Microsporidian and fungal infections in Lepidoptera and Orthoptera in Bulgaria

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 100-107
Author(s):  
Daniela Pilarska ◽  
Diana Gadzhalova ◽  
Danail Takov
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Biological Agent ◽  
Perennial Plants ◽  
Lepidopteran Species ◽  
Microsporidian Infection ◽  
Erannis Defoliaria

Fourteen hundred and sixty three larvae of 10 lepidopteran species collected from trees and bushes in the spring and summer of 2017, 2018 and 2019 from 5 localities in Northwest and South Bulgaria were investigated for presence of microsporidian and fungal pathogens. Also, 77 grasshopper individuals of Poecilimon thoracicus (Orthoptera, Tettiigoniidae) collected from various shrubs and perennial plants in the spring and summer of 2017 were examined. Conducted microscopic analyses showed the presence of microsporidian infection caused by Endoreticulatis poecilimonae in P. thoracicus and fungal infection in the larvae of mottled umber, Erannis defoliaria caused by Entomophaga auliciae. The studies showed that the average infection rate with the microsporidium E. poecilimonae was 57.1%. The prevalence of the fungus Entomophaga auliciae was 100% during the observed epizootic. E. auliciae is an efficient fungal pathogen which causes strong epizootics and can be used as classical or augmentation biological agent.

Fungal Infection in Cystic Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-124
Author(s):  
Amirmehdi Sarvestani ◽  
Mohammad Almasian ◽  
Amirhossein Nafari
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Resistant Species ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
New Treatments

Background: The prevalence of fungal infections has been increasing in recent years. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects organs such as the intestines, liver, pancreas, and especially the lungs. Introduction: Fungal pathogens are becoming a challenge in CF. Advanced medical science is associated with longer life expectancy in some patient groups. Method: A review was conducted on studies found on online databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. Internet-based searches were performed on these databases for cystic fibrosis, respiratory infections, and fungal infection profiling to identify all relevant studies published between 2010 and 2020. Result: Fungal pathogens most frequently isolated from the respiratory tract include the Aspergillus genus, the Candida genus, Scedosporium apiospermum, and the Rasamsonia genus. In cystic fibrosis, these organisms usually colonize the respiratory and intestinal tracts and cause hypersensitivity responses and invasive diseases. Conclusion: Fungus-patient interactions are complicated and depend on various factors. Moreover, the emergence of drug-resistant species is a serious health issue, and the development of new treatments is crucial.

Identification and in Vitro Susceptibility Pattern of Fungal Pathogens in Immunocompromised Patients with invasive Fungal Infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-134
Author(s):  
Shaimaa A.S. Selem ◽  
Neveen A. Hassan ◽  
Mohamed Z. Abd El-Rahman ◽  
Doaa M. Abd El-Kareem
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Vitek 2

Background: In intensive care units, invasive fungal infections have become more common, particularly among immunocompromised patients. Early identification and starting the treatment of those patients with antifungal therapy is critical for preventing unnecessary use of toxic antifungal agents. Objective: The aim of this research is to determine which common fungi cause invasive fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, as well as their antifungal susceptibility patterns in vitro, in Assiut University Hospitals. Methodology: This was a hospital based descriptive study conducted on 120 patients with clinical suspicion of having fungal infections admitted at different Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at Assiut University Hospitals. Direct microscopic examination and inoculation on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) were performed on the collected specimens. Isolated yeasts were classified using phenotypic methods such as chromogenic media (Brilliance Candida agar), germ tube examination, and the Vitek 2 system for certain isolates, while the identification of mould isolates was primarily based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Moulds were tested in vitro for antifungal susceptibility using the disc diffusion, and yeast were tested using Vitek 2 device cards. Results: In this study, 100 out of 120 (83.3%) of the samples were positive for fungal infection. Candida and Aspergillus species were the most commonly isolated fungal pathogens. The isolates had the highest sensitivity to Amphotericin B (95 %), followed by Micafungin (94 %) in an in vitro sensitivity survey. Conclusion: Invasive fungal infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients, with Candida albicans being the most frequently isolated yeast from various clinical specimens; however, the rise in resistance, especially to azoles, is a major concern.

scholarly journals Sick plants in grassland communities: a growth-defense trade-off is the main driver of fungal pathogen abundance and impact

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seraina L. Cappelli ◽  
Noémie A. Pichon ◽  
Anne Kempel ◽  
Eric Allan
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
Main Determinant ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Dilution Effects ◽  
Plant Pathogen Interactions

ABSTRACTAboveground fungal pathogens can substantially reduce biomass production in grasslands. However, we lack a mechanistic understanding of the drivers of fungal infection and impact. Using a global change biodiversity experiment we show that the trade-off between plant growth and defense is the main determinant of fungal infection in grasslands. Nitrogen addition only indirectly increased infection via shifting plant communities towards more fast growing species. Plant diversity did not decrease infection, likely because the spillover of generalist pathogens or dominance of susceptible species counteracted dilution effects. There was also evidence that fungal pathogens reduced biomass more strongly in diverse communities. Further, fungicide altered plant-pathogen interactions beyond just removing pathogens, probably by removing certain fungi more efficiently than others. Our results show that fungal pathogens have large effects on plant functional composition and biomass production and highlight the importance of considering changes in pathogen community composition to understand their effects.

scholarly journals 78. Non-Invasive Prediction of Invasive Fungal Infection by Plasma-Based Microbial Cell-Free DNA Next-Generation Sequencing (mcfDNA NGS) in Pediatric Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Leukemia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S51-S51
Author(s):  
Joshua Wolf ◽  
Joshua Wolf ◽  
Gabriela Maron ◽  
Kathryn Goggin ◽  
Kim J Allison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infection ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Clinical Onset ◽  
Fungal Dna

Abstract Background Diagnosis of invasive fungal infections (IFIs), a life-threatening complication of cancer therapy or hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) can be challenging, and IFI has poor outcomes. Prediction or early non-invasive diagnosis of IFI in high-risk hosts before onset of symptoms could reduce morbidity and mortality. Because non-invasive plasma mcfDNA NGS can detect invasive fungal infections, and may predict bloodstream infections in immunocompromised patients, we hypothesized that mcfDNA NGS might also predict invasive fungal infection before clinical presentation. Methods In a prospective study, serial remnant plasma samples were collected from pediatric patients undergoing treatment for relapsed or refractory leukemia. IFI events were classified according to EORTC criteria by 2 independent experts, and episodes empirically treated for suspected IFI, but not meeting ‘possible’ criteria were classified as ‘suspected’. All samples collected within 30 days before clinical diagnosis of non-fungemic IFI were tested for fungal DNA by mcfDNA NGS using a research-use only assay by Karius, Inc. optimized for fungi; because of overlapping clinical syndromes, non-fungal DNA was not considered in this study. Results There were 15 episodes of suspected IFI in 14 participants with ≥1 sample available from either diagnostic (within 1 day of diagnosis) or predictive (2 to 30 days prior to diagnosis) periods (5 “suspected”, and 4 probable and 6 proven by EORTC definitions). Of 10 probable or proven IFIs, 6 (60%) had a relevant fungal pathogen identified mcfDNA NGS at diagnosis. In each of these cases the fungal DNA was also detectable prior to clinical onset of IFI (Range 2 to 41 days; Figure 1). In an additional case, manual review of sequence data identified the fungal DNA at diagnosis and during the prior month. Of 5 “suspected” IFI episodes, all were determined by expert review as not representing fungal infection; fungal DNA was identified by mcfDNA NGS in 2/54 (3.7%) of samples from these episodes. Table 1. Characteristics of Invasive Fungal Infections Conclusion mcfDNA NGS can identify fungal pathogen DNA before clinical onset of IFI, so might predict IFI in immunocompromised hosts, and may help differentiate fungal infection from other etiologies of lung nodules or infiltrates. Disclosures Joshua Wolf, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, Karius Inc. (Research Grant or Support) Joshua Wolf, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, Nothing to disclose Radha Duttagupta, PhD, Karius inc (Employee) Lily Blair, PhD, Karius Inc. (Employee) Asim A. Ahmed, MD, Karius, Inc. (Employee)

scholarly journals Fungal Infection in Lung Transplantation

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (03) ◽  
pp. 471-482
Author(s):  
Cassie C. Kennedy ◽  
Kelly M. Pennington ◽  
Elena Beam ◽  
Raymund R. Razonable
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Lung Transplant ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Diagnostic Strategies ◽  
Culture Techniques

AbstractInvasive fungal infections threaten lung transplant outcomes with high associated morbidity and mortality. Pharmacologic prophylaxis may be key to prevent posttransplant invasive fungal infections, but cost, adverse effects, and absorption issues are barriers to effective prophylaxis. Trends in fungal infection diagnostic strategies utilize molecular diagnostic methodologies to complement traditional histopathology and culture techniques. While lung transplant recipients are susceptible to a variety of fungal pathogens, Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. infections remain the most common. With emerging resistant organisms and multiple novel antifungal agents in the research pipeline, it is likely that treatment strategies will continue to evolve.

scholarly journals Analysis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections after Cytoreduction Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: An Observational Single-Centre Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Talat A. M. Albukhari ◽  
Hanaa Nafady-Hego ◽  
Hamed Elgendy ◽  
Hanan M. Abd Elmoneim ◽  
Asmaa Nafady ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy ◽  
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Postoperative Infections ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase

Introduction. While hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after cytoreduction surgery (CRS) has been shown to improve patient survival and disease-free progression in peritoneal carcinoma (PC) patients, the procedure relates to a high postoperative infection rate. Herein, we report the bacterial and fungal infections after CRS and HIPEC from a single institution in Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods. A prospective observational study was conducted on 38 patients with PC selected for CRS/HIPEC procedure between 2012 and 2015 in our centre. Results. Postoperative bacterial and fungal infection within 100 days was 42.2%, bacterial infection was reported always, and fungal infection was reported in 5 (13.2%) cases. Infections from the surgical site were considered the most common infection site. Multidrug-resistant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Escherichia coli was the most frequent isolate, followed by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Lower preoperative albumin and a prolonged preoperative activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) are associated with postoperative infections, while a prolonged preoperative hospital stay (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.064; confidence interval (CI) = 1.002–1.112; P=0.042) and more intraoperative blood loss (>10%) (HR = 3.919; 95% CI = 1.024–14.995; P=0.046) were independent risk factors for postoperative infections. Three cases died during the follow-up period; all were due to infection. Discussion. The infection rate in our centre compared to previous studies of comparable patients was matching. Effective management of postoperative infections should be considered, and identified risk factors in this study can help to focus on effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Opportunistic Fungal Infection

Chest Imaging ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 209-213
Author(s):  
Sonia L. Betancourt
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Opportunistic Infection ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Hematologic Malignancy ◽  
Solid Organ Transplantation ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Common Opportunistic Infection ◽  
Cryptococcus Spp

Opportunistic fungal infections are caused by fungi that are nonpathogenic in the immunocompetent host, many of which are part of the normal upper respiratory tract flora. These organisms may cause pulmonary infection in immunocompromised hosts. Immunocompromised patients and patients with febrile neutropenia with opportunistic fungal infections may have normal chest radiographs. Thus, chest CT should be performed for further evaluation. Imaging abnormalities in this patient population should raise suspicion for opportunistic infection. Neutropenia is the single most important risk factor for Aspergillosis. Aspergillus is the most common opportunistic infection in patients with hematologic malignancy and bone marrow transplantation. Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., and Cryptococcus spp. are the most common fungal infections in patients with solid organ transplantation. Pneumocystis jirovecii is the most common fungal infection in patients AIDS with CD4 count s<200 cells/mm3. Cryptococcal pneumonia is also common in this population. There has been a recent increase in uncommon fungal pathogens causing invasive pulmonary disease.

scholarly journals A CRISPR Interference Platform for Efficient Genetic Repression in Candida albicans

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Wensing ◽  
Jehoshua Sharma ◽  
Deeva Uthayakumar ◽  
Yannic Proteau ◽  
Alejandro Chavez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Human Disease ◽  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Guide Rna ◽  
Crispr Interference ◽  
Functional Genomic Analysis

ABSTRACT Fungal pathogens are emerging as an important cause of human disease, and Candida albicans is among the most common causative agents of fungal infections. Studying this fungal pathogen is of the utmost importance and necessitates the development of molecular technologies to perform comprehensive genetic and functional genomic analysis. Here, we designed and developed a novel clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat interference (CRISPRi) system for targeted genetic repression in C. albicans. We engineered a nuclease-dead Cas9 (dCas9) construct that, paired with a guide RNA targeted to the promoter of an endogenous gene, is capable of targeting that gene for transcriptional repression. We further optimized a favorable promoter locus to achieve repression and demonstrated that fusion of dCas9 to an Mxi1 repressor domain was able to further enhance transcriptional repression. Finally, we demonstrated the application of this CRISPRi system through genetic repression of the essential molecular chaperone HSP90. This is the first demonstration of a functional CRISPRi repression system in C. albicans, and this valuable technology will enable many future applications in this critical fungal pathogen. IMPORTANCE Fungal pathogens are an increasingly important cause of human disease and mortality, and Candida albicans is among the most common causes of fungal disease. Studying this important fungal pathogen requires a comprehensive genetic toolkit to establish how different genetic factors play roles in the biology and virulence of this pathogen. Here, we developed a CRISPR-based genetic regulation platform to achieve targeted repression of C. albicans genes. This CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) technology exploits a nuclease-dead Cas9 protein (dCas9) fused to transcriptional repressors. The dCas9 fusion proteins pair with a guide RNA to target genetic promoter regions and to repress expression from these genes. We demonstrated the functionality of this system for repression in C. albicans and show that we can apply this technology to repress essential genes. Taking the results together, this work presents a new technology for efficient genetic repression in C. albicans, with important applications for genetic analysis in this fungal pathogen.

scholarly journals Case analysis and systematic review of aspergilloma

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 1490
Author(s):  
Georgia Benitha J. ◽  
Prathiba Ramani ◽  
Reshma Poothakulath Krishnan ◽  
Gheena S. ◽  
Abhilasha R.
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Maxillary Sinus ◽  
Paranasal Sinuses ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Dental Procedures ◽  
Full Text Review ◽  
Predisposing Conditions

<p class="abstract">Among various fungal pathogens, <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em> is the most prevalent human pathogen reported to cause human disease such as aspergilloma or aspergillosis. Aspergillomas are commonly seen in a poorly drained and avascular cavitary space which evokes an inflammatory reaction. Most commonly involving paranasal sinuses especially maxillary sinus. For the past 2 decades incidence of aspergillosis has increased substantially. The main objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the cases reported to be aspergilloma of maxillary sinus and to determine the percentage of cases involving aspergilloma of maxillary sinus in healthy individuals. After the final full text review, 16 articles were included in this systematic review. Data were extracted from the full text articles and reviewed and extracted content. About 83% had a history of dental procedures, with 42% of those being due to infection from previous extraction sockets and 41% due to RCT. About 43% of the patients in this study were immunocompromised, while 56% were healthy and had no known predisposing conditions. The aspergillus fungal infections affecting the paranasal sinuses are common which can affect apparently healthy as well as immunocompromised individuals. Aspergilloma is the most common fungal infection involving maxillary sinus with iatrogenic dentogenic factors being the most predominant factor for the initiation and progression of aspergillus fungal infection. About 43% of the patients in this review were immunocompromised patients whereas 56% of the patients were healthy without any known predisposing conditions. The progression and prognosis of these diseases depends on the location and immunologic status of the patient. So, it is very important for the dentists to be more cautious while performing any dental procedures so as not to initiate any iatrogenic infections.</p>

scholarly journals Binding of Candida albicans to Human CEACAM1 and CEACAM6 Modulates the Inflammatory Response of Intestinal Epithelial Cells

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Klaile ◽  
Mario M. Müller ◽  
Miriam R. Schäfer ◽  
Ann-Katrin Clauder ◽  
Sabina Feer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Behavior Understanding ◽  
Mucosal Cells ◽  
Human Mucosa ◽  
And Control ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT Candida albicans colonizes human mucosa, including the gastrointestinal tract, as a commensal. In immunocompromised patients, C. albicans can breach the intestinal epithelial barrier and cause fatal invasive infections. Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1; CD66a), CEACAM5 (CEA), and CEACAM6 (CD66c) are immunomodulatory receptors expressed on human mucosa and are recruited by bacterial and viral pathogens. Here we show for the first time that a fungal pathogen (i.e., C. albicans) also binds directly to the extracellular domain of human CEACAM1, CEACAM3, CEACAM5, and CEACAM6. Binding was specific for human CEACAMs and mediated by the N-terminal IgV-like domain. In enterocytic C2BBe1 cells, C. albicans caused a transient tyrosine phosphorylation of CEACAM1 and induced higher expression of membrane-bound CEACAM1 and soluble CEACAM6. Lack of the CEACAM1 receptor after short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown abolished CXCL8 (interleukin-8) secretion by C2BBe1 cells in response to C. albicans. In CEACAM1-competent cells, the addition of recombinant soluble CEACAM6 reduced the C. albicans-induced CXCL8 secretion. IMPORTANCE The present study demonstrates for the first time that fungal pathogens can be recognized by at least four members of the immunomodulatory CEACAM receptor family: CEACAM1, -3, -5, and -6. Three of the four receptors (i.e., CEACAM1, -5, and -6) are expressed in mucosal cells of the intestinal tract, where they are implicated in immunomodulation and control of tissue homeostasis. Importantly, the interaction of the major fungal pathogen in humans Candida albicans with CEACAM1 and CEACAM6 resulted in an altered epithelial immune response. With respect to the broad impact of CEACAM receptors on various aspects of the innate and the adaptive immune responses, in particular epithelial, neutrophil, and T cell behavior, understanding the role of CEACAMs in the host response to fungal pathogens might help to improve management of superficial and systemic fungal infections. The present study demonstrates for the first time that fungal pathogens can be recognized by at least four members of the immunomodulatory CEACAM receptor family: CEACAM1, -3, -5, and -6. Three of the four receptors (i.e., CEACAM1, -5, and -6) are expressed in mucosal cells of the intestinal tract, where they are implicated in immunomodulation and control of tissue homeostasis. Importantly, the interaction of the major fungal pathogen in humans Candida albicans with CEACAM1 and CEACAM6 resulted in an altered epithelial immune response. With respect to the broad impact of CEACAM receptors on various aspects of the innate and the adaptive immune responses, in particular epithelial, neutrophil, and T cell behavior, understanding the role of CEACAMs in the host response to fungal pathogens might help to improve management of superficial and systemic fungal infections.

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