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Fungal Systematics and Evolution Jun 2019One order, seven families, 28 new genera, 72 new species, 13 new combinations, four epitypes, and interesting new host and / or geographical records are introduced in...
One order, seven families, 28 new genera, 72 new species, 13 new combinations, four epitypes, and interesting new host and / or geographical records are introduced in this study. Pseudorobillardaceae is introduced for (based on ). New genera include: (based on ) on twigs of (Germany); (based on ) on (Ukraine); (based on ) on fallen twigs of (Ukraine); (based on ) on (France) (incl. ); (incl. ) (based on . ) from air (USA); (based on ) on leaves of (South Africa); (based on ) on wood debris of (Germany); (based on ) on branch of (Italy); (based on . ) from soil (Mongolia), and (incl. and ) (based on ) on leaves of (Australia); (based on ) on leaves of sp. (Germany); (incl. ) (based on . ) on leaves of sp. (South Africa). New species include: on branch of (Austria); on leaves of (South Africa); on (Austria); on bark of (Norway); on fallen decorticated trunk of sp. (Ukraine); on sp. (Australia); on dead leaf of (Germany); on twig (Italy) (incl. ); on (New Zealand); on leaves of sp. (Malaysia); on fallen twigs of (Ukraine); on twig (Ukraine); on culm base of dead leaf sheath of (Germany); on twig of (Germany); on leaves of sp. (South Africa); on leaves of (Australia); on leaf litter of (South Africa); on leaf spots of unidentified deciduous tree host (South Africa); on leaf litter (Germany); on leaf spot on unidentified host (Angola); on canes of (USA); from soil (Mongolia), and from soil (Kenya), on fallen leaf of (Germany) and on leaves of (Australia). Epitypes are designated for: on leaves of (Australia), on leaves of (New Zealand), on needles of (Netherlands), and var. on leaf of sp. (Germany). Several taxa originally described from rocks are validated in this study. New taxa include: , and new genera, and New species include: , , , C. , . . , . , , , . and
PubMed: 32467898
DOI: 10.3114/fuse.2019.03.06 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2020Cystic fibrosis is the most common autosomal-recessive metabolic disease in the Western world. Impaired trans-membrane chloride transport via the cystic fibrosis... (Review)
Review
Cystic fibrosis is the most common autosomal-recessive metabolic disease in the Western world. Impaired trans-membrane chloride transport via the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein causes thickened body fluids. In the respiratory system, this leads to chronic suppurative cough and recurrent pulmonary infective exacerbations, resulting in progressive lung damage and respiratory failure. Whilst the impact of bacterial infections on CF lung disease has long been recognized, our understanding of pulmonary mycosis is less clear. The range and detection rates of fungal taxa isolated from CF airway samples are expanding, however, in the absence of consensus criteria and univocal treatment protocols for most respiratory fungal conditions, interpretation of laboratory reports and the decision to treat remain challenging. In this review, we give an overview on fungal airway infections in CF and CF-lung transplant recipients and focus on the most common fungal taxa detected in CF, , spp., , species, and , their clinical presentations, common treatments and prophylactic strategies, and clinical challenges from a physician's point of view.
PubMed: 33371198
DOI: 10.3390/jof6040381 -
MycoKeys 2022During a survey of soil fungi collected from Yunnan Province, China, two new species of , and , were isolated from the soil of karst rocky desertification (KRD). The...
During a survey of soil fungi collected from Yunnan Province, China, two new species of , and , were isolated from the soil of karst rocky desertification (KRD). The DNA sequences of these respective strains, including internal transcribed spacers (ITS), large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA), partial small subunit (SSU) and β-tubulin () were sequenced and compared with those from species closely-related to . differs from the phylogenetically closely related and by its smaller aseptate conidia. is phylogenetically related to , and , but can be distinguished from them by its larger conidia. Full descriptions, illustrations and phylogenetic positions of and were provided.
PubMed: 36760541
DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.94.96782 -
BMC Microbiology Apr 2022Melanins are one of the magnificent natural pigments synthesized by a wide range of microorganisms including different species of fungi and bacteria. Marine black yeasts...
BACKGROUND
Melanins are one of the magnificent natural pigments synthesized by a wide range of microorganisms including different species of fungi and bacteria. Marine black yeasts appear to be potential prospects for the synthesis of natural melanin pigment. As a result, the goal of this research was to isolate a marine black yeast melanin-producing strain and improve the culturing conditions in order to maximize the yield of such a valuable pigment.
RESULTS
Among five locally isolated black yeast strains, the only one that demonstrated a potent remarkable melanin pigment production was identified using ITS rDNA as Hortaea werneckii AS1. The extracted pigment's physiochemical characterization and analytical investigation with Ultraviolet-Visible (UV) spectrophotometry, Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) confirmed its nature as a melanin pigment. The data obtained from the polynomial model's maximum point suggested that CaCl, 1.125 g/L; trace element, 0.25 ml/L; and a culture volume 225 mL/500 mL at their optimal values were the critical three elements impacting melanin production. In comparison with the baseline settings, the response surface methodology (RSM) optimization approach resulted in a 2.0 - fold improvement in melanin output.
CONCLUSIONS
A maximum melanin yield of 0.938 g/L proved the halotolerant H. werneckii AS1 potentiality as a source for natural melanin pigment synthesis 'when compared to some relevant black yeast strains' and hence, facilitating its incorporation in a variety of pharmaceutical and environmental applications.
Topics: Ascomycota; Exophiala; Melanins; Pigmentation; Saccharomyces cerevisiae
PubMed: 35395716
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02505-1 -
Microbiology Spectrum Jun 2023To investigate the combined function of the novel oral mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, with antifungal agents and their potential mechanisms against , the CLSI...
To investigate the combined function of the novel oral mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, with antifungal agents and their potential mechanisms against , the CLSI microliquid-based dilution method M38-A2, chequerboard technique, and disk diffusion testing were performed. The efficacy of everolimus was evaluated in combination with itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and amphotericin B against 16 clinically isolated strains of . The synergistic effect was determined by measuring the MIC and fractional inhibitory concentration index. Dihydrorhodamine 123 was used for the quantification of ROS levels. The differences in the expression of antifungal susceptibility-associated genes were analyzed following different types of treatment. Galleria mellonella was used as the model. While everolimus alone showed minimal antifungal effects, combinations with itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, or amphotericin B resulted in synergy in 13/16 (81.25%), 2/16 (12.5%), 14/16 (87.75%), and 5/16 (31.25%) of isolates, respectively. The disk diffusion assay revealed that the combination of everolimus and antifungal drugs showed no significant increase in the inhibition zones compared with the single agent, but no antagonistic effects were observed. Combination of everolimus and antifungal agents resulted in increased ROS activity (everolimus + posaconazole versus posaconazole [ < 0.05], everolimus + amphotericin B versus amphotericin B [ < 0.002]). Simultaneously, compared to mono-treatment, the combination of everolimus + itraconazole suppressed the expression of ( < 0.05) and the combination of everolimus + amphotericin B suppressed the expression of ( < 0.05) and ( < 0.02). , combinations of everolimus and antifungal agents improved survival rates, particularly the combination of everolimus + amphotericin B ( < 0.05). In summary, the and experiments performed in our study suggest that the combination of everolimus with azoles or amphotericin B can have synergistic effects against , potentially due to the induction of ROS activity and inhibition of efflux pumps, providing a promising new approach for the treatment of infections. Cancer patients with infection have high mortality if untreated. Clinically, the conventional treatment of is poor due to the long-term use of antifungal drugs. In this study, we have for the first time investigated the interaction and action mechanism of everolimus combined with itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and amphotericin B on and , which provided new ideas and direction for further exploring the mechanism of drug combination and clinical treatment of
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Voriconazole; Itraconazole; Amphotericin B; Everolimus; Reactive Oxygen Species; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 37140396
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05302-22 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2022Several fungi species are reported to act as opportunistic agents of infection in avian species. After the isolation of spp., a dematiaceous fungal pathogen associated...
Several fungi species are reported to act as opportunistic agents of infection in avian species. After the isolation of spp., a dematiaceous fungal pathogen associated with a mucosal lesion in a military macaw (), samples were collected from another 24 birds of the order Psittaciformes to study the possibility of spp. being part of the commensal microbiota of these animals or its possible association with other clinical conditions. Swab samples were collected from the trachea and/or choanae of the birds and inoculated in Sabouraud chloramphenicol agar for fungal isolation. After incubation, fungal species were identified through their macroscopic and microscopic morphology. The presence of spp. was identified in 15 of the 25 birds sampled and no statistical association was found between the clinical record of the birds and the fungal isolation. Our results suggest that spp. can colonize the upper respiratory airways of psittaciform birds and has a low pathogenic potential in these animals. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of spp. isolation from samples of the upper respiratory tract of Psittaciformes.
PubMed: 35804598
DOI: 10.3390/ani12131699 -
Biomedicines Apr 2021Marine-associated fungal strains act as a valuable reservoir of bioactive diverse secondary metabolites including alkaloids which are highly popular by their biological... (Review)
Review
Marine-associated fungal strains act as a valuable reservoir of bioactive diverse secondary metabolites including alkaloids which are highly popular by their biological activities. This review highlighted the chemistry and biology of alkaloids isolated from twenty-six fungal genera associated with marine organisms and marine sea sediments. The selected fungi are from different marine sources without focusing on mangroves. The studied fungal genera comprises , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and Around 347 alkaloid metabolites were isolated and identified via chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques comprising 1D and 2D NMR (one and two dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance) which were further confirmed using HR-MS (high resolution mass spectrometry) and Mosher reactions for additional ascertaining of the stereochemistry. About 150 alkaloids showed considerable effect with respect to the tested activities. Most of the reported bioactive alkaloids showed considerable biological activities mainly cytotoxic followed by antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant; however, a few showed anti-inflammatory and antifouling activities. However, the rest of the compounds showed weak or no activity toward the tested biological activities and required further investigations for additional biological activities. Thus, alkaloids isolated from marine-associated fungi can afford an endless source of new drug entities that could serve as leads for drug discovery combating many human ailments.
PubMed: 33925060
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050485 -
Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia :... Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Abscess; Exophiala; Antifungal Agents; Keratitis
PubMed: 37079708
DOI: 10.37201/req/133.2022 -
Persoonia Jun 2023Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , in leaf spots of . , on scale insect (), isolated from air, on dead...
Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , in leaf spots of . , on scale insect (), isolated from air, on dead spider, on sp. , on sandstone, in open semi-desert montane areas, corticolous in a forest, on apothecia of corticolous var. , on the thallus of . , (incl. gen. nov.) hyperparasitic on on leaves of , on protocorms and roots of . , on spp. , from surface-sterilised, asymptomatic roots of , on wood of decorticated branches of . , on dead corticated twigs of . , on dead corticated palm stem. , on loamy soil. , on dead grass (). , on living , on dead wood of , on trunk of , on moist soil near the forest, on decaying elephant dung, on living leaves of , on moist soil near the base of a bamboo plantation. , from stem canker of . , (incl. fam. nov.) on leaf spots on flower sp. , lichenicolous on cf. . , on soil, on dead leaves of sp., on loamy soil. , on calcareous soil, on gravelly soil. , on soil. , parasitic on sp. , isolated from nest, from leaf spots on , from sooty mould community on . , on clay soil. , on branches of . , on dead leaves of sp., (incl. gen. nov.) on dead twigs of unknown tree, on living leaves of colonised by a sp., on , (incl. gen. nov.) on dead insect, (incl. gen. nov.) on dead twigs of unknown tree, (incl. gen. nov.), on dead twigs of unknown tree, (incl. gen. nov.) on dead leaves of , on living leaves of , on leaf litter, on dead twigs of var. , on dead twig of unknown tree, on dead leaves of unknown tree. , on limestone soil, in mixed forest, in open forest, on . , on decaying wood on sand-silt riverbank. , on dead stem of , on dead twigs of . , on natural limestone outcrops, (incl. gen. nov.) on dead branches of . , water from cooling tower, on soil in mixed forest, and from air in a house attic. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes. : Crous PW, Costa MM, Kandemir H, et al. 2023. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1550-1613. Persoonia 51: 280-417. doi: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.08.
PubMed: 38665977
DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.08 -
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology Mar 2018Phaeohyphomycosis is a group of severe infections caused by dematiaceous fungi. We previously identified CARD9 deficiencies in four Chinese patients with...
Phaeohyphomycosis is a group of severe infections caused by dematiaceous fungi. We previously identified CARD9 deficiencies in four Chinese patients with phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phialophora verrucosa. In this study, we sought to identify the genetic and immunological mechanisms underlying rare dematiaceous fungal infections in three otherwise healthy patients with phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala spinifera, Ochroconis musae, and Corynespora cassiicola. CARD9 sequencing in these patients showed one mutation (p.S23X) that, to our knowledge, has not been characterized and two previously characterized mutations (p.D274fsX60 and p.L64fsX59) that led to lack of CARD9 protein expression. Patient-derived CARD9-deficient cells showed a selective impairment of proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, NF-κB activation, and T helper type 22- and T helper type 17-associated responses upon fungus-specific stimulation, whereas phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species production were intact. Consistently, Card9-knockout mice were highly susceptible to phaeohyphomycosis and exhibited immune deficiencies similar to those of patients, including diminished NF-κB and p38 MAPK activation in local and in vitro functional studies. This work clarifies the association between inherited CARD9 deficiencies and phaeohyphomycosis, and furthers current knowledge on the spectrum and pathophysiology of diseases resulting from CARD9 deficiencies.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins; Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous; Chemokines; Cytokines; Female; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Middle Aged; Mutation; NF-kappa B; Neutrophil Infiltration; Phaeohyphomycosis
PubMed: 29080677
DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.10.009