Six new soil-inhabiting Cladosporium species from plateaus in China.

Cladosporium species are ubiquitous in various environments but are hitherto rarely isolated from soil. In the present study, six new Cladosporium species inhabiting the plateau soils of China are described as C. neopsychrotolerans, C. paralimoniforme, C. prolongatum, C. sinuatum, C. tianshanense, and C. verruculosum. These species are phylogenetically distinct and morphologically different from known species. This study increased the number of species classified in the C. cladosporioides and C. herbarum complexes and revealed Chinese plateau soil as a rich niche of Cladosporium species diversity.

Acne-Like Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides: A Rare Case Report and Review of Published Literatures.

We report a rare case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides. A 21-year-old man was presented to our clinic with the history of cysts and nodules on his face and neck for 5 years. He was diagnosed subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis according to the finding of fungal elements in histopathological examination and direct microscopic examination of cyst pus, which was confirmed by positive culture of the cyst pus. The isolate grown on culture was identified as C. cladosporioides on the basis of morphological characters and sequence of the ITS region of ribosomal DNA. After treatment with oral itraconazole, he almost completely resolved the inflammatory lesions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of C. cladosporioides infection presented with multiple cysts and nodules like acne.

Biochemistry of lipolytic enzymes secreted by Penicillium solitum and Cladosporium cladosporioides.

Two distinct extracellular lipases were obtained from Penicillium solitum 194A, isolated from domestic compost, and Cladosporium cladosporioides 194B, isolated from dairy wastewater. These alkaline enzymes had molecular masses of 42 and 30 kDa, respectively. The P. solitum 194A lipase differed in mass from previously reported enzyme, indicating that it is a novel lipase, and indicating that penicillia can secrete lipase isoenzymes. The C. cladosporioides lipase was more active on esters of medium-chain acids, whereas the P. solitum lipase was more active on longer chained substrates. The C. cladosporioides enzyme displayed higher thermal stability than the P. solitum lipase, preserving full activity up to 48 °C and showing a T50 (10 min) of 60 °C. Their different catalytic properties and good protein stability should make these enzymes suitable for biotechnological applications. Furthermore, the combined use of these two fungal strains may prove to be valuable in lipid-rich waste management.

Changes in concentration of Alternaria and Cladosporium spores during summer storms.

Fungal spores are known to cause allergic sensitization. Recent studies reported a strong association between asthma symptoms and thunderstorms that could be explained by an increase in airborne fungal spore concentrations. Just before and during thunderstorms the values of meteorological parameters rapidly change. Therefore, the goal of this study was to create a predictive model for hourly concentrations of atmospheric Alternaria and Cladosporium spores on days with summer storms in Szczecin (Poland) based on meteorological conditions. For this study we have chosen all days of June, July and August (2004-2009) with convective thunderstorms. There were statistically significant relationships between spore concentration and meteorological parameters: positive for air temperature and ozone content while negative for relative humidity. In general, before a thunderstorm, air temperature and ozone concentration increased, which was accompanied by a considerable increase in spore concentration. During and after a storm, relative humidity increased while both air temperature ozone concentration along with spore concentrations decreased. Artificial neural networks (ANN) were used to assess forecasting possibilities. Good performance of ANN models in this study suggest that it is possible to predict spore concentrations from meteorological variables 2 h in advance and, thus, warn people with spore-related asthma symptoms about the increasing abundance of airborne fungi on days with storms.

Localization of Cladosporium fulvum hydrophobins reveals a role for HCf-6 in adhesion.

Hydrophobins are amphipathic molecules which form part of fungal cell walls and extracellular matrices and perform a variety of roles in fungal growth and development. The tomato pathogen Cladosporium fulvum has six hydrophobin genes, HCf-1 to -6. We have devised an epitope tagging approach for establishing hydrophobin localization during growth in culture and in plants. In this paper we localize HCf-2, -3, -4 and -5 and compare the data to our previous observations for HCf-1 and -6. In culture, HCf-1, -2, -3 and 4 localize to conidia and also appear on aerial hyphae. HCf-4 is unique in that it appears on submerged hyphae. HCf-5 expression is tightly regulated and appears on aerial hyphae early on during growth. Only HCf-1, -3 and -6 were observed during infection; HCf-3 appears on both conidia and emerging germ tubes. We also show that HCf-6 is secreted and coats surfaces under and around growing hyphae and demonstrate the effect of deleting HCf-6 on the adhesion of germinating C. fulvum conidia to glass slides.

Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides as potential new fungal antagonists of Puccinia horiana Henn., the causal agent of chrysanthemum white rust.

Puccinia horiana Hennings, the causal agent of chrysanthemum white rust, is a worldwide quarantine organism and one of the most important fungal pathogens of Chrysanthemum × morifolium cultivars, which are used for cut flowers and as potted plants in commercial production regions of the world. It was previously reported to be controlled by Lecanicillium lecanii, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, C. uredinicola and Aphanocladium album, due to their antagonistic and hyperparasitic effects. We report novel antagonist species on Puccinia horiana. Fungi isolated from rust pustules in a commercial greenhouse from Villa Guerrero, México, were identified as Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides based upon molecular analysis and morphological characters. The antagonism of C. cladosporioides and C. pseudocladosporioides on chrysanthemum white rust was studied using light and electron microscopy in vitro at the host/parasite interface. Cladosporium cladosporioides and C. pseudocladosporioides grew towards the white rust teliospores and colonized the sporogenous cells, but no direct penetration of teliospores was observed; however, the structure and cytoplasm of teliospores were altered. The two Cladosporium spp. were able to grow on media containing laminarin, but not when chitin was used as the sole carbon source; these results suggest that they are able to produce glucanases. Results from the study indicate that both Cladosporium species had potential as biological control agents of chrysanthemum white rust.

Cladosporium lebrasiae, a new fungal species isolated from milk bread rolls in France.

The fungal genus Cladosporium (Cladosporiaceae, Dothideomycetes) is composed of a large number of species, which can roughly be divided into three main species complexes: Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium herbarum, and Cladosporium sphaerospermum. The aim of this study was to characterize strains isolated from contaminated milk bread rolls by phenotypic and genotypic analyses. Using multilocus data from the internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA (rDNA), partial translation elongation factor 1-α, actin, and beta-tubulin gene sequences along with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and morphological observations, three isolates were identified as a new species in the C. sphaerospermum species complex. This novel species, described here as Cladosporium lebrasiae, is phylogenetically and morphologically distinct from other species in this complex.

A pulmonary fungus ball produced by Cladosporium cladosporioides.

A case of pulmonary fungus ball produced by Cladosporium cladosporioides is reported. The fungus occupied a cavity in the upper lobe of right lung. Invasion of the cavitary wall or adjacent pulmonary tissue by the fungus was not observed.

Annual and diurnal incidence of Cladosporium conidia in the atmosphere of Córdoba, Spain.

The presence of Cladosporium conidia in the atmosphere of Córdoba, a city in Southern Spain, was studied. Samplings were carried out over a three-year period in the form of hourly analyses by use of a Hirst volumetric inert collection medium trap, located 15 meters above ground level. The results obtained suggest that conidia from species of this genus are present in the atmosphere of Córdoba throughout the year. The mean of the concentrations obtained during the study period was 1065 conidia/m3 day. The conidium concentration show a markedly seasonal variation pattern, with two annual peaks (one in June and the other in September-October). The incidence of Cladosporium conidia in Córdoba appears to be determined mainly by the temperature and relative humidity. As regards intradiurnal variation, the number of Cladosporium conidia peaks between 8 and 10 pm, with a minimum between 5 and 6 am.

Cerebral mycosis in a dog caused by Cladosporium trichoides Emmons 1952.

The fungus, Cladosporium trichoides, was isolated and cultured from a lesion in the cerebellum and from smaller lesions in the liver, kidney and spleen of a dog which had a history of behavioural changes, ataxia and collapse. Histopathological examination showed the cerebellar lesion to be a purulant granuloma which contained brown, septate hypae and structures resembling conidia. The source of infection was not traced and no predisposing factors were apparent. As far as is known, this is the first record of the condition in animals in southern Africa and the first report anywhere of this condition in the dog.

Airborne Alternaria and Cladosporium species and relationship with meteorological conditions in Eskisehir City, Turkey.

Alternaria and Cladosporium, known as the most allergenic spores were first collected by means of Durham gravimetric sampler from Eskisehir atmosphere from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2001. The daily, monthly and annual variations in spores/cm(2) of Cladosporium and Alternaria were recorded. During this period, a total of 10.231 spores belonging to Cladosporium and Alternaria genera were recorded. Of these spores, 5,103 were identified in 2000 and 5,128 in 2001. While 63.09% of the total spores were those of Cladosporium, 36.91% were of Alternaria. Relationships between airborne fungal spore presence and meteorological conditions were statistically investigated. A Shapiro-Wilk test revealed that the airborne Cladosporium and Alternaria spores differed from a normal distribution. Thus, a Friedmann test was performed followed by a Pearson Correlation Analysis. The effects of rainfall, temperature and wind speed on Cladosporium and Alternaria numbers were non-significant according to the sites and months (p > 0.05), but the effects of relative humidity on Cladosporium and Alternaria numbers were significant (p < 0.01). Spore concentrations reached to their highest levels in May 2001.

Metulocladosporiella gen. nov. for the causal organism of Cladosporium speckle disease of banana.

Cladosporium musae, a widespread leaf-spotting hyphomycete on Musa spp., is genetically and morphologically distinct from Cladosporium s. str. (Davidiella anamorphs, Mycosphaerellaceae, Dothideales). DNA sequence data derived from the ITS and LSU gene regions of C. musae isolates show that this species is part of a large group of hyphomycetes in the Chaetothyriales with dematiaceous blastoconidia in acropetal chains. Cladosporium adianticola, a foliicolous hyphomycete known from leaf litter in Cuba is also a member of this clade and is closely related to C. musae. A comparison with other genera in the Cladosporium complex revealed that C. musae belongs to a lineage for which no generic name is currently available, and for which the genus Metulocladosporiella gen. nov. is proposed. Two species of Metulocladosporiella are currently known, namely M. musae, which is widely distributed, and M. musicola sp. nov., which is currently known from Africa.

Nutritional physiology and taxonomy of human-pathogenic Cladosporium-Xylohypha species.

Physiological profiles of type, authentic and some additional isolates of Cladosporium-Xylohypha species of purported herpotrichiellaceous relationship are established. This group comprises melanized catenate hyphomycetes which are prevalently found on the human host. The species are excluded from the genus Cladosporium and are classified in the genus Cladophialophora. Taeniolella boppii is also transferred to this genus. Cladosporium bantianum (= Xylohypha emmonsii) and C. trichoides are considered conspecific and are now referred to as Cladophialophora bantiana. Meso-erythritol, L-arabinitol, ethanol and growth at 40 degrees C are found to be the most useful criteria for species distinction. The species Cladosporium carrionii is found to be heterogeneous. The anamorph of the saprophytic ascomycete Capronia pilosella is morphologically similar to an authentic strain of Cladosporium carrionii, but physiologically distinct. A diagnostic key for the recognized Cladophialophora species and to morphologically similar taxa is provided.

Fruiting organs of Cladosporium werneckii.

Submerged mycelia of a strain of Cladosporium werneckii isolated from tinea nigra palmaris, when cultured on enriched corn-meal agar media, developed fruiting bodies resembling perithecia.

Reclassification of Cladosporium bantianum in the genus Xylohypha.

It is proposed that the dematiaceous hyphomycete Cladosporium bantianum (Saccardo) Borelli be transferred to the genus Xylohypha (Fries) Mason as Xylohypha bantiana (Saccardo) McGinnis, Padhye, Borelli, et Ajello. This new combination is necessary because X. bantiana produces conidiophores that are indistinguishable from its vegetative hyphae and one-celled, smooth-walled conidia that are borne in long, infrequently branched chains. The blastoconidia do not possess darkly pigmented hila. In contrast, members of the genus Cladosporium Link produce erect, distinct conidiophores and one- to four-celled smooth-to-rough-walled conidia that occur in short, frequently branched, fragile chains. The blastoconidia have darkly pigmented hila. Cladosporium trichoides Emmons is a later synonym of X. bantiana.

A simple and rapid method for qualitative and quantitative study of the fungal flora of leaves.

A simple and rapid method for microscopical and cultural examination of leaf mycoflora is described. Scotch tape with adhesive on both sides is attached to microscope slides. An impression of the leaf surface is made by pressing the leaf onto the tape. After staining with lactophenol-aniline blue and mounting in AH water-soluble mounting medium the preparation is ready for examination under the microscope. Impressions can also be used for cultural studies by covering them with a thin film of agar medium and incubating them in a moist chamber for 2-3 days. These slide cultures will show both the number and the pattern of distribution of the fungi originally present on the leaf surface.

Comparative study of an isolate resembling Banti's fungus with Cladosporium trichoides.

A fungus isolated from a subcutaneous abscess of a cat was found to fit closely to the description of Banti's fungus, Torula bantiana Saccardo, which was reclassified by Borelli as Cladosporium bantianum (Sacc.) Borelli. The cat isolate was different from Cladosporium trichoides Emmons in conidial size, branching of conidial chains, and minimum, optimum, and maximum temperature for growth. Although the isolate was neurotropic in mice, the fungal morphology in mouse brain was clearly different from C. trichoides. From this study, it was apparent that C. bantianum (Sacc.) Borelli and C. trichoides Emmons should be regarded as two separate species. The 2 species were compared with C. carrionii Trejos.

[Comparative study of Cladosporium isolated from various human lesions]. / Etude comparative des Cladosporium isolés de diverses lésions humaines.

Two species C. carrionii and C. bantianum are important in medical mycology and are respectively the etiologic agents of chromomycosis and brain abcess. Other species such C. oxysporum and C. cladosporioides have been isolated from keratitis, further more the latter species has been isolated from a pulmonary ball. C. sphaerospermum has been recovered from nail scrapings. The role of C. herbarum, isolated from skin lesion is questionable.

Four or more species of Cladosporium sympatrically colonize Phragmites australis.

A collection of Cladosporium has been recovered from common reed growing at Lake Constance (Germany). High-resolution cryo-scanning electron microscopy revealed that Cladosporium isolates from reed are diverse. Morphologically, we distinguished three species, viz. C. herbarum, C. oxysporum, and Cladosporium sp. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis supported these results and, moreover, separated the most common species, C. oxysporum, into two subclades. Two additional phylogenies were generated to gain support for this finding. The first, differentiating fungi by their capacities to metabolize different carbon sources, showed correlation with morphology. The second, based on actin gene sequences, showed the same overall topology as that of the ITS tree, but resulted in a higher resolution indicating the existence of four or more species of Cladosporium on reed. A nested PCR assay targeting variable sequences within actin introns indicated that these four species sympatrically colonize reed. There was no evidence for mutual exclusion on or within the host or specialization for host habitats or organs.