Genetic re-identification and antifungal susceptibility testing of Aspergillus section Nigri strains of the BCCM/IHEM collection.

Black Aspergilli are widely distributed in the environment and are frequently reported as causative agents of different types of mycoses. Many taxonomical revisions have been made, and presently 19 different species are accepted. In this study we (re-) identified 123 strains of the Aspergillus niger group of the BCCM/IHEM collection to check for the presence of species other than A. niger in both environmental and clinical samples. The susceptibility for antifungal drugs was compared between A. niger and Aspergillus tubingensis. Strains were identified based on morphological and molecular data and neighbour joining analysis. We revealed the presence of eight different species of this group in our collection. Our results suggest that Aspergillus foetidus, previously shown to be a species closely related to A. niger should not be considered as a separate species, but rather as a variety of A. niger. Furthermore, we found A. tubingensis at the same prevalence than A. niger in clinical samples. Interestingly, A. niger was shown to have a twofold higher sensitivity to treatment with voriconazole and itraconazole than A. tubingensis. These findings underline once more the importance of correct identification up to the species level in clinical isolates.

Chrysosporium chiropterorum sp. nov., isolated in France, resembling Chrysosporium state of Ajellomyces capsulatus (Histoplasma capsulatum).

A fungus isolated in France from the fur of a bat, which produces characterized large tuberculate conidia (aleurioconidia) similar to those produced by the mycelial form of Histoplasma capsulatum (Ajellomyces capsulatus) is described. Colonies are white at first, but then become rosy buff from the centre outwards. Sectoring, resulting in the appearance of patches or areas of dark green mycelium, occurs spontaneously. Single-celled conidia are formed on undifferentiated hyphae, and may be sessile, or borne laterally on short stalks or producing in an intercalary position as it is the case in the genus Chrysosporium. This fungus is clearly distinguishable from any described species and is described as Chrysosporium chiropterorum sp. nov. C. chiropterorum, like H. capsulatum, produces gelatinase, and is non-keratinolytic but strongly ureolytic. Both species are associated with bat dwellings. C. chiropterorum differs from H. capsulatum by faster growth, pink or green colonies, and failure to produce microconidia as well as lack of conversion to a yeast phase in vitro at 37 degrees C.

[Moulds asthma]. / Asthme bronchique d'origine fongique.

Mould allergy revealed by skin prick tests or by measuring specific IgE (RAST), is frequently diagnosed throughout the world. It is associated to clinical asthma, sometimes severe. Thanks to the know how of teams of specialists, surveys are carried out in home-, work- and school environments, and calendars of moulds found in our country are regularly updated. This allows practitioners to determine specific sensitisation tests (selection of skin prick tests, and RAS tests), and helps them play a role in the diagnosis strategy and the recommendations for necessary eviction and building sanitation measures. These measures are all the more important as until now standardised extracts for specific hyposensitisation to moulds are not yet available.

Disseminated infection due to Cylindrocarpon (Fusarium) lichenicola in a neutropenic patient with acute leukaemia: report of a case and review of the literature.

Described here is an unusual case of disseminated Cylindrocarpon lichenicola (Fusarium lichenicola) infection originating from a toenail lesion of a neutropenic woman with cellulitis of the foot and underlying acute leukaemia. A computed tomography scan of the chest showed multiple, ill-defined, nodular infiltrates with alveolar consolidation. The fungus was isolated from both the nail and the skin of the infected toe. Susceptibility testing revealed low minimum inhibitory concentrations for amphotericin B (0.78 micro g/ml) and voriconazole (1.56 micro g/ml) and high minimum inhibitory concentrations (>100 micro g/ml) for fluconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole. The infection resolved after treatment with a total dose of 1 g of amphotericin B followed by oral itraconazole and bone marrow regeneration.

Isolation of a Nodulisporium species from a case of cerebral phaeohyphomycosis.

A fungal infection of the brain of a 55-year-old male patient is reported. The lesion and involved fungus were located exclusively in the right medial temporo-parietal region. The patient was successfully treated with surgical resection of the lesion and antifungal chemotherapy. Few pathogenic dematiaceous fungi exhibit neurotropism and can cause primary infection in the central nervous system (CNS). The etiological agent is described as a Nodulisporium species. To date Nodulisporium has never been reported as an agent of CNS infection in humans.

[Mold allergy: 25 years of indoor and outdoor studies in Belgium]. / Allergie aux moisissures: 25 années d'études "indoor" et "outdoor" en Belgique.

Collecting atmospheric fungal spores in Brussels for 25 years revealed significant quantitative differences at three different levels: the total number of spores collected every year, the annual frequency rate of some species e.g. Cladosporium and Alternaria, the proliferation of some rare species according to weather conditions.

Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Alternaria infectoria in a renal transplant recipient.

We report on a case of phaeohyphomycosis caused by Alternaria infectoria in a renal transplant recipient with pulmonary infiltrates and multiple skin lesions. Diagnosis was based on microscopy and culture of the skin lesions. Treatment consisted of a combination of surgical excision and systemic antifungal therapy, first with itraconazole and subsequently with liposomal amphotericin B, for 39 days. At a 20-month follow-up visit, no recurrence of the skin lesions or the pulmonary infiltrates had occurred.

Fatal aortic Myceliophthora thermophila infection in a patient affected by cystic medial necrosis.

A 22-year-old Italian woman developed fungal aortitis after cardiac surgery for aortic insufficiency. She experienced two episodes of septic embolization and subsequently underwent replacement of the aortic root and initial ascending aorta by a homograft. The lumina of the ascending aorta, aortic arch and the origin of the innominate artery were completely filled with vegetation. From the involved tissue the phaeoid thermophilic hyphomycete Myceliophthora thermophila (Apinis) van Oorschot was isolated in pure culture. This is the second report of isolation of this fungus from humans and the first isolation of a human pathogenic strain of M. thermophila causing fatal vasculitis in a patient affected by cystic medial necrosis. A detailed morphological description of the isolate is also provided.

Phaeotheca triangularis, a new meristematic black yeast from a humidifier.

Two strains of a new species of meristematic fungi, described as Phaeotheca triangularis, were isolated from moisteners of air-conditioning systems. The species is believed to be related to dothideaceous black yeasts. Its morphology, ultrastructure and nutritional physiology are reported.

Urbanization in some hierarchical urban models.

"This paper examines two aspects of hierarchical urban models: the variations of total urban population and that of the urbanization ratio, in function of the number of hierarchical levels. Both variations are analysed through four categories of models. The complexity of the results suggests two approximations in order to make the analysis more tractable."