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Medical Mycology Jun 2024Recognizing the growing global burden of fungal infections, the World Health Organization established a process to develop a priority list of fungal pathogens (FPPL). In...
Recognizing the growing global burden of fungal infections, the World Health Organization established a process to develop a priority list of fungal pathogens (FPPL). In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiology and impact of infections caused by Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp., and Lomentospora prolificans to inform the first FPPL. PubMed and Web of Sciences databases were searched to identify studies published between January 1, 2011 and February 23, 2021, reporting on mortality, complications and sequelae, antifungal susceptibility, preventability, annual incidence, and trends. Overall, 20, 11, and 9 articles were included for Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp., and L. prolificans, respectively. Mortality rates were high in those with invasive fusariosis, scedosporiosis, and lomentosporiosis (42.9%-66.7%, 42.4%-46.9%, and 50.0%-71.4%, respectively). Antifungal susceptibility data, based on small isolate numbers, showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC)/minimum effective concentrations for most currently available antifungal agents. The median/mode MIC for itraconazole and isavuconazole were ≥16 mg/l for all three pathogens. Based on limited data, these fungi are emerging. Invasive fusariosis increased from 0.08 cases/100 000 admissions to 0.22 cases/100 000 admissions over the time periods of 2000-2009 and 2010-2015, respectively, and in lung transplant recipients, Scedosporium spp. and L. prolificans were only detected from 2014 onwards. Global surveillance to better delineate antifungal susceptibility, risk factors, sequelae, and outcomes is required.
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Fusarium; Scedosporium; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; World Health Organization; Mycoses; Fusariosis; Ascomycota; Invasive Fungal Infections
PubMed: 38935914
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad128 -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Recently, nanoparticles have been widely used in agricultural pest control as a secure substitute for pesticides. However, the effect of nanoparticles on controlling the...
Termiticidal Effects and Morpho-Histological Alterations in the Subterranean Termite () Induced by Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, and Chitosan Nanoparticles.
Recently, nanoparticles have been widely used in agricultural pest control as a secure substitute for pesticides. However, the effect of nanoparticles on controlling the subterranean termite () has not been studied yet. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of some nanomaterials in controlling . The results showed that zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiONPs), and chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) biosynthesized using the culture filtrate of () had an effective role in controlling . Moreover, the mortality rate of after 48 h of treatment with ZnONPs, TiONPs, and CsNPs at a 1000 µg/mL concentration was 100%, 100%, and 97.67%, respectively. Furthermore, using ZnONPs, TiONPs, and CsNPs on resulted in morpho-histological variations in the normal structure, leading to its death. X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and the Zeta potential were used to characterize the biosynthesis of ZnONPs, TiONPs, and CsNPs with strong activity against termites. Overall, the results of this investigation suggest that biosynthesized ZnONPs, TiONPs, and CsNPs have enormous potential for use as innovative, ecologically safe pesticides for control.
PubMed: 38869552
DOI: 10.3390/nano14110927 -
BMC Genomics Jun 2024The search for new bioactive natural compounds with anticancer activity is still of great importance. Even though their potential for diagnostics and treatment of cancer...
BACKGROUND
The search for new bioactive natural compounds with anticancer activity is still of great importance. Even though their potential for diagnostics and treatment of cancer has already been proved, the availability is still limited. Hypericin, a naphthodianthrone isolated essentially from plant source Hypericum perforatum L. along with other related anthraquinones and bisanthraquinones belongs to this group of compounds. Although it has been proven that hypericin is synthesized by the polyketide pathway in plants, none of the candidate genes coding for key enzymes has been experimentally validated yet. Despite the rare occurrence of anthraquinones in plants, their presence in microorganisms, including endophytic fungi, is quite common. Unlike plants, several biosynthetic genes grouped into clusters (BGCs) in fungal endophytes have already been characterized.
RESULTS
The aim of this work was to predict, identify and characterize the anthraquinone BGCs in de novo assembled and functionally annotated genomes of selected endophytic fungal isolates (Fusarium oxysporum, Plectosphaerella cucumerina, Scedosporium apiospermum, Diaporthe eres, Canariomyces subthermophilus) obtained from different tissues of Hypericum spp. The number of predicted type I polyketide synthase (PKS) BGCs in the studied genomes varied. The non-reducing type I PKS lacking thioesterase domain and adjacent discrete gene encoding protein with product release function were identified only in the genomes of C. subthermophilus and D. eres. A candidate bisanthraquinone BGC was predicted in C. subthermophilus genome and comprised genes coding the enzymes that catalyze formation of the basic anthraquinone skeleton (PKS, metallo-beta-lactamase, decarboxylase, anthrone oxygenase), putative dimerization enzyme (cytochrome P450 monooxygenase), other tailoring enzymes (oxidoreductase, dehydrogenase/reductase), and non-catalytic proteins (fungal transcription factor, transporter protein).
CONCLUSIONS
The results provide an insight into genetic background of anthraquinone biosynthesis in Hypericum-borne endophytes. The predicted bisanthraquinone gene cluster represents a basis for functional validation of the candidate biosynthetic genes in a simple eukaryotic system as a prospective biotechnological alternative for production of hypericin and related bioactive anthraquinones.
Topics: Hypericum; Multigene Family; Polyketides; Endophytes; Anthraquinones; Fungi; Genome, Fungal; Computer Simulation; Polyketide Synthases; Perylene; Anthracenes; Genomics; Phylogeny
PubMed: 38831295
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10475-z -
British Journal of Hospital Medicine... May 2024An elderly male with type 2 diabetes presented with a 2-month history of otalgia and severe headaches. He was diagnosed with malignant otitis externa (MOE) and was...
An elderly male with type 2 diabetes presented with a 2-month history of otalgia and severe headaches. He was diagnosed with malignant otitis externa (MOE) and was commenced on empirical treatment with oral ciprofloxacin. Pseudomonas is the most common cause of MOE. A baseline CT scan was undertaken that demonstrated skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) due to findings of bone erosion at the mastoid tip and an infiltrating soft tissue mass eroding the clivus. Eight weeks later, he returned with worsening and bilateral symptoms of otitis externa, hearing loss, temporomandibular pain and dysfunction. Worsening and now bilateral malignant otitis externa were confirmed with an MRI scan that also demonstrated a small fluid collection in his left temporal region. The collection was aspirated and grew scedosporium apiospermum. He was diagnosed with fungal SBO and was commenced on treatment with the antifungal voriconazole, with significant improvement in symptoms and radiological findings. Fungal osteomyelitis is more likely in immunosuppressed patients, particularly those with type 2 diabetes. Fungal aetiology should be suspected in patients with progressive symptoms, despite treatment. A microbiology diagnosis of fungal SBO or MOE can be challenging to obtain and can lead to diagnostic delay. A sampling of the external auditory canal can aid in diagnosing MOE; however, scedosporium may also be isolated as a commensal organism. Aspirations from accessible fluid collections, infratemporal fossa needle sample and bone biopsy can provide material for diagnosis. Scedosporium is a rare cause of disease in humans, however, fungal infections are increasing in humans, due to an increase in susceptible populations. Scedosporium apiospermum is a rare cause of SBO and should be considered in patients not responding to standard treatment.
Topics: Humans; Otitis Externa; Osteomyelitis; Male; Skull Base; Antifungal Agents; Scedosporium; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Voriconazole; Aged; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mycoses
PubMed: 38815968
DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2023.0421 -
Cureus Apr 2024Fosmanogepix, a prodrug of Manogepix (MGX), is a groundbreaking antifungal agent with broad-spectrum activity against yeasts, including and , as well as molds. It... (Review)
Review
Fosmanogepix, a prodrug of Manogepix (MGX), is a groundbreaking antifungal agent with broad-spectrum activity against yeasts, including and , as well as molds. It exhibits effectiveness against drug-resistant strains, such as strains resistant to and strains resistant to azoles. Furthermore, fosmanogepix shows activity against pathogens that typically resist other classes of drugs, such as , , and , although its efficacy against Mucorales varies. In animal models, fosmanogepix has demonstrated notable effectiveness against disseminated infections caused by various species, , and . It has also shown efficacy in pulmonary infection models involving , , , , and . Clinical trials have revealed excellent oral bioavailability (>90%), enabling a seamless transition between intravenous and oral formulations without compromising blood concentrations. Fosmanogepix exhibits favorable profiles in terms of drug interactions, tolerability, and extensive distribution in various tissues, making it an appealing choice for treating invasive fungal infections. This comprehensive review aims to examine the outcomes of published data on fosmanogepix, encompassing in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations.
PubMed: 38807795
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59210 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jun 2024Scedosporium spp. and Lomentospora prolificans are emerging non-Aspergillus filamentous fungi. The Scedosporiosis/lomentosporiosis Observational Study we previously... (Observational Study)
Observational Study Review
Scedosporium spp. and Lomentospora prolificans are emerging non-Aspergillus filamentous fungi. The Scedosporiosis/lomentosporiosis Observational Study we previously conducted reported frequent fungal vascular involvement, including aortitis and peripheral arteritis. For this article, we reviewed 7 cases of Scedosporium spp. and L. prolificans arteritis from the Scedosporiosis/lomentosporiosis Observational Study and 13 cases from published literature. Underlying immunosuppression was reported in 70% (14/20) of case-patients, mainly those who had solid organ transplants (10/14). Osteoarticular localization of infection was observed in 50% (10/20) of cases; infections were frequently (7/10) contiguous with vascular infection sites. Scedosporium spp./Lomentospora prolificans infections were diagnosed in 9 of 20 patients ≈3 months after completing treatment for nonvascular scedosporiosis/lomentosporiosis. Aneurysms were found in 8/11 aortitis and 6/10 peripheral arteritis cases. Invasive fungal disease--related deaths were high (12/18 [67%]). The vascular tropism of Scedosporium spp. and L. prolificans indicates vascular imaging, such as computed tomography angiography, is needed to manage infections, especially for osteoarticular locations.
Topics: Humans; Scedosporium; France; Male; Middle Aged; Aged; Female; Mycoses; Adult; Antifungal Agents; Aged, 80 and over; Invasive Fungal Infections
PubMed: 38781681
DOI: 10.3201/eid3006.231409 -
Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory... 2024A significant decline in pulmonary exacerbation rates has been reported in CF patients homozygous for F508del treated with lumacaftor/ivacaftor. However, it is still...
BACKGROUND
A significant decline in pulmonary exacerbation rates has been reported in CF patients homozygous for F508del treated with lumacaftor/ivacaftor. However, it is still unclear whether this reduction reflects a diminished microbiological burden.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to determine the impact of lumacaftor/ivacaftor on the bacterial and fungal burden.
DESIGN
The study is a prospective multicenter cohort study including 132 CF patients homozygous for F508del treated with lumacaftor/ivacaftor.
METHODS
Clinical parameters as well as bacterial and fungal outcomes 1 year after initiation of lumacaftor/ivacaftor were compared to data from 2 years prior to initiation of the treatment. Changes in the slope of the outcomes before and after the onset of treatment were assessed.
RESULTS
Lung function measured as ppFEV1 ( < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) in adults ( < 0.001), and BMI -score in children ( = 0.007) were improved after initiation of lumacaftor/ivacaftor. In addition, the slope of the prevalence of ( = 0.007) and ( < 0.001) shifted from positive to negative, that is, became less prevalent, 1 year after treatment, while the slope for ( = 0.009), spp ( = 0.026), and ( < 0.001) shifted from negative to positive.
CONCLUSION
The current study showed a significant improvement in clinical parameters and a reduction of some of CF respiratory microorganisms 1 year after starting with lumacaftor/ivacaftor. However, no significant changes were observed for , or , key pathogens in the CF context.
Topics: Humans; Cystic Fibrosis; Male; Prospective Studies; Female; Aminophenols; Benzodioxoles; Child; Adult; Young Adult; Adolescent; Drug Combinations; Aminopyridines; Quinolones; Sweden; Treatment Outcome; Mycoses; Respiratory Tract Infections; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Lung; Chloride Channel Agonists; Time Factors; Fungi; Bacterial Infections
PubMed: 38780228
DOI: 10.1177/17534666241254090 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jul 2024Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) holds valuable microbiota that can be useful in remediating polluted soils with hydrocarbons. However, the microorganisms behind the...
Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) holds valuable microbiota that can be useful in remediating polluted soils with hydrocarbons. However, the microorganisms behind the bioremediation process remain uncertain. In this work, a bioremediation assay of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) polluted soil by SMS application was performed to elucidate the microorganisms and consortia involved in biodegradation by a metabarcoding analysis. Untreated polluted soil was compared to seven bioremediation treatments by adding SMS of Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus ostreatus, and combinations. Soil microbial activity, TPH biodegradation, taxonomic classification, and predictive functional analysis were evaluated in the microbiopiles at 60 days. Different metagenomics approaches were performed to understand the impact of each SMS on native soil microbiota and TPHs biodegradation. All SMSs enhanced the degradation of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, being A. bisporus the most effective, promoting an efficient consortium constituted by the bacterial families Alcanivoraceae, Alcaligenaceae, and Dietziaceae along with the fungal genera Scedosporium and Aspergillus. The predictive 16 S rRNA gene study partially explained the decontamination efficacy by observing changes in the taxonomic structure of bacteria and fungi, and changes in the potential profiles of estimated degradative genes across the different treatments. This work provides new insights into TPHs bioremediation.
Topics: Biodegradation, Environmental; Soil Pollutants; Hydrocarbons; Soil Microbiology; Petroleum; Bacteria; Agaricus; Fungi; Pleurotus; Agaricales; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 38776816
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134650 -
Allergologie Select 2024None.
None.
PubMed: 38756207
DOI: 10.5414/ALX02444E -
Mikrobiyoloji Bulteni Apr 2024Scedosporium/Lomentospora is an opportunistic fungal pathogen found worldwide. While Scedosporium apiospermum and Scedosporium boydii are commonly observed globally,...
Scedosporium/Lomentospora is an opportunistic fungal pathogen found worldwide. While Scedosporium apiospermum and Scedosporium boydii are commonly observed globally, Lomentospora prolificans, which mainly affects immunosuppressed individuals, is rarely encountered and is more prevalent in arid climates, particularly in Australia and Spain. L.prolificans is a fungus commonly found in environmental sources such as contaminated water and soil. This species is known as an opportunistic pathogen that can cause deep-seated fungal infections, especially in immunosuppressed individuals. In this case report, a fatal case of L.prolificans fungemia in a patient with T-cell large granular leukemia during profound neutropenia was presented. The patient admitted to the hospital with prolonged fever, neutropenia, and shortness of breath. Antibiotherapy was administered to the patient for febrile neutropenia, but the fever persisted and his clinical status rapidly deteriorated. L.prolificans was isolated from the blood culture, and considering its antifungal resistance, combination therapy of voriconazole and terbinafine was initiated. However, the patient died of septic shock and multiple organ failure. In conclusion, although L.prolificans infections are rare, they can be life-threatening, especially in immunosuppressed individuals. Diagnosis and treatment of such infections may be difficult, therefore rapid diagnostic methods and appropriate treatment protocols should be developed. Consideration of infections caused by rare fungal pathogens in patients with risk factors may be critical for patient care. The literature review revealed that the first case of L.prolificans fungemia from Türkiye was reported in 2023. This case presentation represents the second reported case. However, in our case, L.prolificans fungemia occurred in 2018, it can be considered that L.prolificans may have been an invasive fungal pathogen of significant concern in Türkiye much earlier than previously documented.
Topics: Humans; Fatal Outcome; Fungemia; Antifungal Agents; Male; Voriconazole; Terbinafine; Shock, Septic; Immunocompromised Host; Opportunistic Infections; Drug Therapy, Combination; Middle Aged; Scedosporium
PubMed: 38676587
DOI: 10.5578/mb.202498145