Migrating Lung Monocytes Internalize and Inhibit Growth of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia

Monocytes are important players to combat the ubiquitously present fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Recruitment of monocytes to sites of fungal A. fumigatus infection has been shown in vivo. Upon exposure to A. fumigatus in vitro, purified murine and human blood monocytes secrete inflammatory cytokines and fungicidal mediators. Mononuclear tissue phagocytes are phenotypically and functionally different from those circulating in the blood and their role in antifungal defenses is much less understood. In this study, we identified a population of migrating CD43+ monocytes in cells isolated from rat distal lungs. These cells are phenotypically different from alveolar macrophages and show distinct locomotory behavior on the surface of primary alveolar cells resembling previously described endothelial patrolling monocytes. Upon challenge, the CD43+ monocytes internalized A. fumigatus conidia resulting in inhibition of their germination and hyphal growth. Thus, migrating lung monocytes might play an important role in local defense against pulmonary pathogens.

Migrating lung monocytes internalize and inhibit growth of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia

Monocytes are important players to combat ubiquitously present fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Recruitment of monocytes to sites of fungal infection was shown in vivo, and purified murine and human blood monocytes are able to induce inflammatory and fungicidal mediators as well as the host cell and the fungal transcriptional responses upon exposure to A.fumigatus. Mononuclear tissue phagocytes are phenotypically and functionally different from those circulating in the blood and their role in antifungal defences is much less understood.In this study, we identified a population of migrating CD43+ monocytes in cells isolated from rat distal lungs. These cells phenotypically different from alveolar macrophages, showed clearly distinct locomotory behaviour on the surface of primary alveolar cells resembling previously described endothelial patrolling. The CD43+ monocytes internalized live A.fumigatus conidia resulting in inhibition of conidial germination and hyphal growth. Thus, migrating lung monocytes might play an important role in local defence against pulmonary pathogens.

Clathrosporium retortum, a novel aeroaquatic fungus in the Sordariomycetidae (Ascomycota) from Brazil

Clathrosporium retortum sp. nov., collected on submerged mixed leaf litter samples at Ilha do Cardoso State Park, São Paulo state, Brazil, is described based on morphological and molecular data. The fungus is characterized by forming whitish, dense, subglobose to irregular propagules, hyaline to subhyaline when young, subhyaline to dark brown at maturity, that are formed by densely interwoven conidial filaments with each conidial cell repeatedly branching bilaterally or occasionally unilaterally. Phylogenetic analyses using partial LSU nrDNA sequence data suggest that C. retortum belongs in the Sordariomycetes (Ascomycota) where it forms a well-supported clade with Clohesia corticola in the Sordariomycetidae, but its ordinal or familial placement remains unresolved. Its phylogenetic placement confirms the polyphyletic nature of aeroaquatic fungi like Clathrosporium, as it was distantly related to one available sequence in GenBank named as C. intricatum, the type species, which is phylogenetically related to the Helotiales (Leotiomycetes). However, due to lack of authenticity of the identity of this sequence with the type specimen of C. intricatum, a broad concept of Clathrosporium is tentatively adopted here to accommodate the present fungus instead of introducing a new genus. Beverwykella clathrata, Helicoön septatissimum and Peyronelina glomerulata are recorded for the first time from Brazil. Cancellidium applanatum and Candelabrum brocchiatum are new records for the state of São Paulo.

The occurrence of fungal and insect pests in riparian stands of the central Hron and Slatina rivers

The paper deals with the occurrence of fungi and rusts, viruses and insects on main woody species in riparian stands along the middle courses of the Slatina and Hron rivers in Slovakiain 2002–2004. Forty fungal species, rusts and viruses and 79 insect species were found. The highest number of fungi occurred on the branches and twigs of poplar where Cryptodiaporthe populea (Sacc.) Butin and Phellinus igniarius (L.) Quél. had the highest representation and so the influence on the health condition. Melampsora alliipopulina Kleb., Poplar mosaic carlavirus, Venturia po-pulina (Vuill.) Fabr. and Venturia tremulae Aderh dominated on the leaves. The most frequently present fungus on the aspen was Armillaria sp., Phellinus igniarius (L.) Quél., on the alder a new hybrid from the genus Phytophthora – alder Phytophthora, Valsa oxystoma Rehm., Inonotus radiatus (Sowerby) P. Karst. and Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilát. From the insect species Melasoma vigintipunctata Scop. and Phyllodecta vitellinae L. caused total defoliation on willows. The highest occurrence on the black poplar was on the leaf stalks represented by Pemphigus spirothecae Pass. species, on the alder it was Cryptorrhinchidius lapathi L. on the twigs and Agelastica alni L. on the leaves.

Identity of Guignardia sp. inhabiting ericaceous plants

An ascomycete belonging to the genus Guignardia with a Phyllosticta anamorph was frequently isolated from living leaves of several ericaceous plants. Ecological study on assemblages of endophytes suggested that this fungus is a dominant endophytic fungus of ericaceous plants. The Phyllosticta anamorph was morphologically similar to Phyllosticta capitalensis P. Henn., which can be a pathogen of orchids. An authentic culture of P. capitalensis IFO 32914 (= CBS 226.77) produced an ascigerous stage on potato dextrose agar, the morphology of which was identical to the Guignardia sp. from ericaceous plants. Sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA (ITS1 and ITS2, including 5.8S rDNA) supported the identity of the present fungus and P. capitalensis. Consequently, we describe this endophytic ascomycete found from ericaceous plants as Guignardia endophyllicola sp.nov., which has P. capitalensis as an anamorph. Previously known as a pathogen of orchids, the fungus was revealed to exist widely as an endophyte within ericaceous plants.Key words: endophytic fungus, Ericaceae, Guignardia endophyllicola, pathogenic fungus, Phyllosticta capitalensis, Orchidaceae.