scholarly journals Occurrence and Distribution of Cryptococcus Species in Environmental Sources from Lower Assam Belt of India

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 2781-2800
Author(s):  
Nurul Islam ◽  
Rupjyoti Bharali ◽  
Sailen Talukdar ◽  
Syed Akram Hussain ◽  
Afzal Hoque Akand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Cryptococcus Laurentii ◽  
Cryptococcus Albidus ◽  
Brahmaputra Valley ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Pigeon Droppings ◽  
Cryptococcus Species ◽  
Epidemiological Significance

Cryptococcus is a non-motile, gram positive, non-fermenting Basidiomycetous encapsulated yeast like fungus that causes respiratory, neurological and other systemic diseases in both humans and animals. Present study delineates the possible distribution of Cryptococcus species in pigeon droppings, excreta of other avian species, eucalyptus tree and contaminated soil specimens collected from different geographical co-ordinates of six geographical regions of the lower Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, India. The fungi were isolated through conventional methods of Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Bird Seed Agar (BSA) media and identified through negative staining of capsule as well as performing classical bio-chemical tests. Identity of the isolates was further confirmed through sequence analysis of ITS-1 and ITS-4 region of the 18S rDNA. Two pathogenic species of Cryptococcus were isolated from 67 (15.40%) of the 435 specimens. Of these positive isolates 41 (9.43%) belonged to Naganishia albida (Cryptococcus albidus) while 26 (5.98%) represented Papiliotrema laurentii (Cryptococcus laurentii). Both the species were recovered from 58 (18.35%) dry and 9 (7.56%) moist specimens. The percentage of prevalence of Naganishia albida in dry and moist specimens were 35 (11.07%) and 6 (5.04%) respectively. Contrary to this, the percentage of prevalence of Papiliotrema laurentii in dry and moist were 23 (7.28%) and 3 (2.52%) respectively. The findings indicate that Cryptococcus species have established a better ecological sustenance in dry specimens than moist. The findings of the investigation demonstrated that the prevalence of Cryptococcus albidus in attics, dovecotes / houses of pigeon fanciers, contaminated soil, eucalyptus tree and droppings of other birds were 11(12.36%) out of 89, 23(14.11%) of 163,2(3.23%) of 62,4(7.84%) of 51 and only 1(1.43%) out of 7 specimens respectively. The recovery of Papiliotrema laurentii in the above specimens were 3(3.37%), 20(12.27%), 1(1.61%), 1(1.96%) and 1(1.42%) respectively. The findings revealed that the prevalence of Naganishia albida is more than that of Papiliotrema laurentii in natural substrates. The notorious pathogenic fungi, Cryptococcus neoformans could not be isolated, indicative of the fact that the region selected for the study is not environmentally favorable for growth and sustenance of the species. Findings of the study clearly demonstrate the ecological and epidemiological significance of the non-neoformans species of the genus cryptococcus that needs further comprehensive studies to access the prevalence of the genus from public health point of view.

scholarly journals Cryptococcus Species Other Than Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii: Are They Clinically Significant?

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edison J Cano ◽  
Zachary A Yetmar ◽  
Raymund R Razonable
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Cryptococcus Gattii ◽  
Cryptococcus Laurentii ◽  
Cryptococcus Species ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Cryptococcus Spp

Abstract Background Cryptococcus spp is a major cause of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, primarily due to Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. There are occasional reports of other Cryptococcus species causing invasive human disease. However, their epidemiology and clinical significance are not fully defined. We sought to describe cases with cultures positive for Cryptococcus species other than C neoformans and C gattii. Methods A retrospective descriptive analysis of clinical and laboratory data of patients with cultures growing Cryptococcus species other than C neoformans and C gattii from November 2011 to February 2019 was performed. Three Mayo Clinic sites in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota were included. Results From 176 cases with a culture growing Cryptococcus spp, 54 patients (30%) had a culture for Cryptococcus other than C neoformans and C gattii in the study time frame. The most common species were Cryptococcus magnus, Cryptococcus laurentii, and Cryptococcus ater. The organisms were isolated and identified in culture of bronchoalveolar lavage (11), skin (11), urine (7), oral (4), sinus (3), intraoperative soft tissue (3), sputum (2), synovial fluid (2), cerebrospinal fluid (2), and intravenous catheter (2), among others (7). Only 8 (15%) cases were considered to be potentially pathogenic, with 1 case of invasive disease. Antifungal treatment was fluconazole, itraconazole, and griseofulvin, for a mean systemic antifungal duration of 42 days. Conclusions This large series of patients with Cryptococcus spp other than C neoformans and C gattii suggests that these species rarely cause clinically significant infection in humans. Only 1 case of invasive disease was found.

Evaluation of health system in Iraq from people's point of view: a comparative study of two different eras

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 380-387
Author(s):  
Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo ◽  
Adil H. Alhusseiny ◽  
Shukr Mahmood Yaseen ◽  
Mustafa Ali Mustafa Al-Samarrai ◽  
Anmar Shukur Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Current Health ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Geographical Regions

Background: Since the 2003 United States–British Coalition military invasion, Iraq has been in a state of continuous deterioration at all levels, including the health sector. This study aimed to elicit the viewpoints of the Iraqi people on the current health system, focusing on many provided health services and assessing whether the public prefers the current health system or that was provided before the invasion. Methods: A cross-sectional survey designed to explore the Iraqi people’s opinions on their health system. A self-administered questionnaire using a multi-stage sampling technique was distributed in five geographical regions in Iraq to collect the data from the head of household between 1st October and 31st of December 2019. Multiple logistic regressions were recruited to determine the significant contributing variables in this study. Results: A total of 365 heads of households (response rate: 71.7%) with the mean age of 48.36 + 11.92 years (ranged 35-78) included in the study. Most of the respondents (61.4%) complained of healthcare inaccessibility, 59.7% believed that health resources were not available, 53.7% claimed a deterioration in the quality of care, and 62.2% believed that the political / media position did not contribute to positive changes during the past two decades. Indeed, most respondents (66.0%) believe that the current healthcare system is worse than before. In the multivariate analysis, there was a statistically significant relationship between the characteristics and opinions of the respondents. Young age group (p = 0.003), men (p = < 0.001), unmarried (p = 0.001), high educated (p = < 0.001), rural resident (p = < 0.001), unemployed (p = 0.003), monthly income of less than USD 400 (p = < 0.001), consider themselves to be unhealthy (p = 0.001),  and those who think that people are unhappy now than two decades ago (p = 0.012) have a more negative opinion of the health system. Conclusions: Most Iraqis surveyed expressed disappointment from the health system after the 2003 US-led invasion. The current health system is faltering at all levels and does not meet the citizens' basic needs. Health Transformation Program (HTP) has become inevitable to develop an accessible, affordable, high-quality, efficient, and effective health system.

scholarly journals Management of Postharvest Diseases of Vegetables in a Tropical and Sub-tropical Environment of the Kingdom of Eswatini

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Diana M. Earnshaw ◽  
Michael T. Masarirambi ◽  
Bonginkhosi E. Dlamini ◽  
Kwanele A. Nxumalo
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Postharvest Diseases ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Side Dish ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogenic ◽  
And Storage

Vegetables are important in human diets as a side dish eaten either cooked or raw as in salads. They are important for their nutritional contribution as major sources of minerals, vitamins, nine essential amino acids, beneficial phytochemicals, fibre and interesting colour from an aesthetic point of view. Despite the immerse health benefits offered by vegetables there are challenges encountered in their post-harvest handling and storage up to consumption. Challenges include post-harvest losses due to diseases. Some losses occur even at household level when vegetables are not stored appropriately when stored under the sink where humidity can be high leading to an environment which promotes diseases. Diseases in the post-harvest chain are caused by bacteria and opportunistic pathogenic fungi. Post-harvest losses of vegetables are not only a threat to nutritional security but a threat to food security as well. The aim of this research study was to document major post-harvest diseases of vegetables found in the Kingdom of Eswatini and to suggest appropriate management strategies or ways of alleviating them.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Source-Dependent Capsule Induction in Human-Pathogenic Cryptococcus Species

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1439-1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aubrey E. Frazzitta ◽  
Haily Vora ◽  
Michael S. Price ◽  
Jennifer L. Tenor ◽  
Marisol Betancourt-Quiroz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System Infection ◽  
Transcriptional Response ◽  
Nitrogen Sources ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Capsule Production ◽  
Global Environmental ◽  
Cryptococcus Species ◽  
Casamino Acids

ABSTRACTCryptococcus neoformansandC. gattiicause meningoencephalitis and are an increasing human health threat. These pathogenicCryptococcusspecies are neurotropic and persist in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the mammalian host during infection. In order to survive in the host, pathogenic fungi must procure nutrients, such as carbon and nitrogen, from the CSF. To enhance our understanding of nutrient acquisition during central nervous system infection byCryptococcusspecies, we examined the utilization of nitrogen sources available in CSF. We screened for the growth and capsule production of 817 global environmental and clinical isolates on various sources of nitrogen. Both environmental and clinical strains grew robustly on uric acid, Casamino Acids, creatinine, and asparagine as sole nitrogen sources. Urea induced the greatest magnitude of capsule induction. This induction was greater inCryptococcus gattiithan inC. neoformans. We confirmed the ability of nonpreferred nitrogen sources to increase capsule production in pathogenic species ofCryptococcus. Since urea is metabolized to ammonia and CO2(a known signal for capsule induction), we examined urea metabolism mutants for their transcriptional response to urea regarding capsule production. The transcriptional profile ofC. neoformansunder urea-supplemented conditions revealed both similar and unique responses to other capsule-inducing conditions, including both intra- and extracellular urea utilization. As one of the most abundant nitrogen sources in the CSF, the ability ofCryptococcusto import urea and induce capsule production may substantially aid this yeast's survival and propagation in the host.

scholarly journals Population genetic structure and genetic diversity study in Lallemantia royleana (Benth.) Benth.: identification of potential gene pools in Iran

Hacquetia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-104
Author(s):  
Fahimed Koohdar ◽  
Masoud Sheidai ◽  
Seyed Mehdi Talebi
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Population Genetic Structure ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Gene Pools ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Geographical Populations ◽  
Genetic Diversity Study

Abstract Lallemantia royleana (Benth.) Benth. (Family Lamiaceae), is one of the most popular medicinal plants in Iran. It is an herbaceous pant that is commonly known as “Lady mantle”. The vernacular name of Lallemantia royleana’s seed is Balangu or Balangu Shirazi that is used as a source of medicine. Medicinal plants are very important from economic point of view in Iran and several large industries are focused on medicinal plants cultivation, extraction and export. Therefore, providing data on the biology of these plants is important for the country. Lallemantia royleana grows in different parts of Iran and forms several local populations. Genetic, morphological and biochemical divergence of geographical populations are well known in plant species. We have no report on population genetic structure, genetic fragmentation, local adaptation and gen flow of Lallemantia royleana populations in the country. Therefore, the present population genetics investigation was programmed to produce data on above said questions. Randomly collected plants of 7 geographical regions were studied by ISSR molecular markers. This information can be used in hybridization and gene conservation of this medicinal plant in Iran.

First report of Cryptococcus laurentii meningitis and a fatal case of Cryptococcus albidus cryptococcaemia in AIDS patients

1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 335-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
KORDOSSIS ◽  
AVLAMI ◽  
VELEGRAKI ◽  
STEFANOU ◽  
GEORGAKOPOULOS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatal Case ◽  
Cryptococcus Laurentii ◽  
Cryptococcus Albidus ◽  
Aids Patients ◽  
First Report

Cutinase-like biodegradable plastic-degrading enzymes from phylloplane yeasts have cutinase activity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirokazu Ueda ◽  
Jun Tabata ◽  
Yasuyo Seshime ◽  
Kazuo Masaki ◽  
Yuka Sameshima-Yamashita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biodegradable Plastic ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Cryptococcus Laurentii ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence Homology ◽  
Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Reaction Solution ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Cryptococcus Species ◽  
Phylloplane Yeasts ◽  
Layer Chromatography

Abstract Phylloplane yeast genera Pseudozyma and Cryptococcus secrete biodegradable plastic (BP)-degrading enzymes, termed cutinase-like enzymes (CLEs). Although, CLEs contain highly conserved catalytic sites, the whole protein exhibits ≤ 30% amino acid sequence homology with cutinase. In this study, we analyzed whether CLEs exhibit cutinase activity. Seventeen Cryptococcus magnus strains, which degrade BP at 15 °C, were isolated from leaves, and identified the DNA sequence of the CLE in one of the strains. Cutin was prepared from tomato leaves and treated with CLEs from three Cryptococcus species (C. magnus, Cryptococcus flavus, and Cryptococcus laurentii) and Pseudozyma antarctia (PaE). A typical cutin monomer, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid, was detected in extracts of the reaction solution via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, showing that cutin was indeed degraded by CLEs. In addition to the aforementioned monomer, separation analysis via thin-layer chromatography detected high-molecular-weight products resulting from the breakdown of cutin by PaE, indicating that PaE acts as an endo-type enzyme.

scholarly journals In Vitro Activities of Terbinafine against Cutaneous Isolates of Candida albicans and Other Pathogenic Yeasts

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 1057-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil S. Ryder ◽  
Sonja Wagner ◽  
Ingrid Leitner
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
National Committee ◽  
Cryptococcus Laurentii ◽  
Dimorphic Fungi ◽  
Cutaneous Infections ◽  
Wide Range

ABSTRACT Terbinafine is active in vitro against a wide range of pathogenic fungi, including dermatophytes, molds, dimorphic fungi, and some yeasts, but earlier studies indicated that the drug had little activity against Candida albicans. In contrast, clinical studies have shown topical and oral terbinafine to be active in cutaneous candidiasis and Candida nail infections. In order to define the anti-Candida activity of terbinafine, we tested the drug against 350 fresh clinical isolates and additional strains by using a broth dilution assay standardized according to the guidelines of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) M27-A assay. Terbinafine was found to have an MIC of 1 μg/ml for reference C. albicans strains. For 259 clinical isolates, the MIC at which 50% of the isolates are inhibited (MIC50) of terbinafine was 1 μg/ml (fluconazole, 0.5 μg/ml), and the MIC90 was 4 μg/ml (fluconazole, 1 μg/ml). Terbinafine was highly active against Candida parapsilosis(MIC90, 0.125 μg/ml) and showed potentially interesting activity against isolates of Candida dubliniensis,Candida guilliermondii, Candida humicola, andCandida lusitaniae. It was not active against theCandida glabrata, Candida krusei, andCandida tropicalis isolates in this assay.Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus neoformans were highly susceptible to terbinafine, with MICs of 0.06 to 0.25 μg/ml. The NCCLS macrodilution assay provides reproducible in vitro data for terbinafine against Candidaand other yeasts. The MICs for C. albicans and C. parapsilosis are compatible with the known clinical efficacy of terbinafine in cutaneous infections, while the clinical relevance of its activities against the other species has yet to be determined.

scholarly journals Biocontrol Efficacy of Antagonist Yeasts to Gray Mold and Blue Mold on Apples and Pears in Controlled Atmospheres

Plant Disease ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
pp. 848-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiping Tian ◽  
Qing Fan ◽  
Yong Xu ◽  
Haibo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Gray Mold ◽  
Penicillium Expansum ◽  
Cryptococcus Albidus ◽  
Blue Mold ◽  
Controlled Atmospheres ◽  
Biocontrol Efficacy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Apple Fruits

Biocontrol capability of the yeasts Trichosporon sp. and Cryptococcus albidus against Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum was evaluated in apple (cv. Golden Delicious) and pear (cv. Jingbai) fruits at 1°C in air and under controlled atmospheres (CA) with 3% O2 + 3% CO2 or 3% O2 + 8% CO2. Trichosporon sp. controlled gray mold and blue mold of apple fruits more effectively than C. albidus (P < 0.05). Apple fruits treated with Trichosporon sp. and C. albidus had a lower incidence of gray mold rot than blue mold rot in the same storage conditions. Biocontrol efficacy of the yeasts for controlling gray mold and blue mold was better in apples than in pears. Populations of the yeasts in drop-inoculated wounds in fruits increased rapidly after 20 days at 1°C both in air and in CA conditions. There was no significant difference in colony diameters of the two pathogens cultured in 0 to 15% CO2 concentrations after 7 days at 20°C, but the colony diameter of both B. cinerea and P. expansum at 20% CO2 was significantly less than in other treatments (P < 0.05). CA with 3% O2 + 8% CO2 inhibited the pathogenic fungi more than CA with 3% O2 + 3% CO2.

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