Common Fungi Research Articles

The Diagnostic Values of Peptidoglycan, Lipopolysaccharide, and (1,3)-Beta-D-Glucan in Patients with Suspected Bloodstream Infection: A Single Center, Prospective Study.

This study aimed to assess the diagnostic values of peptidoglycan (PGN), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and (1,3)-Beta-D-Glucan (BDG) in patients with suspected bloodstream infection. We collected 493 heparin anticoagulant samples from patients undergoing blood culture in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from November 2020 to March 2021. The PGN, LPS, and BDG in the plasma were detected using an automatic enzyme labeling analyzer, GLP-F300. The diagnostic efficacy for PGN, LPS, and BDG were assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). This study validated that not only common bacteria and fungi, but also some rare bacteria and fungi, could be detected by testing the PGN, LPS, and BDG, in the plasma. The sensitivity, specificity, and total coincidence rate were 83.3%, 95.6%, and 94.5% for PGN; 77.9%, 95.1%, and 92.1% for LPS; and 83.8%, 96.9%, and 95.9% for BDG, respectively, which were consistent with the clinical diagnosis. The positive rates for PGN, LPS, and BDG and the multi-marker detection approach for PGN, LPS, and BDG individually were 11.16%, 17.65%, and 9.13%, and 32.86% significantly higher than that of the blood culture (p < 0.05). The AUC values for PGN, LPS, and BDG were 0.881 (0.814–0.948), 0.871 (0.816–0.925), and 0.897 (0.825–0.969), separately, which were higher than that of C-reactive protein (0.594 [0.530–0.659]) and procalcitonin (0.648 [0.587–0.708]). Plasma PGN, LPS, and BDG performs well in the early diagnosis of bloodstream infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial and fungal pathogens.

The mitochondrial genome of a wild edible mushroom, Russula rosea

Russula rosea is a common wild edible ectomycorrhizal fungus, which is widely distributed all over the world. We assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of R. rosea with the total length was 54177 bp and the GC content of 22.34%. It contains a total of 57 genes, including 14 standard protein-coding genes, one conserved ribosomal protein S3 gene (rps3), two rRNA genes, 24 tRNA genes, 15 free-standing open reading frames (ORFs) and one DNA polymerase gene (dpo). Mitochondrial genome found a close evolutionary relationship between Russula rosea and Russula lepida, which was helpful to study the genetic evolutionary relationship of edible fungi.

Pathogenesis and predisposing factors in drug-induced aseptic meningitis: A case study

Aseptic meningitis is the inflammation of the meningeal membranes in the absence of an identifiable pathogen. While viruses are the most common culprit, bacteria, fungi, rheumatological conditions, and neoplastic processes are also known causes. It is also an uncommon, yet increasingly reported, adverse effect of certain drugs. Due to its recurrent nature, association with a specific medication, and resolution upon drug withdrawal, DIAM is an important diagnosis of exclusion in prevention and management.

Cytospora friesii and Sydowia polyspora are associated with the sudden dieback of Abies concolor in Southern Europe

Abies concolor was introduced to Europe in the 19&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; century and commonly planted as an ornamental tree. In 2018, after several very warm and dry vegetation seasons, which has likely caused abiotic stress in the trees, a sudden dieback of A. concolor was observed in the city of Aranđelovac in Serbia. The external symptoms were the rapid discoloration of needles in a larger part of the crown and eventually the dieback of the trees. The aim of this study was to identify the possible agents of damage by analysing the fungal communities associated with symptomatic needles using high-throughput sequencing as no symptoms of damage were seen on the branches or stems. Symptomatic needles were collected from the lower branches of five standing trees. Half of the needles were surface sterilised and the remaining were left unsterilised. DNA was extracted, amplified using ITS2 rDNA as a marker and sequenced. Quality filtering showed the presence of 6 191 high quality reads, which, following a clustering analysis, was found to represent 79 non-singletons fungal taxa. The most common fungi in both surface sterilised and unsterilised needles were the pathogens Cytospora friesii (59.7%) and Sydowia polyspora (20.6%). The results demonstrated that C. friesii and S. polyspora can cause a rapid decline of A. concolor trees subjected to abiotic stress.

Genetic Structure and Triazole Antifungal Susceptibilities of Alternaria alternata from Greenhouses in Kunming, China.

ABSTRACTAlternaria alternata is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen and a ubiquitous phytopathogen capable of causing diseases to >100 agricultural crops and ornamental plants. To control plant diseases caused by A. alternata, triazole fungicides have been widely used both in open crop and vegetable fields and in indoor growth facilities such as greenhouses. At present, the effect of fungicide use on triazole resistance development in A. alternata populations is not known. Here, we isolated 237 A. alternata strains from nine greenhouses around metropolitan Kunming in Yunnan, southwest China, determined their genotypes using 10 short tandem repeat markers, and quantified their susceptibility to four triazoles (difenoconazole, tebuconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole). Abundant allelic and genotypic diversities were detected among these A. alternata strains. Significantly, over 17% of the strains were resistant to difenoconazole, and both known and new drug-resistance mutations were found in the triazole target gene cyp51. Our findings of high-level genetic variation of A. alternata in greenhouses coupled with high-frequency fungicide resistance call for greater attention to continued monitoring and to developing alternative plant fungal disease management strategies in greenhouses.IMPORTANCE Alternaria alternata is among the most common fungi in our environments, such as indoor facilities, the soil, and outdoor air. It can cause diseases in >100 crop and ornamental plants. Furthermore, it can cause human infections. However, our understanding of its genetic diversity and antifungal susceptibility is very limited. Indeed, the critical threshold values for resistance have not been defined for most antifungal drugs in this species. Greenhouses are known to have heavy applications of agricultural fungicides. In this study, we analyzed strains of A. alternata from nine greenhouses near metropolitan Kunming in southwestern China. Our study revealed very high genetic diversity and identified strains with high MIC values against two agricultural and two medical triazole antifungals within each of the nine greenhouses. Our study calls for greater attention to this emerging threat to food security and human health.

Physiological and transcriptional responses of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophilum to salt stress.

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi improve the host plant's tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Cenococcum geophilum (Cg) is among the most common ECM fungi worldwide and often grows in saline environments. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance in this fungus are largely unknown. In the present study, 12 isolates collected from different ecogeographic regions were used to investigate the mechanism of salt tolerance of Cg. The isolates were classified into four groups (salt-sensitive, moderately salt-tolerant, salt-tolerant, and halophilic) based on their in vitro mycelial growth under 0, 50, 125, 250, and 500mM NaCl concentrations. Hence, the Na, Ca, P, and K concentrations of myceliaand the pH of the culture solution were determined. Compared with salt-tolerant isolates, treatment with 250mM NaCl significantly increased the sodium concentration and decreased the potassium concentration of salt-sensitive isolates. RNA-sequencing and qRT-PCR analysis were conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in transmembrane transport and oxidoreductase activity pathways. The hydrogen peroxide concentration and activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in mycelia were determined, and the accumulation and scavenging of reactive oxygen species in the salt-sensitive isolates were more active than those in the salt-tolerant isolates. The results supply functional validations to RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analysis. This study provides novel insights into the salt-stress response of Cg isolates and provides a foundation for elucidation of the salt-tolerance mechanism of ECM fungi.

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF Impatiens balsamina (L.): LITERATURE REVIEW ARTICLE

The human body contains a diverse range of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. The most common bacteria and fungi caused skin pathogens are Staphylococcus aureus, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermis and Candida albicans. Many studies have found that Impatiens balsamina (L.) contains antibacterial and antifungal activities. Acne and Candidiasis are diseases that often arise and can interfere with comfort for sufferers. Usually, acne is caused by the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus, and Candidiasis caused by the Candida albicans. One of the plants that is widely used as an antiacne and antifungal treatment is the Impatiens balsamina (L.). Impatiens balsamina (L.) has antiacne and antifungal activities. The purpose of the review is to find out if the Impatiens balsamina (L.) has activity as an antiacne, antifungal and can identify secondary metabolites that can inhibit the emergence of bacteria in acne and candidiasis in various journals. The method used is the Literature Review Article (LRA) method. A search through Google Scholar and Pubmed found 12 articles that Impatiens balsamina (L.) contains secondary metabolites, namely flavonoids and saponins. The mechanism of action of flavonoids is by inhibiting the function of cell membranes and energy metabolism of bacteria, while the mechanism of action of saponins as antifungals is by damaging cell membranes, causing cell leakage which ultimately leads to cell death. From the two mechanisms, these secondary metabolites can have antiacne and antifungal activities.

The mysterious mould outbreak - A comprehensive fungal colonisation in a climate-controlled museum repository challenges the environmental guidelines for heritage collections

• The xerophilic Aspergillus halophilicus has colonised a museum repository. • It was climate-controlled; the growth was not detectable with traditional methods. • Fungal growth in museum collections threatens the preservation of cultural heritage. • The massive fungal infestation may cause occupational exposure. • Guidelines for heritage collections do not consider the risk of xerophilic fungi. Within the last decade, fungal colonisations have increased in Danish museum repositories. The growth is unexpected, as many Danish museums strive to comply with the environmental guidelines for heritage collections. When fungal growth develops in heritage collections, it threatens the heritage preservation and occupational health of museum staff. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent. This study characterised a fungal colonisation in a 1450m 2 museum repository, striving to meet the guidelines for heritage collections with relative humidity below 60%. After fungal discovery, the repository was examined twice by an environmental laboratory with morphological identification of fungi and quantification of fungal biomass based on fungal enzyme activity. However, the reports were not sufficient to qualify a recovery process. A research study with a broader approach was conducted to further elucidate the problem. The study included 1) building examination, 2) fungal surface sampling and morphological ID, 3) ID of fungal isolates with DNA sequencing, and 4) activated fungal air sampling and morphological ID. Although the relative humidity was measured to meet the guidelines for heritage collections with no evidence of moisture or microclimate, hyaline and white fungal colonies were distributed on heritage artefacts throughout the repository. There was no growth on interior and building structures. Cultivation of air samples on DG18-agar and V8®agar showed the presence of common indoor fungi, while artefact samples cultivated on the same media showed no growth. In contrast, cultivation of air samples and artefacts samples on the low water activity agar MY50G followed by DNA-sequencing showed high concentrations of the xerophilic fungi A. halophilicus, A. domesticus, A. magnivesiculatus and A. vitricola , belonging to Aspergillus section Restricti . These fungi are characterised by growing at low water activity corresponding to low relative humidity. The museum repository seemed to provide this environment with relative humidity below 60%. The study emphasised that examining the same fungi using different approaches may obtain very different results. Furthermore, the study questioned if the environmental guidelines for heritage collections adequately prevent the risk of xerophilic fungal growth. Xerophilic fungi are not adequately included in the risk assessment underlying the preventive conservation framework. Consequently, the risk is not included in the revised environmental guidelines accepting RH between 40-60% to support more sustainable heritage storage. It has not been studied if the revision would increase the risk of xerophilic fungal growth before it was accepted and implemented. This study indicates that it could be the case. Close collaboration between mycologists and museum professionals may develop more standardised and targeted detection and prevention practices for heritage repositories. The risks of xerophilic fungal growth should be included in the preventive conservation framework ensuring heritage preservation and occupational health of museum staff.

Unveiling the Pathologic Response of Cardiac Fibroblasts During Aspergillus fumigatus Pulmonary Infections

Various adverse cardiovascular events have been associated with lung damage as a result of pathological infections followed by chronic inflammation. In this context, several recent studies report severe cardiovascular complications after pulmonary infection by SARS‐CoV‐2. Therefore, determining the physiological link between abnormal pulmonary and cardiac function is an emerging clinical need in the cardiovascular field. The main limitation of these studies has been the lack of specific genetic tools and mouse models to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the lung‐heart interactions. To induce lung damage we utilized a common airborne environmental fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus (AF), which is an opportunistic pathogen that establishes pathological infection in the lung if the immune system is compromised. However, in immunocompetent animals, transient stress to the lung is still detectable before clearance via immune cells. Our lab has discovered that pulmonary fibroblasts (PFs), typically associated with the maintenance and production of the extracellular matrix, activate in response to inhaled AF spores and modulate the immune response. Moreover, we have also observed activation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) in response to the pulmonary AF infection. Therefore, we hypothesized that pulmonary infection leads to cardiac stress, resulting in the activation and pathological response of CFs, and subsequently result in myocardial remodeling, fibrosis, and disease. To test our hypothesis we used our recently developed and described in vivo cre‐loxP lineage tracing mouse lines to specifically tag and manipulate all activated fibroblast during infection, clearing and reinfection. Our data show that CFs can activate after an acute inhalation of AF spores which are quickly cleared in immunocompetent mice with no pathological lung damage. Moreover, subsequent asymptomatic chronic AF infections result in the accumulation of PF and CF pathologic activation. These results reveal a cellular novel link between pulmonary infection and its impact on cardiovascular events.

Main complementary food ingredients contributing to aflatoxin exposure to infants and young children in Kongwa, Tanzania

Complementary foods (CFs) provided to infants and young children (IYC) in sub-Saharan Africa contain ingredients that are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. Chronic dietary exposure to aflatoxins is associated with health consequences. This study assessed the risk of exposure of IYC (6-12-month-old) in Kongwa, Tanzania to aflatoxins through CFs. The intake of aflatoxin susceptible flours (ingredients) in CFs by 35 IYC was estimated through multiple-pass 24-hr dietary recalls. Samples of the ingredients were tested for aflatoxins using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Exposure of a child to aflatoxins was estimated by a deterministic approach. The contribution of an ingredient to the overall exposure was estimated statistically. The key ingredients of CFs consumed by the IYC were maize, sorghum, pearl millet, rice, and groundnuts (pre-or post-blended with the other ingredients). Cereal and groundnut-based CFs were given as thin or stiff porridge. The average per capita daily intake of CFs was 89.45 g. About 82.14% of the CF ingredients were contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in the range of 0.27–317 μg/kg, with a median of 3.96 μg/kg. AFB1 exposures ranged from 0.33 to 1168 ng/kg bw/day (median of 23.08 ng/kg bw/day). The Margins of Exposure were less than 10,000 for all the IYC, signifying a public health concern. Post-blended groundnut flour, followed by maize, contributed the most to the exposure of IYC to AFB1. Groundnut and maize used as CFs in Kongwa are likely to be the main contributors to the exposure of IYC to AFB1. Caregivers should be advised to replace maize and groundnuts with well-processed less susceptible cereals like pearl millet and other legumes, respectively. • Tanzanian infant and young children (IYC) are at high risk of exposure to aflatoxins. • Aflatoxins are common fungi contaminants in cereal and groundnut-based foods. • Maize and groundnuts contribute the most to aflatoxin exposures of IYC in Tanzania. • Alternative foods may minimize the risk of aflatoxin exposure in Tanzanian IYC.

Trans-cinnamaldehyde inhibits Penicillium italicum by damaging mitochondria and inducing apoptosis mechanisms

Plant-derived essential oils have excellent antifungal effects and can be used for the preservation of fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, but the detailed mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of trans-cinnamaldehyde on Penicillium italicum, a common pollution fungus in citrus, and explored the antifungal mechanism of trans-cinnamaldehyde by detecting fungal oxidative damage, mitochondrial metabolism, and cell apoptosis. These results showed that trans-cinnamaldehyde made the carboxylic acid cycle deregulated by altering the related enzyme activities (succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase) and mid product. Moreover, the level of reactive oxygen species rose sharply while the redox level was out of regulation. The mitochondrial membrane potential collapsed, leading to the leakage of cytochrome c, and then triggering the activation of apoptotic protease, which was further confirmed by the significant increase in caspase-3 activity from (3.6 ± 0.6) U to (8.8 ± 1.1) U (P < 0.05). The cytochrome c in mitochondria was detected by confocal Raman microspectroscopy, the characteristic intensity index (I750/I2944) was decreased, indicating that the cytochrome c in mitochondria was reduced and leakage. Besides, the strong negative correlation between Raman intensity and the amount of cytochrome c leakage was established with the correlation coefficient of -0.9817. This study revealed that destroying the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane, activating the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway was the in-depth antifungal mechanism of trans-cinnamaldehyde; and Raman spectroscopy technology provided new ideas to study this process with high sensitivity determination of cytochrome c.

Comparison between HRM and Culture to Detect Most Common Pathogenic Fungi in Patients with Respiratory Diseases

Back Ground: The respiratory fungal infection has increased globally, becoming an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised patients, such as patients with Diabetic Mellitus (DM), cancer patients. The most common fungal related result from species that belong genera include: Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Cryptococcus spp., and Mucor spp. Clinically respiratory fungal infection was nonspecific and indistinguishable from other infection, making early diagnosis and correct treatment essential and urgent. Laboratory diagnosis involves traditional diagnostic methods, such as direct and culture, which are still considered the gold standards but have low sensitivity, time consuming and is sometimes only confirmed in late stages. Molecular method as High Resolution Melting (HRM PCR) for Broncho alveolar lavage (BAL) to detect and identify of most clinically important fungal pathogens with high sensitivity and specificity are showing the potential assay to replace traditional diagnostic assay. Material and method: One hundred seventeen (BAL) lavage sample from patients with respiratory disease were submitted to conventional methods (culture) and molecular method (HRM PCR) for detection of most common infection of fungal respiratory tract. Results: Out of the 117 BAL samples collected in the study, in the age group (61–70) years recorded the highest pulmonary diseases, 34 (29.0%), whereas the age group (31–40) recorded the lowest prevalence of pulmonary diseases was 3 (2.5%). There was significant association between age and prevalence of pulmonary diseases (P = 0.055). Males had relatively higher prevalence of fungal isolates, 18 (60%) than females' counterpart, 12(40%) it was no significant association was seen between sex and the prevalence of fungal pathogens (P = 0.55). Based on the risk factors considered in the study, participants with smoking, cancer and diabetic mellitus had a significantly higher risk of pulmonary fungal pathogens. By culture method, the following Fungi were identified: Candida spp. Twenty (66.6%), five (16.6%) samples were Aspergillus spp., Cryptococcus spp. 4 (13.3%), and only one (3.3%) sample as Mucor spp. while by molecular method (Multiplex HRM PCR) the result of 29 (24.7%) samples which were culture and conventional PCR positive detected, 15 (51.7%) were positive including: 8 (53.3%) Candida spp., 4(26.6%) Aspergillus spp., 2(13.3%) Cryptococcus neoformans, and only one (4.3%) Mucor spp. Conclusion: Referring to fungal species which was detected by culture method and HRM using specificspecies primers include: Candida pp. Aspergillus spp., Cryptococcus spp. and Mucor spp. It was seen that, Candida spp. and Apergillus spp. Had the highest positive percentages among other species. Multiplex HRM PCR is a faster analysis with high sensitive 100% to detect the most common fungal pathogens. Despite a cost-effective, make it an ideal tool for fast screening in patients at risk of fungal respiratory infection.

Electrophoretic profile of cell wall extracts from Candida albicans samples isolated from women with vulvovaginitis / Perfil eletroforético de extratos da parede celular de amostras de Candida albicans isoladas de mulheres com vulvovaginite

Candida albicans is a common commensal fungus in the human microbiota. It causes not only opportunistic infections, as in vulvovaginal candidiasis, but also allergic reactions in people sensitized to the fungus. The present study evaluated the ability of Coca liquid to extract glycoproteins considered fungal antigens from Candida albicans samples, with protein bands being visualized by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Five strains of Candida albicans were used, which were subjected to extraction with Coca liquid (0.28% NAHCO3, 0.49% NaCl), protein and carbohydrate were dosed in the supernatant of the extract and subsequently submitted to electrophoresis. We concluded that the Coca Liquid had great capacity for protein extraction, in addition to being a simple and inexpensive method.

Inhibition of Galectin-3 Impairs Antifungal Immune Response in Fungal Keratitis.

Galectin-3 is one of the galectin family members which are master regulators of immune homeostasis, especially in infectious diseases. However, its mechanism of immune regulation in fungal keratitis has not been thoroughly studied. Our study is aimed at clarifying the role of galectin-3 in the fungal keratitis mouse model in vivo, thereby providing a new biomarker of antifungal therapy. In our study, aspergillus, the most common pathogenic fungi of fungal keratitis, was identified and isolated by corneal tissue fungus culture. Then, the RNA expression levels of galectin family members in corneas of the mouse model with aspergillus fumigatus keratitis were screened by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). The expression of the galectin-3 was detected by quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence in the corneal tissue of the fungal keratitis mouse model. Recruitment of neutrophils and the co-immunofluorescence of galectin-3 and related markers in corneal tissue were determined by flow cytometry analysis and immunofluorescence staining. The regulatory role of galectin-3 for proinflammatory cytokines and neutrophils was validated by the knockout mouse model. Galectin-3 knockout deteriorated the condition for the inhibition of galectin-3 was benefecial for fungi to survive and thrive in corneal lesions. These results demonstrated that in the ocular fungal infection, galectin-3 is capable of regulating the pathogenesis of fungal keratitis by modulating neutrophil recruitment. The deterioration of fungal keratitis and increased fungal load in corneal lesions of galectin-3 knockout mice proved the regulatory role of galectin-3 in fungal keratitis. In conclusion, galectin-3 is going to be an essential target to modulate neutrophil recruitment and its related antifungal immune response in fungal keratitis.

Comparison of the Nutritional and Taste Characteristics of 5 Edible Fungus Powders Based on the Composition of Hydrolyzed Amino Acids and Free Amino Acids

The nutritional characteristics and taste of some edible fungus powders were scientifically evaluated and compared. Five common edible fungus powders were used as test materials (Agrocybe chaxinggu edible fungus powder, Pleurotus citrinopileatus edible fungus powder, Flammulina velutipes edible fungus powder, Lentinus edodes edible fungus powder, and Hericium erinaceus edible fungus powder). The hydrolyzed amino acid and free amino acid content were measured by an automatic amino acid analyzer, and the ratios of hydrolyzed amino acid and free amino acid components and the taste characteristics of these eatables were systematically compared. The results showed that the total amount of hydrolyzed amino acids contained in the 5 edible fungus powders was between 2.583 and 14.656 g/100 g. The total amount of free amino acids contained in the 5 edible fungus powders was between 0.550 and 2.612 g/100 g. Comparative analysis of the mass fractions and composition of amino acids indicated that Pleurotus citrinopileatus edible fungus powder best met the ideal protein standard. The taste characteristics of protein were evaluated by calculating the taste active value (TAV) of taste-producing free amino acids. The most significant TAV values of the 5 edible fungus powders appeared in glutamic acid, and this amino acid is an umami amino acid. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that four principal components could reflect all the information on the free amino acids with a total cumulative variance contribution rate of 100%, and three principal components could reflect most of the information on the hydrolyzed amino acids with a total cumulative variance contribution rate of 99.143%, which could represent the main trends of free amino acids and hydrolyzed acids in edible fungus powder. The comprehensive evaluation model was established, and the comprehensive score indicated that Agrocybe chaxinggu edible fungus powder had the best comprehensive amino acid quality.

Antimicrobial Effects and Active Compounds of the Root of Aucklandia Lappa Decne (Radix Aucklandiae).

The development of new biological fungicides using plant metabolites has become an important direction for pesticide development, and previous studies found that Radix Aucklandiae had a certain inhibitory effect on plant pathogens. In this study, we systematically studied the antimicrobial activity of extracts of Radix Aucklandiae, and the active compounds were isolated, purified and structurally identified. Ethanol extracts of Radix Aucklandiae had different inhibitory effects on seven common plant-pathogenic fungi, with EC50 (concentration for 50% of maximal effect) values ranging from 114.18 mg/L to 414.08 mg/L. The extract at concentration of 1,000 mg/L had a significant control effect on strawberry grey mould and wheat powdery mildew of more than 90%. Three active compounds were isolated and purified from the extract, which were identified as alantolactone, dehydrocostus lactone and costunolide. All three compounds showed significant inhibitory effects on Botrytis cinerea, and the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) values were 15.63 mg/L, 3.91 mg/L and 15.63 mg/L. Dehydrocostus lactone also showed obvious inhibitory effect on Fusarium graminearum with an MIC value of 62.25 mg/L. The extract of Radix Aucklandiae has high antimicrobial activity against some common plant-pathogenic fungi, and the work lays a foundation for the development of extracts of Radix Aucklandiae as botanical fungicides.

More than a Virulence Factor: Patulin Is a Non-Host-Specific Toxin that Inhibits Postharvest Phytopathogens and Requires Efflux for Penicillium Tolerance.

Mycotoxin contamination is a leading cause of food spoilage and waste on a global scale. Patulin, a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium spp. during postharvest pome fruit decay, causes acute and chronic effects in humans, withstands pasteurization, and is not eliminated by fermentation. While much is known about the impact of patulin on human health, there are significant knowledge gaps concerning the effect of patulin during postharvest fruit-pathogen interactions. Application of patulin on six apple cultivars reproduced some blue mold symptoms that were cultivar-independent and dose-dependent. Identical symptoms were also observed in pear and mandarin orange. Six Penicillium isolates exposed to exogenous patulin exhibited delayed germination after 24 h, yetall produced viable colonies in 7 days. However, four common postharvest phytopathogenic fungi were completely inhibited by patulin during conidial germination and growth, suggesting the toxin is important for Penicillium to dominate the postharvest niche. Using clorgyline, a broad-spectrum efflux pump inhibitor, we demonstrated that efflux plays a role in Penicillium auto-resistance to patulin during conidial germination. The work presented here contributes new knowledge of patulin auto-resistance, its mode of action, and inhibitory role in fungal-fungal interactions. Our findings provide a solid foundation to develop toxin and decay mitigation approaches.

“A STUDY ON CLINICO-MYCOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF OTOMYCOSIS”

AIM OF STUDY :To study about various fungal infections in the external ear OBJECTIVES: 1. To study the incidence of fungal infection in ear ,2.To study the aetiological agents of otomycosis 3.To study the association with various diseases like otitis media (csom, asom) otitis externa, post op patients, drug induced(local drops) Materials and Methods: This is a Cross-sectional study where patients tting into inclusion criteria were interviewed and assessed after informed written consent.Detailed history is taken and after clinical examination ear swab for culture and sensitivity and KOH was sent and culture positive patients are studied for a period of one and half year from September 2019 to March 2021 Results: out of 120 cases observed for a period of 18 months in the Department of ENT Bhaskar Medical college ,the peak number of cases was in June month [12.5%] ,Female : Male Ratio was 55:45 ,Right ear is more than left ear ,most important predisposing factor being usage of unsterile sticks ,Itching being the most common complaint [67.5%] ,Otitis externa being the most common associated disease [20%] ,Asperigillus avus being the most common organism in our study [49%] . Conclusion : The present study highlights the increased prevalence of otomycosis in females as compared to males with majority of the cases occurring in the rainy season. In our study Unilateral predominance is seen with right ear than left ear .The incidence is more in age group of 31 to 40 years Other Indian studies report high incidence of otomycosis among 21 – 30 year age group. Aspergillus species was the most common fungi isolated

ALLERGENIC POTENTIAL AND CROSS-REACTIVITY OF FUNGAL SPECIES ISOLATED FROM THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

Indoor fungi are potential sensitizing agents. Their detection and quantification in indoor environments are important in the diagnosis and environmental management of fungal allergies. This study aims to analyse the allergenic potential of ten fungal species and the cross-reactivity of the two most common fungi isolated from the indoor environment samples from Sultan Idris Education University buildings. Employing in vivo (skin prick test) and in vitro (immunoblotting), the major and minor allergenic proteins of ten fungi sensitized subjects were identified. Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium canescens were the most common fungi with the highest potential to trigger allergies. The cross-reactivity between them was detected by immunoblotting inhibition experiments using three selected sera from subjects sensitized to each of the aforementioned species. The immunoblotting test revealed multiple major and minor allergens. Among them were 11, 25, 33, 36 &gt; 100 kDa and were also listed as causative agent triggering allergy by IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Subcommittee. Cross-reactivity of Aspergillus fumigatus against Penicillium canescens revealed that 9(64.29%) allergenic bands and 13(76.47%) allergenic bands were inhibited, respectively. Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. with high cross-reactivity are most prevalent in the indoor environment of identified contaminated buildings at UPSI. Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium canescens can elicit sensitization among the atopic population and implicates worsening the condition of the symptomatic subjects with prolonged these fungal exposures.

The species of Amanita mushroom at Haurbentes Research Forest, West Java

Ectomycorrhizal fungi play an important role in a forest ecosystem. The genus of Amanita is one of the common ectomycorrhizal fungi in the forest. The information on the diversity of Amanita in Indonesia is not properly organized. This is due to most of the prior publications were not equipped with basidiomata descriptions. The current research aimed to inventory the diversity of Amanita and provide a description of the basidiomata from the Haurbentes Research Forest, West Java. Macrofungi exploration was carried out by the opportunistic sampling method and identification of fungi based on morphological characters. A total of seven species of Amanita were successfully described and identified in this study : Amanita sp.1, Amanita sp.2 sect. Vaginatae, Amanita sp.3 sect. Vaginatae, Amanita cf. alboflavescens, Amanita cf. virginea, Amanita cf. fulva and Amanita cf. sychnopyramis.This report is the first information of Amanita in research site and adds to the record of mushroom diversity in Indonesia.