Fungi In China Research Articles

The chalara-like anamorphs of Leotiomycetes

The chalara-like anamorphs of Leotiomycetes are phialidic hyphomycetes with cylindrical collarettes and deeply seated sporulating loci, and hyaline, aseptate or septate, cylindrical conidia. They are commonly found on plant litters in both terrestrial and submerged environments, and with broad geographical distribution. This paper reports our research result of diversity, taxonomy and phylogeny of these fungi in China, which is based on a systematic study by using an integrated approach of literature study, morphological observation and phylogenetic analyses of 153 chalara-like fungal species with diversified morphology in conidiomata, setae, conidiophores, phialides and conidia. The phylogenetic analyses employing different datasets of SSU, LSU and ITS sequences of 116 species showed that these chalara-like fungi were paraphyletic and scattered in 20 accepted genera belonging to five families of Leotiomycetes: Arachnopezizaceae, Hamatocanthoscyphaceae, Helotiaceae, Neolauriomycetaceae and Pezizellaceae. Additional six genera, Ascoconidium, Bioscypha, Chalarodendron, Didonia, Phaeoscypha and Tapesina, all reported with chalara-like anamorphs in literatures, are also accepted as members of Pezizellaceae or Leotiomycetes genera incertae sedis. Among of these 26 accepted genera of chalara-like fungi in Leotiomycetes, 17 genera are asexually typified genera (Ascoconidium, Bloxamia, Chalara, Chalarodendron, Constrictochalara, Cylindrochalara, Cylindrocephalum, Leochalara, Lareunionomyces, Minichalara, Neochalara, Neolauriomyces, Nagrajchalara, Parachalara, Stipitochalara, Xenochalara and Zymochalara), and 9 are sexually typified genera (Bioscypha, Bloxamiella, Calycellina, Calycina, Didonia, Hymenoscyphus, Mollisina, Phaeoscypha and Tapesina). The phylogenetic significance of conidial septation in generic delimitation was further confirmed; while other morphologies such as conidiomata, setae, conidiophores, phialides, conidial length, and conidial ornamentation have little phylogenetic significance, but could be used for species delimitation. The polyphyletic genus Chalara s. lat. is revised with monophyletic generic concepts by redelimitation of Chalara s. str. in a narrow concept, adaption of the emended Calycina to also include asexually typified chalara-like fungi, reinstatement of Cylindrocephalum, and introduction of six new genera: Constrictochalara W.P. Wu & Y.Z. Diao, Leochalara W.P. Wu & Y.Z. Diao, Minichalara W.P. Wu & Y.Z. Diao, Nagrajchalara W.P. Wu & Y.Z. Diao, Parachalara W.P. Wu & Y.Z. Diao and Stipitochalara W.P. Wu & Y.Z. Diao. Chaetochalara becomes a synonym of Chalara s. str., and the known species are disassembled into Chalara s. str. and Nagrajchalara. The polyphyletic genus Bloxamia is also redefined by introducing the new genus Bloxamiella W.P. Wu & Y.Z. Diao for B. cyatheicola. Five existing species of Chalara s. lat. were excluded from Leotiomycetes and reclassified: Chalara breviclavata as Chalarosphaeria breviclavata W.P. Wu & Y.Z. Diao gen. et sp. nov. in Chaetosphaeriaceae, C. vaccinii as Sordariochalara vaccinii W.P. Wu & Y.Z. Diao gen. et sp. nov. in Lasiosphaeriaceae, and three other Chalara species with hyaline phialides, C. hyalina, C. schoenoplecti and C. siamense as combinations of Pyxidiophora in Pyxidiophoraceae. For biodiversity of these fungi in China, a total of 80 species in 12 genera, including 60 new species, 17 new records and 1 new name, were discovered and documented in this paper. In addition, five species including three new species are reported from Japan. In connection to this revision, a total of 44 new combinations are made. The identification keys are provided for most of these genera. Future research area of these fungi should be the phylogenetic relationship of several sexually typified genera such as Bioscypha, Calycellina, Calycina, Didonia, Phaeoscypha, Rodwayella and Tapesina, and systematic revision of existing names under the genera Bloxamia, Chaetochalara and Chalara.

Multiverruca sinensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermotolerant fungus isolated from soil in China.

During a survey of thermotolerant fungi in China, three isolates were obtained from soil samples. Phylogenetic analysis of a combined internal transcribed spacer and large subunit dataset showed that these isolates belong to the same species, which form a well-separated lineage distinct from the other genera in Latoruaceae. Morphologically, the isolates are characterized by having globose and smooth conidiogenous cells, verruculose mycelium and cymbiform conidia. Combining the phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics, Multiverruca gen. nov. is proposed and introduced to accommodate a single new species, Multiverruca sinensis sp. nov. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and notes are provided for the new genus and species.

Mycosphere notes 449–468: saprobic and endophytic fungi in China, Thailand, and Uzbekistan

Mycosphere notes 449–468: saprobic and endophytic fungi in China, Thailand, and Uzbekistan

Quality Grading Algorithm of Oudemansiella raphanipes Based on Transfer Learning and MobileNetV2

As a traditional edible and medicinal fungus in China, Oudemansiella raphanipes has high economic benefits. In order to achieve the automatic classification of Oudemansiella raphanipes into four quality levels using their image dataset, a quality grading algorithm based on neural network models was proposed. At first, the transfer learning strategy and six typical convolution neural network models, e.g., VGG16, ResNet50, InceptionV3, NasNet-Mobile, EfficientNet, and MobileNetV2, were used to train the datasets. Experiments show that MobileNetV2 has good performance considering both testing accuracy and detection time. MobileNetV2 only needs 37.5 ms to classify an image, which is shorter by 11.76%, 28.57%, 46.42%, 59.45%, and 79.73%, respectively, compared with the classification times of InceptionV3, EfficientNetB0, ResNet50, NasNet-Mobile, and VGG16. Based on the original MobileNetV2 model, four optimization methods, including data augmentation, hyperparameter selecting, an overfitting control strategy, and a dynamic learning rate strategy, were adopted to improve the accuracy. The final classification accuracy can reach as high as 98.75%, while the detection time for one image is only 22.5 ms and the model size is only 16.48 MB. This quality grading algorithm based on an improved MobileNetV2 model is feasible and effective for Oudemansiella raphanipes, satisfying the needs in the production line.

Multi-Gene Phylogenetic Analyses Revealed Five New Species and Two New Records of Distoseptisporales from China.

Eight hyphomycetes were collected as part of an investigation into the diversity of hyphomycetous fungi in China. Based on morphology and multi-loci (LSU, ITS, tef1α, and rpb2) phylogenetic analyses, five new taxa, including a new Aquapteridospora species A. hyalina and four novel Distoseptispora species, viz D. aquisubtropica, D. septata, D. tropica, and D. wuzhishanensis were introduced in Distoseptisporales (Sordariomycetes). Two new habitat records, viz Distoseptispora pachyconidia and D. xishuangbannaensis were firstly reported. Also provided in this study are detailed descriptions of eight new collections and a revised phylogenetic tree for the Distoseptisporales.

GPI-Anchored Protein Homolog IcFBR1 Functions Directly in Morphological Development of Isaria cicadae.

Isaria cicadae is a famous edible and medicinal fungus in China and Asia. The molecular basis of morphogenesis and synnemal formation needs to be understood in more detail because this is the main source of biomass production in I. cicadae. In the present study, a fruiting body formation-related gene with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring protein (GPI-Ap) gene homolog IcFBR1 was identified by screening random insertion mutants. Targeted deletion of IcFBR1 resulted in abnormal formation of synnemata, impairing aerial hyphae growth and sporulation. The IcFBR1 mutants were defective in the utilization of carbon sources with reduced polysaccharide contents and the regulation of amylase and protease activities. Transcriptome analysis of ΔIcfbr1 showed that IcFBR1 deletion influenced 49 gene ontology terms, including 23 biological processes, 9 molecular functions, and 14 cellular components. IcFBR1 is therefore necessary for regulating synnemal development, secondary metabolism, and nutrient utilization in this important edible and medicinal fungus. This is the first report illustrating that the function of IcFBR1 is associated with the synnemata in I. cicadae.

Insight into the Taxonomic Resolution of Apiospora: Introducing Novel Species and Records from Bamboo in China and Thailand

Taxonomic studies of bambusicolous fungi in China and Thailand have resulted in the collection of three fascinating saprobic coelomycetes strains. Morphology coupled with combined gene analysis of ITS, LSU, TUB2, and TEF1-α DNA sequence data showed that they belong to the genus Apiospora, family Apiosporaceae. A new species from Thailand, Apiospora mukdahanensis, and new records of A. locuta-pollinis from China are herein described. In addition, based on both morphological data coupled with phylogenetics and nomenclatural analyses, A. mori is proposed as a new combination. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses were performed to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the species obtained in this study. Newly obtained strains are compared with morphologically- and phylogenetically-related taxa. The comprehensive descriptions, illustrations, and updated phylogeny are provided and discussed for intra-and intergeneric relationships within Apiospora species.

Ontogenetic Variation in Macrocyclic and Hemicyclic Poplar Rust Fungi.

Melampsora larici-populina (Mlp), M. medusae (Mmed), M. magnusiana (Mmag), and M. pruinosae (Mpr) are epidemic rust fungi in China. The first two are macrocyclic rust fungi distributed in temperate humid environments. The latter two are hemicyclic rusts, mainly distributed in arid and semi-arid areas. Ontogenetic variation that comes with this arid-resistance is of great interest-and may help us predict the influence of a warmer, drier, climate on fungal phylogeny. To compare the differences in the life history and ontogeny between the two types of rust, we cloned mating type genes, STE3.4 and STE3.3 using RACE-smart technology. Protein structures, functions, and mutant loci were compared across each species. We also used microscopy to compare visible cytological differences at each life stage for the fungal species, looking for variation in structure and developmental timing. Quantitative PCR technology was used to check the expression of nuclear fusion and division genes downstream of STE3.3 and STE3.4. Encoding amino acids of STE3.3 and STE3.4 in hemicyclic rusts are shorter than these in the macrocyclic rusts. Both STE3.3 and STE3.4 interact with a protein kinase superfamily member EGG12818 and an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase EGG09709 directly, and activating G-beta conformational changes. The mutation at site 74th amino acid in the conserved transmembrane domain of STE3.3 ascribes to a positive selection, in which alanine (Ala) is changed to phenylalanine (Phe) in hemicyclic rusts, and a mutation with Tyr lost at site 387th in STE3.4, where it is the binding site for β-D-Glucan. These mutants are speculated corresponding to the insensitivity of hemicyclic rust pheromone receptors to interact with MFa pheromones, and lead to Mnd1 unexpressed in teliospora, and they result in the diploid nuclei division failure and the sexual stage missing in the life cycle. A Phylogenic tree based on STE3.4 gene suggests these two rust types diverged about 14.36 million years ago. Although these rusts share a similar uredia and telia stage, they show markedly different wintering strategies. Hemicyclic rusts overwinter in the poplar buds endophytically, their urediniospores developing thicker cell walls. They form haustoria with a collar-like extrahaustorial membrane neck and induce host thickened callose cell walls, all ontogenetic adaptations to arid environments.

Hericium caput-medusae (Bull.:Fr.) Pers. fermentation concentrate polysaccharides improves intestinal bacteria by activating chloride channels and mucus secretion

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAs a traditional edible fungus in China and many other Asian countries, Hericium caput-medusae (Bull. Fr.) Pers. is widely used to improve the health of the gastrointestinal tract. For example, the drug “Weilexin Granules” is mainly composed of H. caput-medusae (Bull. Fr.) Pers. fermentation concentrate. However, the mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. Aims of the studyThe purpose of this study was to assess whether polysaccharides from H. caput-medusae (Bull. Fr.) Pers. fermentation concentrate (HFP) exerts a gut protective effect and a regulatory effect on the intestinal microbiota through the chloride channels and mucus secretion. Materials and methodsHFP was extracted, characterized and different concentrations of HFP (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) were administered to mice for 14 days. The changes in gut microbiota were observed via 16S high throughput sequencing. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was detected by GC-MS. AB-PAS staining was used to observe the secretion of mucus. The chloride channel activity and protein expression were verified by short-circuit current measurement and Western blot. ResultsHFP regulated the abundance of gut microbiota in mice, with increased levels of Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae and reduced proportions of Staphylococcus and Enterobacter. HFP enhanced mucus volume as well as increased intestinal fluid secretion by activating the chloride channels. In addition, short-circuit current experiments also proved that HFP activates Cl⁻ currents targeting cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and Anoamin1 (ANO1). ConclusionIn conclusion, HFP might increase intestinal fluid secretion by promoting Cl⁻ secretion, which in turn advanced mucus hydration as well as regulated gut microbiota to improve intestinal health. Therefore, H. caput-medusae (Bull. Fr.) Pers. could be potentially used in the regulation of intestinal secretion and microbes.

Identification of phytochemicals from Lentinus edodes and Auricularia auricula with UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS

• Phytochemicals of Lentinus edodes was investigated by UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS. Twenty-three compounds were identified in L. edodes. • Phytochemicals of Auricularia auricula were investigated by UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS. Twenty-nine compounds were identified in A. auricula. • There are 9 common ingredients of L. edodes and A. auricula, including 4 amino acids and analogs, 2 flavonoids, 2 nucleosides and analogs and 1 phenol. Lentinus edodes and Auricularia auricula are the first and second largest edible fungi in China with high nutritional and medicinal values. Research about phytochemicals of L. edodes and A. auricula mainly focuses on polysaccharides, other phytochemicals are not fully studied. Phytochemicals of L. edodes and A. auricula were investigated by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS). Twenty-three compounds were identified in L. edodes , mainly including amino acids and analogs, flavonoids, nucleosides and analogs, phenols and steroids. Twenty-nine compounds were identified in A. auricula , mainly including amino acids and analogs, nucleosides and analogs, flavonoids and phenols. There are 9 common ingredients of L. edodes and A. auricula , including 4 amino acids and analogs, 2 flavonoids, 2 nucleosides and analogs and 1 phenol.

Keratinophyton chongqingense sp. nov. and Keratinophyton sichuanense sp. nov., from soil in China.

Keratinophyton is a genus of well-known keratinophilic fungi found in various terrestrial habitats. During a survey of keratinolytic fungi in China, a total of 12 isolates of Keratinophyton species, representing eight taxa, were obtained from the soil. Two of these isolates were described as new species based on their morphological characteristics and molecular analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region and the rRNA gene of the nuclear large subunit. Descriptions and illustrations of these two novel species, which are named Keratinophyton chongqingense sp. nov. and Keratinophyton sichuanense sp. nov., are provided herein.

Construction of gene modification system with highly efficient and markerless for Monascus ruber M7.

Monascus spp. are traditional medicinal and edible filamentous fungi in China, and can produce various secondary metabolites, such as Monascus pigments (MPs) and citrinin (CIT). Genetic modification methods, such as gene knock-out, complementation, and overexpression, have been used extensively to investigate the function of related genes in Monascus spp.. However, the resistance selection genes that can have been used for genetic modification in Monascus spp. are limited, and the gene replacement frequency (GRF) is usually <5%. Therefore, we are committed to construct a highly efficient gene editing system without resistance selection marker gene. In this study, using M. ruber M7 as the starting strain, we successfully constructed a so-called markerlessly and highly genetic modification system including the mutants ΔmrpyrGΔmrlig4 and ΔmrpyrGΔmrlig4::mrpyrG, in which we used the endogenous gene mrpyrG from M. ruber M7 instead of the resistance marker gene as the screening marker, and simultaneously deleted mrlig4 related to non-homologous end joining in M. ruber M7. Then, the morphology, the growth rate, the production of MPs and CIT of the mutants were analyzed. And the results show that the mutant strains have normal mycelia, cleistothecia and conidia on PDA+Uridine(U) plate, the biomass of each mutant is also no different from M. ruber M7. However, the U addition also has a certain effect on the orange and red pigments yield of M. ruber M7, which needs our further study. Finally, we applied the system to delete multiple genes from M. ruber M7 separately or continuously without any resistance marker gene, and found that the average GRF of ΔmrpyrGΔmrlig4 was about 18 times of that of M. ruber M7. The markerlessly and highly genetic modification system constructed in current study not only will be used for multi-gene simultaneous modification in Monascus spp., and also lays a foundation for investigating the effects of multi-genes modification on Monascus spp..

Investigation and analysis of pesticide residues in edible fungi produced in the mid-western region of China

The present study sought to investigate the levels of multi-pesticide residues in highly consumed edible fungi in China's western regions. A total of 354 edible fungi samples were collected from the local markets, and the concentrations of 53 pesticides in these samples were determined through high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (HPLC/MS/MS). Carbendazim, acephate, procymidone, prochloraz, aldicarb sulfone,etc. were found to be the primary pesticides in the edible fungi samples. Carbendazim had the highest detection rate (70.9%), followed by acephate (13.0%) and procymidone (7.3%), and the detection concentrations were 0.0002–2.7316 mg/kg, 0.0248–0.4985 mg/kg, 0.1807–0.3928 mg/kg, respectively. Nearly 52 (14.7%) edible fungi samples were free of pesticide residues, while the remaining contained one or more pesticide residues. In terms of safety index and risk coefficient, the safety status of edible fungi is acceptable. This study will provide insights into the current contamination status in the key agricultural areas in China and develop food safety regulations to control the excessive use of some pesticides on edible fungi.

A new species of Arthrographis (Eremomycetaceae, Dothideomycetes), from the soil in Guizhou, China

During a survey of keratinolytic fungi in China, a new species, Arthrographis multiformispora was isolated from soil samples. Morphologically, A. multiformispora differs from other species in the genus by the presence of globose or subglobose chlamydospores and cylindrical arthroconidia. Phylogenetically, our four strains were clustered together with high support values and separated from other clades. We provided a description, illustrations, and phylogenetic tree for the new species.

Anti-Gout Effects of the Medicinal Fungus Phellinus igniarius in Hyperuricaemia and Acute Gouty Arthritis Rat Models.

Background: Phellinus igniarius (P. igniarius) is an important medicinal and edible fungus in China and other Southeast Asian countries and has diverse biological activities. This study was performed to comparatively investigate the therapeutic effects of wild and cultivated P. igniarius on hyperuricaemia and gouty arthritis in rat models. Methods: UPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS was used to identify the chemical constituents of polyphenols from wild P. igniarius (WPP) and cultivated P. igniarius (CPP). Furthermore, WPP and CPP were evaluated in an improved hyperuricaemia rat model induced by yeast extract, adenine and potassium oxonate, which was used to examine xanthine oxidase (XO) activity inhibition and anti-hyperuricemia activity. WPP and CPP therapies for acute gouty arthritis were also investigated in a monosodium urate (MSU)-induced ankle swelling model. UHPLC-QE-MS was used to explore the underlying metabolic mechanisms of P. igniarius in the treatment of gout. Results: The main active components of WPP and CPP included protocatechuic aldehyde, hispidin, davallialactone, phelligridimer A, hypholomine B and inoscavin A as identified by UPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. Wild P. igniarius and cultivated P. igniarius showed similar activities in reducing uric acid levels through inhibiting XO activity and down-regulating the levels of UA, Cr and UN, and they had anti-inflammatory activities through down-regulating the secretions of ICAM-1, IL-1β and IL-6 in the hyperuricaemia rat model. The pathological progression of kidney damage was also reversed. The polyphenols from wild and cultivated P. igniarius also showed significant anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing the expression of ICAM-1, IL-1β and IL-6 and by reducing the ankle joint swelling degree in an MSU-induced acute gouty arthritis rat model. The results of metabolic pathway enrichment indicated that the anti-hyperuricemia effect of WPP was mainly related to the metabolic pathways of valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis and histidine metabolism. Additionally, the anti-hyperuricemia effect of CPP was mainly related to nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism and beta-alanine metabolism. Conclusions: Wild P. igniarius and cultivated P. igniarius both significantly affected the treatment of hyperuricaemia and acute gouty arthritis models in vivo and therefore may be used as potential active agents for the treatment of hyperuricaemia and acute gouty arthritis.

Effects of

Context In-feed antibiotics are commonly used to improve growth and gut health of weaning pigs. Due to anti-microbial resistance by extensively using antibiotics, however, in-feed antibiotics have been banned in Europe and China. Tremella fuciformis is a traditional edible fungus in China. Recent studies have found that Tremella fuciformis extract (TFE) has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and immune-modulatory functions. Therefore, there is the potential to develop Tremella fuciformis as an alternative to antibiotics. Aims The study was performed to explore the effects of TFE on growth performance, and biochemical and immunological parameters of weaned piglets under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Methods Forty-eight weaned piglets were assigned into two groups with six pens (four piglets per-pen), receiving a control diet or a control diet with 400 mg/kg TFE (TFE), respectively. After 28 days of the trial, two piglets per pen were selected to be injected with LPS (50 μg/kg of BW) or an equivalent amount of sterile saline. Blood samples were collected at 0 and 3 h after LPS challenge. Key results The results showed that TFE supplementation significantly increased the average daily gain (P &lt; 0.05) and decreased the faecal score (P &lt; 0.05) during the first week, improved the feed conversion ratio (P &lt; 0.05) and BWt gain (P &lt; 0.05) during the whole period. Piglets fed the TFE diet had higher plasma levels of white blood cells (P &lt; 0.05) than that of piglets fed the control diet diet before the LPS challenge. Regardless of the dietary treatment, the LPS challenge significantly decreased the level of white blood cells, and increased the levels of red blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, total protein, interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α (all P &lt; 0.05). Regardless of the LPS challenge, however, the concentrations of total protein, interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α were decreased (all P &lt; 0.05) in the plasma of piglets fed the TFE diet compared with the control diet diet. Conclusions In summary, the supplementation of TFE in the weaning diet could improve the growth performance and immunity of piglets. Implication TFE could be used as a bioactive substance for improving growth and immune response in pig production.

Determination of bongkrekic acid in tremella and auricularia auricular by improved QuEChERS method combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

采用改良的QuEChERS方法,结合超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UHPLC-MS/MS)建立了银耳和木耳中米酵菌酸含量测定的分析方法。对QuEChERS方法的提取、净化条件进行了优化,发现提取液中乙酸含量对米酵菌酸的提取效率影响很大,最终采用5%(v/v)乙酸乙腈为提取溶剂,盐析分层,再用200 mg C18分散固相萃取净化。对UHPLC-MS/MS分析条件也进行了优化,以含0.01%(v/v)甲酸、0.05%(v/v)氨水的水溶液和甲醇为流动相,在Waters HSS T3柱(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm)上分离,以电喷雾电离、多反应监测负离子模式进行检测。在优化好的条件下,银耳和木耳中米酵菌酸检测的基质效应分别为-6.3%和-11.5%,表明该方法具有很好的净化效果,样品基质不会对米酵菌酸的检测产生影响。进一步对方法学进行了考察,在1~200 μg/L范围内,线性方程回归系数的平方(R2)大于0.999,以信噪比的3倍和10倍计算的方法检出限和定量限分别为0.15 μg/kg和0.5 μg/kg。银耳中3种添加水平0.5、10、50 μg/kg下的加标回收率为92.4%~102.6%,日内和日间相对标准偏差(RSD)分别为4.3%~4.9%和3.2%~3.5%;木耳的加标回收率为89.6%~102.3%,日内和日间RSD分别为2.4%~9.5%和3.6%~4.1%,表明该方法具有很好的准确度和精密度。最后,将该方法应用于实际样品中米酵菌酸的分析,取得了很好的效果。该工作为银耳和木耳中米酵菌酸的风险防控提供了一种有效的检测技术。

Acute liver failure caused by Amanita verna: a case series and review of the literature

BackgroundAmanita verna is one of the most harmful wild fungi in China. Amanita verna poisoning occurs every year, and the mortality is as high as 50%. However, its clinical manifestations are complex and diverse.Case presentationIn March 2019, three patients took a large amount of Amanita, and one of them received liver transplantation in Zhongshan hospital, Sun Yat-sen University. All patients had vomiting and diarrhea 8–12 h after eating wild mushrooms (Amanita). The patients were initially diagnosed with Amanita poisoning. One case (case 3) was complicated and diagnosed as mushroom poisoning (fatal Amanita), toxic hepatitis, acute liver failure, toxic encephalopathy, hemorrhagic colitis, toxic myocarditis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and pregnancy. The general clinical data of all patients were recorded, who received early treatment such as hemodialysis, artificial liver plasma exchange, hormone shock and anti-infection. One case (case 1) recovered smoothly after liver transplantation, and the indexes of liver, kidney, coagulation function and infection were improved. The other two cases died of intracerebral hemorrhage.ConclusionLiver transplantation is an effective method for the treatment of acute liver failure caused by mushroom poisoning and can improve the survival rate of patients with toxic liver failure.

Typification of Sphaeria sinensis to precisely fix the application of the name of the economically important Chinese caterpillar fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis

AbstractThere is a long‐standing need to fix the application of the name Sphaeria sinensis, basionym of the economically important Chinese caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis, at the molecular level. The fungus was described by Berkeley in 1843, and is now harvested in the Tibetan Plateau (including the Himalayas). This need arises because of the existence of putative later synonyms in need of confirmation, existence of multiple haplotypes, occurrence of diverged ITS paralogs, and need to be confident of the identity of commercially grown cultures of the asexual morph. Here we report the rediscovery of original material in a spirit collection originally held in the Natural History Museum London but now at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. There are also three undated collections under this name in the Kew Fungarium from Berkeley's herbarium, and another with the name of Reeves, who sent the material to the U.K., but which originated from Hooker's herbarium. There is no proof that any of these four dried collections were used by Berkeley when describing the species. The collection in the spirit jar and the published illustration are the only original materials, and that in the spirit jar is designated as lectotype here; the collection from Hooker's herbarium may be an isolectotype but it was not studied by Berkeley. As no DNA would have been recoverable from the spirit collection, we endeavoured to extract DNA from two of the dried collections. Routine DNA amplification did not yield any ITS fragments, so a metagenomic approach was used and the collection from Hooker's herbarium yielded an entire 3189 bp ITS sequence most similar to those of the haplotype that predominates in the major distributional area of the fungus. A rich modern collection from the core region of the fungus in China, with ample stromata of the fungus on the host, and the ITS sequence matching that obtained from the dried specimen from Hooker's herbarium, is designated as epitype to unequivocally fix the application of the name. Ex‐type living cultures from the epitype were obtained and are also being maintained.

Morphology and molecular study of three new Cordycipitoid fungi and its related species collected from Jilin Province, northeast China.

Cordyceps species are notable medicinal fungi in China, which are pathogenic on insects and exhibit high biodiversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Recently, three new Cordyceps species, Cordycepschangchunensis and Cordycepsjingyuetanensis growing on pupae of Lepidoptera and Cordycepschangbaiensis growing on larvae of Lepidoptera, were found in Jilin Province, China and are described, based on morphological and ecological characteristics. These three new species are similar to the Cordycepsmilitaris group, but are distinctly distinguishable from the known species. Cordycepschangchunensis, characterised by its small and light yellow to orange stromata which is occasionally forked, covered with white mycelium at the base of stipe, globose to ovoid perithecia, is macroscopically similar to Cordycepsmilitaris. Cordycepschangbaiensis is clearly discriminated from other Cordyceps species by its white to orange and branched stromata, clavate to cylindrical fertile apical portion, immersed and globose to ovoid perithecia. Moreover, unbranched, clavate and orange to light red stromata, almond-shaped to ovoid and immersed perithecia separate Cordycepsjingyuetanensis from other Cordyceps species. nrITS, nrLSU and EF-1α sequences were undertaken and phylogenetic trees, based on Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analysis showed that the three new species clustered with Cordycepsmilitaris, but formed individual clades, as well as confirmed the results of our morphological study.