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Morphological description of Fusarium temperatum. (A) Slit lamp photograph showing infected cornea involving regions of sclera; (B) KOH mount of the scraping material showing fungal hyaline and nonseptate hyphae (magnification, ×40); (C) Sporodochia present in yellowish orange on CLA; (D) Growth of the isolate F. temperatum on OA, agar pigmentation ranges from colorless to dark purple on; reverse pigmentations in light pink; (E) Growth of isolates on PDA at 25°C; (F) In situ conidiophores with false heads; (G) Microconidia on CLA; (H-I) Macroconida; (J) Coild hyphae; (K-L) Monophialidic and polyphialidic conidiogenous cells. All scale bars, 10 μm.
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Background
Fusarium species are among the most common fungi present in the environment and some species have emerged as major opportunistic fungal infection in human. However, in immunocompromised hosts they can be virulent pathogens and can cause death. The pathogenesis of this infection relies on three factors: colonization, tissue damage, and im...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... presenta- tion, visual acuity was 20/50 by using Snellen chart. Slit- lamp examination of the right eye showed a 12 mm white-yellowish central corneal epithelial defect with ir- regular and raised edges, along with intense hyperemia of the conjunctiva, photophobia and pain ( Figure 1A). ...
Context 2
... scrapings for direct microscopic examin- ation with 10% potassium hydroxide demonstrated multiple irregular, septate, hyaline hyphae ( Figure 1A). Samples were inoculated onto Sabouraud's glucose agar (SGA) plates and incubated for 5 days at 28°C. ...
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... clinical isolates grew and sporulated well on PDA, OA, CLA and SNA at 25, 27, 30 and 33°C and growth was apparent within 2 days on all agar plates. Yellowish orange sporodochia were produced on CLA ( Figure 1C). Agar pigmentation ranged from colorless to dark purple on OA; pigmentation of colony reverse was in shades of light pink ( Figure 1D). ...
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... orange sporodochia were produced on CLA ( Figure 1C). Agar pigmentation ranged from colorless to dark purple on OA; pigmentation of colony reverse was in shades of light pink ( Figure 1D). Aerial mycelium was cottony, ini- tially white, becoming pinkish white, turning violet in the colony center in a later stage. ...
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... mycelium was cottony, ini- tially white, becoming pinkish white, turning violet in the colony center in a later stage. Subsequently, colonies spread rapidly, filling the culture plate within 1 week ( Figure 1E). Conidiophores in the aerial mycelium were erect, branched, terminating in 1-3 phialides ( Figure 1F). ...
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... colonies spread rapidly, filling the culture plate within 1 week ( Figure 1E). Conidiophores in the aerial mycelium were erect, branched, terminating in 1-3 phialides ( Figure 1F). On SNA with filter paper, colonies were colorless, later changing the color of the filter papers to pale pink. ...
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... SNA with filter paper, colonies were colorless, later changing the color of the filter papers to pale pink. Micro- conidia were oval, abundant, grouped in masses; hyaline and non-septate ( Figure 1G). Macroconidia hyaline, with 3-6 (mostly 4-5) septa, slender, slightly falcate, with a beaked, curved apical cell and a foot-like basal cell with a thin cell wall ( Figure 1H, I). ...
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... conidia were oval, abundant, grouped in masses; hyaline and non-septate ( Figure 1G). Macroconidia hyaline, with 3-6 (mostly 4-5) septa, slender, slightly falcate, with a beaked, curved apical cell and a foot-like basal cell with a thin cell wall ( Figure 1H, I). Polyphialides and monophia- lides were observed ( Figure 1K, L). ...
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... hyaline, with 3-6 (mostly 4-5) septa, slender, slightly falcate, with a beaked, curved apical cell and a foot-like basal cell with a thin cell wall ( Figure 1H, I). Polyphialides and monophia- lides were observed ( Figure 1K, L). Chlamydospores were not found over 10 days of incubation. ...
Context 10
... species are among the most common etiologic agents of the disorder [23][24][25] and are problematic because of their therapy-refractive nature. In direct microscopy Fusarium species are indistinguishable from Aspergillus because both produce hyaline, septate hyphae ( Figure 1B), and therefore supplementary diagnostics are necessary. ...
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Citations
... Pathogenicity tests fulfilling the Koch's postulates confirmed its ability to cause maize stalk rot ( Supplementary Fig. 7S). Notes: Fusarium subglutinans is known for causing cereal, animal and human diseases (e.g., maize ear rot, animal rapid death and human keratitis) and producing various mycotoxins (e.g., moniliformin, fusaproliferin) (Kriek et al. 1977, Bacon & Hinton 1996, Lew et al. 1996, Al-Hatmi et al. 2014, Farr & Rossman 2022. Despite its widely recognised threats to agricultural and public health, its taxonomy was unstable as it lacked a living ex-type culture and holotype specimen, which was resolved by Yilmaz et al. (2021), who designated CBS 747.97 as its neotype. ...
... Twelve strains obtained from this study clustered together with the neotype, of which one strain was isolated from wheat, as a new host record in China (Table 2). Notes: Fusarium temperatum was first reported as a pathogen on maize in Belgium (Scauflaire et al. 2011), and subsequently on humans in Mexico (Al-Hatmi et al. 2014). In China, its ability to cause maize ear rot and maize stalk rot have been confirmed by Zhang et al. (2014c) and Liu et al. (2022b). ...
Fusarium species are important cereal pathogens that cause severe production losses to major cereal crops such as maize, rice, and wheat. However, the causal agents of Fusarium diseases on cereals have not been well documented because of the difficulty in species identification and the debates surrounding generic and species concepts. In this study, we used a citizen science initiative to investigate diseased cereal crops (maize, rice, wheat) from 250 locations, covering the major cereal-growing regions in China. A total of 2 020 Fusarium strains were isolated from 315 diseased samples. Employing multi-locus phylogeny and morphological features, the above strains were identified to 43 species, including eight novel species that are described in this paper. A world checklist of cereal-associated Fusarium species is provided, with 39 and 52 new records updated for the world and China, respectively. Notably, 56 % of samples collected in this study were observed to have co-infections of more than one Fusarium species, and the detailed associations are discussed. Following Koch's postulates, 18 species were first confirmed as pathogens of maize stalk rot in this study. Furthermore, a high-confidence species tree was constructed in this study based on 1 001 homologous loci of 228 assembled genomes (40 genomes were sequenced and provided in this study), which supported the "narrow" generic concept of Fusarium (= Gibberella ). This study represents one of the most comprehensive surveys of cereal Fusarium diseases to date. It significantly improves our understanding of the global diversity and distribution of cereal-associated Fusarium species, as well as largely clarifies the phylogenetic relationships within the genus.
... Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene sequencing establishes a rapid and prompt diagnosis of fungal keratitis in refractory cases [21] and has been described in Pythium along with other non-sporulating molds. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] Molecular identification also helps diagnose rare fungal species such as Beauveriabassiana, which was found to be highly resistant to antifungal therapy, along with Colletotrichumgloeosporioides and Trametesbetulina [22,34,35] Apart from these, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), a non-invasive method, is increasingly being used due to its rapidity and high sensitivity in detecting larger and deep-seated organisms inaccessible by routine scraping, such as filamentous fungus, Acanthamoeba, and Nocardia [36][37][38][39][40] [Fig. 1]. ...
... Several new pathogenic fungi causing keratitis, with varying or suboptimal susceptibility to antifungal therapy, are emerging [ Table 2]. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52] Knowledge of the sensitivity profile of antifungals by antifungal susceptibility test (AFST) against various species helps in initiating appropriate treatment and improving the outcome. A recent study from South America reported A. fumigatus isolate from post-traumatic keratitis in a 27-year-old male worker carrying the substitution G54E at Cyp51Ap associated with itraconazole resistance, highlighting the possibility of mutation-induced resistance to common antifungal therapy. ...
Infectious keratitis is a medical emergency resulting in significant visual morbidity. Indiscriminate use of antimicrobials leading to the emergence of resistant or refractory microorganisms has further worsened the prognosis. Coexisting ocular surface diseases, delay in diagnosis due to inadequate microbiological sample, a slow-growing/virulent organism, or systemic immunosuppressive state all contribute to the refractory response of the ulcer. With improved understanding of these varied ocular and systemic factors contributing to the refractory nature of the microbes, role of biofilm formation and recent research on improving the bioavailability of drugs along with the development of alternative therapies have helped provide the required multidimensional approach to effectively diagnose and manage cases of refractory corneal ulcers and prevent corneal perforations or further dissemination of disease. In this review, we explore the current literature and future directions of the diagnosis and treatment of refractory keratitis.
... The prevalence of Fusarium infections is suspected to be higher in tropical areas as compared to the rest of the world [5,9,10]. Here, we present a Case series of burn victims who were diagnosed with Fusarium dimerum infections in the past 6 months. ...
Introduction
Fusarium dimerum is a filamentous mold associated with poor outcomes in immunocompromised hosts and burn victims. It can be acquired via inhalation or through skin dehiscence.
Methods
Our work presents a Case series of 8 patients from ages 3–57 years who were admitted with multiple burn wounds over the past 6 months. After initial stabilization measures, they all underwent debridement for the lesions after negative initial fungal cultures. The 44-year-old male was the first patient to develop punched-out eruptions on burn areas 7 days after admission; all the other patients experienced similar lesions during the next 6 days. Tissue cultures of the lesions exhibited Fusarium dimerum growth. The patients were managed accordingly with amphotericin B or voriconazoles. All the patients recovered except the 11-year-old boy, who expired on day 9 due to ARDS and sepsis complications.
Outcomes
Infection with Fusarium dimerum carries a high risk of dissemination in burn infections. Hence, appropriate screening should be carried out via histologic and mycologic diagnostics early in the disease course.
Conclusion
Considering the sparse literature that is available regarding Fusarium infection in burn victims, this study aims to improve the knowledge surrounding different facets of this disease including its epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and the need to maintain high suspicion of this fungal disease in burn patients.
... The incidence of human fusariosis has increased during the last few decades, concomitant with wider use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, aggressive cytotoxic medication, and prolonged courses of steroids and other types of immunosuppressive agents [1]. The most common route of infection with Fusarium species in otherwise healthy individuals is by traumatic inoculation via contaminated plant materials, affecting agriculture workers in particular [11]. Immunocompromised hosts are mostly infected by inhalation, either from the environment or nosocomially via air-conditioning systems or aerosols [1,12,13]. ...
Introduction: Disseminated fusariosis is a serious fungal infection with a high mortality rate among immunocompromised hosts. Infection is considered high, partly as a consequence of routine antifungal prophylaxis against Candida and Aspergillus infections in high risk patients. Management of fusariosis is challenging due to intrinsic resistance to most currently available antifungal agents. The new classes of antifungals that are in the pipeline may help to enhance favourable outcome of disseminated fusariosis. Clinical trials and animal model studies are required to achieve optimal management of fusariosis.
Areas covered: This review highlights the available and novel antifungal agents for management of human fusariosis. In addition, the importance of surgical debridement and reversal of immunosuppression in patients with invasive fusariosis is discussed. In this paper, we examine the following databases; medline, pubmed and Google scholar for the following key terms “fuseriosis”, “disseminated fusariosis”, invasive fusariosis” and “Fusarium”.
Expert opinion: Currently, voriconazole or liposomal amphotericin B is the recommended approach for treating invasive fusariosis. Posaconazol is used for salvage therapy. Combination therapy may be used in refractory or severe cases as empiric therapy awaiting results of susceptibility testing. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is usually used in patients with profound and prolonged neutropenia. Immunosuppressive agents should be reduced when possible. Primary triazole antifungal prophylaxis may be considered for high risk patients, while secondary prophylaxis is recommended in patients with a previous history of invasive fusariosis requiring immunosuppression.
... DNA was extracted following the cetrimonium bromide protocol [25]. DNA quality and quantity were verified using a NanoDrop 2000 spectrophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wilmington, DE, USA). ...
The arthroconidial yeasts Magnusiomyces capitatus and M. clavatus are emerging opportunistic pulmonary pathogens. They are closely related and difficult to distinguish based on morphological and physiological traits. We applied an SYBR® green-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to identify the species. We analyzed 30 reference strains originating from clinical and environmental sources by targeting the Rpb2 gene encoding the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. The qPCR assays were tested by direct identification of M. capitatus and M. clavatus in spiked sputum and household dishwasher swabs, respectively, as models for clinical and environmental samples. The assays were proved to be reliable for species-level identification of both species, with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, lowest inter-assay deviations (RSDr ≤ 1.65%, R² values >0.99), detection limit of 10 theoretical copy number of target DNA, and detection cell limit of ≥5000 yeast cells from spiked sputum samples. The developed qPCR assay is a practical molecular approach for the detection of M. capitatus and M. clavatus that can be used as a stand-alone assay or in conjunction with culture-dependent approaches.
... The genus Fusarium is a large taxonomically complex genus comprising more than 200 species [1]. Most Fusarium species are species complexes that appear morphologically similar but are genetically closely related and form species complexes, such as the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) and the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC). ...
... Maximum likelihood tree of 77 isolates of F. solani species complex (FSSC) isolated from mangrove soil samples and strains from Genbank based on combined sequences of ITS and TEF-α using Kimura 2+ I parameter method. FSSC isolates are grouped in seven clades(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). ...
Fusarium genus comprises important saprophytic and phytopathogenic fungi and is widespread in nature. The present study reports the occurrence of Fusarium spp. in soils from two mangrove forests in northern Peninsular Malaysia and analyzed physico-chemical properties of the mangrove soil. Based on TEF-1α sequences, nine Fusarium species were identified: Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) (n = 77), Fusarium verticillioides (n = 20), Fusarium incarnatum (n = 10), Fusarium proliferatum (n = 7), Fusarium lateritium (n = 4), Fusarium oxysporum (n = 3), Fusarium rigidiuscula (n = 2), Fusarium chlamydosporum (n = 1), and Fusarium camptoceras (n = 1); FSSC isolates were the most prevalent. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined TEF-1α and ITS sequences revealed diverse phylogenetic affinities among the FSSC isolates and potentially new phylogenetic clades of FSSC. Soil analysis showed varied carbon content, pH, soil moisture, and salinity, but not nitrogen content, between sampling locations. Regardless of the physico-chemical properties, various Fusarium species were recovered from the mangrove soils. These were likely saprophytes; however, some were well-known plant pathogens and opportunistic human pathogens. Thus, mangrove soils might serve as inoculum sources for plant and human pathogenic Fusarium species. The present study demonstrates the occurrence of various Fusarium species in the extreme environment of mangrove soil, thereby contributing to the knowledge on species diversity in Fusarium.
... [11][12][13] Similarly, F. pisi, F. temperatum, F. ramigenum, F. musae, Fusarium solani sensu stricto, and F. volatile have been recovered from living plants, while also their clinical relevance has been underlined. 14,[19][20][21] Crosskingdom pathogenicity is in obvious conflict with plant host specificity. In F. oxysporum, small conditionally dispensable chromosomes carrying virulence factors, which are horizontally transmitted between germinating cells of different lineages in response to signals from a suitable habitat and which differentiate into infection hyphae, 22,23 may explain the sudden outbreaks observed in agricultural settings. ...
... 11,29,30 In otherwise healthy individuals, fusariosis generally remains a superficial infection; 31 the fungi are quite commonly isolated from dermatological samples in the tropics. 32 Fusarium keratitis, mostly initiated by traumatic inoculation of contaminated materials such as plant leaves, 19 is a major public health concern with an estimated global burden of about 1-1.2 million cases annually. 33 ...
The fungal genus Fusarium contains numerous plant pathogens causing considerable economic losses. In addition, Fusarium species are emerging as opportunistic human pathogens causing both superficial and systemic infections. Appropriate treatment of Fusarium infections in a clinical setting of neutropenia is currently not available. ESCMID and ECMM joint guidelines, following the majority of published studies, suggest early therapy with amphotericin B and voriconazole, in conjunction with surgical debridement and reversal of immunosuppression. In this review, we elaborate on the trans-kingdom pathogenicity of Fusarium. Intrinsic resistance to several antifungal drugs and the evolution of antifungal resistance over the years are highlighted. Recent studies present novel compounds that are effective against some pathogenic fungi including Fusarium. We discuss the robust and dynamic antifungal pipeline, including results from clinical trials as well as preclinical data that might appear beneficial for patients with invasive fusariosis.
... In vitro studies have shown lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for amphotericin B, nystatin, ketoconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole for the Fusarium strains [11]. Most Fusarium species exhibit high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to currently used antifungals, especially azoles [12]. Fusarium species are intrinsically resistant to azole antifungals [13]. ...
... DNA extraction was performed as previously described by Dallé da Rosa et al. [18]. Fragments of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α) gene were amplified and sequenced using PCR protocols following the methods published by Al-Hatmi et al. [12]. Amplicons were purified from residual primers and dNTPs enzymatically with ExoSAP-IT (USB, Cleveland, OH, USA) and incubated at 37 °C for 30 min and at 80 °C for 15 min. ...
Introduction. The remarkable intrinsic resistance of Fusarium species to most antifungal agents results in high mortality rates in the immunocompromised population.Aims. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology, clinical features and antifungal susceptibility of Fusarium isolates in patients with invasive fusariosis.Methodology. A total of 27 patients admitted to a referral hospital from January 2008 to June 2017 were evaluated. Antifungal susceptibility testing of isolates was performed by broth microdilution according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.Results. Haematological malignancy was the predominant underlying condition, with an incidence of invasive fusariosis of 14.8 cases per 1000 patients with acute lymphoid leukaemia and 13.1 cases per 1000 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. The Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) was the most frequent agent group, followed by the Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC). Voriconazole showed the best activity against Fusarium, followed by amphotericin B. Itraconazole showed high minimum inhibitory concentration values, indicating in vitro resistance. Clinical FSSC isolates were significantly (P<0.05) more resistant to amphotericin B and voriconazole than FOSC isolates.Conclusion. The present antifungal susceptibility profiles indicate a high incidence of fusariosis in patients with haematological malignancy. Species- and strain-specific differences in antifungal susceptibility exist within Fusarium in this setting.
... Fragments of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α) gene were amplified and sequenced using PCR protocols following the methods published by Al-Hatmi et al. (2014) with primers EF1 (5 -ATGGGTAAGGA(A/G)GACAAGAC-3 ) and EF2 (5 -GGA(G/A)GTACCAGT(G/C)ATCATGTT-3 ) (O'Donnell et al., 1998). Sequencing reaction mixtures contained 1 ng/µL of template DNA, 1 pmol/µL, 0.7 µL of BigDye TM terminator (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, United States), 3 µL buffer and ultra-pure water to 10 µL final volume. ...
Fusarium is widely distributed in the environment and is involved with plant and animal diseases. In humans, several species and species complexes (SC) are related to fusariosis, i.e. F. solani SC, F. oxysporum SC, F. fujikuroi SC, F. dimerum, F. chlamydosporum, F. incarnatum-equiseti and F. sporotrichoides. We aimed to investigate the susceptibility of Fusarium clinical isolates to antifungals and azole fungicides and identify the species. Forty-three clinical Fusarium isolates were identified by sequencing translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α) gene. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed to the antifungals amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and isavuconazole, and the azole fungicides difeconazole, tebuconazole and propiconazole. The isolates were recovered from patients with median age of 36 years (range 2–78 years) of which 21 were female. Disseminated fusariosis was the most frequent clinical form (n=16, 37.2%) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=7; 16.3%) was the most commonly underlying condition. A few species described in Fusarium solani SC have recently been renamed in the genus Neocosmospora, but consistent naming is yet not possible. Fusarium keratoplasticum FSSC 2, (n=12) was the prevalent species, followed by F. petroliphilum FSSC 1 (n=10), N. gamsii FSSC 7 (n=5), N. suttoniana FSSC 20 (n=3), F. solani sensu stricto FSSC 5 (n=2), Fusarium sp. FSSC 25 (n=2), Fusarium sp. FSSC 35 (n=1), Fusarium sp. FSSC18 (n=1), F. falciforme FSSC 3+4 (n=1), F. pseudensiforme (n=1), and F. solani f. xanthoxyli (n=1). Amphotericin B had activity against most isolates although MICs ranged from 0.5–32 µg mL-1. Fusarium keratoplasticum showed high MIC values (8–>32 µg mL-1) for itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and isavuconazole. Among agricultural fungicides, difeconazole had the lowest activity against FSSC with MICs of >32 µg mL-1 for all isolates.
... Increased logging resulted in increased sporulation and possible host jumps from plants to animals, and could have contributed to the epidemic among humans in the area. Another example involves direct transmission of members of the fungal genus Fusarium from infected plants to human eyes, causing infections in immunocompromised patients and even in some healthy people (Al-Hatmi et al., 2014;Bansal et al., 2016). Fusarium species are commonly seen as saprobes in soil, but are also frequently found as endophytes and plant pathogens in agricultural crops. ...
The One Health concept proposes that there is a connection between human, animal and environmental health. Plants and their health are not explicitly included. In this review, we broaden the One Health concept to include soil, plant, animal and ecosystem health. We argue that the health conditions of all organisms in an ecosystem are interconnected through the cycling of subsets of microbial communities from the environment (in particular the soil) to plants, animals and humans, and back into the environment. After an introduction on health concepts, we present examples of community stability and resilience, diversity and interconnectedness as affected by pollutants, and integrity of nutrient cycles and energy flows. Next, we explain our concept of microbial cycling in relation to ecosystem health, and end with examples of plant and animal disease outbreaks in relation to microbial community composition and diversity. We conclude that we need a better understanding of the role of interconnected microbiomes in promoting plant and animal health and possible ways to stimulate a healthy, diverse microbiome throughout human-dominated ecosystems. We suggest that it is essential to maintain ecosystem and soil health through diversification of plant communities and oligotrophication of managed ecosystems.
