Diversity of mucoralean fungi in soils of papaya (Carica papaya L.) producing regions in Mexico.

Mexico is the fifth largest producer of papaya worldwide and has recently reported problems with mucoralean fungi in this crop. These fungi are considered saprophytes in the soil and are ubiquitous in nature. In this work, they were isolated from soil in regions of intensive papaya cultivation in Mexico. Collections were made in the states of Colima, Oaxaca and Veracruz in Apr 2016. A total of 72 mucorales fungal isolates was obtained and morphologically characterized and then molecular characterization (28S ribosomal region) of 25 representative isolates was carried out. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences confirmed the presence of the species Gilbertella persicaria, Rhizopus oryzae, Rhizopus stolonifer, Mucor circinelloides and Mucor hiemalis, which cause soft rot in papaya fruits, therefore, spores of these fungi found in the orchard soils can be considered as a constant source of contamination that affects healthy fruits. Additionally, Choanephora cucurbitarum, Mucor ellipsoideus, Rhizopus homothallicus, Rhizopus microsporus, Rhizopus schipperae, Lichteimia ramosa, Gongronella butleri, Cunninghamella bertholletiae and Cunninghamella blakesleeana were identified which are considered to have agricultural, biotechnological and medical importance.

Diabetes mellitus as the major risk factor for mucormycosis in Mexico: Epidemiology, diagnosis, and outcomes of reported cases.

Mucormycosis is an emerging infectious disease with high rates of associated mortality and morbidity. Little is known about the characteristics of mucormycosis or entomophthoromycosis occurring in Mexico. A search strategy was performed of literature published in journals found in available databases and theses published online at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) library website reporting clinical cases or clinical case series of mucormycosis and entomophthoromycosis occurring in Mexico between 1982 and 2016. Among the 418 cases identified, 72% were diabetic patients, and sinusitis accounted for 75% of the reported cases. Diabetes mellitus was not a risk factor for entomophthoromycosis. Mortality rate was 51% (125/244). Rhizopus species were the most frequent isolates (59%, 148/250). Amphotericin B deoxycholate was used in 89% of cases (204/227), while surgery and antifungal management as combined treatment was used in 90% (172/191). In diabetic individuals, this combined treatment approach was associated with a higher probability of survival (95% vs 66%, OR = 0.1, 95% CI, 0.02-0.43' P = .002). The most common complications were associated with nephrotoxicity and prolonged hospitalization due to IV antifungal therapy. An algorithm is proposed to establish an early diagnosis of rhino-orbital cerebral (ROC) mucormycosis based on standardized identification of warning signs and symptoms and performing an early direct microbiological exam and histopathological identification through a multidisciplinary medical and surgical team. In summary, diabetes mellitus was the most common risk factor for mucormycosis in Mexico; combined antifungal therapy and surgery in ROC mucormycosis significantly improved survival.

Coprophilous Mucorales (ex Zygomycota) from three areas in the semi-arid of Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract Mucorales comprises fungi commonly isolated as saprobes from soil, dung, stored grains and plants. Although these fungi have been studied in several countries, there are relatively a few reports of them in semi-arid areas. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to assess and compare the Mucorales communities in dung from different species and breeds of herbivores in the semi-arid of Pernambuco, based on the frequency of occurrence and species richness of these fungi. Samples of dung collected in the cities of Arcoverde, Serra Talhada and Sertânia were incubated in moist chambers in triplicate. Altogether, 24 taxa of Mucorales distributed in the genera Absidia, Circinella, Cunninghamella, Lichtheimia, Mucor, Pilobolus, Rhizopus and Syncephalastrum were identified. The highest species richness was found in sheep excrement. Mucor circinelloides f. griseo-cyanus was the most common taxon, followed by M. ramosissimus. The similarity of the composition of Mucorales species was greatest between the excrements of Guzerá and Sindi breeds (bovine). All mucoralean species isolated are being cited for the first time from animal dung found in Caatinga and a new species of Mucor was recorded. An identification key for species of Mucorales from dung in the semi-arid region of Brazil is provided.

Coprophilous Mucorales (ex Zygomycota) from three areas in the semi-arid of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Mucorales comprises fungi commonly isolated as saprobes from soil, dung, stored grains and plants. Although these fungi have been studied in several countries, there are relatively a few reports of them in semi-arid areas. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to assess and compare the Mucorales communities in dung from different species and breeds of herbivores in the semi-arid of Pernambuco, based on the frequency of occurrence and species richness of these fungi. Samples of dung collected in the cities of Arcoverde, Serra Talhada and Sertânia were incubated in moist chambers in triplicate. Altogether, 24 taxa of Mucorales distributed in the genera Absidia, Circinella, Cunninghamella, Lichtheimia, Mucor, Pilobolus, Rhizopus and Syncephalastrum were identified. The highest species richness was found in sheep excrement. Mucor circinelloides f. griseo-cyanus was the most common taxon, followed by M. ramosissimus. The similarity of the composition of Mucorales species was greatest between the excrements of Guzerá and Sindi breeds (bovine). All mucoralean species isolated are being cited for the first time from animal dung found in Caatinga and a new species of Mucor was recorded. An identification key for species of Mucorales from dung in the semi-arid region of Brazil is provided.

The pathogenic potential of the Lichtheimia genus revisited: Lichtheimia brasiliensis is a novel, non-pathogenic species.

Lichtheimia brasiliensis was recently described as a novel species within the genus Lichtheimia, which comprises a total of six species. L. brasiliensis was first reported from soil in Brazil. The aim of the study was to determine the relative virulence potential of L. brasiliensis using an avian infection model based on chicken embryos.

Primary cutaneous mucormycosis produced by the new species Apophysomyces mexicanus.

A case of fungal necrotizing fasciitis that appeared in an immunocompetent Mexican woman after a car accident is described. The patient did not respond to antifungal treatment and died 4 days later. The fungus was molecularly identified as a new species of Apophysomyces, namely, Apophysomyces mexicanus.

El Subphylum Mucoromycotina: generalidades y aspectostaxonómicos recientes / Mucoromycotina Subphylum: overview and recent taxonomic aspects

El subphylum Mucoromycotina es un grupo de hongos ubicuos, saprobios, caracterizados por la presencia de hifas cenocíticas. También se caracterizan por presentar una fase sexual con la formación de una zigospora. Los mucormycetes son capaces de infectar plantas, animales y seres humanos. Recientemente, varios estudios han comunicado de la creciente incidencia de mucormicosis en pacientes inmunocomprometidos e inmunocompetentes. Dados los avances en biología molecular, la sistemática de este grupo de hongos ha experimentado varios cambios taxonómicos en los últimos años. Este artículo discutirá los principales cambios taxonómicos, en especial de los géneros y especies de interés clínico.

The subphylum Mucoromycotina is a group of fungi with several ubiquitous, and saprotrophic species which are characterized by the presence of coenocytic hyphae. Also have a sexual phase characterized by the formation of zygospores. The mucormycetes are able to infect plants, animals and humans. Recently, several studies have reported the increasing incidence of mucormycosis in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Given the advances in molecular biology, the systematic of this group of fungi has experimented several taxonomical changes. This paper will discuss the major taxonomic changes, particularly of those genera and species of clinical interest.

Isomucor (Mucoromycotina): a new genus from a Cerrado reserve in state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

During a survey of mucoralean fungi from a Cerrado reserve (Brazilian savanna) some isolates of a Mucor-like fungus were isolated from soil plates. Characterization based on morphological, physiological and molecular data from translation elongation factor (EF-1α), 28S (D1/D2) and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA sequences was made. The isolates produce lateral branches bearing multispored sporangiola in addition to the multispored sporangia and a uniformly septate mycelium as the main differentiating characteristics. To our surprise this fungus possesses two EF-1α genes 1.4 and 1.5 kb long. Evidence from the analyzed datasets supports the delimitation of a new genus and the inclusion of Mucor fuscus based on 28S and ITS rDNA data.

Antifungal susceptibility and phylogeny of opportunistic members of the order mucorales.

The in vitro susceptibilities of 66 molecularly identified strains of the Mucorales to eight antifungals (amphotericin B, terbinafine, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, and 5-fluorocytosine) were tested. Molecular phylogeny was reconstructed based on the nuclear ribosomal large subunit to reveal taxon-specific susceptibility profiles. The impressive phylogenetic diversity of the Mucorales was reflected in susceptibilities differing at family, genus, and species levels. Amphotericin B was the most active drug, though somewhat less against Rhizopus and Cunninghamella species. Posaconazole was the second most effective antifungal agent but showed reduced activity in Mucor and Cunninghamella strains, while voriconazole lacked in vitro activity for most strains. Genera attributed to the Mucoraceae exhibited a wide range of MICs for posaconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine and included resistant strains. Cunninghamella also comprised strains resistant to all azoles tested but was fully susceptible to terbinafine. In contrast, the Lichtheimiaceae completely lacked strains with reduced susceptibility for these antifungals. Syncephalastrum species exhibited susceptibility profiles similar to those of the Lichtheimiaceae. Mucor species were more resistant to azoles than Rhizopus species. Species-specific responses were obtained for terbinafine where only Rhizopus arrhizus and Mucor circinelloides were resistant. Complete or vast resistance was observed for 5-fluorocytosine, caspofungin, and micafungin. Intraspecific variability of in vitro susceptibility was found in all genera tested but was especially high in Mucor and Rhizopus for azoles and terbinafine. Accurate molecular identification of etiologic agents is compulsory to predict therapy outcome. For species of critical genera such as Mucor and Rhizopus, exhibiting high intraspecific variation, susceptibility testing before the onset of therapy is recommended.

Pectinase production by a Brazilian thermophilic fungus Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae N31 in solid-state and submerged fermentation.

Thermophilic organisms produce thermostable enzymes, which have a number of applications, justifying the interest in the isolation of new thermophilic strains and study of their enzymes. Thirty-four thermophilic and thermotolerant fungal strains were isolated from soil, organic compost, and an industrial waste pile based on their ability to grow at 45 degrees C and in a liquid medium containing pectin as the only carbon source. Among these fungi, 50% were identified at the genus level as Thermomyces, Aspergillus, Monascus, Chaetomium, Neosartoria, Scopulariopsis, and Thermomucor. All isolated strains produced pectinase during solid-state fermentation (SSF). The highest polygalacturonase (PG) activity was obtained in the culture medium of thermophilic strain N31 identified as Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae. Under SSF conditions on media containing a mixture of wheat bran and orange bagasse (1:1) at 70% of initial moisture, this fungus produced the maximum of 120 U/ml of exo-PG, while in submerged fermentation (SmF) it produced 13.6 U/ml. The crude PG from SmF was more thermostable than that from SSF and exhibited higher stability in acidic pH.

Mucormicosis rinosinusal / Rhinosinusal mucormycosis

Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 61 años, con diabetes mellitus moderadamente descompensada, sin cetoacidosis, inmunocompetente, con mucormicosis invasiva de evolución crónica, con buena respuesta al tratamiento quirúrgico y con antimicóticos, que incluyó en una primera etapa fluconazol y, posteriormente, anfotericina B. Se destaca la evolución indolente de la enfemedad y se discute la probable utilidad de los agentes azólicos. Se realiza una revisión bibliográfica de la sinusitis fúngica invasiva por Mucorales.

Maxillary sinusitis caused by Actinomucor elegans.

We report the first case of maxillary sinusitis caused by Actinomucor elegans in an 11-year-old patient. Histopathological and mycological examinations of surgical maxillary sinuses samples showed coenocytic hyphae characteristic of mucoraceous fungi. The fungi recovered had stolons and rhizoids, nonapophyseal and globose sporangia, and whorled branched sporangiophores and was identified as A. elegans. After surgical cleaning and chemotherapy with amphotericin B administered intravenously and by irrigation, the patient became asymptomatic and the mycological study results were negative.

Characterization of selected strains of mucorales using fatty acid profiles

The fatty acid profiles of several fungi of the order Mucorales (Zygomycetes), including "Backusella lamprospora" (Lendner) Benny and R. K. Benj., "Benjamiella youngii" P.M. Kirk, "Circinella simplex" van Tieghem, "Cunninghamella blakesleeana" Lendner, "Mortierella ramanniana" (Möller) Linnem., "Mucor circineloides" f. "janssenii" (Lendner) Schipper, "Mycotypha microspora"Fenner, "Rhizomucor miehei" (Cooney and R. Emerson) Schipper and "Rhizomucor pusillus"(Lindt) Schipper, and of "Volutella"sp. Fr., from the class Ascomycetes, were qualitatively analysed by gas-liquid chromatography in order to determine the taxonomic value of these chemotaxonomic markers. The fatty acids present in all strains were palmitic (16:0), oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2) and kappa-linoleic (18:3) acid, with the exception that the later was not found in "Volutella" sp. Chemotaxonomic markers for some species and genera were obtained, including a non-identified fatty acid, FAME8 (minimum and maximum of 16.53 and 16.61 minutes) for "Benjaminiella youngii CCT4121. Thechemotaxonomic marker of the order Mucorales was the fatty acid 18:3ômega6, confirming previous data from literature. The results of the present study that qualitative fatty acid analysis can be an important chemotaxonomic tool for the classification of the fungi assigned to the order Mucorales (Zygomycetes).

Zigomicose: apresentações cutâneas e bucais / Zygomycosis: buccal and cutaneous presentations

A zigomicose é uma antes considerada rara, com tendência a aumentar, devido às condições de imunocomprometimento, em especial com o advento da Aids. Os autores apresentam revisão da literatura sobre as apresentações cutâneas e mucosas da doença. Tanto as manifestações tegumentares como bucais apresentam grande variabilidade nas lesões fundamentais. Para o diagnóstico são considerados o quadro clínico, os fatores predisponentes, a pesquisa fúngica e o exame histopatológico.

Mucormicosis rinocerebral en un paciente diabético no insulinodependiente y fuera de cetoacidosis / Rynocerebral mucormycosis in one diabetic patient non insulin-dependent and do not ketoacidosis

La mucormicosis, es una infección fúngica poco frecuente causada por hongos del orden de los Mucorales. Estos hongos se hallan distribuídos en la naturaleza, y se los puede encontrar en el suelo, frutas, pan y el aire, incluyendo las salas hoaspitalarias. El hombre presenta, por lo general, una resistencia natural a las enfermedades considerándose, por ello, población de riesgo a todo paciente no inmunocompetente. Clásicamente, presenta cuatro formas clínicas: rinocerebral (asociada a cetoacidosis diabética), pulmonar (más frecuente en discrasias sanguíneas), cutáneas (secundaria a politraumatismos o grandes quemados) y diseminada. Se presenta un caso de mucormicosis rinocerebral en un paciente diabético no insulinodependiente y fuera de cetoacidosis, ambos hechos inusuales de acuerdo con la literatura médica consultada. Se realiza una revisión y actualización del tema

Mucormicosis rinocerebral en un paciente diabético no insulinodependiente y fuera de cetoacidosis / Rynocerebral mucormycosis in one diabetic patient non insulin-dependent and do not ketoacidosis

La mucormicosis, es una infección fúngica poco frecuente causada por hongos del orden de los Mucorales. Estos hongos se hallan distribuídos en la naturaleza, y se los puede encontrar en el suelo, frutas, pan y el aire, incluyendo las salas hoaspitalarias. El hombre presenta, por lo general, una resistencia natural a las enfermedades considerándose, por ello, población de riesgo a todo paciente no inmunocompetente. Clásicamente, presenta cuatro formas clínicas: rinocerebral (asociada a cetoacidosis diabética), pulmonar (más frecuente en discrasias sanguíneas), cutáneas (secundaria a politraumatismos o grandes quemados) y diseminada. Se presenta un caso de mucormicosis rinocerebral en un paciente diabético no insulinodependiente y fuera de cetoacidosis, ambos hechos inusuales de acuerdo con la literatura médica consultada. Se realiza una revisión y actualización del tema

Microsporum magellanicum and Cunninghamella antarctica, new species isolated from Australic and Antarctic soil of chile.

Keratinophilic fungi were isolated from samples of soil collected in the extremity of Chile, in Southern Shetland and Antarctic continent. Two new species, Microsporum magellanicum and Cunninghamella antarctica are described. Microsporum magellanicum is characterized by verrucose or verruculose clavate macroconidia predominantly uniseptate, 4-87-2micronx14-4-21-6micron. Cunninghamella antarctica has conidiophores usually verticillately, pseudoverticillately and sympodially branched; and globose conidia with evident spines, 12-8-16micron in diameter.