eumycetoma (mycotic mycetoma) is the fungal form of mycetoma, a subcutaneous infection occurring in individuals living in endemic areas of the disease. The Sudan is...
Eumycetoma (mycotic mycetoma) is the fungal form of mycetoma, a subcutaneous infection occurring in individuals living in endemic areas of the disease. The Sudan is hyperendemic for mycetoma, with the highest incidence being reported from Gezira State, Central Sudan. The present study was conducted at the Gezira Mycetoma Center and aimed to determine the cause of black-grain eumycetoma in the state and describe its epidemiology. Black-grain specimens were collected during the surgical operation and direct detection of the causative agent was performed using M. mycetomatis species-specific PCR and ITS PCR followed by sequencing. Black-grain was reported from 93.3% of all confirmed mycetoma cases (n = 111/119), with a prevalence in young males. Of the 91 samples subjected to direct PCR, 90.1% (n = 82) gave positive results. The predominant species (88.2%) was Madurella mycetomatis. One sample was identified as M. fahalii, one as M. tropicana, and one matched the phytopathogenic species Sphaerulina rhododendricola. The highest endemic zones were Southern Gezira (76.6%) and Northern Sinnar (23.4%). The study confirmed that direct molecular detection on grains provides rapid and specific diagnosis of agents of eumycetoma.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Madurella; Male; Middle Aged; Mycetoma; Phylogeny; Sudan; Young Adult
PubMed: 32730340
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008420 -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Aug 2021For many fungal infections, susceptibility testing is used to predict if an isolate is resistant or susceptible to the antifungal agent used to treat the infection. For...
For many fungal infections, susceptibility testing is used to predict if an isolate is resistant or susceptible to the antifungal agent used to treat the infection. For Madurella mycetomatis, the main causative agent of mycetoma, susceptibility testing currently is not performed on a routine basis. The current susceptibility testing method is labor-intensive, and sonication must be done to generate a hyphal inoculum. For endpoint visualization, expensive viability dyes are needed. Here, we investigated if the currently used susceptibility method could be adapted to make it amendable for use in a routine setting which can be used in low-income countries, where mycetoma is endemic. First, we developed a methodology in which hyphal fragments can be generated without the need for sonication, by comparing different bead beating methodologies. Next, susceptibility was assessed using standard broth microdilution assays as well as disc diffusion, Etest, and VIPcheck methodologies. We demonstrate that after a hyphal suspension is generated by glass bead beating, disc diffusion, Etest, and VIPcheck can be used to determine susceptibility of Madurella mycetomatis to itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole. The MICs found with Etest were comparable to those obtained with our modified CLSI-based broth microdilution susceptibility assay for itraconazole and posaconazole. Furthermore, we found an inverse relationship between the zones of inhibition and MICs obtained with the Etest and those obtained by the modified CLSI broth microdilution technique.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests; Itraconazole; Madurella; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Triazoles; Voriconazole
PubMed: 34181477
DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00433-21 -
Microbiology Resource Announcements Apr 2020The draft genomes of three fungal clinical isolates of from patients with mycetoma are presented. No finished genome is currently available for this important fungus....
The draft genomes of three fungal clinical isolates of from patients with mycetoma are presented. No finished genome is currently available for this important fungus. Therefore, the addition of these new draft genomes will help us better understand the diversity and pathogenicity of this important species.
PubMed: 32299891
DOI: 10.1128/MRA.01533-19 -
Molecular Biotechnology Jan 2021Laccases are polyphenol oxidoreductases used in a number of industrial applications. Due to the increasing demand for these "green catalysis" enzymes, the identification...
Laccases are polyphenol oxidoreductases used in a number of industrial applications. Due to the increasing demand for these "green catalysis" enzymes, the identification and biochemical characterisation of their novel properties is essential. In our study, cloned Madurella mycetomatis laccase (mmlac) genes were heterologously expressed in the methylotrophic yeast host Pichia pastoris. The high yield of the active recombinant protein in P. pastoris demonstrates the efficiency of a reliably constructed plasmid to express the laccase gene. The optimal biochemical conditions for the successfully expressed MmLac enzyme were identified. Detailed structural properties of the recombinant laccase were determined, and its utility in decolourisation and textile bleaching applications was examined. MmLac demonstrates good activity in an acidic pH range (4.0-6.0); is stable in the presence of cationic metals, organic solvents and under high temperatures (50-60 °C); and is stable for long-term storage at - 20 °C and - 80 °C for up to eight weeks. The structural analysis revealed that the catalytic residues are partially similar to other laccases. MmLac resulted in an increase in whiteness, whilst demonstrating high efficiency and stability and requiring the input of fewer chemicals. The performance of this enzyme makes it worthy of investigation for use in textile biotechnology applications, as well as within environmental and food technologies.
Topics: Biotechnology; Bleaching Agents; Catalysis; Cloning, Molecular; Enzyme Stability; Gene Expression; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Laccase; Madurella; Recombinant Proteins; Saccharomycetales; Temperature
PubMed: 33058020
DOI: 10.1007/s12033-020-00281-9