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The Science of the Total Environment May 2024Endophytic fungi (Trichoderma harzianum (TH) and Paecilomyces lilacinus (PL)) showed potential in phytoremediation for soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements...
Endophytic fungi (Trichoderma harzianum (TH) and Paecilomyces lilacinus (PL)) showed potential in phytoremediation for soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs (Cd and As)). However, their efficiency is limited, which can be enhanced with the assistance of biochar. This study sought to investigate the effects of TH at two application rates (T1: 4.5 g m; T2: 9 g m), PL at two application rates (P1: 4.5 g m; P2: 9 g m), in conjunction with biochar (BC) at 750 g m on the phytoremediation of PTEs by Miscanthus sinensis (M. sinensis). The results showed that the integration of endophytic fungi with biochar notably enhanced the accumulation of Cd and As in M. sinensis by 59.60 %-114.38 % and 49.91 %-134.60 %, respectively. The treatments T2BC and P2BC emerged as the most effective. Specifically, the P2BC treatment significantly enhanced the soil quality index (SQI > 0.55) across all examined soil layers, markedly improving the overall soil condition. It was observed that T2BC treatment could elevate the SQI to 0.56 at the 0-15 cm depth. The combined amendment shifted the primary influences on plant PTEs accumulation from fungal diversity and soil nutrients to bacterial diversity and the availability of soil PTEs. Characteristic microorganisms identified under the combined treatments were RB41 and Pezizaceae, indicating an increase in both bacterial and fungal diversity. This combination altered the soil microbial community, influencing key metabolic pathways. The combined application of PL and biochar was superior to the TH and biochar combination for the phytoremediation of M. sinensis. This approach not only enhanced the phytoremediation potential but also positively impacted soil health and microbial community, suggesting that the synergistic use of endophytic fungi and biochar is an effective strategy for improving the condition of alkaline soils contaminated with PTEs.
Topics: Cadmium; Arsenic; Biodegradation, Environmental; Soil; Soil Pollutants; Poaceae; Charcoal; Bacteria; Fungi
PubMed: 38438035
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171458 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2024Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a significant agricultural pest in palm plantations across tropical America, playing a critical role as a vector of...
Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a significant agricultural pest in palm plantations across tropical America, playing a critical role as a vector of the fungus Thielaviopsis paradoxa, which is the causative agent of stem bleeding disease in coconut palms. This disease has raised concerns due to its rapid spread and subsequent reduction in coconut production in northeastern Brazil. Additionally, this insect can establish mutualistic interactions with various fungi, including saprophytic, phytopathogenic, and entomopathogenic fungi, underscoring the importance of identifying its external mycobiota. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of T. paradoxa in the digestive tract and identify the cultivable mycobiota associated with the carapace of R. palmarum. To achieve this, a mycological study was conducted by culturing the external surface and digestive tract of field-caught adult insects (10 males and 10 females) on potato dextrose agar (PDA) in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. Fungal identification was performed by correlating microscopic features with the macroscopic characteristics of the obtained colonies. The results showed that T. paradoxa was detected in 15.0% of carapace isolates but was not found in the insects' intestinal tract. Additionally, nine fungal genera frequently associated with saprophytic or phytopathogenic behaviors were identified on the carapace. Eight of these genera belong to the Ascomycota phylum, while one is classified in the Basidiomycota phylum. The ubiquitous presence of Paecilomyces spp. and the occurrence of Trichosporon spp. in 95% of the assessed insects stand out. Furthermore, other potentially phytopathogenic fungi such as Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., and Aspergillus spp., as well as fungi with entomopathogenic potential like Paecilomyces spp., Trichoderma spp., Metarhizium spp., and Beauveria bassiana, were detected. These findings enhance the understanding of the complex interactions between R. palmarum and its fungal hosts, providing insights for integrated pest management strategies.
Topics: Animals; Male; Female; Coleoptera; Weevils; Brazil; Animal Shells; Ascomycota; Insecta
PubMed: 38422254
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.275755 -
Lasers in Medical Science Feb 2024The purpose is to assess the efficacy of rose bengal photodynamic antimicrobial therapy (PDAT) using different irradiation energy levels and photosensitizer...
The purpose is to assess the efficacy of rose bengal photodynamic antimicrobial therapy (PDAT) using different irradiation energy levels and photosensitizer concentrations for the inhibition of fungal keratitis isolates. Seven different fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium keratoplasticum, Fusarium solani, Paecilomyces variotii, and Pseudallescheria boydii) were isolated from patients with confirmed infectious keratitis. Experiments were performed in triplicate with suspensions of each fungus exposed to different PDAT parameters including a control, green light exposure of 5.4 J/cm, 2.7 J/cm (continuous and pulsed), and 1.8 J/cm and rose bengal concentrations of 0.1%, 0.05%, and 0.01%. Plates were photographed 72 h after experimentation, and analysis was performed to assess fungal growth inhibition. PDAT using 5.4 J/cm of irradiation and 0.1% rose bengal completely inhibited growth of five of the seven fungal species. Candida albicans and Fusarium keratoplasticum were the most susceptible organisms, with growth inhibited with the lowest fluence and minimum rose bengal concentration. Fusarium solani, Pseudallescheria boydii, and Paecilomyces variotii were inhibited by lower light exposures and photosensitizer concentrations. Aspergillus fumigatus and Curvularia lunata were not inhibited by any PDAT parameters tested. Continuous and pulsed irradiation using 2.7 J/cm produced similar results. Rose bengal PDAT successfully inhibits the in vitro growth of five fungi known to cause infectious keratitis. Differences in growth inhibition of the various fungi to multiple PDAT parameters suggest that susceptibilities to PDAT are unique among fungal species. These findings support modifying PDAT parameters based on the infectious etiology.
Topics: Humans; Rose Bengal; Photosensitizing Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Keratitis; Curvularia; Fusarium; Scedosporium; Byssochlamys
PubMed: 38379056
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-04014-1 -
PloS One 2024Nematophagous fungi are the best alternatives to chemical nematicides for managing nematodes considering environmental health. In the current study, activity of...
Nematophagous fungi are the best alternatives to chemical nematicides for managing nematodes considering environmental health. In the current study, activity of metabolites from ten isolates of Purpureocillium lilacinum (Thom) Luangsa-ard (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) and two isolates of Paecilomyces variotii Bainier (Eurotiales: Trichocomaceae), were examined to inhibit the hatching of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae) eggs. At 100%, 50%, and 25% concentrations, respectively, the culture filtrate of the isolate P. lilacinum 6887 prevented 97.55%, 90.52%, and 62.97% of egg hatching. Out of all the isolates, Pl 6887, Pl 6553, and Pl 2362 showed the greatest results in the hatching inhibition experiment.Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed a variety of nematicidal compounds from different isolates. A total of seven nematicidal compounds, including four very potent nematicidal fatty acids were found in the isolate Pl 6553. Secondary metabolites of the same isolate possess the highest M. incognita juvenile mortality, i.e., 43.33% and 92% after 48 hrs of treatment at 100 and 200 ppm concentrations, respectively. Significant difference was observed in juvenile mortality percentage among the isolate having highest and lowest nematicidal compounds. Nematicidal fatty acids like myristic and lauric acid were found for the first time in P. lilacinum. Multiple vacuole-like droplets were found inside the unhatched eggs inoculated with the culture filtrate of isolate Pl 6887, and also in the juveniles that perished in the ethyl acetate extract of isolate Pl 6553.
Topics: Animals; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Hypocreales; Antinematodal Agents; Tylenchoidea; Fatty Acids; Byssochlamys
PubMed: 38358978
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297925 -
Mycologia 2024The entomopathogenic fungus has recently been implicated in natural epizootics among exotic elongate hemlock scale (EHS) insects in Christmas tree farms in the eastern...
The entomopathogenic fungus has recently been implicated in natural epizootics among exotic elongate hemlock scale (EHS) insects in Christmas tree farms in the eastern United States. Since 1913, has been reported from various plant feeding Hemiptera in the southeastern United States, but comprehensive morphological and phylogenetic studies of U.S. populations are lacking. The recovery of multiple strains of from mycosed EHS in North Carolina provided an opportunity to conduct pathogenicity assays and morphological and phylogenetic studies to investigate genus- and species-level boundaries among the Clavicipitaceae. Pathogenicity assays confirmed that causes mortality of EHS crawlers, an essential first step in developing this fungus as a biocontrol. Morphological studies revealed that conidia aligned with previous measurements of the -like asexual state of , with conidiophore morphology consistent with historical observations. Additionally, a -like synanamorph was observed in select strains. In both a four-locus, 54-taxon Clavicipitaceae-wide phylogenetic analysis including D1-D2 domains of the nuclear 28S rRNA region (28S), elongation factor 1 alpha (), DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit 1 (), and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit 2 () and a two-locus, 38-taxon (28S and ) phylogenetic analysis, all three species were resolved as strongly supported monophyletic lineages across all loci and both methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) of phylogenetic inference except for 28S for . Despite the strong support for individual species, none of the analyses supported the monophyly of with the inclusion of . Due to the paucity of and sequence data, provided superior delimitation of intraspecies groupings for and should be used in future studies. Further development of as a biocontrol against EHS will require additional surveys across diverse Hemiptera and expanded pathogenicity testing to clarify host range and efficacy of this fungus.
Topics: Animals; United States; Phylogeny; Bayes Theorem; Hypocreales; Hemiptera; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; North Carolina
PubMed: 38275281
DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2023.2296337 -
International Journal of Food... Feb 2024Hard apple cider is considered to be a low-risk product for food spoilage and mycotoxin contamination due to its alcoholic nature and associated food sanitation...
Hard apple cider is considered to be a low-risk product for food spoilage and mycotoxin contamination due to its alcoholic nature and associated food sanitation measures. However, the thermotolerant mycotoxin-producing fungus Paecilomyces niveus may pose a significant threat to hard cider producers. P. niveus is known to infect apples (Malus xdomestica), and previous research indicates that it can survive thermal processing and contaminate finished apple juice with the mycotoxin patulin. To determine if hard apple cider is susceptible to a similar spoilage phenomenon, cider apples were infected with P. niveus or one of three patulin-producing Penicillium species and the infected fruits underwent benchtop fermentation. Cider was made with lab inoculated Dabinett and Medaille d'Or apple cultivars, and patulin was quantified before and after fermentation. Results show that all four fungi can infect cider apples and produce patulin, some of which is lost during fermentation. Only P. niveus was able to actively grow throughout the fermentation process. To determine if apple cider can be treated to hinder P. niveus growth, selected industry-grade sanitation measures were tested, including chemical preservatives and pasteurization. High concentrations of preservatives inhibited P. niveus growth, but apple cider flash pasteurization was not found to significantly impact spore germination. This study confirms that hard apple cider is susceptible to fungal-mediated spoilage and patulin contamination. P. niveus is an important concern for hard apple cider producers due to its demonstrated thermotolerance, survival in fermentative environments, and resistance to sanitation measures.
Topics: Malus; Patulin; Food Contamination; Risk Factors; Penicillium; Byssochlamys
PubMed: 38237417
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110545 -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Feb 2024Manogepix is a potent new antifungal agent targeting the fungal Gwt1 enzyme. Manogepix has previously demonstrated potent activity against clinical isolates of both...
Manogepix is a potent new antifungal agent targeting the fungal Gwt1 enzyme. Manogepix has previously demonstrated potent activity against clinical isolates of both (except ) and species. This study determined the activity of manogepix and comparators against a large collection of infrequently encountered yeast and molds. Manogepix demonstrated potent activity against infrequently encountered yeasts exhibiting elevated MIC values to other drug classes, including spp. (MIC, 0.008/0.12 mg/L), () (MIC, 0.03/0.06 mg/L), (MIC, 0.016-0.06 mg/L), (MIC, 0.016 mg/L), and (MIC, 0.03/0.12 mg/L). Similarly, manogepix was active against infrequently encountered mold isolates and strains exhibiting elevated MIC/MEC values to echinocandins, azoles, and amphotericin B, including (MEC, 0.004 mg/L), spp. (MEC, 0.016/0.06 mg/L), () species complex (MEC, 0.016/0.03 mg/L), (MEC, 0.03/0.06 mg/L), (MEC, 0.008 mg/L), spp. (MEC, ≤0.008/0.016 mg/L), (MEC, 0.06 mg/L), (MEC range, 0.016-0.12 mg/L), and spp. (MEC, 0.03/0.06 mg/L). Manogepix demonstrated potent activity against a majority of the infrequently encountered yeast and mold isolates tested including strains with elevated MIC/MEC values to other drug classes. Additional clinical development of manogepix (fosmanogepix) in difficult-to-treat, resistant fungal infections is warranted.
Topics: Triazoles; Antifungal Agents; Fungi; Aminopyridines; Yeasts; Candida; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Isoxazoles
PubMed: 38205999
DOI: 10.1128/aac.01132-23 -
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt; Paecilomyces; Mycoses; Antifungal Agents; Male; Female
PubMed: 38190486
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004161 -
Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and... Jan 2024The aim of this report is to describe the risk factors, clinical course, and characteristics of three cases of Paecilomyces keratitis presenting concurrently within...
BACKGROUND
The aim of this report is to describe the risk factors, clinical course, and characteristics of three cases of Paecilomyces keratitis presenting concurrently within three months in the same location. We used in vivo confocal microscopy and histopathology to corroborate our clinical findings.
OBSERVATIONS
Three eyes of three elderly patients with culture-proven Paecilomyces keratitis were included in this series. These patients resided within a 15-mile radius and presented to a tertiary care eye institute in Southern California between February and April 2022. All three eyes experienced a prolonged, recalcitrant course with recurrence of keratitis in donor corneal tissue despite antifungal therapy and multiple therapeutic penetrating keratoplasties. In vivo confocal microscopy, histopathology, and microbiologic findings corroborated the diagnosis of fungal keratitis with Paecilomyces. With surgical intervention and extensive medical therapy, all three cases resolved after the addition of oral Posaconazole.
CONCLUSIONS
Paecilomyces is a rare cause of infectious keratitis. Herein we report three similar cases in elderly patients. All had prolonged, recalcitrant infections that required multiple treatment modalities. Our cases, which were supported by in vivo confocal microscopy and histopathology, highlight the importance of timely and aggressive therapy to prevent recurrence.
PubMed: 38175332
DOI: 10.1186/s12348-023-00380-z -
Journal of Agricultural and Food... Dec 2023Soil salinity is an important limiting factor in agricultural production. Rhizospheric fungi can potentially enhance crop salinity tolerance, but the precise role of...
Soil salinity is an important limiting factor in agricultural production. Rhizospheric fungi can potentially enhance crop salinity tolerance, but the precise role of signaling substances is still to be systematically elucidated. A rhizospheric fungus identified as was found to enhance the salinity tolerance of rice seedlings. In this study, a novel polysaccharide (PPL2b) was isolated from and identified as consisting of Manp, Glcp, GalpA, and Galp. In a further study, PPL2b showed significant activity in alleviating salinity stress-induced growth inhibition in rice seedlings. The results indicated that under salinity stress, PPL2b enhances seed germination, plant growth (height and biomass), and biochemical parameters (soluble sugar and protein contents). Additionally, PPL2b regulates genes such as and to decrease K efflux and increase Na efflux. PPL2b increased the expression and activity of genes related to antioxidant enzymes and nonenzyme substances in salinity-induced oxidative stress. Further study indicated that PPL2b plays a crucial role in regulating osmotic substances, such as proline and betaine, in maintaining the osmotic balance. It also modulates plant hormones to promote rice seedling growth and enhance their tolerance to soil salinity. The variables interacted and were divided into two groups (PC1 77.39% and PC2 18.77%) based on their relative values. Therefore, these findings indicate that PPL2b from can alleviate the inhibitory effects of salinity stress on root development, osmotic adjustment, ion balance, oxidative stress balance, and growth of rice seedlings. Furthermore, it suggests that polysaccharides produced by rhizospheric fungi could be utilized to enhance crop tolerance to salinity.
Topics: Seedlings; Paecilomyces; Oryza; Salinity; Polysaccharides; Soil; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 38101321
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05430