ABSTRACT
Purpose: To study the risk factors, clinical presentation, management options, and outcomes in cases of culture?proven Acremonium keratitis. Methods: Medical and microbiology records of culture?proven Acremonium keratitis from Jan 2007 to Dec 2019 at a tertiary eye care center were reviewed. Details of clinical findings on each visit and operating notes were reviewed from the medical records. All cases were subjected to corneal scraping at the first visit for microbiological investigation consisting of direct smear examination and culture. Topical natamycin 5% was the mainstay of medical treatment. Surgical treatment was considered for nonresponding patients. Results: During the 13?year study period, 65 cases of culture?proven Acremonium keratitis were identified out of 1605 cases of fungal keratitis. Trauma was the most common predisposing factor in 32 cases (49.2%). The average area of the corneal stromal infiltrate was 24.8 mm2 at the initial presentation. Hypopyon at the time of presentation was evident in 28 (43.1%) cases. Staphylococcus spp. was the most common (n = 22, 33.8%) organism coexistent with Acremonium. Direct microscopy of corneal scraping was positive for fungal filaments in 57/65 (87.6%) cases. Medical management alone was given in 44 patients (67.6%). Age (>50 years) and treatment delay (>15 days) were found to be independent risk factors for the poor final visual outcome (VA <20/60). Conclusion: When treated early, Acremonium keratitis responds well to medical therapy with currently available topical antifungals. However, advanced and nonresponding cases require surgical intervention for resolution of the infection
ABSTRACT
Abstract The use of more than one control technique can maximize the reduction of the damages caused by the fungus Asperisporium caricae causal agent of the black spot in the papaya crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the sensitivity of the fungi Hansfordia pulvinata and Acremonium spp. to alternative products with potential for use in the control of the black-spotted ptarmigan. Three isolates of Acremonium spp. (A-598, A-602 and A-617) and an isolate of H. pulvinata (H-611) were grown in BDA medium containing Agro-Mos®, Bion®, Ecolife®, Hortifospk®, Matriz G®, Vitaphol® separately. The Amistar 500WG ® fungicide was used as a positive control and pure BDA as a negative control. The toxicity of the tested products was determined based on the values of the biological index, derived from the means of mycelial growth, sporulation and germination of conidia, in each experimental unit. In this way it was possible to select the products classified as compatible for all isolates, and to test them in vivo. In the greenhouse, only the isolates and isolates with selected products, were applied in papaya plants with foliar symptoms of black-spotted. The incidence of leaves with hyperparasites and the percentage of black-painted lesions colonized by the tested isolates were evaluated. Thus, the H-611 isolate proved to be compatible with most of the alternative products tested, except with Hortifos®. Bion® and Matrix® products were compatible with all tested isolates and could be used in conjunction with Acremonium spp. and H. pulvinata to control the papaya black spot, since these products did not present toxicity on the hyperparasitic fungi.
Resumo O uso de mais de uma técnica de controle pode maximizar a redução dos danos causados pelo fungo Asperisporium caricae agente causal da pinta preta na cultura do mamoeiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a sensibilidade dos fungos Hansfordia pulvinata e Acremonium spp. a produtos alternativos com potencial para uso no controle da pinta-preta. Três isolados de Acremonium spp. (A-598, A-602 e A-617) e um isolado de H. pulvinata (H-611) foram cultivados em meio BDA contendo Agro-Mos®, Bion®, Ecolife®, Hortifospk®, Matriz G®, Vitaphol® separadamente. Fungicida Amistar 500WG® foi utilizado como controle positivo e BDA puro, como controle negativo. A toxicidade dos produtos testados foi determinada com base nos valores do índice biológico, provenientes das médias do crescimento micelial, esporulação e germinação de conídios, em cada unidade experimental. Dessa forma foi possível selecionar os produtos classificados como compatíveis para todos os isolados, e testá-los in vivo. Em casa de vegetação, somente os isolados e os isolados com produtos selecionados, foram aplicados em plantas de mamoeiro com sintomas foliares de pinta-preta. Avaliaram-se a incidência de folhas com hiperparasitas e a porcentagem de lesões de pinta-preta colonizadas pelos isolados testados. Assim o isolado H-611 mostrou-se compatível com a maioria dos produtos alternativos testados, exceto com Hortifos®. Os produtos Bion® e Matriz® apresentaram compatibilidade com todos os isolados testados, podendo ser utilizados em conjunto com o Acremonium spp. e H. pulvinata para controlar a pinta-preta do mamoeiro, uma vez que estes produtos não apresentaram toxidade sobre os fungos hiperparasitas.
Subject(s)
Carica , Plant Diseases , AscomycotaABSTRACT
Ceratite micótica é uma infecção corneana fúngica de aspecto supurativo e normalmente ulcerativo. Representa uma condição potencialmente devastadora e de difícil tratamento. Mais de sessenta espécies de fungos foram reportadas como agentes de ceratites, dependendo da região geográfica. O gênero Acremonium spp. é um agente incomum de infecções de córnea. Paciente masculino, agricultor, portador de transplante de córnea, procurou atendimento devido à dor e vermelhidão na região ocular. Apresentava lesão ulcerada, a qual teve progressão mesmo com o tratamento inicial proposto, sendo necessária a realização de retransplante de córnea a quente. A cultura do material coletado mostrou-se positiva para o fungo Acremonium spp. Existem na literatura poucos relatos de ceratite por Acremonium spp., sendo estes, em sua maioria, ocorridos após procedimentos, como Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). A ceratite fúngica pode ser causada por fungos filamentosos ou leveduras e requer um tratamento específico orientado pela análise microbiológica. O prognóstico destas lesões e o grau de acometimento visual dependem do uso de antifúngicos efetivos contra o agente em questão.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Acremonium , Infections , Keratitis , MycosesABSTRACT
Resumen Introducción: Sarocladium kiliense es un hongo saprófito que puede generar infecciones oportunistas asociadas a procedimientos invasores. Se informa un brote multicéntrico nosocomial de fungemias de fuente común por este agente. Luego del reporte de cinco casos en pacientes en tres hospitales al Programa de Control de Infecciones del Ministerio de Salud de Chile en julio de 2013, se estudiaron a nivel nacional todos los pacientes con hemocultivo positivo para este agente. Se trató de cuadros clínicos leves a moderados, sin muertes atribuibles. El estudio identificó 65 casos en 8 hospitales, en su mayoría pacientes pediátricos en quimioterapia. Estudios iniciales de 94 muestras de cuatro fármacos y dispositivos usados en todos los casos resultaron negativas hasta que, en un segundo análisis de lotes seleccionados por criterios epidemiológicos y su matriz farmacéutica, se identificó la contaminación intrínseca de ampollas de ondansetrón de un productor específico, que se usó en todos los casos. Se realizó un retiro nacional de las ampollas de los tres lotes contaminados del fármaco, después de lo cual se contuvo el brote. La vigilancia de infecciones en los hospitales y el programa nacional coordinado con los laboratorios de microbiología fueron claves para identificar un brote multicéntrico de fuente común por contaminación de un fármaco por un hongo inusual.
Sarocladium kiliense is a saprophyte fungus that can cause opportunistic infections associated to invasive procedures. We report a multi-hospital nosocomial outbreak of fungemias due to this agent. Patients with positive blood culture to this agent were studied after six bloodstream infections identified in three Chilean hospitals in July 2013 were reported to Ministry of Health National Infection and Prevention Control Program. In general, there were mild clinical manifestations, without deaths attributable to the infection. Epidemiological and micro-biological study identified 65 cases in 8 hospitals, mostly pediatric patients in chemotherapy. Initial studies of 94 different drugs and medical devices had negative results, until a second analysis of specific blisters and their pharmaceutical matrix selected by epidemiological criteria identified an intrinsic contamination of ondansetron blisters from a specific producer used in all the patients. A recall of contaminated ondansetron blisters was performed in all the country, after which the outbreak was contained. Surveillance and response of local and national infection prevention and control programs and laboratory support were key to control of a national multi-hospital common source outbreak due to contamination of a drug by an unusual fungus.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Cross Infection/microbiology , Drug Contamination , Disease Outbreaks , Fungemia/microbiology , Fungemia/epidemiology , Ondansetron , Hypocreales/isolation & purification , Chile/epidemiology , Equipment Contamination , Hospitals, PublicABSTRACT
Abstract This is a case of bilateral and simultaneous Acremonium keratitis related to intermittent and alternating eye soft contact lens use, which has a delayed diagnose, presented amphotericin B resistance with persistent hypopyon and had a positive response to topical natamycin. Besides the unusual presentation, there was no history of trauma or contact with vegetable matter, usually associated to the majority of cases of keratomicosys by filamentous fungi.
Resumo Trata-se de um caso de ceratite bilateral e simultânea por Acremonium relacionada ao uso intermitente e sem respeitar a lateralidade do uso de lentes de contato gelatinosas. Houve diagnóstico tardio, apresentando resistência a anfotericina B e hipópio persistente, com resposta positiva a natamicina tópica. Além da forma incomum de apresentação, não houve histórico de trauma ou contato com material vegetal, associado à maioria dos casos de ceratite por fungos filamentosos.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Aged , Eye Infections, Fungal/etiology , Eye Infections, Fungal/microbiology , Contact Lenses/adverse effects , Keratitis/etiology , Keratitis/microbiology , Atropine/therapeutic use , Acremonium/isolation & purification , Eye Infections, Fungal/diagnosis , Eye Infections, Fungal/therapy , Amphotericin B/therapeutic use , Natamycin/therapeutic use , Itraconazole/therapeutic use , Hyphae , Drug Resistance, Fungal , Slit Lamp Microscopy , Keratitis/diagnosis , Keratitis/therapyABSTRACT
In an ongoing survey of Korean indigenous fungi, three fungal strains belonging to the Sordariomycetes were isolated from soil samples. These strains were designated KNU16-001, KNU16-002, and KNU16-009, and identified as Ambrosiella grosmanniae, Acremonium sclerotigenum, and Trichocladium asperum, respectively, based on morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer region sequences of ribosomal DNA. This is the first report of these species in Korea.
Subject(s)
Acremonium , DNA, Ribosomal , Fungi , Korea , SoilABSTRACT
During a survey of fungal diversity of the order Hypocreales in Korea, two Acremonium isolates, CNUFC-1YSRS2-4 and CNUFC-GSNPF3-1, were isolated from soils collected on a bank of the Yeongsan River, Naju, and in a forest on the Mt. Daegak located on Sinsi Island, Gunsan, South Korea, respectively. Based on the morphological characteristics and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and D1/D2 domains of 28S ribosomal DNA, the isolates CNUFC-1YSRS2-4 and CNUFC-GSNPF3-1 were identified as A. variecolor and A. persicinum, respectively. These 2 species represent novel Hypocreales isolates in Korea.
Subject(s)
Acremonium , DNA, Ribosomal , Forests , Hypocreales , Korea , Rivers , Sequence Analysis , SoilABSTRACT
Abstract The use of more than one control technique can maximize the reduction of the damages caused by the fungus Asperisporium caricae causal agent of the black spot in the papaya crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the sensitivity of the fungi Hansfordia pulvinata and Acremonium spp. to alternative products with potential for use in the control of the black-spotted ptarmigan. Three isolates of Acremonium spp. (A-598, A-602 and A-617) and an isolate of H. pulvinata (H-611) were grown in BDA medium containing Agro-Mos®, Bion®, Ecolife®, Hortifospk®, Matriz G®, Vitaphol® separately. The Amistar 500WG ® fungicide was used as a positive control and pure BDA as a negative control. The toxicity of the tested products was determined based on the values of the biological index, derived from the means of mycelial growth, sporulation and germination of conidia, in each experimental unit. In this way it was possible to select the products classified as compatible for all isolates, and to test them in vivo. In the greenhouse, only the isolates and isolates with selected products, were applied in papaya plants with foliar symptoms of black-spotted. The incidence of leaves with hyperparasites and the percentage of black-painted lesions colonized by the tested isolates were evaluated. Thus, the H-611 isolate proved to be compatible with most of the alternative products tested, except with Hortifos®. Bion® and Matrix® products were compatible with all tested isolates and could be used in conjunction with Acremonium spp. and H. pulvinata to control the papaya black spot, since these products did not present toxicity on the hyperparasitic fungi.
Resumo O uso de mais de uma técnica de controle pode maximizar a redução dos danos causados pelo fungo Asperisporium caricae agente causal da pinta preta na cultura do mamoeiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a sensibilidade dos fungos Hansfordia pulvinata e Acremonium spp. a produtos alternativos com potencial para uso no controle da pinta-preta. Três isolados de Acremonium spp. (A-598, A-602 e A-617) e um isolado de H. pulvinata (H-611) foram cultivados em meio BDA contendo Agro-Mos®, Bion®, Ecolife®, Hortifospk®, Matriz G®, Vitaphol® separadamente. Fungicida Amistar 500WG® foi utilizado como controle positivo e BDA puro, como controle negativo. A toxicidade dos produtos testados foi determinada com base nos valores do índice biológico, provenientes das médias do crescimento micelial, esporulação e germinação de conídios, em cada unidade experimental. Dessa forma foi possível selecionar os produtos classificados como compatíveis para todos os isolados, e testá-los in vivo. Em casa de vegetação, somente os isolados e os isolados com produtos selecionados, foram aplicados em plantas de mamoeiro com sintomas foliares de pinta-preta. Avaliaram-se a incidência de folhas com hiperparasitas e a porcentagem de lesões de pinta-preta colonizadas pelos isolados testados. Assim o isolado H-611 mostrou-se compatível com a maioria dos produtos alternativos testados, exceto com Hortifos®. Os produtos Bion® e Matriz® apresentaram compatibilidade com todos os isolados testados, podendo ser utilizados em conjunto com o Acremonium spp. e H. pulvinata para controlar a pinta-preta do mamoeiro, uma vez que estes produtos não apresentaram toxidade sobre os fungos hiperparasitas.
ABSTRACT
Two new compounds, (22E)-25-carboxy-8β,14β-epoxy-4α,5α-dihydroxyergosta-2,22-dien-7-one (1) and fusidione (3), along with two known compounds, 5α,8α-epidioxy ergosta-6,22-diene-3β-ol (2) and microperfuranone (4), were isolated from the fermentation products of the marine-sourced fungus Acremonium fusidioides RZ01. The structures of compounds 1 and 3 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR, and their absolute configurations were suggested on the basis of the circular dichroism spectral analysis and the NOESY data. Both new compounds showed inhibitory activity against HL-60 cells with IC values being16.6 and 44.9 μmol·L, respectively.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acremonium , Chemistry , Classification , Metabolism , Antineoplastic Agents , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Cell Proliferation , Fermentation , HL-60 Cells , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Molecular Structure , Seawater , MicrobiologyABSTRACT
The study aimed to evaluate the probiotic properties, antioxidant activity and fermentative capacity of Acremonium charticola and Rhizopus oryzae isolated from the Indonesian fermented dried cassava, with particular application on poultry. A. charticola inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Aspergillus flavus. A. charticola and R. oryzae grew in potato dextrose agar (PDA) adjusted to pH 3 and 8 or in PDA supplemented with bile salt up to 0.8%. After soaking for 8 hr, the survival rate of A. charticola in the simulated gastric juice (pH 2) and bile solutions (2% bile salt) was lower than that of R. oryzae. A. charticola and R. oryzae exhibited strong antioxidant activities. Compared to unfermented cassava pulp (control), the fibre content of cassava pulp tended to be lower after fermentation with A. charticola for 14 days. The populations of A. charticola and R. oryzae were significantly higher in fermented cassava pulp than in unfermented one. Coliform was higher in cassava pulp fermented with R. oryzae or A. charticola + R. oryzae compared to control after 7 days of fermentation, however, the bacteria were not different between A. charticola-fermented cassava pulp and control. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were higher in A. charticola- and R. oryzae-fermented cassava pulp than those in control, however, no difference of LAB was observed between A. charticola + R. oryzae-fermented cassava pulp and control. In conclusion, A. charticola exhibited antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity, gastrointestinal persistence and fermentative capacity that may be beneficial for poultry industry.
Subject(s)
Acremonium , Agar , Aspergillus flavus , Bacteria , Bile , Escherichia coli , Fermentation , Fungi , Gastric Juice , Glucose , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Lactic Acid , Manihot , Oryza , Poultry , Probiotics , Rhizopus , Solanum tuberosum , Survival RateABSTRACT
Mycetomas are a chronic skin infection characterized by perilesional edema, formation of sinus tracts, and discharge of purulent or seropurulent exudate containing grains. This report aims to demonstrate the clinical diagnosis (by dermoscopy) of a skin lesion that initially bared no clinical features of a mycetoma.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Dermoscopy/methods , Mycetoma/pathology , Skin/pathologyABSTRACT
During 2010 and 2012 grape harvest seasons in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, a white stain symptom was observed on the harvested grape fruits in 'Campbell-Early' and 'Kyoho' varieties. In samples collected from the infected vine, two different strains of pathogenic fungi have been found and identified as Acremonium acutatum and Trichothecium roseum based on fungal morphology and nucleotide sequence of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and supported by the phylogenetic analysis of the rDNA-ITS region. The DNA homologies of the isolated strains were 99.8% and 99.6% identical with T. roseum (IFB-22133) and A. acutatum (CBS682.71), respectively. In the pathogenicity test, the spores of A. acutatum and T. roseum sprayed on the grapes caused white stain symptoms on the fruits in two weeks after the artificial inoculation, which is similar to observations in the field. To our knowledge, this is the first report of white stain symptoms caused by A. acutatum and T. roseum on the grapes in Korea.
Subject(s)
Acremonium , Base Sequence , DNA , Fruit , Fungi , Korea , Seasons , Spores , Virulence , VitisABSTRACT
Purpose: The frequency of mycotic infections of the nose and paranasal sinuses has been increasing over the past three decades. Apart from the common causes of fungal rhinosinusitis such as Aspergillus species and Penicillium species, there have been reports of rare and unusual fungi isolated from India and other countries. Objective: The objective of this study is to fi nd out the prevalence of fungal infections of the nose and paranasal sinuses caused by unusual fungal isolates at a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. Materials and Methods: Duration of the study period was from April 2009 to March 2010. Specimens were collected from the nose and paranasal sinuses of all clinically and radiologically diagnosed cases of rhinosinusitis. All the clinical specimens were processed by standard methods for fungal culture. This included initial screening by 10% potassium hydroxide, inoculation of the specimen onto Sabouraud dextrose agar and incubation at 25°C and 37°C, followed by slide culture and other special techniques wherever necessary. Histopathological examination was also performed for the specimens. Results: A total of 60 specimens were received for fungal culture from cases of rhinosinusitis during the period, out of which 45 showed no growth. There were nine cases of Aspergillus fl avus, 1 each of Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium species. The rest four specimens grew rare fungal isolates, i.e. Acremonium sp., Scedosporium apiospermun, Cladosporium cladosporioides and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Histopathological fi ndings were also positive for these four cases. Conclusion: Apart from the common causes, unusual fungal pathogens were isolated from cases of rhinosinusitis during the study period, which is in accordance with similar reports from other parts of India and some other countries.
ABSTRACT
En este estudio se realizaron los primeros aislamientos del estado asexual del patógeno Neonectria fuckeliana asociado a cancros o ®revirado del pino¼ en plantaciones de Pinus radiata. Se caracterizaron morfológicamente las cepas del sinanamorfo semejante a Verticillium (Acremonium), obtenidas en cultivo in vitro a partir de peritecios. El material para los aislamientos consistió en trozos de corteza de P. radiata con presencia de peritecios, colectados en Toltén, región de La Araucanía, lugar donde se realizó el primer reporte de N. fuckeliana en Chile. Se utilizaron diez cepas del semejante a Acremonium para la caracterización morfológica, mediciones de estructuras fúngicas, ritmo de crecimiento in vitro y morfología de las colonias. Las colonias presentaron un micelio flocoso y ralo de bordes blanquecinos e irregulares, destacándose tres tipos de colonias, blancas, naranjo oscura y naranjo claro. Taxonómicamente, las cepas coinciden con las estructuras mencionadas en la literatura, caracterizándose por la presencia de glioconidios. Las fialides midieron entre 7 78,4 x 1,4 - 4,9 ìm. Los conidios, de formas ovoides y algunas bicelulares, midieron entre 4,2 - 8,4 x 2,6 - 3,5 ìm. El ritmo de crecimiento in vitro fue lento, completando su desarrollo a los 19 días con un promedio de 71 +/- 0,3 mm de diámetro, a una tasa de crecimiento diario de 3,8 mm. Los resultados obtenidos hacen necesario futuros estudios de carácter molecular para analizar la variabilidad genética poblacional que puede presentarse en Chile.
First Neonectria fuckeliana isolates in Chile. Strains of Acremonium obtained from in vitro peritecia culture were morphologically characterized. The samples were collected in Toltén, La Araucanía region, were Neonectria fuckeliana was first reported in Chile. The material used for the isolation came from pieces of Pinus radiata bark with peritecia. Ten Acremonium-like strains were used for characterization of fungal structures, in vitro growth and strains morphology. The colonies were a floccose mycelium and thin edges whitish and irregular, varying color highlighting three types of strains, white, dark orange and pale orange. Taxonomically, the strains match the structures referred in the literature, characterized by the presence of gliospores. The phialides dimensions ranged from 7 to 7.8 ìm long and 1.4 to 4.9 ìm wide. The conidio of ovoid shapes and some bicelular measured between 4.2 to 8.4 ìm in length and width 2.6 and 3.5 ìm. In vitro growth rates were slow, the complete development take19 days with a daily growth average of 71 +/-3 mm in diameter, at a rate of 3.8 mm. It is necessary future molecular studies to analyze the population genetic variation that may occur in Chile.
Subject(s)
Acremonium/isolation & purification , Acremonium/classification , Acremonium/growth & development , Acremonium/pathogenicity , Fungi/growth & development , Pinus/growth & development , Pinus/microbiology , ChileABSTRACT
Acremonium infection is rare and associated with immunosuppression. A case of recurrent cutaneous Acremonium infection after short term voriconazole use is described. Surgical resection was the definitive therapy. Oral voriconazole was used in the treatment of Acremonium infection, but recurrence was associated with short therapy. Prolonged antifungal therapy and surgical resection are discussed for the treatment of localized lesions.
Infecção por Acremonium é rara e pode estar associada com imunossupressão. Descrevemos um caso de infecção recorrente de pele por Acremonium após tratamento breve com voriconazol. Ressecção cirúrgica foi o tratamento definitivo. Terapia prolongada com antifúngicos e ressecção cirúrgica são discutidas para o tratamento de doenças fúngicas localizadas.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Acremonium/isolation & purification , Dermatomycoses/diagnosis , Kidney Transplantation , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Dermatomycoses/drug therapy , Dermatomycoses/surgery , Immunocompromised Host , Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects , Pyrimidines/therapeutic use , Recurrence , Triazoles/therapeutic useABSTRACT
A 64-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for the treatment of chronic uveitis in her left eye, which had started two weeks after an uncomplicated cataract extraction. She was treated with topical steroids with an initially good response, yet she subsequently developed severe inflammation and plaque-like material around the intraocular lens, despite continuous steroid therapy. She underwent pars plana vitrectomy, smear and culture of the aqueous and vitreous fluids, and intravitreal antibiotic injection under the impression of Propionibacterium acne (P. acne) endophthalmitis. As a result of the smear and culture of the vitreous fluid identified as an Acremonium species, she was treated with intravenous amphotericin B injections for five days, followed by oral voriconazole administration. During the post-operative 18-month follow-up, she was stable without significant relapse of uveitis. In this case, the best correction of visual acuity was an improvement from 20/40 to 20/20.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Acremonium/isolation & purification , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Cataract Extraction , Endophthalmitis/drug therapy , Eye Infections, Fungal/drug therapyABSTRACT
Enzimas hidrolíticas secretadas por fungos têm um papel importante na patogenicidade das infecções. Objetivando avaliar a atividade enzimática foram testados 31 isolados de Acremonium mantidos na Coleção de Culturas University Recife Mycology. Fragmentos das culturas foram transferidos para caldo glicosado para reativação e posterior crescimento em meio ágar batata dextrose, para verificar viabilidade, pureza e confirmação taxonômica pela observação das características macroscópicas e microscópicas. Para detecção enzimática foram utilizados substratos de caseína do leite e gelatina para protease, amido para amilase e lecitina de soja para fosfolipase. Das 31 culturas, 26 (83,9 por cento) mantiveram-se viáveis e 24 (92,3 por cento) foram confirmadas taxonomicamente. Das 24 culturas, 12 (50 por cento) apresentaram atividade proteásica, duas (16,7 por cento) em caseína do leite, uma (8,3 por cento) em gelatina e nove (75 por cento) em ambos os substratos; 16 (66,7 por cento) degradaram amido. Nenhuma cultura apresentou atividade fosfolipásica. Conclui-se que espécies de Acremonium são capazes de produzir enzimas envolvidas na patogenicidade das infecções fúngicas.
Hydrolytic enzymes secreted by fungi play an important role in the pathogenesis of infection. With the aim of evaluating the enzymatic activity, 31 isolates of Acremonium stored in the University of Recife Mycology (URM) Culture Collection were tested. Culture fragments were transferred to glycoside broth for reactivation and further growth in potato dextrose agar medium in order to investigate viability and purity and to confirm the taxonomy through observing the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. To detect enzymes, milk casein and gelatin were used as substrates for proteinase, starch for amylase and soy lecithin for phospholipase. Among the 31 cultures, 26 (83.9 percent) remained viable and 24 (92.3 percent) were confirmed taxonomically. Out of these 24 cultures, 12 (50 percent) presented proteinase activity, of which two (16.7 percent) were on milk casein, one (8.3 percent) on gelatin and nine (75 percent) on both substrates; 16 (66.7 percent) degraded starch. None of the cultures presented phospholipase activity. It was concluded that Acremonium species are able to produce enzymes that are involved in the pathogenicity of fungal infections.
Subject(s)
Acremonium/enzymology , Amylases/biosynthesis , Peptide Hydrolases/biosynthesis , Phospholipases/biosynthesis , Acremonium/classification , Acremonium/growth & development , Mineral Oil , Preservation, Biological/methodsABSTRACT
Se presentan 2 casos clínicos de agentes de micosis cutáneas no descritos en el país. El primer caso corresponde a un paciente femenino de 18 años de edad, sin antecedentes mórbidos de importancia, ni viajes al exterior, que presenta una lesión pruriginosa en cara externa del brazo izquierdo de apariencia erito pápulodescamativa de 2 semanas de evolución. Al examen directo, presentó micelios hialinos y en los cultivos micológicos un abundante desarrollo de Microsporum praecox. La lesión remitió completamente al tratamiento con Terbinafina tópica 2 veces al día por 21 días. Se comenta la rara presencia en Chile de M.praecox, especie presente en equinos y su hábitat, pero de dispersión restringida a Francia y Bélgica principalmente. Se discute el posible origen de este agente y las interrogantes en cuanto a su presencia en el país. El segundo caso corresponde a un paciente femenino de 24 años de edad, sin antecedentes mórbidos de importancia, que presenta alteraciones de la uña del primer ortejo derecho durante 2 años, caracterizadas por: engrosamiento subungueal, destrucción distal y cambios de coloración. Consulta con un dermatólogo, quien por su aspecto clínico típico, diagnostica onicomicosis e indica Terbinafina 250 mg diarios por 2 meses, sin embargo, el cuadro clínico se hace refractario en el tiempo frente a diversos antimicóticos usados.
Two clinical cases of agents of cutaneous mycoses not described in the country are reported in this paper. The first case deals with an 18-aged female patient, free from any significant morbid history, who has never traveled abroad, which bears a erytho-papule-descamative pruriginous lesion on the outside of her left arm and 2-week evolution. A direct exam revealed the presence of hyaline mycelia while an abundant development of Microsporum praecox was detected in the mycological cultures. The lesion had a favorable reaction to the treatment with topic Terbinafine twice a day for 21 days. The rare occurrence of M.praecox in Chile, a species commonly found in horses and their habitat yet with a restricted distribution mainly in France and Belgium and the possible origin of this agent in the country is commented. The second case is focused on a 24-age female patient, free from any significant morbid history, who exhibits variations in her first right toe since two years and which are characterized by the following: subungueal thickening, distal destruction and change in colour. She consults a dermatologist, who after considering a typical clinical aspect, determined an onimycosis and recommends 250mg Terbinafine for two months; however the clinical pattern becomes refractory in time due to the use of several antimycotic.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Acremonium , Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous/diagnosis , Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous/etiology , Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous/microbiology , Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous/therapy , Microsporum , Mycoses/diagnosis , Mycoses/etiology , Mycoses/therapy , Onychomycosis , ChileABSTRACT
Introducción: En años recientes se ha reportado que los pacientes inmunocomprometidos presentan infecciones por organismos considerados habitualmente como saprófitos. Material y métodos: Detectamos un caso de fungemia por Acremonium sp. en un paciente asintomático, 5 semanas después apareció un segundo caso. Ambos pacientes portaban catéter venoso central (CVC) de larga estancia y acudían a la sesión semanal de cuidados que lleva a cabo el Equipo de Terapia Intravenosa. Los dos pacientes recibieron nutrición parenteral total (NPT) durante 5 meses antes del diagnóstico de fungemia. Se estudiaron en forma retrospectiva todos los pacientes que habían recibido NPT durante el mismo periodo de tiempo. Resultados: Los dos casos de fungemia por Acremonium sp. en pacientes con adenocarcinoma gástrico habían recibido NPT por un promedio de 19 días. Se retiró el CVC y recibieron tratamiento antifúngico con resolución de la infección. Otros 8 pacientes que habían recibido NPT preparado por la misma casa comercial durante este periodo por un promedio de 9.5 días (rango 6 a 20). No se encontró ningún otro hemocultivo ni punta de catéter con Acremonium sp. Conclusiones: Se sugiere mantener una estrecha vigilancia en los pacientes con CVC que reciben NPT para identificar la colonización por gérmenes de baja patogenicidad, aún en pacientes asintomáticos.
BACKGROUND: Microorganisms considered saprophytes have emerged as invasive or indolent pathogens among immuno-compromised patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We detected an initial case of catheter-related Acremonium sp fungemia on a previously asymptomatic patient. We diagnosed a second case five weeks later. Both patients had a non-tunneled central venous catheter (CVC) that had been cared for following routine protocol by nurses in the Intravenous Therapy Team on a weekly basis. The sole risk factor that both patients shared was that they had received total parenteral nutrition (TPN) by a CVC 5 months prior to the date the catheter-related fungemia was detected. We retrospectively studied all patients who had received TPN during this period. RESULTS: We found two cases ofAcremonium fungemia, patients had gastric adenocarcinoma and received TPN for an average of 19 days. Infection was resolved with catheter removal and antifungic therapy. Another eight patients received TPN from the same commercial firm during this period; average administration was 9.5 days (range, 6-20). Neither blood cultures nor tip-catheters culture reported Acremonium sp. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CVC for TPN should be closely monitored to identify colonization with a low pathogenic microorganism that could be mistakenly diagnosed as asymptomatic.