Analysis of glutathione-S-transferases from larvae of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) with potential alkaloid detoxification function.

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, is a global pest for beehives, doing damage in the larval stage. Although a significant number of studies have reported on larvae and adults, to date no effective pest control has been implemented. In this study, we tested larval resistance to alkaloids from Berberis microphylla, and the objective was to identify enzymes that participate in alkaloid detoxification through enzymatic assays, bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR. Findings suggest glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), from an increased metabolic mechanism, are responsible for alkaloid detoxification rather than cytochrome P450 (CYP), carboxylesterases (CarE). A bioinformatics analysis from transcriptome data revealed 22 GSTs present in both G. mellonella larvae and adults. The qRT-PCR experiments corroborated the presence of the 22 GSTs in larvae, where GST8 and GST20 stood out with the highest expression after berberine treatment. Structural information around GST8 and GST20 suggests that GST8 could bind berberine stronger than GST20. These findings represent an important advance in the study of detoxification enzymes in G. mellonella, expanding the role of delta-class GSTs towards alkaloids. Likewise, GST inhibition by alkaloid analogs is proposed in the framework of integrated pest management strategies.

[Invasive ocular fungal infection by Scedosporium apiospermum in an immunocompromised patient]. / Infección ocular invasora por Scedosporium apioespermum en un paciente inmunocomprometido.

We report a case of invasive fungal infection with necrotizing conjunctivitis, scleritis and unilateral panuveitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum in a 78-year-old woman that developed neutropenia by drugs indicated for rheumatoid arthritis. The etiological diagnosis was confirmed by mycological culture of an ocular secretion with the support of MALDI-TOF-TOF analysis and histopathological findings. The treatment involved surgical debridements together with topical solution and systemic therapy with voriconazole and steroids with a favorable evolution after 2 months of treatment. A relapse required a second therapeutic course for an additional 12 months with improvement and eradication of the agent. Fungal conjunctivitis due to S. apiospermum is a rare event associated with immunosuppressed patients. Its treatment involves surgical debridements and prolonged antifungal therapy.

Infección ocular invasora por Scedosporium apioespermum en un paciente inmunocomprometido / Invasive ocular fungal infection by Scedosporium apiospermum in an immunocompromised patient

Resumen Presentamos el caso clínico de una infección fúngica invasora con una conjuntivitis necrosante, escleritis y panuveitis unilateral por Scedosporium apiospermum en una mujer de 78 años con artritis reumatoidea con neutropenia secundaria a fármacos. El diagnóstico etiológico fue confirmado por cultivo micológico de secreción ocular con apoyo de MALDI-TOF-TOF e histopatología. El tratamiento incluyó aseos quirúrgicos asociado a terapia tópica y sistémica con voriconazol y corticoesteroides, con una evolución favorable a los dos meses de tratamiento. Una recaída obligó a un segundo curso terapéutico por 12 meses adicionales con mejoría y erradicación del agente. La conjuntivitis fúngica por S. apiospermum es un evento infrecuente asociado a pacientes inmunocomprometidos. Su tratamiento involucra desbridamientos quirúrgicos y terapia antifúngica prolongada.

Abstract We report a case of invasive fungal infection with necrotizing conjunctivitis, scleritis and unilateral panuveitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum in a 78-year-old woman that developed neutropenia by drugs indicated for rheumatoid arthritis. The etiological diagnosis was confirmed by mycological culture of an ocular secretion with the support of MALDI-TOF-TOF analysis and histopathological findings. The treatment involved surgical debridements together with topical solution and systemic therapy with voriconazole and steroids with a favorable evolution after 2 months of treatment. A relapse required a second therapeutic course for an additional 12 months with improvement and eradication of the agent. Fungal conjunctivitis due to S. apiospermum is a rare event associated with immunosuppressed patients. Its treatment involves surgical debridements and prolonged antifungal therapy.