ABSTRACT
A multinational outbreak of nosocomial fusarium meningitis occurred among immunocompetent patients who had undergone surgery with epidural anesthesia in Mexico. The pathogen involved had a high predilection for the brain stem and vertebrobasilar arterial system and was associated with high mortality from vessel injury. Effective treatment options remain limited; in vitro susceptibility testing of the organism suggested that it is resistant to all currently approved antifungal medications in the United States. To highlight the severe complications associated with fusarium infection acquired in this manner, we report data, clinical courses, and outcomes from 13 patients in the outbreak who presented with symptoms after a median delay of 39 days.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Fusariosis , Fusarium , Iatrogenic Disease , Meningitis, Fungal , Humans , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Fusariosis/epidemiology , Fusariosis/etiology , Fusarium/isolation & purification , Iatrogenic Disease/epidemiology , Meningitis, Fungal/epidemiology , Meningitis, Fungal/etiology , Mexico/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Internationality , Immunocompetence , Drug Resistance, Fungal , Analgesia, Epidural/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Invasive fusariosis is a serious invasive fungal disease, affecting immunocompetent and, more frequently, immunocompromised patients. Localized disease is the typical clinical form in immunocompetent patients. Immunocompromised hosts at elevated risk of developing invasive fusariosis are patients with acute leukemia receiving chemotherapeutic regimens for remission induction, and those undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. In this setting, the infection is usually disseminated with positive blood cultures, multiple painful metastatic skin lesions, and lung involvement. Currently available antifungal agents have poor in vitro activity against Fusarium species, but a clear-cut correlation between in vitro activity and clinical effectiveness does not exist. The outcome of invasive fusariosis is largely dependent on the resolution of immunosuppression, especially neutrophil recovery in neutropenic patients.
Subject(s)
Fusariosis , Fusarium , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Humans , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/microbiology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Immunocompromised HostABSTRACT
Invasive fusariosis can be life-threatening, especially in immunocompromised patients who require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study to describe clinical and biologic characteristics, patient outcomes, and factors associated with death and response to antifungal therapy. We identified 55 patients with invasive fusariosis from 16 ICUs in France during 2002----2020. The mortality rate was high (56%). Fusariosis-related pneumonia occurred in 76% of patients, often leading to acute respiratory failure. Factors associated with death included elevated sequential organ failure assessment score at ICU admission or history of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or hematologic malignancies. Neither voriconazole treatment nor disseminated fusariosis were strongly associated with response to therapy. Invasive fusariosis can lead to multiorgan failure and is associated with high mortality rates in ICUs. Clinicians should closely monitor ICU patients with a history of hematologic malignancies or stem cell transplantation because of higher risk for death.
Subject(s)
Fusariosis , Hematologic Neoplasms , Humans , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Intensive Care Units , France/epidemiology , Hematologic Neoplasms/complications , Hematologic Neoplasms/therapy , Multicenter Studies as TopicABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Fusarium species are an increasingly important cause of meningitis and invasive disease in immunocompromised patients as well as in otherwise healthy patients as observed in two recent healthcare-associated outbreaks. This review summarizes recently published information on treatment and diagnosis of this infection. RECENT FINDINGS: Incidence of Fusarium species meningitis and invasive fusariosis are increasing. Molecular techniques are improving the speed of diagnosis. New antifungal agents in development show good in vitro activity against some Fusarium species. New technologies, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) filtration, may play a role in treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disease. Due to the continued prime importance of the host immune system in recovery, immunomodulatory treatments may play a role in treatment. SUMMARY: The overall incidence of CNS fusariosis is increasing with a continued poor prognosis, but new diagnostic and treatment modalities are in development which may offer improvements.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Fusariosis , Fusarium , Humans , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Central Nervous System Fungal Infections/diagnosis , Central Nervous System Fungal Infections/drug therapy , Fusariosis/diagnosis , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusarium/drug effects , Immunocompromised Host , IncidenceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Historically, patients with leukaemia and invasive fusariosis (IF) have experienced poor outcomes in the setting of persistent immunosuppression. Herein, we retrospectively reviewed the incidence, presentation and outcomes of IF that are scarcely studied in contemporary cohorts of leukaemia patients. METHODS: We identified adult leukaemia patients with proven or probable IF at MD Anderson Cancer Center during 2009-21. Independent risk factors for 42 day mortality after IF diagnosis were determined using a multivariable logistic regression model. Combined with historical data, the annual IF incidence density over the past 23 years was estimated using Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 140 leukaemia patients with IF (114 proven), 118 patients (84%) had relapsed/refractory leukaemia and 124 (89%) had neutropenia at IF diagnosis. One hundred patients (71%) had pulmonary IF, 88 (63%) had disseminated IF and 48 (34%) had fungaemia. Coinfections were common (55%). Eighty-nine patients (64%) had breakthrough IF to mould-active triazoles. Most patients (84%) received combination antifungal therapy. Neutrophil recovery [adjusted OR (aOR), 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01-0.14; Pâ<â0.0001], pulmonary IF (aOR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.11-9.70; Pâ=â0.032) and high SOFA score (aOR, 1.91 per 1-point increase; 95% CI, 1.47-2.50; Pâ<â0.0001) were independent predictors of 42 day mortality outcomes. From 1998 to 2021, IF incidence density increased significantly at an annual ratio of 1.03 (95% CI, 1.01-1.06; Pâ=â0.04). CONCLUSIONS: IF is predominantly seen in patients with relapsed/refractory leukaemia and increasingly seen as a breakthrough infection to mould-active triazoles. Despite frequent combination antifungal therapy, high mortality rates have persisted in patients with lasting neutropenia.
Subject(s)
Fusariosis , Leukemia , Neutropenia , Adult , Humans , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/epidemiology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Breakthrough Infections , Azoles , Incidence , Retrospective Studies , Triazoles , Fungi , Leukemia/complications , Leukemia/epidemiology , Leukemia/drug therapy , Neutropenia/complications , Neutropenia/drug therapyABSTRACT
Burns can cause skin damage, facilitating the entry of fungi and other microorganisms into the body, leading to infections. Fusarium is a fungus capable of infecting individuals with burn injuries. Diagnosing and treating Fusarium infections in burn patients can be challenging due to the manifestation of nonspecific symptoms. This study aims to investigate case reports and case series from published literature describing Fusarium infection in burned patients, in order to assess treatment regimens, clinical outcomes, and make recommendations for future management. We conducted searches on Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Medline for all case reports and case series containing keywords 'Burn', 'Burns', 'Burned', 'Fusarium', or 'Fusariosis' in the title or abstract. All burn patients who developed Fusarium fungal infections between January 1974 and March 2023 were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed retrospectivity. The final analysis incorporates 24 case reports encompassing a total of 87 burn patients with Fusarium infection. Patient ages ranged from one to 85 years, with the majority being male (53%). The median percentage of burn surface area was 78%, and the skin in the face, upper limbs, and lower limbs were the most commonly infected sites. Fungal infections appeared around 10 days after the burn injury on average. The majority of the patients were identified through culture or histopathology. The Fusarium dimerum species complex, which was found in nine patients, was the most frequently identified Fusarium species complex. Amphotericin B was the most preferred treatment drug, followed by voriconazole, and 62% of patients underwent debridement. In our study, 23 patients (37%) died from fungal infections. Implementing early and effective treatment protocols targeting Fusarium spp. in burn treatment units can significantly reduce mortality rates. It is critical to enhance the understanding of fusariosis epidemiology and emphasize the importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion for this condition in burn patients.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Burns , Fusariosis , Fusarium , Humans , Fusariosis/microbiology , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Burns/complications , Burns/microbiology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Fusarium/isolation & purification , Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Female , Aged , Young Adult , Aged, 80 and over , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , InfantABSTRACT
Recognizing the growing global burden of fungal infections, the World Health Organization established a process to develop a priority list of fungal pathogens (FPPL). In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiology and impact of infections caused by Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp., and Lomentospora prolificans to inform the first FPPL. PubMed and Web of Sciences databases were searched to identify studies published between January 1, 2011 and February 23, 2021, reporting on mortality, complications and sequelae, antifungal susceptibility, preventability, annual incidence, and trends. Overall, 20, 11, and 9 articles were included for Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp., and L. prolificans, respectively. Mortality rates were high in those with invasive fusariosis, scedosporiosis, and lomentosporiosis (42.9%-66.7%, 42.4%-46.9%, and 50.0%-71.4%, respectively). Antifungal susceptibility data, based on small isolate numbers, showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC)/minimum effective concentrations for most currently available antifungal agents. The median/mode MIC for itraconazole and isavuconazole were ≥16 mg/l for all three pathogens. Based on limited data, these fungi are emerging. Invasive fusariosis increased from 0.08 cases/100 000 admissions to 0.22 cases/100 000 admissions over the time periods of 2000-2009 and 2010-2015, respectively, and in lung transplant recipients, Scedosporium spp. and L. prolificans were only detected from 2014 onwards. Global surveillance to better delineate antifungal susceptibility, risk factors, sequelae, and outcomes is required.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Fusarium , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Scedosporium , Humans , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Fusarium/drug effects , Fusarium/isolation & purification , Scedosporium/drug effects , Scedosporium/isolation & purification , Scedosporium/classification , World Health Organization , Mycoses/epidemiology , Mycoses/microbiology , Fusariosis/microbiology , Fusariosis/epidemiology , Ascomycota/drug effects , Invasive Fungal InfectionsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Infectious keratitis, a significant contributor to blindness, with fungal keratitis accounting for nearly half of cases, poses a formidable diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its delayed clinical presentation, prolonged culture times, and the limited availability of effective antifungal medications. Furthermore, infections caused by rare fungal strains warrant equal attention in the management of this condition. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of fungal keratitis was presented, where corneal scraping material culture yielded pink colonies. Lactophenol cotton blue staining revealed distinctive spore formation consistent with the Fusarium species. Further analysis using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identified the causative agent as Fusarium proliferatum. However, definitive diagnosis of Pseudonectria foliicola infection was confirmed through ITS sequencing. The patient's recovery was achieved with a combination therapy of voriconazole eye drops and itraconazole systemic treatment. CONCLUSION: Pseudonectria foliicola is a plant pathogenic bacterium that has never been reported in human infections before. Therefore, ophthalmologists should consider Pseudonectria foliicola as a possible cause of fungal keratitis, as early identification and timely treatment can help improve vision in most eyes.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Eye Infections, Fungal , Fusarium , Keratitis , Voriconazole , Humans , Keratitis/microbiology , Keratitis/drug therapy , Keratitis/diagnosis , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Eye Infections, Fungal/microbiology , Eye Infections, Fungal/drug therapy , Eye Infections, Fungal/diagnosis , Voriconazole/therapeutic use , Fusarium/isolation & purification , Fusarium/drug effects , Fusarium/pathogenicity , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization , Itraconazole/therapeutic use , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/microbiology , Fusariosis/diagnosis , Male , Cornea/microbiology , Cornea/pathology , Female , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Infections are still a significant cause of mortality in children with hematologic malignancies. Fusariosis is a relatively rare and opportunistic infection, which may present dangerous course and a poor prognosis. Below, we describe the fatal course of a 15-years old patient with a combined bone marrow and testicular relapse of ALL and multisystemic Fusariosis oxysporum infection with fulminant evolution. Despite aggressive therapy, which included multiagent antifungal treatment and surgical debridement, patient succumbed to the disease. The review of the literature was conducted and the need for early detection of fusarium symptoms was emphasized. The case encourages further research in the prevention and treatment of the illness.
Subject(s)
Fusariosis , Fusarium , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma , Adolescent , Child , Humans , Fusariosis/diagnosis , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/microbiology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/complications , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy , RecurrenceABSTRACT
Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani infections have become severe health threat; both pathogens are considered a priority due to the increasing emergence of antifungal-resistant strains and high mortality rates. Therefore, the discovery of new therapeutic strategies has become crucial. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal and antivirulence effects of vanillin and tannic acid against Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the compounds were determined by the microdilution method in RPMI broth in 96-well microplates according to CLSI. Conidial germination, protease production, biofilm formation, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy assays were performed. The results demonstrated that vanillin and tannic acid had antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, while tannic acid only exhibited antifungal activity against Fusarium solani. We found that vanillin and tannic acid inhibited conidial germination and secreted protease production and biofilm formation of the fungal pathogens using sub-inhibitory concentrations. Besides, vanillin and tannic acid altered the fungal membrane permeability, and both compounds showed therapeutic effect against aspergillosis and fusariosis in an infection model in Galleria mellonella larvae. Our results highlight the antivirulence effect of vanillin and tannic acid against priority pathogenic fungi as a possible therapeutic alternative for human fungal infections.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Aspergillus fumigatus , Benzaldehydes , Biofilms , Fusarium , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Polyphenols , Tannins , Benzaldehydes/pharmacology , Fusarium/drug effects , Tannins/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Biofilms/drug effects , Aspergillus fumigatus/drug effects , Animals , Aspergillosis/microbiology , Aspergillosis/drug therapy , Virulence/drug effects , Larva/microbiology , Larva/drug effects , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/microbiology , Spores, Fungal/drug effects , Moths/microbiology , Moths/drug effectsABSTRACT
Fusarium species are an emerging cause of onychomycosis, and the number of cases has dramatically increased in recent decades worldwide. This review presents an overview of the onychomycosis cases caused by Fusarium species and diagnosis and treatment that have been reported in the literature. The most common causative agent of onychomycosis is F. solani species complex, which accounts for 11.68% of the cases of Fusarium onychomycosis, followed by the F. oxysporum species complex (164 out of 1669), which is accounted for 9.83% of the total. F. fujikuroi species complex (42 out of 1669) and F. dimerum species complex (7 out of 1669) are responsible for 2.52% and 0.42 cases, respectively. Fusarium nail infections were reported in patients aged range 1-98, accounting for 5.55% (1669 out of 30082) of all cases. Asia has the highest species diversity of Fusarium onychomycosis (31.51%). South America accounts for 21.09%, and the most common causative agent is F. solani (19.32%), followed by F. oxysporum species complex (15.63%). Europe accounts for 4.90% of cases caused by F. oxysporum, followed by F. solani. Africa accounts for 23.87% of the cases due to the F. solani species complex, followed by F. oxysporum and F. fujikuroi. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis was the most common clinical symptom accounting for 58.7% (135 out of 230) of the cases. Data analysis relieved that terbinafine and itraconazole are active treatments for Fusarium onychomycosis. For a definitive diagnosis, combining of direct examination, culture and sequencing of the elongation factor of translation 1α are recommended. Accurate identification of the causative agents of onychomycosis due to Fusarium species and antifungal susceptibility testing is essential in patient management.
Subject(s)
Fusariosis , Fusarium , Onychomycosis , Humans , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Onychomycosis/diagnosis , Onychomycosis/drug therapy , Onychomycosis/epidemiology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Itraconazole/therapeutic use , Fusariosis/diagnosis , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The present study analyses the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with cutaneous fusarium through a systematic review of cases reported in literature. A total of 39 cases were included, of which 53% were men, 30% were women, and in 17% the sex was not specified. The age ranged from 5 to 85 years. Most cases were reported in Brazil, followed by Japan and United States of America. The most common agent was Fusarium solani, in 37.5% of the patients. Most of the affected individuals had acute myeloid leukaemia and some of the predisposing factors, which included induction chemotherapy, febrile neutropenia, and bone marrow transplantation. The clinical topography of the lesions was located in 27.5% and disseminated in 72.5%, with the most observed clinical feature outstanding the presence of papules and nodules with central necrosis in 47% of the cases. Longer survival was demonstrated in those treated with more than three antifungals. It is concluded that cutaneous fusarium is a complex and challenging clinical entity, infection in patients with leukaemias underscores the need for thorough care to decrease morbidity and mortality.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Fusariosis , Fusarium , Humans , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/microbiology , Fusarium/isolation & purification , Aged , Adult , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Female , Male , Aged, 80 and over , Young Adult , Adolescent , Brazil/epidemiology , Child , Japan/epidemiology , Child, Preschool , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/complications , United States/epidemiology , Leukemia/complications , Leukemia/microbiology , Dermatomycoses/microbiology , Dermatomycoses/epidemiology , Dermatomycoses/drug therapy , Dermatomycoses/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Fungal keratitis is a severe eye infection that can result in blindness and visual impairment, particularly in developing countries. Fusarium spp. are the primary causative agents of this condition. Diagnosis of Fusarium keratitis (FK) is challenging, and delayed treatment can lead to serious complications. However, there is limited epidemiological data on FK, especially in tropical areas. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the clinical, laboratorial and epidemiological characteristics of FK in a tropical semi-arid region of Brazil. PATIENTS/METHODS: Adult patients with laboratory-confirmed FK diagnosed between October 2019 and March 2022 were evaluated. Fusarium isolates were characterized at molecular level and evaluated regarding antifungal susceptibility. RESULTS: A total of 226 clinical samples from patients suspected of keratitis were evaluated; fungal growth was detected in 50 samples (22.12%); out of which 42 were suggestive of Fusarium spp. (84%). Molecular analysis of a randomly selected set of 27 isolates identified F. solani species complex (n = 14); F. fujikuroi sensu lato (n = 6) and F. dimerum sensu lato (n = 7); a total of 10 haplotypes were identified among the strains. All but one Fusarium strains were inhibited by amphotericin B, natamycin and fluconazole. Most patients were male (71.42%; 30 out of 42), aged from 27 to 73 years old. Trauma was the most important risk factor for FK (40.47%; 17 out of 42). Patients were treated with antifungals, corticoids and antibiotics; keratoplasty and eye enucleation were also performed. CONCLUSIONS: The study provided insights into the characteristics of FK in tropical regions and emphasized the importance of enhanced surveillance and management strategies.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Eye Infections, Fungal , Fusariosis , Fusarium , Keratitis , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Humans , Brazil/epidemiology , Fusarium/genetics , Fusarium/drug effects , Fusarium/isolation & purification , Fusarium/classification , Male , Female , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Adult , Keratitis/microbiology , Keratitis/epidemiology , Keratitis/drug therapy , Middle Aged , Fusariosis/microbiology , Fusariosis/epidemiology , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Eye Infections, Fungal/microbiology , Eye Infections, Fungal/epidemiology , Eye Infections, Fungal/drug therapy , Aged , Young Adult , Adolescent , Tropical Climate , Aged, 80 and over , Amphotericin B/pharmacology , Amphotericin B/therapeutic useABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mycotic keratitis (MK) represents a corneal infection, with Fusarium species identified as the leading cause. Fusarium is a genus of filamentous fungi commonly found in soil and plants. While many Fusarium species are harmless, some can cause serious infections in humans and animals, particularly Fusarium keratitis, that can lead to severe ocular infections, prevalent cause of monocular blindness in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Due to its incidence and importance in ophthalmology, we conducted a systematic analysis of clinical cases to increase our understanding of Fusarium keratitis by gathering clinical and demographic data. METHODS: To conduct an analysis of Fusarium keratitis, we looked through the literature from the databases PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, and Google Scholar and found 99 papers that, between March 1969 and September 2023, corresponded to 163 cases of Fusarium keratitis. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed the Fusarium solani species complex as the predominant isolate, with females disproportionately affected by Fusarium keratitis. Notably, contact lens usage emerged as a significant risk factor, implicated in nearly half of cases. Diagnosis primarily relied on culture, while treatment predominantly involved topical natamycin, amphotericin B, and/or voriconazole. Surprisingly, our findings demonstrated a prevalence of cases originating from the United States, suggesting potential underreporting and underestimation of this mycosis in tropical regions. This shows the imperative for heightened vigilance, particularly in underdeveloped regions with substantial agricultural activity, where Fusarium infections may be more prevalent than currently reported. CONCLUSION: Our study sheds light on the clinical complexities of Fusarium keratitis and emphasizes the need for further research and surveillance to effectively tackle this vision-threatening condition. Furthermore, a timely identification and early initiation of antifungal treatment appear to be as important as the choice of initial treatment itself.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Fusariosis , Fusarium , Keratitis , Humans , Keratitis/microbiology , Keratitis/epidemiology , Keratitis/drug therapy , Fusarium/isolation & purification , Fusarium/classification , Fusarium/genetics , Fusariosis/microbiology , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/epidemiology , Fusariosis/diagnosis , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Eye Infections, Fungal/microbiology , Eye Infections, Fungal/epidemiology , Eye Infections, Fungal/drug therapy , Female , Voriconazole/therapeutic use , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Contact Lenses/microbiology , Contact Lenses/adverse effects , Amphotericin B/therapeutic use , Natamycin/therapeutic use , Aged , Young Adult , AdolescentABSTRACT
Chitinases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of chitin, the primary components of fungal cell walls, play key roles in defense responses, symbiotic associations, plant growth, and stress tolerance. In this study, 23 chitinase genes were identified in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus [Thunb.]) and classified into five classes through homology search and phylogenetic analysis. The genes with similar exon-intron structures and conserved domains were clustered into the same class. The putative cis-elements involved in the responses to phytohormone, stress, and plant development were identified in their promoter regions. A tissue-specific expression analysis showed that the ClChi genes were primarily expressed in the roots (52.17%), leaves (26.09%), and flowers (34.78%). Moreover, qRT-PCR results indicate that ClChis play multifaceted roles in the interaction between plant/environment. More ClChi members were induced by Race 2 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, and eight genes were expressed at higher levels on the seventh day after inoculation with Races 1 and 2, suggesting that these genes play a key role in the resistance of watermelon to Fusarium wilt. Collectively, these results improve knowledge of the chitinase gene family in watermelon species and help to elucidate the roles played by chitinases in the responses of watermelon to various stresses.
Subject(s)
Chitinases , Citrullus , Fusariosis , Fusarium , Phylogeny , Chitinases/genetics , Citrullus/geneticsABSTRACT
The domains of unknown function (DUF) superfamilies contain proteins with conserved amino acid sequences without known functions. Among them, DUF668 was indicated widely involving the stress response of plants. However, understanding ZoDUF668 is still lacking. Here, 12 ZoDUF668 genes were identified in ginger by the bioinformatics method and unevenly distributed on six chromosomes. Conserved domain analysis showed that members of the same subfamily had similar conserved motifs and gene structures. The promoter region of ZoDUF668s contained the light, plant hormone and stress-responsive elements. The prediction of miRNA targeting relationship showed that nine ginger miRNAs targeted four ZoDUF668 genes through cleavage. The expression patterns of 12 ZoDUF668 genes under biotic and abiotic stress were analyzed using RT-qPCR. The results showed that the expression of seven ZoDUF668 genes was significantly downregulated under Fusarium solani infection, six ZoDUF668 genes were upregulated under cold stress, and five ZoDUF668 genes were upregulated under waterlogging stress. These results indicate that the ZoDUF668 gene has different expression patterns under different stress conditions. This study provides excellent candidate genes and provides a reference for stress-resistance research in ginger.
Subject(s)
Fusariosis , MicroRNAs , Zingiber officinale , Zingiber officinale/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Cold-Shock Response/genetics , Computational Biology , MicroRNAs/geneticsABSTRACT
Invasive Fusarium infections cause high mortality. Fosmanogepix, a first-in-class antifungal agent, has potent activity against Fusarium. A patient with acute leukemia with invasive fusariosis, probably involving the central nervous system and caused by Fusarium lactis resistant to currently available antifungal agents, was cured of her infection with fosmanogepix. Fosmanogepix was well tolerated.
Subject(s)
Fusariosis , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute , Humans , Female , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/microbiology , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy , Central Nervous SystemABSTRACT
Environmental adaptation of organisms relies on fast perception and response to external signals, which lead to developmental changes. Plant cell growth is strongly dependent on cell wall remodeling. However, little is known about cell wall-related sensing of biotic stimuli and the downstream mechanisms that coordinate growth and defense responses. We generated genetically encoded pH sensors to determine absolute pH changes across the plasma membrane in response to biotic stress. A rapid apoplastic acidification by phosphorylation-based proton pump activation in response to the fungus Fusarium oxysporum immediately reduced cellulose synthesis and cell growth and, furthermore, had a direct influence on the pathogenicity of the fungus. In addition, pH seems to influence cellulose structure. All these effects were dependent on the COMPANION OF CELLULOSE SYNTHASE proteins that are thus at the nexus of plant growth and defense. Hence, our discoveries show a remarkable connection between plant biomass production, immunity, and pH control, and advance our ability to investigate the plant growth-defense balance.
Subject(s)
Arabidopsis/immunology , Defense Mechanisms , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Plant Development/immunology , Plant Diseases/immunology , Plant Immunity/physiology , Arabidopsis/genetics , Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Cell Wall , Cellulose/metabolism , Fusariosis , Fusarium/pathogenicity , Glucosyltransferases , Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics , Plant Development/genetics , Plant Development/physiology , Plant Diseases/microbiology , Plant Immunity/genetics , Plant Roots/genetics , Plant Roots/physiology , Stress, PhysiologicalABSTRACT
Dominant negative (DN) mutations in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are known to cause hyper-IgE syndrome, a rare primary immunodeficiency. STAT3 DN patients are prone to develop fungal infections, including chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis due to impaired IL-17-mediated immunity, and pulmonary aspergillosis. Despite having preserved phagocyte functions, STAT3 DN patients present connective tissue abnormalities and a defect in the immunological skin barrier. Fusarium species are ubiquitous molds, whose potential to infect humans depends on the host's innate and cellular immune status. Our aim was to describe four STAT3 DN patients with fusariosis confined to the skin. Medical records were reviewed and summarized. Four patients, aged 4, 11, 30, and 33 years, presented with chronic skin lesions which started in the extremities. Two patients had remote lesions, and none had systemic involvement. Skin biopsies showed mycelial threads with deep inflammatory-occasionally granulomatous-infiltrates, reaching the dermis; cultures grew Fusarium solani. Response to treatment was heterogeneous, often requiring multimodal therapies, including topical antifungal preparations. In this work, we describe primary invasive cutaneous fusariosis as a syndromic entity in four STAT3 DN patients.
Subject(s)
Fusariosis , Job Syndrome , Humans , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/microbiology , Job Syndrome/genetics , STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics , Skin/microbiology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
The (1â3)-ß-D-glucan (BDG) is a component of the fungal cell wall that can be detected in serum and used as an adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of invasive mold infections (IMI) in patients with hematologic cancer or other immunosuppressive conditions. However, its use is limited by modest sensitivity/specificity, inability to differentiate between fungal pathogens, and lack of detection of mucormycosis. Data about BDG performance for other relevant IMI, such as invasive fusariosis (IF) and invasive scedosporiosis/lomentosporiosis (IS) are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the sensitivity of BDG for the diagnosis of IF and IS through systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Immunosuppressed patients diagnosed with proven or probable IF and IS, with interpretable BDG data were eligible. A total of 73 IF and 27 IS cases were included. The sensitivity of BDG for IF and IS diagnosis was 76.7% and 81.5%, respectively. In comparison, the sensitivity of serum galactomannan for IF was 27%. Importantly, BDG positivity preceded the diagnosis by conventional methods (culture or histopathology) in 73% and 94% of IF and IS cases, respectively. Specificity was not assessed because of lacking data. In conclusion, BDG testing may be useful in patients with suspected IF or IS. Combining BDG and galactomannan testing may also help differentiating between the different types of IMI.
IF and IS are severe fungal infections for which diagnosis is often delayed. This meta-analysis shows that beta-glucan testing in serum had a sensitivity of about 80% for IF/IS and could detect the disease earlier compared to conventional diagnostic tests.