scholarly journals Threats Posed by the Fungal Kingdom to Humans, Wildlife, and Agriculture

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Fisher ◽  
Sarah J. Gurr ◽  
Christina A. Cuomo ◽  
David S. Blehert ◽  
Hailing Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Fungal Diseases ◽  
Fungal Allergy ◽  
Eukaryotic Species ◽  
Global Increase ◽  
Fungal Kingdom

ABSTRACT The fungal kingdom includes at least 6 million eukaryotic species and is remarkable with respect to its profound impact on global health, biodiversity, ecology, agriculture, manufacturing, and biomedical research. Approximately 625 fungal species have been reported to infect vertebrates, 200 of which can be human associated, either as commensals and members of our microbiome or as pathogens that cause infectious diseases. These organisms pose a growing threat to human health with the global increase in the incidence of invasive fungal infections, prevalence of fungal allergy, and the evolution of fungal pathogens resistant to some or all current classes of antifungals. More broadly, there has been an unprecedented and worldwide emergence of fungal pathogens affecting animal and plant biodiversity. Approximately 8,000 species of fungi and Oomycetes are associated with plant disease. Indeed, across agriculture, such fungal diseases of plants include new devastating epidemics of trees and jeopardize food security worldwide by causing epidemics in staple and commodity crops that feed billions. Further, ingestion of mycotoxins contributes to ill health and causes cancer. Coordinated international research efforts, enhanced technology translation, and greater policy outreach by scientists are needed to more fully understand the biology and drivers that underlie the emergence of fungal diseases and to mitigate against their impacts. Here, we focus on poignant examples of emerging fungal threats in each of three areas: human health, wildlife biodiversity, and food security.

scholarly journals Overview on the Prevalence of Fungal Infections, Immune Response, and Microbiome Role in COVID-19 Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 720
Author(s):  
Maryam Roudbary ◽  
Sunil Kumar ◽  
Awanish Kumar ◽  
Lucia Černáková ◽  
Fatemeh Nikoomanesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Fungal Diseases ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Rising Incidence ◽  
Cryptococcus Spp

Patients with severe COVID-19, such as individuals in intensive care units (ICU), are exceptionally susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. The most prevalent fungal infections are aspergillosis and candidemia. Nonetheless, other fungal species (for instance, Histoplasma spp., Rhizopus spp., Mucor spp., Cryptococcus spp.) have recently been increasingly linked to opportunistic fungal diseases in COVID-19 patients. These fungal co-infections are described with rising incidence, severe illness, and death that is associated with host immune response. Awareness of the high risks of the occurrence of fungal co-infections is crucial to downgrade any arrear in diagnosis and treatment to support the prevention of severe illness and death directly related to these infections. This review analyses the fungal infections, treatments, outcome, and immune response, considering the possible role of the microbiome in these patients. The search was performed in Medline (PubMed), using the words “fungal infections COVID-19”, between 2020–2021.

scholarly journals 2-Acryloyl-4,5-methylenedioxyphenol: A Small Molecule Endowed with Antidermatophytic Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-466
Author(s):  
Marco Zuccolo ◽  
Sabrina Dallavalle ◽  
Raffaella Cincinelli ◽  
Luce Mattio ◽  
Stefania Mazzini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Natural Compound ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Fungal Diseases ◽  
Antifungal Compounds ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Antidermatophytic Activity

Background: Superficial fungal infections are the most common fungal diseases in humans, affecting more than 25% of the population worldwide. Methods: In the present study, we have investigated the activity of kakuol, a natural compound isolated from the rhizomes of Asarum sieboldii, and some analogues, against various dermatophytes and pharmacologically relevant yeasts. Results: One of the tested compounds, 2-acryloyl-4,5-methylenedioxyphenol, showed a broadspectrum activity against most of the fungal species assayed, resulting particularly effective against dermatophyte strains (MIC values in the range of 0.25-0.5 µg/mL, two/four-fold lower than the positive control miconazole). Conclusion: The results suggest that this molecule can be considered a promising starting point for the development of new antifungal compounds.

scholarly journals The Use of Galleria mellonella Larvae to Identify Novel Antimicrobial Agents against Fungal Species of Medical Interest

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Kavanagh ◽  
Gerard Sheehan
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Immune Priming ◽  
Greater Wax Moth

The immune system of insects and the innate immune response of mammals share many similarities and, as a result, insects may be used to assess the virulence of fungal pathogens and give results similar to those from mammals. Larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella are widely used in this capacity and also for assessing the toxicity and in vivo efficacy of antifungal drugs. G. mellonella larvae are easy to use, inexpensive to purchase and house, and have none of the legal/ethical restrictions that are associated with use of mammals. Larvae may be inoculated by intra-hemocoel injection or by force-feeding. Larvae can be used to assess the in vivo toxicity of antifungal drugs using a variety of cellular, proteomic, and molecular techniques. Larvae have also been used to identify the optimum combinations of antifungal drugs for use in the treatment of recalcitrant fungal infections in mammals. The introduction of foreign material into the hemocoel of larvae can induce an immune priming effect which may operate independently with the activity of the antifungal drug. Procedures to identify this effect and limit its action are required.

scholarly journals Isolation, characterization, and molecular identification of Candida species from urinary tract infections

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Gharanfoli ◽  
Elaheh Mahmoudi ◽  
Roya Torabizadeh ◽  
Roya Torabizadeh ◽  
Farzad Katiraii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Urinary Tract Infections ◽  
Candida Species ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Glucose Absorption ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Predisposing Factors ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Tract Infections

Short communication Background and Purpose: Candida species are reportedly the most common human fungal pathogens. The incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Candida pathogens has increased in recent decades. However, such infections rarely occur in the absence of any predisposing factors. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to identify the Candida species causing UTIs and determine the predisposing factors for candiduria. Materials and Methods: The current study was conducted on 1,450 urine samples obtained from patients suspected of UTI. Out of this number, 19 cases were candidiasis, and 2 cases were mixed infections caused by bacteria and fungi. Candida species were diagnosed differentially using the germ tube test, colony staining on CHROMagar medium, intracellular beta-glucosidase enzyme activity, and glucose absorption pattern. Then, the colonies with the same morphology were confirmed by the DNA sequencing of internal transcribed spacer regions. Results: According to the results, 38%, 28.6%, 14.3%, and 9.5% of the isolates were identified as C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. kefir/C. krusei, respectively. The presence of one or more predisposing factors was proved in all patients in whom diabetes was the most prevalent predisposing factor (21.1%). Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, C. albicans species was the most prevalent fungal species. In addition, urinary fungal infections were less prevalent than bacterial urinary infections.

scholarly journals Rare Invasive Yeast Infections in Greek Neonates and Children, a Retrospective 12-Year Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 194
Author(s):  
Maria Noni ◽  
Angeliki Stathi ◽  
Aristea Velegraki ◽  
Mika Malamati ◽  
Alexandra Kalampaliki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Pericardial Fluid ◽  
Rhodotorula Mucilaginosa ◽  
Pediatric Hospital ◽  
Candida Lambica ◽  
First Time ◽  
Central Catheters

Although Candida species remain the leading cause of invasive fungal infections (IFI), the list of other isolated fungal pathogens is increasing. The aim of the study was to report cases of IFI caused by rare yeasts in the largest tertiary Greek pediatric hospital. A retrospective study was performed from 6/2008–6/2020 regarding IFI caused by rare species. Identification of isolates was attained by conventional, molecular, and MALDI TOF MS methods, and susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards (CLSI) methodology. During a 12-year period, 14 different rare fungal species in 33 neonates and children with IFI hospitalized in intensive care and oncology units were isolated from blood, central catheters, peritoneal, pleural, or pericardial fluid specimens. It is the first time for IFI caused by Wickerhamomyces anomalus (Candida pelliculosa), Pichia fermentans (Candida lambica), Yarrowia (Candida) lipolytica, Pichia (Hansenula) kluyveri, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Wickerhamiella (Candida) pararugosa and Cyberlindnera (Candida) fabianii in Greek neonates and children to be reported. For most of these rare fungal species isolated in the present study, no official antifungal breakpoints have been defined, and there are no guidelines for their treatment. Clinical laboratories should be aware of uncommon and emerging yeast pathogens and be able to detect them with molecular and proteomic methods.

scholarly journals Strategies to Better Target Fungal Squalene Monooxygenase

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Alia A. Sagatova
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Atom ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Biosynthesis Pathway ◽  
Squalene Monooxygenase ◽  
Human Orthologue ◽  
Rate Limiting

Fungal pathogens present a challenge in medicine and agriculture. They also harm ecosystems and threaten biodiversity. The allylamine class of antimycotics targets the enzyme squalene monooxygenase. This enzyme occupies a key position in the sterol biosynthesis pathway in eukaryotes, catalyzing the rate-limiting reaction by introducing an oxygen atom to the squalene substrate converting it to 2,3-oxidosqualene. Currently, terbinafine—the most widely used allylamine—is mostly used for treating superficial fungal infections. The ability to better target this enzyme will have significant implications for human health in the treatment of fungal infections. The human orthologue can also be targeted for cholesterol-lowering therapeutics and in cancer therapies. This review will focus on the structural basis for improving the current therapeutics for fungal squalene monooxygenase.

scholarly journals Glycobiology of Human Fungal Pathogens: New Avenues for Drug Development

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle J. Lee ◽  
Holly O’Donnell ◽  
Françoise H. Routier ◽  
Joe Tiralongo ◽  
Thomas Haselhorst
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Cell Wall Polysaccharides ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Sugar Transporters

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are an increasing threat to the developing world, with fungal spores being ubiquitous and inhaled every day. Some fungal species are commensal organisms that are part of the normal human microbiota, and, as such, do not pose a threat to the immune system. However, when the natural balance of this association is disturbed or the host’s immune system is compromised, these fungal pathogens overtake the organism, and cause IFI. To understand the invasiveness of these pathogens and to address the growing problem of IFI, it is essential to identify the cellular processes of the invading organism and their virulence. In this review, we will discuss the prevalence and current options available to treat IFI, including recent reports of drug resistance. Nevertheless, the main focus of this review is to describe the glycobiology of human fungal pathogens and how various components of the fungal cell wall, particularly cell wall polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, are involved in fungal pathogenicity, their biosynthesis and how they can be potentially exploited to develop novel antifungal treatment options. We will specifically describe the nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs) that are important in fungal survival and suggest that the inhibition of fungal NSTs may potentially be useful to prevent the establishment of fungal infections.

Molecular Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections: Species Identification and Quantitative Analysis by Broad-Spectrum PCR Assays.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 5339-5339
Author(s):  
Lenka Baskova ◽  
Sandra Preuner ◽  
Thomas Lion
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Genome ◽  
Quantitative Detection ◽  
Correct Identification

Abstract Invasive fungal infections (IFI) play an increasingly important role as life-threatening complications in immunocompromised patients. Early application of antimycotic agents is an essential prerequisite for successful therapy. However, standardized diagnostic techniques permitting rapid, sensitive and, no less importantly, economic screening for the clinically relevant fungi have been lacking. We have developed two different real-time PCR systems for quantitative analysis of pathogenic fungi. The Pan-AC assay* permits in a single reaction the detection of all important Aspergillus and Candida species, which are responsible for the great majority of IFI in immunosuppressed individuals. In view of the increasing incidence of invasive infections caused by hitherto uncommon fungal species, new diagnostic tests with very broad specificity are required. We have therefore developed an additional two-reaction Pan-fungus assay*, which facilitates quantitative detection of a wide spectrum of fungal species (n>50), including also the newly emerging pathogenic fungi. The assays display high sensitivity and show no cross-reactivity with non-fungal pathogens or human DNA sequences. We have established an additional rapid molecular assay based on PCR fragment length analysis of a variable region in the fungal genome permitting rapid identification of the fungal species present, in order to facilitate selection of the most appropriate antifungal treatment. Correct identification of specific fungal pathogens including different Aspergillus, Candida and Fusarium species detected by the above assays in patients with febrile neutropenia has been confirmed by sequence analysis. The new assays are readily applicable to routine clinical diagnosis and provide a rapid and economic approach to the screening and monitoring of invasive fungal infections.

scholarly journals Fungal Infections among Psoriatic Patients: Etiologic Agents, Comorbidities, and Vulnerable Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mostafa Chadeganipour ◽  
Shahla Shadzi ◽  
Rasoul Mohammadi
Keyword(s):  
Candida Species ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Inflammatory Disorder ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Chronic Inflammatory Disorder ◽  
Malassezia Species

Background. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin and joint, affecting nearly 2-3% of the general population. It is assumed that imbalance between the types of natural microflora can accelerate the onset of the disease. Some fungi can play the role of superantigens and prolong chronic inflammation in the skin of psoriatic patients. The aim of the present investigation was to identify fungal species isolated from patients with psoriasis. Methods. From March 2016 to May 2019, 289 patients with prior diagnosis of psoriasis were included in this survey. Direct microscopy with potassium hydroxide (KOH 10%), culture, urea hydrolysis, hair perforation test, and growth on rice grains were used to identify clinical isolates, phenotypically. For molecular identification of Candida species and Malassezia species, PCR-RFLP and PCR-sequencing were used, respectively. Results. Forty-six out of 289 psoriatic patients had fungal infections (15.9%). Dermatophytes (54.3%), Candida spp. (19.5%), Malassezia spp. (15.2%), Aspergillus spp. (6.5%), and Fusarium spp. (4.3%) were the causative agents of fungal infections. Among Malassezia and Candida species, M. restricta (10.8%) and C. glabrata (8.7%) were the most prevalent species, respectively. Conclusion. Our findings suggested that fungal pathogens, particularly dermatophytes, may play an important role in the pathogenicity of psoriasis. Also, due to the high rate of yeast colonization in the clinical samples of psoriatic patients, concomitant use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antifungals may represent an effective therapeutic approach for better management of chronic lesions among these patients. Mycological tests should be applied to indicate the incidence of fungal diseases in psoriatic patients.

scholarly journals The Quiet and Underappreciated Rise of Drug-Resistant Invasive Fungal Pathogens

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Arastehfar ◽  
Cornelia Lass-Flörl ◽  
Rocio Garcia-Rubio ◽  
Farnaz Daneshnia ◽  
Macit Ilkit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Antifungal Resistance ◽  
Candida Auris ◽  
Recent Emergence ◽  
Invasive Infections

Human fungal pathogens are attributable to a significant economic burden and mortality worldwide. Antifungal treatments, although limited in number, play a pivotal role in decreasing mortality and morbidities posed by invasive fungal infections (IFIs). However, the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant Candida auris and Candida glabrata and acquiring invasive infections due to azole-resistant C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and Aspergillus spp. in azole-naïve patients pose a serious health threat considering the limited number of systemic antifungals available to treat IFIs. Although advancing for major fungal pathogens, the understanding of fungal attributes contributing to antifungal resistance is just emerging for several clinically important MDR fungal pathogens. Further complicating the matter are the distinct differences in antifungal resistance mechanisms among various fungal species in which one or more mechanisms may contribute to the resistance phenotype. In this review, we attempt to summarize the burden of antifungal resistance for selected non-albicansCandida and clinically important Aspergillus species together with their phylogenetic placement on the tree of life. Moreover, we highlight the different molecular mechanisms between antifungal tolerance and resistance, and comprehensively discuss the molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance in a species level.

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