Aspergillus section Nidulantes encompasses almost 80 homothallic and anamorphic species, mostly isolated from soil, plant material, or the indoor environment. Some species are clinically relevant or produce mycotoxins. This study reevaluated the species boundaries within several clades of section Nidulantes. Five data sets were assembled, each containing presumptive new species and their closest relatives, and phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses were performed. We tested the hypotheses that the newly isolated or reexamined strains constitute separate species (splitting approach) or should be treated as part of broadly defined species (lumping approach). Four DNA sequence loci were amplified, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) regions of the rDNA and partial sequences of the β-tubulin (benA), calmodulin (CaM), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes. The latter three loci were used for the phylogenetic analysis and served as input for single-locus (GMYC, bGMYC, PTP, and bPTP) and multilocus (STACEY and BP&P) species delimitation analyses. The phenotypic analysis comprised macro- and micromorphology (including scanning electron microscopy) and comparison of cardinal growth temperatures. The phylogenetic analysis supported the splitting hypothesis in all cases, and based on the combined approach, we propose six new species, four that are homothallic and two anamorphic. Four new species were isolated from the indoor environment (Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, USA), one originated from soil (Australia), and one from a kangaroo rat cheek pouch (USA).
- MeSH
- Aspergillus * klasifikace cytologie genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- geny hub MeSH
- multilokusová sekvenční typizace MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Austrálie MeSH
- Jamajka MeSH
- Spojené státy americké MeSH
- Trinidad a Tobago MeSH
Invasive fungal disease represents one of the severe complications in haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. We describe a case of a patient treated for relapse of chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia 6 years after HSCT. The patient was treated for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis but died 3 months later from multiple organ failures consisting of haemorrhagic necrotizing fungal pneumonia, refractory chronic hepatic graft versus host disease and cytomegalovirus hepatitis. Autopsy samples revealed histopathological evidence of fungal hyphae and an unusual Aspergillus nidulans-like species was isolated in pure culture. More precise identification was achieved by using scanning electron microscopy of ascospores and sequencing of calmodulin gene, and the isolate was subsequently re-identified as A. sublatus (section Nidulantes) and showed good in vitro susceptibility against all classes of antifungals. Commonly used ITS rDNA region and β-tubulin gene fail to discriminate A. sublatus from related pathogenic species, especially A. quadrilineatus and A. nidulans. Although this is the first case of proven IPA attributed to A. sublatus, we demonstrated that at least some previously reported infections due to A. quadrilineatus were probably caused by this cryptic species.
- MeSH
- antifungální látky aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- Aspergillus klasifikace cytologie genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- chronická lymfatická leukemie komplikace MeSH
- cytomegalovirové infekce komplikace diagnóza MeSH
- DNA fungální chemie genetika MeSH
- fatální výsledek MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- invazivní plicní aspergilóza diagnóza farmakoterapie mikrobiologie patologie MeSH
- kalmodulin genetika MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mezerníky ribozomální DNA chemie genetika MeSH
- mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
- mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
- nemoc štěpu proti hostiteli komplikace diagnóza MeSH
- příjemce transplantátu MeSH
- sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
- shluková analýza MeSH
- transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk škodlivé účinky MeSH
- tubulin genetika MeSH
- virová hepatitida u lidí komplikace diagnóza MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
Aspergillus candidus is a species frequently isolated from stored grain, food, indoor environments, soil and occasionally also from clinical material. Recent bioprospecting studies highlighted the potential of using A. candidus and its relatives in various industrial sectors as a result of their significant production of enzymes and bioactive compounds. A high genetic variability was observed among A. candidus isolates originating from various European countries and the USA, that were mostly isolated from indoor environments, caves and clinical material. The A. candidus sensu lato isolates were characterized by DNA sequencing of four genetic loci, and agreement between molecular species delimitation results, morphological characters and exometabolite spectra were studied. Classical phylogenetic methods (maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference) and species delimitation methods based on the multispecies coalescent model supported recognition of up to three species in A. candidus sensu lato. After evaluation of phenotypic data, a broader species concept was adopted, and only one new species, Aspergillus dobrogensis, was proposed. This species is represented by 22 strains originating from seven countries (ex-type strain CCF 4651T=NRRL 62821T=IBT 32697T=CBS 143370T) and its differentiation from A. candidus is relevant for bioprospecting studies because these species have different exometabolite profiles. Evaluation of the antifungal susceptibility of section Candidi members to six antifungals using the reference EUCAST method showed that all species have low minimum inhibitory concentrations for all tested antifungals. These results suggest applicability of a wide spectrum of antifungal agents for treatment of infections caused by species from section Candidi.
OBJECTIVES: A prospective international multicentre surveillance study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and amphotericin B susceptibility of Aspergillus terreus species complex infections. METHODS: A total of 370 cases from 21 countries were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of A. terreus species complex among the investigated patients with mould-positive cultures was 5.2% (370/7116). Amphotericin B MICs ranged from 0.125 to 32 mg/L, (median 8 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus terreus species complex infections cause a wide spectrum of aspergillosis and the majority of cryptic species display high amphotericin B MICs.
- MeSH
- amfotericin B farmakologie MeSH
- antifungální látky farmakologie MeSH
- Aspergillus klasifikace účinky léků izolace a purifikace MeSH
- aspergilóza epidemiologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- epidemiologické monitorování MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- multicentrická studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa epidemiologie MeSH
A wide array of PCR tests has been developed to aid the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA), providing technical diversity but limiting standardisation and acceptance. Methodological recommendations for testing blood samples using PCR exist, based on achieving optimal assay sensitivity to help exclude IA. Conversely, when testing more invasive samples (BAL, biopsy, CSF) emphasis is placed on confirming disease, so analytical specificity is paramount. This multicenter study examined the analytical specificity of PCR methods for detecting IA by blind testing a panel of DNA extracted from a various fungal species to explore the range of Aspergillus species that could be detected, but also potential cross reactivity with other fungal species. Positivity rates were calculated and regression analysis was performed to determine any associations between technical specifications and performance. The accuracy of Aspergillus genus specific assays was 71.8%, significantly greater (P < .0001) than assays specific for individual Aspergillus species (47.2%). For genus specific assays the most often missed species were A. lentulus (25.0%), A. versicolor (24.1%), A. terreus (16.1%), A. flavus (15.2%), A. niger (13.4%), and A. fumigatus (6.2%). There was a significant positive association between accuracy and using an Aspergillus genus PCR assay targeting the rRNA genes (P = .0011). Conversely, there was a significant association between rRNA PCR targets and false positivity (P = .0032). To conclude current Aspergillus PCR assays are better suited for detecting A. fumigatus, with inferior detection of most other Aspergillus species. The use of an Aspergillus genus specific PCR assay targeting the rRNA genes is preferential.
- MeSH
- Aspergillus klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- diagnostické techniky molekulární metody MeSH
- invazivní plicní aspergilóza diagnóza MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce metody MeSH
- senzitivita a specificita MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- multicentrická studie MeSH
Aspergily jsou ubikvitní houby, které u vnímavých jedinců mohou způsobit závažná onemocnění. Nejčastěji infikovaným orgánem jsou plíce. Závažnost onemocnění je závislá na stupni invaze houby do plicní tkáně, ta stoupá úměrně s rozvojem imunodeficitu pacienta. Invazivitu procesu prokáže jednoznačně pouze histologické vyšetření vzorku infikované plicní tkáně. Klasické mykologické metody detekují mikroskopickými nebo kultivačními technikami přítomnost houby ve vyšetřovaných vzorcích z dýchacích cest. Dále je možné prokázat v séru nebo bronchoalveolární tekutině specifický aspergilový antigen galaktomanan a nespecifický beta-D-glukan. Detekce protilátek proti aspergilům má přínos pouze u chronických forem onemocnění. V článku se autorka zabývá přínosem jednotlivých mykologických vyšetřovacích metod v diagnostice různých forem plicní aspergilózy.
Aspergillus are ubiquitous fungi that can cause serious illnesses in susceptible individuals. The most commonly infected organ is the lungs. The severity of the disease depends on the degree of the invasion of the lung tissue by fungi, which rises proportionally with the development of immunodeficiency. The only way to clearly determine the degree to which the lungs have been invaded is to carry out a histological examination of a sample of the infected tissue. Conventional mycological methods can detect the presence of the fungus in samples from a patient's airways by using microscopy or culture techniques. Furthermore, it is possible to determine the presence of the specific Aspergillus antigen, galactomannan, and of non-specific beta-D-glucan in the serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The detection of antibodies against Aspergillus is only relevant for chronic forms of the disease. This article discusses the benefits of different mycological examination methods in the diagnosis of various forms of pulmonary aspergillosis.
- Klíčová slova
- galaktomanan, lateral flow device,
- MeSH
- Aspergillus klasifikace patogenita MeSH
- beta-glukany analýza MeSH
- chromatografie afinitní metody MeSH
- kultivační techniky MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- lipopolysacharidy krev MeSH
- mykologické určovací techniky MeSH
- plíce anatomie a histologie MeSH
- plicní aspergilóza * diagnóza patologie MeSH
- senzitivita a specificita MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- souhrny MeSH
The aim of this study was to experimentally test chromogenic media and reagents for a rapid diagnosis of toxigenic microfungi Aspergillus flavus, A. carbonarius, A. ochraceus, Penicillium expansum, P. verrucosum, and P. citrinum isolated from foodstuffs. Toxigenic microfungi of Aspergillus and Penicillium species are considered to be of major relevance for human and animal health. The presence of these toxigenic microfungi in foodstuffs and feedstuffs raises a potential risk of mycotoxins (for example presence of aflatoxins, cyclopiazonic acid, ochratoxin A, patulin or citrinin). In order to reduce the risks for consumers’ health, it is necessary to set rapid methods for toxigenic microfungi isolated from foodstuffs and also feedstuffs. Application of chromogenic media and reagents presents one of the possibilities. The selected strains of toxigenic microfungi, producing mycotoxins, were tested on chromogenic media. The chromogenic media and reagents in our study are suitable for a microbiological and mycological laboratory. The benefits of chromogenic media and reagents include a rapid diagnosis within 48–72 h, simple preparation, easy availability and relatively low prices.
- MeSH
- analýza potravin MeSH
- Aspergillus izolace a purifikace klasifikace patogenita MeSH
- bezpečnost potravin MeSH
- chromogenní sloučeniny MeSH
- indikátory a reagencie MeSH
- krmivo pro zvířata MeSH
- kultivační média * klasifikace MeSH
- mikrobiologické techniky * metody MeSH
- mitosporické houby * izolace a purifikace klasifikace metabolismus patogenita MeSH
- mykotoxiny biosyntéza izolace a purifikace klasifikace škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Penicillium izolace a purifikace klasifikace patogenita MeSH
- potravinářská mikrobiologie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
The identity of nine clinical isolates recovered from Czech patients and presumptively identified as Aspergillus sp. section Candidi based on colony morphology was revised using sequences of β-tubulin, calmodulin gene sequence, and internal transcribed spacer rDNA. Six isolates were from suspected and proven onychomycosis, one from otitis externa, and two associated with probable invasive aspergillosis. The results showed that one Aspergillus candidus isolate was the cause of otitis externa, and both isolates obtained from sputa of patients with probable invasive aspergillosis were reidentified as A. carneus (sect. Terrei) and A. flavus (sect. Flavi). Three isolates from nail scrapings were identified as A. tritici, a verified agent of nondermatophyte onychomycosis. One isolate from toenail was determined to be A. candidus and the two isolates belonged to a hitherto undescribed species, Aspergillus pragensis sp. nov. This species is well supported by phylogenetic analysis based on β-tubulin and calmodulin gene and is distinguishable from other members of sect. Candidi by red-brown reverse on malt extract agar, slow growth on Czapek-Dox agar and inability to grow at 37°C. A secondary metabolite analysis was also provided with comparison of metabolite spectrum to other species. Section Candidi now encompasses five species for which a dichotomous key based on colony characteristics is provided. All clinical isolates were tested for susceptibilities to selected antifungal agents using the Etest and disc diffusion method. Overall sect. Candidi members are highly susceptible to common antifungals.
- MeSH
- Aspergillus klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- aspergilóza mikrobiologie MeSH
- DNA fungální chemie genetika MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- kalmodulin genetika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mezerníky ribozomální DNA chemie genetika MeSH
- molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
- mykologické určovací techniky MeSH
- sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
- shluková analýza MeSH
- tubulin genetika MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Aspergillus section Flavipedes contains species found worldwide in soils and rhizospheres, indoor and cave environments, as endophytes, food contaminants and occasionally as human pathogens. They produce many extensively studied bioactive secondary metabolites and biotechnologically relevant enzymes. The taxa were revised based on phylogenetic analysis of sequences from four loci (β-tubulin, calmodulin, RPB2, ITS rDNA), two PCR fingerprinting methods, micro- and macromorphology and physiology. Section Flavipedes includes three known and seven new species: A. ardalensis, A. frequens, A. luppii, A. mangaliensis, A. movilensis, A. polyporicola and A. spelaeus. The name A. neoflavipes was proposed for Fennellia flavipes a distinct species from its supposed asexual state A. flavipes. Aspergillus iizukae, A. frequens and A. mangaliensis are the most common and widely distributed species, whereas A. flavipes s. str. is rare. A dichotomous key based on the combination of morphology and physiology is provided for all recognized species. Aspergillus section Jani is established to contain A. janus and A. brevijanus, species previously classified as members of sect. Versicolores, Terrei or Flavipedes. This new section is strongly supported by phylogenetic data and morphology. Section Jani species produce three types of conidiophores and conidia, and colonies have green and white sectors making them distinctive. Accessory conidia found in pathogenic A. terreus were found in all members of sects. Flavipedes and Jani. Our data indicated that A. frequens is a clinically relevant and produces accessory conidia during infection.
- MeSH
- Aspergillus klasifikace genetika růst a vývoj izolace a purifikace MeSH
- aspergilóza MeSH
- DNA fungální genetika MeSH
- fungální proteiny genetika MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
- potravinářská mikrobiologie MeSH
- půdní mikrobiologie MeSH
- spory hub klasifikace genetika růst a vývoj izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Aspergillus section Aspergillus contains economically important, xerophilic fungi that are widely distributed in nature and the human environment and are known for their ability to grow on substrates with low water activity. The taxa were revised based on sequence data from four loci, PCR fingerprinting, micro- and macromorphology, and physiology. The number of taxa was reduced to 17 species, all of which can be distinguished with sequence data from either the caM or RPB2 locus. The original description of A. proliferans was supplemented by a description of its teleomorph. This species seems to be relatively common and often has been confused with A. glaucus. In addition, green sporulating isolates of A. niveoglaucus isolated from food and several other substrates are indistinguishable in phenotype from A. glaucus. A dichotomous key based on ascospore size and ornamentation and the ability to grow at specific combinations of temperature and water activity is provided for identification of species. In response to recent changes in the botanical code, we transferred the Eurotium species to Aspergillus and selected one name for each species.
