Search Results (402)

Fumonisins, primarily produced by Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus section nigri, are common contaminants in maize, cereal grains, and other processed and derived products, representing a significant risk to food safety and public health. This study presents the development and optimisation of a high-performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) for the quantification of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) in various food matrices. In contrast with conventional protocols employing potassium phosphate buffers as the mobile phase, the proposed method utilises formic acid, offering enhanced compatibility with liquid chromatography systems. An automated online precolumn derivatisation with o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) was optimised through experimental design and response surface methodology, enabling baseline separation of FB1 and FB2 derivatives in less than 20 min. The method demonstrated high sensitivity, with limits of detection of 0.006 µg mL⁻¹ for FB1 and 0.012 µg mL⁻¹ for FB2, and excellent repeatability (intraday RSD values of 0.85% and 0.83%, respectively). Several solid-phase extraction (SPE) strategies were evaluated to enhance sample clean-up using a variety of food samples, including dried figs, raisins, dates, corn, cornmeal, wheat flour, and rice. FumoniStar Inmunoaffinity columns were the only clean-up method that provided optimal recoveries (70–120%) across all tested food matrices. However, the MultiSep™ 211 column yielded good recoveries for both fumonisins in dried figs and raisins. Additionally, the C18 cartridge achieved acceptable recoveries for both fumonisins in dried figs and wheat flour. Full article

Mycosis is caused by, among other factors, filamentous fungi, ubiquitous molds belonging to Aspergillus spp. which are often opportunistic pathogens. Over 100 species of Aspergillus have been described. The most common species responsible for diseases in humans and animals are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger, with Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus clavatus being somewhat rarer. Aspergillus causes a range of diseases, from localized colonization and hypersensitivity reactions, through chronic necrotizing infections, to rapidly progressing angioinvasion and dissemination, leading to death. Testicular mycosis is extremely rarely described in both humans and animals. No studies in the literature report a simultaneous occurrence of testicular tumors and fungal infection of the organ, so the aim of this paper was to describe, for the first time, a case of two independent testicular tumors coexisting with testicular mycosis. A histopathological examination was performed on the left testicle of a male dog, specifically a mixed-breed dog resembling a husky weighing 22 kg and with an age of 8 years. Bilateral orchidectomy was performed for medical reasons due to the altered outline of the left testicle, leading to scrotal deformation. The dog did not show any clinical signs of illness, and the testicles were not painful. The right testicle, according to the operating veterinarian, showed no macroscopic changes, so histopathological verification was not performed. Microscopic imaging of the changes clearly indicated the coexistence of a tumor process involving Leydig cells (Leydigoma, interstitial cell tumor, ICT), Sertoli cells (Sertolioma), and fungal infection of the testis. The case suggests the possibility of the coexistence of tumor processes, which may have impaired local immune response of the tissue, with an infectious, in this case fungal, inflammatory process. Based on the literature, this paper is the first report on the occurrence of two independent histotype testicular tumors and their associated mycosis. Full article

Canvas paintings are prone to biodeterioration due to their complex chemical composition, which can support fungal growth even under controlled conditions. This study evaluated the susceptibility of common synthetic restoration materials—Lascaux glues (303 HV, 498 HV), Acrylharz P550, BEVA 371, Laropal A81, and Regalrez 1094—to degradation by fourteen xerotolerant/xerophilic fungal strains. All tested Aspergillus and Penicillium species extensively colonized, especially artificially aged materials. FTIR-PAS analysis revealed chemical changes in carbonyl and C–H bonds in Laropal A81 and Regalrez 1094 colonized by Aspergillus spp. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging showed thinning of Lascaux glues and deformation of Regalrez 1094. Transcriptomic profiling of A. puulaauensis grown on Lascaux 498 HV and Regalrez 1094 identified altered expression of genes coding for esterases and oxidases, enzymes involved in synthetic polymer degradation. Esterase activity assays using 4-nitrophenol-based substrates confirmed significant enzymatic activity correlating with the presence of ester bonds. These findings highlight the vulnerability of synthetic restoration materials, specifically Laropal A81, Regalrez 1094, and Lascaux glues, to extremophilic fungi thriving in environments with low water activity. The results emphasize the urgent need for specific knowledge on fungi and their metabolic pathways to use/develop more durable conservation materials and strategies to protect cultural heritage objects from biodeterioration. Full article

Background: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is highly sensitive and specific for the rapid diagnosis of invasive fungal disease (IFD) but is not yet widely implemented due to concerns regarding limited standardisation between assays, the lack of commercial options and the absence of clear guidance on interpreting results. Objectives and Methods: This review provides an update on technical and clinical aspects of PCR for the diagnosis of the most pertinent fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus, Candida, Pneumocystis jirovecii, Mucorales spp., and endemic mycoses. Summary: Recent meta-analyses have demonstrated that quantitative PCR (qPCR) offers high sensitivity for diagnosing IFD, surpassing conventional microscopy, culture and most serological tests. The reported specificity of qPCR is likely underestimated due to comparison with imperfect reference standards with variable sensitivity. Although the very low limit of detection of qPCR can generate false positive results due to procedural contamination or patient colonisation (particularly in pulmonary specimens), the rates are comparable to those observed for biomarker testing. When interpreting qPCR results, it is essential to consider the pre-test probability, determined by the patient population, host factors, clinical presentation and risk factors. For patients with low to moderate pre-test probability, the use of sensitive molecular tests, often in conjunction with serological testing or biomarkers, can effectively exclude IFD when all tests return negative results, reducing the need for empirical antifungal therapy. Conversely, for patients with high pre-test probability and clinical features of IFD, qPCR testing on invasive specimens from the site of infection (such as tissue or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) can confidently rule in the disease. The development of next-generation sequencing methods to detect fungal infection has the potential to enhance the diagnosis of IFD, but standardisation and optimisation are essential, with improved accessibility underpinning clinical utility. Full article

Mabroom dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are recognized as one of the most important crops in Qatar. Fresh fruit dates are susceptible to mould and post-harvest spoilage, resulting in a significant financial loss. Octanoic fatty acid (OFA) has been shown to regulate the growth of mould-causing organisms such as fungi and bacteria. It is known to have antibacterial properties. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of OFA on the post-harvest pathogens of Mabroom fruits. Fresh, apparently healthy, and fully ripe Mabroom dates were obtained from the National Agriculture and Food Corporation (NAFCO). The chosen fruits were packed in sterile, well-ventilated plastic boxes and transported to the lab under controlled conditions. The fruits were distributed into five groups (G1 to G5). The groups G1, G2, and G3 received 1%, 2%, and 3.5% OFA, respectively, while G4 was left untreated and G5 was washed only with tap water as a positive control treatment. Each group contained 200 g of fresh and healthy semi-soft dates. The samples were then dried and incubated in a humidity chamber at 25 °C ± 2 for seven days. The signs and symptoms of decay were monitored and recorded. The presence of pathogens was confirmed via phenotypic and microscopic-based methods. The results showed a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) among the groups. OFA at 3.5% had the strongest inhibitory action against post-harvest pathogens, followed by OFA2%. However, there were no differences (p ≤ 0.05) between OFA1% and the control groups. Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp., and Botrytis spp. were most abundant in the control group, followed by OFA2% and OFA1%, respectively. In conclusion, octanoic fatty acid at 3.5% may improve the quality of date fruits through its high antimicrobial activity, reduce the effect of post-harvest decay, minimize the loss of date fruits during storage, and improve the sustainability of date fruits. Further experiments are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of OFA as a green solution for sustainable date fruit production. Full article

Cordycepin, a bioactive adenosine analog, holds promise in pharmaceutical and health product development. However, large-scale production remains constrained by the limitations of natural producers, Cordyceps spp. Herein, we report the reconstruction of the first genome-scale metabolic model (GSMM) for a cordycepin-producing strain of recombinant Aspergillus oryzae. The model, iNR1684, incorporated 1684 genes and 1947 reactions with 93% gene-protein-reaction coverage, which was validated by the experimental biomass composition and growth rate. In silico analyses identified key gene amplification targets in the pentose phosphate and one-carbon metabolism pathways, indicating that folate metabolism is crucial for enhancing cordycepin production. Nutrient optimization simulations revealed that chitosan, D-glucosamine, and L-aspartate preferentially supported cordycepin biosynthesis. Additionally, a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 11.6:1 was identified and experimentally validated to maximize production, higher than that reported for Cordyceps militaris. These findings correspond to a faster growth rate, enhanced carbon assimilation, and broader substrate utilization by A. oryzae. This study demonstrates the significant role of GSMM in uncovering rational engineering strategies and provides a quantitative framework for precision fermentation, offering scalable and sustainable solutions for industrial cordycepin production. Full article

Background/Objectives: There is an increasing incidence of fungal infections in conjunction with the rise in resistance to medical treatment. Antimicrobial resistance is frequently associated with virulence factors such as adherence and the capacity of biofilm formation, which facilitates the evasion of the host immune response and resistance to drug action. Novel therapeutic strategies have been developed to overcome antimicrobial resistance, including the use of different type of nanomaterials: metallic (Au, Ag, Fe₃O₄ and ZnO), organic (e.g., chitosan, liposomes and lactic acid) or carbon-based (e.g., quantum dots, nanotubes and graphene) materials. The objective of this study was to evaluate the action of nanoparticles of different synthesis and with different coatings on fungi of medical interest. Methods: Literature research was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases, and the following terms were employed in articles published up to June 2025: ‘nanoparticles’ in combination with ‘fungal biofilm’, ‘Candida biofilm’, ‘Aspergillus biofilm’, ‘Cryptococcus biofilm’, ‘Fusarium biofilm’ and ‘dermatophytes biofilm’. Results: The utilization of nanoparticles was found to exert a substantial impact on the reduction in fungal biofilm, despite the presence of substantial variability in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values attributable to variations in nanoparticle type and the presence of capping agents. It was observed that the MIC values were lower for metallic nanoparticles, particularly silver, and for those synthesized with polylactic acid compared to the others. Conclusions: Despite the limited availability of data concerning the stability and biocompatibility of nanoparticles employed in the treatment of fungal biofilms, it can be posited that these results constitute a significant initial step. Full article

Several species of Fusarium are reported to infect inflorescences of high-THC-containing cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) plants grown in greenhouses in Canada. These include F. graminearum, F. sporotrichiodes, F. proliferatum, and, to a lesser extent, F. oxysporum and F. solani. The greatest concern surrounding the infection of cannabis by these Fusarium species, which cause symptoms of bud rot, is the potential for the accumulation of mycotoxins that may go undetected. In the present study, both naturally infected and artificially infected inflorescence tissues were tested for the presence of fungal-derived toxins using HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Naturally infected cannabis tissues were confirmed to be infected by both F. avenaceum and F. graminearum using PCR. Pure cultures of these two species and F. sporotrichiodes were inoculated onto detached inflorescences of two cannabis genotypes, and after 7 days, they were dried and assayed for mycotoxin presence. In these assays, all Fusarium species grew prolifically over the tissue surface. Tissues infected by F. graminearum contained 3-acetyl DON, DON, and zearalenone in the ranges of 0.13–0.40, 1.18–1.91, and 31.8 to 56.2 μg/g, respectively, depending on the cannabis genotype. In F. sporotrichiodes-infected samples, HT2 and T2 mycotoxins were present at 13.9 and 10.9 μg/g in one genotype and were lower in the other. In F. avenaceum-inoculated tissues, the mycotoxins enniatin A, enniatin A1, enniatin B, and enniatin B1 were produced at varying concentrations, depending on the isolate and cannabis genotype. Unexpectedly, these tissues also contained detectable levels of 3-acetyl DON, DON, and zearalenone, which was attributed to apre-existing natural infection by F. graminearum that was confirmed by RT-qPCR. Beauvericin was detected in tissues infected by F. avenaceum and F. sporotrichiodes, but not by F. graminearum. Naturally infected, dried inflorescences from which F. avenaceum was recovered contained beauvericin, enniatin A1, enniatin B, and enniatin B1 as expected. Uninoculated cannabis inflorescences were free of mycotoxins except for culmorin at 0.348 μg/g, reflecting pre-existing infection by F. graminearum. The mycotoxin levels were markedly different between the two cannabis genotypes, despite comparable mycelial colonization. Tall fescue plants growing in the vicinity of the greenhouse were shown to harbor F. avenaceum and F. graminearum, suggesting a likely external source of inoculum. Isolates of both species from tall fescue produced mycotoxins when inoculated onto cannabis inflorescences. These findings demonstrate that infection by F. graminearum and F. avenaceum, either from artificial inoculation or natural inoculum originating from tall fescue plants, can lead to mycotoxin accumulation in cannabis inflorescences. However, extensive mycelial colonization following prolonged incubation of infected tissues under high humidity conditions is required. Inoculations with Penicillium citrinum and Aspergillus ochraceus under these conditions produced no detectable mycotoxins. The mycotoxins alternariol and tentoxin were detected in several inflorescence samples, likely as a result of natural infection by Alternaria spp. Fusarium avenaceum is reported to infect cannabis inflorescences for the first time and produces mycotoxins in diseased tissues. Full article

Microbial fermentation technology has emerged as a pivotal approach for enhancing ginseng efficacy through the transformation of active ingredient molecular structures. This paper reviews the impact of microbial fermentation on the structure–activity relationship of ginseng bioactive compounds and advances in its application. Bibliometric analysis indicates that Panax species (Panax ginseng, Panax notoginseng) are primarily fermented using lactic acid bacteria and Aspergillus spp., with research predominantly focused on conversion efficiency to rare ginsenosides (Compound K, Rg3, and Rh2). Specifically, this review details the biotransformation pathways of these rare ginsenosides and the resultant bioactivity enhancements. Additionally, it summarizes the effects of other microorganisms, such as fungal fruiting bodies, on additional ginseng constituents like polysaccharides and polyphenols. Microbial fermentation has been successfully implemented in functional products, including ginseng vinegar, wine, and fermented milk. This review subsequently examines these applications, emphasizing fermentation’s potential to enhance product functionality. However, challenges remain in strain screening, process standardization, and analysis of multi-component synergistic mechanisms. In summary, this review synthesizes recent advancements in understanding the mechanisms of microbial fermentation on ginseng and its translational applications in functional foods and pharmaceuticals. Full article

The increasing emergence of antifungal resistance poses potential clinical challenges, particularly among immunocompromised patients with cancer at risk of invasive mold infections, but data on antifungal susceptibility trends specific to this population are few. We evaluated distributions of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC), including minimal effective concentrations (MEC) for echinocandins, of 11 antifungal agents for 523 mold isolates (395 Aspergillus spp.) from cancer patients. Based on published Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, isavuconazole had notably high rates of non-wild-type MICs for A. fumigatus (19.6%), A. flavus/oryzae (34.8%), A. niger complex (26.1%), and A. terreus complex (8.33%). Persistent low baseline resistance of A. fumigatus to voriconazole was observed across multiple years (2.4–11.5% per year, average 8.41%) without significant trends in MIC change over time. Itraconazole and posaconazole demonstrated the lowest MIC distributions (MIC₅₀ ≤ 0.06–0.5 µg/mL) of the azoles against Aspergillus spp. Amongst the A. niger complex, 29.4% (27/92) demonstrated non-wild-type MICs to itraconazole. While the A. nidulans group was less frequent (n = 24), bimodal peaks in MIC/MEC were noted for caspofungin (≤0.06 and 1 µg/mL). Non-Aspergillus molds of significance (Zygomycetes, Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp., and Lomentospora prolificans) demonstrated variable but increased MICs to antifungal agents as previously described. Our results highlight increased rates of non-wild type MICs for Aspergillus spp. to isavuconazole and voriconazole, which are commonly used antifungal agents in cancer patients. Such AST trends should be closely monitored in populations with frequent antifungal use and encourage increased antifungal stewardship efforts. Full article

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents one of the main respiratory infections found among immunocompromised patients. Objective: The study analyzes the incidence of RSV infection in different populations of immunocompromised patients as organ transplant recipients (lung, other solid organs, hematopoietic stem cells) and oncologic patients (solid organ malignancy and hematological malignancy) compared to a group of non-immunocompromised patients. We also assessed the prevalence of viral, bacterial, and mycotic coinfection. Moreover, we aimed at evaluating the efficacy of ribavirin treatment in terms of mortality reduction. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on a total of 466 transplant patients undergoing bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage for suspected viral disease or surveillance between 2016 and 2023, compared to 460 controls. Results: The incidence of RSV was significantly higher in immunocompromised patients, particularly in those with lung and bone marrow transplants. Among RSV+ patients, a higher prevalence of viral (influenza virus), bacterial (S. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae, Nocardia spp.), and fungal (Aspergillus spp.) coinfections were observed. The efficacy of ribavirin in reducing mortality did not show significant differences compared to supportive therapy alone. Conclusions: The results of our exploratory study suggest that immunocompromised patients are particularly vulnerable to RSV infection and coinfections. Our hypothesis-generating data warrant the need for future studies aimed at exploring preventive and therapeutic strategies for RSV infection in these high-risk patient groups. Full article

Pulmonary nocardiosis (PN) is a rare, opportunistic, and potentially life-threatening infection, especially in disseminated cases. This retrospective study aimed to characterize the clinical features of PN and assess the diagnostic utility of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). We reviewed data from 19 patients diagnosed with PN between September 2019 and August 2022, including 3 with disseminated disease. Common symptoms included fever, cough, and sputum production, while chest imaging frequently revealed nodules, consolidations, exudates, cavities, and pleural effusions. The sensitivity of mNGS for detecting Nocardia was significantly higher than that of culture (100% vs. 36.84%, p < 0.001). mNGS successfully identified Nocardia species and co-infected pathogens. The most common species was Nocardia farcinica. Four PN cases were co-infected with Rhizomucor pusillus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Lichtheimia ramosa, and Aspergillus spp. Eighteen patients (94.7%) received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ). Sixteen cases (84.2%) were improved or cured. Misdiagnosis is common due to the nonspecificity of clinical and imaging presentations of pulmonary nocardiosis. The timely combination of mNGS represents a promising approach to enhance the diagnosis of pulmonary nocardiosis and inform targeted antimicrobial therapy. TMP-SMZ is the first line of treatment. Full article

The major objective was to investigate the protective capabilities of endophytic bacterial strains isolated from a number of medicinal plant species towards Aspergillus spp. secured from the internal tissues of fungi-infected peanuts. Among 32 fungal isolates surveyed for mycotoxin production in various culture media (PDA, RBCA, YES, CA), 10 isolates qualitatively producing AFB₁, besides 10 OTA-producers, were assayed by HPLC for quantitative toxin production. Aspergillus spp. isolate Be 13 produced an extraordinary quantity of 1859.18 μg mL⁻¹ AFB₁, against the lowest toxin level of 280.40 μg mL⁻¹ produced by the fungus isolate IS 4. The estimated amounts of OTA were considerably lower and fell in the range 0.88–6.00 μg mL⁻¹; isolate Sa 1 was superior, while isolate Be 7 seemed inferior. Based on ITS gene sequencing, the highly toxigenic Aspergillus spp. isolates Be 13 and Sa 1 matched the description of A. novoparasiticus and A. ochraceus, respectively, ochraceus, respectively, which are present in GenBank with identity exceeding 99%. According to 16S rRNA gene sequencing, these antagonists labeled Ar6, Ma27 and So34 showed the typical characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus velezensis, respectively, with similarity percentages of 99–100. The plant growth-promoting activity measurements of the identified endophytes indicated the production of 16.96–80.00 μg/100 mL culture medium of IAA. Phosphate-solubilizing capacity varied among endophytes from 2.50 to 21.38 μg/100 mL. The polysaccharide production pool of bacterial strains ranged between 2.74 and 6.57 mg mL⁻¹. P. aeruginosa Ar6 and B. velezensis successfully produced HCN, but B. subtilis failed. The in vitro mycotoxin biodegradation potential of tested bacterial endophytes indicated the superiority of B. velezensis in degrading both mycotoxins (AFB₁-OTA) with average percentage of 88.7; B. subtilis ranked thereafter (85.6%). The 30-day old peanut (cv. Giza 6) seedlings grown in gnotobiotic system severely injured due to infection with AFB₁/OTA-producing fungi, an effect expressed in significant reductions in shoot and root growth traits. Simultaneous treatment with the endophytic antagonists greatly diminished the harmful impact of the pathogens; B. velezensis was the pioneer, not P. aeruginosa Ar6. In conclusion, these findings proved that several endophytic bacterial species have the potential as alternative tools to chemical fungicides for protecting agricultural commodities against mycotoxin-producing fungi. Full article

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of immune cells that play a central role in regulating host immune responses during fungal infections. Their recruitment is mediated by pathogen recognition receptors, particularly Dectin-1 and CARD9 signaling, which promote the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IL-1β. Once activated, MDSCs suppress T-cell and natural killer cell functions through immunosuppressive cytokines like IL-10 and TGF-β, as well as enzymes such as arginase-1 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1). This review explores the role of MDSCs in fungal infections caused by Candida spp., Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Aspergillus spp., and Cryptococcus neoformans, emphasizing their impact on immune modulation and disease progression. The emerging evidence suggests that fungal bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, can influence MDSC activity and restore immune balance. Notably, therapies targeting MDSCs have demonstrated promise in both fungal infections. In particular, infections with P. brasiliensis and C. neoformans show improved T-cell responses following MDSC-targeted interventions. Additionally, polysaccharides from Grifola frondosa and exposure to Aspergillus sydowii affect MDSC behavior, supporting the potential of modulating these cells therapeutically. Together, these findings highlight the relevance of MDSCs in fungal pathogenesis and underscore their potential as targets for immunotherapeutic strategies in infectious diseases. Full article

Aspergillus flavus can produce aflatoxins, posing a threat of contamination to peanuts. To mitigate this issue, the use of biocontrol isolates, which do not produce aflatoxins (AF⁻), has been considered to reduce aflatoxin levels. In this study, we evaluated five different AF⁻ isolates belonging to different vegetative compatibility groups, all of which exhibited varying degrees of deletion in aflatoxin biosynthesis gene clusters. One isolate that exhibited poor competitive ability against toxigenic A. flavus was eliminated, and the remaining four isolates were formulated as biocontrol agents and applied to a peanut field in Tai’an, Shandong, as a combination. Three months after application, the soil aflatoxin content was reduced from 0.62 ± 0.01 to 0.19 ± 0.03 μg/kg (inhibition rate: 69.35%). Among filamentous fungi in the soil, the proportion of AF⁻ isolates increased from 0% to 4.33%. Using SSR-specific primers, the microbial agents were recovered. We discovered that among the four AF⁻ isolates, CA04 had a lower colonization rate compared to the other three (only 12.00% of the total AF⁻ population), suggesting that the absence of sclerotia may result in poor reversibility and weaker dispersal ability. We utilized Illumina sequencing to investigate the changes in soil fungal ecology. The results showed a reduction in the population density of harmful fungi, such as Fusarium spp. (66.18%) and Plectosphaerella spp. (79.90%), but an increase in the density of Nothopassalora personata. This is the first study on the dispersal distance and soil fungal community structure following the application of AF⁻ agents in peanut fields in China. Full article