Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “FUNGUS DISEASE”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,639 records · Page 91Linked to original sources

OsBISAMT1, a gene encoding S-adenosyl-L-methionine: salicylic acid carboxyl methyltransferase, is differentially expressed in rice defense responses.

We isolated and identified a full-length cDNA, OsBISAMT1 [Oryza sativa L. benzothiadiazole (BTH)-induced SAMT 1], which encodes a putative S-adenosyl-L: -methionine:salicylic acid carboxyl methyltransferase (SAMT) from rice. OsBISAMT1 contains an ORE of 1128 bp, which predicts to encode a 375 aa protein. The OsBISAMT1 protein sequence shows a high level of identity to known plant SAMTs and contains a conserved characteristic methyltransferase domain. OsBISAMT1 is a member of a small gene family in the rice genome. Expression of OsBISAMT1 in rice leaves was induced by treatments with benzothiadiazole and salicylic acid, which are capable of inducing rice disease resistance. OsBISAMT1 was also up-regulated in both incompatible and compatible interactions between rice and the blast fungus, Magnaporthe grsiea, but the induced expression of OsBISAMT1 was greater and more rapid in the incompatible interaction than that in the compatible one. Moreover, mechanical wounding also activated OsBISAMT1 expression. The results suggest that OsBISAMT1 may be involved in disease resistance responses as well as in wound response in rice.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fungal diseases of the nasal cavity of the dog and cat.

Fungal infections of the nasal cavity are a common cause of nasal disease in the dog and cat. Aspergillus fumigatus most commonly affects the dog; Cryptococcus neoformans is the most common fungus isolated from the cat. Rhinosporidium infection causes obstructive nasal polyps in the dog but has not been reported in the cat. Several other miscellaneous fungi, including Exophiala, Alternaria, Trichosporon, Blastomyces, and Histoplasma, and the alga Prototheca occasionally cause nasal disease in dogs and cats.

Animals↗

[Scanning electron microscopy of microbes and their mechanism of attachment to human small intestinal mucosa].

In connection with the electron-microscopy of bioptic material from the upper small intestine of children with intestinal diseases and diarrhea (10 months to 8 years) we found some cases of fungus infection (26%) besides many cases of bacterial attachment to the intestinal epithelium (72%). On the intestinal wall normal yeasts, pseudomycelium and common mycelium are visible. Partly the epithelium was entirely covered with mycelium. In some cases the hyphae invaded in the intestinal wall. The epithelium and the villi are not or only slightly altered. This gives the reason to believe that the fungi participate in inducing diarrhea. After medicamentous treatment with nystatine-preparations in some cases the health state of these children was improved.

Bacteria↗

Aspergillus fumigatus antigen exposure results in pulmonary airway resistance in wild-type but not in IL-4 knockout mice.

Inhalation of Aspergillus fumigatus, a ubiquitous fungus, results in the development of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, a disabling allergic lung disease. For better patient management early diagnosis is essential, and understanding of the immune mechanism is important in achieving this goal. Although animal model studies have contributed to the understanding of the disease mechanism, details on the immunopathogenesis are still lacking. In the present study, we have developed an allergic aspergillosis model in wild-type and IL-4 knockout mice and studied the immune and airway responses. The results indicate that the immune response, pulmonary pathology, and airway reactivity comparable to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis are reproducible in wild mice. IL-4 knockout mice showed similar pulmonary pathology, but no increase in airway resistance, suggesting that IgE and hence IL-4 may be important in eliciting the airway response, while other factors may be involved in the inflammatory process.

Airway Resistance↗

Cholesterol granuloma of the maxillary sinus.

Cholesterol granuloma (CG) of the maxillary sinus is very rare. In this study, the searching of the literature was performed with the keywords of cholesterol granuloma and maxillary sinus. All retrieved literature were reviewed throughout to identify and analyze all individual characteristics. Two additional cases in our hospital were also included. The result showed that, in the overall 37 cases, the ratio of male to female was about 3:1. Caucasian (14/37) and Turkish (10/37) were reported more frequently. CG of maxillary sinus had an opposite sex predilection compared with the fungus balls of the maxillary sinus. In addition, the comorbidity of these two diseases was found only in one patient in the literature. These results suggested that the different mechanisms other than poor aeration of the maxillary sinus played a role in the formation of CG of maxillary sinus. The diagnosis for CG of the maxillary sinus before operation is difficult, but the clear golden yellow rhinorrhea and hemorrhagic signs may provide a good diagnostic evidence. The symptoms were vague and about half of the patients presented with non-specific symptoms. Therefore, it seemed reasonable that CG of the maxillary sinus was under diagnosed in the clinical practice. Treatment consists of complete excision via Caldwell-Luc or endoscopic approach and provides a good prognosis. Bilateral involvements are rare but possible in this disease entity.

Adolescent↗

History of ergot alkaloids from ergotism to ergometrine.

Epidemics of ergotism occurred frequently in the Middle Ages. They were a source of inspiration for artists and were popularly known as 'St. Anthony's Fire', resulting in gangrene, neurological diseases and death. It was caused by eating rye bread contaminated with the fungus claviceps purpurea. In 1582 it was described that a delivery could be hastened by administering a few spurs of the secale cornutum. The dosage was, however, very inaccurate resulting in frequent uterine ruptures. The nickname of the preparation of 'pulvis ad partum' was changed to 'pulvis ad mortem'. Therefore, after 1828 the ergot alkaloids were no longer used during delivery but only as a measure to prevent postpartum haemorrhage. From 1875 onwards many derivatives of ergot alkaloids were found. Dudley and Moir isolated ergometrine in 1932. It proved to have a very specific uterotonic action. However, because of severe and unpredictable side effects and the instability of the drug, ergometrine is not the drug of choice for either the prevention or the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage.

Ergonovine↗

Direct detection and quantification of Alternaria alternata lycopersici toxins using high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light-scattering detection.

Alternaria alternata lycopersici toxins are produced by the tomato pathogenic fungus A. alternata f. sp. lycopersici. They are primary determinants for stem canker disease of tomato and induce apoptosis in animals and plants. Due to the lack of a UV chromophore, their detection has relied on derivatizations or immunoassays, which require tedious pre-assay processes. Here, we describe a method for direct and quantitative detection of the toxins. The method employs an evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD) coupled to HPLC. It gives a linear response in the range of 400-4000 ng toxin, with a detection limit of about 6 ng/mul. The detection of all major toxin congeners by HPLC-ESLD was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Thus, the method provides a simple and sensitive tool for the studies of this group of host-specific mycotoxins.

Alternaria↗

Infectious keratitis after LASIK.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical course, management, and outcomes of culture-proven infectious keratitis in 15 eyes of 13 subjects after LASIK. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen eyes of 13 subjects who underwent LASIK and developed culture-positive keratitis. INTERVENTION: Infectious keratitis was encountered in the operative eyes between 1 day and 450 days. Cultures were obtained, and topical antibiotic therapy was administered in all cases. Some cases required flap lifting, irrigation, and soaking of the bed with antibiotics, flap amputation, or further surgical intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time periods from onset to diagnosis, from clinical diagnosis to clinical resolution, final acuities, microbiologic profiles, and medical and surgical interventions were reviewed. RESULTS: Onset of symptoms of infection varied, depending on the infectious organism. Bacterial organisms tended to present earlier, whereas mycobacterial and fungal organisms had a later mean onset of presentation. Furthermore, the atypical organisms such as mycobacteria, fungus, and acanthamoeba also had a more delayed diagnosis, resulting in a prolonged disease course. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious keratitis after LASIK is a potentially vision-threatening complication. Onset of symptoms varies depending on causative agents. Furthermore, atypical organisms in the interface or beneath the flap can pose both diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. Location in the interface can make it more difficult to culture the organisms and prevent adequate penetration of topical antibiotics.

Adult↗

cDNA probes for detection of specific dsRNAs from the fungal pathogen, Monosporascus cannonballus.

Monosporascus cannonballus is an ascomycete fungus that is the causative agent of Monosporascus root rot/vine decline, a serious disease of muskmelon and watermelon. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) was identified in approximately 60% of M. cannonballus isolates recovered from infected muskmelon plants in 1993. After repeated laboratory transfer on culture media, the majority of the isolates harboring dsRNAs developed degenerate culture phenotypes and showed reduced virulence (hypovirulence) to muskmelon. Initially, dsRNA purification and cDNA synthesis were attempted in three M. cannonballus isolates harboring dsRNAs. However, numerous difficulties were encountered due to the stable, double-stranded nature of the dsRNAs and contamination of the preparations by fungal rRNA. Several purification and cDNA protocols were evaluated and eventually modified into methods that were ultimately highly effective for cloning dsRNAs from M. cannonballus. The cDNAs derived from purified dsRNA preparations were cloned into a pUC119 plasmid vector and amplified in Escherichia coli. Nine cDNA clones were identified that are specific for medium-sized (ca. 3 kbp) dsRNAs associated with M. cannonballus isolate Ca91-17(96+). The methods used to make the cDNA clones of the dsRNAs in M. cannonballus may be useful for those working on fungal dsRNAs. In addition, these cDNAs may be useful for identifying dsRNAs associated with the hypovirulence phenotype.

Ascomycota↗

Subcutaneous myospherulosis.

Myospherulosis is an uncommon subcutaneous disorder believed initially to be caused by an endosporulating fungus. Recently investigators have disproved an infectious cause and have shown that the disease represents an alteration in red blood cells, usually produced by petrolatum or lanolin, with an accompanying foreign-body-type response. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman who had received a penicillin injection approximately 40 years before she developed a cystic mass in the right buttock. Examination of the mass revealed the classic histologic findings of this disease.

Buttocks↗

Intravenous injection of major and cryptic peptide epitopes of ribotoxin, Asp f 1 inhibits T cell response induced by crude Aspergillus fumigatus antigens in mice.

Aspergillus fumigatus, a ubiquitous fungus, is implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of clinically different allergic diseases in man. Peptide-based immunotherapy may offer an alternative in patient care and management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of T cell epitopes of A. fumigatus ribotoxin, Asp f 1 in inducing tolerance in mice exposed to A. fumigatus antigen. The epitope analysis in BALB/c mice using synthetic peptides of Asp f 1 demonstrated both cryptic and dominant epitopes detected from 42 through 54 and 155 through 167 aa, accordingly. Intravenous injection of these peptides markedly inhibited the response induced by the exposure to crude A. fumigatus extract in mice as evidenced by the in vitro interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and proliferation of T-lymphocytes. Cytokine transcription studies indicate that, when stimulated with the peptides in immunogenic conditions, the major peptide (aa 155-167) specific T cell clone produced only IFN-gamma, but not IL-4. The ability of both dominant and cryptic peptide epitopes of a single molecule to induce tolerance against the immune response to a multi-molecular allergen complex has significant implication for peptide-based immunotherapy.

Allergens↗

Chemokines and cytokines: axis and allies in asthma and allergy.

Allergic asthma can be precipitated by many factors. For the atopic person, fungus, pollen, dust mites, cockroach antigens, and diesel exhaust are all agents that may trigger an allergic attack. Cytokines and chemokines are integral mediators of fungal asthma. From the earliest time points, they recruit and activate the cells required for the clearance of fungus as well as being critical factors involved in the immunopathology of this disease. In the final analysis, it is clear that these mediators can act to the benefit or the detriment of the host.

Animals↗

Immune response modulation by recombinant peptides expressed in virus-like particles.

Aspergillus fumigatus, a ubiquitous fungus, is implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of clinically different allergic diseases in man, including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Peptide-based immunotherapy may offer an alternative treatment strategy for the management of allergic disease. The objective of this study was to alter the allergen-specific immune response using dominant T cell epitopes of a major A. fumigatus allergen, Asp f2, expressed in yeast as virus-like particles (VLP). The T cell epitopes of Asp f2, recognized in mice with an H-2d background, were determined by producing T-cell hybridomas. Two dominant T cell epitopes, aa60--71 and aa235--249, were identified and expressed in a yeast VLP system. To induce tolerance VLP-peptides were injected subcutaneously into mice previously immunized with recombinant Asp f2. The T cell immune response was abrogated totally in 3 weeks following a single injection of VLP but was restored 2 months later following intranasal antigen exposure. T-cell depletion resulted in the reduction of 20-30% of all antigen-specific immunoglobulin classes. Thus, recombinant peptides expressed in the VLP system can be used successfully in the modulation of Asp f2-induced immune response in mice, although a single administration is not sufficient to maintain a state of tolerance for a long period of time.

Allergens↗

Nitric oxide synthase-mediated phytoalexin accumulation in soybean cotyledons in response to the Diaporthe phaseolorum f. sp. meridionalis elicitor.

Phytoalexin biosynthesis is part of the defense mechanism of soybean (Glycine max) plants against attack by the fungus Diaporthe phaseolorum f. sp. meridionalis (Dpm), the causal agent of stem canker disease. The treatment of soybean cotyledons with Dpm elicitor or with sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, resulted in a high accumulation of phytoalexins. This response did not occur when SNP was replaced by ferricyanide, a structural analog of SNP devoid of the NO moiety. Phytoalexin accumulation induced by the fungal elicitor, but not by SNP, was prevented when cotyledons were pretreated with NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors. The Dpm elicitor also induced NOS activity in soybean tissues proximal to the site of inoculation. The induced NOS activity was Ca(2+)- and NADPH-dependent and was sensitive to the NOS inhibitors N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, aminoguanidine, and L-N(6)-(iminoethyl) lysine. NOS activity was not observed in SNP-elicited tissues. An antibody to brain NOS labeled a 166-kD protein in elicited and nonelicited cotyledons. Isoflavones (daidzein and genistein), pterocarpans (glyceollins), and flavones (apigenin and luteolin) were identified after exposure to the elicitor or SNP, although the accumulation of glyceollins and apigenin was limited in SNP-elicited compared with fungal-elicited cotyledons. NOS activity preceded the accumulation of these flavonoids in tissues treated with the Dpm elicitor. The accumulation of these metabolites was faster in SNP-elicited than in fungal-elicited cotyledons. We conclude that the response of soybean cotyledons to Dpm elicitor involves NO formation via a constitutive NOS-like enzyme that triggers the biosynthesis of antimicrobial flavonoids.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

Craniofacial zygomycosis caused by Apophysomyces elegans.

A fatal case of craniofacial zygomycosis caused by Apophysomyces elegans in a 52-year-old man was diagnosed by the presence of broad aseptate, branched hyaline hyphae in tissue from paranasal sinuses and surrounding areas, and isolation of the fungus from the same tissue. The patient suffered from idiopathic myelofibrosis as underlying disease, he was thrombocytopenic and was mildly hyperglycaemic. The infection represents the second case of craniofacial zygomycosis due to A. elegans.

Blood Vessels↗

Semiquantitative cytologic analysis of fluid washed through the lacrimal passage.

A quantitative cytologic analysis of the sediment of 5 ml of saline (0.9%) washed through the lacrimal drainage system of 25 normal and 84 diseased eyes revealed that the cytological picture reflects the conditions in the lacrimal passages and not in the conjunctiva. Neutrophilia was seen to become increasingly frequent with slowing down of the flow through the lacrimal passage, estimated on the basis of dye dilution in the lacrimal river and dye dilution in the fluid washed through the lacrimal drainage system, and also by the spontaneous passing of the dye to the nasopharynx. Neutrophilia was present in no more than 8% of normal eyes, as against 69% of eyes with epiphora, 83% with infectious conjunctivitis, 40% with conjunctivitis sicca, and 50% with chronic simple conjunctivitis. Neither lymphocytosis nor eosinophilia was seen in any normal eyes. Erythrocytes were admixed artificially by washing through and probing. Granules were absent in normal eyes, but present in 5% of the diseased eyes, while hairs were found in 4 and 14%, respectively, and the fungus Alternaria in 4 and 1%.

Adolescent↗

Binding of extracellular matrix proteins to Aspergillus fumigatus conidia.

As detected by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, binding of fibronectin and laminin appeared to be associated with the protrusions present on the outer cell wall layer of resting Aspergillus fumigatus conidia. Flow cytometry confirmed that binding of laminin to conidia was dose dependent and saturable. Laminin binding was virtually eliminated in trypsin-treated organisms, thus suggesting the protein nature of the binding site. Conidia were also able to specifically adhere to laminin immobilized on microtiter plates. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting (immunoblotting) with laminin and antilaminin antibody of whole conidial homogenates allowed identification, among the complex array of protein and glycoprotein species, of one polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 37 kDa which specifically interacts with laminin. The fact that binding of conidia to soluble or immobilized laminin or fibronectin was inhibited by fibronectin or laminin, respectively, suggests the existence of common binding sites for both ligands on the surface of conidia. Intact conidia were also able to adhere to type I and IV collagen immobilized on microtiter plates; adhesion was found to be dose dependent and saturable. Adhesion to immobilized type I and IV collagen was markedly inhibited by laminin and weakly inhibited by fibronectin. Coincubation of conidia with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides caused a dose-dependent decrease in binding of cells to immobilized or soluble fibronectin, yet interaction of cells with soluble or immobilized laminin and type I and IV collagen remained unaffected. Interactions described here could be important in mediating attachment of the fungus to host tissues, thus playing a role in the establishment of the disease.

Aspergillus fumigatus↗

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in a breeding colony of African clawed frogs (Xenopus tropicalis).

More than 90% of a breeding colony of clawed frogs (Xenopus tropicalis) imported to the United States from western Africa died in an epizootic of chlamydiosis. Chlamydial inclusions were observed by light and electron microscopy in the liver of an infected frog. Chlamydia pneumoniae was isolated in cell cultures from four frogs. A cutaneous infection by a chytridiomycete fungus observed in two frogs could have been a cofactor in the die-off.ous Diseases

Animal Husbandry↗