Alternaria alternata (SDHY01/02), a fungus associated with Lamellodysidea herbacea: its anticancer potential and responsible constituent(s) / Alternaria alternata (SDHY01/02), un hongo asociado con Lamellodysidea herbacea: su potencial anticancerígeno y sus componentes responsables

One of the biggest global causes of death is cancer. The side effects of currently available therapies have triggered the search for new drugs. The marine environment, with its vast biodiversity, including sponges, is a rich source of natural products with immense pharmaceutical potential. The aim of the study was to analyze the microbes associated with the marine sponge, Lamellodysidea herbacea, and explore them as resources for anticancer ability. This study includes the isolation of fungi from L. herbacea, and their evaluation for cytotoxic potential against human cancer cell lines such as A-549 (lung), HCT-116 (colorectal carcinoma), HT-1080 (Fibrosarcoma), and PC-3 (prostate) using MTT assay. This revealed that fifteen extracts showed significant anticancer ability (IC50 ≤ 20 µg/mL), at least against one of the cell lines. Three extracts, SPG12, SPG19, and SDHY 01/02, were found significant in terms of anticancer activity, at least against three to four cell lines (IC50 values ≤ 20 µg/mL). The fungus SDHY01/02 was identified by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as Alternaria alternata. Its extract showed IC50 values < 10 µg/mL against all the tested cell lines and was further analysed through light and fluorescence microscopy. The extract of SDHY01/02 was active (lowest IC50 4.27 µg/mL) against A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner and caused apoptotic cell death. Further, the extract was fractionated and analyzed the constituents by GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry). Di-ethyl ether fraction revealed the constituents (having anticancer activity) such pyrrolo[1,2-a] pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methyl propyl); 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-benzo[C]rhiophene-1-carboxylic acid cyclopropylamide; 17-pentatriacontene; 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)-, methyl ester; while DCM fraction contained Oleic acid, eicosyl ester. This is the first report of A. alternata with anticancer potential that has been isolated from the sponge L. herbacea, as far as we are aware.This A. alternata can be exploited to get anticancer molecule(s) in the future.(AU)

Enhancement of vincristine under in vitro culture of Catharanthus roseus supplemented with Alternaria sesami endophytic fungal extract as a biotic elicitor / Mejora de vincristina bajo cultivo in vitro de Catharanthus roseus suplementado con extracto de hongos endófitos de Alternaria sésamo como un elicitor biótico

Vincristine, one of the major vinca alkaloid of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. (Apocynaceae), was enhanced under in vitro callus culture of C. roseus using fungal extract of an endophyte Alternaria sesami isolated from the surface-sterilized root cuttings of C. roseus. Vindoline, a precursor molecule for vincristine production, was detected for the first time in the fungal endophyte A. sesami which was used as a biotic elicitor in this study to enhance vincristine content in the C. roseus callus. It was identified using high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy techniques by matching retention time and mass data with reference molecule. Supplementing the heat sterilized A. sesami endophytic fungal culture extract into the callus culture medium of C. roseus resulted in the enhancement of vincristine content in C. roseus callus by 21.717% after 105-day culture.(AU)

Lesiones cutáneas en la mano de una paciente trasplantada / Cutaneous lesions on the hand of a transplant recipient

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Molecular study of hypersensitivity to spores in adults and children from Castile & Leon

Introduction and objectives: Biological aerosols play a vital role in the interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, climate and public health and fungal spores are a component with allergic importance. We constructed a database in Castile & Leon (Spain) and carry out molecular-level component-resolved diagnosis to complete the air quality study carried out since 2006 by our aerobiological network (RACYL) to aid clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: We reviewed a database of 19,774 patients (adults and children) with allergic respiratory disease treated in our unit during the last 12 years. We also made a component-resolved diagnosis of the molecules involved in the pathology in a randomly selected population of 150 patients. Results: The dimeric glycoprotein Alt a1 from Alternaria is the most prevalent and most useful allergen in the diagnosis of patients with allergy to fungi in our area (94.4%), followed by enolase Alt a 6 (Alternaria), ribonuclease Asp f 1 of Aspergillus and mannitol dehydrogenase from Cla h 8 (Cladosporium). Conclusions: Our results have helped determine which spore molecules are most-closely associated with allergies. Molecular analysis will be useful to determine more accurate and useful immunotherapy in these patients

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Gene profiling and expression of major allergen Alt a 1 in Alternaria alternata and related members of the Pleosporaceae family / Perfil de expresión génica del alérgeno Alt a 1 mayoritario en Alternaria alternata y otros taxones próximos de la familia Pleosporaceae

Background: Members of the Pleosporaceae family are known as important sources of airborne allergens which are responsible for asthma and allergic diseases. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the gene profiling and expression pattern of Alt a 1 in Alternaria alternata and other members of the Pleosporaceae family including Stemphylium botryosum, Ulocladium chartarum, Curvularia lunata, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Epicoccum nigrum. Methods: Alternaria alternata and related genera were cultured on Czapek-Dox broth medium at 25°C for 21 days. The presence of Alt a 1 was assessed in fungal culture filtrates by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and then confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Real-time PCR was carried out for quantitation of the Alt a 1 gene encoding corresponding protein at the transcriptional level using cDNA prepared from fungal RNA. Results: SDS-PAGE showed protein bands ranging from 14 to 100 kDa. A 14kDa band corresponding to Alt a 1 was present in A. alternata, S. botryosum and U. chartarum. The gene expression of Alt a 1 was reported in A. alternata and some other related genera. The Ct mean value recorded for A. alternata strains ranged from 24.70 to 27.84 while it was in the range 23.62-32.09 for other related taxa. No apparent transcription or expression was revealed in C. cladosporioides. Conclusions: The presence and efficient expression of Alt a 1 gene in A. alternata and other related taxa indicate that Alt a 1 protein is a major component of the secretory machinery of Pleosporaceae family members, and it may play a crucial role in its allergenicity

Antecedentes: Los miembros de la familia Pleosporaceae son una fuente importante de alérgenos aéreos causantes de asma y enfermedades alérgicas. Objetivos El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar el perfil de expresión génica de la proteína Alt a 1 en Alternaria alternata y otros miembros de la familia Pleosporaceae, entre las cuales pueden citarse Stemphylium botryosum, Ulocladium chartarum, Curvularia lunata, Cladosporium cladosporioides y Epicoccum nigrum. Métodos: Alternaria alternata y otros géneros relacionados se cultivaron en caldo Czapek-Dox a 25°C durante 21 días. La existencia de Alt a 1 en los filtrados de los cultivos se evaluó mediante electroforesis en gel de poliacrilamida con dodecilsulfato sódico (SDS-PAGE) para después confirmarla mediante inmunotransferencia. Se realizó RCP en tiempo real para la cuantificación de la transcripción del gen responsable (Alt a 1) utilizando ADNc a partir del ARN del hongo. Resultados: Mediante SDS-PAGE se visualizaron bandas de proteínas de 14 a 100 kDa. La banda de 14 kDa, correspondiente a Alt a 1, estaba presente en A. alternata, S. botryosum y U. chartarum. Se detectó expresión génica de Alt a 1 en A. alternata y otros géneros relacionados. El valor medio de Ct registrado en los aislamientos de A. alternata varió entre 24,70 y 27,84; en otros taxones cercanos, el intervalo estuvo entre 23,62 y 32,09. No se detectó transcripción o expresión en C. cladosporioides. Conclusiones: La presencia del gen Alt a 1 y su expresión en A. alternata y otros taxones próximos indica que la proteína Alt a 1 es uno de los componentes principales del mecanismo secretorio de los miembros de la familia Pleosporaceae y puede desempeñar un papel fundamental en su capacidad alergénica

Feohifomicosis en paciente receptor de trasplante renal y pulmonar / Feohifomicosis in a renal and pulmonary transplant patient

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Queratitis por Alternaria alternata / Alternaria alternata keratitis

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Placas eritemato-violáceas costrosas pretibiales en paciente trasplantado pulmonar / Erythemato-violaceous plaques on the shin of a trasplanted lung host

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Alternaria alternata acts on human Monocyte-derived Dendritic cells to mediate Th2/Th17 polarisation

INTRODUCTION: Although the mechanism of asthma is not precisely understood in humans, clinical and epidemiological studies have offered a potential relationship between exposure to environmental fungi, such as Alternaria alternata (A. alternata) and the development and exacerbation of asthma. The aim of this project is to investigate the mechanisms of Th2 responses by A. alternata as a clinically relevant model for the environmental exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plastic adherent monocytes were cultured with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) to convert these cells into Monocyte-derived Dendritic cells (MoDc) and then matured in the presence of Monocyte-Conditioned Medium (MCM) as the control group and MCM+ A. alternata extract as the inductive groups. RESULTS: The results indicated that the expression of CD14 decreased and CD83 and anti-human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) increased in the inductive groups in comparison with the control group. More importantly, A. alternata inhibited IL-12 production by activated dendritic cells (DCs), and the DCs exposed to A. alternata enhanced the Th2 polarisation of CD4+ T cells. The production amount of IL-10 overcame IL-12 as well as Il-23 increased significantly, and hand in T cells the production of cytokines Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) decreased. However, both IL-17 and IL-4 increased (p < 0.05). Phagocytic activity in the inductive groups decreased significantly compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The asthma-related environmental fungus A. alternata, with an effect on dendritic cells profile mediates TH2/TH17. Such immunodysregulation properties of causative environmental fungi may explain their strong relationship with human asthma and allergic diseases

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Traqueomalacia debida a acalasia esofágica / Tracheomalacia due to esophageal achalasia

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Nódulo hiperqueratósico de rápido crecimiento / Hyperkeratotic nodule with rapid growth

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Keratitis caused by moulds in Santa Lucía Ophthalmology Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina / Queratitis causada por hongos miceliares en el Hospital Oftalmológico Santa Lucía de Buenos Aires, Argentina(AU)

Background. Mycotic keratitis by moulds (MKM) is an important cause for corneal blindness and usually carries an unfavorable prognosis. Aims. This study describes the risk factors and demographic and microbiological features of all MKM cases in Santa Lucía Ophthalmology Hospital during a period of 6 years. Methods. A prospective study was performed for all MKM cases diagnosed between October 2007 and September 2013. Results. Among 157 diagnosed cases, direct microscopic examination and culture were positive in 97 and 96% of the cases respectively. MKM represents 17% of all microbiologically confirmed corneal abscesses. No significant differences were detected in annual MKM frequencies across the study period, suggesting that MKM incidence remains constant over time. A male-to-female ratio was observed (2.8:1); the most affected age groups ranged from 31 to 40 years old (males) and 61-70 years old (females). The most frequent predisposing factor was trauma (40%) followed by the use of contact lenses (9%), herpetic abscesses (5%) and diabetes (4%). The predominant genera were Fusarium (66%), Aspergillus (10%), Curvularia (6%) and Alternaria (4%). The most frequent agent was Fusarium solani species complex (52%). More than two-thirds of the cases were produced by only 3 species or complexes. However, at least 29 different species were detected in the remaining cases. This is the first report of Pholiota sp. as causative agent of human MKM. Conclusions. Argentina lacks extensive epidemiological and clinical data on MKM. This six-year study performed in Argentina is a first step leading to a better understanding of MKM epidemiology in our country (AU)

Antecedentes. La queratitis micótica causada por hongos miceliares (MKM) es una causa importante de ceguera corneal y presenta un pronóstico desfavorable. Objetivos. Describir los factores de riesgo y las características demográficas y microbiológicas de las MKM diagnosticadas en el Hospital Oftalmológico Santa Lucía durante 6 años. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio prospectivo de todos los casos de MKM diagnosticados entre octubre de 2007 y septiembre de 2013. Resultados. Se diagnosticaron 157 casos de MKM: un 97% con examen directo positivo y un 96% con cultivo positivo. Las MKM representaron el 17% de todos los abscesos corneales microbiológicamente confirmados. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en esta proporción durante los seis años de estudio, lo que demuestra que la incidencia permaneció constante. La proporción varones:mujeres fue 2,8:1; las edades más afectadas fueron 31-40 años en los varones y 61-70 años en las mujeres. El factor predisponente más común fue el traumatismo (40%), seguido del uso de lentes de contacto (9%), abscesos herpéticos (5%) y diabetes (4%). Los géneros predominantes fueron Fusarium (66%), Aspergillus (10%), Curvularia (6%) y Alternaria (4%). Los agentes más frecuentes pertenecían al complejo de especies Fusarium solani (52%). Más de dos tercios de los casos fueron causados únicamente por 3 especies, o complejos de especies, pero en los restantes se detectaron al menos otras 28 especies. Este es el primer informe referente a Pholiota sp. como agente causal de MKM humana. Conclusiones. Argentina carece de datos epidemiológicos y clínicos consolidados sobre MKM. Este estudio contribuye a una mejor comprensión de la epidemiología de esta enfermedad en este país (AU)

Description of sunflower seed–fungus syndrome

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Efectos tóxicos de alternariol por ensayos in vitro: revisión / Toxic effects of alternariol by in vitro assays: a review

Las micotoxinas son metabolitos secundarios producidos por hongos del genero Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium y Alternaria. Las micotoxinas más abundantes son aflatoxinas (Aspergillus), ocratoxina A (Penicillium), fumonisinas, zearalenona, deoxinivalenol (Fusarium) y alternariol (Alternaria). De las especies de Alternaria, A. alternata es la especie productora más importante de micotoxinas. Todas están consideradas como contaminantes tóxicos que están presentes en alimentos de consumo diario. Esta revisión se centra en estudios in vitro relacionados con la respuesta y citotoxicidad a la micotoxina de Alternaria, alternariol (AOH). Para ello, se ha realizado una búsqueda bibliográfica de los artículos de AOH disponible en bases de datos como: Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct y Current Contents en los últimos catorce años. Así pues, el objetivo de la revisión bibliográfica es evaluar los efectos de AOH investigados mediante ensayos in vitro (AU)

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by genera fungus of: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Alternaria. The most frequent mycotoxins are: aflatoxins (Aspergillus), ochratoxin A (Penicillium), fumonisins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol (Fusarium) and alternariol (Alternaria). Among all Alternaria spp, A. Alternata is the most producer mycotoxin. All mycotoxins are considered toxic contaminants present in food of daily consumption. This review is based on in vitro studies where response and toxicity in cells of Alternaria mycotoxin, alternariol (AOH) have been carried out. In this sense a bibliographic search of AOH papers available in on-line data bases such as: Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct and Current Contents in the last fourteen years, have been collected. The main objective of this bibliographic review is to evaluate the AOH effects detected in in vitro assay (AU)

Determinación de perfiles de producción de metabolitos secundarios característicos de especies del género Alternaria aisladas de tomate / Determination of the profiles of secondary metabolites characteristic of Alternaria strains isolated from tomato

Antecedentes. Muchas especies de Alternaria han sido estudiadas por su capacidad de producir metabolitos secundarios bioactivos como la tentoxina (TEN), algunos de los cuales tienen propiedades tóxicas. Las principales toxinas de Alternaria contaminantes de alimentos son el ácido tenuazónico, el alternariol (AOH), el alternariol monometil éter (AME), el altenueno y las altertoxinas i , ii y iii . Objetivos. Determinar los perfiles de metabolitos secundarios característicos de cepas de Alternaria aisladas de tomate para su clasificación quimiotaxonómica. Métodos. Los perfiles de metabolitos secundarios se determinaron por HPLC-MS. Resultados. Los aislamientos de Alternaria obtenidos a partir de tomates con «enmohecimiento negro» pertenecen, según sus características morfológicas, a los grupos especie Alternaria alternata, Alternaria tenuissima y Alternaria arborescens, siendo A. tenuissima el más frecuentemente aislado. Se determinaron los perfiles más característicos de metabolitos secundarios de los grupos especie A. alternata (AOH, AME, TEN), A. tenuissima (AOH, AME, TEN, ácido tenuazónico) y A. arborescens (AOH, AME, TEN, ácido tenuazónico), siendo algunas cepas de este último grupo especie capaces de sintetizar toxinas AAL. Conclusiones. Los perfiles de producción de metabolitos secundarios son una herramienta útil para la diferenciación de aislamientos de Alternaria pertenecientes a grupos especie de esporas pequeñas difícilmente identificables por sus características morfológicas (AU)

Background. Many Alternaria species have been studied for their ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites, such as tentoxin (TEN), some of which have toxic properties. The main food contaminant toxins are tenuazonic acid, alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), altenuene, and altertoxins i, ii and iii. Aims. To determine the profiles of secondary metabolites characteristic of Alternaria strains isolated from tomato for their chemotaxonomic classification. Methods. The profiles of secondary metabolites were determined by HPLC MS. Results. The Alternaria isolates obtained from spoiled tomatoes belong, according to their morphological characteristics, to the species groups Alternaria alternata, Alternaria tenuissima and Alternaria arborescens, with A. tenuissima being the most frequent. The most frequent profiles of secondary metabolites belonging to the species groups A. alternata (AOH, AME, TEN), A. tenuissima (AOH, AME, TEN, tenuazonic acid) and A. arborescens (AOH, AME, TEN, tenuazonic acid) were determined, with some isolates of the latter being able to synthesize AAL toxins. Conclusions. Secondary metabolite profiles are a useful tool for the differentiation of small spored Alternaria isolates not easily identifiable by their morphological characteristics (AU)

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Alternaria infectoria in a renal transplant patient: surgical treatment with no long-term relapse / Feohifomicosis subcutánea debida a Alternaria infectoria en un paciente sometido a un trasplante renal: tratamiento quirúrgico sin recidivas a largo plazo

Background. Phaeohyphomycosis can be caused by a number of different species, being the most common Alternaria alternata and Alternaria infectoria. The biggest risk factor for the development of the infection is immunosuppression. Aims. We present the case of a 64-year-old male renal transplant patient who came to hospital for presenting a tumour in the Achilles region which had been gradually growing in size. Methods. A skin biopsy was taken for histological study and culture of fungi and mycobacteria. Blood tests and imaging studies were performed. Results. Histopathology study and cultures identified A. infectoria as the causal agent. Imaging studies ruled out internal foci of infection. The lesion was surgically removed with no signs of recurrence after 24 months of follow-up. Conclusions. There are no treatment guidelines at present for cutaneous and subcutaneous Alternaria spp. infections. Various systemic antifungals have been used, either in combination with surgical removal or alone, with varying results. Surgery alone could be useful in the treatment of solitary, localised lesions in transplant patients in whom there are difficulties in controlling immunosuppression (AU)

Antecedentes. La feohifomicosis está causada por diversas especies de hongos, siendo las más habituales Alternaria alternata y Alternaria infectoria. El factor de riesgo principal en la aparición de la infección es la inmunosupresión. Objetivos. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 64 años de edad, sometido a un trasplante renal, que se presentó en el hospital con un tumor en la región del tendón de Aquiles que había aumentado gradualmente de tamaño. Métodos. Se obtuvo una biopsia de piel para estudio histológico y cultivo de hongos y micobacterias. Se efectuaron análisis de sangre y estudios de diagnóstico por imagen. Resultados. El estudio histopatológico y los cultivos permitieron la identificación de A. infectoria como del patógeno causal. Los estudios por imagen descartaron focos internos de infección. Se procedió a la exéresis quirúrgica de la lesión sin signos de recidiva después de 24 meses de seguimiento. Conclusiones. En la actualidad no se dispone de guías de tratamiento para las infecciones cutáneas y subcutáneas por Alternaria spp. Se han utilizado diversos antimicóticos sistémicos, combinados con la exéresis quirúrgica o solos, con diferentes resultados desiguales. La cirugía sola podría ser útil en el tratamiento de las lesiones localizadas, solitarias, en los pacientes sometidos a un trasplante en los que es difícil controlar la inmunosupresión (AU)

Endoftalmitis en paciente con queropatía bullosa y uso de lente de contacto terapéutica / Endophthalmitis in patients with bullous keratopathy and therapeutic contact lenses wear

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Feohifomicosis subcutánea producida por Curvularia lunata en un paciente receptor de un trasplante renal / Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata in a renal transplant patient

Fundamento. La feohifomicosis se define como una infección causada por hongos dematiáceos (melanizados). Predomina en climas tropicales y en la actualidad es bien conocido que se manifiesta en forma superficial, cutánea, subcutánea y sistémica del sistema nervioso central o pulmonar diseminada. Curvularia es uno de los numerosos géneros que pueden causar esta infección. En las formas subcutáneas es más frecuente aislar Phialophora, Alternaria o Exophiala. Caso clínico. Un hombre de 25 años de edad, receptor de un trasplante renal, se presentó con una úlcera en la pierna izquierda. Mediante examen micológico y los hallazgos histopatológicos se estableció el diagnóstico de feohifomicosis subcutánea producida por Curvularia lunata. Se trató satisfactoriamente con itraconazol sistémico y la resección quirúrgica de la úlcera. Conclusión. A pesar de que, en las últimas décadas, se ha incrementado la incidencia de feohifomicosis, en particular en pacientes inmunosuprimidos, el número de casos no permite que se emprendan ensayos controlados terapéuticos. Por esta razón, consideramos que es importante comunicar los casos clínicos individuales y revisar los estudios publicados para aumentar los conocimientos sobre esta enfermedad, su presentación clínica y la respuesta al tratamiento(AU)

Background. Phaeohyphomycosis is defined as an infection caused by melanized fungi. It predominates in tropical climate and is currently classified as superficial, allergic, central nervous system or lung infections, and disseminated. Curvularia is one of the many genres which can cause this disease. Phialophora, Alternaria and Exophiala are more commonly isolated from subcutaneous lesions. Case report. A 25-year-old male, renal transplant recipient presents with an ulcer on his left leg. Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata was diagnosed based on mycological examination and histopathological findings. He was successfully treated with systemic itraconazole and surgical resection. Conclusion. The incidence of phaeohyphomycosis has increased in the last decades, especially in immunosuppressed individuals; nevertheless the number of cases does not allow for therapeutic controlled trials to be performed. Hence, we consider that it is important to communicate individual cases and reviews of the literature, to increase awareness of the disease, its clinical presentation and response to treatment(AU)

Importancia del género Alternaria como productor de micotoxinas y agente causal de enfermedades humanas / The importance of genus Alternaria in mycotoxins production and human diseases

Alternaría es un género fúngico muy común, donde se incluyen numerosas especies saprofitas, endofíticas y patógenas ampliamente distribuidas en el suelo y la materia orgánica en descomposición. Incluye especies patógenas que pueden invadir los cultivos vegetales antes y después de la recolección y es responsable de considerables pérdidas económicas, debido a que reduce el rendimiento de las cosechas y produce alteraciones en los vegetales durante su almacenamiento. Las especies del género Alternaría sintetizan más de 70 metabolitos secundarios tóxicos para las plantas (fitotoxinas), algunos de los cuales afectan también a personas y animales, por lo que se consideran micotoxinas. La exposición a las toxinas de Alternaría spp. se ha relacionado con la aparición de efectos adversos para la salud en personas y animales y, en muchos casos, se ha demostrado que tienen capacidad genotóxica, mutagénica, carcinogénica y citotóxica. Las micotoxinas de Alternaría spp. se han aislado de frutas (manzana, pera, melón, albaricoque, uvas, uvas pasas, fresa, aceituna, cítricos e higos desecados), hortalizas (tomate, pimiento y zanahoria) y tubérculos (patata), así como de numerosos alimentos procesados elaborados con materias primas contaminadas (zumos, conservas, salsas, etc.). Además, determinadas especies de Alternaría están implicadas en infecciones y alergias humanas, hasta el punto de queAlternaría se considera uno de los principales géneros fúngicos causantes de alergias (AU)

Alternaría is a cosmopolitan fungal genus that includes saprophytic, endophytic and pathogenic species, widely distributed in soil and organic matter in decomposition. Plant pathogenic species affect cereals, vegetables and fruit crops in the field and during storage. Alternaría spp. contamination is responsible for some of the world's most devastating plant diseases, causing serious reduction of crop yields and considerable economic losses.Alternaría species produce more than 70 secondary metabolites which are toxic to plants, and some of these phytotoxins have been chemically characterised and reported to act as mycotoxins to humans and animals. Exposure to Alternaría spp. toxins has been linked to a variety of adverse effects on human and animal health, including genotoxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic and cytotoxic effects. Alternaría spp. mycotoxins have been isolated from fruits (apple, pear, melon, apricot, grapes, raisins, strawberry, olive, citrus fruits and dried figs), vegetables (tomato, pepper and carrot) and tubers (potato), as well as from several processed foodstuffs manufactured with damaged raw materials (juices, preserves, sauces, etc.). Moreover, Alternaría spp. are frequently associated with allergic reactions in sensitized individuals (AU)

Actividad antifúngica de la altenusina aislada del hongo endofítico Alternaria sp. frente al hongo patógeno Paracoccidioides brasiliensis / Antifungal activity of altenusin isolated from the endophytic fungus Alternaria sp. against the pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Antecedentes. La altenusina es un derivado bifenilo aislado de diferentes especies de hongos, que presenta una diversidad de actividades biológicas. Objetivos. Describimos la actividad antifúngica de la altenusina aislada del hongo endofítico Alternaria sp. frente a aislamientos clínicos de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, y su acción sobre las paredes celulares de P. brasiliensis y la levadura no patógena Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Métodos. Se valoró la actividad antifúngica de la altenusina in vitro usando un método de microdilución en caldo frente a 11 cepas de P. brasiliensis y una cepa de S. pombe. Los efectos de la altenusina sobre la pared celular se estimaron utilizando un análisis de protección con sorbitol. Resultados. La altenusina presentó una potente actividad frente a P. brasiliensis con valores de concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) que variaron entre 1,9 y 31,2μg/ml, y de 62,5μg/ml para S. pombe. Los resultados del presente estudio demostraron que los valores CIM de la altenusina aumentaron para Pb18 de P. brasiliensis y para S. pombe cuando el medio se suplementó con sorbitol. Además, las células de S. pombe tratadas con altenusina adoptaron una forma más redondeada que las no tratadas. Conclusiones. Con la concentración examinada, la altenusina demostró actividad frente a las cepas clínicas de P. brasiliensis, y es probable que este preparado afecte a las paredes de las células micóticas. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la altenusina podría actuar a través de la inhibición de la síntesis o ensamblado de la pared celular en P. brasiliensis y S. pombe y podría considerarse la molécula inicial para el diseño de nuevos antimicóticos(AU)

Background. Altenusin is a biphenyl derivative isolated from different species of fungi, which presents several biological activities. Aims. We report the antifungal activity of the altenusin isolated from the endophytic fungus Alternaria sp., against clinical isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and its action on cell walls of P. brasiliensis and the nonpathogenic yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Methods. In vitro antifungal activity of altenusin was evaluated using the broth microdilution method against 11 strains of P. brasiliensis and one strain of S. pombe. The effects of the altenusin on the cell wall were estimated using the sorbitol protection assay. Results. The altenusin presented strong activity against P. brasiliensis with MIC values ranging between 1.9 and 31.2μg/ml, and 62.5μg/ml for S. pombe. Our results demonstrated that the MIC values for altenusin were increased for P. brasiliensis Pb18 and for S. pombe when the medium was supplemented with sorbitol. Additionally, S. pombe cells treated with altenusin were more rounded in shape than untreated cells. Conclusions. Altenusin showed activity against clinical strains of P. brasiliensis at the concentration tested, and this compound probably affects fungal cell walls. These findings suggest that altenusin could act through the inhibition of cell wall synthesis or assembly in P. brasiliensis and S. pombe, and could be considered as a lead compound for the design of new antifungals(AU)