Species Of Microascus Research Articles

Performance of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Identification of Scedosporium, Acremonium-Like, Scopulariopsis, and Microascus Species.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as a powerful microorganism identification tool. Research on MALDI-TOF MS identification of rare filamentous fungi is still lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of MALDI-TOF MS in the identification of Scedosporium, Acremonium-like, Scopulariopsis, and Microascus species. Sabouraud broth cultivation and formic acid/acetonitrile protein extraction were used for MALDI-TOF MS identification by a Bruker Biotyper system. An in-house database containing 29 isolates of Scedosporium, Acremonium-like, Scopulariopsis, and Microascus spp. was constructed. A total of 52 clinical isolates were identified using the Bruker Filamentous Fungi Library v1.0 (FFL v1.0) alone, and Filamentous Fungi Library v1.0 plus the in-house library, respectively. The mass spectrum profile (MSP) dendrograms of the 28 Scedosporium isolates, 26 Acremonium-like isolates, and 27 Scopulariopsis and Microascus isolates were constructed by MALDI Biotyper OC 4.0 software, respectively. The correct species identification rate significantly improved when using the combined databases compared with that when using FFL v1.0 alone (Scedosporium spp., 75% versus 0%; Acremonium-like spp., 100% versus 0%; Scopulariopsis and Microascus spp., 100% versus 62.5%). The MSP dendrograms differentiated Acremonium-like species, Scopulariopsis and Microascus species clearly, but cannot distinguish species in the Scedosporium apiospermum complex. In conclusion, with an expanded database, MALDI-TOF MS is an effective tool for the identification of Scedosporium, Acremonium-like, Scopulariopsis, and Microascus species.

Two new Microascus species with spinous conidia isolated from pig farm soils in China

Abstract Two scopulariopsis-like fungi were isolated when surveying fungi in pig farm soils in China. Sexual structures of these fungi were not observed and their conidia had spinous walls. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 and intervening 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene (ITS), large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), beta-tubulin (tub2) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) gene showed that they were new members of the genus Microascus, and the name M. aculeatus and M. spinosporus were introduced. Genetically the two new species clustered in a well-supported clade close to M. longicollis, but differed in producing relatively long branches. Morphologically M. aculeatus could be distinguished by its conidia with sparse but long spines; M. spinosporus resembled three species of the genus Scopulariopsis, S. asperula, S. brevicaulis and S. flava, but was different in the color of colony and conidia, and the form of conidiophores.

Necrotizing Microascus tracheobronchitis in a bilateral lung transplant recipient

Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of mortality among solid organ transplant recipients. Scopulariopsis species and their teleomorph Microascus are molds found in soil and decaying organic matter. We report here the case of a woman who underwent bilateral lung transplantation for severe emphysema. On day 25 after transplantation, endobronchial green-black lesions were detected during routine endoscopy. Endobronchial swabs, biopsies, and bronchoalveolar lavage samples were positive for Microascus cirrosus. This fungal infection developed despite voriconazole given for previous persistent invasive aspergillosis. Treatment consisted of a combination of antifungal medication (voriconazole, terbinafine, amphotericin B, and caspofungin) and endoscopic resection of necrosed bronchial mucosa. A favorable clinical outcome was achieved after 7weeks of treatment. Seven cases of Scopulariopsis/Microascus infection have been previously described in solid organ transplant recipients. Only two survived after treatment with an antifungal combination therapy including echinocandins, posaconazole, and terbinafine. In immunocompromised patients, infection by Microascus species is a rare but life-threatening event because of innate resistance to most common antifungal drugs. Our patient was successfully cured by combined therapy including intravenous voriconazole and caspofungin, oral terbinafine, and inhaled voriconazole and amphotericin B administered for 7weeks in association with iterative endoscopic debridement to reduce fungal inoculum.

Scopulariopsis and scopulariopsis-like species from indoor environments.

Scopulariopsis-like species are often reported from the indoor environment, as well as from clinical samples. The lack of type isolates and thorough phylogenetic studies in the Microascaceae hampered the correct identification of these isolates. Based on recent phylogenetic studies, which resulted in multiple name changes, the aim is to molecularly identify the Scopulariopsis and scopulariopsis-like species which occur in the indoor environment and give an overview of the current species in these genera and their habitats. Strains from the CBS culture collection were supplemented with almost 80 indoor strains of which the internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 and intervening 5.8S nrDNA (ITS), beta-tubulin (tub2) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) gene regions were sequenced for phylogenetic inference. The multi-gene phylogenies recognise 33 Microascus species and 12 Scopulariopsis species and showed that the recently established genus Fuscoannellis, typified by Scopulariopsis carbonaria, should be synonymized with the genus Yunnania. Seven new Microascus species, four new Scopulariopsis species, and one new Yunnania species, are described, and a new name in Microascus and two new name combinations (one in Microascus, and one in Yunnania) are proposed. In the indoor environment 14 Microascus species and three Scopulariopsis species were found. Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (22 indoor isolates) and Microascus melanosporus (19 indoor isolates) are the most common indoor species, in number of isolates, followed by M. paisii (8 indoor isolates) and S. candida (7 indoor isolates). A genus phylogeny based on the ITS, tef1 and the large subunit 28S nrDNA (LSU) of the type or representative isolates of all here recognised species is provided depicting all species habitats. No correlation between phylogenetic relationship and habitat preference could be observed. Ten species which are found indoor are also found in relation with human-derived samples. A table showing recent name changes and a key to common species of Scopulariopsis and scopulariopsis-like genera found indoors is included.

In vitro activities of a wide panel of antifungal drugs against various Scopulariopsis and Microascus species.

The in vitro activities of 11 antifungal drugs against 68 Scopulariopsis and Microascus strains were investigated. Amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, and ciclopirox showed no or poor antifungal effect. The best activities were exhibited by terbinafine and caspofungin, where the MIC and MEC (minimal effective concentration) ranges were 0.0313 to >16 μg/ml and 0.125 to 16 μg/ml, respectively. The MIC and MEC modes were both 1 µg/ml for terbinafine and caspofungin; the MIC50 and MEC50 were 1 µg/ml for both drugs, whereas the MIC90 and MEC90 were 4 µg/ml and 16 µg/ml, respectively.

Redefining Microascus, Scopulariopsis and allied genera.

The genera Microascus and Scopulariopsis comprise species commonly isolated from soil, decaying plant material and indoor environments. A few species are also recognised as opportunistic pathogens of insects and animals, including humans. In the past, the taxonomy of these fungi has been based on morphology only. With the aim to clarify the taxonomy and phylogeny of these fungi, we studied a large set of clinical and environmental isolates, including the available ex-type strains of numerous species, by means of morphological, physiological and molecular analyses. Species delineation was assessed under the Genealogical Phylogenetic Species Recognition (GCPSR) criterion using DNA sequence data of four loci (ITS region, and fragments of rDNA LSU, translation elongation factor 1-α and β-tubulin). The genera Microascus and Scopulariopsis were found to be separated in two distinct lineages. The genus Pithoascus is reinstated and the new genus Pseudoscopulariopsis is erected, typified by P. schumacheri. Seven new species of Microascus and one of Scopulariopsis are described, namely M. alveolaris, M. brunneosporus, M. campaniformis, M. expansus, M. intricatus, M. restrictus, M. verrucosus and Scopulariopsis cordiae. Microascus trigonosporus var. macrosporus is accepted as a species distinct from M. trigonosporus. Nine new combinations are introduced. Microascus cinereus, M. longirostris, P. schumacheri and S. flava are neotypified. A table summarising the morphological features of the species treated and identification keys for each genus are provided.

Microascus brevicaulis sp. nov., the teleomorph of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, supports placement of Scopulariopsis with the Microascaceae

Five isolates of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis have been found to form perithecia in addition to typical conidia. The teleomorph is described as Microascus brevicaulis sp. nov., characterized by small (70–130 μm diam), black, ostiolate ascocarps that are papillate or very short-necked, and with a peridium of textura angularis. The ascospores are reniform, 5–6 × 3.5-4.5 μm, smooth, and pale orange in mass. Although other species of Microascus produce a Scopulariopsis state in culture, this discovery now definitively links S. brevicaulis, the type species of Scopulariopsis, to the Microascaceae.

An undescribed species of Microascus from the Cave of Ramioul

An isolate of a fungus from decaying meat in the Cave of Ramioul, Belgium, is presented as the undescribed species Microascus caviariformis sp.nov. It grows fastest and reproduces most abundantly on media low in soluble sugars and appears to be strongly adapted to growth on proteinaceous substrata at temperatures below 25 °C. Production of a prolific and typical Scopulariopsis anamorph and relatively rapid growth on standard media are typical of most Microascus species, while its very narrow ascospores and slowly developing ascomatal ostiola are more characteristic of the genus Pithoascus. The apparent presence of a germ pore in the ascospores suggests the former genus to be more appropriate.

Fungi occurring in the achenes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

More than 28 000 oil-type and confectionary sunflower seeds (achenes) from several production areas in the United States were surface sterilized and plated onto agar media, and the fungi that grew from them were identified. Ninety-eight species in 38 genera were identified from graded samples (grade No. 1, grade No. 2, and sample grade) of seed stored at 20 °C at 63, 83, and 93% relative humidities and from developing seed field-grown in Georgia. Sixty-four fungal taxa are reported from sunflower seed for the first time. The internal mycoflora of sunflower seed grown in Georgia differed in 2 consecutive years; pre-harvest invasion of developing seed by storage fungi occurred during the dry growing season of 1983, and species diversity was greater than in 1984, which had a relatively wet growing season. Although fewer total genera and species were isolated in 1984, the percent of seed infected by and the number of species of Fusarium present in seed produced during the wet year were much greater than during the dry year. Forty-five potentially mycotoxigenic and five thermophilic taxa were recorded. Five species of Microascus previously unknown from sunflower seed were isolated.

Studies on Trapping, Nesting, and Rearing of some Magachile Species (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae) and on their Parasites in Denmark

AbstractPopulations of three indigenous species of leaf-cutting bees, Megachile centuncularis, M. leachella, and M. willughbiella, were compared to one of the alien bee, M. pacifica. In contrast to M. leachella and M. pacifica the two other species had so unfavourable a sex ratio that it proved prohibitive to propagation, while the rate of emergence showed the indigenous bees better adapted to our natural conditions than is M. pacifica. Parasitic wasps and bees were important enemies of the bees. Melittobia acasta occurred in all species reared in the greenhouse, Monodontomerus obscurus was present in the colony of Megachile willughbiella gathered in nature, and Pteromalus venustus seriously diminished the population of M. willughbiella when this bee was moved to a new nesting site. Coelioxys mandibularis is very common in naure, but was only observed once in connection with the studies presented. Several species of fungi were associated with the indigenous bees, while the alien M. pacifica was practically free of fungi. In M. centuncularis Ascosphaera proliperda and A. major caused chalkbrood-like diseases, though the latter seems merely a facultative parasite. A hitherto undescribed species of Microascus was associated to and probably pathogenic in M. willughbiella. The mucous ascopores of the fungi stick to the fur of the bees as they pass through one cell after the other when emerging. That is one way of transfer from one generation to the next.

On the cellulophilic behaviour of some species of microascus

Communication about a new habitat of species ofMicroascus as they can grow on paper. It has been shown thatM. intermedius, M. trigonosporus, M. cirrosus can apparently grow and fructificate on paper.M. longirostris showed lesser growth.

MICROASCACEAE IN JAPAN

Microascus doguetii Moreau, M. longirostris Zukal, M. manginii (Loub.) Curzi and Petriella setifera (Schm.) Curzi were recorded for Japan; a Graphium stage was first recognized for P. setifera. On the basis of some new observation made during the study, a revision of the key to the Microascus species was proposed.

THE GENUS MICROASCUS

Descriptions are given of 14 species of Microascus. M. pyramidus Barron and Gilman is described as a new species and M. trigonosporus var. macrosporus Orr as a new variety. The conidial stage and cultural characteristics are described for most of the species. The genus Microascus is separated from Petriella on the basis of the smaller, lighter-colored ascospores as well as the type of conidia. Most of the species have a Scopulariopsis-type of conidial stage. M. variabilis Massee and Salmon is placed in synonomy under M. longirostris Zukal. Microascus stysanophorus (Matt.) comb. nov. is proposed.

A New Species of Microascus with a Scopulariopsis Stage

During the fall of 1931, Doctor D. C. Smith, Professor of Dermatology and Syphology at the University of Virginia, gave me some dermatophyte cultures growing on Sabauraud's media. He had obtained a fungus in December, 1931, from an infection showing eruptions involving the hands and forearm and it was from the culture of this fungus that I found what I believe to be a new species of Scopulariopsis. On Sabauraud's media the surface growth of this new species was smooth with a whitish growth becoming grayish mealy with the formation of conidia and then turning black with the formation of the ascocarps. The colonies were restricted in extent and became wrinkled and raised above the surface of the agar. One could not consider this a surface growth as a number of the hyphae penetrated one fourth of an inch into the agar. There was very little or no growth on dextrose-tartaric acid media. In my study of dermatophytes, I have found that those within my experience grow better in Knop's solution in a sterile moist chamber than on agar media. Consequently, the study of all stages of the above fungus except the cross section of the perithecial stage, was made from culture grown on Sabauraud's media. The perithecia develop abundantly, however, in Knop's solution.

A New Species of Microascus with a Scopulariopsis Stage

A New Species of Microascus with a Scopulariopsis Stage