Subcutaneous Mycotic Cyst Caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Roussoella percutanea</Emphasis> in a UK Renal Transplant Patient

Fungi from more than 100 genera have been implicated in subcutaneous fungal infections, usually following traumatic inoculation of the etiologic agent. With the advent of molecular approaches to fungal identification and taxonomy, novel agents of subcutaneous mycoses are increasingly reported. In this manner, Roussoella percutanea, a novel species in Pleosporales, was described in 2014 from a subcutaneous mass in an immunocompetent male adult. Two additional cases involving renal transplant recipients were recently reported from patients resident in France and Germany, with several further cases discovered after analyses of historical culture collection isolates. Here, we describe a new case of subcutaneous R. percutanea infection, causing a mycotic cyst in a renal transplant patient resident in the UK. Although fungal infection was confirmed histologically, viable fungal isolates could not be recovered in culture from biopsy material and identification of the causative agent relied upon PCR amplification and sequencing of fungal rDNA genes. This is the fourth well-documented case of infection with R. percutanea in renal transplant patients, and the first reported from a patient resident in the UK. The current case illustrates the importance of molecular approaches for the identification of emerging fungal pathogens in culture-negative subcutaneous fungal infections.     

Extensive White Piedra of the Scalp Caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichosporon inkin</Emphasis>: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Trichosporon species cause wide varieties of fungal infections. White piedra, a superficial fungal infection on the hair shaft, is caused by Trichosporon species. We report here a case of white piedra over the scalp due to T. inkin, a rarely isolated pathogen from such a lesion. The identification of the fungus was confirmed on the basis of morphology, carbohydrate assimilation tests, and sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA. The available literature on infections due to T. inkin is also reviewed.     

基于SSR分子标记的175份蜡梅种质遗传多样性分析和指纹图谱构建

理清蜡梅品种资源、构建指纹图谱是推动蜡梅科学研究和产业发展的重要基础。利用简单重复序列(simple sequence repeats, SSR)分子标记技术,对鄢陵地区175个蜡梅(Chimonanthus Praecox L.)品种(系)的遗传多样性进行了研究,使用NTSYSpc 2.1软件中的UPDM聚类方法分析品种间的遗传多样性。利用基于贝叶斯模型的Structure v2.3.3软件解析175份种质的遗传结构。通过一般线性模型(general linear model, GLM)对性状和标记进行关联分析。在遗传多样性分析中,平均等位基因数(number of alleles, Na)为6.857,平均期望杂合度(heterozygosity, He)为0.496 3,平均观测杂合度(observed heterozygosity, Ho)为0.503 7,蜡梅Nei’s平均基因多样性指数为0.494 9,平均Shannon信息指数为0.995 8,表明鄢陵地区蜡梅群体内具有较丰富的遗传多样性。群体结构和UPDM聚类分析均表明可将175个品种(系)分为7个类群。在GLM模型中有15个标记位点与8个表型性状显著(P<0.05)关联,表型变异解释范围为14.90%−36.03%。利用11对多态信息含量(polymorphic information content, PIC)最高的引物,构建175份蜡梅品种(系)资源SSR标记的指纹图谱。本研究综合分析了鄢陵地区蜡梅的遗传多样性与SSR分子标记,并构建了蜡梅核心种质资源库,为蜡梅新优品种选育、品种鉴定、资源保护与利用等工作提供理论支撑。     

ROOTS OF METAL HYPERACCUMULATING POPULATION OF THLASPI PRAECOX (BRASSICACEAE) HARBOUR ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL AND OTHER FUNGI UNDER EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS

Thlaspi praecox (Brassicaceae) is a recently discovered metal hyperaccumulating plant species colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The identity and diversity of the AMF colonizing its roots have not been determined so far. Therefore, T. praecox was inoculated with an indigenous fungal mixture from a metal polluted site and grown in original polluted soil/ commercial substrate mixtures (i.e., 100%, 50%, and 25%). Low to moderate mycorrhizal frequencies (F = 33–68%) and only rare arbuscules were observed. Densities of vesicles and microsclerotia, typical structures of dark septate endophytes (DSE), were greater in pots with 100% original polluted soil. In contrast, the highest diversity of fungal genotypes was observed in the roots from 25% polluted soil/ commercial substrate mixture, with the lowest soil concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Pb. The sequences obtained corresponded to Glomus species (Glomeromycota), to putative DSE Phialophora verrucosa and Rhizoctonia sp. and to some other fungi from Asco- and Basidiomycota, that are known to associate with plants, namely Capnobotryella sp., Penicillium brevicompactum, Rodotorula aurantiaca and Rodotorula slooffiae. This is the first report of DSE occurrence in roots of hyperaccumulating T. praecox, a promising candidate for phytoextraction.     

A Special Tinea Nigra Caused by Curvularia lunata: Case Report and Literature Review

Tinea nigra is a superficial fungal infection usually caused by Hortaea werneckii (H. werneckii). We report a special case of tinea nigra in an immunocompetent child who developed a unilateral, rapidly growing pigmented lesion on her palm. Interestingly, Curvularia lunata (C. lunata) was isolated from the lesion scrapes and was identified by both morphological features and molecular biology methods. The lesion was completely cleared by topical naftifine hydrochloride and ketoconazole cream. We present—to the best of our knowledge—the first case of tinea nigra where the causative pathogen was identified as C. lunata. We therefore provide a brief literature review of previously reported cases of tinea nigra to broaden the knowledge of the potential causative pathogens. The etiology, demography, clinical features, diagnostic methods, and treatment of the reviewed cases are summarized and analyzed.

     

Experimental Pathogenicity of a Clinical Isolate of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichosporon dermatis</Emphasis> in a Murine Model

The pathogenicity of Trichosporon dermatis isolated from skin lesions of a patient has been examined in mice. Balb/c mice were treated with two intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide on days 4 and 1 and one subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/kg dexamethasone on day 1 pre-inoculation, and then challenged with 0.2 ml T. dermatis inoculum (1 × 10⁸ CFU/ml) by topical application on an abrasive wound in the dermabrasive group and by hypodermic injection in the subcutaneous group. In the intravenous group, 0.2 ml of high (1 × 10⁸ CFU/ml) or low (1 × 10⁷ CFU/ml) inoculum was injected into the tail vein. Histopathology and inverse fungal culture were performed on the skin lesion and viscera, and renal fungal burden was also determined. Inoculated sites developed localized infections after dermabrasive and subcutaneous challenge in all mice, but the maximum area of skin lesions, and number of positive cultures from the lesions, were higher for immunocompromised mice. In the intravenous group, all immunocompetent animals survived during the four-week period, whereas 100 and 70% of immunocompromised animals died by 3 and 5 days in the high and low-inoculum groups, respectively. The incidence of disseminated infection and the renal fungal burden of immunocompromised mice were higher than those of immunocompetent mice. Our results demonstrate that subcutaneous and intravenous injection of T. dermatis can successfully establish cutaneous and systemic infection models in immunocompromised mice, with the kidney and lung being most susceptible.     

Micosis cutánea por Curvularia pallescens en un paciente trasplantado pulmonar: primer caso descrito en España

BackgroundCurvularia is a filamentous dematiaceous fungus increasingly recognized as a pathogen in immunocompromised patients. The most common clinical entities associated with this fungus are allergic sinusitis, cutaneous infection and keratitis. In this article, a report on the first clinical case of Curvularia pallescens cutaneous infection in Spain and its treatment is described.Case reportA 68 year-old man with a history of lung transplantation presented to Dermatology Unit due to a skin lesion in the knee that had been evolving for 6 months. A skin biopsy was performed for its study. In the histopathological study, an intense and non-specific inflammatory reaction in the dermis was observed, and with Grocott stain and periodic acid Schiff abundant septate hyphae and spores were found in the dermis. The culture of the sample revealed a filamentous fungus whose microscopic examination allowed to identify the genus as Curvularia. Using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and molecular identification, the fungus was finally identified as Curvularia pallescens. The patient underwent surgical resection of the lesion and was treated with posaconazole, evolving favorably.ConclusionsThe species of Curvularia should be considered causal agents of fungal skin infections in immunosuppressed patients. This clinical case, which showed good clinical response after surgical resection and treatment with posaconazole, is the first described in Spain due to this species.     

非侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎的实验室诊断及致病菌分析

目的探讨非侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎的实验室诊断方法,分析其致病菌,为鼻窦炎合并真菌感染的临床诊断、治疗提供依据。方法对我院临床及鼻内镜下所诊断的10例真菌性鼻窦炎患者,鼻内镜手术时直接吸取病变的鼻窦黏膜及窦腔内容物,通过直接镜检、真菌培养、传统鉴定及分子生物学鉴定和组织病理学检查对其进行检查。结果 10例病例中,直接镜检阳性者8例;病理学检查可见真菌菌丝或者孢子者8例;接种培养及基因鉴定阳性者5例(感染菌株包括2例烟曲霉复合体、1例杂色曲霉、1例枝孢样枝孢霉、1例帚霉)。不同方法检测出的阳性病例并非完全重叠。结论真菌镜检、真菌培养、真菌分子生物学鉴定、组织病理学检查在诊断真菌感染时可以互补,有助于明确诊断及发现新菌株。     

Rapid identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus fumigatus</Emphasis> within the section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fumigati</Emphasis>

Background  

New fungal species that are morphologically similar to Aspergillus fumigatus were recently described and included in section Fumigati. Misidentification of such fungal species, particularly of the human pathogens, Aspergillus lentulus, Neosartorya fischeri, Neosartorya hiratsukae, Neosartorya pseudofischeri and Neosartorya udagawae, has been increasingly reported by numerous clinical labs. Nevertheless, A. fumigatus still accounts for more than 90% of all invasive aspergillosis cases. The purpose of the present study was to develop a rapid method for the molecular identification of A. fumigatus to distinguish it from other species within the section Fumigati.     

The tyrosine‐sulfated peptide receptors PSKR1 and PSY1R modify the immunity of Arabidopsis to biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens in an antagonistic manner

The tyrosine‐sulfated peptides PSKα and PSY1 bind to specific leucine‐rich repeat surface receptor kinases and control cell proliferation in plants. In a reverse genetic screen, we identified the phytosulfokine (PSK) receptor PSKR1 as an important component of plant defense. Multiple independent loss‐of‐function mutants in PSKR1 are more resistant to biotrophic bacteria, show enhanced pathogen‐associated molecular pattern responses and less lesion formation after infection with the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. By contrast, pskr1 mutants are more susceptible to necrotrophic fungal infection with Alternaria brassicicola, show more lesion formation and fungal growth which is not observed on wild‐type plants. The antagonistic effect on biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogen resistance is reflected by enhanced salicylate and reduced jasmonate responses in the mutants, suggesting that PSKR1 suppresses salicylate‐dependent defense responses. Detailed analysis of single and multiple mutations in the three paralogous genes PSKR1, ‐2 and PSY1‐receptor (PSY1R) determined that PSKR1 and PSY1R, but not PSKR2, have a partially redundant effect on plant immunity. In animals and plants, peptide sulfation is catalyzed by a tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase (TPST). Mutants lacking TPST show increased resistance to bacterial infection and increased susceptibility to fungal infection, mimicking the triple receptor mutant phenotypes. Feeding experiments with PSKα in tpst‐1 mutants partially restore the defense‐related phenotypes, indicating that perception of the PSKα peptide has a direct effect on plant defense. These results suggest that the PSKR subfamily integrates growth‐promoting and defense signals mediated by sulfated peptides and modulates cellular plasticity to allow flexible adjustment to environmental changes.     

Keratinomyces ceretanicus sp. nov., a psychrophilic dermatophyte from soil

A patient presented with pain in the right lower back, radiating down the right leg. Initial pelvic X-rays did not reveal any lesion. A follow up computerized tomography (CT) scan and technitium scan showed a sharply lytic lesion of the right ilium extending to the right sacroiliac joint. Open biopsy revealed a granulomatous inflammation with many budding yeast from consistent with Blastomyces dermatitidis. Subsequent culture confirmed this identification. There was no other site of fungal infection. Two courses of Amphotericin B (each to 2 g total dose) failed to eradicate this infection. The patient is now responding to Ketoconazole.     

Sporotrichosis After Tattooing Caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by pathogenic species of the genus Sporothrix. Since 1998, the number of cases of sporotrichosis due to Sporothrix brasiliensis has grown significantly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nearly all cases are related to cats as the main source of fungal infection. We report two cases of sporotrichosis following tattoos, a transmission form of S. brasiliensis not yet reported. The first patient, a 22-year-old female, had cutaneous sporotrichosis, fixed form, over a tattoo in her lumbar region. The lesion appeared 12 weeks after she was tattooed. The second patient, a 27-year-old female, had a lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis over a forearm tattoo. The lesion appeared two weeks after she was tattooed. In both cases there was no history of contact with cats or other plausible source of infection. The present study highlights that other non-zoonotic forms of transmission of S. brasiliensis may occur in endemic areas.

     

Comparative photosynthesis characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calycanthus chinensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chimonanthus praecox</Emphasis>

Calycanthus chinensis is an endangered plant of the national second-grade protection of China restricted in a small area in Zhejiang Province. We studied parameters of photosynthesis, chlorophyll (Chl) contents, and Chl fluorescence (minimum fluorescence, F₀, maximum fluorescence, F_m, variable fluorescence, F_v, and F_v/F_m) of C. chinensis and Chimonanthus praecox. C. chinensis had lower compensation irradiance but higher saturation irradiance than C. praecox. Hence C. chinensis has more advantage in obtaining and utilizing photon energy and higher Chl content, and is more adaptive to higher temperature and propitious to thermal dissipation than C. praecox. In addition, C. chinensis produces abundant, well-preserved seed with a higher germination rate and a wider adaptability to temperature than C. praecox. Thus C. chinensis is prone to survival and viability, and gets rid of the endangered plant species of the national second-grade protection of China.     

Dermatomycoses Due to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nannizzia praecox</Emphasis> (Formerly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microsporum praecox</Emphasis>) in Germany: Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Nannizzia praecox, formerly known as Microsporum praecox, is a geophilic dermatophyte. Up to now 31 cases of human tinea have been reported in the literature, most of them with an inflammatory course. Three recent cases diagnosed in Germany within 1 year suggest that the fungus might be a more common cause of human dermatophytosis than reported so far. This might be based on the fact that N. praecox is often found in an equine environment and that horse riding is becoming more popular recently.     

Cutaneous Mucormycosis in Tornado Survivors

A total of 18 suspected cases of cutaneous mucormycosis were identified in survivors of the May 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Apophysomyces trapeziformis was identified in 13 of the patients with microbiologically or histologically proven infection by DNA sequencing. Apophysomyces are classically associated with necrotizing skin and soft-tissue infections following traumatic inoculation of the fungal spores. Although cases of Apophysomyces infection were previously reported in survivors of tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, this is believed to be the first reported case series of cutaneous mucormycosis in tornado survivors.     

Fungal associates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrola rotundifolia</Emphasis>, a mixotrophic Ericaceae,from two Estonian boreal forests

Pyrola rotundifolia (Ericaceae, Pyroleae tribe) is an understorey subshrub that was recently demonstrated to receive considerable amount of carbon from its fungal mycorrhizal associates. So far, little is known of the identity of these fungi and the mycorrhizal anatomy in the Pyroleae. Using 140 mycorrhizal root fragments collected from two Estonian boreal forests already studied in the context of mixotrophic Ericaceae in sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region, we recovered 71 sequences that corresponded to 45 putative species in 19 fungal genera. The identified fungi were mainly ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes, including Tomentella, Cortinarius, Russula, Hebeloma, as well as some ectomycorrhizal and/or endophytic ascomycetes. The P. rotundifolia fungal communities of the two forests did not differ significantly in terms of species richness, diversity and nutritional mode. The relatively high diversity retrieved suggests that P. rotundifolia does not have a strict preference for any fungal taxa. Anatomical analyses showed typical arbutoid mycorrhizae, with variable mantle structures, uniseriate Hartig nets and intracellular hyphal coils in the large epidermal cells. Whenever compared, fungal ultrastructure was congruent with the molecular identification. Similarly to other mixotrophic and autotrophic pyroloids in the same forests, P. rotundifolia shares its mycorrhizal fungal associates with surrounding trees that are likely a carbon source for pyroloids.     

Pure culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metarhizium anisopliae</Emphasis> LHL07 reprograms soybean to higher growth and mitigates salt stress

Little is known about the role of endophytic fungi against abiotic stresses and isoflavonoids (IF) contents of soybean. In current study, we investigated the role of fungal endophytes on the growth of soybean under salt stress conditions. Pure cultures of nine endophytic fungi were isolated from the roots of field-grown soybean plants, and their culture filtrates were screened on Waito-C and Dongjin-byeo rice cultivars; for identification of plant growth promoting fungal strains. It was observed that fungal isolate GMC-2B significantly promoted the growth of both Waito-C and Dongjin-byeo. GMC-2B was later identified as a new strain of Metarhizium anisopliae LHL07 on the basis of 18S rDNA sequences and phylogenetic analysis. Metarhizium anisopliae LHL07 inoculated soybean plants recorded significantly higher shoot length, shoot fresh and dry biomass, chlorophyll contents, transpiration rate, photosynthetic rate and leaf area; under sodium chloride induced salt stress as compared to non-inoculated control plants. An elevated proline and reduced superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde contents in M. anisopliae LHL07 inoculated soybean plants demonstrated mitigation of salt induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, reduced abscisic acid and elevated jasmonic acid contents in soybean plants confirmed that lesser stress was convened to M. anisopliae inoculated-plants under salinity stress. We also assessed the role of M. anisopliae interaction on IF biosynthesis of soybean, and found significantly higher IF contents in M. anisopliae inoculated soybean plants. In conclusion, endophytic fungal interactions with soybean can be beneficial to improve soybean quality and quantity under salt affected agricultural systems.     

Emergence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aureobasidium pullulans</Emphasis> as human fungal pathogen and molecular assay for future medical diagnosis

Despite the great importance of Aureobasidium pullulans in biotechnology, the fungus had emerged as an opportunistic human pathogen, especially among immunocompromised patients. Clinical detection of this rare human fungal pathogen presently relies on morphology diagnosis which may be misleading. Thus, a sensitive and accurate quantitative molecular assay for A. pullulans remains lacking. In this study, we presented the microscopy observations of A. pullulans that reveals the phenotypic plasticity of the fungus. A. pullulans-specific primers and molecular beacon probes were designed based on the fungal 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Comparison of two probes with varied quencher chemistry, namely BHQ-1 and Tamra, revealed high amplification efficiency of 104% and 108%, respectively. The optimized quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays could detect and quantify up to 1 pg concentration of A. pullulans DNA. Both assays displayed satisfactory performance parameters at fast thermal cycling mode. The molecular assay has great potential as a molecular diagnosis tool for early detection of fungal infection caused by A. pullulans, which merits future study in clinical diagnosis.