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Steroids May 2024We report the biotransformation of progesterone 1 by whole cells of Brazilian marine-derived fungi. A preliminary screening with 12 fungi revealed that the strains...
We report the biotransformation of progesterone 1 by whole cells of Brazilian marine-derived fungi. A preliminary screening with 12 fungi revealed that the strains Penicillium oxalicum CBMAI 1996, Mucor racemous CBMAI 847, Cladosporium sp. CBMAI 1237, Penicillium oxalicum CBMAI 1185 and Aspergillus sydowii CBMAI 935 were efficient in the biotransformation of progesterone 1 in the first days of the reaction, with conversion values ranging from 75 % to 99 %. The fungus P. oxalicum CBMAI 1185 was employed in the reactions in quintuplicate to purify and characterize the main biotransformation products of progesterone 1. The compounds testololactone 1a, 12β-hydroxyandrostenedione 1b and 1β-hydroxyandrostenedione 1c were isolated and characterized by NMR, MS, [α] and MP. In addition, the chromatographic yield of compound 1a was determined by HPLC-PDA in the screening experiments. In this study, we show a biotransformation pathway of progesterone 1, suggesting the presence of several enzymes such as Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases, dehydrogenases and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in the fungus P. oxalicum CBMAI 1185. In summary, the results obtained in this study contribute to the synthetic area and have environmental importance, since the marine-derived fungi can be employed in the biodegradation of steroids present in wastewater and the environment. The cytotoxic results demonstrate that the biodegradation products were inactive against the cell lines, in contrast to progesterone.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Cladosporium; Fungi; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Penicillium; Progesterone
PubMed: 38452910
DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109392 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Apr 2024Meat dry aging consists in storing unpackaged meat in a cold room, and at a specific and controlled relative humidity (RH), for a period of 1 to 5 weeks or more. This...
Meat dry aging consists in storing unpackaged meat in a cold room, and at a specific and controlled relative humidity (RH), for a period of 1 to 5 weeks or more. This practice has become widespread in recent years due to its positive effect on the tenderness of the meat but also on other organoleptic characteristics and therefore its market value. The objective of this work was to study the bacterial and fungal microbiota of dry-aged beef at the commercial stage by both culture-dependent and -independent approaches. Fifty-eight samples of dry-aged meat from different producer types (meat processing plants, artisanal and supermarket butchers) were studied. The dry-aging conditions (temperature, RH) of the meats, as well as the surface pH and a, were measured. The main microbial groups were enumerated by culture on various dedicated media. Concerning fungi, isolates of yeasts and molds (n = 257) were identified after dereplication by FTIR spectroscopy and/or sequencing of taxonomically relevant genes (26S rDNA, ITS, β-tubulin, actin). Metagenetic analyzes targeting the V3-V4 regions of 16S rDNA and ITS2 were also performed. Overall, ripening practices were diversified with temperatures and RH between 0.5 and 2.8 °C (median = 2 °C) and 47 and 88 % (median = 70 %), respectively. The aerobic colony count varied between 1.97 and 10.91 log CFU/g (median = 8.32 log CFU/g) and was similar to that of Pseudomonas spp., indicating that this bacterial group was dominant. Yeast populations varied between <2 and 9.41 log CFU/g, while molds showed abundances between <2 and 7.7 log TFU/g, the highest values being found in meats matured with a high RH. Bacterial and mold counts were positively correlated with the dry-aging RH and, to a lesser extent, temperature. The main yeast species were Candida zeylanoides and Yarrowia alimentaria as well as Itersonilia pannonica (identified only in metagenetics). The dominant mold species were psychrophilic or psychrotrophic species, namely Mucor complex flavus and Helycostylum elegans/pulchrum that have already been shown to be associated with dry-aged beef meat. This study has identified the main microorganisms associated with dry-aged meat in France, which raises the question of their role in the organoleptic quality of these higher value products.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Microbiota; Mycobiome; France; DNA, Ribosomal; Mucor
PubMed: 38448091
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114118 -
Microbiology and Molecular Biology... Mar 2024SUMMARYThe World Health Organization has established a fungal priority pathogens list that includes species critical or highly important to human health. Among them is... (Review)
Review
SUMMARYThe World Health Organization has established a fungal priority pathogens list that includes species critical or highly important to human health. Among them is the order Mucorales, a fungal group comprising at least 39 species responsible for the life-threatening infection known as mucormycosis. Despite the continuous rise in cases and the poor prognosis due to innate resistance to most antifungal drugs used in the clinic, Mucorales has received limited attention, partly because of the difficulties in performing genetic manipulations. The COVID-19 pandemic has further escalated cases, with some patients experiencing the COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, highlighting the urgent need to increase knowledge about these fungi. This review addresses significant challenges in treating the disease, including delayed and poor diagnosis, the lack of accurate global incidence estimation, and the limited treatment options. Furthermore, it focuses on the most recent discoveries regarding the mechanisms and genes involved in the development of the disease, antifungal resistance, and the host defense response. Substantial advancements have been made in identifying key fungal genes responsible for invasion and tissue damage, host receptors exploited by the fungus to invade tissues, and mechanisms of antifungal resistance. This knowledge is expected to pave the way for the development of new antifungals to combat mucormycosis. In addition, we anticipate significant progress in characterizing Mucorales biology, particularly the mechanisms involved in pathogenesis and antifungal resistance, with the possibilities offered by CRISPR-Cas9 technology for genetic manipulation of the previously intractable Mucorales species.
Topics: Humans; Mucorales; Mucormycosis; Antifungal Agents; Pandemics
PubMed: 38445820
DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00188-22 -
Invasive Sinusitis Presenting with Orbital Complications in COVID Patients: Is Mucor the Only Cause?Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and... Feb 2024The second wave of COVID pandemic was associated with an outbreak of Mucormycosis. The mortality rate of Mucormycosis reaches 50-80% in cases with orbital and...
The second wave of COVID pandemic was associated with an outbreak of Mucormycosis. The mortality rate of Mucormycosis reaches 50-80% in cases with orbital and intracranial extension (Fadda in Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital 41:43-50, 2021). In this outbreak we found that few of these patients had bacterial invasive sinusitis mimicking fungal sinusitis. Amphotericin the only effective drug against Mucormycosis is highly toxic and expensive and not indicated in bacterial sinusitis. Our aim was to determine the exact etiologic agent, predisposing factors and outcome of treatment of COVID associated invasive sinusitis presenting with orbital complications. It is a retrospective observational study done in 33 patients with orbital complications in COVID associated invasive sinusitis. Demographic details of the patients and clinical presentation were documented. Rhinological examination was done and a nasal swab was taken for KOH mount along with Gram`s stain and Culture and Sensitivity. All Patients underwent radiological evaluation by contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) or MRI. Liposomal Amphotericin B was started. Surgical debridement done. Amphotericin-B was stopped in cases reported negative for fungal elements and antibiotics administered for two weeks. Outcome of treatment was documented. A total of 33 patients were included in the study. 48.5% patients were found to have bacterial infection and 27.3% patient's fungal infections and 24.2% mixed infections.Eschar formation, necrotic tissue, erosion of the lamina papyracea was seen in both Klebsiella (33.3%) and Staphylococcal infections (16.6%) similar to Mucor and mixed infections. Persistent opthalmoplegia and deterioration of vision was associated with Mucor and mixed infections. However improvement in proptosis, ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, and vision was observed in cases associated with bacterial invasive sinusitis. Invasive bacterial sinusitis was under diagnosed during second wave of COVID. Identification of invasive bacterial sinusitis can help in de-escalation of treatment.
PubMed: 38440575
DOI: 10.1007/s12070-023-04077-6 -
Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and... Dec 2024Most fungal bone and joint infections (arthritis) are caused by Mucormycosis (). These infections may be difficult to treat and may lead to chronic bone disorders and...
Most fungal bone and joint infections (arthritis) are caused by Mucormycosis (). These infections may be difficult to treat and may lead to chronic bone disorders and disabilities, thus the use of new antifungal materials in bone disorders is vital, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, such as those who have contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Herein, we reported for the first time the preparation of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N/CQDs) and a nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (N/MC) using a quick micro-wave preparation and hydrothermal approach. The structure and morphology were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and surface area analyser. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), disc diffusion tests, minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) and antifungal inhibitory percentages were measured to investigate the antifungal activity of N/CQDs and N/MC nanostructures. In addition to the antifungal activity in rats as determined by wound induction and infection, pathogen count and histological studies were also performed. According to and testing, both N/CQDs with small size and N/MC with porous structure had a significant antifungal impact on a variety of bone-infecting bacteria, including Mucor infection. In conclusion, the present investigation demonstrates that functional N/CQDs and N/MC are effective antifungal agents against a range of microbial pathogenic bone disorders in immunocompromised individuals, with stronger and superior fungicidal activity for N/CQDs than N/MC and studies.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Quantum Dots; Mucormycosis; Antifungal Agents; Carbon; Nitrogen
PubMed: 38423087
DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2024.2318212 -
Cureus Jan 2024Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is often linked to a broad range of opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has...
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is often linked to a broad range of opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed an unprecedented surge in mucormycosis cases, predominantly in India, while the disease remained relatively rare in Europe. The authors describe the case of a 62-year-old female patient admitted to the hospital for consolidation therapy with chemotherapy as a part of the treatment protocol for acute myeloid leukemia. During hospitalization, she was diagnosed with nosocomial COVID-19, which later progressed to respiratory deterioration. COVID-19 with bacterial superinfection was presumed, leading to the initiation of empirical antibiotic therapy. A bronchoscopy was performed several days later due to a lack of improvement, revealing an infection by the complex. Despite antifungal treatment, the patient experienced an unfavorable clinical course and ultimately died. Given the high index of suspicion required to diagnose pulmonary mucormycosis, which can lead to delays in appropriate treatment and increase the burden of disease, the authors are aiming to enhance its awareness.
PubMed: 38406002
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52849 -
ACS Omega Feb 2024The antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities of 2-chloro--(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamide (-acetamide) and 2-(4-methoxyphenylamino)-2-oxoethyl methacrylate...
The antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities of 2-chloro--(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamide (-acetamide) and 2-(4-methoxyphenylamino)-2-oxoethyl methacrylate (MPAEMA) were investigated by experiments and analyses. MPAEMA has an antibacterial effect only against Gram-positive . It was determined that this did not affect any other bacteria and yeast. On the other hand, -acetamide showed antimicrobial activity against ATCC 25923, ATCC 90030, NRRL 744, ATCC 551289, ATCC 25922, NRLLB4420, ATCC 27853, and ATCC 1911. -Acetamide showed the greatest antifungal effect by inhibiting the colony growth of (98%). This was followed by with 83% and with 21%. MPAEMA inhibited colony growth of by 95% and that of by 91%. Also, -acetamide and MPAEMA had a scavenging effect on free radicals. According to results of the analysis, the antimicrobial effect of these compounds is due to their effect on DNA ligase. Based on drug-likeness analysis, they were found to be consistent with the Lipinski, Veber, or Ghose rule. -Acetamide and MPAEMA may be used as drugs.
PubMed: 38405536
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07836 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Fatty acid elongases play crucial roles in synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Identifying more efficient elongases is essential for enhancing...
Fatty acid elongases play crucial roles in synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Identifying more efficient elongases is essential for enhancing oleaginous microorganisms to produce high yields of target products. We characterized three elongases that were identified with distinct specificities: McELO from , PrELO from , and PsELO from . Heterologous expression in showed that McELO preferentially elongates C16 to C18 fatty acids, PrELO targets Δ6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and PsELO uses long chain saturated fatty acids as substrates. McELO and PrELO exhibited more homology, potentially enabling fatty acid composition remodeling and enhanced LC-PUFAs production in oleaginous microorganisms. Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved amino acids across elongase types identified residues essential for activity, supported by molecular docking. Alanine substitution of conserved polar residues led to enzyme inactivation, underscoring their importance in the condensation reaction. Our findings offer promising elongase candidates for polyunsaturated fatty acid production, contributing to the bioindustry's sustainable development.
PubMed: 38392800
DOI: 10.3390/jof10020129 -
BMC Veterinary Research Feb 2024The combined application of predatory fungi and antiparasitic drugs is a sustainable approach for the integrated control of animal gastrointestinal (GI) parasites....
BACKGROUND
The combined application of predatory fungi and antiparasitic drugs is a sustainable approach for the integrated control of animal gastrointestinal (GI) parasites. However, literature addressing the possible interference of antiparasitic drugs on the performance of these fungi is still scarce. This research aimed to assess the in vitro susceptibility of six native coccidicidal fungi isolates of the species Mucor circinelloides and one Mucor lusitanicus isolate to several antiparasitic drugs commonly used to treat GI parasites' infections in birds, namely anthelminthics such as Albendazole, Fenbendazole, Levamisole and Ivermectin, and anticoccidials such as Lasalocid, Amprolium and Toltrazuril (drug concentrations of 0.0078-4 µg/mL), using 96-well microplates filled with RPMI 1640 medium, and also on Sabouraud Agar (SA).
RESULTS
This research revealed that the exposition of all Mucor isolates to the tested anthelminthic and anticoccidial drug concentrations did not inhibit their growth. Fungal growth was recorded in RPMI medium, after 48 h of drug exposure, as well as on SA medium after exposure to the maximum drug concentration.
CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary findings from this research suggest the potential compatibility of these Mucor isolates with antiparasitic drugs for the integrated control of avian intestinal parasites. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Topics: Animals; Mucor; Antiparasitic Agents; Ivermectin; Albendazole
PubMed: 38388939
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03909-z -
Asian Journal of Surgery Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Drainage; Lung Abscess; Mucormycosis; Male; Child; Mucor; Female
PubMed: 38378415
DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2024.02.087