scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosainhibitsRhizopus microsporusgermination through sequestration of free environmental iron

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Kousser ◽  
Callum Clark ◽  
Kerstin Voelz ◽  
Rebecca A. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Antibacterial Treatment ◽  
Nutrient Restriction ◽  
Rhizopus Microsporus ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Host Mortality ◽  
Etiological Agents

AbstractRhizopus sppare the most common etiological agents of mucormycosis, causing over 90% mortality in disseminated infection. Key to pathogenesis is the ability of fungal spores to swell, germinate, and penetrate surrounding tissues. Antibiotic treatment in at-risk patients increases the probability of the patient developing mucormycosis, suggesting that bacteria have the potential to control the growth of the fungus. However, research into polymicrobial relationships involvingRhizopus spphas not been extensively explored. Here we show that co-culturingRhizopus microsporusandPseudomonas aeruginosaresults in the inhibition of spore germination. This inhibition was mediated via the secretion of bacterial siderophores, confirming the essential role of iron for fungal growth. Addition ofP. aeruginosasiderophores toR. microsporusspores in the zebrafish larval model of infection resulted in inhibition of fungal germination and reduced host mortality. Therefore, during infection antibacterial treatment may relieve bacterial imposed nutrient restriction resulting in secondary fungal infections.

scholarly journals SPINK7 Recognizes Fungi and Initiates Hemocyte-Mediated Immune Defense Against Fungal Infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoming Dong ◽  
Lingna An ◽  
Mengyao Lu ◽  
Muya Tang ◽  
Haiqin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Proteinase K ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Activity Inhibition ◽  
Agarose Beads ◽  
Molecular Patterns

Serine protease inhibitors of Kazal-type (SPINKs) were widely identified in vertebrates and invertebrates, and played regulatory roles in digestion, coagulation, and fibrinolysis. In this study, we reported the important role of SPINK7 in regulating immune defense of silkworm, Bombyx mori. SPINK7 contains three Kazal domains and has 6 conserved cysteine residues in each domain. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses revealed that SPINK7 was exclusively expressed in hemocytes and was upregulated after infection with two fungi, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. Enzyme activity inhibition test showed that SPINK7 significantly inhibited the activity of proteinase K from C. albicans. Additionally, SPINK7 inhibited the growth of three fungal spores, including S. cerevisiae, C. albicans, and Beauveria bassiana. The pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) binding assays suggested that SPINK7 could bind to β-D-glucan and agglutinate B. bassiana and C. albicans. In vitro assays were performed using SPINK7-coated agarose beads, and indicated that SPINK7 promoted encapsulation and melanization of agarose beads by B. mori hemocytes. Furthermore, co-localization studies using immunofluorescence revealed that SPINK7 induced hemocytes to aggregate and entrap the fungi spores of B. bassiana and C. albicans. Our study revealed that SPINK7 could recognize fungal PAMP and induce the aggregation, melanization, and encapsulation of hemocytes, and provided valuable clues for understanding the innate immunity and cellular immunity in insects.

scholarly journals Invasive Mold Infections: Virulence and Pathogenesis ofMucorales

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Morace ◽  
Elisa Borghi
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fatal Outcome ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Uncontrolled Diabetes ◽  
Metabolic Products ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Invasive Mold Infections

Mucoraleshave been increasingly reported as cause of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised subjects, particularly in patients with haematological malignancies or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and in those under deferoxamine treatment or undergoing dialysis. The disease often leads to a fatal outcome, but the pathogenesis of the infection is still poorly understood as well as the role of specific virulence determinants and the interaction with the host immune system. Members of the orderMucoralesare responsible of almost all cases of invasive mucormycoses, the majority of the etiological agents belonging to theMucoraceaefamily.Mucoralesare able to produce various proteins and metabolic products toxic to animals and humans, but the pathogenic role of these potential virulence factors is unknown. The availability of free iron in plasma and tissues is believed to be crucial for the pathogenesis of these mycoses. Vascular invasion and neurotropism are considered common pathogenic features of invasive mucormycoses.

scholarly journals Isavuconazole: Mechanism of Action, Clinical Efficacy, and Resistance

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 324
Author(s):  
Misti Ellsworth ◽  
Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Salvage Treatment ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Dimorphic Fungi ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Favorable Safety ◽  
Immunocompromised Hosts

Increasing incidence of invasive fungal infections combined with a growing population of immunocompromised hosts has created a rising need for antifungal agents. Isavuconazole, a second-generation broad-spectrum triazole with activity against yeasts, dimorphic fungi, and molds, has a favorable safety profile and predictable pharmacokinetics. Patients typically tolerate isavuconazole well with fewer drug–drug interactions. Clinical trials have found it to be noninferior to voriconazole for invasive aspergillosis, an alternative therapy for salvage treatment of mucormycosis, and suitable for stepdown therapy with invasive candidiasis. Cross-resistance with other triazoles is common. More studies are needed to determine the role of isavuconazole in anti-mold prophylaxis in high-risk patients.

scholarly journals Invasive Aspergillus niger Is the Sole Etiological Agent for CSOM : A Clinical Case from Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya ◽  
Rabindra Bhakta Pradhananga ◽  
Niranjan Prasad Sah ◽  
Basista Prasad Rijal ◽  
Bharat Mani Pokhrel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Neck Surgery ◽  
Suppurative Otitis Media ◽  
Gram Staining ◽  
History Of ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
The Right

Aspergillus causing chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is rare in immunocompetent people; however, it can occur as a significant opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Here, in our study, a 53-year-old diabetic patient having a history of CSOM visited the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ENT-HNS), Tribhuvan University and Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Nepal, in March 2016. Although he was on medication with an antibacterial ear drop from the last 10 days, his right ear was presented with otorrhea, pruritus, otalgia, aural fullness, hearing impairment, and tinnitus from the last 3-4 months. Preliminarily, otoscopy of the right ear revealed the presence of fungal mass. For further diagnosis, ear discharge was aseptically collected and sent to the laboratory to confirm the etiological agents. Findings of laboratory analysis indicated that Gram staining of aural discharge displayed pus cells with fungal spores but did not exhibit bacteria. Furthermore, potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount revealed the presence of fungal spores and septate hyphae with the characteristic of dichotomous branching. Culture in four different bacterial media (chocolate agar, blood agar, MacConkey agar, and Robertson’s cooked meat medium) has unveiled no bacterial growth. However, fungal growth was observed in both bacterial and fungal media. Thereafter, the fungal colony was investigated via a lactophenol cotton blue (LPCB) tease mount which displayed the structure of Aspergillus. Aspergillus niger was microbially conformed by specifically characterizing the specific phenotypic biseriate structure of phialides and the black-coloured conidia. For medication, the patient was treated with Candid Ear Drop with clotrimazole (1% w/v) plus lidocaine (2% w/v) for 4 weeks which successfully improved his condition.

Telmisartan in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Asmar ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Ace Inhibitors ◽  
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers ◽  
High Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Raas Blockade ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Receptor Blockers ◽  
Current Guidelines

The worldwide morbidity and mortality burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is overwhelming and caused by increasing life expectancy and an epidemic of risk factors, including hypertension. Therapeutic options targeting different areas of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) to disrupt pathophysiological processes along the cardiovascular continuum are available. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are first-line treatments for CVD and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are suitable alternatives. Both ACE inhibitors and ARBs prevent CVD by lowering blood pressure (BP). Additionally, several studies have demonstrated that RAAS blockade can reduce cardiovascular risk beyond what might be expected from BP lowering alone. However, the ARBs are not all equally effective. Telmisartan is a long-lasting ARB that effectively controls BP over the full 24-hour period. Recently, the Ongoing telmisartan alone and in combination with ramipril global endpoint trial (ONTARGET) study showed that telmisartan reduces cardiovascular events in high cardiovascular risk patients similarly to the gold standard ACE inhibitor ramipril beyond BP lowering alone, but with a better tolerability. Based on the results of the ONTARGET and Telmisartan randomized assessment study in ACE intolerant subjects with cardiovascular disease (TRANSCEND) studies, telmisartan is indicated for the reduction of cardiovascular morbidity. This article aims to review current guidelines for the management of CVD and consider key data from clinical trials and clinical practice evaluating the role of telmisartan in CVD.

Role of the family focused technologies in the clinical course of pregnancy at women of high obstetric risk

2016 ◽  
pp. 64-66
Author(s):  
S.Yu. Vdovichenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Comparison Group ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Married Couple ◽  
Premature Births ◽  
Individual Support ◽  
The Family ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Individual Preparation

The objective: to show a role of the family focused technologies in depression of frequency of pathology of pregnancy at women of high obstetric risk. Patients and methods. For determination of efficiency of prophylaxis of pathology of pregnancy on the basis of use of the family focused technologies complex clinical-psychological and laboratory and tool examination of 300 women with factors of obstetric risk which were divided into two groups was conducted. In the main group – 182 women with motivation on partner labors to which provided training on system of individual preparation of married couple to labors. The comparison group consisted of 118 women who were not in prenatal training and had individual support in childbirth, with the traditional approach to pain management. Results. Use of the family focused technologies during pregnancy allows to reduce significantly the frequency of the main complications of pregnancy, especially not incubation and premature births. Conclusion. In our opinion, the technique is simple, available and can widely be used in practical health care at women with high obstetric risk. Key words: obstetric risk, the family focused technologies, prophylaxis.

scholarly journals The Role of Fungi in the Cocoa Production Chain and the Challenge of Climate Change

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
Johannes Delgado-Ospina ◽  
Junior Bernardo Molina-Hernández ◽  
Clemencia Chaves-López ◽  
Gianfranco Romanazzi ◽  
Antonello Paparella
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Cocoa Production

Background: The role of fungi in cocoa crops is mainly associated with plant diseases and contamination of harvest with unwanted metabolites such as mycotoxins that can reach the final consumer. However, in recent years there has been interest in discovering other existing interactions in the environment that may be beneficial, such as antagonism, commensalism, and the production of specific enzymes, among others. Scope and approach: This review summarizes the different fungi species involved in cocoa production and the cocoa supply chain. In particular, it examines the presence of fungal species during cultivation, harvest, fermentation, drying, and storage, emphasizing the factors that possibly influence their prevalence in the different stages of production and the health risks associated with the production of mycotoxins in the light of recent literature. Key findings and conclusion: Fungi associated with the cocoa production chain have many different roles. They have evolved in a varied range of ecosystems in close association with plants and various habitats, affecting nearly all the cocoa chain steps. Reports of the isolation of 60 genera of fungi were found, of which only 19 were involved in several stages. Although endophytic fungi can help control some diseases caused by pathogenic fungi, climate change, with increased rain and temperatures, together with intensified exchanges, can favour most of these fungal infections, and the presence of highly aggressive new fungal genotypes increasing the concern of mycotoxin production. For this reason, mitigation strategies need to be determined to prevent the spread of disease-causing fungi and preserve beneficial ones.

scholarly journals CD137 Signaling Is Critical in Fungal Clearance during Systemic Candida albicans Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 382
Author(s):  
Vuvi G. Tran ◽  
Na N. Z. Nguyen ◽  
Byungsuk Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Tumor Necrosis ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Agonistic Antibody ◽  
Innate Defense ◽  
Surface Receptor ◽  
Candida Albicans Infection

Invasive fungal infections by Candida albicans frequently cause mortality in immunocompromised patients. Neutrophils are particularly important for fungal clearance during systemic C. albican infection, yet little has been known regarding which surface receptor controls neutrophils’ antifungal activities. CD137, which is encoded by Tnfrsf9, belongs to the tumor necrosis receptor superfamily and has been shown to regulate neutrophils in Gram-positive bacterial infection. Here, we used genetic and immunological tools to probe the involvement of neutrophil CD137 signaling in innate defense mechanisms against systemic C. albicans infection. We first found that Tnfrsf9−/− mice were susceptible to C. albicans infection, whereas injection of anti-CD137 agonistic antibody protected the host from infection, suggesting that CD137 signaling is indispensable for innate immunity against C. albicans infection. Priming of isolated neutrophils with anti-CD137 antibody promoted their phagocytic and fungicidal activities through phospholipase C. In addition, injection of anti-CD137 antibody significantly augmented restriction of fungal growth in Tnfrsf9−/− mice that received wild-type (WT) neutrophils. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that CD137 signaling contributes to defense mechanisms against systemic C. albicans infection by promoting rapid fungal clearance.

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