Epidemiological Studies of Pan-Azole Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus Populations Sampled during Tulip Cultivation Show Clonal Expansion with Acquisition of Multi-Fungicide Resistance as Potential Driver

Pan-azole resistant isolates are found in clinical and environmental Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) populations. Azole resistance can evolve in both settings, with Af directly targeted by antifungals in patients and, in the environment, Af unintendedly exposed to fungicides used for material preservation and plant disease control. Resistance to non-azole fungicides, including methyl benzimidazole carbamates (MBCs), quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs) and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs), has recently been reported. These fungicide groups are not used in medicine but can play an important role in the further spread of pan-azole resistant genotypes. We investigated the multi-fungicide resistance status and the genetic diversity of Af populations sampled from tulip field soils, tulip peel waste and flower compost heaps using fungicide sensitivity testing and a range of genotyping tools, including STRAf typing and sequencing of fungicide resistant alleles. Two major clones were present in the tulip bulb population. Comparisons with clinical isolates and literature data revealed that several common clonal lineages of TR34/L98H and TR46/Y121F/T289A strains that have expanded successfully in the environment have also acquired resistance to MBC, QoI and/or SDHI fungicides. Strains carrying multiple fungicide resistant alleles have a competitive advantage in environments where residues of multiple fungicides belonging to different modes of action are present.

Intimate genetic relationships and fungicide resistance in multiple strains of human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from a plant bulb

Fungal infections are increasingly dangerous because of environmentally-dispersed resistance to antifungal drugs. Azoles are commonly used antifungal drugs, but they are also used as fungicides in agriculture, which may enable enrichment of azole-resistant strains of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus in the environment. Understanding of environmental dissemination and enrichment of genetic variation associated with azole resistance in A. fumigatus is required to suppress resistant strains. Here, we focused on eight strains of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolated from a single tulip bulb for sale in Japan. This set includes strains with TR34/L98H/T289A/I364V/G448S and TR46/Y121F/T289A/S363P/I364V/G448S mutations in the cyp51A gene, which showed higher tolerance to several azoles than strains harboring TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation. The strains were typed by microsatellite typing, single nucleotide polymorphism profiles, and mitochondrial and nuclear genome analyses. The strains grouped differently using each typing method, suggesting historical genetic recombination among the strains. Our data also revealed that some strains isolated from the tulip bulb showed tolerance to other classes of fungicide, such as QoI and carbendazim, followed by related amino acid alterations in the target proteins. Considering spatial-temporal factors, plant bulbs are an excellent environmental niche for fungal strains to encounter partners, and to obtain and spread resistance-associated mutations.

Mobility of сarbohydrates in tulip bulbs

Quantitative determination of carbohydrates in Tulip bulbs by spectrophotometry using a method that allows determining the content of monosaccharides, soluble oligosaccharides and starch in a single sample was conducted. The mobility of carbohydrates within the Tulip bulb in conditions of forcing and growing in the open ground is demonstrated.

Study of biomorphological features of tulips (Tulipa L.) in the forcing crop

Relevance. Morphological features of 10 sorts of tulips in the conditions of early-spring forcing explored. An assessment of the influence of tulip bulb preplanting on the rate of plant growth and development as well as final product yield (cut flowers) taken. Material and methods. 10 varieties of tulips of early and middle-early flowering period: Algarve (DHT), Аvocado (TT), Crispion Sweet (FT), Davenport (FT), Destination (TT), Double Price (DVT), Luba (TT), Surrender (TT), Largo (DVT) и Snowboard (TT) were selected as objects of study. Country of origin - Netherlands. Before planting one part of tulip bulbs were completely peeled of cover scale and the other part were left unpeeled. Each variant of bulb preparation for bedding were evaluated by growth and development rate of plants, as well as the number of cut flowers on the plot. During the growing season, we studied the following morphological characteristics: plant height, flower diameter, flower height, number of leaves. Results. Studies conducted have found that all varieties under research are suitable to early spring forcing and they differ in decorativeness and fully correspond to saleable quality standards. It was found out that in case of complete removing of cover scale, the tulip bulbs root faster, start to bloom faster and give much higher percentage of flowering plants in the plots in comparison with unpeeled samples.

Tulip Bulb Sign

ABSTRACT Tulip bulb sign refers to a configuration of the aortic root, in which dilatation of the root of aorta occurs along with effacement of the sinotubular junction. It is characteristically described in annuloaortic ectasia, a common feature of Marfan syndrome. How to cite this article Sodhi KS, Dutta M, Saxena AK, Singhal M, Khandelwal N. Tulip Bulb Sign. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2013;47(3):167-168.