First case of Arthrographis kalrae pulmonary infection in a patient with AIDS

Arthrographis kalrae is a hyaline fungus. It is a saprophyte of the environment, mainly found in soil and compost. It is a rare isolate in clinical specimen. In recent years this pathogen has been attributed to various cases of opportunistic infections. Our patient was a 51-year-old Indian woman, farmer by occupation, who had HIV infection and was under HAART treatment. She presented with complaints of cough with scanty expectoration for 2 months. Her CD4 count was 75 cells/μl. Induced sputum was collected and sent for detailed microbiological examination. Bacteriological and mycological profile was checked. The causal agent was identified as Arthrographis kalrae based on morphological characteristics (culture). Unfortunately, samples could not be preserved and sent for ITS region sequencing due to COVID-19 outbreak. The case is of interest because, to the best of our knowledge, Arthrographis kalrae has not been reported so far from our country, India.

Molecular Characterization and Cellulolytic Capacity of Chaetomium globosum Isolates

Chaetomium species are saprophytic fungi, havethe ability to degrade cellulose with hydrolytic enzymes. Hydrolytic enzymes are a cluster of enzymes, which have the flexibility of breaking down complicated molecules into smaller molecules. The objective of this study was to clarify the genetic diversity among the isolated Chaetomium population by using PCR-based methods, along with the study of their cellulolytic activities. Chaetomium spp. were isolated from twenty-eight samples of Cuminum cyminum and Pimpinella anisum, and identified morphologically and molecularly by ITS1 and ITS4 primers. The sequencing indicated that all the isolates of Chaetomium had a 99% sequence identity with Chaetomium globosum sequences from GenBank. Molecular techniques with Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region sequencing and specific genes random primers polymerase chain reaction (SGRP-PCR) showed the existence of high DNA polymorphism of Chaetomium globosum. All isolates were tested for their ability of cellulases production. Nine of the thirteen isolates of Chaetomium globosumcould produce cellulases. There are variations between C. globosum isolates and the source of the isolates and their habitat do not correlate to their ability to secrete cellulases.

Molecular Characterization of Trichoderma spp. Isolates by Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Region Sequencing Technique and its Use as a Biocontrol Agent

Objective: In the present investigation, Trichoderma spp., isolated from rhizospheric soil, has been identified by Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region sequencing technique and its antagonistic activity was evaluated against A. niger. Methods: The sequencing analysis was done with its ITS1 region of the rRNA gene. Using the ITS1 amplified products for all isolated fungi, a bi-directional DNA sequencing was done with high quality bases (>98% - 100%). Antagonistic activity was done using dual culture technique. Results: All of the ITS1 nucleotide sequences obtained in this study matched 97% - 100% with the published sequence of Trichoderma spp. The results confirmed the strains as T. asperellum and T. viride with gene bank accession no. (ZTa); MK937669 and (ZTv); MK503705, respectively. When phylogenetic analysis was done for the isolates, the optimal tree with the sum of branch length = 0.69585023 and 0.10077756 for T. asperellum and T. viride, respectively, was observed. There were a total of 678 and 767 for T. asperellum and T. viride positions in the final dataset, respectively. Antagonistic activity was done for the isolated strains of Trichoderma spp. against A. niger, and it was found that T. asperellum showed maximum antagonistic activity (79.33±7.09%). Conclusion: The findings prolong the genome availability for relative investigations pointing out phenotypic variances to compare with Trichoderma genetic diversity. The present investigation delivered the Bases of future studies for better knowledge in understanding the complicated connections of Trichoderma spp. to be used as an effective biocontrol agent.

Volatile organic compounds in truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico): comparison of samples from different regions of Italy and from different seasons

In this paper volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from Tuber magnatum fruiting bodies were analyzed using a PTR-TOF-MS instrument. The aim was to characterize the VOC's profile of the fruiting bodies and identify if any VOCs were specific to a season and geographical areas. Multiple factorial analysis (MFA) was carried out on the signals obtained by MS. Experiments using ITS region sequencing proved that the T. magnatum life cycle includes the formation of fruiting bodies at two different times of the year. The VOCs profiles diverge when different seasonal and geographical productions are considered. Using PTR-TOF-MS, compounds present at levels as low pptv were detected. This made it possible to determine both the origin of fruiting bodies (Alba and San Miniato) and the two biological phases of fruiting bodies formation in San Miniato truffles.

Genetic and Metabolic Intraspecific Biodiversity ofGanoderma lucidum

FourteenGanoderma lucidumstrains from different geographic regions were identified using ITS region sequencing. Based on the sequences obtained, the genomic relationship between the analyzed strains was determined. AllG. lucidumstrains were also genetically characterized using the AFLP technique.G. lucidumstrains included in the analysis displayed an AFLP profile similarity level in the range from 9.6 to 33.9%. Biolog FF MicroPlates were applied to obtain data on utilization of 95 carbon sources and mitochondrial activity. The analysis allowed comparison of functional diversity of the fungal strains. The substrate utilization profiles for the isolates tested revealed a broad variability within the analyzedG. lucidumspecies and proved to be a good profiling technology for studying the diversity in fungi. Significant differences have been demonstrated in substrate richness values. Interestingly, the analysis of growth and biomass production also differentiated the strains based on the growth rate on the agar and sawdust substrate. In general, the mycelial growth on the sawdust substrate was more balanced and the fastest fungal growth was observed for GRE3 and FCL192.

Pathogenicity of Some Fusarium Species Associated with Superficial Blemishes of Potato Tubers

As an organ for reserve and propagation, the tuber grows underground and is in contact with soil-borne microorganisms, making it potentially exposed to blemishes. Therefore, the objective of this study was the possibility of using some modern methods of molecular diagnostics and detection of the presence of fungal contaminants in potato blemishes in Al-Qasim (Saudi Arabia). Polygonal lesions were the most observed blemish type in the collected samples. One hundred and sixty isolates were recovered from different types of blemishes obtained in this study. Fusarium, Penicillium, Ilyonectria, Alternaria and Rhizoctonia were the most common genera collected from different blemish types. Using ITS region sequencing, all collected fungi were identified at the species level. All Fusarium strains collected during this study were used to detect their pathogenicity against potato tubers. This is the first comprehensive report on the identification of major pathogenic fungi isolated from potato tuber blemishes in Saudi Arabia.