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Revista Chilena de Infectologia :... Feb 2020
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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of numerous chronic diseases. To search for anti-inflammatory metabolites from endophytic...
Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of numerous chronic diseases. To search for anti-inflammatory metabolites from endophytic fungi isolated from plants growing in Thai mangrove areas, a chemical investigation of those fungi was performed. Five new oxygenated isocoumarins, setosphamarins A-E (-) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of an endophytic fungus , along with four known isocoumarins and one xanthone. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of the undescribed compounds were established by comparative analysis between experimental and calculated circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy. All the compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity by monitoring nitric oxide inhibition in lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage J774A.1 cells. Only a xanthone, ravenelin (), showed potent activity, with an IC value of 6.27 μM, and detailed mechanistic study showed that it suppressed iNOS and COX-2 expression.
Topics: Isocoumarins; Thailand; Ascomycota; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Xanthones; Molecular Structure
PubMed: 38338348
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030603 -
Microbiology Spectrum Apr 2016In mid-September 2012, the largest healthcare-associated outbreak in U.S. history began. Before it was over, 751 patients were reported with fungal meningitis, stroke,... (Review)
Review
In mid-September 2012, the largest healthcare-associated outbreak in U.S. history began. Before it was over, 751 patients were reported with fungal meningitis, stroke, spinal or paraspinal infection, or peripheral osteoarticular infection, and 64 (8.5%) died. Most patients had undergone epidural injection, and a few osteoarticular injection, of methylprednisolone acetate that had been manufactured at the New England Compounding Center (NECC). The offending pathogen in most cases was Exserohilum rostratum, a brown-black soil organism that previously was a rare cause of human infection. Three lots of methylprednisolone were contaminated with mold at NECC; the mold from unopened bottles of methylprednisolone was identical by whole-genome sequencing to the mold that was isolated from ill patients. Early cases manifested as meningitis, some patients suffered posterior circulation strokes, and later cases were more likely to present with localized infection at the injection site, including epidural abscess or phlegmon, vertebral diskitis or osteomyelitis, and arachnoiditis with intradural involvement of nerve roots. Many patients with spinal or paraspinal infection required surgical intervention. Recommendations for treatment evolved over the first few weeks of the outbreak. Initially, combination therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole was recommended for all patients; later, combination therapy was recommended only for those who were most ill, and voriconazole monotherapy was recommended for most patients. Among those patients who continued antifungal therapy for at least 6 months, outcomes for most appeared to be successful, although a few patients remain on therapy.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Ascomycota; Disease Outbreaks; Drug Contamination; Humans; Injections, Epidural; Mycoses; Steroids; United States
PubMed: 27227303
DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.EI10-0005-2015 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Jul 2014The recent outbreak of meningitis linked to epidural injections of methylprednisolone acetate has brought renewed attention to mold infections of the central nervous... (Review)
Review
The recent outbreak of meningitis linked to epidural injections of methylprednisolone acetate has brought renewed attention to mold infections of the central nervous system (CNS). Although uncommon, these infections are often devastating and difficult to treat. This focused review of the epidemiologic aspects, clinical characteristics, and treatment of mold infections of the CNS covers a group of common pathogens: aspergillus, fusarium, and scedosporium species, molds in the order Mucorales, and dematiaceous molds. Infections caused by these pathogen groups have distinctive epidemiologic profiles, clinical manifestations, microbiologic characteristics, and therapeutic implications, all of which clinicians should understand.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Central Nervous System Fungal Infections; Early Diagnosis; Fungi; Humans
PubMed: 25006721
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1216008 -
Persoonia Dec 2018includes a number of plant pathogenic, saprobic and clinically relevant fungi. Some of these species are of great importance in human activities, but the genus has...
includes a number of plant pathogenic, saprobic and clinically relevant fungi. Some of these species are of great importance in human activities, but the genus has never been revised in a phylogenetic framework. In this study, we revise based on available ex-type cultures from worldwide collections, observation of the holotypes and/or protologues, and additional isolates from diverse substrates and geographical origins. Based on nine nuclear loci, i.e., ITS, LSU, , , , , , and , as well as phenotypic data, the genus and species boundaries are assessed for . Three species, i.e., , and , are excluded from the genus and reallocated in and , respectively, whereas and are confirmed as members of . is revealed as conspecific with species previously described in such as , , , , and . Additionally, is revealed as synonym of , and of . A total of 11 phylogenetic species are described, illustrated and discussed, including one novel taxon, The placements of 15 other doubtful species are discussed, and is validated.
PubMed: 30728600
DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2018.41.05 -
Disaster Medicine and Public Health... Feb 2016We conducted a systematic review of the 2012-2013 multistate fungal meningitis epidemic in the United States from the perspectives of clinical response, outbreak... (Review)
Review
We conducted a systematic review of the 2012-2013 multistate fungal meningitis epidemic in the United States from the perspectives of clinical response, outbreak investigation, and epidemiology. Articles focused on clinical response, outbreak investigation, and epidemiology were included, whereas articles focused on compounding pharmacies, legislation and litigation, diagnostics, microbiology, and pathogenesis were excluded. We reviewed 19 articles by use of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. The source of the fungal meningitis outbreak was traced to the New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts, where injectable methylprednisolone acetate products were contaminated with the predominant pathogen, Exserohilum rostratum. As of October 23, 2013, the final case count stood at 751 patients and 64 deaths, and no additional cases are anticipated. The multisectoral public health response to the fungal meningitis epidemic from the hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and the public health system at the local, state, and federal levels led to an efficient epidemiological investigation to trace the outbreak source and rapid implementation of multiple response plans. This systematic review reaffirms the effective execution of a multisectoral public health response and efficient delivery of the core functions of public health assessment, policy development, and service assurances to improve population health.
Topics: Clinical Medicine; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Meningitis, Fungal; Methylprednisolone; Public Health; United States
PubMed: 26681583
DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2015.137 -
The Plant Pathology Journal Dec 2020Rhizopus rot is a serious postharvest disease of various crops caused by spp. and controlled mainly by synthetic fungicides. We detected the antifungal activity of a...
Rhizopus rot is a serious postharvest disease of various crops caused by spp. and controlled mainly by synthetic fungicides. We detected the antifungal activity of a culture extract of F3736 against . The active ingredient was identified as moriniafungin, a known sordarin derivative, which showed minimum inhibitory concentrations of 1-8 μg/ml against spp. and 0.03-0.13 μg/ml against spp. . Moriniafungin showed protective control efficacies against Rhizopus rot on apple and peach fruits. Treatment with 25 μg/ml moriniafungin delimited the lesion diameter significantly by 100% on -inoculated apple fruits compared with the non-treated control. Treatment with 0.04 μg/ml of moriniafungin reduced the lesion diameter significantly by 56.45%, and treatment with higher concentrations of 0.2-25 μg/ml reduced the lesion diameter by 70-90% on var. -inoculated peach fruit. These results suggest moriniafungin has potential as a control agent of postharvest diseases caused by spp.
PubMed: 33312092
DOI: 10.5423/PPJ.OA.09.2020.0176 -
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection... 2018Outbreaks of healthcare-associated fungal infections have repeatedly been described over recent years, often caused by new or uncommon species. , a recently described... (Review)
Review
Outbreaks of healthcare-associated fungal infections have repeatedly been described over recent years, often caused by new or uncommon species. , a recently described multidrug-resistant yeast species, is certainly the most worrisome species having caused several severe healthcare outbreaks of invasive infections, on four continents. Also, large nosocomial outbreaks due to uncommon fungal species such as and , were both linked to contamination of medical products, however the source of another outbreak, caused by , remains unresolved. Furthermore, these outbreaks identified new populations under threat in addition to those commonly at risk for invasive fungal infections, such as immunosuppressed and intensive care unit patients. All of these outbreaks have highlighted the usefulness of a high level of awareness, rapid diagnostic methods, and new molecular typing tools such as Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), prompt investigation and aggressive interventions, including notification of public health agencies. This review summarizes the epidemiological and clinical data of the majority of healthcare-associated outbreaks reported over the last 6 years caused by uncommon or new fungal pathogens, as well as the contribution of WGS as support to investigate the source of infection and the most frequent control measures used.
Topics: Ascomycota; Candida; Cross Infection; Disease Outbreaks; Drug Contamination; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal; Humans; Molecular Typing; Mycoses; Pathology, Molecular; Public Health; Saccharomycetales; Whole Genome Sequencing
PubMed: 29599969
DOI: 10.1186/s13756-018-0338-9 -
Toxins May 2023This study reports the isolation and identification of the endophytic fungus through molecular and morphological analysis using optical and transmission electron...
This study reports the isolation and identification of the endophytic fungus through molecular and morphological analysis using optical and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as the procurement of its secondary metabolite monocerin, an isocoumarin derivative. Considering the previously observed biological activities of monocerin, this study was performed on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) that are widely used as an in vitro model for several different purposes. Important parameters, such as cell viability, senescence-associated β-galactosidase, cellular proliferation by using 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate -succinimidyl ester (CFSE), apoptosis analysis with annexin, cellular morphology through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and laser confocal analysis were evaluated after exposing the cells to monocerin. After 24 h of exposure to monocerin at 1.25 mM, there was more than 80% of cell viability and a low percentage of cells in the early and late apoptosis and necrosis. Monocerin increased cell proliferation and did not induce cell senescence. Morphological analysis showed cellular integrity. The study demonstrates aspects of the mechanism of action of monocerin on endothelial cell proliferation, suggesting the possibility of its pharmaceutical application, such as in regenerative medicine.
Topics: Humans; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Cells, Cultured; Cellular Senescence; Lactones; Cell Proliferation
PubMed: 37235378
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050344 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Aug 2022Eumycetoma is a chronic debilitating fungal disease endemic to tropical and subtropical regions, with Sudan featuring the highest eumycetoma incidence. Among the 50...
Eumycetoma is a chronic debilitating fungal disease endemic to tropical and subtropical regions, with Sudan featuring the highest eumycetoma incidence. Among the 50 species of fungi most commonly associated with eumycetoma Madurella mycetomatis (M. mycetomatis) is often referenced as the most common pathogen. However, there is an enormous knowledge gap related to this neglected disease and its pathogenesis, epidemiological features, and host-specific factors that could contribute to either the host susceptibility and resistance. In this study, we were able to utilize a metagenomic approach and samples collected from clinical black grains (BG) and familiar household environments aimed to assay both the habitat of eumycetoma-associated fungi and its possible connection with eumycetoma patients living in two different eumycetoma endemic villages within the White Nile State of Sudan. DNA sequencing targeting the fungal ITS2 domain was performed on soil, animal dung, housing walls and roofs, and Acacia-species thorn samples and compared with culture-dependent methods of fungal isolation. Additionally, we compared the soil samples obtained in the endemic zone with that from non-endemic zones, including Wagga village in Kassala State and Port Sudan suburb in Port Sudan State. Overall, a total of 392 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) were detected by ITS2 metagenomics Eumycetoma causative organisms accounted for 10% of total ASVs which included 11 genera: Exserohilum (2%), Aspergillus (1.7%), Curvularia (1%), Alternaria (0.9%), Madurella (0.5%), Fusarium (0.4%), Cladosporium (0.2%) Exophiala (0.15%), and, in a lesser extent, Microascus (0.05%) Bipolaris and Acremonium (0.01%) for each. Only five genera were identified by culture method, which included Fusarium (29%), Aspergillus (28%), Alternaria (2.5%), Bipolaris (1.6%), and Chaetomium (0.8%). M. mycetomatis was detected within all the studied patients' houses, accounting for 0.7% of total sequences. It was the first common eumycetoma-associated agent detected in soil samples and the third common in the dung and wall samples. In contrast, it was not detected in the roof or thorn samples nor in the soils from non-endemic regions. Exserohilum rostratum, Aspergillus spp and Cladosporium spp were detected in all samples. M. mycetomatis and other eumycetoma-associated fungal identified in the patients' black grains (BG) samples by metagenomics were identified in the environmental samples. Only Acremonium alternatum and Falciformispora senegalensis, responsible for eumycetoma in two patients were not detected, suggesting the infections in these patients happened outside these endemic areas. The soil, animal dung, and houses built from the same soil and dung are the main risk factors for M. mycetomatis infection in these endemic villages. Furthermore, the poor hygienic and environmental conditions, walking barefooted, and the presence of animals within the houses increase the risk of M. mycetomatis and other fungi causing eumycetoma.
Topics: Animals; Madurella; Metagenomics; Mycetoma; Neglected Diseases; Soil
PubMed: 36040926
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010385