Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation of Fonsecaea monophora and Fonsecaea erecta for Host-Environment Interaction Studies

The fungal genus Fonsecaea contains etiological agents of human chromoblastomycosis, a (sub)tropical, (sub)cutaneous implantation disease caused by plant contact. The invasive potential differs significantly between species. Infections by Fonsecaea monophora are believed to originate from the environment and the species has been reported as one of the main causative agents of the disease, but also of cases of primary brain infection. The epidemiology of the disease has not been fully elucidated and questions related to its infection route and virulence are still to be clarified. The environmental species Fonsecaea erecta was isolated from organic material and living plants in endemic areas for chromoblastomycosis in Brazil. The present paper describes Agrobacteriumtumefaciens-mediated transformation (AMT) of the environmental species F. erecta and the pathogenic species F. monophora. We propose the use of Agrobacterium transformation for future gene function studies related to Fonsecaea virulence and pathogenicity. We evaluated the co-cultivation ratios 1:1, 10:1 and 100:1 (Agrobacterium:conidia) at 28 °C during 72 h. pAD1625 and pCAMDsRed plasmids were inserted into both species. Confirmation of transformation was realized by hph gene amplification and Southern blot determined the amount of foreign DNA integrated into the genome. In order to evaluate a potential link between environmental and clinical strains, we obtained red fluorescent transformants after pCAMDsRed insertion. We observed by confocal fluorescence microscopy that both F. monophora and F. erecta were able to colonize the palm Bactris gasipaes, penetrating the epidermis. These results contribute to understanding the ability of Fonsecaea species to adapt to different environmental and host conditions.

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A Perspective Study on the Etiology of Diarrhea in Children Less than 12 Years of age attending Kanti Children’s Hospital

Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society ◽

10.3126/jnps.v29i1.1594 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 10-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M Pokharel ◽

JB Sherchand ◽

HC Upreti ◽

A Katuwal ◽

P Gauchan

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Isolate ◽

University Teaching ◽

Age Group ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Children's Hospital ◽

Microbiological Methods ◽

Children’S Hospital ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Key Words Bacteria ◽

Etiological Agents

Introduction: Diarrhea is the most common illness among children causing highest number of mortality and morbidity in the developing countries. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the etiological agents of diarrhea in children less than 12 years of age. Methods: The study was carried out in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Health Research Laboratory and stool specimen were collected from Kanti Children's Hospital between February 2007 and August 2007. The specimens were processed by standard microbiological methods, serological diagnosis for the complete identification of bacterial isolate and use of Rotaclone for diagnosis for Rotavirus. Results: A total 500 specimen were processed and 312 (62.4%) cases were identified with enteropathogens. Out of 500, 165 (33%) showed significant bacterial growth, 110 (22%) single or multiple parasitic infestation, and 167 (21.4%) Rotavirus. Among the bacterial isolate, Escherichia. coli (20.2%) were highest in number, Entamoeba. histolytica (10%), among the protozoa and Ascaris lumbricoide (1.4%) among the helminth. Age group 0-2 years showed most number of cases. The prevalence of Rotavirus infection was more in Inpatient (65.4%) than Outpatient (34.6%) (P>0.05). Ethnicgroup wise distribution showed that Gurung/Magar/ Rai/Tamang were highly infected (34.6%) (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that bacteria were the major etiological agents of diarrhea in children than parasites and Rotavirus. E. coli among the bacteria, E. histolytica among the parasite and Rotavirus constituted the major causative agents identified. The age group 0-2years was the most vulnerable group where most of the enteropathogens were detected. Key words: Bacteria, Children Diarrhea, Parasites, Rotavirus doi:10.3126/jnps.v29i1.1594 J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol.29(1) p.10-16

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Virulence Factors in Sporothrix schenckii, One of the Causative Agents of Sporotrichosis

Current Protein and Peptide Science ◽

10.2174/1389203720666191007103004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 295-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Alma K. Tamez-Castrellón ◽

Orazio Romeo ◽

Laura C. García-Carnero ◽

Nancy E. Lozoya-Pérez ◽

Héctor M. Mora-Montes

Keyword(s):

Virulence Factors ◽

Sporothrix Schenckii ◽

Toxin Production ◽

Extracellular Vesicle ◽

Medical Mycology ◽

Limited Attention ◽

Causative Organism ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Response To Stress ◽

Etiological Agents

: Sporothrix schenckii is one of the etiological agents of sporotrichosis, a fungal infection distributed worldwide. Both, the causative organism and the disease have currently received limited attention by the medical mycology community, most likely because of the low mortality rates associated with it. Nonetheless, morbidity is high in endemic regions and the versatility of S. schenckii to cause zoonosis and sapronosis has attracted attention. Thus far, virulence factors associated with this organism are poorly described. Here, comparing the S. schenckii genome sequence with other medically relevant fungi, genes involved in morphological change, cell wall synthesis, immune evasion, thermotolerance, adhesion, biofilm formation, melanin production, nutrient uptake, response to stress, extracellular vesicle formation, and toxin production are predicted and discussed as putative virulence factors in S. schenckii.

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Enteric Viral Co-Infections: Pathogenesis and Perspective

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v12080904 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 904

Author(s):

Heyde Makimaa ◽

Harshad Ingle ◽

Megan T. Baldridge

Keyword(s):

Diarrheal Disease ◽

Enteric Virus ◽

In Vitro Models ◽

Experimental Investigations ◽

Vaccine Responses ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Exciting Potential ◽

Etiological Agents

Enteric viral co-infections, infections involving more than one virus, have been reported for a diverse group of etiological agents, including rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, adenovirus, and enteroviruses. These pathogens are causative agents for acute gastroenteritis and diarrheal disease in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals of all ages globally. Despite virus–virus co-infection events in the intestine being increasingly detected, little is known about their impact on disease outcomes or human health. Here, we review what is currently known about the clinical prevalence of virus–virus co-infections and how co-infections may influence vaccine responses. While experimental investigations into enteric virus co-infections have been limited, we highlight in vivo and in vitro models with exciting potential to investigate viral co-infections. Many features of virus–virus co-infection mechanisms in the intestine remain unclear, and further research will be critical.

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Clinical Pattern and Treatment of Erythema Multiforme among a Sample of Sudanese Subjects

Journal of Oral & Dental Health ◽

10.33140/jodh/02/02/00003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

Keyword(s):

Erythema Multiforme ◽

Chart Review ◽

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

Treatment Results ◽

Erythema Multiforme Major ◽

Oral Mucosal Lesions ◽

Associated Symptoms ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Etiological Agents

Background: Erythema multiforme is a rare hypersensitivity reaction, caused by different etiological agents affect the skin and mucus membranes. Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review of 110 patients was conducted. Data were collected on the types of erythema multiforme, associated symptoms, etiological agents and treatment. Results: Over 110 patients with erythema multiforme 54 (49.1%) were males and 56 (50.9%) were females. Mean age of the patients was 35 years old. Recurrent episodes of the disease were detected in 17.3% of the patients. Fever was found to be the most common associated symptom. Oral mucosal lesions were presented more than the skin lesions. Incisional biopsy was carried out by 15.5% of the patients. The three most common causative agents were antibiotics, bacterial infection and antimalarial drugs. Steroids was the treatment of choice in most of the cases (33.6%) followed by antibiotics (27.2%). Conclusion: Erythema multiforme major was the most common form of the disease.

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Potentially new emerging diseases on two species of Indonesian freshwater aquaculture: giant gourami (Osphronemus gourami) and Asian catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus)

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202132202008 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 322 ◽

pp. 02008

Author(s):

Hessy Novita ◽

Septyan Andriyanto ◽

Tuti Surniati ◽

Taukhid

Keyword(s):

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Disease Diagnosis ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Emerging Diseases ◽

Freshwater Aquaculture ◽

Species Analysis ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Asian Catfish ◽

Etiological Agents ◽

Pathogenic Agents

Disease outbreaks and mortality in giant gourami and Asian catfish (pangasius) culture have been frequently reported during the last decade. Etiological agents of the disease have remained unknown, so it is needed to explore epidemiological studies to know the main causative agents. The study aimed to know the main pathogenic agents who were identified during disease outbreaks on giant gourami and pangasius. Data and information were collected through active and passive surveillance at the production centers of each species. Analysis was carried out according to standard fish disease diagnosis and eventually was focused on two suspected new emerging diseases (NED), namely Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus (ISKNV) belonging to Megalocytivirus on giant gourami and Enteric Septicemia of Catfish (ESC) caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri on pangasius. The results showed that ISKNV was detected on most of the diseased giant gourami samples and that E. ictaluri was identified on most diseased pangasius samples. This study concluded that both pathogenic agents, Megalocytivirus and E. ictaluri were suspected to be potentially NED on freshwater aquaculture, especially infecting giant gourami and pangasius respectively.

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Draft Genome Sequence of Fonsecaea monophora Strain CBS 269.37, an Agent of Human Chromoblastomycosis

Genome Announcements ◽

10.1128/genomea.00731-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Amanda Bombassaro ◽

Sybren de Hoog ◽

Vinicius A. Weiss ◽

Emanuel M. Souza ◽

Aniele C. R. Leão ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genome Sequence ◽

Draft Genome ◽

Black Yeast ◽

Draft Genome Sequence ◽

Cutaneous Infections ◽

Brain Infection ◽

Fonsecaea Monophora ◽

Etiologic Agents

The black yeast Fonsecaea monophora is one of the main etiologic agents of chromoblastomycosis in humans. Its pathogenicity profile is more invasive than that of related Fonsecaea species, causing brain infection in addition to (sub)cutaneous infections.

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Clinical profile and risk factors of dermatophytoses: a hospital based study

International Journal of Research in Dermatology ◽

10.18203/issn.2455-4529.intjresdermatol20183860 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 508

Author(s):

Abhineetha Hosthota ◽

Trupthi Gowda ◽

Rajini Manikonda

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Topical Steroid ◽

Clinical History ◽

Detailed Examination ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Fungal Culture ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Appropriate Therapy ◽

Etiological Agents

Background: Dermatophytoses are superficial mycoses which represents most common community health problem across the globe. Surveillance studies are required to understand the changing epidemiology and prevalence of causative agents to decide on appropriate therapy. This study aims to evaluate the clinical types, etiological agents and probable risk factors of dermatophytoses.Methods: It was a cross sectional study of 150 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytoses during six months. Sociodemographic details, clinical history and detailed examination were collected from all the subjects. Skin scrapings were sent to microbiology for direct microscopy and fungal culture.Results: Among the 150 subjects enrolled, males outnumbered females. Infection was mostly prevalent in the age group of 21-30 years (37.3%). Tinea cruris was the commonest clinical type (50%) followed by Tinea corporis (18.4%) and Tinea unguium (11.9%). Tricophyton rubrum was the aetiological agent isolated in majority (33%), followed by Tricophyton mentagrophytes (20%). The major risk factors of dermatophytoses were poor hygiene (32.1%), topical steroid usage (23.9%) and diabetes mellitus (20.1%).Conclusions: The present study has provided recent data on etiological agents of dermatophytoses and risk factors in our area. It is essential to develop measures for prevention, control of dermatophyte infections and establishment of therapeutic strategies.

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The Role of Pathology in the Diagnosis of Swine Respiratory Disease

Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.3390/vetsci8110256 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 256

Author(s):

Giuseppe Sarli ◽

Giulia D’Annunzio ◽

Francesca Gobbo ◽

Cinzia Benazzi ◽

Fabio Ostanello

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Disease ◽

Pulmonary Involvement ◽

Porcine Circovirus Type ◽

Current Approach ◽

Porcine Circovirus ◽

Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽

Etiologic Agents ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Respiratory Pathology ◽

Etiological Agents

The definition “porcine respiratory disease complex” (PRDC) is used to indicate the current approach for presenting respiratory pathology in modern pig farming. PRDC includes pneumonias with variable pictures, mixed with both aerogenous and hematogenous forms with variable etiology, often multimicrobial, and influenced by environmental and management factors. The notion that many etiological agents of swine respiratory pathology are ubiquitous in the airways is commonly understood; however, their isolation or identification is not always associable with the current pathology. In this complex context, lung lesions registered at slaughterhouse or during necropsy, and supplemented by histological investigations, must be considered as powerful tools for assigning a prominent role to etiologic agents. In recent years, the goal of colocalizing causative agents with the lesions they produce has been frequently applied, and valid examples in routine diagnostics are those that indicate pulmonary involvement during porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infections.

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Co-infection with Campylobacter and rotavirus in less than 5 year old children with acute gastroenteritis in Nepal during 2017-2018

10.21203/rs.2.13512/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vishnu Bhattarai ◽

Saroj Sharma ◽

Komal Raj Rijal ◽

Megha Raj Banjara

Keyword(s):

Clinical Features ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

High Rate ◽

Biochemical Tests ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Test Kit ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Susceptibility Tests ◽

Etiological Agents

Abstract Background: Diarrhoea, although easily curable, is a global cause of death for a half million children every year. Rotavirus and Campylobacter are the most common etiological agents of diarrhoea in children less than 5 years of age. However, in Nepal, these causative agents are not routinely examined for the diagnosis and treatment. The main objective of this study was to determine Campylobacter co-infection associated with rotavirus diarrhoea in children less than 5 years of age. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Kanti Children's Hospital (KCH), Kathmandu, Nepal from November 2017 to April 2018. A total of 303 stool specimens from children affected with diarrhoea were processed to detect rotavirus using a rapid rotavirus antigen detection test kit, and Campylobacter by microscopy, culture and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility tests of Campylobacter isolates were performed according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines 2015. Results: Of 303 samples, 91 (30.0%) were positive for co-infection with rotavirus and Campylobacter . Rotavirus mono-infection was detected in 61 (20.1%), and Campylobacter mono-infection was detected in 81 (26.7%) samples. Patient’s age, month of infection, untreated water and frequent soil contact were the major risk factors for infections. Clinical features such as >9 loose motions per day, fever, vomiting, mild to moderate dehydration, diarrhea persisting 6-9 days and presence of mucus in stool were significant (p<0.05) clinical features, and were more severe in coinfection compared to mono-infections in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The study shows a high rate of rotavirus and Campylobacter coinfection in children with diarrhoea. Diagnosis based management of diarrhoeal cases can guide the specific treatment. Keywords : Campylobacter , rotavirus, co-infection, diarrhoea, children

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Chronic Osteomyelitis among Children Attending Orthopedic Services at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital: Prevalence, Etiological Agents and Their Drug Susceptibility Patterns

Microbiology Research Journal International ◽

10.9734/mrji/2019/v28i530144 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Tayebwa Edson ◽

Kisitu Kyengera ◽

Baguma Andrew ◽

Bazira Joel

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Chronic Osteomyelitis ◽

Drug Susceptibility ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Referral Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Regional Referral Hospital ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Etiological Agents ◽

Susceptibility Patterns

Background: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence, causative agents and their drug susceptibility patterns of chronic osteomyelitis children among 766 children attending orthopedic services at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital between October 2016 and June 2017. Methods: Seventy-four consented patients were consecutively enrolled and their demographic characteristics, clinical and radiological data collected. Superficial and deep bone pus swabs were collected and processed as per standard operative procedures. Susceptibility testing was done using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. Data was analyzed using Stata version 13.0. Results: The prevalence of children with COM was 9.7%. The female: Male ratio was 1:1.2 with a mean age of 11 years. The most infected bone was the tibia followed by the femur. The common clinical presentations were chronic bone pain and discharging sinus tracts whereas the most imminent radiological features were sequestrum and involcrum. Pus swabs were taken off from both the discharging sinuses and the deep intra osseous abscesses for culture and sensitivity studies. The concordance rate of the microorganisms between the superficial and the deep swabs was 62.5%. Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant microorganism isolated (85%). All the microorganism isolates were sensitive to gentamycin. However, all Staphylococcus aureus isolated were resistant to penicillin. Conclusion: Prevalence of Chronic osteomyelitis among children with orthopedic conditions presenting to MRRH is high. The isolated microorganisms are resistant to antibiotics we commonly use in our settings.

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