Systemic Acremonium species infection in a dog

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (06) ◽  
pp. 424-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Geisweid ◽  
Katrin Hartmann ◽  
Johannes Hirschberger ◽  
Monir Majzoub ◽  
Bianka Schulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymph Node ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasound ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Urine Specific Gravity ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Neurological Signs

SummaryA 2-year-old female Magyar Viszla was referred with fever, lethargy, polyuria/polydipsia, and suspected systemic cryptococcosis. At presentation increased rectal temperature and enlarged lymph nodes were detected. Main laboratory abnormalities included lymphocytosis, eosinophilia, and mildly reduced urine specific gravity. Abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable. Lymph node cytology revealed mycotic infection. Acremonium species was isolated from urine as well as from a popliteal lymph node by fungal culture. Therapy with itraconazol (10 mg/kg p. o. q 12 h) was initiated based on susceptibility testing, but dosage had to be reduced by half due to adverse effects. Despite treatment, the dog developed progressive azotemia. Four months after initial presentation, the patient showed anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea, vomitus, neurological signs, and severe azotemia and was euthanized. Acremonium species are emerging opportunistic mould fungi that can represent a potential threat for immunocompromised humans. In dogs, only two cases of systemic infection with this fungal species have been reported so far. This case highlights the fact that systemic fungal infections should be considered as a differential in cases of fever and lymphadenopathy.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection, not Extended Culture Incubation, Contributes to Diagnosis of Fungal Infection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Zhu ◽  
Chao Qi
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Detection ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
Slow Growing ◽  
Culture Negative ◽  
Its Pcr

Abstract Background. Despite of low sensitivity, fungal culture remains one of the key methods for diagnosing and treatment of fungal infections as it identifies etiology at genus and species level and offers susceptibility testing. The Manual of Clinical Microbiology recommends that fungal cultures screening for all pathogens should routinely be held for 4 weeks to maximize the recovery of slow growing species. Information on the optimal fungal culture time in the era of expansion of immunocompromised populations is lacking. The goal is to review our experience with fungal culture in order to determine the optimal culture incubation time; to review our experience of broad-range ITS PCR for diagnosis of culture negative fungal infections. Methods. Fungal culture and ITS PCR results from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017 were reviewed.Results. Ninety six percent of positive cultures (4058) were detected in the first seven days of incubation. During the second week of incubation, 2.8% of positives (111) were detected from day 8 to 10, and 1.7% (71) were detected from day 11 to 14. Only 0.1% of positive culture were detected in the third week of incubation, and no positive culture was detected in the fourth week of incubation. No Clinical significance of fungal isolates recovered after 14 days. Clinical significant pathogens were detected in 0.2% culture negative samples.Conclusion. Extending culture incubation beyond two weeks did not generate clinical relevant results. When culture failed to make laboratory diagnosis, ITS PCR produced clinical significant results.

scholarly journals SUSCEPTIBILITY TEST FOR FUNGI: CLINICAL AND LABORATORIAL CORRELATIONS IN MEDICAL MYCOLOGY

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (suppl 19) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana ALASTRUEY-IZQUIERDO ◽  
Marcia S.C. MELHEM ◽  
Lucas X. BONFIETTI ◽  
Juan L. RODRIGUEZ-TUDELA
Keyword(s):  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Medical Mycology ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Disease Epidemiology ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
European Standards

SUMMARYDuring recent decades, antifungal susceptibility testing has become standardized and nowadays has the same role of the antibacterial susceptibility testing in microbiology laboratories. American and European standards have been developed, as well as equivalent commercial systems which are more appropriate for clinical laboratories. The detection of resistant strains by means of these systems has allowed the study and understanding of the molecular basis and the mechanisms of resistance of fungal species to antifungal agents. In addition, many studies on the correlation of in vitro results with the outcome of patients have been performed, reaching the conclusion that infections caused by resistant strains have worse outcome than those caused by susceptible fungal isolates. These studies have allowed the development of interpretative breakpoints for Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp., the most frequent agents of fungal infections in the world. In summary, antifungal susceptibility tests have become essential tools to guide the treatment of fungal diseases, to know the local and global disease epidemiology, and to identify resistance to antifungals.

scholarly journals Rare Invasive Yeast Infections in Greek Neonates and Children, a Retrospective 12-Year Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 194
Author(s):  
Maria Noni ◽  
Angeliki Stathi ◽  
Aristea Velegraki ◽  
Mika Malamati ◽  
Alexandra Kalampaliki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Pericardial Fluid ◽  
Rhodotorula Mucilaginosa ◽  
Pediatric Hospital ◽  
Candida Lambica ◽  
First Time ◽  
Central Catheters

Although Candida species remain the leading cause of invasive fungal infections (IFI), the list of other isolated fungal pathogens is increasing. The aim of the study was to report cases of IFI caused by rare yeasts in the largest tertiary Greek pediatric hospital. A retrospective study was performed from 6/2008–6/2020 regarding IFI caused by rare species. Identification of isolates was attained by conventional, molecular, and MALDI TOF MS methods, and susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards (CLSI) methodology. During a 12-year period, 14 different rare fungal species in 33 neonates and children with IFI hospitalized in intensive care and oncology units were isolated from blood, central catheters, peritoneal, pleural, or pericardial fluid specimens. It is the first time for IFI caused by Wickerhamomyces anomalus (Candida pelliculosa), Pichia fermentans (Candida lambica), Yarrowia (Candida) lipolytica, Pichia (Hansenula) kluyveri, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Wickerhamiella (Candida) pararugosa and Cyberlindnera (Candida) fabianii in Greek neonates and children to be reported. For most of these rare fungal species isolated in the present study, no official antifungal breakpoints have been defined, and there are no guidelines for their treatment. Clinical laboratories should be aware of uncommon and emerging yeast pathogens and be able to detect them with molecular and proteomic methods.

scholarly journals Antifungal Susceptibility Testing: A Primer for Clinicians

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan P Wiederhold
Keyword(s):  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Clinical Laboratories ◽  
Invasive Infections ◽  
Clinical Breakpoints

Abstract Clinicians treating patients with fungal infections may turn to susceptibility testing to obtain information regarding the activity of different antifungals against a specific fungus that has been cultured. These results may then be used to make decisions regarding a patient’s therapy. However, for many fungal species that are capable of causing invasive infections, clinical breakpoints have not been established. Thus, interpretations of susceptible or resistant cannot be provided by clinical laboratories, and this is especially true for many molds capable of causing severe mycoses. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of susceptibility testing for clinicians, including the methods used to perform these assays, their limitations, how clinical breakpoints are established, and how the results may be put into context in the absence of interpretive criteria. Examples of when susceptibility testing is not warranted are also provided.

The clinical type and etiological agents of superficial dermatophytosis: A cross sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-336
Author(s):  
Sushmita Agrahari ◽  
Shivam ◽  
Shitij Goel ◽  
Gopi Krishna Maddali
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Trichophyton Mentagrophytes ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Tinea Corporis ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Tinea Cruris ◽  
Direct Microscopy ◽  
Clinical Type ◽  
Keratinized Tissue

Dermatophytosis are fungal infections caused by three genera of fungi that have the unique ability to invade and multiply within keratinized tissue (hair, skin, and nails). Although dermatomycoses are globally distributed, the endemic and most prevalent species of dermatophytosis differ strikingly from one geographic locality to another. Changing trend has been noticed in last few years with dermatophytic infections presenting as chronic, treatment unresponsive and recurrent. Also various microscopic and fungal culture studies have shown shift in identification of causative fungal species in recent years. Numerous studies have been done on the occurrence of dermatophytes in various parts of our country illustrating the range and changing pattern of fungal infection as well as causative fungal species. Total number of 150 patients attending outpatient department of our hospital who were clinically diagnosed as having superficial dermatophytosis were enrolled into the study. Patients were carefully screened as per inclusion and exclusion criteria and then enrolled in the study. Samples were taken from all the patients and examined for KOH direct microscopy and sent for fungal culture on Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar as well as on Dermtophyte Test Medium. Results were then analyzed using standard statistical methods. Out of total 150 patients, 101 were males and 49 were females. Most common age group was 21-30 years (37.3%). 58 patients (38.7%) showed positivity to KOH microscopy as well as fungal culture. Additionally 25 more samples demonstrated positivity to KOH microscopy (total 83 patients) but negativity to culture, while 9 patient samples were positive to culture but negative to direct microscopy. Predominant fungal species isolated on culture was Trichophyton mentagrophytes (50.7%) while next common species isolated was T. tonsurans (29.9%). No significant association was found between dermatophyte isolate on culture and clinical type. Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton tonsurans were the most common species isolated among subjects with Tinea faciei, Tinea cruris and Tinea corporis. The study showed a male preponderance and T. corporis was the commonest clinical type found. Majority of patients were in the 3rd decade and came within a duration of 1 month to 6 months of getting an infection. In patients diagnosed with tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis and tinea manuum, T. mentagrophytes was the most predominant species isolated.

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 Molecular Phylogenetic Diversity and Biological Characterization of Diaporthe Species Associated with Leaf Spots of Camellia sinensis in Taiwan

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1434
Author(s):  
Hiran A. Ariyawansa ◽  
Ichen Tsai ◽  
Jian-Yuan Wang ◽  
Patchareeya Withee ◽  
Medsaii Tanjira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Camellia Sinensis ◽  
Leaf Spot ◽  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Tea Leaves ◽  
Phenotypic Characters ◽  
Leaf Spots ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

Camellia sinensis is one of the major crops grown in Taiwan and has been widely cultivated around the island. Tea leaves are prone to various fungal infections, and leaf spot is considered one of the major diseases in Taiwan tea fields. As part of a survey on fungal species causing leaf spots on tea leaves in Taiwan, 19 fungal strains morphologically similar to the genus Diaporthe were collected. ITS (internal transcribed spacer), tef1-α (translation elongation factor 1-α), tub2 (beta-tubulin), and cal (calmodulin) gene regions were used to construct phylogenetic trees and determine the evolutionary relationships among the collected strains. In total, six Diaporthe species, including one new species, Diaporthe hsinchuensis, were identified as linked with leaf spot of C. sinensis in Taiwan based on both phenotypic characters and phylogeny. These species were further characterized in terms of their pathogenicity, temperature, and pH requirements under laboratory conditions. Diaporthe tulliensis, D. passiflorae, and D. perseae were isolated from C. sinensis for the first time. Furthermore, pathogenicity tests revealed that, with wound inoculation, only D. hongkongensis was pathogenic on tea leaves. This investigation delivers the first assessment of Diaporthe taxa related to leaf spots on tea in Taiwan.

Vancomycin enhances growth and virulence of Trichosporon spp. planktonic cells and biofilms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossana de Aguiar Cordeiro ◽  
Bruno Nascimento da Silva ◽  
Ana Luiza Ribeiro de Aguiar ◽  
Livia Maria Galdino Pereira ◽  
Fernando Victor Monteiro Portela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Activity ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Tolerance Induction ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
Persister Cells ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Patients At Risk

Abstract Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are important worldwide health problem, affecting the growing population of immunocompromised patients. Although the majority of IFIs are caused by Candida spp., other fungal species have been increasingly recognized as relevant opportunistic pathogens. Trichosporon spp. are members of skin and gut human microbiota. Since 1980’s, invasive trichosporonosis has been considered a significant cause of fungemia in patients with hematological malignancies. As prolonged antibiotic therapy is an important risk factor for IFIs, the present study investigated if vancomycin enhances growth and virulence of Trichosporon. Vancomycin was tested against T. inkin (n = 6) and T. asahii (n = 6) clinical strains. Planktonic cells were evaluated for their metabolic activity and virulence against Caenorhabditis elegans. Biofilms were evaluated for metabolic activity, biomass production, amphotericin B tolerance, induction of persister cells, and ultrastructure. Vancomycin stimulated planktonic growth of Trichosporon spp., increased tolerance to AMB, and potentiates virulence against C. elegans. Vancomycin stimulated growth (metabolic activity and biomass) of Trichosporon spp. biofilms during all stages of development. The antibiotic increased the number of persister cells inside Trichosporon biofilms. These cells showed higher tolerance to AMB than persister cells from VAN-free biofilms. Microscopic analysis showed that VAN increased production of extracellular matrix and cells in T. inkin and T. asahii biofilms. These results suggest that antibiotic exposure may have a direct impact on the pathophysiology of opportunistic trichosporonosis in patients at risk. Lay abstract This study showed that the vancomycin stimulated Trichosporon growth, induced morphological and physiological changes on their biofilms, and also enhanced their in vivo virulence. Although speculative, the stimulatory effect of vancomycin on fungal cells should be considered in a clinical scenario.

scholarly journals Overview on the Prevalence of Fungal Infections, Immune Response, and Microbiome Role in COVID-19 Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 720
Author(s):  
Maryam Roudbary ◽  
Sunil Kumar ◽  
Awanish Kumar ◽  
Lucia Černáková ◽  
Fatemeh Nikoomanesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Fungal Diseases ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Rising Incidence ◽  
Cryptococcus Spp

Patients with severe COVID-19, such as individuals in intensive care units (ICU), are exceptionally susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. The most prevalent fungal infections are aspergillosis and candidemia. Nonetheless, other fungal species (for instance, Histoplasma spp., Rhizopus spp., Mucor spp., Cryptococcus spp.) have recently been increasingly linked to opportunistic fungal diseases in COVID-19 patients. These fungal co-infections are described with rising incidence, severe illness, and death that is associated with host immune response. Awareness of the high risks of the occurrence of fungal co-infections is crucial to downgrade any arrear in diagnosis and treatment to support the prevention of severe illness and death directly related to these infections. This review analyses the fungal infections, treatments, outcome, and immune response, considering the possible role of the microbiome in these patients. The search was performed in Medline (PubMed), using the words “fungal infections COVID-19”, between 2020–2021.

scholarly journals 2-Acryloyl-4,5-methylenedioxyphenol: A Small Molecule Endowed with Antidermatophytic Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-466
Author(s):  
Marco Zuccolo ◽  
Sabrina Dallavalle ◽  
Raffaella Cincinelli ◽  
Luce Mattio ◽  
Stefania Mazzini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Natural Compound ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Fungal Diseases ◽  
Antifungal Compounds ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Antidermatophytic Activity

Background: Superficial fungal infections are the most common fungal diseases in humans, affecting more than 25% of the population worldwide. Methods: In the present study, we have investigated the activity of kakuol, a natural compound isolated from the rhizomes of Asarum sieboldii, and some analogues, against various dermatophytes and pharmacologically relevant yeasts. Results: One of the tested compounds, 2-acryloyl-4,5-methylenedioxyphenol, showed a broadspectrum activity against most of the fungal species assayed, resulting particularly effective against dermatophyte strains (MIC values in the range of 0.25-0.5 µg/mL, two/four-fold lower than the positive control miconazole). Conclusion: The results suggest that this molecule can be considered a promising starting point for the development of new antifungal compounds.

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