A Case of Recurrent Verruconis gallopava Infection at One Year after Excision of a Solitary Pulmonary Lesion.

We herein report a case of recurrent infection caused by Verruconis gallopava, which is known to cause fatal phaeohyphomycosis. A 71-year-old man presented with a fever, and computed tomography revealed right chest wall thickening. Eleven years earlier, he had undergone autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for a hematological malignancy. One year earlier, he had undergone excision of a solitary pulmonary nodule, from which had been detected V. gallopava. On this occasion, right chest wall surgery was performed to investigate the cause of the fever, which led to the diagnosis of recurrent infection. Even if a localized lesion is excised, additional antifungal therapy should be performed.

Cultivable Fungal Endophytes in Roots, Rhizomes and Leaves of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile along the Coast of Sicily, Italy.

The presence of endophytic fungi in the roots, rhizomes, and leaves of Posidonia oceanica was evaluated in different localities of the Sicilian coast. Samples of roots, rhizomes, and leaves were submitted to isolation techniques, and the obtained fungal colonies were identified by morphological and molecular (rRNA sequencing) analysis. Fungal endophytes occurred mainly in roots and occasionally in rhizomes and leaves. Lulwoana sp. was the most frequent of the isolated taxa, suggesting a strong interaction with the host. In addition, eight other fungal taxa were isolated. In particular, fungi of the genus Ochroconis and family Xylariaceae were identified as endophytes in healthy plants at all sampling stations, whereas Penicillium glabrum was isolated at only one sampling station. Thus, several organs, especially roots of Posidonia oceanica, harbor endophytic fungi, potentially involved in supporting the living host as ascertained for terrestrial plants.

Successful treatment of disseminated Verruconis gallopava infection in a heart transplant recipient: A case report.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of disseminated Verruconis gallopava infection in a cardiac transplant recipient that was successfully treated with oral posaconazole and intravenous anidulafungin. SUMMARY: A 51-year-old male initially presented with pulmonary manifestations, but subsequently developed cutaneous lesions, fungemia, osteomyelitis of the hip requiring excision, and eventually brain abscesses over the course of 3 months. The patient was successfully treated with various antifungal agents throughout his treatment course and was eventually discharged on oral posaconazole and intravenous anidulafungin. He remained on oral posaconazole suppressive therapy and had had no recurrence of fungal infection after 31 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: On the basis of this case report, intravenous anidulafungin and chronic suppressive therapy with oral posaconazole can successfully treat disseminated V. gallopava infections.

Retrospective study of phaeohyphomycosis in aquarium-housed fish, with first descriptions of Exophiala lecanii-corni and Neodevriesia cladophorae in fish.

A broadening fish host range is affected by novel and known pigmented fungal pathogens. A review of 2,250 piscine submissions received by the Aquatic Pathology Service, University of Georgia, revealed 47 phaeohyphomycosis cases (2.1%), representing 34 bony and cartilaginous fish species. The majority involved bony fish (45/47, 95.7%) and were predominantly marine (41/47, 87.2%), with only a few freshwater species (4/47, 8.5%). Cartilaginous fish cases included two zebra sharks (Stegostoma fasciatum) (2/47, 4.3%). Northern seahorses (Hippocampus erectus) had the highest incidence overall (7/47, 14.9%). Culture and sequencing of the internal-transcribed spacer region of the rDNA (ITS), large ribosomal subunit gene D1/D2 domains (LSU) and the DNA polymerase II gene (RPB2) were performed for fungal identification when fresh tissue was obtainable. Exophiala, Ochroconis and Neodevriesia spp. were identified, with Exophiala as the most common fungal genus (8/11, 72.7%). Exophiala lecanii-corni and Neodevriesia cladophorae were described for the first time from fish. Microscopically, lesions were characterized by necrosis, granulomatous inflammation and angioinvasion most frequently affecting the skin/fin, skeletal muscle and kidneys. In this study of diverse aquarium-housed fish species, phaeohyphomycosis cases occurred sporadically and in rare outbreaks with variable pathologic presentations, tissue distributions and severities.

LC-MS based identification of stylosin and tschimgine from fungal endophytes associated with Ferula ovina.

OBJECTIVES: Ferula ovina is an Iranian medicinal plant. Tschimgine and stylosin are two of its major monoterpene derivatives. In this study, we proceeded to investigate some fungal endophytes from F. ovina that can produce plant secondary metabolites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The isolated endophytic fungi were fermented in potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium and their extracts were screened for the presence of the plant compounds by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Endophytes identification was performed by morphological and molecular methods. Three markers (ITS, LSU, and TEF1) were used for accurate molecular identification. RESULTS: Forty isolates from 9 different genera of endophytic fungi were identified, of which two recently reported species of O. ferulica and Pithoascus persicus were able to produce tschimgine and stylosin. CONCLUSION: These fungi can be used as a substitute for the production of plant's medicinal compounds independent of wild populations of the source plant.

Genetic Identification of Dematiaceous Fungi Isolated from Washing Machine in Japan, and Considering of Fungal Removal Methods.

In 2017, 2 household washing machines which were used at a house in Saitama prefecture were tested for fungal flora sampling. The fungi were identified in detail via genetic analysis of the ITS region. The number of fungi which were isolated were 8.7×106～6.1×107 cfu/100cm2 and dematiaceous fungi such as Ochroconis musae, Exophiala, Cyphellophora, Knufia epidermidis were dominant. As for Knufia epidermidis, this is the first report for identification from a Japanese household. The number of isolated Cladosporium, which is common in the environment, was fewer compared with the above 4 genera. The identified fungi were Cladosporium halatolerans, which is recently being recognized as the main species of Cladosporium. In our research, we have cleaned the 2 washing machines with different bleaches. Residual fungi was detected in washing machine A, which was cleaned with an oxygen bleach. On the other hand, no fungi was detected in washing machine B, which was cleaned with a chlorine bleach.

Ochroconis globalis infecting Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), with a review of Ochroconis species in cold-blooded animals.

Necropsy examination of an adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from the Dalälven River in Sweden revealed numerous large, white nodules, with spherical cysts and granulomata in kidney and liver. Histopathology showed dark, septate, thin-walled hyphae. The aetiologic agent was found to be an Ochroconis species (Venturiales) that differed from known fish-associated species of the genus. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the culture (strain UIII09 = CBS 135766) demonstrated that Ochroconis globalis was concerned. The isolate proved to be susceptible to all investigated antifungals, as it is known for another Ochroconis species. The role of Ochroconis in opportunism of cold-blooded animals was discussed, and the diagnostic methods using DNA sequences for routine identification of the fungus were proposed.

Ochroconis gallopava bronchitis mimicking haemoptysis in a patient with bronchiectasis.

Ochroconis gallopava is an anamorphic mould characterized by slow growth rate and production of a maroon pigment, which has been isolated worldwide from soil, thermal springs, decaying vegetation, and chicken litter. It has been reported to cause localized, mostly pulmonary, and systemic infection in severely immunocompromised patients. We describe the case of a 76-year-old woman known for ulcerative colitis-related bronchiectasis treated with low dose oral steroids, who developed a fungal bronchitis with dark, bloody-like, sputum which was initially misinterpreted as haemoptysis. A filamentary mould grew on sputum culture, and was identified by DNA analysis as Ochroconis gallopava. We observed a significant clinical improvement after 6 weeks of itraconazole therapy.

Subcutaneous infection by Ochroconis mirabilis in an immunocompetent patient.

Recently, the taxonomy of Ochroconis (Ascomycota, Pezizomycotina, Venturiales, Sympoventuriaceae) has been revised with the recognition of an additional genus, Verruconis. Ochroconis comprises mesophilic saprobes that occasionally infect vertebrates which mostly are cold-blooded, while Verruconis contains thermophilic species which is a neurotrope in humans and birds. On the basis of molecular data it is noted that only a single Ochroconis species regularly infects immunocompetent human hosts. Here we report a subcutaneous infection due to Ochroconis mirabilis in a 50-year-old immunocompetent female patient. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests revealed that terbinafine was the most effective drug. The patient was successfully cured with oral administration of terbinafine 250 mg daily in combination with 3 times of topical ALA-photodynamic therapy for 9 months.

Barcoding and species recognition of opportunistic pathogens in Ochroconis and Verruconis.

The genera Ochroconis and Verruconis (Sympoventuriaceae, Venturiales) have remarkably high molecular diversity despite relatively high degrees of phenotypic similarity. Tree topologies, inter-specific and intra-specific heterogeneities, barcoding gaps and reciprocal monophyly of all currently known species were analyzed. It was concluded that all currently used genes viz. SSU, ITS, LSU, ACT1, BT2, and TEF1 were unable to reach all 'gold standard' criteria of barcoding markers. They could nevertheless be used for reasonably reliable identification of species, because the markers, although variable, were associated with large inter-specific heterogeneity. Of the coding protein-genes, ACT1 revealed highest potentiality as barcoding marker in mostly all parts of the investigated sequence. SSU, LSU, ITS, and ACT1 yielded consistent monophyly in all investigated species, but only SSU and LSU generated clear barcoding gaps. For phylogeny, LSU was an informative marker, suitable to reconstruct gene-trees showing correct phylogenetic relationships. Cryptic species were revealed especially in complexes with very high intra-specific variability. When all these complexes will be taxonomically resolved, ACT1 will probably appear to be the most reliable barcoding gene for Ochroconis and Verruconis.

Cerebral and Ocular Ochroconiasis in 2 Elegant Crested Tinamou (Eudromia elegans) Chicks.

Two elegant crested tinamou chicks (Eudromia elegans), aged 27 and 50 days, respectively, died following acute onset of weakness and neurologic disease. Microscopically, the cerebral hemispheres of both chicks and the optic lobes of 1 chick contained multifocal granulomatous and heterophilic inflammation and necrosis with intralesional pigmented, thin-walled, fungal hyphae. In 1 chick, hyphae extended along the optic nerve into the globe and were associated with severe granulomatous and heterophilic inflammation of the choroid, retina, pecten, and vitreous. In both chicks, polymerase chain reaction amplification of the fungal 28S large subunit ribosomal RNA was positive with 99% sequence identity to Ochroconis gallopava. While a well-characterized fungal infection of domestic poultry, ochroconiasis has rarely been reported in exotic avian species, and this is the first histologic characterization of ocular ochroconiasis in any avian species.

Foliicolous microfungi occurring on Encephalartos.

Species of Encephalartos, commonly known as bread trees, bread palms or cycads are native to Africa; the genus encompasses more than 60 species and represents an important component of the indigenous African flora. Recently, a leaf blight disease was noted on several E. altensteinii plants growing at the foot of Table Mountain in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens of South Africa. Preliminary isolations from dead and dying leaves of E. alten-steinii, E. lebomboensis and E. princeps, collected from South Africa, revealed the presence of several novel microfungi on this host. Novelties include Phaeomoniella capensis, Saccharata kirstenboschensis, Teratosphaeria altensteinii and T. encephalarti. New host records of species previously only known to occur on Proteaceae include Cladophialophora proteae and Catenulostroma microsporum, as well as a hyperparasite, Dactylaria leptosphaeriicola, occurring on ascomata of T. encephalarti.

Experimental Study on the Phaeohyphomycosis Caused by Ochroconis gallopava / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To study the morphology, physiology, biochemistry and molecular biologic characteristics of Ochroconis gallopava which was firstly isolated from a pulmonary phaeohyphomycosis in China and compare it with a standard strain to assist in the clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods The clinical isolate and standard strain were inoculated on SDA, PDA, CMA, CDA, BHIA and OA, respectively to observe the colony morphology and growth rate, and slide cultures were prepared and were examined under light microscope and electron microscope. Thermo-tolerance study, cycloheximide resistance test, API 20C, antifungal susceptibility test and PCR for the internal transcribed spacer of rDNA were also performed. Results Ochroconis gallopava grew rapidly on most media. The colonies appeared to be brown in color with smooth surface. There were aerial mycelia on SDA and PDA. Microscopic observations revealed pale brown and septate hyphae with club-shaped conidia. The growth of O. gallopava was optimal at 35 ℃ and was inhibited by cycloheximide. The two strains assimilated the same 14 glycogens, but 1 different, in API 20C AUX. MICs of fluconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B and terbinafine were 32 ~ 64 ?g/mL, 1 ?g/mL, 2 ?g/mL and 0.25 ~ 0.5 ?g/mL, respectively. PCR results showed that the ITS segment was 743 bp with 3 bp difference in both strains. The length of 18S region was 506 bp, their sequences were the same entirely. Conclusions The clinical isolate is proved as a domestic strain of Ochroconis gallopava at the level of morphology, physiology, biochemistry and molecular biologic characteristics.