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1.
Mycoses ; 62(4): 357-367, 2019 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30636016

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Candida-associated infections put a significant burden on western healthcare systems. Development of (multi-)resistant fungi can become untreatable and threaten especially vulnerable target groups, such as the immunocompromised. OBJECTIVES: We assessed antifungal susceptibility and explored possible influence factors of clinical Candida isolates collected from Austrian hospitals between 2007 and 2016. METHODS: Thousand three hundred and sixty clinical Candida spp. isolated from blood cultures were subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) in a liquid-handling aided continuous microdilution assay. We tested against fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole, isavuconazole, anidulafungin, caspofungin and micafungin according to EUCAST with additional recording of growth curves. We performed rigid quality control on each assay via growth curve assessment and included two standard reference strains. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were quantified according to EUCAST guideline E.DEF 7.3.1, and susceptibility was evaluated using EUCAST clinical breakpoints. RESULTS: The isolate collection consisted of Candida albicans (59%), C. glabrata (19%), C. parapsilosis (9%), C. tropicalis (5%) and C. krusei (3%) and few other Candida species and fungi (5%). During the observed time period, species abundance and antifungal resistance rates remained constant. Multi-resistance was rare and we found no single isolate which was resistant to both azoles and echinocandins. Within the antifungal resistance profile of our strain collection, we observed clusters along species boundaries. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last decade, the distribution of Candida species and its level of antifungal resistance remained constant in Austria. Our data compare well with other European countries. Principal component analysis of the susceptibility profile of this collection revealed species-specific clusters and substantial intra-species variation, especially for C. glabrata.


Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Azoles/pharmacology , Candida/drug effects , Candida/isolation & purification , Candidiasis/microbiology , Echinocandins/pharmacology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Austria , Candida/classification , Candida/growth & development , Caspofungin , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Middle Aged , Young Adult
2.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 24(8): 1596-1597, 2018 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30016243

ABSTRACT

The emerging pathogen Candida auris is isolated mostly from hospitalized patients and often shows multidrug resistance. We report on the isolation of this yeast in Austria from an outpatient's auditory canal. The isolate showed good susceptibility against antifungals except for echinocandins; the patient was treated successfully with topical administration of nystatin.


Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Candida/genetics , Candidiasis/diagnosis , DNA, Fungal/genetics , Nystatin/therapeutic use , Otitis Externa/diagnosis , Austria , Candida/classification , Candida/isolation & purification , Candidiasis/microbiology , Candidiasis/pathology , Drug Resistance, Fungal , Ear Canal/microbiology , Ear Canal/pathology , Humans , Male , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Otitis Externa/microbiology , Otitis Externa/pathology , Young Adult
3.
Mycopathologia ; 183(1): 7-19, 2018 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29098487

ABSTRACT

The achievement of a better life for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is mainly caused by a better management and infection control over the last three decades. Herein, we want to summarize the cornerstones for an effective management of CF patients and to give an overview of the knowledge about the fungal epidemiology in this clinical context in Europe. Data from a retrospective analysis encompassing 66,616 samples from 3235 CF patients followed-up in 9 CF centers from different European countries are shown.


Subject(s)
Cystic Fibrosis/complications , Disease Management , Lung Diseases, Fungal/diagnosis , Lung Diseases, Fungal/drug therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Europe/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Lung Diseases, Fungal/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Young Adult
4.
Med Mycol ; 55(8): 803-812, 2017 Nov 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28431001

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients with liver cirrhosis and the performance of serum galactomannan (GM) screening. Patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and patients with compensated liver cirrhosis presenting with fever and/or respiratory symptoms were prospectively enrolled. All patients were screened by serum GM twice weekly irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms. Positive serum GM triggered work-up consisting of chest computed tomography and in case of pathological findings bronchoscopy. 150 patients were included in the study. Two (1.3%) had probable, one (0.7%) had possible, and 147 (98%) had no evidence of IA. Both patients with probable IA had compensated liver cirrhosis. Sensitivity for serum GM screening for probable versus no IA was 0.5 (95% CI, 0.09-0.91), specificity 0.97 (95% CI: 0.92-0.99), negative predictive value 0.99 (95% CI, 0.96-0.99) and positive predictive value (PPV) 0.17 (95% CI, 0.01-0.64). PPV was 0.5 (95% CI, 0.03-0.98) in patients with clinical suspicion of IA. In conclusion, prevalence of IA in patients with liver cirrhosis seems to be low. Targeted GM testing in case of clinical suspicion of IA may be associated with markedly higher PPVs when compared to universal GM screening in patients with liver cirrhosis.


Subject(s)
Aspergillosis/complications , Aspergillosis/diagnosis , Liver Cirrhosis/complications , Mannans/blood , Aged , Aspergillosis/blood , Aspergillosis/mortality , Cohort Studies , Female , Galactose/analogs & derivatives , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Liver Cirrhosis/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity
5.
Med Mycol ; 54(8): 825-34, 2016 Nov 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27354488

ABSTRACT

In the present study the spectrum and the incidence of fungi in potting soils and compost was investigated. Since soil is one of the most important biotopes for fungi, relatively high concentrations of fungal propagules are to be expected. For detection of fungi, samples of commercial soils, compost and soils from potted plants (both surface and sub-surface) were suspended and plated onto several mycological media. The resulting colonies were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The results from the different sampling series vary, but concentrations on the surface of potted plants and in commercial soils are increased tenfold compared to compost and sub-surface soils. Median values range from 9.5 × 10(4) colony forming units (CFU)/g to 5.5 × 10(5) CFU/g. The spectrum of fungi also varies in the soils. However, all sampling series show high proportion of Aspergillus and Penicillium species, including potentially pathogenic species such as Aspergillus fumigatus. Cladosporium, a genus dominant in the ambient air, was found preferably in samples which were in contact with the air. The results show that potentially pathogenic fungi are present in soils. Immunocompromised individuals should avoid handling soils or potted plants in their immediate vicinity.


Subject(s)
Fungi/growth & development , Fungi/isolation & purification , Plants/microbiology , Soil Microbiology , Soil , Biota , Colony Count, Microbial , Fungi/classification
6.
J Infect Dis ; 211(3): 445-51, 2015 Feb 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25149761

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The interplay between Candida species and pattern recognition receptors, interleukins, kynurenine, and T cells has been studied in murine and ex vivo human studies, but data are lacking from patients with invasive fungal infections. Interleukin 17A (IL-17A) is considered an important component in host defense against Candida infections and is modulated by Candida-induced impairment of tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism. METHODS: Dectin-1, Toll-like receptor 2, and Toll-like receptor 4 expression; regulatory T cell (Treg) percentages; and interleukin 6, interleukin 10, IL-17A, interleukin 22, interleukin 23, interferon γ, kynurenine, and tryptophan levels were determined in candidemic patients and compared to levels in noncandidemic patients who are in the intensive care unit (ICU) and receiving antibiotic therapy and those in healthy controls, both with and without Candida colonization. RESULTS: Candidemic patients had significantly higher IL-17A and kynurenine levels, compared with noncandidemic patients, including Candida-colonized ICU patients and healthy controls. Within candidemic patients, time-dependent elevation of IL-17A and kynurenine levels was detected. IL-17A areas under the curve for differentiation between patients with early candidemia and those without candidemia (ICU patients, including Candida-colonized patients, and healthy controls) were between 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], .89-.99) and 0.99 (95% CI, .99-1). CONCLUSIONS: Candidemic patients had significantly higher IL-17A and kynurenine levels, compared with noncandidemic patients. The statistically significant association between IL-17A and kynurenine levels and candidemia suggests their potential as biomarkers for anticipation of invasive candidiasis. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT00786903.


Subject(s)
Candidiasis/metabolism , Interleukin-17/metabolism , Kynurenine/metabolism , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Candida , Candidiasis/microbiology , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Intensive Care Units , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Lectins, C-Type/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 2/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism , Tryptophan/metabolism , Young Adult
7.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med ; 190(8): 922-9, 2014 Oct 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25203869

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis has been increasingly reported in nonneutropenic patients, including those with underlying respiratory diseases. OBJECTIVES: We compared the diagnostic performances of galactomannan, 1,3-ß-D-glucan, and Aspergillus-specific lateral-flow device tests with that of conventional culture by using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from patients with underlying respiratory diseases. METHODS: We analyzed 268 bronchoalveolar lavage samples from 221 patients with underlying respiratory diseases (and without hematologic malignancy or previous solid organ transplantation) that were collected for routine microbiological workup between February 2012 and May 2014 at the University Hospital of Graz, Austria. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was defined according to European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group criteria modified for patients with respiratory diseases. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (14%) had probable or proven, 25 possible, and the remaining 165 patients no invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Probable/proven aspergillosis was associated with a significantly higher (P = 0.034) 30-day mortality rate of 32%. Sensitivities, specificities, and diagnostic odd ratios differed markedly between galactomannan (cut-off 0.5: optical density index, 0.97, 0.81, 124.4; cut-off 1.0: 0.97, 0.93, 422.1; cut-off 3.0: 0.61, 0.99, 109.8), ß-D-glucan (cut-off 80 pg/ml: 0.90, 0.42, 6.57; cut-off 200 pg/ml: 0.70, 0.61, 3.7), lateral-flow device tests (0.77, 0.92, 41.8), and mycological culture (0.29, 0.97, 14). CONCLUSIONS: Probable or proven invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed in 14% of our study population and associated with significantly higher 30-day mortality rates. Although the performance of ß-D-glucan was limited by low specificity and that of mycological culture by low sensitivity, the Aspergillus lateral-flow device seems to be a promising alternative to galactomannan testing, which remains the diagnostic gold standard for aspergillosis. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 02058316).


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal , Aspergillus/isolation & purification , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/microbiology , Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis/diagnosis , Mannans , Point-of-Care Systems , beta-Glucans , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antigens, Fungal/analysis , Aspergillus/immunology , Cell Culture Techniques , Female , Galactose/analogs & derivatives , Humans , Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis/complications , Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis/microbiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Proteoglycans , Respiratory Tract Diseases/complications , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Young Adult
8.
Med Mycol ; 52(2): 179-86, 2014 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23651180

ABSTRACT

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common genetic lung diseases worldwide. The production of sticky viscous mucus leads to enhanced bacterial colonization and infection, but yeasts and filamentous fungi are also found abundantly in the mucus of patients suffering from CF. The role of fungi in the airways of CF patients is still not understood completely. Furthermore, recent investigations have shown that the spectrum of fungi isolated from the airways of CF patients depends strongly on the methods used. In this study, different mycological culture methods were compared: culture with a native inoculum, culture with homogenization of CF sputum, and culture after homogenization and serial dilutions of CF sputum. Altogether, 934 sputum samples from 113 patients were examined from July 2009 through December 2011. A total of 1,744 fungal isolates was recovered; 20 different yeasts and 14 filamentous fungal species were identified. Candida albicans, C. dubliniensis, and C. parapsilosis were the most common species of yeast. For the filamentous fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common, followed by Scedosporium apiospermum/Pseudallescheria boydii group and A. terreus. Many fungal, species such as Exophiala dermatitidis, Rasamsonia (Geosmithia) argillacea, and others, were isolated only from homogenized sputum samples. The longitudinal data also show that fungal colonization of CF patients is quite stable, even when treated with itraconazole. In conclusion, we recommend homogenizing CF sputa with a mucolyticum, to prepare serial dilutions, and to use appropriate fungal culture media with added antibiotics.


Subject(s)
Biota , Cystic Fibrosis/complications , Fungi/classification , Fungi/isolation & purification , Mycoses/microbiology , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Microbiological Techniques/methods , Middle Aged , Sputum/microbiology , Young Adult
9.
Med Mycol ; 52(6): 647-52, 2014 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24939321

ABSTRACT

Testing for serum galactomannan (GM) has been established as an important method for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis (IA); however, limited data exist regarding the application of urine GM testing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of GM screening of urine specimens and to compare results with serum GM. The study was performed between July 2012 and March 2013 in adult patients with underlying hematological malignancies who were hospitalized at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. Serum and urine screening samples were collected and tested twice weekly (always on the same day). In total, 242 serum samples and a similar number of urine samples were collected from 75 patients. A total of 21/242 (8.7%) serum samples from 13 patients were GM positive. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value using a 0.1 optical density index cutoff for urine samples (compared with same-day serum results) were as follows: 47.6%, 86%, 24.4%, and 94.5%, respectively. In 8/10 patients with probable IA, at least one positive GM result was found with this cutoff. After calculating clinical performance of the urine GM test, we found that sensitivity increased to 71.4% and specificity to 88.2%. Spearman-Rho correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between serum and urine samples (P < 0.001; ρ = 0.252). In conclusion, GM detection in urine might be a promising method for IA screening. However, further studies are needed.


Subject(s)
Clinical Laboratory Techniques/methods , Hematologic Neoplasms/complications , Mannans/blood , Mannans/urine , Mass Screening/methods , Mycoses/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Austria , Female , Galactose/analogs & derivatives , Hospitals, University , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Sensitivity and Specificity , Serum/chemistry , Urine/chemistry , Young Adult
10.
Mycoses ; 56(4): 471-6, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23432536

ABSTRACT

Data on diagnostic performance of Galactomannan (GM) testing in patients under mould-active regimens are limited. Whether sensitivity of GM testing for diagnosing breakthrough invasive aspergillosis (IA) is decreased under antifungal prophylaxis/therapy remains therefore a point of discussion. We retrospectively analysed GM test results in patients who were admitted with underlying haematological malignancies to two Divisions of the Medical University Hospital of Graz, Austria, between 2009 and 2012. Only cases of probable and proven IA that were diagnosed by other methods than GM testing were included (time of diagnosis = day 0). We compared GM results of patients with/without therapy/prophylaxis for the period of 2 weeks prior (week -2) until 3 weeks postdiagnosis. A total of 76 GM test results in nine patients were identified. Six patients had received antifungal therapy/prophylaxis from week -2, whereas three patients were treated with therapy from the time of diagnosis at week 0. GM testing was positive in 45/76 (59%) of samples. Sensitivity of GM testing for detection of proven or probable IA at week -1 and 0 was 77% and 79% in patients with mould-active regimens. We conclude that GM testing might be a useful diagnostic method for breakthrough IA in patients receiving mould-active prophylaxis/therapy.


Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Chemoprevention/methods , Clinical Laboratory Techniques/methods , Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis/diagnosis , Mannans/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Austria , Female , Galactose/analogs & derivatives , Hematologic Neoplasms/complications , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Young Adult
11.
J Antimicrob Chemother ; 67(8): 2029-33, 2012 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22566591

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Fulfilment of host factors defined by the revised European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria is required for establishing the diagnosis of possible or probable invasive fungal infection (IFI). This case-control study evaluates EORTC/MSG host factors among patients with haematological malignancies. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with haematological malignancies who developed probable (n = 38) or proven (n = 20) IFI over a 5 year period were retrospectively evaluated regarding EORTC/MSG host factors. Results were compared with those obtained from patients with haematological malignancies who did not develop IFI (116 patients who received systemic antifungal prophylaxis or empirical therapy and 116 patients who did not; all data collected in 2010). RESULTS: Fourteen patients had invasive yeast infection and 44 patients had invasive mould infection (IMI). Prolonged neutropenia (35/58, 60% versus 29/116, 25%), prolonged systemic corticosteroid (cut-off 21 days: 13/58, 22% versus 6/116, 5%; cut-off 14 days: 18/58, 31% versus 9/116, 8%) and T cell suppressive therapy (35/44, 80% versus 69/116, 59%) were significantly associated with development of IFI/IMI in our cohort. Previous allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT; >6 months prior to episode) was not significantly associated with development of IMI (8/44, 18% versus 22/116, 19%), while recent SCT (<6 months prior to episode) was (11/44, 25% versus 12/116, 10%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that host factors according to revised EORTC/MSG criteria were significantly associated with the development of IFI/IMI in our patients. Previous allogeneic SCT was not a predisposing host factor for the development of IMI. Concerning prolonged corticosteroid treatment, a cut-off of 14 days seems preferable to the proposed cut-off.


Subject(s)
Hematologic Neoplasms/complications , Hematologic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Mycoses/drug therapy , Mycoses/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antifungal Agents/administration & dosage , Chemoprevention/methods , Europe , Female , Humans , Immunocompromised Host , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Young Adult
12.
Mycoses ; 54(5): e394-9, 2011 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20667000

ABSTRACT

Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are highly conserved molecules, which are both constitutively expressed and up-regulated in response to various stress conditions. In particular, fungal Hsp60 can act as immunodominant antigens and facilitate powerful immunological properties. A possible cellular heat shock response was investigated in eight fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Scedosporium apiospermum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Fully automated RNA extraction was followed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR targeting fungus-specific Hsp60 mRNA and sequencing of the amplicon. Levels of temperature-dependent gene expression were evaluated and rates of similarity and identity were compared. While Hsp60 mRNA was constitutively expressed in all the samples tested, a temperature-dependent induction was not shown in C. cladosporioides. In the 80-amino acid fragment from the hypothetical protein, 66% of the amino acids were identical, 20% showed a conserved and 8% a semi-conserved substitution. Our findings should contribute to a better understanding of host-pathogen relationship and suggest that fungal Hsp60 under temperature-related stress conditions might act as an immunogenic trigger in orchestrating fungi-related diseases.


Subject(s)
Chaperonin 60/genetics , Chaperonin 60/metabolism , Fungal Proteins/genetics , Fungal Proteins/metabolism , Fungi/radiation effects , Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal , Stress, Physiological , Amino Acid Substitution , Gene Expression Profiling , Hot Temperature , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
13.
Mycoses ; 54(3): 265-9, 2011 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19811614

ABSTRACT

Phaeohyphomycosis is a distinct mycotic infection of the skin or internal organs caused by darkly pigmented (dematiaceous) fungi, which are widely distributed in the environment. Phaeohyphomycosis is most frequently an opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed patients (HIV, corticotherapy, transplant patients) or is frequently associated with chronic diseases and diabetes. The spectrum of the disease is broad and includes superficial infections, onychomycosis, subcutaneous infections, keratitis, allergic disease, pneumonia, brain abscesses and disseminated disease. Rarely, immunocompetent patients may be affected. We describe two new cases of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in immunocompetent patients: in the first patient, the causative agent was Exophiala jeanselmei, a common cause of phaeohyphomycosis; and in the second, Cladophialophora carrionii, which could be identified by culture. Cladophialophora carrionii is mainly the aetiological agent of chromoblastomycosis and only rarely the cause of phaeohyphomycosis. The first patient was treated with surgical excision and oral itraconazole, and the second patient responded to oral itraconazole only. Lesions improved in both patients and no recurrence was observed at follow-up visits.


Subject(s)
Ascomycota/isolation & purification , Dermatomycoses/diagnosis , Dermatomycoses/pathology , Soft Tissue Infections/diagnosis , Soft Tissue Infections/pathology , Subcutaneous Tissue/microbiology , Subcutaneous Tissue/pathology , Antifungal Agents/administration & dosage , Debridement , Dermatomycoses/drug therapy , Dermatomycoses/surgery , Exophiala/isolation & purification , Histocytochemistry , Humans , Itraconazole/administration & dosage , Male , Microscopy , Middle Aged , Soft Tissue Infections/drug therapy , Soft Tissue Infections/surgery , Subcutaneous Tissue/surgery
14.
Front Cell Infect Microbiol ; 11: 761596, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35024355

ABSTRACT

Scedosporium spp. are the second most prevalent filamentous fungi after Aspergillus spp. recovered from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in various regions of the world. Although invasive infection is uncommon prior to lung transplantation, fungal colonization may be a risk factor for invasive disease with attendant high mortality post-transplantation. Abundant in the environment, Scedosporium aurantiacum has emerged as an important fungal pathogen in a range of clinical settings. To investigate the population genetic structure of S. aurantiacum, a MultiLocus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme was developed, screening 24 genetic loci for polymorphisms on a tester strain set. The six most polymorphic loci were selected to form the S. aurantiacum MLST scheme: actin (ACT), calmodulin (CAL), elongation factor-1α (EF1α), RNA polymerase subunit II (RPB2), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), and ß-tubulin (TUB). Among 188 global clinical, veterinary, and environmental strains, 5 to 18 variable sites per locus were revealed, resulting in 8 to 23 alleles per locus. MLST analysis observed a markedly high genetic diversity, reflected by 159 unique sequence types. Network analysis revealed a separation between Australian and non-Australian strains. Phylogenetic analysis showed two major clusters, indicating correlation with geographic origin. Linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed evidence of recombination. There was no clustering according to the source of the strains: clinical, veterinary, or environmental. The high diversity, especially amongst the Australian strains, suggests that S. aurantiacum may have originated within the Australian continent and was subsequently dispersed to other regions, as shown by the close phylogenetic relationships between some of the Australian sequence types and those found in other parts of the world. The MLST data are accessible at http://mlst.mycologylab.org. This is a joined publication of the ISHAM/ECMM working groups on "Scedosporium/Pseudallescheria Infections" and "Fungal Respiratory Infections in Cystic Fibrosis".


Subject(s)
Scedosporium , Australia/epidemiology , Genetic Variation , Humans , Multilocus Sequence Typing , Phylogeny , Polymorphism, Genetic , Scedosporium/genetics
15.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20232269

ABSTRACT

Brain infections caused by fungi of the Pseudallescheria / Scedosporium-complex weeks or months after a near drowning event should be considered, since mortality rate is high and specific diagnostic methods are necessary for fungal detection. Voriconazole is the only authorised antimycotic drug available for the treatment of these infections in Germany, but other antimycotics may also be indicated for alternate or combined treatment strategies. Consultation of a specific reference laboratory is recommended in comparable relevant cases.


Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Central Nervous System Infections/drug therapy , Central Nervous System Infections/etiology , Mycoses/drug therapy , Mycoses/etiology , Near Drowning/complications , Pseudallescheria , Pyrimidines/therapeutic use , Scedosporium , Triazoles/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Brain/microbiology , Central Nervous System Infections/microbiology , Child, Preschool , Female , Germany , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mycoses/microbiology , Near Drowning/microbiology , Voriconazole , Young Adult
16.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother ; 53(3): 1185-93, 2009 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19104024

ABSTRACT

Caspofungin is used for the treatment of acute invasive candidiasis and as salvage treatment for invasive aspergillosis. We report characteristics of isolates of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus detected in a patient with breakthrough infection complicating severe gastrointestinal surgery and evaluate the capability of susceptibility methods to identify candin resistance. The susceptibility of C. albicans to caspofungin and anidulafungin was investigated by Etest, microdilution (European Committee on Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing [EUCAST] and CLSI), disk diffusion, agar dilution, and FKS1 sequencing and in a mouse model. Tissue was examined by immunohistochemistry, PCR, and sequencing for the presence of A. fumigatus and resistance mutations. The MICs for the C. albicans isolate were as follows: >32 microg/ml caspofungin and 0.5 microg/ml anidulafungin by Etest, 2 microg/ml caspofungin and 0.125 microg/ml anidulafungin by EUCAST methods, and 1 microg/ml caspofungin and 0.5 microg/ml anidulafungin by CLSI methods. Sequencing of the FKS1 gene revealed a mutation leading to an S645P substitution. Caspofungin and anidulafungin failed to reduce kidney CFU counts in animals inoculated with this isolate (P > 0.05 compared to untreated control animals), while both candins completely sterilized the kidneys in animals infected with a control isolate. Disk diffusion and agar dilution methods clearly separated the two isolates. Immunohistochemistry and sequencing confirmed the presence of A. fumigatus without FSK1 resistance mutations in liver and lung tissues. Breakthrough disseminated aspergillosis and candidiasis developed despite an absence of characteristic FKS1 resistance mutations in the Aspergillus isolates. EUCAST and CLSI methodology did not separate the candin-resistant clinical isolate from the sensitive control isolate as well as did the Etest and agar methods.


Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Aspergillosis/drug therapy , Aspergillus fumigatus/drug effects , Candida albicans/drug effects , Candidiasis/drug therapy , Echinocandins/pharmacology , Animals , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Aspergillosis/genetics , Aspergillus fumigatus/genetics , Aspergillus fumigatus/isolation & purification , Candida albicans/genetics , Candida albicans/isolation & purification , Candidiasis/genetics , Caspofungin , Colony Count, Microbial , Echinocandins/therapeutic use , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Injections, Intraperitoneal , Lipopeptides , Mice , Mice, Inbred Strains , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods , Polymerase Chain Reaction
17.
Med Mycol ; 47(7): 690-6, 2009 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19888801

ABSTRACT

Candida biofilms on indwelling devices are an increasing problem in patients treated at intensive care units. The goal of this study was to examine the occurrence and frequency of these biofilms. A total of 172 catheters were collected from 105 male and 67 female patients (the age range of both patient groups was from 3 weeks to 98 years old). The catheters were incubated on blood agar plates and the resulting yeast colonies were subsequently identified. Furthermore, pieces of catheters were fixed, dried and sputter coated with gold for investigation with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Yeasts were recovered from significantly more catheters obtained from men than from women (chi(2): n = 67; P < 0.01). In SEM, 56.4% catheters turned out to be positive for biofilm formation. Again catheters from male patients were statistically significant (chi(2): n = 40; P < 0.01) more often positive than those from women. Candida albicans (71.1%) was the most common species isolated from the catheters, followed by C. glabrata (10.3%), C. parapsilosis (8.2%) and C. tropicalis (5.2%). Based on the results of this investigation, the epidemiology of Candida biofilms on indwelling devices seems to be a promising target for future investigations.


Subject(s)
Biofilms , Candida/isolation & purification , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Candida/classification , Candidiasis/epidemiology , Candidiasis/microbiology , Catheters, Indwelling , Chi-Square Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Factors
20.
Front Microbiol ; 9: 516, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29643840

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Invasive mold infections associated with Aspergillus species are a significant cause of mortality in immunocompromised patients. The most frequently occurring aetiological pathogens are members of the Aspergillus section Fumigati followed by members of the section Terrei. The frequency of Aspergillus terreus and related (cryptic) species in clinical specimens, as well as the percentage of azole-resistant strains remains to be studied. Methods: A global set (n = 498) of A. terreus and phenotypically related isolates was molecularly identified (beta-tubulin), tested for antifungal susceptibility against posaconazole, voriconazole, and itraconazole, and resistant phenotypes were correlated with point mutations in the cyp51A gene. Results: The majority of isolates was identified as A. terreus (86.8%), followed by A. citrinoterreus (8.4%), A. hortai (2.6%), A. alabamensis (1.6%), A. neoafricanus (0.2%), and A. floccosus (0.2%). One isolate failed to match a known Aspergillus sp., but was found most closely related to A. alabamensis. According to EUCAST clinical breakpoints azole resistance was detected in 5.4% of all tested isolates, 6.2% of A. terreus sensu stricto (s.s.) were posaconazole-resistant. Posaconazole resistance differed geographically and ranged from 0% in the Czech Republic, Greece, and Turkey to 13.7% in Germany. In contrast, azole resistance among cryptic species was rare 2 out of 66 isolates and was observed only in one A. citrinoterreus and one A. alabamensis isolate. The most affected amino acid position of the Cyp51A gene correlating with the posaconazole resistant phenotype was M217, which was found in the variation M217T and M217V. Conclusions:Aspergillus terreus was most prevalent, followed by A. citrinoterreus. Posaconazole was the most potent drug against A. terreus, but 5.4% of A. terreus sensu stricto showed resistance against this azole. In Austria, Germany, and the United Kingdom posaconazole-resistance in all A. terreus isolates was higher than 10%, resistance against voriconazole was rare and absent for itraconazole.

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