Molecular Identification of Fonsecaea monophora, Novel Agent of Fungal Brain Abscess.

A 3-year-old patient in India experiencing headaches and seizures was diagnosed with a fungal infection, initially misidentified as Cladophialophora bantiana. Follow-up sequencing identified the isolate to be Fonsecaea monophora fungus. This case demonstrates the use of molecular methods for the correct identification of F. monophora, an agent of fungal brain abscess.

Microbiota diversity and anti-Pseudogymnoascus destructans bacteria isolated from Myotis pilosus skin during late hibernation.

Symbiotic microorganisms that reside on the host skin serve as the primary defense against pathogens in vertebrates. Specifically, the skin microbiome of bats may play a crucial role in providing resistance against Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the pathogen causing white-nose syndrome. However, the epidermis symbiotic microbiome and its specific role in resisting Pd in highly resistant bats in Asia are still not well understood. In this study, we collected and characterized skin microbiota samples of 19 Myotis pilosus in China and explored the differences between Pd-positive and negative individuals. We identified inhibitory effects of these bacteria through cultivation methods. Our results revealed that the Simpson diversity index of the skin microbiota for positive individuals was significantly lower than that of negative individuals, and the relative abundance of Pseudomonas was significantly higher in positive bats. Regardless of whether individuals were positive or negative for Pd, the relative abundance of potentially antifungal genera in skin microbiota was high. Moreover, we successfully isolated 165 microbes from bat skin and 41 isolates from positive individuals able to inhibit Pd growth compared to only 12 isolates from negative individuals. A total of 10 genera of Pd-inhibiting bacteria were screened, among which the genera Algoriella, Glutamicibacter, and Psychrobacter were newly discovered as Pd-inhibiting genera. These Pd-inhibiting bacteria metabolized a variety of volatile compounds, including dimethyl trisulfide, dimethyl disulfide, propylene sulfide, 2-undecanone, and 2-nonanone, which were able to completely inhibit Pd growth at low concentrations.IMPORTANCERecently, white-nose syndrome has caused the deaths of millions of hibernating bats, even threatening some with regional extinction. Bats in China with high resistance to Pseudogymnoascus destructans can provide a powerful reference for studying the management of white-nose syndrome and understanding the bats against the pathogen's intrinsic mechanisms. This study sheds light on the crucial role of host symbiotic skin microorganisms in resistance to pathogenic fungi and highlights the potential for harnessing natural defense mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of white-nose syndrome. In addition, this may also provide promising candidates for the development of bioinsecticides and fungicides that offer new avenues for addressing fungal diseases in wildlife and agricultural environments.

Linking watershed formation with the phylogenetic distribution of a soil microscopic fungus in Yunnan Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Phylogeographic studies have gained prominence in linking past geological events to the distribution patterns of biodiversity, primarily in mountainous regions. However, such studies often focus on plant taxa, neglecting the intricate biogeographical patterns of microbes, particularly soil microbial communities. This article explores the spatial distribution of the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora, a widespread microorganism, in a tectonically active region at the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. By analysing the genetic variation of this fungus alongside the historical structure of major river watersheds, we sought to uncover potential connections between the two. Our study involved sampling 149 strains from 116 sites across six major watersheds in the region. RESULTS: The resulting haplotype network revealed five distinct clusters, each corresponding closely to a specific watershed. These clusters exhibited high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity, supporting the notion of watershed-based segregation. Further analysis of haplotypes shared across watersheds provided evidence for three proposed past river connections. In particular, we found numerous shared haplotypes between the Yangtze and Mekong basins, as well as between the Yangtze and the Red basins. Evidence for a Irrawaddy-Salween-Red and a Yangtze-Pearl-Red river connections were also portrayed in our mapping exercise. CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the crucial role of historical geomorphological events in shaping the biogeography of microbial biodiversity, alongside contemporary biotic and abiotic factors. Watershed perimeters emerged as effective predictors of such patterns, suggesting their suitability as analytical units for regional-scale studies. Our study also demonstrates the potential of microorganisms and phylogeographic approaches to complement traditional geological analyses, providing a more comprehensive understanding of past landscape structure and its evolution.

Diaporthe species causing shoot dieback of Acer (maple) in Henan Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Maple is an important ornamental plant in China. With the increasing use of maple trees in landscaping, a symptom of shoot dieback has been observed in Henan province, China. RESULTS: In this study, 28 Diaporthe isolates were obtained from symptomatic shoots of maple trees between 2020 and 2023. Phylogenetic analyses based on five loci (ITS, TEF, CAL, HIS and TUB) coupled with morphology of 12 representative isolates identified three known species (D. eres, D. pescicola and D. spinosa) and one new species, namely D. pseudoacerina sp. nov. Koch's postulates confirmed that all these species were pathogenic. Additionally, D. pseudoacerina was able to infect China wingnut (Pterocarya stenoptera), pear (Pyrus sp.), and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). This study marks the first report of Diaporthe spinosa and D. pescicola pathogens infecting maple trees. CONCLUSIONS: These findings enhance the existing knowledge of the taxonomy and host diversity of Diaporthe species as, while also providing valuable information for managing of maple shoot dieback in Henan Province, China.

Continental scale comparison of mycobiomes in Parmelia and Peltigera lichens from Turkey and South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Lichens, traditionally considered as a simple partnership primarily between mycobiont and photobiont, are, in reality, complex holobionts comprised of a multitude of microorganisms. Lichen mycobiome represents fungal community residing within lichen thalli. While it is acknowledged that factors like the host lichen species and environmental conditions influence the structure of the lichen mycobiome, the existing research remains insufficient. To investigate which factor, host genus or location, has a greater impact on the lichen mycobiome, we conducted a comparative analysis of mycobiomes within Parmelia and Peltigera collected from both Turkey and South Korea, using high-throughput sequencing based on internal transcribed spacer region amplification. RESULTS: Overall, the lichen mycobiome was dominated by Capnodiales (Dothideomycetes), regardless of host or location. At the order level, the taxonomic composition was not significantly different according to lichen genus host or geographical distance. Hierarchical clustering of the top 100 abundant ASVs did not clearly indicate whether the lichen mycobiome was more influenced by host genus or location. Analyses of community similarity and partitioning variables revealed that the structure of the lichen mycobiome is more significantly influenced by location than by host genus. When analyzing the core mycobiome by host genus, the Peltigera mycobiome contained more ASV members than the Parmelia mycobiome. These two core mycobiomes also share common fungal strains, including basidiomycete yeast. Additionally, we used chi-squared tests to identify host genus-specialists and location-specialists. CONCLUSIONS: By comparing lichen mycobiomes of the same genera across different countries, our study advances our comprehension of these microbial communities. Our study elucidates that, although host species play a contributory role, geographic distance exerts a more pronounced impact on the structure of lichen mycobiome. We have made foundational contributions to understanding the lichen mycobiome occupying ecologically crucial niches. We anticipate that broader global-scale investigations into the fungal community structures will provide more detailed insights into fungal residents within lichens.

Assessing the biodiversity of rhizosphere and endophytic fungi in Knoxia valerianoides under continuous cropping conditions.

BACKGROUND: Rhizosphere and endophytic fungi play important roles in plant health and crop productivity. However, their community dynamics during the continuous cropping of Knoxia valerianoides have rarely been reported. K. valerianoides is a perennial herb of the family Rubiaceae and has been used in herbal medicines for ages. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing technology Illumina MiSeq to study the structural and functional dynamics of the rhizosphere and endophytic fungi of K. valerianoides. RESULTS: The findings indicate that continuous planting has led to an increase in the richness and diversity of rhizosphere fungi, while concomitantly resulting in a decrease in the richness and diversity of root fungi. The diversity of endophytic fungal communities in roots was lower than that of the rhizosphere fungi. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant phyla detected during the continuous cropping of K. valerianoides. In addition, we found that root rot directly affected the structure and diversity of fungal communities in the rhizosphere and the roots of K. valerianoides. Consequently, both the rhizosphere and endophyte fungal communities of root rot-infected plants showed higher richness than the healthy plants. The relative abundance of Fusarium in two and three years old root rot-infected plants was significantly higher than the control, indicating that continuous planting negatively affected the health of K. valerianoides plants. Decision Curve Analysis showed that soil pH, organic matter (OM), available K, total K, soil sucrase (S_SC), soil catalase (S_CAT), and soil cellulase (S_CL) were significantly related (p < 0.05) to the fungal community dynamics. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of fungal species in the rhizosphere and root of K. valerianoides was reported for the first time. The fungal diversity of rhizosphere soil was higher than that of root endophytic fungi. The fungal diversity of root rot plants was higher than that of healthy plants. Soil pH, OM, available K, total K, S_CAT, S_SC, and S_CL were significantly related to the fungal diversity. The occurrence of root rot had an effect on the community structure and diversity of rhizosphere and root endophytic fungi.

Identification and fungicides sensitivity evaluation of the causal agent of cobweb disease on Lyophyllum decastes in China.

BACKGROUND: Cobweb disease is a fungal disease that commonly affects the cultivation and production of edible mushrooms, leading to serious yield and economic losses. It is considered a major fungal disease in the realm of edible mushrooms. The symptoms of cobweb disease were found during the cultivation of Lyophyllum decastes. This study aimed to identify the causative pathogen of cobweb disease and evaluate effective fungicides, providing valuable insights for field control and management of L. decastes cobweb disease. RESULTS: The causal agent of cobweb disease was isolated from samples infected and identified as Cladobotryum mycophilum based on morphological and cultural characteristics, as well as multi-locus phylogeny analysis (ITS, RPB1, RPB2, and TEF1-α). Pathogenicity tests further confirmed C. mycophilum as the responsible pathogen for this condition. Among the selected fungicides, Prochloraz-manganese chloride complex, Trifloxystrobin, tebuconazole, and Difenoconazole exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the pathogen's mycelium, with EC50 values of 0.076 µg/mL, 0.173 µg/mL, and 0.364 µg/mL, respectively. These fungicides can serve as references for future field control of cobweb disease in L. decastes. CONCLUSION: This study is the first report of C. mycophilum as the causing agent of cobweb disease in L. decastes in China. Notably, Prochloraz-manganese chloride complex demonstrated the strongest inhibitory efficacy against C. mycophilum.

Discosia brasiliensis causing Discosia leaf blight on tea plant (Camellia sinensis) in China.

Tea (Camellia sinensis), a perennial evergreen shrub, is one of the most important cash crops in China. Tea leaves with symptoms of wilt disease was observed in Fengqing County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China. Large irregular jujube-red necrotic spots appeared on the leaves of tea plants, and the lesions with grayish white edge were accompanied by a certain degree of shrinkage. In the tea garden planting base, the natural disease incidence reached 40%-50 %, which significantly affects the yield of tea. One putative pathogen was isolated from three symptomatic tea plant leaves and was identified as Discosia brasiliensis using morphology and molecular phylogeny of multi-loci (ITS, LSU, tub, rpb2) sequence data. Using D. brasiliensis strains for artificial inoculation assay on the tea plant leaves, leaf atrophy symptom in leaves which is similar to those observed in the tea planting base, and the putative pathogen was re-isolated to fulfill Koch's postulates. This is the first report of wilt disease caused by Discosia brasiliensis in China.

Novel report of Bipolaris heliconiae causing frog-eye-like leaf spot on Dypsis lutescens in Indian Sub-Continent.

Dypsis lutescens, commonly known as areca palm, is a highly valued ornamental species due to its aesthetic value. However, the foliage is vulnerable to various pathogens, particularly those responsible for fungal leaf spot diseases. In October 2023, a severe incidence (93 %) of destructive leaf spots was recorded on Dypsis lutescens at the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore, and surrounding areas. The leaf spot symptoms manifested as frog-eye-like lesions, leading to complete leaf desiccation and significantly reducing the palms ornamental value. The pathogen exhibited the highest radial growth (90.00 mm) and prominent sporulation on oat meal agar, whereas Richard's synthetic agar resulted in the lowest radial growth (38.00 mm) with no sporulation. Morphological and multilocus phylogenetic analyses confirmed the pathogen as Bipolaris heliconiae. Pathogenicity tests fulfilled Koch's postulates, confirming that Bipolaris heliconiae is the causative agent of leaf spot disease in Dypsis lutescens in India. This novel finding underscores the emergence of a new disease and highlights the urgent need for effective management strategies.

Discovery of Botryosphaeria eucalypti sp. nov. from blighted Eucalyptus leaves in India.

Eucalyptus spp. are undoubtedly one of the most favored plantation trees globally. Accurately identifying Eucalyptus pathogens is therefore crucial for timely disease prevention and control. Recently, symptoms of a leaf blight disease were observed on Eucalyptus trees in plantations at Jhajjar and Karnal in the state of Haryana, northern India. Asexual morphs resembling the features of the Botryosphaeriaceae were consistently isolated from the symptomatic leaves. Morphological features coupled with DNA sequence analysis confirmed a novel species, which is described and illustrated here as Botryosphaeria eucalypti sp. nov. Conidia of the new taxon are longer and wider than those of its phylogenetic neighbors. A distinct phylogenetic position for the new taxon was established through combined analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial translation elongation factor-1α (tef1) and partial ß-tubulin (tub2) regions. Recombination analysis provided additional support for the new species hypothesis. The pathogenicity of the novel species was proved on Eucalyptus leaves, and Koch's postulates were fulfilled. The discovery of new Botryosphaeria species is important because it will help in understanding the species diversity, host range, possible threats and disease control in the long run.

Emergence of Lasiodiplodia theobromae induced leaf necrosis in tea (Camellia sinensis [L.] O. Kuntze) from India.

The tea plant, Camellia sinensis [L.] O. Kuntze, is a vital global agricultural commodity, yet faces challenges from fungal infections, which affects its production. To reduce the loss in the tea production, the fungal infections must be removed which is managed with fungicides, which are harmful to the environment. Leaf necrosis, which decreases tea quality and quantity, was investigated across Assam, revealing Lasiodiplodia theobromae as the causative agent. Pathogenicity tests, alongside morphological and molecular analyses, confirmed its role in leaf necrosis. Genome and gene analysis of L. theobromae showed multiple genes related to its pathogenicity. The study also assessed the impact of chemical pesticides on this pathogen. Additionally, the findings in this study highlight the significance of re-assessing management approaches in considering the fungal infection in tea.

Unveiling Fusaria mycoflora associated with natural occurrence of lisianthus wilt and stem rot in Central-highland Vietnam.

Wilt and stem rot (WSR) is an emerging syndrome threatening cut lisianthus (Eustoma russellianum) production in Lam Dong province, Vietnam. The disease was observed in all 13 inspected commercial lisianthus greenhouses across major lisianthus cultivation areas in Lam Dong, including Da Lat, Lac Duong, Don Duong, and Duc Trong, with incidence increasing with plant age, ranging from 7.5 to 32.4%. Infected plants displayed stunting, wilting, stem rot and blight, and dieback, with predominance of wilt and stem rot. The disease showed polycyclic behavior, with symptoms shifting from random or scattered in young plants to clustered patterns after the initial flower cutting. Forty-one Fusaria-like fungal isolates recovered from diseased lisianthus plants were identified as Fusarium vanleeuwenii (28 isolates), Neocosmospora solani (11 isolates), and F. annulatum (2 isolates) based on morphological observations and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1α) genes. The composition of Fusaria species varied across sites, with F. vanleeuwenii being consistently present. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that isolates of F. vanleeuwenii Li-Fo9511, N. solani Li-Fs4311, and F. annulatum Li-Fp3051 caused typical stem rot in in-vitro assays. In-planta assays showed wilting in seedlings starting two weeks post-infection, with a remarkable increase in disease incidence and severity between five and six weeks, particularly for F. vanleeuwenii Li-Fo9511. The pathogens were re-isolated and morphologically confirmed, fulfilling Koch's postulates. This is the first report of F. vanleeuwenii, N. solani, and F. annulatum as pathogens of lisianthus WSR in Vietnam, highlighting the need for effective control strategies.

Luteibacter mycovicinus sp. nov., a yellow-pigmented gammaproteobacterium found as an endohyphal symbiont of endophytic Ascomycota.

We isolated and described a yellow-pigmented strain of bacteria (strain 9143T), originally characterized as an endohyphal inhabitant of an endophytic fungus in the Ascomycota. Although the full-length sequence of its 16S rRNA gene displays 99 % similarity to Luteibacter pinisoli, genomic hybridization demonstrated <30 % genomic similarity between 9143T and its closest named relatives, further supported by average nucleotide identity results. This and related endohyphal strains form a well-supported clade separate from L. pinisoli and other validly named species including the most closely related Luteibacter rhizovicinus. The name Luteibacter mycovicinus sp. nov. is proposed, with type strain 9143T (isolate DBL433), for which a genome has been sequenced and is publicly available from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC TSD-257T) and from the Leibniz Institute DSMZ (DSM 112764T). The type strain reliably forms yellow colonies across diverse media and growth conditions (lysogeny broth agar, King's Medium B, potato dextrose agar, trypticase soy agar and Reasoner's 2A (R2A) agar). It forms colonies readily at 27 °C on agar with a pH of 6-8, and on salt (NaCl) concentrations up to 2 %. It lacks the ability to utilize sulphate as a sulphur source and thus only forms colonies on minimal media if supplemented with alternative sulphur sources. It is catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Although it exhibits a single polar flagellum, motility was only clearly visible on R2A agar. Its host range and close relatives, which share the endohyphal lifestyle, are discussed.

Clinical spectrum, phenotypic and molecular characterization, and antifungal susceptibility of an emerging human pathogen, Acrophialophora, from India.

Acrophialophora is implicated in superficial and invasive infections, especially in immunosuppressed individuals. The present study was undertaken to provide clinical, microbiological, phylogenetic, and antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) profile of Acrophialophora isolated from India. All the isolates identified as Acrophialophora species at the National Culture Collection for Pathogenic Fungi, Chandigarh, India were revived. Phenotypic and molecular characterization was performed, followed by temperature studies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and AFST. We also performed systematic review of all the cases of Acrophialophora species reported till date. A total of nine isolates identified as Acrophialophora species were identified by molecular method as A. fusispora (n = 8) and A. levis (n = 1), from brain abscess (n = 4), respiratory tract (n = 3), and corneal scraping (n = 2). All patients but two had predisposing factors/co-morbidities. Acrophialophora was identified as mere colonizer in one. Temperature studies and SEM divulged variation between both species. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA and beta-tubulin loci could distinguish species, while the LSU ribosomal DNA locus could not. AFST showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for triazoles and the highest for echinocandins. Systematic literature review revealed 16 cases (11 studies), with ocular infections, pulmonary and central nervous system infections, and A. fusispora was common species. All the patients except three responded well. High MICs were noted for fluconazole, micafungin, and caspofungin. This is the first study delineating clinical, phenotypic, and genotypic characteristics of Acrophialophora species from India. The study highlights microscopic differences between both species and emphasizes the role of molecular methods in precise identification. Triazoles appear to be the most effective antifungals for managing patients.

We describe clinical, phenotypic, and genotypic characteristics of Acrophialophora species. This species causes mild infection to fatal infection in immunosuppressed individuals. Triazoles are effective in treating such infections.

Marine Fungal Diversity and Dynamics in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea).

Fungi contribute to different important ecological processes, including decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling, but in the marine environment the main factors influencing their diversity and dynamics at the spatial and temporal levels are still largely unclear. In this study, we performed DNA metabarcoding on seawater sampled monthly over a year and a half in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea), targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the 18S rRNA gene regions. The fungal communities were diverse, very dynamic, and belonged predominantly to marine taxa. Samples could be clustered in two groups, mainly based on the high (> 30%) or low relative proportion of the ascomycetes Parengyodontium album, which emerged as a key taxon in this area. Dissolved and particulate organic C:N ratio played important roles in shaping the mycoplankton assemblages, suggesting that differently bioavailable organic matter pools may be utilized by different consortia. The proportion of fungal over total reads was 31% for ITS and 0.7% for 18S. ITS had the highest taxonomic resolution but low power to detect early divergent fungal lineages. Our results on composition, distribution, and environmental drivers extended our knowledge of the structure and function of the mycobiome of coastal waters.

Endophytic species of Nigrospora from grasses and shrubs of Shadegan International Wetland, with new species and records from Iran.

The "Shadegan International Wetland" (SIW) is one of the wetlands internationally recognized in the Ramsar convention. The vegetation of this wetland ecosystem consists of mostly grasses and shrubs that host a large number of fungi including endophytes. In this study, Nigrospora isolates were obtained from healthy plants of this wetland and its surrounding salt marshes and identified based on morphological features and multilocus phylogenetic analyses based on three DNA loci, namely the internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 including the intervening 5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS), ß-tubulin (tub2), and elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α). Accordingly, the following Nigrospora species were identified: N. lacticolonia, N. oryzae, N. osmanthi, N. pernambucoensis and a novel taxon N. shadeganensis sp. nov., which is described and illustrated. To the best of our knowledge, 10 new hosts for Nigrospora species are here reported, namely Aeluropus lagopoides, Allenrolfea occidentalis, Anthoxanthum monticola, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Cressa cretica, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, Suaeda vermiculata, Tamarix passerinoides, and Typha latifolia. Moreover, the species N. lacticolonia and N. pernambucoensis are new records for the mycobiota of Iran.

Global Spread, Genetic Differentiation, and Selection of Barley Spot Form Net Blotch Isolates.

Spot form net blotch, caused by Pyrenophora teres f. maculata, is a significant necrotrophic disease of barley that spread worldwide in the twentieth century. Genetic relationships were analyzed to determine the diversity, survival, and dispersal of a diverse collection of 346 isolates from Australia, Southern Africa, North America, Asia Minor, and Europe. The results, based on genome-wide DArTseq data, indicated that isolates from Turkey were the most differentiated with regional sub-structuring, together with individuals closely related to geographically distant genotypes. Elsewhere, population subdivision related to country of origin was evident, although low levels of admixturing was found that may represent rare genotypes or migration from unsampled populations. Canadian isolates were the next most diverged, and Australian and South African the most closely related. With the exception of Turkish isolates, multiple independent Cyp51A mutation events (which confer insensitivity to demethylation inhibitor fungicides) between countries and within regions was evident, with strong selection for a transposable element insertion at the 3' end of the promoter and counterselection elsewhere. Individuals from Western Australia shared genomic regions and Cyp51A haplotypes with South African isolates, suggesting a recent common origin. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.

Long-Read Sequencing Genome Assembly of Ceratocystis fimbriata Enables Development of Molecular Diagnostics for Sweetpotato Black Rot.

Ceratocystis fimbriata is a destructive fungal pathogen of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) that leads to losses at all stages of sweetpotato production. Accurate detection of C. fimbriata would allow for more efficient deployment of management tactics in sweetpotato production. To develop a diagnostic assay, a hybrid genome assembly of C. fimbriata isolate AS236 was generated. The resulting 31.7-MB assembly was near-chromosome level, with 18 contigs, 6,481 predicted genes, and a BUSCO completion score of 98.4% when compared with the fungus-specific lineage database. Additional Illumina DNA reads from C. manginecans, C. platani, and a second C. fimbriata isolate (C1421) were then mapped to the assembled genome using BOWTIE2 and counted using HTSeq, which identified 148 genes present only within C. fimbriata as molecular diagnostic candidates; 6 single-copy and 35 highly multi-copy (>40 BLAST hits), as determined through a self-BLAST-P alignment. Primers for PCR were designed in the 200-bp flanking region of the first exon for each candidate, and the candidates were validated against a diverse DNA panel containing Ceratocystis species, sweetpotato pathogens, and plants. After validation, two diagnostic candidates amplified only C. fimbriata DNA and were considered to be highly specific to the species. These genetic markers will serve as valuable diagnostic tools with multiple applications including the detection of C. fimbriata in seed, soil, and wash water in sweetpotato production.

Favorable outcome of Lasiodiplodia theobromae keratomycosis : a clinical case and systematic review.

BACKROUD: Keratitis caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae is rare and typically associated with a poor prognosis. Current literature lacks sufficient evidence on effective management of patients with this condition. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old former agricultural worker presented with a red right eye, discomfort, and decreased visual acuity, progressing over three days without treatment. Examination revealed type 2 diabetes and a non-perforating, spiculated corneal abscess with a hypopyon in the right eye. Initial treatment included a triple antibiotic therapy and supportive care. Direct mycological examination identified numerous septate mycelial filaments. Antifungal treatment with natamycin and voriconazole, both topically and orally, was initiated. Cultures confirmed Lasiodiplodia theobromae. The patient showed significant improvement. Treatment continued for eight weeks, with a final visual acuity of 20/50 due to a stromal scar. CONCLUSION: An extensive literature review conducted in November 2023, using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar with the keywords "lasiodiplodia" and "keratitis" yielded no previous cases of this specific condition being managed solely with the combined use of natamycin and voriconazole. This antifungal combination is commonly included in most management protocols for fungal keratitis. Factors such as the use of corticosteroids and delayed diagnosis were noted to adversely affect the prognosis. This case and this systematic review underscores the potential for non-surgical management options in severe fungal keratitis.

Pseudoplagiostoma humilis sp. nov., a New Fungal Species Causing Shoot Blight and Dieback in Anacardium humile in Brazil.

The cajuzinho do cerrado (Anacardium humile-Anacardiaceae), a shrub species native to Brazil, is harvested for multiple uses in food and medicine. Members of a harvesting community, near the municipality of Bonito de Minas, Minas Gerais state, Brazil reported characteristic symptoms of shoot blight and dieback reducing pseudofruit and seed production by this plant. This study aimed to identify the etiological agent of this disease. Two fungal isolates were obtained from symptomatic leaf samples and morphologically and molecularly characterized. The fungus was identified, based on morphological analyses, as a probable new species of Pseudoplagiostoma. Phylogenetic analyses based on a combination of DNA sequence data (nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region, tef1-α and tub2), confirmed this hypothesis. The isolates obtained were allocated to a distinct, well-supported clade (IB = 0.99, ML = 100%), placed as a unique lineage here proposed as a new species named Pseudoplagiostoma humilis. The pathogenicity test confirmed that this new species was the causal agent of shoot blight and dieback on A. humile. This is the fourteenth Pseudoplagiostoma species reported in the world and the third in Brazil.