The Prevalence of Pulmonary Aspergillosis Among Clinically Suspected and Undertreated Tuberculosis Patients in Khartoum State, Sudan

Background Respiratory tract aspergillosis is a pulmonary disease cause by aspergillus species which are opportunistic fungi that mainly infect immuno-compromised patients . Objective(s) The present study aimed to detect the frequency of pulmonary aspergillosis among clinically suspected and under follow up tuberculosis patients conducted at Tropical Diseases Teaching Hospital, Omdurman, Khartoum State , Sudan during the period from December 2019 to November 2020. Materials and Methods One hundred and fifty sputum samples were collected from suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and under follow up tuberculosis patients. All specimens were examined using 20% KOH and cultured on two sets of Sabouraudʹs Dextrose agar slope media with chloramphenicol. Results Asperigillus species were isolated from 9/150 (6%) patients. They represented 5(3.3%) A.fumigatus, 3 (2%) A. niger and 1 (0.6%) A. Flavus. It was found that all Aspergillus isolates were revealed from Non acid fast bacilli (Non AFB) patients 9/137(6.6%) with the most common frequency among asymptomatic patients 3/35(8.6%) , patients who were under tuberculosis treatment (8.5%), those who were under Rifampicin (RIF) and Isonizide (INH) treatment (10%) and with duration of less than three month. Also the higher percentage (13%) was represented among the age group range from 61-80 year and slightly among males 6/97 (6.2 %) than females 3/53 (5.7%). There was statistically non-significant association between the frequency of aspergillosis and the studied variables in this study. Conclusion The frequency of pulmonary aspergillosis among patients with anti-tuberculosis treatment reflects the need for routine screening and diagnosis of those patients since the use of anti- tuberculosis treatment can promote the growth and reproduction of fungi. Keywords Pulmonary aspergillosis, tuberculosis, follow up patients.

Malignant Keratitis Caused by a Highly-Resistant Strain of Fusarium Tonkinense from the Fusarium Solani Complex

Fusarium spp. are moulds ubiquitously distributed in nature and only occasionally pathogenic for humans. Species of the Fusarium solani complex are the predominant keratitis-inducing pathogens, because they are endowed with proper virulence factors. These fungi can adhere to the cornea creating a biofilm and, with the help of enzymes and cytotoxins, penetrate the cornea. Whereas an intact cornea is hardly able to be invaded by Fusarium spp. in spite of appropriate virulence factors, these opportunistic fungi may profit from predisposing conditions, for example mechanical injuries. This can lead to a progressive course of corneal infection and may finally affect the whole eye up to the need for enucleation. Here, we present and discuss the clinical, microbiological and histopathological aspects of a particular case due to Fusarium tonkinense of the Fusarium solani complex with severe consequences in a patient without any obvious predisposing factors. A broad portfolio of antifungal agents was applied, both topically and systemically as well as two penetrating keratoplasties were performed. The exact determination of the etiologic agent of the fungal infection proved likewise to be very challenging.

Glyphosate and its formulations Roundup Bioflow and RangerPro alter bacterial and fungal community composition in the rat caecum microbiome

The potential health consequences of glyphosate-induced gut microbiome alterations have become a matter of intense debate. As part of a multifaceted study investigating toxicity, carcinogenicity and multigenerational effects of glyphosate and its commercial herbicide formulations, we assessed changes in bacterial and fungal populations in the caecum microbiota of rats exposed prenatally until adulthood (13 weeks after weaning) to three doses of glyphosate (0.5, 5, 50 mg/kg body weight/day), or to the formulated herbicide products Roundup Bioflow and RangerPro at the same glyphosate-equivalent doses. Caecum bacterial microbiota were evaluated by 16S rRNA sequencing whilst the fungal population was determined by ITS2 amplicon sequencing. Results showed that both fungal and bacterial diversity were affected by the Roundup formulations in a dose-dependent manner, whilst glyphosate alone significantly altered only bacterial diversity. At taxa level, a reduction in Bacteroidota abundance, marked by alterations in the levels of Alloprevotella, Prevotella and Prevotellaceae UCG-003, was concomitant to increased levels of Firmicutes (e.g., Romboutsia, Dubosiella, Eubacterium brachy group or Christensenellaceae) and Actinobacteria (e.g., Enterorhabdus, Adlercreutzia, or Asaccharobacter). Treponema and Mycoplasma also had their levels reduced by the pesticide treatments. Analysis of fungal composition indicated that the abundance of the rat gut commensal Ascomycota Kazachstania was reduced while the abundance of Gibberella, Penicillium, Claviceps, Cornuvesica, Candida, Trichoderma and Sarocladium were increased by exposure to the Roundup formulations, but not to glyphosate. Altogether, our data suggest that glyphosate and its Roundup RangerPro and Bioflow caused profound changes in caecum microbiome composition by affecting the fitness of major commensals, which in turn reduced competition and allowed opportunistic fungi to grow in the gut, in particular in animals exposed to the herbicide formulations. This further indicates that changes in gut microbiome composition might influence the long-term toxicity, carcinogenicity and multigenerational effects of glyphosate-based herbicides.

Microscopic Fungi in Big Cities: Biodiversity, Source, and Relation to Pollution by Potentially Toxic Metals

For the first time, a mycological analysis of outdoor urban environment (air, leaves, sealed surfaces) was carried in the cities of subarctic (Murmansk) and temperate (Moscow) climatic zones. The chemical composition of dust deposited on leaves of dominant tree species was taken as an indicator of the air quality. Assessment of the complex impact of factors (climate zone, type of substrate, anthropogenic load) on the quantitative and qualitative parameters of mycobiome was performed. Compared to Moscow, Murmansk was characterized by an increased number and concentrations of pollutants in the deposited dust. The number of culturable airborne fungi in Murmansk was substantially lower than in Moscow. Half of the species belonged to the opportunistic in both cities. Most dangerous opportunistic fungi were absent in the air of recreational zones but present on leaves surface and in road dust in all assessed zones of the cities. Dust chemical composition affected the diversity of fungi species. While the relationship of biological parameters with concentration of potentially toxic metals was generally negative, Cd increased the fraction of opportunistic fungi in road dust. The study revealed an importance of substrate in determining the sensitivity of outdoor mycobiome to pollution and highlighted its biological characteristics sensitive to climate.

Prevalence of Candida infection in Covid-19 pandemic: A study from a tertiary care center in Central India

Background: Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections may be associated with a wide range of bacterial and fungal co-infections. Candida and mucor are the common fungus encountered during this pandemic. Candida is one of the commonly encountered opportunistic fungi that cause superficial mucosal infections usually, but can invade tissue and produce life threatening infections. Candida species recognized as one of the major agent of hospital Acquired (nosocomial) fungal infections. Keeping this in background the current study was conducted. Aims and Objective: To estimate the prevalence of candida infection in tertiary care hospital of Indore. Materials and Methods: The present study was done in the period of one and half year. During this period all received clinical specimens like urine, sputum; high vaginal swab and pus suspected for fungal infection from Covid as well as non-Covid patients were processed according to standard protocol. The specimen was subjected to preliminary tests like wet mount, Gram’s stain, culture on sabourads dextrose agar (SDA) and Hichrome agar, germ tube test, sugar assimilation test and culture on Cornmeal agar (dalmau technique) for candida species were done. For statistical analysis Chi-square test was performed and p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of Candidiasis was 0.86%. Non-albicans candida (65.9%) isolates was more than Candida albicans (34.07%). Among non-albicans species, C. tropicalis was 27.4% followed by C. glabrata 16.29%, C. krusei 15.55%,C. parapsilosis 5.92% and C. lusitenia 0.74% were the major isolates. Males were affected more than the females. In both the genders maximum patients were from the age group of >60 years. Maximum number of Candida isolates was from blood followed by urine, pus, sputum, vaginal swab and aural swab. Most common risk factors for candidiasis noted in this study was diabetes mellitus in both Covid as well as non-Covid patients. Conclusion: Non albicans candida are gradually increasing in India. Speciation of candida play an important role in preliminary treatment because different species is intrinsically resistant to different antifungal drugs and have different antifungal susceptibility pattern.

ANTIMICROBIAL BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING FOR SLICED BAKERY

In the modern minds of the advanced ecology and safety of food products control, it is relevant the development of antimicrobial biodegradable packaging. The article presents the results of the antagonistic action of nanodispersed titanium dioxide powder (TiO2) at the warehouse of biodegradable packaging for bakery products on the living of microorganisms (Escherichia сoli, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger). It is known there are developments on the use of antimicrobial substances of both organic and inorganic origin, the microbiological action of the substances used have an effect on pathogenic, opportunistic, fungi, gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. We found that the introduction of 1% TiO2 r into the molding solution allows to give the package antibacterial properties, as it inhibits the development of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, as there is a delay in the growth of their colonies compared to the sample without packaging with TiO2. According to the results of provocative testing, biodegradable packaging with a content of 1% TiO2 has an inhibitory effect on Bacillus subtilis. In addition to antimicrobial properties, the package under study must also have barrier properties, so the vapor permeability of the presented package was determined. The study results show that the addition of 1% TiO2 slightly reduces the vapor permeability, but the increase in the concentration 2–5% of TiO2 causes an increase in vapor permeability from 4.7 to 5.2 mg / (m∙h∙kPa). The vapor permeability of the presented biodegradable antimicrobial packaging is due to the presence of pores, the number and size of which were determined experimentally. Thus, nanodispersed TiO2 in the amount of 1% in the molding solution of the biodegradable coating is an effective antimicrobial component for antimicrobial coatings, which does not impair their barrier properties.

Cutaneous Mucormycosis of the Interscapular Region in an Immunocompetent Patient

Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection caused by opportunistic fungi of the phylum Glomeromycotan, subphylum Mucormycotina, mainly affecting individuals with immunosuppression. Cutaneous mucormycosis is the third most common clinical form of the disease preceded by pulmonary and rhinocerebral mucormycosis. The usual factors predisposing to this infection are individuals who are immunocompromised with conditions like HIV, haematological malignancies, and diabetes mellitus, but a significant proportion of patients are immunocompetent. The agents of mucormycosis are abundantly present in nature and are transmitted to the skin by direct inoculation. It may be due to needle sticks, stings, and bites by animals, motor-vehicle accidents, natural disasters, and burn injuries. The clinical presentation is non-specific, but an indurated plaque that rapidly evolves to necrosis (eschar) is a common finding. The infection can invade locally, and also penetrate into the adjacent fat, muscle, fascia, and bone, or become disseminated. It is difficult to diagnose because of the non-specific presentation of mucormycosis. Biopsy and culture should be performed. Treatment consists of multidisciplinary management, including surgical debridement, use of antifungal drugs (amphotericin B and posaconazole), and reversal of underlying risk factors, when possible. Mortality rates are significant, ranging from 4% to 10% in localised mucormycosis infection, but are lower than the other forms of the disease. The authors present a case here of a 38-year-old immunocompetent male with cutaneous mucormycosis at the interscapular region.

Basidiobolus omanensis sp. nov. Causing Angioinvasive Abdominal Basidiobolomycosis

Human infectious fungal diseases are increasing, despite improved hygienic conditions. We present a case of gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) in a 20-year-old male with a history of progressively worsening abdominal pain. The causative agent was identified as a novel Basidiobolus species. Validation of its novelty was established by analysis of the partial ribosomal operon of two isolates from different organs. Phylogeny of ITS and LSU rRNA showed that these isolates belonged to the genus Basidiobolus, positioned closely to B. heterosporus and B. minor. Morphological and physiological data supported the identity of the species, which was named Basidiobolus omanensis, with CBS 146281 as the holotype. The strains showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to fluconazole (>64 µg/mL), itraconazole and voriconazole (>16 µg/mL), anidulafungin and micafungin (>16 µg/mL), but had a low MIC to amphotericin B (1 µg/mL). The pathogenic role of B. omanensis in gastrointestinal disease is discussed. We highlight the crucial role of molecular identification of these rarely encountered opportunistic fungi.