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Persoonia Dec 2014Eumycetoma is a chronic fungal infection characterised by large subcutaneous masses and the presence of sinuses discharging coloured grains. The causative agents of...
Eumycetoma is a chronic fungal infection characterised by large subcutaneous masses and the presence of sinuses discharging coloured grains. The causative agents of black-grain eumycetoma mostly belong to the orders Sordariales and Pleosporales. The aim of the present study was to clarify the phylogeny and taxonomy of pleosporalean agents, viz. Madurella grisea, Medicopsis romeroi (syn.: Pyrenochaeta romeroi), Nigrograna mackinnonii (syn. Pyrenochaeta mackinnonii), Leptosphaeria senegalensis, L. tompkinsii, and Pseudochaetosphaeronema larense. A phylogenetic analysis based on five loci was performed: the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), large (LSU) and small (SSU) subunit ribosomal RNA, the second largest RNA polymerase subunit (RPB2), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) gene. In addition, the morphological and physiological characteristics were determined. Three species were well-resolved at the family and genus level. Madurella grisea, L. senegalensis, and L. tompkinsii were found to belong to the family Trematospheriaceae and are reclassified as Trematosphaeria grisea comb. nov., Falciformispora senegalensis comb. nov., and F. tompkinsii comb. nov. Medicopsis romeroi and Pseudochaetosphaeronema larense were phylogenetically distant and both names are accepted. The genus Nigrograna is reduced to synonymy of Biatriospora and therefore N. mackinnonii is reclassified as B. mackinnonii comb. Nov. Mycetoma agents in Pleosporales were phylogenetically quite diverse despite their morphological similarity in the formation of pycnidia, except for the ascosporulating genus Falciformispora (formerly in Leptosphaeria). Most of the species diagnosed from human mycetoma were found to be related to waterborne or marine fungi, suggesting an association of the virulence factors with oligotrophism or halotolerance.
PubMed: 25737597
DOI: 10.3767/003158514X684744 -
Transplant Infectious Disease : An... Apr 2015We present a case report of a patient with diffuse skin and systemic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), 1 year after renal transplantation. A concomitant Pyrenochaeta romeroi...
We present a case report of a patient with diffuse skin and systemic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), 1 year after renal transplantation. A concomitant Pyrenochaeta romeroi granuloma of the right hallux was diagnosed and illustrated an important immunodysfunction in our patient. Four months after reduction in immunosuppression and switch to everolimus, a total regression of the KS was observed. Reduction in the immunosuppression and treatment with terbinafine cleared the P. romeroi infection, while lowering immunosuppression and changing the type of immunosuppressive therapy were important steps in the successful management of the KS. In recent years, evidence of the antitumor effects of everolimus is increasing: total regression of KS in combination with renal function preservation in renal graft recipients is possible with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor-based regimens. In addition, with increasing numbers of human immunodeficiency virus-positive transplant recipients, mTOR inhibitors may play a more crucial role in the management of KS.
Topics: Adult; Dermatomycoses; Drug Substitution; Everolimus; Female; Graft Rejection; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Kidney Transplantation; Liver Neoplasms; Mycophenolic Acid; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Skin Neoplasms; Tacrolimus; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25645490
DOI: 10.1111/tid.12357 -
Current Microbiology Apr 2015Fungal endophytes were isolated from the Mediterranean cypress Cupressus sempervirens. Eleven taxa of fungi, all within the Ascomycota, were identified based on PCR...
Fungal endophytes were isolated from the Mediterranean cypress Cupressus sempervirens. Eleven taxa of fungi, all within the Ascomycota, were identified based on PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) with taxonomic identity assigned using the NCBI nucleotide megablast search tool. The endophytic fungi included Alternaria multiformis, Didymella sp., Phoma sp., Phoma herbarum, Pyrenochaeta sp. (Dothideomycetes), Penicillium brevicompactum, Talaromyces sp. (Eurotiomycetes), Ascorhizoctonia sp. (Pezizomycetes), Thielavia microspora, and Thielavia spp. (Sordariomycetes). Considering the former findings in US, this indicates that similar ascomycetous classes of fungi, all from Pezizomycotina, associate with the healthy Cupressaceous trees in Iran. The recovered endophytes produced antifungal and antiproliferative metabolites which may contribute to the protection and survival of the host. We speculate that endophyte-infected C. sempervirens may benefit from their fungal associates by their influence on the ecology and biotic stress tolerance of the host plant. Moreover, a novel niche for the identified fungal species is being introduced.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Biodiversity; Cupressus; DNA, Fungal; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Endophytes; Fungi; Iran; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Sequence Data; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 25527365
DOI: 10.1007/s00284-014-0753-y -
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo... Sep 2014The endophytic fungi with plant growth promoting effects were screened by co-culture of each endophytic fungus and seedlings of Dendrobium officinale. Anatomical...
The endophytic fungi with plant growth promoting effects were screened by co-culture of each endophytic fungus and seedlings of Dendrobium officinale. Anatomical features of the inoculated roots were studied by paraffin sectioning. Morphological characteristics and rDNA ITS1-5. 8S-ITS2 sequences were applied for the taxonomy of endophytic fungi. The results showed that 8 strains inoculated to D. officinale seedlings greatly enhanced plant height, stem diameter, new roots number and biomass. According to the anatomical features of the inoculated roots, each fungus could infect the velamina of seedlings. The hyphae or pelotons were existed in the exodermis passage cells and cortex cells. The effective fungi could not infect the endodermis and vascular bundle sheath, but which was exception for other fungi with harmful to seedlings. Combined with classic morphologic classification, 2 effective strains were identified which were subjected to Pestalotiopsis and Eurotium. Six species of fungi without conidiophore belonged to Pyrenochaeta, Coprinellus, Pholiota, Alternaria, Helotiales, which were identified by sequencing the PCR-amplified rDNA ITS1-5. 8S-ITS2 regions. The co-culture technology of effective endophytic fungi and plant can apply to cultivate the seedlings of D. officinale. It is feasible to shorten growth cycle of D. officinale and increase the resource of Chinese herbs.
Topics: Biomass; DNA, Fungal; DNA, Ribosomal; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Dendrobium; Endophytes; Fungi; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Hyphae; Plant Roots; Plants, Medicinal; RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S; Seedlings; Species Specificity
PubMed: 25522603
DOI: No ID Found -
Current Genetics May 2015Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, as other soil-transmitted fungal pathogens, generally received little attention compared to the pathogens affecting the aerial parts of the...
Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, as other soil-transmitted fungal pathogens, generally received little attention compared to the pathogens affecting the aerial parts of the plants, although causing stunt and important fruit yield reduction of agronomic relevant crops. The scope of this study was to develop a system allowing to investigate the functional role of P. lycopersici genes putatively involved in the corky root rot of tomato. A genetic transformation system based on a split-marker approach was developed and tested to knock out a P. lycopersici gene encoding for a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (Plegl1) induced during the disease development. The regions flanking Plegl1 gene were fused with the overlapping parts of hygromycin marker gene, to favour homologous recombination. We were able to obtain four mutants not expressing the Plegl1 gene though, when tested on a susceptible tomato cultivar, Plegl1 mutants showed unaltered virulence, compared with the wild-type strain. The strategy illustrated in the present work demonstrated for the first time that homologous recombination occurs in P. lycopersici. Moreover, a transformation system mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens was established and stable genetic transformants have been obtained. The transformation systems developed represent important tools for investigating both the role of genes putatively involved in P. lycopersici interaction with host plant and the function of other physiological traits which emerged to be genetically expanded from the recent genome sequencing of this fungus.
Topics: Agrobacterium tumefaciens; Ascomycota; Gene Knockout Techniques; Solanum lycopersicum; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Plant Diseases; Transformation, Genetic
PubMed: 25413737
DOI: 10.1007/s00294-014-0461-y -
European Journal of Immunology Nov 2014While the presentation mechanism of antigenic peptides derived from exogenous proteins by MHC class II molecules is well understood, relatively little is known about the...
While the presentation mechanism of antigenic peptides derived from exogenous proteins by MHC class II molecules is well understood, relatively little is known about the presentation mechanism of endogenous MHC class II-restricted antigens. We therefore screened a chemical library of 200 compounds derived from natural products to identify inhibitors of the presentation of endogenous MHC class II-restricted antigens. We found that pyrenocine B, a compound derived from the fungus Pyrenochaeta terrestris, inhibits presentation of endogenous MHC class II-restricted minor histocompatibility antigen IL-4 inducible gene 1 (IL4I1) by primary dendritic cells (DCs). Phage display screening and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis were used to investigate the mechanism of suppressive action by pyrenocine B. EpsinR, a target molecule for pyrenocine B, mediates endosomal trafficking through binding of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs). Lentiviral-mediated short hairpin (sh) RNA downregulation of EpsinR expression in DCs resulted in a decrease in the responsiveness of CD4+ T cells. Our data thus suggest that EpsinR plays a role in antigen presentation, which provides insight into the mechanism of presentation pathway of endogenous MHC class II-restricted antigen.
Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport; Animals; Antigen Presentation; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cell Surface Display Techniques; Dendritic Cells; Flavoproteins; Fungal Proteins; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; L-Amino Acid Oxidase; Lymphocyte Activation; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Pyrones; RNA Interference; RNA, Small Interfering; SNARE Proteins; Surface Plasmon Resonance
PubMed: 25196058
DOI: 10.1002/eji.201444475 -
PloS One 2014Dematiaceous fungi (black fungi) are a heterogeneous group of fungi present in diverse environments worldwide. Many species in this group are known to cause allergic... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
Dematiaceous fungi (black fungi) are a heterogeneous group of fungi present in diverse environments worldwide. Many species in this group are known to cause allergic reactions and potentially fatal diseases in humans and animals, especially in tropical and subtropical climates. This study represents the first survey of dematiaceous fungi in Malaysia and provides observations on their diversity as well as in vitro response to antifungal drugs. Seventy-five strains isolated from various clinical specimens were identified by morphology as well as an internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogenetic analysis. The combined molecular and conventional approach enabled the identification of three classes of the Ascomycota phylum and 16 genera, the most common being Cladosporium, Cochliobolus and Neoscytalidium. Several of the species identified have not been associated before with human infections. Among 8 antifungal agents tested, the azoles posaconazole (96%), voriconazole (90.7%), ketoconazole (86.7%) and itraconazole (85.3%) showed in vitro activity (MIC ≤ 1 µg/mL) to the largest number of strains, followed by anidulafungin (89.3%), caspofungin (74.7%) and amphotericin B (70.7%). Fluconazole appeared to be the least effective with only 10.7% of isolates showing in vitro susceptibility. Overall, almost half (45.3%) of the isolates showed reduced susceptibility (MIC >1 µg/mL) to at least one antifungal agent, and three strains (one Pyrenochaeta unguis-hominis and two Nigrospora oryzae) showed potential multidrug resistance.
Topics: Ascomycota; Cladosporium; Cross Infection; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Mycoses; Tropical Climate
PubMed: 25098697
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104352