Human fusariosis: An emerging infection that is difficult to treat

Abstract Fusarium spp. has been associated with a broad spectrum of emerging infections collectively termed fusariosis. This review includes articles published between 2005 and 2018 that describe the characteristics, clinical management, incidence, and emergence of these fungal infections. Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum are globally distributed and represent the most common complexes. Few therapeutic options exist due to intrinsic resistance, especially for the treatment of invasive fusariosis. Therefore, the use of drug combinations could be an important alternative for systemic antifungal resistance. Increase in the number of case reports on invasive fusariosis between 2005 and 2018 is evidence of the emergence of this fungal infection.

Patogenicidad de especies de Fusarium asociadas a la pudrición basal del ajo en el centro norte de México / Fusarium species associated with basal rot of garlic in North Central Mexico and its pathogenicity

El ajo en México es uno de los cultivos de hortalizas más rentables, más del 83% de esta superficie es aportada por los estados de Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Sonora, Puebla, Baja California y Aguascalientes. La pudrición basal ocasionada por Fusarium spp. se encuentra ampliamente distribuida a nivel mundial; esta enfermedad se ha convertido en una limitante en zonas productoras de cebolla y ajo, no solo en México, sino también en otros países, En México, se ha informado la presencia de Fusarium oxysporum en plantas en Guanajuato y en semillas de ajo en Aguascalientes. En el estado de Morelos se ha reportado la presencia de Fusarium culmorum en cultivares de cebolla. Asimismo, en Aguascalientes se tienen antecedentes de otras especies como Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium solani y Fusarium acuminatum. Para este trabajo se planteó como objetivo identificar las especies de Fusarium encontradas en los estados de Zacatecas, Guanajuato y Aguascalientes, y evaluar su patogenicidad. Se realizaron recolectas de plantas con síntomas de la enfermedad en los estados antes mencionados. De los muestreos realizados se identificaron las especies F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, F. verticillioides, F. solani y F. acuminatum; las cepas de Aguascalientes identificadas como AGS1A (F. oxysporum), AGS1B (F. oxysporum) y AGSY-10 (F. acuminatum) fueron las que presentaron bajo condiciones de invernadero un mayor índice de severidad.

Garlic in Mexico is one of the most profitable vegetable crops, grown in almost 5,451 ha; out of which more than 83% are located in Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Sonora, Puebla, Baja California and Aguascalientes. Blossom-end rot caused by Fusarium spp is widely distributed worldwide and has been a limiting factor in onion and garlic production regions, not only in Mexico but also in other countries. The presence of Fusarium oxysporum has been reported in Guanajuato and Aguascalientes. Fusarium culmorum has been reported in onion cultivars of Morelos; and Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium solani and Fusarium acuminatum have been previously reported in Aguascalientes. The goal of this work was identifying the Fusarium species found in Zacatecas, Guanajuato and Aguascalientes, to assess their pathogenicity. Plants with disease symptoms were collected from hereinabove mentioned States. The samples resulted in the identification of: F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, F. verticillioides, F. solani and F. acuminatum species; out of which Aguascalientes AGS1A (F. oxysporum), AGS1B (F. oxysporum) and AGSY-10 (F. acuminatum) strains showed higher severity under greenhouse conditions.

Potencial do óleo essencial de erva-luísa (Aloysia citriodora Palau) no controle de Fusarium sp. in vitro / Essential oil potential herb-luisa (Aloysia citriodora Palau) in the control of Fusarium sp. in vitro

RESUMO O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal avaliar o potencial do uso do óleo essencial de Aloysia citriodora no controle in vitro de Fusarium sp., isolado de plântulas de beterraba infectadas com o mesmo. O trabalho foi realizado por meio de dois experimentos: um sobre o efeito do óleo essencial no crescimento micelial, e outro sobre o efeito na germinação de conídios do fungo. No primeiro trabalho, avaliou-se em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, o efeito das concentrações 0,0155%; 0,0315%; 0,0625%; 0,125%; 0,250% e 0,500% do óleo essencial de A. citriodora em placas de Petri® com meio de cultivo BDA, mais a testemunha, com meio BDA puro. Cada placa foi considerada uma repetição, as quais foram incubadas a 24ºC±1ºC e submetidas a fotoperíodo de doze horas. Avaliou-se o crescimento radial do patógeno em função do crescimento micelial do patógeno quando este atingia as bordas da primeira placa. No segundo experimento, as mesmas concentrações foram testadas, nas mesmas condições de incubação, no entanto, em lâminas de microscopia com meio BD. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, sendo considerada como unidade experimental cada lâmina utilizada. Avaliou-se 24 horas após a incubação, em microscópio óptico, a germinação dos primeiros vinte conídios visualizados a partir do canto esquerdo superior para o direito. Os resultados do segundo experimento foram expressos em porcentagem de germinação de conídios. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que este óleo essencial possui efeito fungistático e fungicida sobre o crescimento micelial e na germinação de conídios de Fusarium sp.. Além disso este efeito é maior em função do aumento da concentração do óleo essencial.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of Aloysia citriodora essential oilisolated from beet seedlings infected with it. The study was performed by conducting two experiments evaluating the effect of the essential oil on mycelial growth and fungus conidia germination. In the first study, in a completely randomized design, the effect concentrations (0.0155%; 0.0315%; 0.0625%; 0.125%; 0.250% and 0.500%) of essential oil of A. citriodorawas evaluated on Petri® dish with a PDA cultivation medium, plus the control, with half pure PDA. Each plate was taken as a repeat, and incubated at 24°C±1°C and a photoperiod of twelve hours. The radial growth of the pathogen, when the first plate was hit by the mycelial growth of the pathogen on its edges was evaluated. In the second experiment, the same concentrations were tested under the same incubationconditions, however, on microscope slides with half PD medium. The design was used completely randomized, each microscope slide used was considered as one experimental unit. Germination of the first 2 conidia strains, viewed from the upper left to the right was evaluated24 hours after incubation, using an optical microscope. The results of the second experiment were expressed as a percentage of conidia germination. The results obtained showed that this essential oil has fungistatic and fungicidal effect on the mycelial growth and at the conidia germination of Fusarium sp., which has a greater effect with increasing concentrations.

Bioprocess development for docosahexaenoic acid from novel fungal isolate of Fusarium solani.

Fungal cultures were isolated from soil samples collected from the Western Ghats regions of Kerala. Primary screening of isolated strains were done by Sudan black staining method and 15 lipid producing cultures were isolated. The fatty acid profiling of the positive strains were analyzed for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) production. Selected oleaginous cultures were grown in submerged culture condition to study the biomass yield and poly unsaturated fatty acid, DHA production. The optimization of production process under submerged conditions was carried out using statistical experimental design and confirmation of DHA was done by GC analysis. Maximum DHA production of 150 mg/l was achieved on 4 days of incubation at submerged condition in the presence of glucose as carbon source.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Fusarium. solani and F. oxysporum associated with crown disease of oil palm

Crown disease (CD) is infecting oil palm in the early stages of the crop development. Previous studies showed that Fusarium species were commonly associated with CD. However, the identity of the species has not been resolved. This study was carried out to identify and characterize through morphological approaches and to determine the genetic diversity of the Fusarium species. 51 isolates (39%) of Fusarium solani and 40 isolates (31%) of Fusarium oxysporum were recovered from oil palm with typical CD symptoms collected from nine states in Malaysia, together with samples from Padang and Medan, Indonesia. Based on morphological characteristics, isolates in both Fusarium species were classified into two distinct morphotypes; Morphotypes I and II. Molecular characterization based on IGS-RFLP analysis produced 27 haplotypes among the F. solani isolates and 33 haplotypes for F. oxysporum isolates, which indicated high levels of intraspecific variations. From UPGMA cluster analysis, the isolates in both Fusarium species were divided into two main clusters with the percentage of similarity from 87% to 100% for F. solani, and 89% to 100% for F. oxysporum isolates, which was in accordance with the Morphotypes I and II. The results of the present study indicated that F. solani and F. oxysporum associated with CD of oil palm in Malaysia and Indonesia were highly variable.

Micoparasitismo biotrofico de Fusarium oxysporum sobre Cunnighamella sp / Biotrophic mycoparasitism of Fusarium oxysporum on Cunnighamella sp

Se describe un caso de micoparasitismo biotrófico de ocurrencia natural en el suelo, entre las hifas de una cepa de Fusarium oxysporum complex y Cunninghamella sp. Las hifas de F. oxysporum se desarrollaron sobre las células vivas del hospedador, mostrando 2 tipos de efectos parasíticos: uno de enrollamiento y otro de contacto con penetración de las hifas, sin la aparente eliminación del hospedador. Esta situación poco común en la literatura, demuestra las capacidades adaptativas de esta especie al micoparasitismo en grupos filogenéticamente distantes.

This paper describes a case of mycoparasitism naturally occurring, where Fusarium oxysporum parasitizes hyphae of Cunninghamella sp, to show mycoparasitism between the two fungi. This is a case of biotrophic mycoparasitism by contact. The hyphae of F. oxysporum developed closely along the living cells of the host showing mycoparasitic effect, some for a loop, and other contact with penetration of the hyphae. This situation is rare in the literature, demonstrates the adaptive capacities of this species to mycoparasitism in phylogenetically distant groups.

Germinação, vigor e sanidade de sementes de fava d'anta (Dimorphandra mollis Benth. ) obtidas de frutos coletados no solo e na planta / Germination, vigor and sanity of "fava d'anta" (Dimorphandra mollis Benth. ) seeds obtained from fruits collected both in the soil and in the plant

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica e sanitária das sementes obtidas a partir de frutos maduros coletados no solo e nas plantas de fava d'anta, espécie medicinal nativa do Cerrado, ameaçada de extinção, cujos frutos são ricos em rutina. O delineamento experimental empregado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com 10 repetições. Cada repetição foi constituída de uma caixa gerbox contendo 15 sementes cada. A qualidade fisiológica foi determinada por meio de testes de germinação e vigor, avaliando-se a porcentagem de germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) e a massa seca das raízes primárias. A qualidade sanitária foi determinada pela identificação dos microorganismos patogênicos associados às sementes, bem como pela porcentagem de ocorrência destes em cada parcela. Os fungos identificados nas sementes pertencem aos gêneros Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Colletrotrichum, Helminthosporium, Nigrospora, Penicillum, Phoma e Phomopsis. Sementes oriundas de frutos coletados no solo foram mais contaminadas por agentes patogênicos e apresentaram germinação (56,67 por cento), vigor e sanidade inferiores às sementes obtidas de frutos coletados na planta.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the physiological and sanitary quality of seeds obtained from mature fruits collected in the soil and in "fava d'anta" plants. Dimorphandra mollis constitutes an endangered medicinal species native to cerrado and presents fruits rich in rutin. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 10 replicates. Each replicate consisted of a gerbox containing 15 seeds each. Physiological quality was assessed through germination and vigor tests by evaluating germination percentage, germination velocity index (GVI), and primary root dry matter. Sanitary quality was evaluated by identifying pathogenic microorganisms associated with the seeds, as well as their occurrence percentage in each plot. The identified fungi belonged to the genera Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Helminthosporium, Nigrospora, Penicillium, Phoma and Phomopsis. Seeds from fruits collected in the soil were more contaminated by pathogenic agents and presented lower germination (56.67 percent), vigor and health than seeds from fruits collected in the plant.

Especies de Fusarium como agentes de queratitis micóticas en adultos en Tucumán, Argentina / Fusarium species as agents of mycotic keratitis in adults, in Tucumán, Argentina

Las queratomicosis por hongos filamentosos son una de las causas de daño en la córnea en los países de climas tropicales y subtropicales y se consideran dentro de las micosis de difícil tratamiento. El presente estudio evalúa la etiología de las queratitis sicóticas en Tucumán (R. Argentina) para determinar su incidencia e importancia clínica regional. En un lapso de 5 años se estudiaron 48 muestras (biopsias, raspados cornéales y/o aspirados oculares) recogidas por el oftalmólogo y enviadas al laboratorio para análisis micológico. Mediante examen directo, cultivos y estudios macro y micromorfológicos se confirmó etiología micótica en 13 pacientes (27 por ciento). De ellos, se identificaron 7 cultivos como Fusarium solani complex, 4 F. oxysporum y 2 F. verticillioides. Estos hallazgos permiten profundizar el conocimiento de los agentes etiológicos locales involucrados y los factores de riesgo, dos aspectos importantes en la prevención y la terapéutica de estas micosis.

Keratomycosis caused by filamentous fungi is one of the agents of damage to the cornea in subtropical and tropical climate countries and belongs to those mycoses identified as of difficult treatment. This study evaluates the etiology of mycotic keratitis in Tucumán (R. Argentina) with the purpose of assessing its incidence and regional and clinical significance. In a 5-year period, 48 samples (biopsy, corneal scrapes and/or ocular aspiration) collected by the oculist were examined and sent to the laboratory for a mycological analysis. By means of direct exam, macro and micromorphological cultures and studies of the presence of mycotic etiology in 13 patients (27 por ciento) was confirmed. Among them 7 cultures such as a Fusarium solani complex, 4 F. oxysporum and 2 F. verticillioides were identified. These findings allow to enlarge the knowledge of the local etiological agents involved as well as the risk factors, two elements that are significant in the prevention and therapeutics of these mycoses.

Microbióta alcalofílica y alcalinotolerante en suelos de bosques xéricos en una localidad de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Alkalophilic and alkali-tolerant mycobiota in xeric forest soils from a locality of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Se estudió la micobiota alcalofílica y alcalino tolerante de suelos de intercordones del bosque nativo de Celtis tala y Scutia buxifolia en el Partido de Magdalena, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Los aislamientos de los geohongos se realizaron en agar extractos de malta en rangos de pH desde 5 hasta 11, ajustados mediante diferentes concentraciones de sales sódicas. Se aislaron e identificaron 43 taxa fúngicos. El 50 por ciento no fueron capaces de crecer a pH 10 siendo asignados a la categoría de alcalófilos. El 39 por ciento fueron alcalino-tolerantes dado que pudieron ser aislados hasta pH 10, mientras que el 11 por ciento restante creció a pH 10 pero no a pH 5-6 y fueron asignados a la categoría de alcalofílicos. Sólo Fusarium solari fue aislado con altas frecuencias en suelos de los 3 intercordones en todos lo pH probados.

Revisión del género Fusarium: especies oportunistas más frecuentemente aisladas en materiales clínicos / Review of Fusarium genus: opportunistic species frequently isolated from clinical samples

La incidencia de infecciones humanas por especies de Fusarium se ha incrementado en la medicina contemporánea fundamentalmente con el advenimiento de la inmunodepresión. El reconocimiento de estas especies involucradas en tales procesos, como sabemos, es dificultosa, por eso en este trabajo resumimos los aspectos más característicos a tener en cuenta y los principales criterios que pueden ser usados para la identificación de las especies responsables. Las principales características que se describen son: macromorfología de la colonia, por el anverso y el reverso. Micromorfología de las colonias: conidióforos, conidias macroconidias, mesoconidias, microconidias, clamidoconidias. También se incluye una clave de identificación de las especies de Fusarium más frecuentemente aisladas de lesiones humanas

Micromorfología de algunas especies de fusarium en PDA modificado III / Micromorphology of some fusarium species in modified PDA III

Se estudia el comportamiento de 20 cepas de Fusarium pertenecientes a 9 especies, aisladas de diversos ambientes (suelo, material clínico, alimentos y vegetales), mediante sus características macroscópicas de cultivo en PDA (standard) y su micromorfología en microcultivos en lámina en PDA modificado con 5 g/l de dextrosa, 4 g/l de KCL y 0,002 g/l de Dichlorán. Esta última metodología permitió observar las principales características microscópicas tales como: clamidio, micro, meso y macroconidios, además de sus celulas conidiógenas (mono, polifiálides y fiálides poliblásticas. Esto permitió la identificación tentativa o final de las cepas estudiadas y la confección de una clave. Las cepas estables en la producción de microestructuras fueron: F. avenaceum, F. chlamydosporum, F. sambucinum y F. solani

Género Fusarium en la Argentina: II. Identificación de especies que afectan cultivos en la zona de La Plata / Fusarium genus in Argentina: II. Identification of some species affecting crops in La Plata and its surroundings

En este trabajo se realizaron aislamientos a partir de distintos hospedantes con el fin de identificar mediante el estudio de caracteres morfológicos, biométricos y culturales las especies del género Fusarium que comúnmente afectan los cultivos de La Plata (Pcia. de Buenos Aires) y alrededores. Con las especies aisladas se confeccionó una clave de identificación. Con el objeto de establecer las equivalencias entre los diferentes sistemas de clasificación mediante la revisión del género se realizó un cuadro comparativo con los principales sistemas