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PubMed2005

Abundant respirable ergot alkaloids from the common airborne fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.

Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins that interact with several monoamine receptors, negatively affecting cardiovascular, nervous, reproductive, and immune systems of exposed humans and animals. Aspergillus fumigatus, a common airborne fungus and opportunistic human pathogen, can produce ergot alkaloids in broth culture. The objectives of this study were to determine if A. fumigatus accumulates ergot alkaloids in a respirable form in or on its conidia, to quantify ergot alkaloids associated with conidia produced on several different substrates, and to measure relevant physical properties of the conidia. We found at least four ergot alkaloids, fumigaclavine C, festuclavine, fumigaclavine A, and fumigaclavine B (in order of abundance), associated with conidia of A. fumigatus. Under environmentally relevant conditions, the total mass of ergot alkaloids often constituted >1% of the mass of the conidium. Ergot alkaloids were extracted from conidia produced on all media tested, and the greatest quantities were observed when the fungus was cultured on latex paint or cultured maize seedlings. The values for physical properties of conidia likely to affect their respirability (i.e., diameter, mass, and specific gravity) were significantly lower for A. fumigatus than for Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, and Stachybotrys chartarum. The demonstration of relatively high concentrations of ergot alkaloids associated with conidia of A. fumigatus presents opportunities for investigations of potential contributions of the toxins to adverse health effects associated with the fungus and to aspects of the biology of the fungus that contribute to its success.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed2005

Effect of chlorine dioxide gas on fungi and mycotoxins associated with sick building syndrome.

The growth of indoor molds and their resulting products (e.g., spores and mycotoxins) can present health hazards for human beings. The efficacy of chlorine dioxide gas as a fumigation treatment for inactivating sick building syndrome-related fungi and their mycotoxins was evaluated. Filter papers (15 per organism) featuring growth of Stachybotrys chartarum, Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Cladosporium cladosporioides were placed in gas chambers containing chlorine dioxide gas at either 500 or 1,000 ppm for 24 h. C. globosum was exposed to the gas both as colonies and as ascospores without asci and perithecia. After treatment, all organisms were tested for colony growth using an agar plating technique. Colonies of S. chartarum were also tested for toxicity using a yeast toxicity assay with a high specificity for trichothecene mycotoxins. Results showed that chlorine dioxide gas at both concentrations completely inactivated all organisms except for C. globosum colonies which were inactivated an average of 89%. More than 99% of ascospores of C. globosum were nonculturable. For all ascospore counts, mean test readings were lower than the controls (P < 0.001), indicating that some ascospores may also have been destroyed. Colonies of S. chartarum were still toxic after treatment. These data show that chlorine dioxide gas can be effective to a degree as a fumigant for the inactivation of certain fungal colonies, that the perithecia of C. globosum can play a slightly protective role for the ascospores and that S. chartarum, while affected by the fumigation treatment, still remains toxic.

Chaetomium↗
PubMed1975

Osmophilous fungi in the salt marshes of Kuwait.

During an investigation of the mycoflora inhabiting saline soils in Kuwait, special attention was focused on osmophilous fungi. A total of 101 species belonging to 46 genera were encountered from 40 soil samples collected from salt marshes using Czapek's agar supplemented with 40% sucrose. Soil samples were collected from different habitats at different distances from the water edge. Soils near to the water edge were poor in their fungal content, while those taken from areas covered by Juncus arabicus contained highest fungal populations. The recorded genera were classified as follows: 7 were of high frequency of occurrence, 8 moderate, 17 low, and 13 were rare. The order of dominance was Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium, Cephalosporium, Fusarium, Stachybotrys, and Drechslera. Comparison between our results and those in other studies showed that there is no fungal flora characteristic of saline soils.

Ascomycota↗
PubMed1997

[Inhibitory action of natural compounds of microbial origin on cholesterol metabolism].

1) Repeated administration of pravastatin significantly increased serum and liver cholesterol in rats. Hepatic LDL receptor activity was not changed and VLDL cholesterol secretion from the liver was increased. Net cholesterol synthesis in rat liver was increased after 7 days of repeated pravastatin administration. These results suggest that for rats, unlike other animals for which serum cholesterol is decreased, induced HMG-CoA reductase activity due to pravastatin treatment might overcome the inhibitory capability of pravastatin. 2) In the course of screening for squalene synthase inhibitors, novel zaragozic acids-F10863A, B, C and D-containing zaragozic acid D3 were isolated. F10863A was most potent and selectively inhibited cholesterol synthesis in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes among several cultured and isolated cells. It also showed in vivo serum cholesterol-lowering effects in hamsters and marmosets. However, the inhibition for squalene synthase proved to cause acidosis due to the accumulation of farnesol-derived dicarboxylic acids in urines. 3) A novel acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, designated epi-cochlioquinone A, a stereoisomer of cochlioquinone A, which has been previously reported as a nematocidal agent, was isolated from the fermentation broth of Stachybotrys bisbyi. It inhibited in vivo cholesterol absorption in rats by 50% at 75 mg/kg.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Bioaerosol lung damage in a worker with repeated exposure to fungi in a water-damaged building.

There has been increased concern over health effects related to potential exposure of building occupants to bioaerosols. We report the case of a worker with a respiratory illness related to bioaerosol exposure in a water-damaged building with extensive fungal contamination. We performed environmental tests to evaluate potential exposure to fungi, and we used mycotoxin-specific IgG antibody in serologic studies in the attempt to evaluate exposure to mycotoxins. Extensive fungal contamination was documented in many areas of the building. Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Stachybotrys species were the most predominant fungi found in air sampling. Our serologic test was not useful in differentiating workers who were probably occupationally exposed to mycotoxins from those who were not; however, it did yield evidence that individuals may make specific IgG antibodies to macrocyclic tricothecene mycotoxins. Further research is needed concerning health effects related to bioaerosol exposures, particularly regarding markers of exposure to specific fungi that may produce mycotoxins. In the absence of clinical tools specific for evaluation of mycotoxin-related illness, a systematic clinical approach for evaluating persons with suspected building-related respiratory illness is warranted.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2003

Production of proinflammatory mediators by indoor air bacteria and fungal spores in mouse and human cell lines.

We compared the inflammatory and cytotoxic responses caused by household mold and bacteria in human and mouse cell lines. We studied the fungi Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium spinulosum, and Stachybotrys chartarum and the bacteria Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Streptomyces californicus for their cytotoxicity and ability to stimulate the production of inflammatory mediators in mouse RAW264.7 and human 28SC macrophage cell lines and in the human A549 lung epithelial cell line in 24-hr exposure to 10(5), 10(6), and 10(7) microbes/mL. We studied time dependency by terminating the exposure to 10(6) microbes/mL after 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr. We analyzed production of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukins 6 and 1ss (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1ss, respectively) and measured nitric oxide production using the Griess method, expression of inducible NO-synthase with Western Blot analysis, and cytotoxicity with the MTT-test. All bacteria strongly induced the production of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and, to a lesser extent, the formation of IL-1ss in mouse macrophages. Only the spores of Str. californicus induced the production of NO and IL-6 in both human and mouse cells. In contrast, exposure to fungal strains did not markedly increase the production of NO or any cytokine in the studied cell lines except for Sta. chartarum, which increased IL-6 production somewhat in human lung epithelial cells. These microbes were less cytotoxic to human cells than to mouse cells. On the basis of equivalent numbers of bacteria and spores of fungi added to cell cultures, the overall potency to stimulate the production of proinflammatory mediators decreased in the order Ps. fluorescens > Str. californicus > B. cereus > Sta. chartarum > A. versicolor > P. spinulosum. These data suggest that bacteria in water-damaged buildings should also be considered as causative agents of adverse inflammatory effects.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1999

Clinical experience and results of a Sentinel Health Investigation related to indoor fungal exposure.

This is a review of exposure conditions, clinical presentation, and morbidity of children and adults with indoor fungal exposure such as toxic Stachybotrys chartarum. Indoor exposure was characterized using different methods including microscopic, culture, cytotoxicity screening tests, and chemical analyses. Clinical case histories and physical and laboratory findings are presented of children (age < 18 years, n = 22; mean age 9 years; 60% females) and adults (age >18 years, n = 125; mean age 39 years, 67% females) who consulted an environmental health specialty clinic. In the pediatric patients' exposure history, widespread fungal contamination of water-damaged building materials with known toxic or allergic fungi was identified. Primarily disorders of the respiratory system, skin, mucous membranes, and central nervous system were reported. Some enumeration and functional laboratory abnormalities, mainly of the lymphatic blood cells, were observed, although no statistically significant differences were found. IgE or IgG fungi-specific antibodies, used as exposure markers, were positive in less than 25% of all tested cases. In an evaluation of a symptomatic girl 11 years of age (sentinel case investigation) living in an apartment with verified toxigenic fungi (i.e., S. chartarum), several health indicators showed improvement after exposure cessation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of fungal melanins.

The 13C resonance spectra of fungal melanins from Aspergillus niger, Eurotium echinolatum, and Stachybotrys chartarum are reported. The spectra were taken in 5% W/W solution of the substances in 0.1 N NaOD in D2O using the Fourier-transform-technique. The spectra and possible assignments of the bands are discussed. The similarities of these spectra to those of soil humic acids are unexpectedly small.

Aspergillus niger↗
PubMed1991

[Mycological examination on skin surface of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)].

Mycological examination on skin surface of 39 female and 35 male cynomolgus monkeys was carried out. Fungi were detected from 73 out of 74 subjects. Cladosporium was mostly predominant and the moderate predominant fungi were as follows: Acremonium, Curvularia, Arthrinium, Trichoderma, Stachybotrys, Emericella, Epicoccum, Pestalotia and Aureobasidium. However, dermatophytes or keratinophilic fungi were not isolated in this study.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Virulence of fungal spores determined by tracheal inoculation of goats following inhalation of aerosolized sterile feedyard dust.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the virulence of spores of 7 fungi by tracheal inoculation of goats following exposure of goats to an aerosol of sterilized feedyard dust. Animals-54 weanling Boer-Spanish goats. PROCEDURE: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. There were 7 fungal treatment groups, a tent control group, and a pen control group (n = 6 goats/group). Goats in the 7 treatment and tent control groups were exposed to autoclaved aerosolized feedyard dust for 4 hours in a specially constructed tent. Goats in the 7 treatment groups were then inoculated intratracheally with 30 mL of a fungal spore preparation, whereas tent control goats were intratracheally inoculated with 30 mL of physiologic saline (0.9% NaCI) solution. These treatments were repeated each week for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Severity of pathologic changes differed significantly among the 7 fungal treatment groups as determined on the basis of gross atelectatic and consolidated lung lesions and histologic lesions of the lungs. Descending order for severity of lesions was Mucor ramosissimus, Trichoderma viride, Chaetomium globosum, Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Monotospora lanuginosa. Trichoderma viride spores were the most invasive and were isolated from the bronchial lymph nodes and thoracic fluid of all 6 goats administered this organism. Spores were observed-histologically in lung tissues harvested 72 hours after inoculation from all treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: 4 of 7 fungal spore types induced significantly larger lung lesions, compared with those induced by the other 3 spore types or those evident in control goats.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed2006

Deoxynivalenol and satratoxin G potentiate proinflammatory cytokine and macrophage inhibitory protein 2 induction by Listeria and Salmonella in the macrophage.

Health risks from microbial pathogens and toxins encountered in food and the environment continue to be of worldwide concern. The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that trichothecene mycotoxins amplify inflammatory responses to foodborne bacterial pathogens. We assessed the capacity of deoxynivalenol (DON) and satratoxin G (SG) to potentiate chemokine and proinflammatory cytokine production in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages induced by Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium. When macrophage cultures were incubated with killed irradiated suspensions of the pathogens for 24 h, the minimum Listeria concentrations for induction of macrophage inhibitory protein 2 (MIP-2), interleukin-1beta (IL-beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were 0.01, 0.01, 1.0, and 1.0 microg/ml (P < 0.05) and the minimum Salmonella concentrations were 0.01, 0.01, 0.1, and 0.1 microg/ml, respectively (P < 0.05). Induction of all four mediators by both pathogens was potentiated by DON (at 100 and 250 ng/ml); observed responses were significantly higher than predicted additive responses (P < 0.05). SG (at 2 and 5 ng/ml) also significantly amplified induction of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha (P < 0.05) by both Listeria and Salmonella. These results indicate that DON encountered in Fusarium-contaminated food and SG from Stachybotrys-contaminated indoor environments could magnify innate inflammatory responses to foodborne bacterial pathogens.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

SMTP-4D, -5D, -6D, -7D and -8D, a new series of the non-lysine-analog plasminogen modulators with a D-amino acid moiety.

Staplabin and SMTPs, triprenyl phenol metabolites of the fungus Stachybotrys microspora, are a family of non-lysine-analog plasminogen modulators that enhance both activation and fibrin binding of plasminogen by modulating plasminogen conformation. These compounds, including SMTP-4, -5, -6, -7 and -8, have an amino acid or an amino alcohol moiety in their structure, and precursor amine feeding greatly increases the biosynthesis of a metabolite of interest. In the present study, we have isolated five novel SMTPs (designated SMTP-4D, -5D, -6D, -7D and -8D) from precursor D-amino acid-fed cultures. Physico-chemical properties as well as chromatographic behavior were distinct from those of the corresponding L-amino acid analogs, which are selectively accumulated in L-amino acid-fed cultures and share common properties with corresponding natural products. The D-series SMTPs enhanced urokinase-catalyzed plasminogen activation by 10-fold at 80 approximately 180 microM.

Benzopyrans↗
PubMed1999

Microscopic fungi in dwellings and their health implications in humans.

The article reviews the quantitative and qualitative incidence of microscopic filamentous fungi in dwellings, methods for their detection, mycotoxins, glucans and volatile organic compounds produced by microscopic fungi in the indoor air of homes. Characteristics and properties of the most important species of fungi in dwellings (Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp., Stachybotrys spp., and Wallemia spp.) and the health problems of occupants of the "moldy homes are also discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Methods for the detection of trichothecenes.

The trichothecenes are a group of fungal metabolites with a tetracyclic, sesquiterpenoid ring system and include a number of compounds which are highly toxic. These compounds are produced by various species of the imperfect fungi including members of the following genera: Calonectria, Fusarium, Myrothecium, Stachybotrys, Trichoderma, and Trichothecium. Both biological and chemical methods for detection of various trichothecenes are reviewed. Some of the bioassay techniques in use for the detection of the various trichothecenes include the rabbit dermal toxicity tests, cytotoxicity, and inhibition of protein synthesis tests; these are highly sensitive but lace specificity. The sensitivity of these tests for the T-2 toxin are 0.005 mug for rabbit skin toxicity, 0.03 mug/ml for inhibition of protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes, and less than 1 mug/ml for cytotoxicity to human karyoblast cells. In the present state of development of the chemical assay methods, thin layer and gas-liquid chromatography are specific for various trichothecenes but lack sensitivity. The lower detection limit of the trichothecenes on thin layer plates varies from 0.2 to 2-3 mug/spot while gas-liquid chrommatography has a reported sensitivity of approximately 0.05 mug/injection.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2002

[Micromycetes metabolites--inhibitors of growth and sterol biosynthesis in yeasts].

Antifungal activity of micelial fungus metabolites (of genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Stachybotris, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Gliocladium, Paecilomyces, Trichoderma etc.) was determined. It was shown that antifungal activity of some micromycetes is due to the formation of substances inhibiting sterols biosynthesis in eucaryote cells. Inhibitors of enzymes of sterols biosynthesis were isolated and their activity was investigated. It was shown, that isolated fungus inhibitors of sterols biosynthesis inhibited the growth of test-organism Rhodotorula rubra and decreased ergosterin level in yeast cells. The qualitative content of yeast cell sterols was not changed in the presence of fungus inhibitors.

Ergosterol↗
PubMed2003

Mould specific IgG antibodies connected with sinusitis in teachers of mould damaged school: a two-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between mould exposure induced by moisture damage and mould specific immunoglobulin G antibodies to 20 common mould species and their association with respiratory diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mould specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were monitored in teachers in a follow-up after an extensive mould remediation process in school buildings. IgG antibodies to 20 different microbes were determined from the sera of 26 teachers (19 exposed and 7 references) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum samples were drawn twice, firstly at the completion of the remediation in the spring of 1997 and secondly, two years later in the spring of 1999. Health data was collected with self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: No statistical differences were found in the overall concentrations of 20 mould-specific IgG-antibodies between the study and control groups at the beginning of the study. An association between sinusitis and elevated mould-specific IgG-levels forAspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus versicolor, Aureobasidium pullulans, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Phialophora bubakii, Rhodotorula glutinis, Sporobolomyces salmonicolor, Stachybotrys atra, and Tritirachium roseum was found in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: In a two-year follow-up the total concentration of the IgG antibodies for Tr. toseum was lower at the end than at the beginning of the follow-up and this remained significant for the group of teachers with sinusitis. The decrease in mould specific IgG to Cl. cladosporioides, Geotrichum candidum, Ph. bubakii and Rhizopus nigricans was associated with bronchitis. According to our knowledge, this is the first study in which the association between elevated mould specific IgG antibodies and sinusitis was found in the school environment.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Fungi recovered from Slovakian poultry feed mixtures and their toxinogenity.

To contribute towards the knowledge of microbiology of feeds, more than 100 samples of poultry feed mixtures from Slovakia were mycologically investigated in terms of the overall fungal diversity and toxicological potential of isolated fungi. The study revealed that out of 22 genera recovered, Penicillium was the most frequent and diverse genus, followed by Aspergillus and Mucor being found in 89 % (34 spp.), 69 % (11 spp.) and 50 % (4 spp.), respectively. The most frequently encountered taxa were Fusarium proliferatum, followed by Penicillium aurantiogriseum, Mucor racemosus, Penicillium crustosum and Aspergillus flavus . In addition, the following genera were recorded (in descending order) Rhizopus (44 %, 3 spp.), Eurotium (42 %, 5 spp.), Fusarium (42 %, 3 spp.), Cladosporium (31 %, 1 sp.), Alternaria (22 %, 3 spp.), Absidia (16 %, 3 spp.), Acremonium (12 %, 2 spp.), Scopulariopsis (10 %, 2 spp.), Paecilomyces (4 %, 1 sp.), Ulocladium (3 %, 1 sp.), Trichoderma (2 %, 1 sp.), Zygorrhynchus (2 %, 1 sp.), and finally Emericella, Epicoccum, Geosmithia, Monascus, Stachybotrys, Syncephalastrum and Wardomyces , all were encountered in 1 % of the samples being represented by a single species. The mean value counts of total fungi ranged from 1 x 10 (3) to 200 x 10(5) cfu/g. Outcomes from mycotoxin screening within the appropriate potentially toxinogenic species showed a number of mycotoxin producers, namely those forming aflatoxin B (1) (n=3), citrinin (17), cyclopiazonic acid (76), fumonisin B(1) (86), griseofulvin (42), moniliformin (18), ochratoxin A (5), patulin (56), penitrem A (30) and sterigmatocystin (10).

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1986

[Mycoflora of hay and straw].

Studies were carried out on hay and straw to establish the composition of mycoflora in them. They were sampled both at the time of harvesting and after storing for four to five months. It was found that the hay and straw were most often inseminated with spores of the fungus species Alternaria tenuis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor hiemalis, Penicillium sp., and more rarely with spores of Fusarium, Chaetomium, Scopulariopsis, Cladosporium, Trichoderma, and Stachybotrys alternans. It was demonstrated that when moistening of the feeds set in the period of taking in or in storage the mycoflora increased both in species composition and in extent of insemination. The presence of Alternaria tenuis was mostly demonstrated (up to 85 per cent) for hay, and (up to 100 per cent) for straw.

Animal Feed↗