Search Results (716)

Sporotrichosis is a zoonotic fungal infection with increasing incidence in the Brazilian Amazon, primarily affecting domestic cats and posing risks to human health. This study characterized the clinical and epidemiological profiles of 29 feline sporotrichosis cases in Manaus and optimized molecular diagnostic methods for Sporothrix species identification. Most affected cats were young (86.2% aged 1–3 years), male (82.7%), and free-roaming or semi-indoor (44.8% each), frequently presenting cutaneous lesions localized at the nasal planum (23.3%), ears (7%), eyes (2.3%) and other facial areas (18.6%). Three DNA extraction methods were compared; the phenol–chloroform protocol yielded the highest DNA concentration and purity, and ITS1–ITS4 primers showed an adequate sensibility for PCR detection. In silico RFLP profiles using common restriction enzymes showed limited discriminatory power among Sporothrix species. ITS sequencing of four high-quality amplicons confirmed all isolates as Sporothrix brasiliensis. Antifungal susceptibility testing of all isolates revealed geometric mean MICs of 0.25 µg/mL for ketoconazole, 0.57 µg/mL for itraconazole, 7.27 µg/mL for amphotericin B, and 64 µg/mL for fluconazole, respectively. These findings provide clinical, molecular, and therapeutic information supporting the diagnosis and surveillance of feline sporotrichosis in the Amazon, reinforcing the need for ongoing veterinary and public health monitoring. Full article

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a crucial global food crop. The intensive crop farming, monoculture cultivation, and impact of climate change affect the susceptibility of wheat cultivars to biotic stresses, mainly caused by soil fungal pathogens, especially those belonging to the genus Fusarium. This situation threatens yield and grain quality through root and crown rot. While conventional chemical fungicides face resistance issues and environmental concerns, biological alternatives like seed priming with natural metabolites are gaining attention. Polyamines, including putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are attractive priming agents influencing plant development and abiotic stress responses. Spermine in particular shows potential for in vitro antifungal activity against Fusarium. Optimising spermine concentration for seed priming is crucial to maximising protection against Fusarium infection while ensuring robust plant growth. In this research, we explored the potential of the polyamine spermine as a seed treatment to enhance wheat resilience, aiming to identify a sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides. Our findings revealed that a six-hour seed soak in spermine solutions ranging from 0.5 to 5 mM did not delay germination or seedling growth. In fact, the 5 mM concentration significantly stimulated root weight and length. In complementary in vitro assays, we evaluated the antifungal activity of spermine (0.5–5 mM) against three Fusarium species. The results demonstrated complete inhibition of Fusarium culmorum growth at 5 mM spermine. A less significant effect on Fusarium graminearum and little to no impact on Fusarium oxysporum were found. The performed analysis revealed that the spermine had a fungistatic effect against the pathogen, retarding the mycelium growth of F. culmorum inoculated on the seed surface. A pot experiment with Bulgarian soft wheat cv. Sadovo-1 was carried out to estimate the effect of seed priming with spermine against infection with isolates of pathogenic fungus F. culmorum on plant growth and disease severity. Our results demonstrated that spermine resulted in a reduced distribution of F. culmorum and improved plant performance, as evidenced by the higher fresh weight and height of plants pre-treated with spermine. This research describes the efficacy of spermine seed priming as a novel strategy for managing Fusarium root and crown rot in wheat. Full article

Background/Objectives: The diminished efficacy of azoles in treating fungal infections is attributed to the emergence of resistance among pathogenic fungi. Employing a synergistic approach with other compounds to enhance the antifungal activity of azoles has shown promise, yet the availability of clinically valuable adjuvants for azoles and allylamines remains limited. Studies have demonstrated that the human host environment provides multiple carbon sources, which can influence the susceptibility of C. albicans to antifungal agents. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation into the mechanisms by which carbon sources modulate the susceptibility of C. albicans to azoles may uncover a novel pathway for enhancing the antifungal efficacy of azoles. Methods: This study explored the impact of various carbon sources on the antifungal efficacy of azoles through methodologies including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assessments, super-MIC growth (SMG) assays, disk diffusion tests, and spot assays. Additionally, the mechanism by which galactose augments the antifungal activity of azoles was investigated using a range of experimental approaches, such as gene knockout and overexpression techniques, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot analysis, and cycloheximide (CHX) chase experiments. Results: This study observed that galactose enhances the efficacy of azoles against C. albicans by inhibiting the translation of Erg1. This results in the suppression of Erg1 protein levels and subsequent inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis in C. albicans. Conclusions: In C. albicans, the translation of Erg1 is inhibited when galactose is utilized as a carbon source instead of glucose. This novel discovery of galactose’s inhibitory effect on Erg1 translation is expected to enhance the antifungal efficacy of azoles. Full article

Invasive infections with rare yeasts are increasing worldwide and are associated with higher mortality rates due to their resistance to antifungal drugs. Accurate antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) is crucial for proper management of rare yeast infections. We performed AFST of 74 Candida kefyr isolates by Etest, EUCAST-based MICRONAUT-AM assay (MCN-AM) and reference Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution method (CLSI). Essential agreement (EA, ±1 two-fold dilution), categorical agreement (CA), major errors (MEs) and very-major errors (VmEs) were determined using epidemiological cut-off values of ≤1.0 µg/mL, ≤0.03 µg/mL, ≤0.5 µg/mL and ≤1 µg/mL, defining wild-type isolates for fluconazole, voriconazole, micafungin and amphotericin B (AMB), respectively. Results for AMB susceptibility were correlated with ERG2/ERG3 mutations and total-cell sterols. CA of ≥97% was recorded between any two methods while EA varied between 72 and 82%, 87 and 92%, and 49 and 76% for fluconazole, voriconazole and micafungin, respectively. For AMB, CAs between CLSI and Etest; CLSI and MCN-AM; MCN-AM and Etest were 95% (4 ME, 0 VmE), 96% (3 ME, 0 VmE) and 99%, respectively, while EA varied from 32% to 69%. Non-synonymous ERG2/ERG3 mutations and no ergosterol were found in seven of eight isolates of non-wild types for AMB by Etest. Our data show that Etest, CLSI and MCN-AM methods are suitable for AFST of C. kefyr for fluconazole, voriconazole and micafungin. Excellent CAs for AMB between Etest and MCN-AM with concordant sterol profiles but not with CLSI suggest that Etest is also an excellent alternative for the detection of C. kefyr isolates with reduced susceptibility to AMB. Full article

Drug resistance in Candida may result in either a fitness cost or a fitness advantage. Candida auris, whose intrinsic drug resistance remains unclear, has emerged as a significant human pathogen. We aimed to investigate whether Candida fitness, including early interaction with the host innate immune system, depends on the antifungal susceptibility phenotype and putative-associated resistance mutations. We compared interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor α production by human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells stimulated by fluconazole-susceptible and fluconazole-resistant strains of Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata, as well as fluconazole-resistant C. auris strains. Sensitive Candida strains induced lower cytokine levels compared with C. auris and resistant strains, except for TNF a. Resistant strains induced cytokine levels like C. auris, except for higher IL-1β and lower TNF-α. Susceptible strains exhibited cytokine profiles distinct from those of resistant strains. C. auris induced cytokine levels comparable to resistant strains but displayed profiles resembling those of susceptible strains. This study highlights the relationship among antifungal susceptibility, fungal fitness and host early immunity. C. auris behavior appears to be between fluconazole-sensitive and fluconazole-resistant strains. Understanding these dynamics may enhance the knowledge of the survival and reproduction of resistant Candida and the epidemiology of fungal infections. Full article

Background/Objective: Candidemia is a serious complication following intensive chemotherapy and is associated with high mortality in pediatric patients. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with 28-day mortality in pediatric patients with candidemia. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 63 pediatric patients diagnosed with acute leukemia and candidemia following intensive chemotherapy. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and epidemiological data were collected. Antifungal susceptibility data were available for 60 patients. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the 28-day mortality rate, and Cox regression was performed to identify prognostic factors. Results: The 28-day mortality rate among the 63 patients (57.1% male, median age 9.74 years) was 36.5%. Candida tropicalis was the predominant species (96.8%). Antifungal susceptibility rates were 100% for amphotericin B and caspofungin and 22.2% for fluconazole. The factors independently associated with reduced 28-day mortality were an absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) ≥ 0.2 G/L at the time of candidemia diagnosis (5.3% vs. 50% mortality; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01–0.61), the use of antifungal prophylaxis (AFP) (26.3% vs. 52%; HR 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13–0.74), and granulocyte transfusion (GTX) combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (20% vs. 47.4%; HR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.11–0.85). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that an ALC ≥ 0.2 G/L, AFP, and the administration of a GTX combined with G-CSF may be considered favorable prognostic factors. Full article

The fungal component of microbiota, known as the mycobiome, inhabits different body niches such as the skin and the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts. Much information has been gained on the bacterial component of the human microbiota, but the mycobiome has remained somewhat elusive due to its sparsity, variability, susceptibility to environmental factors (e.g., early life colonization, diet, or pharmacological treatments), and the specific in vitro culture challenges. Functionally, the mycobiome is known to play a role in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses by interacting with microorganisms and immune cells. The latter elicits anti-fungal responses via the recognition of specific fungal cell-wall components (e.g., β-1,3-glucan, mannan, and chitin) by immune system receptors. These receptors then regulate the activation and differentiation of many innate and adaptive immune cells including mucocutaneous cell barriers, macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, innate-like lymphoid cells, and T and B lymphocytes. Mycobiome disruptions have been correlated with various diseases affecting mostly the brain, lungs, liver and pancreas. This work reviews our current knowledge on the mycobiome, focusing on its composition, research challenges, conditioning factors, interactions with the bacteriome and the immune system, and the known mycobiome alterations associated with disease. Full article

Beach Sand Mycobiome is currently among the most important health challenges for viticulture in the world. Remarkably, the study of fungal communities in coastal beach sand and recreational waters remains underexplored despite their potential implications for human health. This research aimed to assess the prevalence of fungal species and the antifungal susceptibility profiles of fungi recovered from the beaches of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Sand and seawater samples from 39 stations distributed within 13 beaches along the coastline were collected between May and July 2023. The grown isolates were identified at the species level based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Of 222 recovered isolates, 206 (92.8%) filamentous fungi and 16 (7.2%) yeast strains were identified. Sand-recovered fungi comprised 82.9%, while water-originated fungi accounted for 17.1%. The DNA sequencing technique categorized 191 isolates into 13 genera and 26 species. The most recovered genus was Aspergillus (68.9%), and Aspergillus terreus sensu stricto was the commonly identified species (26.14%). Voriconazole was the most effective antifungal drug against Aspergillus species. Research on fungal contamination levels at these locations could provide a foundation for establishing regulatory frameworks to diminish fungal risks, thereby enhancing public health protection. The ecological significance of fungal communities in sandy beaches to human infections remains to be explored, and earlier reports in the literature may motivate researchers to focus on detecting this mycobiome in natural environments where further investigation is warranted. Ultimately, our discovery serves as a reminder that much remains to be learned about pathogenic fungi and underscores the need for vigilance in areas where emerging pathogens have not yet been identified. Full article

Azole resistance in dermatophytes, particularly Trichophyton indotineae, has become a growing global concern. Current antifungal susceptibility testing protocols (EUCAST, CLSI) have limitations in reproducibility and sensitivity. This study aimed to evaluate how medium composition, incubation temperature, and spore concentration influence itraconazole susceptibility testing across various dermatophyte species. Thirty-eight clinical isolates representing Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton species were tested using a microplate laser nephelometry system (MLN). IC₅₀ values for itraconazole were determined in three different media (Sabouraud glucose (SG), RPMI-based (RG), and RG supplemented with casein (RGC)) at 28 °C and 34 °C. Effects of spore concentration on growth dynamics and lag phase were also analyzed. SG medium provided clear phenotypic separation between resistant and sensitive isolates. In contrast, RG and RGC showed overlapping IC₅₀ values. Lower spore concentrations revealed underlying growth differences, which were masked at higher inoculum levels. Temperature and media composition significantly affected IC₅₀ outcomes. Genotypic analysis confirmed resistance-associated Erg11B point mutations and genomic amplifications in T. indotineae, particularly in combination with Erg1 mutations, forming distinct subpopulations. SG medium combined with reduced spore concentrations offered improved differentiation of resistant versus sensitive strains. These findings support the development of more accurate susceptibility testing protocols and highlight the need to establish species-specific ECOFF values for dermatophytes. Full article

Background: Exophiala spp. are dematiaceous fungi with opportunistic pathogenic potential and a widespread environmental presence. Clinical cases of Exophiala spp. fungemia are uncommon. Although rarely encountered in the general population, these organisms are increasingly reported in immunocompromised individuals or those with complex underlying health conditions. Objectives: This review seeks to examine all documented human cases of Exophiala spp. fungemia, with particular focus on aspects such as epidemiology, microbiological features, resistance patterns, therapeutic approaches and associated mortality rates. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using data sourced from the PubMed/MedLine and Scopus databases. Results: A total of 19 articles described infections in 32 patients involving Exophiala spp. fungemia. The mean patient age was 49.2 years, and 65.6% were male. Central venous catheters emerged as the leading predisposing factor (96.9%). Fever represented the most frequent clinical presentation (50%), followed by organ dysfunction (21.9%). The yeast generally demonstrated susceptibility to voriconazole and itraconazole. Voriconazole was also the most frequently administered antifungal (62.5%), followed by amphotericin (31.3%) and micafungin (28.1%). Overall mortality reached 34.4%, with 25% of deaths specifically caused by the infection. Conclusions: Given the potential of Exophiala spp. to cause severe fungemia, healthcare professionals, particularly clinicians and microbiologists, should consider this pathogen in the differential diagnosis when black yeast is detected in blood cultures, especially in patients with immunodeficiency or significant comorbidities, to ensure timely and accurate identification. Full article

Background: Oral candidiasis (OC) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) are infections caused by species belonging to the genus Candida. In Chile, epidemiological studies on OC/VVC are scarce, leading to an overestimation of the prevalence of C. albicans. Additionally, awareness of the prevalence of species phenotypically and genotypically similar to C. albicans is lacking. The clinical impact of non-albicans species in cases of OC/VVC is also often underestimated. This study aims to determine the distribution of Candida species, their phenotypic and molecular characteristics, and their antifungal susceptibility patterns in incidents of oral and vulvovaginal candidiasis in Chile. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted on 101 isolates of Candida spp. obtained from OC/VVC cases. The identification of Candida species was performed using both phenotypic and molecular techniques. Antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out using the Sensititre YeastOne system. Results: Among the analyzed isolates, 89.1% were identified as C. albicans, while 10.9% were categorized as non-albicans species, including C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata sensu stricto, C. bracarensis, C. tropicalis, C. lusitaniae, and C. parapsilosis sensu stricto. The susceptibility pattern was predominantly susceptible, with only 10.9% of the total strains demonstrating resistance, and low antifungal activity in vitro was observed for Fluconazole, Voriconazole, and Posaconazole. Conclusions: The most prevalent species causing OC/VVC in Chile is C. albicans. This study also presents the first report of C. lusitaniae as a causal agent of VVC in the country. The identification of azole-resistant strains emphasizes the critical role of laboratory diagnosis in VVC cases, thereby preventing potential treatment failures. No resistance was observed in the strains associated with OC. Full article

Exophiala dermatitidis is an emerging black yeast recognized in both superficial and life-threatening infections, including those in immunocompetent hosts. This narrative review focuses on recent developments (mostly between 2019 and 2025) in two major areas. First, we examined the clinical and epidemiological background of E. dermatitidis, with particular focus on its involvement in cystic fibrosis and CARD9 deficiency, as well as central nervous system, ocular, and systemic infections. Second, we address the molecular basis of its pathogenicity, with particular attention to melanin production, capsule formation, and metabolic adaptation. We also discuss diagnostic challenges and antifungal susceptibility, highlighting gaps between laboratory studies and clinical outcomes. Full article

Trichophyton indotineae is emerging globally from its origin in India, presenting with a terbinafine resistance and causing significant clinical burden. We report herein the first four confirmed cases of T. indotineae dermatophytoses in Malaysia, which were diagnosed based on the microscopic examination of skin scrapings using potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet mount, followed by confirmation via culture and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS1) sequencing. In contrast to conventional Trichophyton infections, T. indotineae dermatophytoses demonstrate extensive cutaneous involvement and marked inflammation with erythematous lesions. All cases exhibited a chronic course lasting more than three months, with evidence of person-to-person transmission. Although one patient reported a travel to Singapore, three had no recent travel history, suggesting possible local transmission. The isolates produced characteristic white, cottony colonies with radial mycelial growth on Mycosel agar after incubation at 30 °C for four days. Three patients responded well to oral itraconazole (200 mg daily), with reduced inflammation and erythematous lesions observed two weeks after treatment initiation. The occurrence of T. indotineae particularly among patients without a travel history, suggests a potential endemic establishment. This fungal pathogen warrants consideration in cases of extensive or recalcitrant dermatophytoses. Further investigations into the diagnostic methods, antifungal susceptibility profiles, and epidemiological risk factors of Malaysian strains are warranted to enhance clinical management and inform public health interventions. 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

Bread is consumed daily throughout the world as an important source of nutrients. However, bakery products are highly susceptible to spoilage, especially fungal, which is a source of bread losses and a threat to food security and consumer health. The use of sourdough is the best alternative to chemical preservatives, while providing a number of advantages to baked bread. This review highlights the main areas in the field of bread protection and covers the principal representatives of sourdough microbiota and their contribution to protecting bread from spoilage. The review is mainly based on publications in the field of research over the last five years, identifying new directions and strategies for bread protection related to the use of sourdoughs. A list of the main compounds produced by lactic acid bacteria of the sourdough, which contribute to the protection of bread from fungal spoilage, is presented. The contribution of other microorganisms to the antifungal effect is also considered. Finally, some prospects for the development of research in the field of sourdoughs are determined. Full article