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PubMed2003

Detection and identification of fungi from fungus balls of the maxillary sinus by molecular techniques.

The aim of this study was to find a reliable method for the detection and identification of fungi in fungus balls of the maxillary sinus and to evaluate the spectrum of fungi in these samples. One hundred twelve samples were obtained from patients with histologically proven fungal infections; 81 samples were paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the maxillary sinus. In 31 cases, sinus contents without paraffin embedding were sent for investigation. PCR amplification with universal fungal primers for 28S ribosomal DNA and amplicon identification by hybridization with species-specific probes for Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus glaucus, Pseudallescheria boydii, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata were performed for all samples. Furthermore, PCR products were sequenced. Fresh samples were also cultivated. Fungal DNA was detected in all of the fresh samples but only in 71 paraffin-embedded tissue samples (87.7%). Sequence analysis was the most sensitive technique, as results could be obtained for 28 (90.3%) fresh samples by this method in comparison to 24 (77.4%) samples by hybridization and 16 (51.6%) samples by culture. However, sequence analysis delivered a result for only 36 (50.7%) of the paraffin-embedded specimens. Hybridization showed reliable results for A. fumigatus, which proved to be the most common agent in fungus balls of the maxillary sinus. Other Aspergillus species and other genera were rarely found.

DNA, Fungal↗
PubMed2002

Sensitivity and rapidity of blood culture bottles in the detection of cornea organ culture media contamination by bacteria and fungi.

AIMS: To test the bactericidal activity of standard organ culture medium, and to compare the sensitivity and rapidity of blood culture bottles with conventional microbiological methods for detection of bacteria and fungi inoculated in a standard cornea organ culture medium. METHODS: The bactericidal activity of contaminated standard organ culture medium containing 100 IU/ml penicillin, 0.1 mg/ml streptomycin, and 0.25 micro g/ml amphotericin B was evaluated after 48 hours of incubation at 31 degrees C with five inocula of 14 bacteria. Two yeasts (Candida spp) and one Aspergillus were also tested. Contaminated media were then inoculated in three blood bottles (aerobic, anaerobic, fungal) placed in a Bactec 9240 automat; three conventional microbiological broths were the control. Changes in colour of organ culture medium and growth on conventional broth were screened daily by visual inspection. The sensitivity and rapidity of detection of contamination were compared between the three methods: blood bottle, conventional, and visual. RESULTS: Organ culture medium eradicated five bacteria irrespective of the starting inoculums: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Branhamella catarrhalis, Escherichia coli, Propionibacterium acnes, and Haemophilus influenzae. For micro-organisms where the medium was ineffective or bactericidal only (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Candida kruzei, Aspergillus fumigatus), the blood bottle, conventional, and visual methods detected microbial growth in 100%, 76.5%, and 70% of cases respectively. Mean detection time using blood bottles was 15.1 hours (SD 13.8, range 2-52). In cases of detection by the blood bottle method and the conventional method, the former was always faster: 95.5% against 65.2% detection within 24 hours (p=0.022) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Blood bottles detect more efficiently and more rapidly a wider range of bacteria and fungi than the conventional microbiological method and the visual inspection of organ culture media.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1973

A guide to the histological identification of fungi in tissues.

Infections with fungi and fungus-like organisms have increased in recent years. The presence of a fungus is often unsuspected clinically and it may only come to light in the course of microscopic examination of tissues removed by biopsy or at necropsy. Subsequent culture is desirable but not always possible.A simple scheme for identifying fungi and fungus-like organisms is presented based on general morphology, staining, and other special characteristics with notes on types of tissue reactions and common pitfalls.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1983

Investigation of white-rot fungi for the conversion of poplar into a potential feedstuff for ruminants.

Five isolates of wood-rotting fungi were compared for their ability to increase the digestibility of poplar shavings. Homogenates of the fungi were inoculated into mixtures of 25 g of shavings and 100 mL of supplementary nutrient solution and incubated at 25 degrees C. The in vitro rumen digestibility of the products increased from 30% at the start of the fermentation to maxima of 72% with Polyporus anceps after 8 weeks, 64% with Ganoderma applanatum and 62% with Phanerochaete chrysosporium after 4 weeks, 61% with Polyporus versicolor after 3 weeks, and 42% with Fomitopsis ulmarius after 4 weeks. Fibre analysis showed a decrease in lignin as digestibility increased. Loss of carbohydrates occurred in all fermentations and continued after lignin loss ceased. Dry matter yield at the time of maximum digestibility ranged from 80 to 94% of the original dry matter. The highest digestibilities attained were similar to those of conventional roughage feeds for ruminants. This shows that this fermentation could form the basis of a practical system for converting poplar into a feedstuff.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1988

In vitro interactions between Blastomyces dermatitidis and other zoopathogenic fungi.

The results of in vitro interactions between colonies of Blastomyces dermatitidis and six other zoopathogenic fungi are reported. The interactions were found to range from neutral with Histoplasma capsulatum and Candida albicans to strongly antagonistic with Microsporum gypseum, Pseudallescheria boydii, and Sporothrix schenckii, and including lysis by Cryptococcus neoformans. These observations suggest that interactions between zoopathogenic fungi may be one of the biotic factors likely to influence the occurrence of B. dermatitidis in natural systems.

Blastomyces↗
PubMed1990

Accumulation of radiocaesium in fungi.

The accumulation of radioactive Cs by fungi was studied by analysis of fruit bodies (n (total) = 205, n greater than or equal to 5 for 22 species) collected in 1988 in a Norwegian mountain area with high deposition of radiocaesium from the Chernobyl accident. To account for site variation, the radiocaesium content of soil and plants was determined for each sampling spot. The soil contained 5-600 kBq/m2 (median = 50 kbq/m2, 134Cs + 137Cs). The plant content ranged from 0.25 to 23 Bq/g dry weight (median = 3.1 Bq/g) and was positively correlated with radiocaesium concentration in the soil (r = 0.56) and negatively correlated with soil pH (r = -0.28). The ratio between radiocaesium content in fungi and that in plants at the same spot (F/P) differed among species: 25 species had F/P values between 30 and 270, 12 species had F/P values between 10 and 30, and the rest (16 species) had F/P values below 10 (only four samples had values below 1). The concentration of nonradioactive Cs in fruit bodies was positively correlated with their radiocaesium content. Certain species selectively accumulated one or several trace elements (V, Cd, Hg, Pb, Th).

Accidents↗
PubMed1994

Degradability of chlorine-free bleachery effluent lignins by two fungi: effects on lignin subunit type and on polymer molecular weight.

A bleachery effluent from a sulfite process pulp mill, which was extracted with alkali and treated with oxygen and hydrogen peroxide (EOP), was treated with two fungi, Trametes versicolor and Stagonospora gigaspora. Trametes versicolor did not cause any depolymerization or degradation of effluent lignins but increased the amount of chromophores, whereas S. gigaspora depolymerized the EOP lignins and caused a substantial reduction in aromatic compounds. For both fungal treatments, CuO oxidation caused a decrease in the yield of the aldehydes within the vanillyl and p-hydroxy phenol families, which was faster than the rates of decrease in the yields of the corresponding acids and ketones. However, only S. gigaspora caused changes in the pattern of the 11 characteristic lignin phenols produced by CuO oxidation, reflecting a preferential metabolism of some phenolic precursors. This fungus decreased the yield of total vanillyl phenols (V), which contributed the bulk of the 11 lignin oxidation products, from 93% initially to 59%. As a consequence, coumaryl (C), syringyl (S), and p-hydroxy phenols (P) became relatively enriched to 1.2, 6.5, and 33%, respectively. The stability of EOP-lignin constituent subunits is S > P > C > V. The two fungi differed significantly in their level of enzyme activities. In effluent-free medium, the ratio of laccase to peroxidase was higher for T. versicolor than for S. gigaspora. The presence of EOP-lignins significantly increased this ratio. No lignin peroxidase was detected but manganese peroxidase and laccase were detected during degradation activities.

Basidiomycota↗
PubMed1994

Entomopathogenic fungi of the order Entomophthorales (Zygomycotina) in adult black fly populations (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Quebec.

Infections by insect-pathogenic fungi of the order Entomophthorales in two adult black fly populations were studied in the Réserve Faunique du Saint-Maurice (Quebec). Entomophaga near limoniae infected Simulium verecundum/rostratum in June whereas Erynia curvispora predominantly parasitized Simulium decorum from the 2nd week of July to September and Erynia conica attacked the Simulium venustum complex, Simulium verecundum/rostratum, and the Simulium vittatum complex from May to September. The fungi did not infect the adult stage of Prosimulium species. Possible evidence of host specificity for Erynia conica is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The oxidation of pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene by nonbasidiomycete soil fungi.

The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of nonbasidiomycete soil fungi to oxidize pyrene (four rings) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (five rings). Fungi were isolated from five different soils in which the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content ranged from 0.8 to 80 micrograms/g dry soil. Approximately 50% of the isolates in all sites were able to oxidize pyrene. The pyrene-oxidizing species belonged to all fungal divisions except basidiomycetes. The most common were Penicillium spp. of the subgenus Furcatum and these dominated the more contaminated soils. Penicillium janthinellum and Syncephalastrum racemosum exhibited the most rapid rates of pyrene oxidation. The major pyrene metabolites were identified by proton NMR and mass spectrometry as 1-pyrenol, 1,6- and 1,8-pyrenediol, and the 1,6-and 1,8-pyrenequinones. A high correlation was found between the ability to oxidize pyrene and BaP. As with pyrene, approximately 50% of the fungal isolates tested oxidized BaP to 9-hydroxy-BaP. Eighty percent of the pyrene-oxidizing strains were also able to metabolize BaP.

Benzo(a)pyrene↗
PubMed1977

The diguanosine nucleotides: do they exist in aquatic fungi?

The aquatic fungi Achlya ambisexualis and Blastocladiella emersonii were grown in the presence of 32Pi and the 32P-labeled acid-soluble nucleotide fractions were analyzed by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Selected column fractions containing diguanosine tri- and tetra-phosphates (Gp3G and Gp4G) added as chromatographic markers were analyzed further for 32P by chromatography and (or) enzyme hydrolysis. The results of these experiments clearly indicate that neither Gp4G nor Gp3G is synthesized during vegetative growth of these organisms and cast doubt on the hypothesis that diguanosine nucleotides are important metabolic regulators in fungi.

Blastocladiella↗
PubMed2006

Purification and characterization of an exochitinase from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai and its action against phytopathogenic fungi.

A chitinolytic enzyme from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai has been purified and its molecular mass was estimated ca. 66 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The enzyme was able to hydrolyze chitin to chitobiosides but not carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose, pullulan, and laminarin. Optimal pH and temperature were detected at 6 and 50 degrees C, respectively. Stability, in the absence of substrate, was observed at temperatures less than 60 degrees C and pH between 5 and 8. Enzyme activity was significantly inhibited by K+ and EDTA and completely inhibited by Hg2+. Purified chitinase showed lytic activity against cell walls from six phytopathogenic fungi and inhibited the mycelial growth of both Fusarium sp. and Sclerotium rolfsii. The biocontrol efficacy of the enzyme was tested in the protection of bean seeds infested with six phytopathogenic fungi.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2006

Hexavalent chromium removal in vitro and from industrial wastes, using chromate-resistant strains of filamentous fungi indigenous to contaminated wastes.

Two chromate-resistant filamentous fungi, strains H13 and Ed8, were selected from seven independent fungal isolates indigenous to Cr(VI)-contaminated soil because of their ability to decrease hexavalent chromium levels in the growth medium. Morphophysiological studies identified strain H13 as a Penicillium sp. isolate and Ed8 as an Aspergillus sp. isolate. When incubated in minimal medium with glucose as a carbon source and in the presence of 50 microg/mL Cr(VI), these strains caused complete disappearance of Cr(VI) in the growth medium after about 72 h of incubation. Total chromium concentration in growth medium was constant during culture growth, and no accumulation of chromium in fungal biomass was observed. Quantitative determinations of oxidized and reduced chromium species during the reduction process revealed stoichiometric conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). A decrease in Cr(VI) levels from industrial wastes was also induced by Ed8 or H13 biomass. These results indicate that chromate-resistant filamentous fungi with Cr(VI)-reducing capability could be useful for the removal of Cr(VI) contamination.

Aspergillus↗
PubMed2006

Nonsystemic bunt fungi--Tilletia indica and T. horrida: a review of history, systematics, and biology.

The genus Tilletia is a group of smut fungi that infects grasses either systemically or locally. Basic differences exist between the systemically infecting species, such as the common and dwarf bunt fungi, and locally infecting species. Tilletia indica, which causes Karnal bunt of wheat, and Tilletia horrida, which causes rice kernel smut, are two examples of locally infecting species on economically important crops. However, even species on noncultivated hosts can become important when occurring as contaminants in export grain and seed shipments. In this review, we focus on T. indica and the morphologically similar but distantly related T. horrida, considering history, systematics, and biology. In addition, the controversial generic placement and evolutionary relationships of these two species are discussed in light of recent molecular studies.

Fungi↗
PubMed1995

Thoracic mycoses from opportunistic fungi: radiologic-pathologic correlation.

Fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Candida, and Cryptococcus and the class Zygomycetes are the most common causes of thoracic opportunistic mycoses in immunocompromised patients. Candidiasis and zygomycosis usually manifest as severe, often life-threatening, pneumonias. Aspergillus species are commonly implicated as the causative organisms in a broad spectrum of pulmonary disorders, ranging from hypersensitivity lung disease in atopic patients to invasive pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. Cryptococcus neoformans infects both immunologically normal and abnormal patients, with variable clinical and radiologic findings. The diagnosis of an opportunistic mycosis requires familiarity with the epidemiology of the disease, the various modes of clinical presentation, and the full spectrum of radiologic manifestations. Because many of these fungi may normally colonize in the upper respiratory tract, sputum cultures are considered diagnostically unreliable. Instead, definitive diagnosis hinges on either culture of the fungus from infected tissue or demonstration of the organism at microscopic examination.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Seasonality and photoperiodism in fungi.

This review gives a retrospective of what is known about photoperiodism in fungi, which is largely based on reports about seasonal spore concentrations. Relatively few species have been investigated under laboratory conditions, so that our knowledge whether seasonal reproduction in fungi is mainly a direct response to environmental conditions or whether it involves a photoperiodic machinery with memory capacities and a relationship to the circadian system is extremely limited. To form a basis for further experimental endeavors into fungal photoperiodism, we review the reports about endogenous rhythms and photobiology. Finally, we will look at the possibilities of using the fungal circadian model system of Neurospora crassa for future work on photoperiodism.

Chronobiology Phenomena↗
PubMed1992

Fungi associated with bovine abortion in the northern plains states (USA).

Mycotic infection was diagnosed in 6.8% of 6,858 cases of bovine abortion and stillbirth examined during a 9-year period. Aspergilli were associated with approximately 5% of all abortion cases and 71% of 446 cases that were cultured for fungi and diagnosed as mycotic abortion. Aspergillus fumigatus was the most frequent isolate (62%), followed by A. terreus (6.7%), Emericella (Aspergillus) nidulans (3.0%), A. flavus (2.9%), and E. rugulosus (less than 1.0%). Zygomycetes (Absidia, Mortierella, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus) accounted for 21% of the cases. Pseudallescheria boydii and yeasts (Candida, Torulopsis) were each identified in 2% of the cases. Fungi that uncommonly cause infection accounted for 2% of the cases and included Curvularia geniculata, Exophilia jeanselmei, Hendersonula toruloidea, Lecythosphora hoffmannii, Talaromyces flavus var. flavus (Penicillium vermiculatus), T. (Penicillium) thermophilus, and Wangiella dermatitidis. About 10% of the mycotic cases were mixed fungal infections involving A. fumigatus (87%), A. flavus (12.5%), or E. nidulans (12.5%) coexisting with Absidia corymbifera (72%), Rhizomucor pusillus (4.3%), or Rhizopus arrhizus (4.3%). In each mixed infection, both septate and nonseptate hyphae were observed in placental tissues. Twelve percent of the mycotic abortion cases were diagnosed by histologic examination alone because isolation attempts were negative or only formalin-preserved tissues were available.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2004

Identification and comparative analysis of components from the signal recognition particle in protozoa and fungi.

BACKGROUND: The signal recognition particle (SRP) is a ribonucleoprotein complex responsible for targeting proteins to the ER membrane. The SRP of metazoans is well characterized and composed of an RNA molecule and six polypeptides. The particle is organized into the S and Alu domains. The Alu domain has a translational arrest function and consists of the SRP9 and SRP14 proteins bound to the terminal regions of the SRP RNA. So far, our understanding of the SRP and its evolution in lower eukaryotes such as protozoa and yeasts has been limited. However, genome sequences of such organisms have recently become available, and we have now analyzed this information with respect to genes encoding SRP components. RESULTS: A number of SRP RNA and SRP protein genes were identified by an analysis of genomes of protozoa and fungi. The sequences and secondary structures of the Alu portion of the RNA were found to be highly variable. Furthermore, proteins SRP9/14 appeared to be absent in certain species. Comparative analysis of the SRP RNAs from different Saccharomyces species resulted in models which contain features shared between all SRP RNAs, but also a new secondary structure element in SRP RNA helix 5. Protein SRP21, previously thought to be present only in Saccharomyces, was shown to be a constituent of additional fungal genomes. Furthermore, SRP21 was found to be related to metazoan and plant SRP9, suggesting that the two proteins are functionally related. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of a number of not previously annotated SRP components show that the SRP Alu domain is subject to a more rapid evolution than the other parts of the molecule. For instance, the RNA portion is highly variable and the protein SRP9 seems to have evolved into the SRP21 protein in fungi. In addition, we identified a secondary structure element in the Saccharomyces RNA that has been inserted close to the Alu region. Together, these results provide important clues as to the structure, function and evolution of SRP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Fluorescence of fungi in superficial and deep fungal infections.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescence of many fungi is noted when H&E stained sections are examined under a fluorescent microscope. In theory, this phenomenon could aid in the diagnosis of cutaneous and disseminated fungal infections without the delay associated with special stains. Seventy-six cases of superficial and deep fungal infections and 3 cases of protothecosis were studied to determine the clinical usefulness of this technique. RESULTS: In most cases, fluorescence was noted, but was not intense. Fluorescence of fungi did not correlate with the age of the specimen. In most cases, organisms in H&E stained sections were more easily identified with routine light microscopy than with fluorescent microscopy. CONCLUSION: This report suggests that in H&E stained skin specimens, fluorescent microscopy is of little benefit in the identification of fungal organisms.

Fluorescence↗