scholarly journals Identification and Susceptibility of Aspergillus Section Nigri in China: Prevalence of Species and Paradoxical Growth in Response to Echinocandins

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 702-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yali Li ◽  
Zhe Wan ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Ruoyu Li
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Paradoxical Effect ◽  
Aspergillus Tubingensis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Paradoxical Growth ◽  
Susceptibility Tests ◽  
First Time ◽  
Aspergillus Section

Molecular identification andin vitroantifungal susceptibility tests of 43AspergillussectionNigriisolates from China were performed.Aspergillus nigerandAspergillus tubingensiswere present in almost equal numbers. All of the isolates had low MIC/MECs (minimum effective concentrations) for the 7 common antifungals, and a paradoxical effect was observed for the first time in response to caspofungin and micafungin.

scholarly journals Species Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns of Species Belonging to Aspergillus Section Nigri

2009 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 4514-4517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Alcazar-Fuoli ◽  
Emilia Mellado ◽  
Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo ◽  
Manuel Cuenca-Estrella ◽  
Juan L. Rodriguez-Tudela
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Correct Classification ◽  
Paradoxical Effect ◽  
Aspergillus Section Nigri ◽  
Susceptibility Patterns ◽  
Aspergillus Section

ABSTRACT A phylogenetic analysis was performed for 34 Aspergillus strains belonging to section Nigri. Molecular methods allowed for the correct classification into three different clades (A. niger, A. tubingensis, and A. foetidus). Correlation with in vitro itraconazole susceptibility distinguished the following three profiles: susceptible, resistant, and showing a paradoxical effect. A number of different species whose morphological features resemble those of A. niger showed unusual MICs to itraconazole that have never been described for the Aspergillus genus.

scholarly journals Paradoxical Effect of Caspofungin against Candida Bloodstream Isolates Is Mediated by Multiple Pathways but Eliminated in Human Serum

2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 2641-2647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan K. Shields ◽  
M. Hong Nguyen ◽  
Chen Du ◽  
Ellen Press ◽  
Shaoji Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Serum ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Wall Stress ◽  
Paradoxical Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Paradoxical Effects ◽  
Paradoxical Growth ◽  
Synthase Inhibitor

ABSTRACTParadoxical growth ofCandida in vitroat echinocandin concentrations exceeding the MIC is well described, but the clinical relevance is unknown. We assessed echinocandin paradoxical effects againstCandidabloodstream isolates (BSI) in the presence or absence of human serum and investigated regulatory mechanisms. As determined by broth microdilution, a paradoxical effect was evident for 60% (18/30), 23% (7/30), and 13% (4/30) ofCandida albicansBSI exposed to caspofungin, anidulafungin, and micafungin, respectively, at achievable human serum concentrations (≤8 μg/ml). A paradoxical effect was not evident among 34C. glabrataBSI and was observed only for caspofungin againstC. parapsilosis(4%, 1/23). As determined in time-kill studies, a caspofungin paradoxical effect was demonstrated byC. albicans(2/3),C. glabrata(1/3), andC. parapsilosis(1/3), including BSI that were determined to be negative by microdilution. In 50% human serum, a paradoxical effect was eliminated at caspofungin concentrations up to 64 μg/ml for 100% (8/8) of theC. albicansBSI. A caspofungin paradoxical effect was also eliminated by chitin synthase inhibitor nikkomycin Z and at achievable concentrations of calcineurin pathway inhibitors, tacrolimus and cyclosporine. Moreover, these agents were synergistic with caspofungin against 100, 100, and 88% (7/8) ofC. albicans, respectively, and exerted their own paradoxical effects. Finally, paradoxical growth was eliminated inC. albicans irs4- andinp51-null mutants, which lack phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate 5′-phosphatase. Our findings suggest that the paradoxical effect is unlikely to be importantin vivobut remains an important tool to study cell wall stress responses. We implicate the Irs4-Inp51 phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate 5′-phosphatase as a novel regulator of paradoxical growth.

scholarly journals The T788G Mutation in thecyp51CGene Confers Voriconazole Resistance in Aspergillus flavus Causing Aspergillosis

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 2598-2603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Liu ◽  
Yi Sun ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Weixia Liu ◽  
Zhe Wan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Resistant Strain ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Gene Replacement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Replacement Method ◽  
First Choice ◽  
The One ◽  
A Site ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACTWith voriconazole (VRC) being approved as the first choice in treating invasive aspergillosis (IA) and its increasing use in treatment, a VRC-resistant strain ofAspergillus flavus, the second leading cause of IA afterAspergillus fumigatus, has emerged. The VRC-resistant strain ofA. flavuswas isolated for the first time from the surgical lung specimen of an IA patient with no response to VRC therapy. In order to ascertain the mechanism of VRC resistance, the azole target enzyme genes in this strain ofA. flavuswere cloned and sequenced, and 4 mutations generating amino acid residue substitutions were found in thecyp51Cgene. To further determine the role of this mutated gene for VRC resistance inA. flavus, anAgrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene replacement approach was applied. Consequently, the mutatedcyp51Cgene from thisA. flavusstrain was proven to confer the VRC resistance. Finally, to discern the one out of the four mutations in thecyp51Cgene that is responsible for contributing to VRC resistance, a site-directed gene mutagenesis procedure combined with a gene replacement method was performed. As a result, the T788G missense mutation in thecyp51Cgene was identified as responsible for VRC resistance inA. flavus. These findings indicated that the detection of this mutation inA. flavuscould serve as an indicator for physicians to avoid the use of VRC during IA treatment. Further comprehensive surveillance for antifungal susceptibility, as well as intensive study on the mechanism of azole resistance inA. flavuscausing IA, would be required to fully understand this mechanism.

scholarly journals Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns of Opportunistic Fungi in the Genera Verruconis and Ochroconis

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 3285-3292 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Seyedmousavi ◽  
K. Samerpitak ◽  
A. J. M. M. Rijs ◽  
W. J. G. Melchers ◽  
J. W. Mouton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Phylogenetic Distance ◽  
Dematiaceous Fungi ◽  
Opportunistic Fungi ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Broth Microdilution Method ◽  
Susceptibility Patterns

ABSTRACTSpecies ofVerruconisand species ofOchroconisare dematiaceous fungi generally found in the environment but having the ability to infect humans, dogs, cats, poultry, and fish. This study presents the antifungal susceptibility patterns of these fungi at the species level. Forty strains originating from clinical and environmental sources were phylogenetically identified at the species level by using sequences of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (rDNA ITS).In vitroantifungal susceptibility testing was performed against eight antifungals, using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution method. The geometric mean MICs for amphotericin B (AMB), flucytosine (5FC), fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), and posaconazole (POS) and minimum effective concentrations (MECs) for caspofungin (CAS) and anidulafungin (AFG) across theOchroconisandVerruconisspecies were as follows, in increasing order. ForVerruconisspecies, the values (μg/ml) were as follows: AFG, 0.04; POS, 0.25; ITC, 0.37; AMB, 0.50; CAS, 0.65; VRC, 0.96; 5FC, 10.45; and FLC, 47.25. ForOchroconisspecies, the values (μg/ml) were as follows: AFG, 0.06; POS, 0.11; CAS, 0.67; VRC, 2.76; ITC, 3.94; AMB, 5.68; 5FC, 34.48; and FLC, 61.33. Antifungal susceptibility ofOchroconisandVerruconiswas linked with phylogenetic distance and thermotolerance. Echinocandins and POS showed the greatestin vitroactivity, providing possible treatment options forOchroconisandVerruconisinfections.

scholarly journals Molecular Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility of Yeast Isolates Causing Fungemia Collected in a Population-Based Study in Spain in 2010 and 2011

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 1529-1537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Guinea ◽  
Óscar Zaragoza ◽  
Pilar Escribano ◽  
Estrella Martín-Mazuelos ◽  
Javier Pemán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hot Spot ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Candida Guilliermondii ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Candida Lusitaniae ◽  
Species Specific

ABSTRACTWe report the molecular identifications and antifungal susceptibilities of the isolates causing fungemia collected in the CANDIPOP population-based study conducted in 29 Spanish hospitals. A total of 781 isolates (from 767 patients, 14 of them having mixed fungemia) were collected. The species found most frequently wereCandida albicans(44.6%),Candida parapsilosis(24.5%),Candida glabrata(13.2%),Candida tropicalis(7.6%),Candida krusei(1.9%),Candida guilliermondii(1.7%), andCandida lusitaniae(1.3%). OtherCandidaand non-Candidaspecies accounted for approximately 5% of the isolates. The presence of cryptic species was low. Compared to findings of previous studies conducted in Spain, the frequency ofC. glabratahas increased. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by using EUCAST and CLSI M27-A3 reference procedures; the two methods were comparable. The rate of fluconazole-susceptible isolates was 80%, which appears to be a decrease compared to findings of previous studies, explained mainly by the higher frequency ofC. glabrata. Using the species-specific breakpoints and epidemiological cutoff values, the rate of voriconazole and posaconazolein vitroresistance was low (<2%). In the case ofC. tropicalis, using the EUCAST procedure, the rate of azole resistance was around 20%. There was a correlation between the previous use of azoles and the presence of fluconazole-resistant isolates. Resistance to echinocandins was very rare (2%), and resistance to amphotericin B also was very uncommon. The sequencing of the hot spot (HS) regions fromFKS1orFKS2genes in echinocandin-resistant isolates revealed previously described point mutations. The decrease in the susceptibility to fluconazole in Spanish isolates should be closely monitored in future studies.

scholarly journals A Revised Species Concept for OpportunisticMucorSpecies Reveals Species-Specific Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lysett Wagner ◽  
Sybren de Hoog ◽  
Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo ◽  
Kerstin Voigt ◽  
Oliver Kurzai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Species Concept ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mucor Indicus ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Susceptibility Profiles ◽  
High Mics

ABSTRACTRecently, the species concept of opportunisticMucor circinelloidesand its relatives has been revised, resulting in the recognition of its classical formae as independent species and the description of new species. In this study, we used isolates of all clinically relevantMucorspecies and performed susceptibility testing using the EUCAST reference method to identify potential species-specific susceptibility patterns.In vitrosusceptibility profiles of 101 mucoralean strains belonging to the genusMucor(72), the closely related speciesCokeromyces recurvatus(3),Rhizopus(12),Lichtheimia(10), andRhizomucor(4) to six antifungals (amphotericin B, natamycin, terbinafine, isavuconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole) were determined. The most active drug for all Mucorales was amphotericin B. Antifungal susceptibility profiles of pathogenicMucorspecies were specific for isavuconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole. The species formerly united inM. circinelloidesshowed clear differences in their antifungal susceptibilities.Cokeromyces recurvatus,Mucor ardhlaengiktus,Mucor lusitanicus(M. circinelloidesf.lusitanicus), andMucor ramosissimusexhibited high MICs to all azoles tested.Mucor indicuspresented high MICs for isavuconazole and posaconazole, andMucor amphibiorumandMucor irregularisshowed high MICs for isavuconazole. MIC values ofMucorspp. for posaconazole, isavuconazole, and itraconazole were high compared to those forRhizopusand the Lichtheimiaceae (LichtheimiaandRhizomucor). Molecular identification combined within vitrosusceptibility testing is recommended forMucorspecies, especially if azoles are applied in treatment.

scholarly journals An In Vitro TORC1 Kinase Assay That Recapitulates the Gtr-Independent Glutamine-Responsive TORC1 Activation Mechanism on Yeast Vacuoles

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirai Tanigawa ◽  
Tatsuya Maeda
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Nitrogen Sources ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Activation Mechanism ◽  
Kinase Assay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vacuolar Protein ◽  
Vacuolar Membranes ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT Evolutionarily conserved target of rapamycin (TOR) complex 1 (TORC1) responds to nutrients, especially amino acids, to promote cell growth. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, various nitrogen sources activate TORC1 with different efficiencies, although the mechanism remains elusive. Leucine, and perhaps other amino acids, was reported to activate TORC1 via the heterodimeric small GTPases Gtr1-Gtr2, the orthologues of the mammalian Rag GTPases. More recently, an alternative Gtr-independent TORC1 activation mechanism that may respond to glutamine was reported, although its molecular mechanism is not clear. In studying the nutrient-responsive TORC1 activation mechanism, the lack of an in vitro assay hinders associating particular nutrient compounds with the TORC1 activation status, whereas no in vitro assay that shows nutrient responsiveness has been reported. In this study, we have developed a new in vitro TORC1 kinase assay that reproduces, for the first time, the nutrient-responsive TORC1 activation. This in vitro TORC1 assay recapitulates the previously predicted Gtr-independent glutamine-responsive TORC1 activation mechanism. Using this system, we found that this mechanism specifically responds to l-glutamine, resides on the vacuolar membranes, and involves a previously uncharacterized Vps34-Vps15 phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase complex and the PI-3-phosphate [PI(3)P]-binding FYVE domain-containing vacuolar protein Pib2. Thus, this system was proved to be useful for dissecting the glutamine-responsive TORC1 activation mechanism.

scholarly journals Evidence ofIn VivoProphage Induction during Clostridium difficile Infection

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (21) ◽  
pp. 7662-7670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Meessen-Pinard ◽  
Ognjen Sekulovic ◽  
Louis-Charles Fortier
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Bioinformatics Analyses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unique Character ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Culture Supernatants

ABSTRACTProphages contribute to the evolution and virulence of most bacterial pathogens, but their role inClostridium difficileis unclear. Here we describe the isolation of fourMyoviridaephages, ϕMMP01, ϕMMP02, ϕMMP03, and ϕMMP04, that were recovered as free viral particles in the filter-sterilized stool supernatants of patients suffering fromC. difficileinfection (CDI). Furthermore, identical prophages were found in the chromosomes ofC. difficileisolated from the corresponding fecal samples. We therefore provide, for the first time, evidence ofin vivoprophage induction during CDI. We completely sequenced the genomes of ϕMMP02 and ϕMMP04, and bioinformatics analyses did not reveal the presence of virulence factors but underlined the unique character of ϕMMP04. We also studied the mobility of ϕMMP02 and ϕMMP04 prophagesin vitro. Both prophages were spontaneously induced, with 4 to 5 log PFU/ml detected in the culture supernatants of the corresponding lysogens. When lysogens were grown in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, or mitomycin C, the phage titers further increased, reaching 8 to 9 log PFU/ml in the case of ϕMMP04. In summary, our study highlights the extensive genetic diversity and mobility ofC. difficileprophages. Moreover, antibiotics known to represent risk factors for CDI, such as quinolones, can stimulate prophage mobilityin vitroand probablyin vivoas well, which underscores their potential impact on phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer events and the evolution ofC. difficile.

scholarly journals Switching from a Unicellular to Multicellular Organization in an Aspergillus niger Hypha

mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert-Jan Bleichrodt ◽  
Marc Hulsman ◽  
Han A. B. Wösten ◽  
Marcel J. T. Reinders
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Mobility Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
First Time ◽  
Compound Concentration

ABSTRACT Pores in fungal septa enable cytoplasmic streaming between hyphae and their compartments. Consequently, the mycelium can be considered unicellular. However, we show here that Woronin bodies close ~50% of the three most apical septa of growing hyphae of Aspergillus niger. The incidence of closure of the 9th and 10th septa was even ≥94%. Intercompartmental streaming of photoactivatable green fluorescent protein (PA-GFP) was not observed when the septa were closed, but open septa acted as a barrier, reducing the mobility rate of PA-GFP ~500 times. This mobility rate decreased with increasing septal age and under stress conditions, likely reflecting a regulatory mechanism affecting septal pore diameter. Modeling revealed that such regulation offers effective control of compound concentration between compartments. Modeling also showed that the incidence of septal closure in A. niger had an even stronger impact on cytoplasmic continuity. Cytoplasm of hyphal compartments was shown not to be in physical contact when separated by more than 4 septa. Together, data show that apical compartments of growing hyphae behave unicellularly, while older compartments have a multicellular organization. IMPORTANCE The hyphae of higher fungi are compartmentalized by porous septa that enable cytosolic streaming. Therefore, it is believed that the mycelium shares cytoplasm. However, it is shown here that the septa of Aspergillus niger are always closed in the oldest part of the hyphae, and therefore, these compartments are physically isolated from each other. In contrast, only part of the septa is closed in the youngest part of the hyphae. Still, compartments in this hyphal part are physically isolated when separated by more than 4 septa. Even open septa act as a barrier for cytoplasmic mixing. The mobility rate through such septa reduces with increasing septal age and under stress conditions. Modeling shows that the septal pore width is set such that its regulation offers maximal control of compound concentration levels within the compartments. Together, we show for the first time that Aspergillus hyphae switch from a unicellular to multicellular organization.

scholarly journals Coelomycetous Fungi in the Clinical Setting: Morphological Convergence and Cryptic Diversity

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 552-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicomedes Valenzuela-Lopez ◽  
Deanna A. Sutton ◽  
José F. Cano-Lira ◽  
Katihuska Paredes ◽  
Nathan Wiederhold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Subunit ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Morphological Characterization ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Anatomical Site ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Neoscytalidium Dimidiatum

ABSTRACTHuman infections by coelomycetous fungi are becoming more frequent and range from superficial to systemic dissemination. Traumatic implantation of contaminated plant material is the most common cause. The typical morphological feature of these fungi is the production of asexual spores (conidia) within fruiting bodies called conidiomata. This study aimed to determine the distribution of the coelomycetes in clinical samples by a phenotypic and molecular study of a large set of isolates received from a U.S. reference mycological institution and by obtaining thein vitroantifungal susceptibility pattern of nine antifungals against a selected group of isolates. A total of 230 isolates were identified by sequencing the D1 and D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) nuclear ribosomal RNA (nrRNA) gene and by morphological characterization. Eleven orders of the phylumAscomycotawere identified:Pleosporales(the largest group; 66.1%),Botryosphaeriales(19.57%),Glomerellales(4.35%),Diaporthales(3.48%),Xylariales(2.17%),HysterialesandValsariales(0.87%), andCapnodiales,Helotiales,HypocrealesandMagnaporthales(0.43% each). The most prevalent species wereNeoscytalidium dimidiatum,Paraconiothyriumspp.,Phoma herbarum,Didymella heteroderae, andEpicoccum sorghinum. The most common anatomical site of isolation was superficial tissue (66.5%), followed by the respiratory tract (17.4%). Most of the isolates tested were susceptible to the majority of antifungals, and only flucytosine showed poor antifungal activity.

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