Decaying Plant Material Research Articles

Life history traits of the gastropod-associated bacterivorous nematode Caenorhabditis brenneri (Nematoda: Rhabditida)

Abstract. Dalan L, Tañan V, Diano MA, Demayo C, Tabelin M, Sumaya NH. 2024. Life history traits of the gastropod-associated bacterivorous nematode Caenorhabditis brenneri (Nematoda: Rhabditida). Biodiversitas 25: 3106-3113. Caenorhabditis species are associated with decaying plant materials and invertebrates such as terrestrial gastropods. Few Caenorhabditis species have been studied regarding their ecology, genetics, development, and essential life history traits (LHT). In this study, we describe the life cycle of a free-living, wild-type, bacterivorous nematode, Caenorhabditis brenneri Sudhaus and Kiontke 2007, associated with the terrestrial slug Philippinella moellendorffi Collinge 1899 and account for the effects of food density and temperature on its population dynamics by employing the hanging drop technique. The bacterial food supply was sourced from the slug cadaver and identified as Alcaligenes faecalis (MT012081). C. brenneri was fed with varying bacterial densities (109 and 5×109 cells mL-1) and incubated at 20 and 25°C. The bacterial food density-temperature interaction was found to have no significant influence on the offspring production of C. brenneri. Moreover, the total fertility rate (TFR) and net reproductive rate (Ro) are higher in 109 cells mL-1 in both temperatures (TFR at 20°C: 139; 25°C: 169 and Ro at 20°C: 134; 25°C: 156). Whereas the alternative generation time (To, T1, T) and population doubling time (PDT) are faster at 25°C in both bacterial densities, the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) is faster at lower temperatures (20°C) in both bacterial densities. The average lifespan of C. brenneri is seven days when fed with A. faecalis. Offspring somatic growth (body length and width) was influenced by bacterial food density-temperature interaction with increased length and girth observed in higher bacterial density and temperature in our knowledge. This study is the first attempt to use A. faecalis, a wild-type bacterium from the terrestrial slug P. moellendorffi cadaver, as the bacterial food source for a Caenorhabditis LHT analysis.

Quantifying spatial peat depth with seismic micronodes and the implications for carbon stock estimates

Peatlands are a major store of soil carbon, due to their high concentration of carbon-rich decayed plant material. Consequently, accurate assessment of peat volumes is important for determining land-use carbon budgets, especially in the Northern hemisphere. Determination of carbon stocks at the scale of individual peat sites has principally relied on either mechanical probing or electromagnetic geophysical methods. In this study, we investigated the use of seismic nodal instrumentation for quantifying peat depth. We used Stryde™ nodes for a deployment at the Whixall moss in Shropshire, England. We measured seismic arrival times from peat-bottom reflections, as well as dispersive surface waves to invert for a model of variable peat depth along a linear cross-section. The use of very small seismic nodes (micronodes) allows for particularly rapid deployment on challenging terrain.

Density-dependent development in pest and domestic Drosophilidae species

The capacity to lay eggs inside healthy fruits rather than on decaying plant matter differentiates insect fruit pests from domestic species. This niche differentiation has been previously proposed to be an adaptation to avoid competition. We hypothesize that pest species will be more strongly affected by competition. We compare the impact of larvae density on fitness traits between Drosophila pests ( Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931); Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970) and domestic species ( Drosophila immigrans Sturtevant, 1921; Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830). We assessed the effect of crowding on adult emergence and development time. Viability decreased gradually with density for D. immigrans and D. suzukii, while for D. melanogaster and Z. indianus it remained high. Development time increased with density; this was stronger on Z. indianus and D. immigrans than on D. suzukii, which had a moderate increase, and D. melanogaster, which did not change. Contrary to expectations, the distinct patterns observed were not related to each species' domestic or pest lifestyle. In fact, patterns consistent with either scramble or contest type of competition were observed on both pest and domestic species, respectively. These findings challenge prior beliefs regarding competition effects among Drosophila pest species and provide information relevant to integrated pest management.

Assessing impacts of cemeteries on water quality in an urban headwater watershed with mixed human‐built infrastructure

AbstractCemeteries are understudied integral components to urban watersheds, which provide ecosystem services but can also export nutrients, trace elements, and other contaminants to nearby water bodies. In this study, we focus on Meadowbrook Creek, an urban headwater stream in Syracuse, New York (USA), which has shown significant nitrate contributions from a local cemetery. We collected biweekly surface water samples over the course of 1 year from 2022 to 2023 for analysis of major and trace elemental concentrations including Na, Ca, Mg, K, F, Cl, sulfate, and nitrate. Here, we aim to assess the impact of various human infrastructures on urban stream water quality with a particular focus on the cemetery and nitrate. A comparison between the new dataset in this study and previously reported water chemistry data in Meadowbrook in 2012 suggests a decade‐long impact of road salting and the cemetery on water quality particularly with respect to Na, Cl, and nitrate. Sulfate, Mg, Ca, and K are likely mainly geogenic. Stable nitrogen isotope data, the usage of concrete or steel vaults in the cemetery in the past 50 years, and the lack of correlation between nitrate and fluoride concentrations in stream water argue against burial decay products being a major source of nitrate to the stream. Instead, other nitrate sources that exist in the cemetery such as, fertilizer, decaying plant material, and wastewater, are more viable dominant nitrate sources. In addition, nitrate loading calculations indicate that the groundwater‐connected reach, including the cemetery, acts as an annual net sink for nitrate despite the seasonally varying sink‐source patterns.

Distribution and Characteristics of Blackwater Rivers and Streams of the Contiguous United States.

Blackwater rivers and streams have stained or tea-colored water from tannins released by decaying plant matter. Natural conditions in these waters often differ from non-blackwater systems. For example, the pH and oxygen levels in waters can be very low, but completely natural. We examined an existing USEPA data set and found that blackwaters existed across the contiguous United States but were most common in the east. Water chemistry showed differences between blackwater and non-blackwater sites, but differences were not consistent across ecoregions making national scale generalizations difficult. Physical habitat data analysis did not show dramatic differences between blackwater and non-blackwater sites. Blackwater typically arises from streams that drain tannin-rich bogs/muskeg and wetlands, so as expected blackwater sites had a shorter Euclidean distance to wetlands than non-blackwater sites and existed in watersheds with a higher percentage of wetland habitat. Blackwaters in Northern and Temperate Plains tended to have higher acid neutralizing capacity, conductivity, and lower True Color; a visual color scale used for water purity. We posit that differences were because Color and Dissolved Organic Carbon at these sites were from buried wetland deposits rather than contemporary wetland habitats. Research needs that may increase our understanding and management of blackwaters include development of an operational definition that includes a classification framework and reference conditions for different blackwater types, identification of stressors and their associated dynamics that negatively impact blackwater systems, and development of data-driven, consistent, and repeatable assessment methods, including development of targets, protective of unique conditions in blackwater rivers and streams.

Isolation, genetic identification of Amazonian yeasts and analysis of thermotolerance and alcohol tolerance of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> from <i>Theobroma grandiflorum</i> and <i>Eugenia stipitata</i>

<abstract> <p>Although yeasts of the <italic>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</italic> species are industrially significant, few studies have investigated their presence in environmental samples from the Amazon rainforest. This study aimed to isolate <italic>S. cerevisiae</italic> yeasts associated with trees of the Amazon Forest and investigate their thermotolerance, alcohol tolerance, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) characteristics, along with those of regional strains from previous research and reference strains from the industry. We collected fruits, bark and decaying plant material from <italic>Theobroma grandiflorum</italic>, <italic>Spondias mombin</italic> L., <italic>Mangifera indica</italic> L., and <italic>Eugenia stipitata</italic>, and isolated yeasts using the culture media. To identify the yeasts, we conducted morphological and biochemical analyses, including sugar assimilation and fermentation, and sequencing analyses of the rDNA (ITS and LSU (D1 and D2)). We also performed fermentation tests to determine the optimum temperature, thermotolerance and ethanol tolerance. Finally, we subjected the selected strains to SNP analysis to study the reported genes that are important for alcohol tolerance in <italic>S. cerevisiae</italic>: FPS1 (farnesyl diphosphate synthase1) and ASR1/YPR093 (alcohol sensitive RING/PHD finger1) genes. As a result, we isolated 53 yeasts, and 10 of which exhibited a sugar assimilation and fermentation profile that was similar to that of <italic>S. cerevisiae</italic>. These ten isolates were identified using sequencing of the ITS and LSU regions, which revealed the species to be <italic>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</italic> (n = 4), <italic>Torulaspora pretoriensis</italic> (n = 3), <italic>Debaryomyces hansenni</italic> (n = 1), and <italic>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</italic> (n = 2). Through the analysis of the ASR1 and FPS1 regions, we found an SNP at nucleotide 1552 A > G (FPS1), which was associated with ethanol tolerance under our experimental conditions. This work is significant because it is one of the first studies to focus specifically on the isolation of <italic>S. cerevisiae</italic> from samples in the Amazon region. Furthermore, the SNP analysis allowed us to differentiate isolates that showed greater tolerance to ethanol.</p> </abstract>

Stanevansite, Mg(C2H3O3)2·2H2O, A New Hydrous Glycolate Mineral, from the Santa Catalina Mountains, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Abstract A new organic mineral species, stanevansite, ideally Mg(C2H3O3)2·2H2O, was discovered from the western end of Pusch Ridge in the Santa Catalina Mountains (32° 21′ 42″ N, 110° 57′ 30″ W, at the elevation of 975 m), north of Tucson, Arizona, USA. It occurs as sprays of bladed crystals (up to 0.40 × 0.07 × 0.03 mm). Associated minerals include lazaraskeite, chrysocolla, malachite, wulfenite, mimetite, phosphohedyphane, cerussite, hematite, calcite, microcline, phlogopite, and quartz. Stanevansite crystals are colorless in transmitted light, transparent with white streak and vitreous luster. They are brittle and have a Mohs hardness of ∼1½; cleavage is perfect on {100}. Twinning is common on (100). The measured and calculated densities are 1.69(5) and 1.682 g/cm3, respectively. Optically, stanevansite is biaxial (+), with α = 1.539(5), β = 1.545(5), γ = 1.558(5), 2Vmeas. = 62(2)°, 2Vcal. = 69°. It is insoluble in water, but slowly dissolves in hydrochloric acid. An electron-microprobe analysis yielded an empirical formula, based on 8 O apfu and Σ(Mg + Zn) = 1 apfu, of (Mg0.95Zn0.05)Σ1.00(C2H3O3)2·2H2O, which can be simplified as (Mg,Zn)(C2H3O3)2·2H2O. Stanevansite is monoclinic with space group P21/c and unit-cell parameters a = 11.4927(2), b = 5.85470(10), c = 12.4711(2) Å, β = 91.1610(10)°, V = 838.96(2) Å3, and Z = 4. It is isostructural with several synthetic glycolate compounds having the general chemical formula M2+(C2H3O3)2·2H2O, where M2+ = Co2+, Mn, Zn, and Mg. The crystal structure of stanevansite is characterized by the mononuclear complex [Mg(C2H3O3)2(H2O)2], with such complexes being connected to one another by hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture. In a [Mg(C2H3O3)2(H2O)2] complex, Mg is octahedrally coordinated by two chelating glycolate ligands and two H2O molecules. Stanevansite represents the first hydrous glycolate mineral and is believed to have formed through the interaction of fluids containing glycolic acid (C2H4O3) derived from decaying plant materials or bacterial activities with Mg produced by the alteration of primary and secondary minerals. Its discovery, together with other glycolate minerals documented recently, namely lazaraskeite Cu(C2H3O3)2, jimkrieghite Ca(C2H3O3)2, and lianbinite (NH4)(C2H3O3)(C2H4O3), not only implies that more glycolate minerals may be found in nature, but also suggests that glycolate minerals may serve as a potential reservoir for biologically fixed carbon.

Precipitation and Water Table Dynamics in Peat Swamp Catchment in Sarawak, Malaysia

Globally, peatland covers 3% of the land area, with significant concentrations in tropical regions. In Malaysia, Sarawak alone accounts for 70% (1.6 Mha) of the country's peatland. Tropical peatland is characterized by waterlogged conditions that promote the accumulation of organic matter (peat) from decaying plant material. These conditions strongly influence vegetation, species composition, peat type, and carbon release, making them crucial for climate change mitigation. The hydrology of tropical peatland is primarily influenced by the fluctuation of the water table (WT) depth in its catchment. This study analyzes five years (2011-2015) of field measurements on WT and precipitation (PT) dynamics, observing their trends. PT was found to significantly regulate monthly WT at the study site (p < 0.01), showing a positive correlation. However, PT exhibited a downward trend over the study period, although not significantly for all sites. Similarly, WT at MA, MC, and MD did not show significant trends, likely due to ENSO events from 2011 to 2015. In contrast, MB experienced a significant decrease in WT, possibly caused by a nearby river acting as a drain and accelerating WT lowering.

Edaphic Beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) in Three Different Land Use Systems in the Eastern Amazon

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate edaphic beetles’ abundance, diversity indexes and composition dependence in different land-use systems (LUS) under tropical climate conditions. Method: We surveyed three different LUS such as primary forest fragment (FFP), agroforestry system (SAF) and conventional agricultural cultivation (CAC) in Eastern Amazon. The edaphic beetles were collected using pitfall traps, identified to the family taxonomic level and classified into trophic guilds (carnivore, detritivore, fungivore, and/or herbivore). Results and conclusion: All LUS showed strong dominance by Scarabaeidae and Staphylinidae families. The edaphic beetles community is influenced by the LUS, since the highest rates of abundance, average richness, diversity and evenness were found in the CAC. Edaphic beetles’ composition is dependent to natural vegetation, which accumulated richness is the greatest parameter related to natural vegetation. Research implications: No-tillage cultivation, with homogeneous vegetation formed by decayed plant material from the last culture cycle, can improve and preserve beetles’ detritivore trophic guild. Due to the edaphic beetles’ composition dependence to natural vegetation, is important to preserve forest fragments near altered landscapes to ensure better conditions for this organism’s reestablishment. Originality/value: Edaphic beetles have rarely been studied under different LUS with tropical conditions, particularly in the Eastern Amazon. Comprising these organisms distribution pattern after land-use changes is essential for ecological conservation implications.

Provisioning Australian Seed Carrot Agroecosystems with Non-Floral Habitat Provides Oviposition Sites for Crop-Pollinating Diptera

The addition of floral resources is a common intervention to support the adult life stages of key crop pollinators. Fly (Diptera) crop pollinators, however, typically do not require floral resources in their immature life stages and are likely not supported by this management intervention. Here, we deployed portable pools filled with habitat (decaying plant materials, soil, water) in seed carrot agroecosystems with the intention of providing reproduction sites for beneficial syrphid (tribe Eristalini) fly pollinators. Within 12 to 21 days after the pools were deployed, we found that the habitat pools supported the oviposition and larval development of two species of eristaline syrphid flies, Eristalis tenax (Linnaeus, 1758) and Eristalinus punctulatus (Macquart, 1847). Each habitat pool contained an average (±S.E.) of 547 ± 117 eristaline fly eggs and 50 ± 17 eristaline fly larvae. Additionally, we found significantly more eggs were laid on decaying plant stems and carrot roots compared to other locations within the pool habitat (e.g., on decaying carrot umbels, leaves, etc.). These results suggest that deploying habitat pools in agroecosystems can be a successful management intervention that rapidly facilitates fly pollinator reproduction. This method can be used to support future studies to determine if the addition of habitat resources on intensively cultivated farms increases flower visitation and crop pollination success by flies.

Developmental performance of Eristalis tenax larvae (Diptera: Syrphidae): Influence of growth media and yeast addition during captive rearing

In holometabolous insects, life-history characteristics can vary in response to diet. The main aim of this contribution was to examine which diet best promotes larval development and survival of the aquatic saprophagous hoverfly Eristalis tenax L. (Diptera: Syrphidae). This study was motivated by a need to optimize techniques for rearing these insects in captivity. We studied how adding yeast to several rearing media based on animal droppings or decaying plant material affected development and survival in captive larvae, and whether these effects could be optimized depending on the amount of yeast and the rearing medium. In addition, premature exit of larvae was examined in two medium volumes to investigate differences in pupation. Larvae in yeast supplemented rabbit growth medium pupated and emerged faster than those in horse and antelope growth media. A high number of adult females emerged when compared to males, and both seemed to have a shorter developmental period in yeast supplemented growth media. Pupal survival was significantly greater in a mixture of droppings and plant organic matter, and a high medium volume of 140 ml (p < 0.05). Between 10% and 17% of larvae prematurely exited the aquatic medium in high (140) and low (70 ml) medium volumes, respectively. These results provide additional information that may be crucial for the successful mass rearing of E. tenax in captivity, and suggest that apart from the addition of yeast, growth medium quality and volume may be limiting factors for the production of large colonies of adults.

Short and long-term phytoremediation capacity of aquatic plants in Cu-polluted environments

Freshwater ecosystems face numerous threats from human populations, including heavy metal contamination. Phytoremediation, the use of plants to remediate contaminated soils and sediments, is an effective and low-cost means of removing chemical contaminants, including heavy metals, from polluted environments. However, key questions remain unanswered in the application of this technology in aquatic environments, such as the long-term fate of pollutants following plant uptake. In this study, using two common wetland plant species (duckweed and tape grass), we first examined the capacity of plants to remove copper (Cu) from polluted water. Next, we evaluated the leaching potential of plant tissues following decomposition and how it is affected by a simulated freeze-thaw cycle. Using phytoremediated water and leachates from senesced plants we assessed phytoremediation success and Cu leaching potential by conducting standard toxicity assays using pond snails (Physa acuta), a species with known Cu sensitivity. We found that duckweed outperformed tape grass as a phytoremediator at low Cu concentrations. In addition, for plants grown in low concentrations of Cu, leaching from decaying plant material did not negatively impact snail survival, while at high concentrations of Cu, leaching did result in toxicity. Lastly, we found that a simulated freeze-thaw cycle increased the release of Cu from plant tissue in the presence of high Cu concentrations only, resulting in reduced snail survival. Our results indicate that in moderately Cu-polluted environments, some aquatic plants can remove contaminants without a long-term risk of leaching. In contrast, phytoremediation in highly polluted environments will likely require removal of plant tissue to prevent leaching of previously accumulated metals. Land managers must not only consider plant species and degree of contamination, but also geographic location, as freeze-thaw cycles may enhance plant decomposition and increase the likelihood of contaminant leaching following phytoremediation efforts in aquatic ecosystems.

Check the biodiversity of the Lonchaeidae Family (Diptera)

Larvae (Lonchaeidae Family ) are found under the bark of trees, in tunnels made by bark beetles, in decaying wood and other decaying plant material or debris, such as manure. The larvae of some species form galls on plants (including cereals); others live on juicy fruits. Flies are found on tree trunks, stumps, cut wood, leaves, and in grass. Some species are agricultural pests. The aim of this manuscript was to carry out check the biodiversity of the Lonchaeidae Family (Diptera) related to its biogeography, bioecology, habitat, geographic distribution, taxonomy, life cycle, phenology and taxonomic and conceptual aspects of the Family, Subfamilies and Species. To this end, a bibliographic survey of Ichneumonidae was carried out in the years 1937 to 2022. Only complete articles published in scientific journals and expanded abstracts presented at national and international scientific events, Doctoral Thesis and Master's Dissertation were considered. Data were also obtained from platforms such as: Academia.edu, Frontiers, Qeios, Pubmed, Biological Abstract, Publons, Dialnet, World, Wide Science, Springer, RefSeek, Microsoft Academic, Science and ERIC.

Study of the bionomy of the Ephydridae Family (Insecta: Diptera)

The larvae of the Ephydridae family feed on decaying plant material, algae, and other microscopic single-celled organisms and do not feed directly on plant tissue. Therefore, the damage they produce is indirect, since they are not phytophagous; but adults are vectors of bacteria, viruses and fungi which are transmitted on plants by perching and supporting their sucking mouthparts (proboscis). Also the larvae, when feeding, ingest spores of fungi or bacteria that then remain in the oral apparatus of the adult, and these, when flying and perching on the plants, transmit diseases. The high rate of reproduction of shore flies can give rise to a swarm of adults, which devalue the plants commercially. The objective of this paper and study of the bionomy of the Family Ephydridae. For this, a bibliographic survey of Ephydridae was carried out in the years 1926 to 2021. Only complete articles published in scientific journals and expanded abstracts presented in national and international scientific events were considered. Data were also obtained from platforms such as: World and Scielo.

Ecotoxicological Effects of Aflatoxins on Earthworms under Different Temperature and Moisture Conditions.

Aflatoxin contamination remains one of the most important threats to food safety and human health. Aflatoxins are mainly found in soil, decaying plant material and food storage systems and are particularly abundant during drought stress. Regulations suggest the disposal of aflatoxin-contaminated crops by incorporation into the soil for natural degradation. However, the fate and consequences of aflatoxin in soil and on soil organisms providing essential ecological services remain unclear and could potentially pose a risk to soil health and productivity. The protection of soil biodiversity and ecosystem services are essential for the success of the declared United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The focus of this study was to investigate the toxicological consequences of aflatoxins to earthworms’ survival, growth, reproduction and genotoxicity under different temperature and moisture conditions. Results indicated an insignificant effect of aflatoxin concentrations between 10 and 100 µg/kg on the survival, growth and reproduction but indicated a concentration-dependent increase in DNA damage at standard testing conditions. However, the interaction of the toxin with different environmental conditions, particularly low moisture, resulted in significantly reduced reproduction rates and increased DNA damage in earthworms.

Hyaloscypha gabretae and Hyaloscypha gryndleri spp. nov. (Hyaloscyphaceae, Helotiales), two new mycobionts colonizing conifer, ericaceous and orchid roots.

Historically, Hyaloscypha s. lat. (Hyaloscyphaceae, Helotiales) included various saprobes with small apothecia formed on decaying plant matter, usually wood, that were defined by chemical and (ultra)structural aspects. However, recent molecular phylogenetic and resynthesis studies have narrowed the concept of the genus and shown that it contains several widely distributed species with unknown sexual morphs that form ectomycorrhizae, ericoid mycorrhizae, and mycothalli and also grow endophytically in plant roots and hypogeous ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fruitbodies (i.e., the historical Hymenoscyphus ericae aggregate). Hence, some of the sexually reproducing saprobic Hyaloscypha s. lat. and the symbionts belong to the monophyletic Hyaloscypha s. str. Here, we introduce two new root-symbiotic Hyaloscypha s. str. species, i.e., H. gabretae and H. gryndleri spp. nov. While the former was isolated only from ericaceous hosts (Vaccinium myrtillus from Southern Bohemia, Czechia and Calluna vulgaris from England, UK), the latter was obtained from a basidiomycetous EcM root tip of Picea abies (Pinaceae), roots of Pseudorchis albida (Orchidaceae), and hair roots of V. myrtillus from Southern Bohemia and C. vulgaris from England. Hyaloscypha gryndleri comprises two closely related lineages, suggesting ongoing speciation, possibly connected with the root-symbiotic life-style. Fungal isolates from ericaceous roots with sequences similar to H. gabretae and H. gryndleri have been obtained in Japan and in Canada and Norway, respectively, suggesting a wide and scattered distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. In a series of in vitro experiments, both new species failed to form orchid mycorrhizal structures in roots of P. albida and H. gryndleri repeatedly formed what morphologically corresponds to the ericoid mycorrhizal (ErM) symbiosis in hair roots of V. myrtillus, whereas the ErM potential of H. gabretae remained unresolved. Our results highlight the symbiotic plasticity of root-associated hyaloscyphoid mycobionts as well as our limited knowledge of their diversity and distribution, warranting further ecophysiological and taxonomic research of these important and widespread fungi.

First Report of Ear Rot of Chenopodium quinoa Caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides in Shanxi, China.

First Report of Ear Rot of Chenopodium quinoa Caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides in Shanxi, China.

GET THE MUNKII OFF YOUR BACK! A RARE BLACK MOLD CAPRONIA MUNKII CAUSING INVASIVE FUNGAL INFECTION IN AN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED INDIVIDUAL

TOPIC: Chest Infections TYPE: Fellow Case Reports INTRODUCTION: Individuals receiving chemotherapy or undergoing transplantation are increasingly susceptible to invasive fungal infections. They are commonly caused by opportunistic pathogens like Aspergillus and Candida and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Such individuals are also susceptible to invasive mold infections. We present a rare case of a black mold Capronia munkii causing cavitary lung lesions in a patient with NHL. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old female with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, CNS lymphoma treated with chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant five years ago, had progression of disease last year. She began Ibrutinib therapy for her lymphoma. She was admitted to the hospital for altered mental status due to progression of CNS disease. She developed worsening respiratory failure during hospitalization requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. She was empirically treated with intravenous vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam. Her initial infectious workup and lumbar puncture was negative. Computed tomography (CT) of her chest showed new diffuse ground glass opacities.Bronchial wash was notable for black mold Capronia munkii. She was started on Voriconazole and Amphotericin B. Repeat CT chest showed improving opacities with increasing apical cystic lesions. Respiratory failure can be attributed to mold infection in the lung, immunotherapy-induced pneumonitis and organizing pneumonia. After multiple failed spontaneous breathing trials and septic shock necessitating vasopressors, she was transitioned to comfort care and subsequently expired. DISCUSSION: Capronia munkii is a saprotrophic yeast commonly found on decaying plant matter. There is a lack of clinical information on this mold in literature. It is closely related phylogenetically to Exophiala dermatides which is a neurotrophic black mold. It typically causes a non-specific granulomatous inflammatory response. The host responses are highly variable, and include pulmonary cyst formation and tissue necrosis. The patient's immunosuppression and cystic lesions on CT scan make invasive black mold infection likely. Biopsy of the cavitary lesions to determine the presence of mold would have been confirmatory. The lack of response to anti-fungal treatment reiterates the high mortality associated with this rare infection. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive fungal infections have become more prevalent due to increasing number of individuals undergoing transplantation or receiving aggressive immunosuppression and chemotherapy. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of uncommon pathogens like black mold with appropriate azole and caspofungin antibiotics is essential to prevent poor outcomes. Newer molecular techniques such as 18S ribosomal RNA PCR and genome sequencing have led to improved diagnosis.Treatment algorithms should be adapted to accommodate changing epidemiologies and anti-fungal drug resistance patterns. REFERENCE #1: Bassetti M, Bouza E. Invasive mould infections in the ICU setting: complexities and solutions. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2017 Mar 1;72(suppl_1):i39-i47. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkx032. PMID: 28355466. REFERENCE #2: Enoch DA, Yang H, Aliyu SH, Micallef C. The Changing Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Infections. Methods Mol Biol. 2017;1508:17-65. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6515-1_2. PMID: 27837497. REFERENCE #3: Badiee P, Hashemizadeh Z. Opportunistic invasive fungal infections: diagnosis & clinical management. Indian J Med Res. 2014 Feb;139(2):195-204. PMID: 24718393; PMCID: PMC4001330. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Padmastuti Akella, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Saira Imran, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Shashank Nuguru, source=Web Response

Collaborative One Health approaches can mitigate increasing azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in Africa

Aspergillus fumigatus is a species of fungus that is commonly found in the environment, household dust, soil, and decaying plant matter. The fungus produces spores which are inhaled by humans daily, although the host defence mechanisms of most people limit inflammatory responses and promote fungal clearance. Inhalation of the spores of A fumigatus triggers a wide spectrum of diseases in immunocompromised individuals, depending on the patient group affected and the pathways of pathogenesis. Forms of aspergillosis that are becoming a major public health issue include invasive aspergillosis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

Azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in the environment: Identifying key reservoirs and hotspots of antifungal resistance.

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes aspergillosis, a spectrum of environmentally acquired respiratory illnesses. It has a cosmopolitan distribution and exists in the environment as a saprotroph on decaying plant matter. Azoles, which target Cyp51A in the ergosterol synthesis pathway, are the primary class of drugs used to treat aspergillosis. Azoles are also used to combat plant pathogenic fungi. Recently, an increasing number of azole-naive patients have presented with pan-azole–resistant strains of A. fumigatus. The TR34/L98H and TR46/Y121F/T289A alleles in the cyp51A gene are the most common ones conferring pan-azole resistance. There is evidence that these mutations arose in agricultural settings; therefore, numerous studies have been conducted to identify azole resistance in environmental A. fumigatus and to determine where resistance is developing in the environment. Here, we summarize the global occurrence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus in the environment based on available literature. Additionally, we have created an interactive world map showing where resistant isolates have been detected and include information on the specific alleles identified, environmental settings, and azole fungicide use. Azole-resistant A. fumigatus has been found on every continent, except for Antarctica, with the highest number of reports from Europe. Developed environments, specifically hospitals and gardens, were the most common settings where azole-resistant A. fumigatus was detected, followed by soils sampled from agricultural settings. The TR34/L98H resistance allele was the most common in all regions except South America where the TR46/Y121F/T289A allele was the most common. A major consideration in interpreting this survey of the literature is sampling bias; regions and environments that have been extensively sampled are more likely to show greater azole resistance even though resistance could be more prevalent in areas that are under-sampled or not sampled at all. Increased surveillance to pinpoint reservoirs, as well as antifungal stewardship, is needed to preserve this class of antifungals for crop protection and human health.