Acremonium Kiliense Research Articles

Filamentous fungi associated with mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) in municipalities of the Brazilian Amazon

Several species of the family Culicidae are important vectors of diseases in humans and other animals. Immature stages are filter-feeders of organic particulate matter and microorganisms. Studies on microbial diversity can contribute to the discovery of new substances that can be used in the pharmaceutical industry for food or for biological control. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the fungi associated with Culicidae larvae found in different habitats (natural and artificial), such as fruit shells, rock holes, lakes, aquatic plants, palm bracts and ceramic pots, in several municipalities of Brazilian Amazonia, especially in the states of Amazonas and Rondônia. A total of 38 fungal lineages were isolated from larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.), Aedes fluviatilis (Lutz), Trichoprosopon digitatum (Rondani), Anopheles argyritarsis argyritarsis Robineau-Desvoidy, Anopheles darlingi Root, Aedeomyia squamipennis (Lynch Arribálzaga), Mansonia titillans (Walker) and Uranotaenia sp. The following fungi occurred associated with the larvae of Culicidae: Acremonium kiliense, Aspergillus sydowii, Fusarium sacchari var. sacchari, Fusarium merismoides var. merismoides, Gliocladium viride, Paecilomyces sp., Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium sclerotiorum, Penicillium melinii and Penicillium oxalicum. Macro- and microscopic characteristics of the lineages are presented, as well as information on their geographical distribution.

Studies on the Decolorization of Malachite Green by the Local Isolate Acremonium kiliense

Studies on the Decolorization of Malachite Green by the Local Isolate Acremonium kiliense

Endophytic fungi occurring in fennel, lettuce, chicory, and celery — commercial crops in southern Italy

The occurrence of endophytic fungi in fennel, lettuce, chicory, and celery crops was investigated in southern Italy. A total of 186 symptomless plants was randomly collected and sampled at the stage of commercial ripeness. Fungal species of Acremonium, Alternaria, Fusarium, and Plectosporium were detected in all four crops; Plectosporium tabacinum was the most common in all crop species and surveyed sites. The effect of eight endophytic isolates (five belonging to Plectosporium tabacinum and three to three species of Acremonium) inoculated on lettuce plants grown in gnotobiosis was assessed by recording plant height, root length and dry weight, collar diameter, root necrosis, and leaf yellowing. P. tabacinum and three species of Acremonium, inoculated on gnotobiotically grown lettuce plants, showed pathogenic activity that varied with the fungal isolate. Lettuce plants inoculated with the isolates Ak of Acremonium kiliense, Ac of Acremonium cucurbitacearum, and P35 of P. tabacinum showed an increased root growth, compared to the non-inoculated control. The high frequency of P. tabacinum isolation recorded in lettuce plants collected in Bari and Metaponto, and in fennel plants from Foggia agricultural districts, suggests a relationship not only between a crop species and P. tabacinum, but also between the occurrence of the endophyte and the crop rotation history of the soil.

Susceptibility of the ant-cultivated fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Agaricales: Basidiomycota) towards microfungi

The aim of this study was to select virulent strains of microfungi against Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, a symbiotic fungus cultivated by leaf-cutting ants. The results from in vitro assays showed that microfungal strains had a variable and significant impact on the colony development of L. gongylophorus. Specifically, Trichoderma harzianum, Escovopsis weberi CBS 810.71 and E. weberi A088 were more effective, inhibiting the L. gongylophorus colonies by 75, 68 and 67%, respectively (P < 0.05) after 15 days. Strain E. weberi A086 and Acremonium kiliense were less effective: 43 and 26%, respectively (P < 0.05). In spite of the current negative perspective of a microbiological control approach for these ants, the present work discusses the possibility of using mycopathogenic fungi for the control of these insects, and points out the importance of encouraging more studies in this area.

Acremonium kiliense infection in a child with chronic granulomatous disease

Infection by unusual microorganisms can be one of the clinical manifestations of primary immunodeficiency (PID). We report on a four-month-old child with pneumonia caused by the fungus Acremonium kiliense as the first clinical manifestation of chronic granulomatous disease. We emphasize the importance of an active search for unusual organisms in immunodeficient patients, and a precise diagnosis and early institution of specific treatment against such microorganisms for the reduction of the morbidity and mortality of these patients.

Variability of non-mutualistic filamentous fungi associated withAtta sexdens rubropilosa nests

A survey of the filamentous fungi other than the symbiotic one found in association with Atta sexdens rubropilosa colonies was carried out. Different fungal species (27 taxa) were isolated a few days after treating the workers with toxic baits (sulfluramid; Mirex-S), from 40 laboratory and 20 field nests. Syncephalastrum racemosum (54%) and Escovopsis weberi (21%), Trichoderma harzianum (38%) and Fusarium oxysporum (23%) were the prevalent species in laboratory and field nests, respectively. Acremonium kiliense, Acremonium strictum, E. weberi, F. oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Moniliella suaveolens and T. harzianum were found in both nests' groups. We revealed that many filamentous fungi can co-exist in a dormant state inside the nests of these insects and some of them appear to be tightly associated with this environment.

Microfungi in cultivated fields in Eskişehir provience (Turkey)

The soil microfungi flora was investigated in four locations of Eskişehir (Turkey). 56 soil samples were seasonaly collected from 14 stations in the areas of Karacahöyük, Bahçecik, OGU I, and OGU II. A total of 110 species belonging to 32 genera were encountered including Absidia, Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Beauveria, Botryoderma, Chaetomium, Chrysosporium, Cladosporium, Eupenicillium, Eurotium, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Gliocladium, Gonytrichum, Metarrhizium, Mucor, Myrothecium, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Phoma, Plectosphaerella, Rhizoctania, Rhizopus, Scopulariopsis, Septonema, Stachybotrys, Trichocladium, Trichoderma, Ulocladium, Verticillium, and Wardomyces. Twenty five species were more frequent (all locations) while twenty seven species were rare (only one sample). Mainly, Acremonium kiliense, Aspergillus ochraceus, A. terricola var. americanus, A. versicolor, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Gliocladium roseum, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. corylophum, P. expansum, P. griseofulvum, P. implicatum, P. restrictum, and Stachybotrys chartarum were the most common and abundant microfungi in all locations. Five species Aspergillus subsessilis, A. terreus var. africanus, Eupenicillium egyptiacum, Paecilomyces ramosus, and Penicillium novae-zeelandiae are likely to be newly recorded for Turkey. The microfungi number in Eskişehir soils was between 25,000-234,000 CFU/g (mean value at 126,375 CFU/g).

TMC‐260, a New Inhibitor of IL‐4 Signal Transduction Produced by Acremonium kiliense Gruetz TC 1703.

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

TMC-260, a new inhibitor of IL-4 signal transduction produced by Acremonium kiliense Grütz TC 1703.

TMC-260, a new inhibitor of IL-4 signal transduction produced by Acremonium kiliense Grütz TC 1703.

Case Report. Multiple etiology post‐surgery endophthalmitis

The case describes a septic endophthalmitis arisen in a convalescence period following surgery of cataract extraction. The infection was due to Staphylococcus aureus and three fungal components, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Acremonium kiliense, which were subsequently isolated. A careful and prompt laboratory investigation allowed the clinicians to adjust the antimycotic therapy and attain an excellent clinical result.

IgE‐mediated anaphylaxis to antacid

. A 22-year-old male driver presented a history of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. After a meal, he took one tablet of Gaviscon (Ferring, MalmoE, Sweden) antacid. Two hours later, his face became erythematous and his eyes red and wet. He started to cough and his breathing became dif®cult. He went to an emergency clinic, where he was diagnosed as having anaphylaxis and subsequently treated. In prick tests, weak allergic reactions (3 mm) were seen to timothy, meadow fescue, dog, garlic, agar-agar (seaweed product), and molds (Acremonium kiliense, Aspergillus versicolor, Cladosporium cladosporoidies, Fusarium culmorum, and Phoma herbarum). Prick-prick tests with the antacid tablet gave a 20-mm reaction, but alginic acid was negative. Skin tests repeated 3 months later with the same batch and two different batches obtained from the manufacturer gave 7±8-mm positive reactions. Other antacids, also all chewable tablets, gave allergic prick reactions: Novaluzid mint (3 mm; AstraZeneca), Rennie (3 mm; Roche), Link (16 mm; Alpharma), Balancid Novum (3 mm; AstraZeneca), and Topalkan (18 mm; Pierre Fabre Medicament). None of the controls had positive reactions to the antacids tested. The immunospot method was used to detect serum IgE antibodies to the Gaviscon antacid tablet (2). For this, extracts were made from three batches of the preparation (see above), other antacids, and alginic acid, and 27 skin prick tests and other allergen preparations were done. The fruit avors in the Gaviscon tablet were not available. A serum from a nonatopic subject and three serum pools from atopic patients were used as controls. Distinct binding of IgE to all three batches of the Gaviscon preparation was demonstrated from the patient's serum. Binding was also detected to seaweed extract, but not to other materials tested. No distinct binding was demonstrated from the control sera. Only a faint binding to the tablet extract was demonstrated from the pooled serum from mold-allergic patients. Gaviscon is a chewable antacid taken for gastritis and esophagitis. According to the manufacturer, one tablet contains alginic acid (USP, 350 mg), aluminum hydroxide dried gel (USP 100 mg), sodium hydrogen carbonate (Ph Eur, 120 mg), mannitol, saccharin sodium, polyvidone, talc, magnesium stearate, and the avors lemon, raspberry, and vanilla. Pulmonary hypersensitivity and precipitating antibodies to seaweed have been reported in the alginate industry (4). Alginic acid was negative in our testing. Other seaweed products commonly used are agar-agar and carrageenan, produced from different red seaweeds (Rhodophyceae). Indeed, skin tests and IgE tests were positive with agar-agar and seaweed extract. A possible contamination of alginic acid with seaweed ingredients cannot be excluded. Our patient's sera showed strong IgE binding to seaweed in immunospot, as well as to the Gaviscon tablet itself. One possibility is that our patient was allergic to the arti®cial fruit avorings used in antacids. These, however, were not available for testing. Interestingly, our patient reacted to other antacid tablets in prick tests, too. However, con®rmation of IgE-mediated mechanism by in vitro binding studies was achieved only with chewable Gaviscon, not with other antacids. The patient stated that he had been able to take the other antacids he had tried (Link and Novaluzid Mint) without any symptoms, even after his initial anaphylactic reaction. It is known that skin tests may be positive also via non-IgE-mediated mechanisms, and nonspeci®c histamine release cannot be excluded. After he stopped taking the Gaviscon antacid tablets, his skin prick test response fell from 20 mm to 7 mm, and the patient has been symptomless for over 20 months.

Role of fluconazole in the long-term suppressive therapy of fungal infections in patients with artificial implants.

With the increased use of artificial implants the management of related infections has become an important challenge. Normally an infected implant would be removed. In many cases this might be contraindicated and drug treatment remains as the only alternative. As microbiological eradication is often impossible, especially in fungal infections at artificial implants (FIAI) long-term suppressive therapy might be required. The objective of this study was to determine the therapeutic value of fluconazole (F) in the management of FIAI. Clinical data of 56 patients (pts) with proven or suspected fungal infections and artificial implants (FIAI) subsequently treated with F were analyzed retrospectively. FIAI caused by species with intrinsic resistance to F have been excluded from the study. The following implants were involved: prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) 25 pts (44.6%), intraocular lenses (IL) 9 pts (16.1%), ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) 6 pts (10.7%), knee prostheses (KP) 5 pts (8.9%), biliary stents (BS) 4 pts (7.1 %), venous access devices (VAS) 3 pts (5.4%), urinary stents (US) 2 pts (3.6%), breast implant and pacemaker 1 patient (1.8%) each. Underlying diseases were valve insufficiency (in PVE), cataract surgery (in IL), prematurity in newborns (in VPS), arthrosis (in KP), biliary obstruction (in BS), cystic fibrosis (in VAS), and obstructive renal calculi (in US). Candida species (C. spp.) were the most frequently detected causative agents with C. parapsilosis as the leading cause (n = 19; 33.9%). Furthermore C. albicans (n = 15; 26.8%), C. spp. and fungi not further specified (n = 8; 14.3%), C. tropicalis (n = 3; 5.4%), C. glabrata (n = 3; 5.4%), and C. lusitaniae (n = 1; 1.8%) were identified. Acremonium kiliense has been detected in 4 pts (7.1%), Cryptococcus neoformans in 2 pts (3.6 %). Histoplasma capsulatum was identified in 1 patient (1.8%). The maximum duration of treatment with F was lifelong with a maximum recorded duration of 4,5 years. The maximum dosage used was 750 mg/d or 50 mg/kg BW in premature infants. No major adverse events were observed. In conclusion, especially the excellent safety profile as well as the documented therapeutic experience justify the use of F as long-term suppressive therapy in FIAI. Higher dosages and even life-long treatment may be needed.

Delayed-onset fungal keratitis after endophthalmitis

This study aimed to present two patients with delayed-onset, endogenous fungal keratitis after treatment for fungal endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of two patients in whom deep stromal fungal keratitis developed 2 weeks and 3 months, respectively, after apparent successful aggressive therapy for fungal endophthalmitis. Before the onset of the keratitis, both patients underwent vitrectomies with intraocular injection of 7.5 to 10.0 mcg amphotericin B, as well as treatment with systemic fluconazole and topical antifungal therapy. In case 1, a pre-existing prosthetic intraocular lens and lens capsular bag were removed at the time of vitrectomy, whereas in case 2, the intraocular lens was left in place and a posterior capsulectomy was performed. The keratitis worsened in both patients, despite intensive systemic and topical antifungal therapy. Both patients underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasties. In case 1, this resulted in successful resolution of the infection and no recurrences 3 months after the transplant. The corneal transplant was complicated by an expulsive choroidal hemorrhage in the other patient. Fusarium solani was cultured from the initial vitrectomy specimen in patient 1, and although it was not cultured from the keratitis, septate hyphal elements were present on histopathologic examination. The causative organism in case 2 was Acremonium kiliense, which was cultured from both the original vitrectomy specimen and the deep corneal stromal infiltrate. Fungal organisms may not be eradicated completely from eyes with endophthalmitis despite aggressive therapy and apparent initial successful treatment. These patients need to be monitored for prolonged periods, and treatment should be reinitiated at the earliest sign of recrudescence of infection.

Acremonium kiliense endophthalmitis that occurred after cataract extraction in an ambulatory surgical center and was traced to an environmental reservoir.

During October and November 1993, four patients contracted Acremonium kiliense endophthalmitis at one ambulatory surgical center. We hypothesized that the source was environmental and conducted a matched case-control study, environmental evaluation, and observational studies. Case and control patients were similar in clinical characteristics. However, case patients all had surgery on the first operative day of the week or had surgery significantly sooner after the operating room opened than did controls (a median of 46 vs. 150 minutes afterward; P = .03). An environmental review revealed the ventilation system was switched on 5-30 minutes before procedures began on the first operative day of the week, and air was filtered before but not after humidification. Cultures of the humidifier water in the ventilation system yielded A. kiliense phenotypically identical to isolates from case patients. Our data suggest that switching on the ventilation system each week aerosolized a reservoir of A. kiliense and caused infection of patients. We believe this is the first reported outbreak of fungal endophthalmitis traced to an environmental source, and it underscores the importance of utilizing established hospital infection control practices in the outpatient setting.

Treatment of eumycetoma with ketoconazole.

Ten patients with eumycetoma were treated with oral ketoconazole in the dosage of 400mg/day for 8 to 24 months. In eight cases the foot was affected: four were due to Madurella mycetomatis and one each due to M grisea, Pyrenochaeta romeroi, Acremonium kiliense and A falciorme. One mycetoma which affected the back and perineum was due to A kiliense, and one case presented with multiple sebaceous cysts and the scalp and M mycetomatis was isolated from the lesion. Clinical and laboratory tests showed excellent tolerance to the drug, with no adverse reactions. Complete cure was obtained in six patients and two showed good responses. The cured patients were followed up for a period ranging from three months to two years without any evidence of recurrence.

Acretnonium kiliense in oesophagus stenosis

The aetiological significance of Acremonium kiliense is demonstrated for the first time in a human gastrointestinal infection. The mycotic oesophagitis with gastro-oesophageal reflux is described. The situation was treated effectively with itraconazole and anti-reflux surgery.

Keratinophilic fungi on sheep hairs from the West Bank of Jordan.

The mycoflora of the hair in 285 sheep from the West Bank of Jordan was analysed and the frequency of occurrence and the relative importance value for different fungal species found were calculated. Ninety six species which belong to 36 genera were isolated. Forty one of these species were either well-known agents of animal and human mycoses (Trichophyton verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum nanum, M. canis, and others), or have been isolated from human and animal lesions (Arthroderma cuniculi, A. curreyi, Chrysosporium tropicum, Acremonium kiliense, Aphanoascus fulvuscens, Aspergillus versicolor, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, and others). These pathogenic fungi comprised 75.4% of all fungi recovered from the hair of sheep. This animal seems to represent an adequate reservoir for several dermatophytes and several potentially pathogenic fungi.

Keratinophilic fungi on the hair of goats from the West Bank of Jordan.

The mycoflora of the hair in 178 goats from the West Bank of Jordan was analysed and the frequency of occurrence and the relative importance value for the different keratinophilic fungi found were calculated. One hundred and seven species which belong to 38 genera were isolated. Thirty six of these species were either well recognised agents of mycoses (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum, and M. nanum), or have been frequently isolated from human and animal lesions (Arthroderma spp., Acremonium kiliense, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium carionii, and several other species). These potentially pathogenic fungal species comprised 66.9% of all keratinophilic fungi found on the hair of goats. The role of this animal as a reservoir for dermatophytes and other potentially pathogenic fungi is discussed.

Acremonium kiliense Osteomyelitis of the Calvarium

A 35-year-old man with osteomyelitis of the calvarium, from which Acremonium kiliense was consistently isolated, was successfully treated with amphotericin-B and ketoconazole in addition to craniectomy. Subsequent acrylic cranioplasty produced a good cosmetic result.

Acremonium kiliense Osteomyelitis of the Calvarium

Abstract A 35-year-old man with osteomyelitis of the calvarium, from which Acremonium kiliense was consistently isolated, was successfully treated with amphotericin-B and ketoconazole in addition to craniectomy. Subsequent acrylic cranioplasty produced a good cosmetic result.