scholarly journals Isolation of Cryptococcus spp. from several environmental niches in São Luís, MA

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e7
Author(s):  
Edilene De Araújo Diniz Pinheiro ◽  
Amanda Graziela Gonçalves Mendes ◽  
Ruana Andréa Frazão Moraes ◽  
Bruna Caroline Correia Dias ◽  
Leonardo Henrique de Sá Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Invasive Mycosis ◽  
Public Areas ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
Cryptococcus Spp ◽  
Environmental Isolation

Cryptococcosis is an invasive mycosis triggered by a complex of fungal pathogens present in various environmental niches. Cryptococcus neoformans, C. gattii, and emerging pathogens such as C. laurentii and C. albidus are found in aged excreta of Columba livia (pigeon), its natural disseminator. As the pigeon population has increased in São Luís, the objective of this research was to demonstrate the presence of Cryptococcus spp. in the excreta of C. livia in public environments. Twenty-three samples were collected at 14 sites, dispensed into conical tubes, homogenized with saline and chloramphenicol, and allowed to rest until processing. Twenty-four hours after collection, aliquots were distributed in a fungal culture medium and incubated. The macromorphological examination revealed levaduriform, mucoid, bright, isolated colonies compatible with Cryptococcus spp. In the micromorphological examination, 11 of the 23 samples (42.85%) showed the presence of cells with a thick, refringent capsule and mucopolysaccharide around the blastoconidia, typical of Cryptococcus spp. fungi. The other samples (57.14%) were negative for the fungus. The environmental isolation of this fungus in public areas is relevant to public health since the growing pigeon population in São Luís increases the risk of exposure and infection by dispersion of infectious propagules in the environment.

scholarly journals 27. Co-infections and antimicrobial use in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S19-S20
Author(s):  
Prithiv Prasad ◽  
Ioannis Zacharioudakis ◽  
Jordan Poles ◽  
Yanina Dubrovskaya ◽  
Dinuli Delpachitra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
True Incidence ◽  
Secondary Infections ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Duration Of Hospitalization

Abstract Background In-hospital antimicrobial use among COVID-19 patients is widespread due to perceived bacterial and fungal co-infections. We aim to describe the incidence of these co-infections and antimicrobial use in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 to elucidate data for guiding effective antimicrobial use in this population. Methods This retrospective study included all patients admitted with COVID-19 from January 1, 2020, to February 1, 2021 at any of the three teaching hospitals of the NYU Langone Health system. Variables of interest were extracted from the health system’s de-identified clinical database. The nadir of hospital admissions between the first and second peaks of hospital admissions in the dataset was used to delineate the First Wave and Late Pandemic periods of observation. A cut-off of 48 hours after admission was used to differentiate Co-infections and Secondary infections respectively among isolates of clinically relevant bacterial or fungal pathogens in blood or sputum samples. Population statistics are presented as median with interquartile range (IQR) or total numbers with percentages. Results 663 of 7,213 (9.2%) inpatients were found to have a positive bacterial or fungal culture of the respiratory tract or blood during the entire course of their initial admission at our hospitals for COVID-19. Positive respiratory cultures were found in 437 (6.1%) patients, with 94 (1.3%) being collected within 48 hours of admission. Blood culture positivity occurred in 333 patients (4.6%), with 115 (1.6%) identified within 48 hours of admission. Infection-free survival decreased with duration of hospitalization, with rate of secondary infections steadily rising after the second week of hospitalization as seen in Figure 1. 70.2% of inpatients received antimicrobials for a median duration of 6 antimicrobial days (IQR 3.0 – 12.0) per patient. A higher proportion of patients received antimicrobials in the first wave than in the late pandemic period (82.6% vs. 51.8%). Table 1. Table 2 Figure 1 Infection free survival represented as duration of admission in days on the X-axis, and proportion of admitted patients remaining infection-free in the Y-axis. The blue line represents blood cultures and the orange line represents sputum cultures. Conclusion There was a very low incidence of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 infection at admission. A longer duration of hospitalization was associated with an increased risk of secondary infections. Antimicrobial use far exceeded the true incidence and detection of co-infections in these patients. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals 271. Fungal Diagnostic Studies in Histoplasmosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S150-S150
Author(s):  
Gayathri Krishnan ◽  
Margaret Power ◽  
J Ryan Bariola ◽  
Ryan K Dare
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Cross Reaction ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Immunosuppressive Medications ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Disseminated Disease ◽  
Antigen Testing

Abstract Background Histoplasmosis (histo) is a common cause of invasive fungal infection in endemic regions and accurate diagnosis is difficult without direct tissue culture or pathology. Indirect fungal antigen testing for various fungal pathogens is typically performed to assist with diagnostic workup though cross-reaction can lead to difficulty interpreting results. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of positive antigen testing for non-Histoplasma fungal pathogens in patients with proven invasive histo. Methods We performed a retrospective review of adult patients with proven invasive histo from 2010–2018 at our institution. For inclusion purposes, histo was confirmed by either fungal culture and/or cytology. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics and results of fungal antigen testing for Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus and β-d-glucan were evaluated. Two different urine Histoplasma antigen assays were used during the study period. Results 57 (31%) of 182 patients diagnosed with histo during the study period had culture or cytology evidence of disease and were included in all further analysis. Thirty-two (56%) of these patients were male, 35 (61.4%) were Caucasian and the mean age was 50.1 years. HIV (20; 35%) and being on immunosuppressive medications (21, 37%) were common in this population. The majority of cases were classified as disseminated histo (40, 70%) followed by acute pulmonary (10; 18%) and chronic pulmonary (7, 12%) disease. Results of fungal antigen testing are documented in the table. Chi-squared analysis was performed. Conclusion There is a frequent cross reaction of non-Histoplasma fungal tests in patients with histo. In our review, there was a high rate of cross reaction with Blastomyces antigen, which can be confusing in regions where both pathogens coexist. Elevation of β-d-glucan was high in these patients. Urine Histoplasma antigen sensitivity was higher with MiraVista testing for disseminated disease in our review. While noninvasive fungal tests are helpful in diagnosis of these infrequent infections, clinicians must still maintain knowledge of the clinical differences between these fungal pathogens and be aware of the limitations of these tests. A prospective study is needed to better define differences between individual Histoplasma tests. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Status of pulmonary fungal pathogens among individuals with clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis at Mbarara University Teaching Hospital in Southwestern Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 204993612110424
Author(s):  
Israel Kiiza Njovu ◽  
Benson Musinguzi ◽  
James Mwesigye ◽  
Kennedy Kassaza ◽  
Joseph Turigurwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Study Participant ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Blue Staining ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Pulmonary mycoses are important diseases of the respiratory tract caused by pulmonary fungal pathogens. These pathogens are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality rates worldwide; however, less attention has been paid to them. In this study we determined the prevalence of pulmonary fungal pathogens among individuals with clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Method: This was a hospital based cross sectional survey. Sputum samples were collected from each study participant. For each sample, the following tests were performed: Sabouraud dextrose agar for fungal culture, GeneXpert for Mycobacteria tuberculosis (MTB) and potassium hydroxide for fungal screening. Filamentous fungal growth and yeasts were further examined with lactophenol cotton blue staining and germ tube respectively. Results: Out of 113 study participants, 80 (70.7%) had pulmonary fungal pathogens whilst those with pulmonary tuberculosis numbered five (4.4%). Candida albicans [21 (22.58%)] and Aspergillus species [16 (17.20%)] were the pathogens most identified among others. Two (1.7%) TB GeneXpert positive participants had fungal pathogens isolated from their sputum samples. We established a prevalence of 57 (71.3%) for pulmonary fungal pathogen (PFP) isolates, three (60.0%) for MTB in HIV positive patients and 18 (22.5%) for PFP, and zero (0.0%) for MTB in HIV negative patients. On the other hand, two (100%) HIV positive patients had both PFP isolates and MTB. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the diversity of neglected pulmonary fungal pathogens whose known medical importance in causing pulmonary mycoses cannot be overemphasised. Therefore this presents a need for routine diagnosis for pulmonary mycoses among TB suspects and set-up of antimicrobial profile for pulmonary fungal isolates to support clinical management of these cases.

scholarly journals Cryptococcus neoformans recovered from olive trees (Olea europaea) in Turkey reveal allopatry with African and South American lineages

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Çağrı Ergin ◽  
Mustafa Şengül ◽  
Levent Aksoy ◽  
Aylin Döğen ◽  
Sheng Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Olea Europaea ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Population Distribution ◽  
Eucalyptus Camaldulensis ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Platanus Orientalis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Olea Europaéa

ABSTRACTCryptococcus species are life-threatening human fungal pathogens that cause cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in both immunocompromised and healthy hosts. The natural environmental niches of Cryptococcus include pigeon (Columba livia) guano, soil, and a variety of tree species such as Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Ceratonia siliqua, Platanus orientalis, and Pinus spp. Genetic and genomic studies of extensive sample collections have provided insights into the population distribution and composition of different Cryptococcus species in geographic regions around the world. However, few such studies examined Cryptococcus in Turkey. We sampled 388 Olea europaea (olive) and 132 E. camaldulensis trees from 7 locations in coastal and inland areas of the Aegean region of Anatolian Turkey in September 2016 to investigate the distribution and genetic diversity present in the natural Cryptococcus population. We isolated 84 Cryptococcus neoformans strains (83 MATα and 1 MATa) and 3 Cryptococcus deneoformans strains (all MATa) from 87 (22.4% of surveyed) O. europaea trees; a total of 32 C. neoformans strains were isolated from 32 (24.2%) of the E. camaldulensis trees, all of which were MATα. A statistically significant difference was observed in the frequency of C. neoformans isolation between coastal and inland areas (P < 0.05). Thus, O. europaea trees could represent a novel niche for C. neoformans. Interestingly, the MATaC. neoformans isolate was fertile in laboratory crosses with VNI and VNB MATα tester strains and produced robust hyphae, basidia, and basidiospores, thus suggesting potential sexual reproduction in the natural population. Sequencing analyses of the URA5 gene identified at least 5 different genotypes among the isolates. Population genetics and genomic analyses revealed that most of the isolates in Turkey belong to the VNBII lineage of C. neoformans, which is predominantly found in southern Africa; these isolates are part of a distinct minor clade within VNBII that includes several isolates from Zambia and Brazil. Our study provides insights into the geographic distribution of different C. neoformans lineages in the Mediterranean region and highlights the need for wider geographic sampling to gain a better understanding of the natural habitats, migration, epidemiology, and evolution of this important human fungal pathogen.

scholarly journals Recovery of pathogenic fungi from clinical specimens submitted for mycobacteriological culture

1976 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-48
Author(s):  
G D Roberts ◽  
A G Karlson ◽  
D R DeYoung
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Hydroxide ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Clinical Specimens ◽  
Clinical Laboratories ◽  
Sodium Hydroxide Treatment

A total of 332 major pathogenic fungi were isolated from specimens cultured onto both fungal culture media and media used for culturing mycobacteria from January 1968 to June 1975. Only 72 (21.7%) fungi were recovered on media used for culturing mycobacteria. The effect of sodium hydroxide treatment was evaluated and shown to be detrimental to the recovery of fungi. It is recommended that clinical laboratories not rely on mycobacteriological cultures to recover fungal pathogens.

scholarly journals Identification of Fungal Pathogens in Otomycosis and Their Drug Sensitivity: Our Experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (04) ◽  
pp. 400-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Ali ◽  
Mahmood Hamed ◽  
Hameda Hassan ◽  
Amira Esmail ◽  
Abeer Sheneef
Keyword(s):  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Candida Species ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
High Recurrence Rate ◽  
Fungal Culture

Introduction Otomycosis is a common problem in otolaryngology practice. However, we usually encounter some difficulties in its treatment because many patients show resistance to antifungal agents, and present high recurrence rate. Objectives To determine the fungal pathogens that cause otomycosis as well as their susceptibility to the commonly used antifungal agents. Additionally, to discover the main reasons for antifungal resistance. Methods We conducted an experimental descriptive study on 122 patients clinically diagnosed with otomycosis from April 2016 to April 2017. Aural discharge specimens were collected for direct microscopic examination and fungal culture. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was performed against the commonly used antifungal drugs. We tested the isolated fungi for their enzymatic activity. Results Positive fungal infection was found in 102 samples. The most common fungal pathogens were Aspergillus and Candida species, with Aspergillus niger being the predominant isolate (51%). The antifungal susceptibility testing showed that mold isolates had the highest sensitivity to voriconazole (93.48%), while the highest resistance was to fluconazole (100%). For yeast, the highest sensitivity was to nystatin (88.24%), followed by amphotericin B (82.35%), and the highest resistance was to terbinafine (100%), followed by Itraconazole (94.12%). Filamentous fungi expressed a high enzymatic ability, making them more virulent. Conclusion The Aspergillus and Candida species are the most common fungal isolates in otomycosis. Voriconazole and Nystatin are the medications of choice for the treatment of otomycosis in our community. The high virulence of fungal pathogens is owed to their high enzymatic activity. Empirical use of antifungals should be discouraged.

scholarly journals Fun(gi)omics: Advanced and Diverse Technologies to Explore Emerging Fungal Pathogens and Define Mechanisms of Antifungal Resistance

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Ball ◽  
M. Langille ◽  
J. Geddes-McAlister
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Current State ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Fungal Adaptation ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Integration Strategies ◽  
And Control ◽  
Emerging Fungal Pathogens

ABSTRACT The landscape of infectious fungal agents includes previously unidentified or rare pathogens with the potential to cause unprecedented casualties in biodiversity, food security, and human health. The influences of human activity, including the crisis of climate change, along with globalized transport, are underlying factors shaping fungal adaptation to increased temperature and expanded geographical regions. Furthermore, the emergence of novel antifungal-resistant strains linked to excessive use of antifungals (in the clinic) and fungicides (in the field) offers an additional challenge to protect major crop staples and control dangerous fungal outbreaks. Hence, the alarming frequency of fungal infections in medical and agricultural settings requires effective research to understand the virulent nature of fungal pathogens and improve the outcome of infection in susceptible hosts. Mycology-driven research has benefited from a contemporary and unified approach of omics technology, deepening the biological, biochemical, and biophysical understanding of these emerging fungal pathogens. Here, we review the current state-of-the-art multi-omics technologies, explore the power of data integration strategies, and highlight discovery-based revelations of globally important and taxonomically diverse fungal pathogens. This information provides new insight for emerging pathogens through an in-depth understanding of well-characterized fungi and provides alternative therapeutic strategies defined through novel findings of virulence, adaptation, and resistance.

scholarly journals Emerging mould infections: Get prepared to meet unexpected fungi in your patient

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dellière ◽  
Olga Rivero-Menendez ◽  
Cécile Gautier ◽  
Dea Garcia-Hermoso ◽  
Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Immunosuppressive Drugs ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Fungal Diseases ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Invasive Fungal Diseases ◽  
Fungal Organisms ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
Antigen Tests

Abstract Invasive fungal diseases are increasing issues in modern medicine, where the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic and the wider use of immunosuppressive drugs generate an ever-growing number of immunocompromised patients with an increased susceptibility to uncommon fungal pathogens. In the past decade, new species have been reported as being responsible for disseminated and invasive fungal diseases in humans. Among them, the following genera are rare but seem emerging issues: Scopulariopsis, Hormographiella, Emergomyces, Westerdykella, Trametes, Actinomucor, Saksenaea, Apophysomyces, and Rhytidhysteron. Delay in diagnosis, which is often the case in these infections, jeopardizes patients’ prognosis and leads to increased mortality. Here we summarize the clinical and biological presentation and the key features to identify these emerging pathogens and we discuss the available antifungal classes to treat them. We focused on Pubmed to recover extensively reported human invasive cases and articles regarding the nine previously cited fungal organisms. Information concerning patient background, macroscopic and microscopic description and pictures of these fungal organisms, histological features in tissues, findings with commonly used antigen tests in practice, and hints on potential efficient antifungal classes were gathered. This review's purpose is to help clinical microbiologists and physicians to suspect, identify, diagnose, and treat newly encountered fungi in hospital settings.

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 first insight into the genome of Prototheca wickerhamii, a major causative agent of human protothecosis

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zofia Bakuła ◽  
Paweł Siedlecki ◽  
Robert Gromadka ◽  
Jan Gawor ◽  
Agnieszka Gromadka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Gc Content ◽  
Nuclear Genome ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Interaction Database ◽  
Host Interaction ◽  
Prototheca Wickerhamii

Abstract Background Colourless microalgae of the Prototheca genus are the only known plants that have consistently been implicated in a range of clinically relevant opportunistic infections in both animals and humans. The Prototheca algae are emerging pathogens, whose incidence has increased importantly over the past two decades. Prototheca wickerhamii is a major human pathogen, responsible for at least 115 cases worldwide. Although the algae are receiving more attention nowadays, there is still a substantial knowledge gap regarding their biology, and pathogenicity in particular. Here we report, for the first time, the complete nuclear genome, organelle genomes, and transcriptome of the P. wickerhamii type strain ATCC 16529. Results The assembled genome size was of 16.7 Mbp, making it the smallest and most compact genome sequenced so far among the protothecans. Key features of the genome included a high overall GC content (64.5%), a high number (6081) and proportion (45.9%) of protein-coding genes, and a low repetitive sequence content (2.2%). The vast majority (90.6%) of the predicted genes were confirmed with the corresponding transcripts upon RNA-sequencing analysis. Most (93.2%) of the genes had their putative function assigned when searched against the InterProScan database. A fourth (23.3%) of the genes were annotated with an enzymatic activity possibly associated with the adaptation to the human host environment. The P. wickerhamii genome encoded a wide array of possible virulence factors, including those already identified in two model opportunistic fungal pathogens, i.e. Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum, and thought to be involved in invasion of the host or elicitation of the adaptive stress response. Approximately 6% of the P. wickerhamii genes matched a Pathogen-Host Interaction Database entry and had a previously experimentally proven role in the disease development. Furthermore, genes coding for proteins (e.g. ATPase, malate dehydrogenase) hitherto considered as potential virulence factors of Prototheca spp. were demonstrated in the P. wickerhamii genome. Conclusions Overall, this study is the first to describe the genetic make-up of P. wickerhamii and discovers proteins possibly involved in the development of protothecosis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document