Transfer of Genetic Material between Pathogenic and Food-Borne Yeasts

Many pathogenic yeast species are asexual and therefore not involved in intra- or interspecies mating. However, high-frequency transfer of plasmid DNA was observed when pathogenic and food-borne yeasts were grown together. This property could play a crucial role in the spread of virulence and drug resistance factors among yeasts.     

Antimicrobial properties of essential oil of Satureja montana L. on pathogenic and spoilage yeasts

The essential oil of Satureja montana L. had a broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activity against 46 species of yeasts. This high and diffused activity could be used to control potential pathogenic and spoilage yeasts. The assay of MIC toward some pathogenic and spoilage yeasts showed a range values from 0.10 to 0.25 l ml^–1. The MIC and growth rate reduction assay were effective tests for quantitative evaluation of antimicrobial activity.     

Marine yeasts as biocontrol agents and producers of bio-products

As some species of marine yeasts can colonize intestine of marine animals, they can be used as probiotics. It has been reported that β-glucans from marine yeast cells can be utilized as immuno-stimulants in marine animals. Some siderophores or killer toxins produced by marine yeasts have ability to inhibit growth of pathogenic bacteria or kill pathogenic yeasts in marine animals. The virulent factors from marine pathogens can be genetically displayed on marine yeast cells, and the yeast cells displaying the virulent factors can stimulate marine animals to produce specific antibody against the pathogens. Some marine yeast cells are rich in proteins and essential amino acids and can be used in nutrition for marine animals. The marine yeast cells rich in lipid can be used for biodiesel production. Recently, it has been reported that some strains of Yarrowia lipolytica isolated from marine environments can produce nanoparticles. Because many marine yeasts can remove organic pollutants and heavy metals, they can be applied to remediation of marine environments. It has been shown that the enzymes produced by some marine yeasts have many unique properties and many potential applications.     

Biotyping of pathogenic fungi by the killer system and with monoclonal antibodies

Biotyping of pathogenic yeasts and hyphomycetes based on their suceptibility to selected killer yeasts and their reactivity with monoclonal antibodies are described. Both methods were used to differentiate fungi isolated from patients providing valuable epidemiological information on mycotic infections. The functional biotyping obtained with the two systems and the conventional auxenographic biocoding approaches commercially available for opportunistic yeasts are comparatively evaluated. The potential for biotyping of industrial fungal isolates is also discussed.     

Tetrapisispora phaffii killer toxin is a highly specific β-glucanase that disrupts the integrity of the yeast cell wall

Background  

Killer yeasts have been used to combat contaminating wild yeasts in food, to control pathogenic fungi in plants, and in the medical field, to develop novel antimycotics for the treatment of human and animal fungal infections. Among these killer yeasts, Tetrapisispora phaffii (formerly known as Kluyveromyces phaffii) secretes a glycoprotein known as Kpkt that is lethal to spoilage yeasts under winemaking conditions. In the present study, the mode of action of Kpkt, and the specific damage produced by this toxin on sensitive yeasts is investigated.     

Interactions between killer yeasts and pathogenic fungi

Abstract A total of 17 presumptive killer yeast strains were tested in vitro for growth inhibitory and killing activity against a range of fungal pathogens of agronomic, environmental and clinical significance. Several yeasts were identified which displayed significant activity against important pathogenic fungi. For example, isolates of the opportunistic human pathogen, Candida albicans , were generally very sensitive to Williopsis mrakii killer yeast activity, whilst killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia anomala markedly inhibited the growth of certain wood decay basidiomycetes and plant pathogenic fungi. Results indicate that such yeasts, together with their killer toxins, may have potential as novel antimycotic biocontrol agents.     

Manganese superoxide dismutase in pathogenic fungi: an issue with pathophysiological and phylogenetic involvements

Manganese-containing superoxide dismutases (MnSODs) are ubiquitous metalloenzymes involved in cell defence against endogenous and exogenous reactive oxygen species. In fungi, using this essential enzyme for phylogenetic analysis of Pneumocystis and Ganoderma genera, and of species selected among Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Zygomycota, provided interesting results in taxonomy and evolution. The role of mitochondrial and cytosolic MnSODs was explored in some pathogenic Basidiomycota yeasts (Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii, Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii, Malassezia sympodialis), Ascomycota filamentous fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus), and Ascomycota yeasts (Candida albicans). MnSOD-based phylogenetic and pathogenic data are confronted in order to evaluate the roles of fungal MnSODs in pathophysiological mechanisms.     

Relationships between yeasts and primary root-caries lesions.

A total of 447 primary root-caries lesions from 169 dental patients was studied to determine the relationships between their clinical severity and the number and frequency of isolation of yeasts. Yeasts were isolated more frequently from soft lesions, from lesions at the gingival margin and from lesions deemed to require restoration. These associations may be due to the aciduricity and acido- genicity of yeasts but the relatively low numbers found do not support a pathogenic role for yeasts in the aetiology of root caries: at best they may be marker organisms of the most severe disease.     

Identification and Molecular Analysis of Pathogenic Yeasts in Droppings of Domestic Pigeons in Beijing, China

Feral pigeons are known as reservoirs of pathogenic yeasts that cause opportunistic infections in human. In the outskirts of Beijing, China, pigeons are more frequently raised at homes than are encountered in public areas. Many studies have focused on the presence of pathogenic yeasts in the excreta (fresh or withered) of a variety kinds of birds, pigeon crop and cloacae. One hundred and forty-three samples of fresh droppings were collected from three suburban pigeon-raising homes in an area of northern Beijing, China. The internal transcribed sequences (ITS) of all strains (except for 8 strains of Rhodotorula sp. ) were sequenced and compared with those of the databases of the National Center for Biotechnology Information website ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ) using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). Yeasts representing 8 genera, Cryptococcus, Filobasidium, Rhodotorula, Candida, Debaryomyces, Saccaromyces, Trichosporon and Sporidiobolus, were identified from 120 isolates. Cryptococcus was the most prolific genera represented by eight species. The populations of yeast species isolated from fresh pigeon droppings were different among homes. Although it is well established that Cryptococcus neoformans exists mainly in old pigeon guano, several C. neoformans strains were still isolated from fresh pigeon excreta, providing a clue that live cryptococcal cells could move through the gastrointestinal tract of the pigeons. Eight genera identified from fresh droppings of domestic pigeons further confirm that pigeons serve as reservoirs, carriers and even spreaders of Cryptococcus species and other medically significant yeasts. The proportion of pathogenic yeasts in all isolates is more than 90 %.     

Occurrence of human-associated yeasts in bivalve shellfish from Long Island Sound.

Candida parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and Torulopsis glabrata were the human-associated yeasts most frequently isolated from quahogs, oysters, and mussels collected from four estuarine areas along the northern shore of Long Island Sound. Some inconsistency and seasonal variation in the occurrence of these and other yeast species were noted. In particular, C. albicans densities were greatest during colder months in the more heavily polluted waters. A total of 347 yeasts were isolated and cultured at 37 degrees C and, of these, 219 of 62% were human-associated forms. Generally, these yeasts in the animals sampled reflected the overall pollution status of the estuary from which they were taken. This study represents a clear demonstration of potentially pathogenic yeasts in a valuable marine resource.     

Occurrence of human-associated yeasts in bivalve shellfish from Long Island Sound.

Candida parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and Torulopsis glabrata were the human-associated yeasts most frequently isolated from quahogs, oysters, and mussels collected from four estuarine areas along the northern shore of Long Island Sound. Some inconsistency and seasonal variation in the occurrence of these and other yeast species were noted. In particular, C. albicans densities were greatest during colder months in the more heavily polluted waters. A total of 347 yeasts were isolated and cultured at 37 degrees C and, of these, 219 of 62% were human-associated forms. Generally, these yeasts in the animals sampled reflected the overall pollution status of the estuary from which they were taken. This study represents a clear demonstration of potentially pathogenic yeasts in a valuable marine resource.     

嗜杀酵母的生物学功能及其应用

嗜杀酵母能够分泌毒素蛋白,杀死敏感酵母。嗜杀酵母对自身分泌的嗜杀毒素具有免疫力。嗜杀酵母的嗜杀特性与两种双链线状RNA(dsRNA)有关,即编码产生毒素蛋白的M-dsRNA和编码自身和M-dsRNA外壳蛋白的L-dsRNA。嗜杀毒素破坏细胞跨膜化学质子梯度,造成ATP和钾离子泄漏,导致细胞死亡。应用嗜杀酵母可避免野生型酵母污染,净化发酵体系,改善发酵产物品质;嗜杀毒素也可作为抵制病原酵母和类酵母微生物的抗真菌剂。     

In-vitro inhibitory activities of 2 new orally absorbable imidazole derivatives: BAY n 7133 and BAY 1 9139

The inhibitory activities of 2 new orally absorbed antifungal imidazole derivatives, BAY n 7133 and BAY 1 9139, were compared in vitro with those of ketoconazole and miconazole. Clinical isolates of pathogenic fungi tested included 35 yeasts, 62 dimorphic fungal pathogens, 37 filamentous fungi and 31 dermatophytes. LY 121019, a semisynthetic analog of echinocandin B, was included in tests with the pathogenic yeasts. Both BAY n 7133 and BAY 1 9139 were found to be broad spectrum antifungal agents. The spectra of these newer compounds were comparable to those of ketoconazole and miconazole; however only BAY n 7133 resembled these latter 2 imidazoles quantitatively in terms of the degree of antifungal activity as indicated by measurable MICs. In contrast, the spectrum of LY 121019 appeared to be confirmed only to isolates of Candida.     

脉冲电泳用于确定念珠菌染色体数目和大小的研究

念珠菌(Candida),特别是白念珠菌是临床上最常见的机会致病真菌。欲了解它们的生物学本质及致病的分子机制,首先应清楚其基因组的基本结构。用脉冲场凝胶电泳(pulsed field gel electrophoresis,PFGE)技术分离了8种念珠菌共187株的染色体DNA,获得各种菌染色体数目和大小的数据。这些数据为深入研究致病酵母的分子生物学特征打下基础,同时也可作为种间基因型分类的可靠依据。     

Draft Genome Sequence of the Yeast Kazachstania telluris CBS 16338 Isolated from Forest Soil in Ireland

Mycopathologia - Draft genomes of several Kazachstania species, a large group of ascomycetous budding yeasts, have been recently published. However, there is none yet available for pathogenic...     

Evolution of black yeasts: possible adaptation to the human host

Ascomycetous black yeasts show adaptations to a wide array of environmental conditions. Dothideaceous black yeasts are mostly found on plant leaves, while among herpotrichiellaceous species there are numerous opportunists on humans.Factors which are of ecological significance include the presence of melanin and carotene, formation of thick cell walls and meristematic growth, presence of yeast-like phases, presence of additional forms of conidiogenesis, thermo- and osmotolerance, adhesion, hydrophobicity, production of extracellular polysaccharides, siderophores and acidic or alkaline secondary metabolites.The potential pathogenicity of a species is partly determined by its natural ecological niche. Dothideaceous black yeasts are osmotolerant rather than pathogenic. Herpotrichiellaceous black yeasts probably have low competitive ability and are found in rather special niches as secondary saprophytes, e.g., on bacterial mats, on other fungi or in poor environments. Some species possibly utilize animal vectors for dispersal.     

Marine killer yeasts active against a yeast strain pathogenic to crab Portunus trituberculatus

Some marine yeasts have recently been recognised as pathogenic agents in crab mariculture, but may be inhibited or killed by 'killer' yeast strains. We screened multiple yeast strains from seawater, sediments, mud of salterns, guts of marine fish, and marine algae for killer activity against the yeast Metchnikowia bicuspidata WCY (pathogenic to crab Portunus trituberculatus), and found 17 strains which could secrete toxin onto the medium and kill the pathogenic yeast. Of these, 5 strains had significantly higher killing activity than the others; routine identification and molecular methods showed that these were Williopsis saturnus WC91-2, Pichia guilliermondii GZ1, Pichia anomala YF07b, Debaryomyces hansenii hcx-1 and Aureobasidium pullulans HN2.3. We found that the optimal conditions for killer toxin production and action of killer toxin produced by the marine killer yeasts were not all in agreement with those of marine environments and for crab cultivation. We found that the killer toxins produced by the killer yeast strains could kill other yeasts in addition to the pathogenic yeast, and NaCl concentration in the medium could change killing activity spectra. All the crude killer toxins produced could hydrolyze laminarin and the hydrolysis end products were monosaccharides.     

In vivo determination of phagocytic indices and candidacidal activities of Candida species by rat peritoneal macrophages

A possible correlation between pathogenesis and phagocytesis is established through comparison of the kinetics of the ingestion of nine Candida species by rat peritoneal macrophages in the early stages of infection.After 3 h of intraperitoneal injection of 6.10⁸ yeasts to Sprague-Dawley rats, the phagocytic indices, candidacidal activity and the fate of the yeasts are assayed. Phagocytic indices allow separation of the species into four groups. Candidacidal activity and phagocytic indices are coincidently smaller in the more pathogenic species.Common events occur with the species assayed. All the yeasts can be isolated from blood, spleen and kidneys from the first h, whilst invasion to liver occurs from the second h post-infection.     

Candida krusei and Kloeckera apis inhibit the causal agent of pineapple fusariosis, Fusarium guttiforme

Studies based on microbial ecology and antagonistic interactions play an important role in the development of new alternative strategies in controlling plant pathogens and are relevant to further biotechnological applications. Antagonistic interactions between the yeasts Candida krusei and Kloeckera apis isolated from rotten pineapple fruits, and two isolates of the pathogenic filamentous fungus Fusarium guttiforme (Syn.: Fusarium subglutinans f. sp. ananas) resistant and susceptible to fungicide benzimidazole were studied in broth culture, and on plate assays. The yeasts significantly reduced Fusarium conidial germination after 24h of cocultivation in broth culture, and also mycelial growth on plate assays. Slide coculture appeared to show attachment of yeasts to the hyphal surface and also slight morphological abnormalities caused by C. krusei. Filtrates of cocultures of fungi and yeasts inhibited fungal growth, but filtrates of the yeast cultures alone did not, suggesting that the antagonistic action of the yeasts is inducible. The F. guttiforme isolate sensitive to benzimidazole was most affected by both yeasts in pineapple juice, reaching a maximum of 36.5?% germ tube inhibition. This isolate was also inhibited by yeasts in mycocinogenic plate assay. These results demonstrated that C. krusei and K. apis are effective in inhibiting F. guttiforme growth and that the mode of action is associated with hyperparasitism and mycocinogenic activity.     

Histoplasma capsulatum yeasts are phagocytosed via very late antigen-5, killed, and processed for antigen presentation by human dendritic cells

Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc) is a facultative, intracellular parasite of world-wide importance. As the induction of cell-mediated immunity to Hc is of critical importance in host defense, we sought to determine whether dendritic cells (DC) could function as a primary APC for this pathogenic fungus. DC obtained by culture of human monocytes in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 phagocytosed Hc yeasts in a time-dependent manner. Upon ingestion, the intracellular growth of yeasts within DC was completely inhibited compared with rapid growth within human macrophages. Electron microscopy of DC with ingested Hc revealed that many of the yeasts were degraded as early as 2 h postingestion. In contrast to macrophages, human DC recognized Hc yeasts via the fibronectin receptor, very late Ag-5, and not via CD18 receptors. DC stimulated Hc-specific lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner after phagocytosis of viable and heat-killed Hc yeasts, but greater proliferation was achieved after ingestion of viable yeasts. These data demonstrate that human DC can phagocytose and degrade a fungal pathogen and subsequently process the appropriate Ags for stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation. In vivo, such interactions between DC and Hc may facilitate the induction of cell-mediated immunity.