-
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024There has been a substantial increase in the number of cases of invasive fungal infections worldwide, which is associated with a growing number of immunosuppressed... (Review)
Review
There has been a substantial increase in the number of cases of invasive fungal infections worldwide, which is associated with a growing number of immunosuppressed patients and a rise in antifungal resistance. Some fungi that were previously considered harmless to humans have become emerging pathogens. One of them is , a ubiquitous filamentous fungus commonly found in the environment, especially in the air and soil. belongs to a bigger group of hyaline fungi that cause hyalohyphomycosis, a fungal infection caused by fungi with colorless hyphae. Although this is a heterogeneous group of fungi, there are similarities regarding their ubiquity, ways of transmission, affected patients, and difficulties in diagnostics and treatment. In hyalohyphomycosis, the skin is one of the most affected organs, which is why the involvement of dermatologists is crucial for the initial assessment, since the timely recognition and early diagnosis of this condition can prevent life-threatening infections and death. In this review, we covered cutaneous hyalohyphomycosis caused by and other fungi in the same group, including , , , , , and genera.
PubMed: 38276283
DOI: 10.3390/life14010154 -
ACS Omega Sep 2023The purpose of this study was to compare and explore the potential of two distinct lipases at industrial levels after their production using wheat bran substrate in...
The purpose of this study was to compare and explore the potential of two distinct lipases at industrial levels after their production using wheat bran substrate in solid-state fermentation. Lipases from () and () were characterized to assess their compatibility and suitability for use in laundry detergents. The effects of pH, temperature, metal ions, inhibitors, organic solvents, and various commercially available detergents on these lipases were studied in order to compare their activity and stability profiles and check their stain removal ability. Both lipases remained stable across the wide pH (7-10) and temperature (30-50 °C) ranges. lipase exhibited optimum activity (51.66 U/mL) at pH 7.0 and 37 °C, while lipase showed optimum activity (52.12 U/mL) at pH 8.0 and 40 °C. The addition of Ca and Mg ions enhanced their activities, while sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) reduced their activities. Lipase from both strains showed tolerance to various organic solvents and considerable stability and compatibility with commercially available laundry detergents (>50%); however, lipase performed slightly better. Characterization of these crude lipases showed nearly 60% relative activity after incubation for 2 h in various detergents, thus suggesting their potential to be employed in the formulation of laundry detergents with easy and efficient enzyme production. The production of thermostable and alkaline lipases from both strains makes them an attractive option for economic gain by lowering the amount of detergent to be used, thus reducing the chemical burden on the environment.
PubMed: 37720795
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c03644 -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Oct 2022To study the risk factors, clinical presentation, management options, and outcomes in cases of culture-proven Acremonium keratitis.
PURPOSE
To study the risk factors, clinical presentation, management options, and outcomes in cases of culture-proven Acremonium keratitis.
METHODS
Medical and microbiology records of culture-proven Acremonium keratitis from Jan 2007 to Dec 2019 at a tertiary eye care center were reviewed. Details of clinical findings on each visit and operating notes were reviewed from the medical records. All cases were subjected to corneal scraping at the first visit for microbiological investigation consisting of direct smear examination and culture. Topical natamycin 5% was the mainstay of medical treatment. Surgical treatment was considered for nonresponding patients.
RESULTS
During the 13-year study period, 65 cases of culture-proven Acremonium keratitis were identified out of 1605 cases of fungal keratitis. Trauma was the most common predisposing factor in 32 cases (49.2%). The average area of the corneal stromal infiltrate was 24.8 mm at the initial presentation. Hypopyon at the time of presentation was evident in 28 (43.1%) cases. Staphylococcus spp. was the most common (n = 22, 33.8%) organism coexistent with Acremonium. Direct microscopy of corneal scraping was positive for fungal filaments in 57/65 (87.6%) cases. Medical management alone was given in 44 patients (67.6%). Age (>50 years) and treatment delay (>15 days) were found to be independent risk factors for the poor final visual outcome (VA <20/60).
CONCLUSION
When treated early, Acremonium keratitis responds well to medical therapy with currently available topical antifungals. However, advanced and nonresponding cases require surgical intervention for resolution of the infection.
Topics: Acremonium; Antifungal Agents; Corneal Diseases; Eye Infections, Fungal; Humans; Keratitis; Middle Aged; Natamycin; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36190039
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_659_22 -
Microbiology Spectrum Apr 2022Verticillium dahliae could cause destructive vascular wilt disease on hundreds of plant species around the world, including cotton. In this study, we characterized the...
Verticillium dahliae could cause destructive vascular wilt disease on hundreds of plant species around the world, including cotton. In this study, we characterized the function of a hydrophobin gene in pathogen development and pathogenicity. Results showed that could induce cell death and activate plant immune responses. The deletion mutants () and the complement mutants () were obtained by the homologous recombination method. The deletion mutants exhibited increased hydrophilicity, inhibited microsclerotial formation, and reduced spore smoothness. In addition, the deletion mutants were more sensitive to NaCl, while relatively insensitive to KCl and sorbitol. Mutants also had greater resistance to Congo red, UV radiation, and high temperature, which suggested that strains have stronger resistance to abiotic stress in general. Different carbon source assays showed that the utilization ability of skim milk, cellulose, and starch was greatly enhanced in , compared with that of WT and complemented strains. Furthermore, did not affect mycelium penetration on cellophane but contributed to mycelium growth on surface of the living plant cells. The pathogenicity test found that the crude toxin content, colonization, and dispersal of was significantly increased compared with the WT and complementary strains. In addition, cotton seedlings showed more severe wilting symptoms after inoculation with strains. These results suggested that the hydrophobin negatively regulated the virulence of V. dahliae, and played an important role in development, adaptability, and pathogenicity in V. dahliae, which maybe provide a new viewpoint to further understand the molecular mechanisms of pathogen virulence. Verticillium dahliae is a soilborne fungal pathogen that causes a destructive vascular disease on a large number of plant hosts, resulting in great threat to agricultural production. In this study, it was illustrated that the hydrophobin VdHP1 could induce cell death and activate plant immune responses. VdHP1 affected the hydrophobicity of V. dahliae, and negatively regulated the strains resistant to stress, and the utilization ability of different carbon sources. In addition, VdHP1 did not affect mycelium penetration on cellophane but contributed to mycelium growth on surface of the living plant cells. The gene negatively regulated the total virulence, colonization, and dispersal of V. dahliae, with enhanced pathogenicity of mutant strains in this gene. These results suggested that the hydrophobin VdHP1 played an importance in development, adaptability, and pathogenicity in V. dahliae, and would provide a new viewpoint to further understand the molecular mechanisms of pathogen virulence.
Topics: Acremonium; Carbon; Cellophane; Fungal Proteins; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Plant Diseases; Plants; Verticillium
PubMed: 35377232
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02478-21 -
The Egyptian Journal of Internal... 2023Unusual fungal agents that exist environmentally as saprophytes can often lead to opportunistic infections, hyalohyphomycosis is a group of fungal infections caused by...
Unusual fungal agents that exist environmentally as saprophytes can often lead to opportunistic infections, hyalohyphomycosis is a group of fungal infections caused by fungi characterized by hyaline septate hyphae and can infect both immunocompetent as well as immunocompromised patients, and has drawn the attention of clinicians and microbiologists, as a potential pathogen in patients with and without underlying risk factors. It has also been increasingly implicated in systemic fungal diseases. Herein, we describe a case presentation of an immunocompromised patient with fungal brain abscesses due to species.
PubMed: 36741047
DOI: 10.1186/s43162-022-00183-z -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023The incidence of invasive sino-pulmonary diseases due to non- hyaline molds is increasing due to an enlarging and evolving population of immunosuppressed hosts as well... (Review)
Review
The incidence of invasive sino-pulmonary diseases due to non- hyaline molds is increasing due to an enlarging and evolving population of immunosuppressed hosts as well as improvements in the capabilities of molecular-based diagnostics. Herein, we review the following opportunistic pathogens known to cause sinopulmonary disease, the most common manifestation of hyalohyphomycosis: spp., spp., , spp., spp., spp., , , species complex, , and species. To facilitate an understanding of the epidemiology and clinical features of sino-pulmonary hyalohyphomycoses in the context of host immune impairment, we utilized a host-based approach encompassing the following underlying conditions: neutropenia, hematologic malignancy, hematopoietic and solid organ transplantation, chronic granulomatous disease, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and healthy individuals who sustain burns, trauma, or iatrogenic exposures. We further summarize the pre-clinical and clinical data informing antifungal management for each pathogen and consider the role of adjunctive surgery and/or immunomodulatory treatments to optimize patient outcome.
PubMed: 36836326
DOI: 10.3390/jof9020212 -
Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology Sep 2016is an important filamentous fungus which produces cephalosporin C in industry. This review summarized the study on genetic engineering of , including biosynthesis and... (Review)
Review
is an important filamentous fungus which produces cephalosporin C in industry. This review summarized the study on genetic engineering of , including biosynthesis and regulation for fermentation of cephalosporin C, molecular techniques, molecular breeding and transcriptomics of . We believe with all the techniques available and full genomic sequence, the industrial strain of can be genetically modified to better serve the pharmaceutical industry.
PubMed: 29062938
DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2016.09.002 -
PloS One 2022Multifunctional drugs have shown great promise in biomedicine. Organisms with antimicrobial and anticancer activity in combination with antioxidant activity need further...
Multifunctional drugs have shown great promise in biomedicine. Organisms with antimicrobial and anticancer activity in combination with antioxidant activity need further research. The Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf coasts were randomly sampled to find fungi with multifunctional activity. One hundred strains (98 fungi and 2 lichenized forms) were isolated from 15 locations. One-third of the isolates inhibited clinical bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi) and fungal pathogens (Talaromycets marneffei, Malassezia globose, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus) and four cancer cell lines (Hep G2 liver, A-549 lung, A-431skin, MCF 7 breast cancer). Bacterial and cancer inhibition was often accompanied by a high antioxidant activity, as indicated by the principal component analysis (PCA). PCA also indicated that fungal and bacterial pathogens appeared to be inhibited mostly by different marine fungal isolates. Strains with multifunctional activity were found more from the Rea Sea than from the Arabian Gulf coasts. The highest potential for multifunctional drugs were observed for Acremonium sp., Acrocalymma sp., Acrocalymma africana, Acrocalymma medicaginis (activity reported for the first time), Aspergillus sp. Cladosporium oxysporum, Emericellopsis alkaline, Microdochium sp., and Phomopsis glabrae. Lung, skin, and breast cancers were inhibited 85%-97% by Acremonium sp, while most of the isolates showed low inhibition (ca 20%). The highest antifungal activity was observed for Acremonium sp., Diaporthe hubeiensis, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Nannizia gypsea. One Acremonium sp. is of particular interest to offer a multifunctional drug; it displayed both antifungal and antibacterial activity combined with high antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging 97%). A. medicaginis displayed combined antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant activity being of high interest. Several genera and some species included strains with both high and low biological activities pointing out the need to study several isolates to find the most efficient strains for biomedical applications.
Topics: Humans; Female; Antioxidants; Antifungal Agents; Breast Neoplasms; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Acremonium
PubMed: 36441723
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276926 -
Marine Drugs Dec 2023Four new compounds, including two ascochlorin-type meroterpenoids acremocholrins A () and B (), one pyridone alkaloid acremopyridone A (), and one cyclopentenone...
Four new compounds, including two ascochlorin-type meroterpenoids acremocholrins A () and B (), one pyridone alkaloid acremopyridone A (), and one cyclopentenone derivative acremoketene A (), together with eight known compounds (- and -), were isolated and identified from the hadal trench-derived fungus YP-213. Their structures were determined with a detailed spectroscopic analysis of NMR and MS data, NOE analysis, octant rule and quantum chemical calculations of ECD, and NMR (with DP4+ probability analysis). Among the compounds, represent a novel scaffold derived from a pyridone alkaloid by cleavage of the C-16-C-17 bond following oxidation to give a ketone. Compounds , , and showed potent in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in transgenic zebrafish, while compound exhibited significant proangiogenic activity in transgenic zebrafish.
Topics: Animals; Zebrafish; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Fungi; Pyridones; Alkaloids; Acremonium
PubMed: 38248650
DOI: 10.3390/md22010025 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2022() was developed as a microbial cell factory for the heterologous expression of fungal secondary metabolites. This was achieved by inactivation of sorbicillinoid...
() was developed as a microbial cell factory for the heterologous expression of fungal secondary metabolites. This was achieved by inactivation of sorbicillinoid biosynthesis and construction of vectors for the rapid cloning and expression of heterologous fungal biosynthetic genes. Two types of megasynth(et)ases were used to test the strain and vectors, namely a non-reducing polyketide synthase (nr-PKS, ) from and a hybrid highly-reducing PKS non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (hr-PKS-NRPS, ) from . The resulting engineered strains were able to produce the expected natural products 3-methylorcinaldehyde and pretenellin A on waste materials including potato, orange, banana and kiwi peels and barley straw. Developing as a heterologous host for secondary metabolite production represents a new method for waste valorization by the direct conversion of waste biomass into secondary metabolites.
PubMed: 35448586
DOI: 10.3390/jof8040355