Clinical analysis of three cases of disseminated cutaneous alternariosis caused by Alternaria / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To analyze clinical manifestations, histopathological and pathogenic fungus characteristics as well as treatment of 3 cases of disseminated cutaneous alternariosis caused by Alternaria. Methods:Clinical data were collected from 3 cases of disseminated cutaneous alternariosis caused by Alternaria, who were diagnosed in Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital from 2019 to 2021, and clinical and histopathological features, fungal culture, strain identification and treatment results were retrospectively analyzed. Results:The 3 patients were aged 55, 41 and 46 years respectively, including 1 male and 2 females. Two patients were previously diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome and 1 with systemic lupus erythematosus. All the patients had a history of taking glucocorticoids and tacrolimus for different durations, and experienced chronic infections. Histopathological examination with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining showed double-contour thick-walled spores and knot-shaped thick-walled septal hyphae, but no melanin in skin lesions. Sequencing of the fungal internal transcribed spacer region confirmed that 2 cases were infected with Alternaria alternate, and 1 with Alternaria infectoria. Fungal culture at different temperatures showed that the growth ability of Alternaria markedly decreased at the temperature over 35 ℃. To treat these patients, the dose of tacrolimus was reduced to less than 1/3 of the standard dose, or tacrolimus was switched to other immunosuppressants, and systemic antifungal therapy was also given at the same time. After 7-month treatment, good clinical outcomes were achieved in the 3 patients. Conclusion:Disseminated cutaneous alternariosis is characterized by bilateral hematogenous dissemination and lymphatic distribution in unilateral limbs, and the skin lesions are characterized by verrucous plaques covered with scabs, nodules and/or sinuses.

Morphological Characteristic Regulation of Ligninolytic Enzyme Produced by Trametes polyzona

A newly isolated white rot fungal strain KU-RNW027 was identified as Trametes polyzona, based on an analysis of its morphological characteristics and phylogenetic data. Aeration and fungal morphology were important factors which drove strain KU-RNW027 to secrete two different ligninolytic enzymes as manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase. Highest activities of MnP and laccase were obtained in a continuous shaking culture at 8 and 47 times higher, respectively, than under static conditions. Strain KU-RNW027 existed as pellets and free form mycelial clumps in submerged cultivation with the pellet form producing more enzymes. Fungal biomass increased with increasing amounts of pellet inoculum while pellet diameter decreased. Strain KU-RNW027 formed terminal chlamydospore-like structures in cultures inoculated with 0.05 g/L as optimal pellet inoculum which resulted in highest enzyme production. Enzyme production efficiency of T. polyzona KU-RNW027 depended on fungal pellet morphology as size, porosity, and formation of chlamydospore-like structures.

Chlamydospore Induction from Conidia of Cylindrocarpon destructans Isolated from Ginseng in Korea

Cylindrocarpon destructans causes root rot disease in ginseng and can survive for a long time, producing chlamydospores. We optimized conditions to induce chlamydospore production from the conidia of C. destructans, isolated from Korean ginseng. This will provide the basis for testing the efficacy of control agents targeting these chlamydospores.

Scytalidium parasiticum sp. nov., a New Species Parasitizing on Ganoderma boninense Isolated from Oil Palm in Peninsular Malaysia

A mycoparasite, Scytalidium parasiticum sp. nov., isolated from the basidiomata of Ganoderma boninense causing basal stem rot of oil palm in Johor, Malaysia, is described and illustrated. It is distinct from other Scytalidium species in having smaller asci and ascospores (teleomorphic stage), longer arthroconidia (anamorphic stage), hyaline to yellowish chlamydospores, and producing a fluorescent pigment. The phylogenetic position of S. parasiticum was determined by sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacers and the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene regions. A key to identify Scytalidium species with teleomorphic stage is provided.

Effects of Several Factors on the Chlamydospores Production of Trichoderma aureoviride T-33 / 微生物学通报

The effects of several factors on the chlamydospores production of Trichoderma aureoviride T-33 during the fermentation were researched.Based on the results above, the orthogonal test was made to screen out the best prescription.The results showed that, the best single-factor conditions for the chlamydospores production of T.aureoviride T-33 were, liquid culture of oat powder, 30℃, pH4.0, 120r/min, 24 hours oscillate incubating as well as liquid culture volume of 80mL/bottle when the 250mL size triangle bottle was used.The result of orthogonal test showed that, the best prescription for temperature, pH and oscillating speed was 30℃, pH4.0 and 140r/min.3.37?10~ 7 spore/mL chlamydospores were obtained at this combined condition.