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Microbial Pathogenesis Mar 2024Cytokines of the interleukin (IL)-1 superfamily including the different IL-36 isoforms, have been reported as mediators of acute and chronic inflammation in human skin...
Cytokines of the interleukin (IL)-1 superfamily including the different IL-36 isoforms, have been reported as mediators of acute and chronic inflammation in human skin diseases, such as psoriasis. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that Sporothrix schenckii and S. brasiliensis, the fungi that cause subcutaneous infection sporotrichosis, can induce the expression of IL-36α, IL-36γ and IL-36Ra in human keratinocytes and primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Specifically, IL-36γ was differentially expressed by keratinocytes stimulated with Sporothrix yeasts when compared to the commensal microorganism Staphylococcus epidermidis. The exposure of keratinocytes to 24 h or 7-days culture supernatant of PBMCs stimulated with Sporothrix induced higher IL-36γ production compared to direct stimulation of keratinocytes with the live fungus. We identified that IL-36γ mRNA expression in keratinocytes is increased in the presence of IL-17, TNF, IL-1β and IL-1α and these cytokines may act synergistically to maintain IL-36γ production. Lastly, using a cohort of 164 healthy individuals, we showed that individuals carrying variants of the IL36G gene (rs11690399 and rs11683399) exhibit increased IL-36γ production as well as increased innate cytokine production after Sporothrix exposure. Importantly, stimulation of PBMCs with recombinant IL-36γ increased the production of IL-1β and IL-6, while IL-36Ra were able to decrease the concentration of these cytokines. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of sporotrichosis and suggest that IL-36γ may be involved in maintaining the cytokine loop that leads to tissue destruction by exacerbating the immune response in sporotrichosis. Of high interest, we present the IL-36 signalling pathway as a potential new therapeutic target.
Topics: Humans; Cytokines; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukins; Keratinocytes; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Sporothrix; Sporotrichosis
PubMed: 38262494
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106550 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024The domains of unknown function (DUF) superfamilies contain proteins with conserved amino acid sequences without known functions. Among them, DUF668 was indicated widely...
The domains of unknown function (DUF) superfamilies contain proteins with conserved amino acid sequences without known functions. Among them, DUF668 was indicated widely involving the stress response of plants. However, understanding ZoDUF668 is still lacking. Here, 12 genes were identified in ginger by the bioinformatics method and unevenly distributed on six chromosomes. Conserved domain analysis showed that members of the same subfamily had similar conserved motifs and gene structures. The promoter region of contained the light, plant hormone and stress-responsive elements. The prediction of miRNA targeting relationship showed that nine ginger miRNAs targeted four genes through cleavage. The expression patterns of 12 genes under biotic and abiotic stress were analyzed using RT-qPCR. The results showed that the expression of seven genes was significantly downregulated under infection, six genes were upregulated under cold stress, and five genes were upregulated under waterlogging stress. These results indicate that the gene has different expression patterns under different stress conditions. This study provides excellent candidate genes and provides a reference for stress-resistance research in ginger.
Topics: Zingiber officinale; Amino Acid Sequence; Cold-Shock Response; Computational Biology; Fusariosis; MicroRNAs
PubMed: 38256002
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020929 -
Lasers in Medical Science Jan 2024The purpose of this review is to consolidate and summarize laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) for nail diseases, particularly onychomycosis and psoriasis. A PubMed... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this review is to consolidate and summarize laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) for nail diseases, particularly onychomycosis and psoriasis. A PubMed search was conducted in June 2023 using search terms (1) "laser assisted drug delivery" AND "nail," (2) "laser" AND "nail," and (3) "nail disorder" AND "laser treatment." References of papers were also reviewed, yielding 15 papers for this review. Fractional ablative CO laser (FACL) and Er:YAG laser can be used for LADD of topical medications such as amorolfine, terbinafine, and tioconazole to treat onychomycosis. A fungal culture should be performed to determine the type of dermatophyte, which will help determine which topical will be most effective. Laser settings varied between studies, but overall LADD tended to be more effective than topical treatments alone. Laser-assisted photodynamic therapy (PDT) was also found to be effective in treating onychomycosis. For psoriatic nails, LADD was used to deliver calcipotriol-betamethasone dipropionate foam, tazarotene, triamcinolone, or methotrexate into the nail. Again, LADD was found to be significantly more effective than topical treatment alone. FACL was the only laser noted for use for LADD in both diseases. Laser-assisted drug delivery for nail disease is a newer approach for onychomycosis and nail psoriasis with several benefits and drawbacks. Dermatologists should discuss the option of LADD with their patients who have recalcitrant onychomycosis or nail psoriasis.
Topics: Humans; Onychomycosis; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Antifungal Agents; Nail Diseases; Psoriasis; Administration, Topical; Lasers, Gas; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38240827
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-03992-6 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024In this study, we have formulated and analyzed the Tinea capitis infection Caputo fractional order model by implementing three time-dependent control measures. In the...
In this study, we have formulated and analyzed the Tinea capitis infection Caputo fractional order model by implementing three time-dependent control measures. In the qualitative analysis part, we investigated the following: by using the well-known Picard-Lindelöf criteria we have proved the model solutions' existence and uniqueness, using the next generation matrix approach we calculated the model basic reproduction number, we computed the model equilibrium points and investigated their stabilities, using the three time-dependent control variables (prevention measure, non-inflammatory infection treatment measure, and inflammatory infection treatment measure) and from the formulated fractional order model we re-formulated the fractional order optimal control problem. The necessary optimality conditions for the Tinea capitis fractional order optimal control problem and the existence of optimal control strategies are derived and presented by using Pontryagin's Maximum Principle. Also, the study carried out the sensitivity and numerical analysis to investigate the most sensitive parameters and to verify the qualitative analysis results. Finally, we performed the cost-effective analysis to investigate the most cost-effective measures from the possible proposed control measures, and from the findings we can suggest that implementing prevention measures only is the most cost-effective control measure that stakeholders should consider.
Topics: Humans; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Mycoses; Tinea Capitis; Basic Reproduction Number; Cost Control
PubMed: 38233520
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51670-y -
Mycopathologia Jan 2024Madurella fahalii is a causative agent of the implantation mycosis mycetoma with decreased susceptibility to itraconazole, the preferred therapeutic drug to combat...
Madurella fahalii is a causative agent of the implantation mycosis mycetoma with decreased susceptibility to itraconazole, the preferred therapeutic drug to combat mycetoma. Here, we report the M. fahalii type-strain CBS 129176 genome assembly and annotation to identify a glutamic acid insert near the azole-binding pocket in the Cyp51A protein.
Topics: Itraconazole; Mycetoma; Azoles; Madurella
PubMed: 38231295
DOI: 10.1007/s11046-023-00807-0 -
Research in Veterinary Science Mar 2024Despite the increasing interest in studying the gut mycobiota of dogs, the association between fungal colonization and the development of digestive disorders in this...
Despite the increasing interest in studying the gut mycobiota of dogs, the association between fungal colonization and the development of digestive disorders in this species remains largely understudied. On the other hand, the high prevalence of antifungal-resistant yeasts detected in previous studies in samples from animals represents a major threat to public health. We analyzed the presence of culturable yeasts in 112 rectal swab samples obtained from dogs with digestive disorders attended in a veterinary teaching hospital. Our results revealed that Malassezia pachydermatis was frequently isolated from the studied dog population (33.9% of samples), and that the isolation of this yeast was significantly associated to the age of animals, but not to their sex, disease group, or the presence of vomits and/or diarrhea. In contrast, other yeast species were less prevalent (17.9% of samples in total), and their isolation was not significantly associated to any variable included in the analysis. Additionally, we observed that 97.5% of the studied M. pachydermatis isolates (n = 158, 1-6 per positive episode) displayed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value >4 μg/ml to nystatin, 31.6% had a MIC ≥32 μg/ml to fluconazole, and 27.2% had a MIC >4 μg/ml to amphotericin B. The antifungal susceptibility profiles of non-Malassezia (n = 43, 1-7 per episode) were more variable and included elevated MIC values for some antifungal-species combinations. These results confirm that the intestine of dogs is a reservoir of opportunistic pathogenic yeasts and suggest that the prevalence of M. pachydermatis colonization depends more on the age of animals than on any specific digestive disorder.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Hospitals, Animal; Dermatomycoses; Hospitals, Teaching; Microbiota; Dog Diseases; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 38219470
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105153 -
Transactions of the Royal Society of... May 2024Previous studies on the distribution of mycetoma globally have failed to identify Ecuador as an endemic country.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies on the distribution of mycetoma globally have failed to identify Ecuador as an endemic country.
METHODS
We present data on 35 cases of mycetoma in Ecuador between 1955 and 2021: 5 cases from our experience and 30 cases from the literature.
RESULTS
Eight cases of eumycetoma (23%) and 27 cases of actinomycetoma (77%) were diagnosed. Most cases originated from the coastal region of Ecuador.
CONCLUSIONS
For the first time in an English-language publication, this communication confirms the presence of mycetoma in Ecuador, securing Ecuador's position on the global mycetoma map.
Topics: Ecuador; Humans; Mycetoma; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Young Adult; Child
PubMed: 38214978
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad098 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Chitinases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of chitin, the primary components of fungal cell walls, play key roles in defense responses, symbiotic associations, plant...
Chitinases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of chitin, the primary components of fungal cell walls, play key roles in defense responses, symbiotic associations, plant growth, and stress tolerance. In this study, 23 chitinase genes were identified in watermelon ( [Thunb.]) and classified into five classes through homology search and phylogenetic analysis. The genes with similar exon-intron structures and conserved domains were clustered into the same class. The putative -elements involved in the responses to phytohormone, stress, and plant development were identified in their promoter regions. A tissue-specific expression analysis showed that the genes were primarily expressed in the roots (52.17%), leaves (26.09%), and flowers (34.78%). Moreover, qRT-PCR results indicate that ClChis play multifaceted roles in the interaction between plant/environment. More members were induced by Race 2 of f. sp. , and eight genes were expressed at higher levels on the seventh day after inoculation with Races 1 and 2, suggesting that these genes play a key role in the resistance of watermelon to Fusarium wilt. Collectively, these results improve knowledge of the chitinase gene family in watermelon species and help to elucidate the roles played by chitinases in the responses of watermelon to various stresses.
Topics: Phylogeny; Fusarium; Fusariosis; Chitinases; Citrullus
PubMed: 38203810
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010638 -
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Jan 2024In contrast to superficial fungal infections, such as dermatophytosis, invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are characterised by penetration of tissues by fungal elements.... (Review)
Review
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
In contrast to superficial fungal infections, such as dermatophytosis, invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are characterised by penetration of tissues by fungal elements. Disease can spread locally within a region or can disseminate haematogenously or via the lymphatics. The environment is the most common reservoir of infection. Since fungal spores are airborne, indoor cats are also susceptible to IFIs. Some environmental fungi are ubiquitous and present globally, while others are endemic or hyperendemic within specific geographic regions. Zoonotic pathogens include and
AIM
In the first of a two-part article series, the approach to the investigation of feline IFIs and oomycoses is reviewed. As well as tips for diagnosis, and information on the ecological niche and distribution of fungal pathogens, the review covers clinical presentation of the most common IFIs, including cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, sporotrichosis, phaeohyphomycosis, aspergillosis and dermatophytic pseudomycetoma, as well as the oomycoses pythiosis, lagenidiosis and paralagenidiosis. In Part 2, the spectrum of activity, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and adverse effects of antifungal drugs are reviewed, and the treatment and prognosis for specific IFIs and oomycoses are discussed.
EVIDENCE BASE
The review draws on published evidence and the authors' combined expertise in feline medicine, mycology, dermatology, clinical pathology and anatomical pathology.
Topics: Cats; Animals; Invasive Fungal Infections; Antifungal Agents; Coccidioidomycosis; Dermatomycoses; Histoplasmosis; Cat Diseases
PubMed: 38189288
DOI: 10.1177/1098612X231219696 -
Medicine Jan 2024Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is a rare subtype of acute myelogenous leukaemia. With advances in treatment regimens, namely, introduction of...
RATIONALE
Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is a rare subtype of acute myelogenous leukaemia. With advances in treatment regimens, namely, introduction of all-trans-retinoicacid, outcomes have drastically improved, its side effects should not be ignored. Mycosis fungoides is one of the side effects of all-trans-retinoicacid treatment, but it may also be a clinical manifestation before disease progression. However, it rarely appears and is easily overlooked. This leads to being easily misled during the treatment process, affecting the treatment plan, and resulting in adverse consequences. Therefore, early identification and judgment can not only provide appropriate treatment options, but also prevent and treat further disease progression.
PATIENT CONCERNS
The patient was hospitalized for pancytopaenia. After completing the examination, the patient was finally diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (acute myelogenous leukaemia-M3). We administered tretinoin and arsenous acid. Evaluation of the treatment effect on the 7th day after chemotherapy showed that the bone marrow morphology showed complete remission. After the second course of chemotherapy, the patient developed red miliary macular papules, which gradually worsened. After completing relevant inspections, Considering that the cases was complicated with skin mycosis fungoides, the patient was treated with budesonide ointment and methylprednisolone as chemotherapy.
DIAGNOSES
Upon examination, the patient was initially diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia. Evaluation of the treatment effect on the 7th day after chemotherapy showed that the bone marrow morphology showed complete remission. After the second course of chemotherapy, we discovered the patient was diagnosed with skin mycosis fungoides.
INTERVENTIONS
Systemic chemotherapy is first given when a patient was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia. After the patient happened skin mycosis fungoides, We have adjusted the treatment plan and supplemented it with other treatment plans based on the original chemotherapy, After 2 months of treatment, his condition gradually improved.
OUTCOMES
All-trans-retinoicacid in the treatment of APL must be given attention because mycosis fungoides should not only be distinguished from infectious diseases but also be further assessed with regard to disease progression and metastasis.
LESSONS
Acute promyelocytic leukemia needs to be treated with arsenic trioxide. All-trans-retinoicacid in the treatment of APL must be given attention mycosis fungoides. Early diagnosis can guide accurate treatment, which is of great help in alleviating the pain of patients and improving the cure rate.
Topics: Humans; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute; Mycosis Fungoides; Skin; Dermatomycoses; Disease Progression; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 38181249
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036619