Subcutaneous zygomycosis in an immunocompetent patient caused by Basidiobolus ranarum.

Zygomycosis is a fungal infection in humans caused by orders Mucorales and Entomophthorales. The incidence of Mucorales causing mucormycosis is on a rise and is well documented, whereas Entomophthorales is rare. Among Entomophthorales, infections caused by Conidiobolus are more common than Basidiobolus Here we present a case of subcutaneous basidiobolomycosis in a female patient. The patient had hyperpigmentation in the thigh region for 6 months and serous discharge for 4 months. All initial findings suggested the inflammatory stage of morphea. Differential diagnoses of granuloma annulare, malignant melanoma and morphea were considered radiologically. A good suspicion of fungal aetiology by the dermatologist led to an appropriate diagnosis of subcutaneous basidiobolomycosis based on fungal culture and histopathological examination. Based on macroscopic and microscopic findings, the causative organism was confirmed to be Basidiobolus ranarum The patient was started on oral potassium iodide and itraconazole and showed a good prognosis.

Batkoa major infecting the invasive planthopper Lycorma delicatula.

The entomopathogenic fungi Batkoa major and Beauveria bassiana caused co-epizootics in populations of invasive spotted lanternflies, Lycorma delicatula, in 2018 in northeastern North America. Although first described from North America in 1888, the biology and ecology of Batkoa major had not been studied since that time. This entomophthoralean fungus found infecting L. delicatula in 2018 produces conidia and rhizoids similar in appearance to the original description. We conducted laboratory bioassays to investigate infection of different ages and sexes of these planthoppers, inoculating via showered conidia. All nymphs, and male and female adults were susceptible, dying in 4.3-6.7 days. Adult males died more quickly than adult females or fourth instars. Batkoa major grew out of cadavers of adult males more frequently than adult females or fourth instar nymphs. Rhizoids that provide attachment of cadavers to substrates were produced from adult cadavers more frequently than conidia. Resting spores were not observed in vivo or in vitro in the lab, or in the field.

Strongwellsea selandia and Strongwellsea gefion (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae), two new species infecting adult flies from genus Helina (Diptera: Muscidae).

Two new species from the genus Strongwellsea (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) that infect adult flies from the genus Helina (Muscidae) are described: Strongwellsea selandia Eilenberg & Humber infecting adult Helina evecta (Harris), and Strongwellsea gefion Eilenberg & Humber infecting adult Helina reversio (Harris). The descriptions are based on pathobiological, phenotypical and genotypical characters. The new species differ from other described members from the genus Strongwellsea by a) pathobiology as revealed by natural host species, b) morphology of primary conidia, c) color of resting spores, and d) genotypical clustering based on analysis of ITS2. The two new species have only been documented from North Zealand, Denmark.

Season-long infection of diverse hosts by the entomopathogenic fungus Batkoa major.

Populations of the entomopathogenic fungus Batkoa major were analyzed using sequences of four genomic regions and evaluated in relation to their genetic diversity, insect hosts and collection site. This entomophthoralean pathogen killed numerous insect species from 23 families and five orders in two remote locations during 2019. The host list of this biotrophic pathogen contains flies, true bugs, butterflies and moths, beetles, and barkflies. Among the infected bugs (Order Hemiptera), the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a new invasive planthopper pest of various woody plants that was introduced to the USA from Eastern Asia. A high degree of clonality occurred in the studied populations and high gene flow was revealed using four molecular loci for the analysis of population structure. We did not detect any segregation in the population regarding host affiliation (by family or order), or collection site. This is the first description of population structure of a biotrophic fungus-generalist in the entomopathogenic Order Entomophthorales. This analysis aimed to better understand the potential populations of entomopathogen-generalists infecting emerging invasive hosts in new ecosystems.

A Very Rare Basidiobolomycosis Case Presented with Cecal Perforation and Concomitant Hepatic Involvement in an Elderly Male Patient: A Case Study.

This is a case report of Basidiobolomycosis in a 65-year-old male patient from Jizan presenting with colonic perforation and concomitant liver involvement from February 2021 to July 2021. To control the infection, the patient underwent colonic resection and segmental liver resection, as well as three antifungal drugs. The treatment was successful, and the condition was completely resolved.

Encapsulation of the psyllid-pathogenic fungus Pandora sp. nov. inedit. and experimental infection of target insects.

BACKGROUND: Pandora sp. nov. inedit. (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) (ARSEF 13372) is a recently isolated entomophthoralean fungus with potential for psyllid pest control. This study aimed to develop a formulation based on biocompatible hydrogel beads in order to transfer the fungus into an easily applicable form and to test the effects on psyllids. RESULTS: After encapsulation in calcium alginate beads, Pandora sp. nov. grew from the beads and discharged conidia over 12 days under optimal humidity conditions at 18 °C. Conidial number was increased 2.95-fold by the addition of skimmed milk as nutritional formulation adjuvant to the beads. The virulence of the encapsulated fungus was assessed with the two target psyllid species; the summer apple psyllid, Cacopsylla picta and the pear psyllid, Cacopsylla pyri. Beads containing skimmed milk as nutritional adjuvant led to the highest mortalities (48.3% on C. picta and 75.0% on C. pyri). In a second bioassay, survival time of C. pyri exposed to beads containing different concentration (10%, 20% or 40%) of Pandora sp. nov. was tested. The survival time of C. pyri was significantly reduced when exposed to beads containing 10% or 20% Pandora sp. nov. The median survival time was reached after 5-6 days past inoculation and the cumulative mortality for C. pyri treated with Pandora sp. nov. beads showed up to 89% mortality. CONCLUSION: The promising results of this study will ease the way for large-scale field application of a novel Pandora species in biological psyllid pest control.

Inoculative Releases and Natural Spread of the Fungal Pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) into U.S. Populations of Gypsy Moth, Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Erebidae).

While emphasis with entomopathogens has often been on inundative releases, we describe here historic widespread inoculative releases of a fungal entomopathogen. Several U.S. states and municipalities conducted inoculative releases of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu et Soper (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) after 1993, as gypsy moth populations spread into the Midwest and North Carolina. This Japanese pathogen first caused epizootics in northeastern North America in 1989 and methods for its inoculative release were tested and proven to be effective from 1991 to 1993. After 1993, spores in soil or in late instar cadavers were collected during or after epizootics and were released inoculatively into newly established populations of this spreading invasive; the goal was that spores would overwinter and germinate the next spring to infect larvae, thus speeding pathogen spread and hastening the development of epizootics in newly established populations. The fungus was released in gypsy moth populations that were separated from areas where the fungus was already established. In particular, extensive releases by natural resource managers in Wisconsin and Michigan aided the spread of E. maimaiga throughout these states. Where it has become established, this acute pathogen has become the dominant natural enemy and has exerted considerable influence in reducing gypsy moth damage. While this pathogen most likely would have invaded these new regions eventually, releases accelerated the spread of E. maimaiga and helped to reduce impacts of initial outbreaks, while further outbreaks were reduced by the pathogen's subsequent persistence and activity in those areas.

Mechanisms behind the Madness: How Do Zombie-Making Fungal Entomopathogens Affect Host Behavior To Increase Transmission?

Transmission is a crucial step in all pathogen life cycles. As such, certain species have evolved complex traits that increase their chances to find and invade new hosts. Fungal species that hijack insect behaviors are evident examples. Many of these "zombie-making" entomopathogens cause their hosts to exhibit heightened activity, seek out elevated positions, and display body postures that promote spore dispersal, all with specific circadian timing. Answering how fungal entomopathogens manipulate their hosts will increase our understanding of molecular aspects underlying fungus-insect interactions, pathogen-host coevolution, and the regulation of animal behavior. It may also lead to the discovery of novel bioactive compounds, given that the fungi involved have traditionally been understudied. This minireview summarizes and discusses recent work on zombie-making fungi of the orders Hypocreales and Entomophthorales that has resulted in hypotheses regarding the mechanisms that drive fungal manipulation of insect behavior. We discuss mechanical processes, host chemical signaling pathways, and fungal secreted effectors proposed to be involved in establishing pathogen-adaptive behaviors. Additionally, we touch on effectors' possible modes of action and how the convergent evolution of host manipulation could have given rise to the many parallels in observed behaviors across fungus-insect systems and beyond. However, the hypothesized mechanisms of behavior manipulation have yet to be proven. We, therefore, also suggest avenues of research that would move the field toward a more quantitative future.

Factors Influencing the Population Fluctuations of Euproctis chrysorrhoea (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Maine.

The browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea (L.)) is a forest pest that was accidentally introduced in the late 1800's and spread throughout New England in the early part of the 20th Century. At its peak range expansion in 1915 it encompassed an area of 150,000 km2 after which populations declined. By the 1960s, its distribution had receded to relic populations on outer Cape Cod, MA, and islands in Casco Bay, ME. In 1989 browntail moth resurged in Maine, with periodic, moderate outbreaks before a dramatic increase of the population occurred in 2016. We examined the pattern of annual defoliation by browntail moth since its resurgence in the 1990s as well as variation in populations throughout infested areas in Maine during three years of the recent outbreak, 2016-2018, relative to differences in weather, parasitism and habitat characteristics. Levels of defoliation over 24 yr were predicted by the preceding spring precipitation (-, negative effect) and the year's previous late summer and early fall temperatures (+, positive effect) when first to third instar larvae feed and then construct winter hibernacula. Late summer temperatures predicted the abundance of hibernacula across outbreak areas (+). Early spring temperatures (+) and early and late spring precipitation (-) predicted early summer larval and pupal nest abundance. Warmer fall temperatures result in more mature populations coming out of winter hibernacula in the spring, whereas spring precipitation drives epizootic outbreaks of Entomophaga aulicae (Reichardt in Bail) Humber (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae). with parasitoids playing a lesser role. Climate trends indicate continued increases in fall temperatures since browntail moth resurgence.

Pathogenicity against hemipteran vector insects of a novel insect pathogenic fungus from Entomophthorales (Pandora sp. nov. inedit.) with potential for biological control.

A new but still unpublished entomopathogenic fungus (ARSEF13372) in the genus Pandora (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) was originally isolated from Cacopsylla sp. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Several species of the genus Cacopsylla vector phloem-borne bacteria of the genus 'Candidatus Phytoplasma', which cause diseases in fruit crops such as apple proliferation, pear decline and European stone fruit yellows. To determine Pandora's host range and biocontrol potential we conducted laboratory infection bioassays; Hemipteran phloem-feeding insects were exposed to conidia actively discharged from in vitro produced mycelial mats of standardized area. We documented the pathogenicity of Pandora sp. nov. to species of the insect families Psyllidae and Triozidae, namely Cacopsyllapyri L., C.pyricola (Foerster), C.picta (Foerster, 1848), C.pruni (Scopoli), C.peregrina (Foerster), and Trioza apicalis Foerster. The occurrence of postmortem signs of infection on cadavers within 10 days post inoculation proved that Pandora sp. nov. was infective to the tested insect species under laboratory conditions and significantly reduced mean survival time for C.pyri (summer form and nymph), C.pyricola, C.picta, C.pruni, C.peregrina and T.apicalis. Assessing a potential interaction between phytoplasma, fungus and insect host revealed that phytoplasma infection ('Candidatus Phytoplasma mali') of the vector C.picta and/or its host plant apple Malus domestica Borkh. did not significantly impact the survival of C.picta after Pandora sp. nov. infection. The results from infection bioassays were discussed in relation to Pandora sp. nov. host range and its suitability as biocontrol agent in integrated pest management strategies of psyllid pests, including vector species, in orchards.

Strongwellsea crypta (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae), a new species infecting Botanophila fugax (Diptera: Anthomyiidae).

A new species from the genus Strongwellsea (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) is described: Strongwellsea crypta Eilenberg & Humber from adult Botanophila fugax (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). The description is based on pathobiological, phenotypical and genotypical characters. The abdominal holes in infected hosts develop rapidly and become strikingly large and edgy, almost rhomboid in shape. The new species S. crypta differs from S. castrans, the only described species infecting flies from Anthomyiidae, by: (a) naturally infecting another host species, (b) by having significantly longer primary conidia, and (c) by genotypical clustering separately from that species when sequencing ITS2.

An Infant with Acute Bloody Diarrhea and Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis: An Unusual Presentation of a Rare Disease.

Basidiobolomycosis is a fungal infection caused mainly by Basidiobolus ranarum, a filamentous fungus of the order Entomophthorales and the family Basidiobolaceae. This infection typically involves the skin and soft tissue; however, visceral organ involvement has also been reported. Here, we report a case of gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis in a young child who presented with acute bloody diarrhea which was initially misdiagnosed as intussusception.

Phylogenomic Analyses of Non-Dikarya Fungi Supports Horizontal Gene Transfer Driving Diversification of Secondary Metabolism in the Amphibian Gastrointestinal Symbiont, Basidiobolus.

Research into secondary metabolism (SM) production by fungi has resulted in the discovery of diverse, biologically active compounds with significant medicinal applications. The fungi rich in SM production are taxonomically concentrated in the subkingdom Dikarya, which comprises the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Here, we explore the potential for SM production in Mucoromycota and Zoopagomycota, two phyla of nonflagellated fungi that are not members of Dikarya, by predicting and identifying core genes and gene clusters involved in SM. The majority of non-Dikarya have few genes and gene clusters involved in SM production except for the amphibian gut symbionts in the genus BasidiobolusBasidiobolus genomes exhibit an enrichment of SM genes involved in siderophore, surfactin-like, and terpene cyclase production, all these with evidence of constitutive gene expression. Gene expression and chemical assays also confirm that Basidiobolus has significant siderophore activity. The expansion of SMs in Basidiobolus are partially due to horizontal gene transfer from bacteria, likely as a consequence of its ecology as an amphibian gut endosymbiont.

Strongwellsea tigrinae and Strongwellsea acerosa (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae), two new species infecting dipteran hosts from the genus Coenosia (Muscidae).

Two new species from the genus Strongwellsea (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) are described: Strongwellsea tigrinae from adult Coenosia tigrina (Diptera: Muscidae) and Strongwellsea acerosa from adult Coenosia testacea. The descriptions are based on pathobiological, phenotypical and genotypical characters. Further, the circumscription of the genus Strongwellsea is emended. Our findings suggest that Strongwellsea harbors a high number of species, of which now only five have been described.

Colorectal basidiobolomycosis in a dog.

A 7-year-old castrated male French Bulldog was examined for chronic large intestinal enteropathy. A colonic mass and thickened rectal mucosa were identified, and histopathologic examination of endoscopic biopsy specimens disclosed eosinophilic proctitis with large (5-20 µm), irregularly shaped, pauciseptate hyphae that were Gomori methenamine silver and periodic acid-Schiff positive. Amplification and sequencing of ribosomal DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissues yielded a sequence with 97% identity to GenBank sequences for Basidiobolus ranarum. After itraconazole, terbinafine, and prednisone administration, clinical signs resolved rapidly, and sonographic lesions were largely absent after 6 weeks. Treatment was discontinued by the owner 15 weeks after diagnosis. Three weeks later, the dog collapsed acutely and was euthanized. Necropsy identified metastatic islet cell carcinoma and grossly unremarkable colorectal tissues. However, histopathology of the rectum disclosed multifocal submucosal granulomas with intralesional hyphae morphologically similar to those previously observed. This report is the first to describe medical treatment of gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis in a dog.

Secondary conidia types in the insect pathogenic fungal genus Strongwellsea (Entomophthoromycotina: Entomophthorales) infecting adult Diptera.

Two types of secondary conidia and their formation are described from six species of Strongwellsea infecting hosts from Anthomyiidae, Muscidae and Fanniidae. We used a simple device allowing secondary conidia to be produced under very moist or comparatively dry conditions. Ellipsoid type secondary conidia, which are formed under very moist conditions, have never been reported before from the genus Strongwellsea, and they are unique for Entomophthorales; these are broadly ellipsoidal with a clearly pointed basal papilla and are actively discharged. Subglobose type secondary conidia are, for the first time, described from several species in the genus Strongwellsea; they are subglobose to almost bell-shaped with a flattened papilla and are actively discharged. Subglobose type secondary conidia are formed under more dry conditions. A general pattern of the formation of secondary conidia in Strongwellsea and the ecological roles of primary conidia and of the two types of secondary conidia are discussed.

Basidiosins A and B: Cyclopentapeptides from the entomophthoralean fungus Basidiobolus meristosporus.

Two new cyclopentapeptides, basidiosins A and B (1 and 2) were isolated from the mycelia extracts of entomophthoralean fungus Basidiobolus meristosporus RCEF 4516. The structures were determined based on spectroscopic methods, and the absolute config urations were assigned by Marfey's method on their acid hydrolyzates. Compounds 1 and 2 were identified as cyclo(L-Thr-L-Leu- L-Ile-D-Tyr-D-Thr) and cyclo(L-Thr-L-Leu-L-Val-D-Val-D-Ser), respectively. They were evaluated for the biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidative activities. Furthermore, the biosynthetic pathway of 1 was proposed by bioinformatic analysis. This is the first study on the isolation of natural products from Basidiobolus fungus.

Gut fungal dysbiosis and altered bacterial-fungal interaction in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: An explorative study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about intestinal fungi in IBS patients whose gut bacteria have been investigated a lot. In order to explore causal relationship between IBS and gut mycobiome, and use gut fungi to diagnose or even treat IBS, further characterization of it in IBS is required. METHODS: Fifty-five diarrhea-predominant IBS (D-IBS) patients fulfilling Rome III criteria, and 16 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Fresh fecal samples were collected and used for 16s rRNA and ITS2 high-throughput sequencing. Diversity and composition of gut bacteria and fungi, as well as bacterial-fungal interactions in D-IBS patients, were characterized. Specific fungal taxa differentiating D-IBS from HC were recognized by LEfSe and RandomForest methods, and their association with clinical symptoms was assessed by Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients showed abnormal (IBS-dysbiosis) or normal (HC-like IBS) fecal bacterial structure and diversity compared with healthy controls. However, fecal fungal signatures differed absolutely between D-IBS and HC, which indicated a more susceptible alteration of gut fungi than bacteria in D-IBS. Fecal fungi showed significant correlations with IBS symptoms, especially Mycosphaerella, Aspergillus, Sporidiobolus, and Pandora which were identified to potentially differentiate D-IBS from HC. Moreover, compared with HC there were markedly declined bacterial-fungal interactions in D-IBS, in which Candida changed from negative to positive correlations with bacteria, and Eurotium changed from positive correlations to irrelevance, while Debaryomyces gained negative correlations with bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Gut fungal dysbiosis and altered bacterial-fungal interactions were present in patients with D-IBS, and gut fungi could be used to diagnose D-IBS.

Ocular basidiobolomycosis - Rare presentation: A case report.

Basidiobolus ranarum is an uncommon pathogen in ocular infections. It has been previously reported from subcutaneous and gastrointestinal infections. Here, we report a rare case of ocular infection caused by B. ranarum. A 21-year-old male patient presented with visual loss and pain in the right eye due to corneal abscess following an injury while welding. KOH mount performed was indicative of fungal hyphae. Fungal culture revealed growth of B. ranarum. Meanwhile, the patient was treated with antifungal (topical natamycin and oral ketoconazole) along with total corneal transplantation. B. ranarum is a fungus very uncommonly causing ocular pathogenesis. This results in diagnostic confusion leading to poor treatment outcomes. Hence, a mycology laboratory has to be aware about this fungus and need to consider it as a differential diagnosis in patients with infectious corneal abscess.