Search Results (2,273)

Subterranean environments represent extreme oligotrophic ecosystems where microclimatic and edaphic factors restrict microbial life. This study evaluated culturable fungal communities in the soil and sediment samples of the Demänovská Ice Cave to determine their spatial diversity and abundance across psychrophilic (5 °C) and mesophilic (24 °C) incubation temperatures in relation to soil and sediment chemistry. Using a combined morpho-molecular approach, 19 distinct fungal species were identified, with a strong taxonomic dominance of Ascomycota and the genus Penicillium. Culturing temperatures acted as a primary selective filter. At 5 °C, specialized cold-adapted fungi (Cladosporium cladosporioides and Pseudogymnoascus) were more abundant in subterranean sediments than in surface samples. Conversely, incubation at 24 °C reduced fungal abundance and diversity in subterranean samples, with most fungal growth observed in surface samples from the outdoor control site. Statistical analysis revealed that at 24 °C, fungal abundance correlated significantly with total nitrogen (r = 0.909), available potassium (r = 0.878), and total organic matter (r = 0.757). However, under psychrophilic conditions, these nutrient-driven relationships were no longer observed, yielding non-significant interactions inside the cave. These findings demonstrate that subterranean microclimatic stability, rather than localized nutrient abundance, determines the ecological and distribution dynamics of ice cave mycobiota. In addition, cave sediments and soils can harbor opportunistic and toxigenic pathogens, including genera typically associated with azole resistance. Full article

A lignin-degrading bacterium, strain BE17^T, was isolated from decaying bamboo and identified as a novel species within the genus Brucella, proposed as Brucella ligniniphila, sp. nov. (type strain = MCCC 1K08845^T = JCM 36600^T). BE17^T exhibited a lignin degradation rate of 7.9% with lignin as the sole carbon source, which increased to 17.2% upon glucose supplementation. Structural analysis indicated that BE17^T degraded lignin by cleaving β-O-4 bonds, oxidizing aliphatic side chains and disrupting aromatic rings. Low-molecular-weight lignin fractions were more readily degraded. Genome analysis revealed genes encoding DyPs, peroxidases, monooxygenases, and dioxygenases. GC-MS analysis identified aromatic monomers and organic acids among the degradation products, and together with genome annotation, these data suggested the involvement of CoA-dependent non-β-oxidative, β-ketoadipate, and phenylacetic acid pathways. To enhance lignin degradation efficiency, a co-culture system (BT) of BE17^T and Trametes versicolor was established. This system achieved a degradation rate of 36.7% under optimized conditions (25 °C, pH 6.0, BE17^T inoculated on day 9). Microstructural and chemical analyses confirmed that fungal pretreatment facilitated lignin degradation. This study reveals the lignin-degrading potential of a novel Brucella species and demonstrates the synergistic effect of a bacterial–fungal system, offering insights into lignin biodegradation and bioconversion strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: The clinical impact of empirical antifungal therapy in patients with secondary peritonitis and sepsis remains incompletely established. This study aimed to identify risk factors for fungal infection in this population and the impact of empirical antifungal therapy on clinical outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients who underwent abdominal surgery for visceral lesions. Demographic and microbiological data were extracted from electronic health records. Results: A total of 411 patients, 56.9% male and with an average age of 68.8 ± 15.8 years, admitted following urgent gastrointestinal surgery were included. Fungi were isolated from peritoneal fluid or blood in 13.9% of patients during their ICU stay, with a median hospital length of stay until identification of 10 days (interquartile range 1–19 days). Candida albicans was isolated in 63.2% of the positive samples. Empirical antifungal was provided in 27.3% (n = 112). Each additional surgical procedure (OR: 1.47; p < 0.001) was the only risk factor identified for fungal infection in multivariate logistic regression. ICU mortality among patients with and without fungal documentation was similar, as was ICU mortality among patients with and without empirical antifungal therapy. Conclusions: The mortality impact of fungal isolation remains uncertain. Our results suggest that routine empirical antifungal therapy should be approached with caution, prioritizing targeted therapy for patients with confirmed positive cultures or a persistent, refractory clinical course despite adequate source control. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and warrant confirmation in future prospective studies before informing changes in clinical practice. Full article

Aflatoxins (AFs) are highly carcinogenic mycotoxins produced by toxigenic fungi, posing serious threats to food safety, animal production, and human health. Microbial aflatoxin control has recently emerged as a promising, sustainable, and environmentally friendly strategy for reducing aflatoxin contamination. However, growing evidence suggests that reductions in AF levels within microbial treatment systems may arise not only from direct toxin degradation, but also from inhibition of fungal growth, adsorption or sequestration processes, and suppression of AF biosynthesis. In microbial co-culture systems involving viable toxigenic fungi, exogenous microorganisms and their metabolites can establish persistent ecological stress through nutrient competition, oxidative stress, and interspecies signaling. These stresses activate fungal cell wall integrity pathways, MAPK signaling cascades, and transcriptional regulatory networks, leading to membrane remodeling, alterations in lipid and energy metabolism, and redistribution of cellular resources. As a consequence, fungal physiology progressively shifts from a growth- and toxin-production-oriented state toward a survival- and defense-oriented state, resulting in impaired growth and reduced AF biosynthesis. This review proposes the internal disintegration framework, which conceptualizes AF suppression as a progressive loss of toxin-producing capacity caused by sustained microbial-induced physiological remodeling rather than solely by fungal growth inhibition or toxin degradation. It will provide new perspectives for developing precise, efficient, and eco-friendly dual-target control strategies. Full article

Ticks are hematophagous arthropods that parasitize livestock, humans, and wild animals, posing serious threats to public health worldwide. Diverse pathogens have been discovered in ticks, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and filarial nematodes; however, ticks also harbor a variety of fungal microbes, which remain largely unexplored. In this study, we isolated and identified culturable fungi associated with ticks collected on cattle and goats in Yunnan Province, China. Of the 1730 ticks obtained, 1690 were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus, and only 40 as Haemaphysalis longicornis via morphology and 16S rRNA gene analysis. A total of 90 fungal strains were isolated from the ticks and identified by morphological examination and ITS sequencing, representing 25 species across 20 genera, with Fusarium being the most prevalent. Among these isolates, Fusarium verticillioides (19 isolates) poses a threat to grains, animals, and humans; Cladosporium cladosporioides (six isolates) and Sarocladium zeae (one isolate) are primarily pathogenic to plants, while Schizophyllum commune (eight isolates), Rhizopus arrhizus (two isolates), Diaporthe phaseolorum (two isolates), and Purpureocillium lilacinum (two isolates) are recognized animal-associated pathogens. The diversity of isolated fungi with documented pathogenicity suggests that ticks may serve as potential vectors for fungal transmission, raising concerns about their role in cross-kingdom disease spread across agriculture and livestock. Furthermore, fungi with entomopathogenic potential, such as P. lilacinum, offer valuable resources for developing biocontrol agents against ticks. Our findings highlight the dual role of ticks as both potential vectors of phytopathogenic fungi and reservoirs of entomopathogenic biocontrol agents. This necessitates a paradigm shift in tick surveillance, integrating mycological monitoring to mitigate agricultural losses and exploring tick-borne fungi for sustainable vector control strategies. Full article

Fungal organisms play a major role in the contamination and biodeterioration of natural history museum collections and cultural heritage as a whole, leading to the potential loss of key knowledge preserved by these. As part of the ongoing efforts to study the fungal contaminations observed in the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra (Portugal) collections, eight taxidermized birds were sampled and 27 fungal isolates were retrieved. A comprehensive analysis of these isolates led to the identification of 14 different species belonging to 13 different genera, with Aspergillus accounting for 37% (1 species), Talaromyces for 11.11% (1 species); Cladosporium, Paramicrodochium, and Periconia accounting for 7.4% each (2, 1, and 1 species, respectively); and Arcopilus, Beauveria, Coprinellus, Hyphodermella, Mycoaciella, Neokalmusia, Paraeutypella, and Penicillium collectively accounting for 3.7% each, all represented by a single species. Among these were two isolates of an unknown Periconia species. These isolates were thoroughly studied through an integrative analysis based on a multi-locus phylogeny of a combined dataset of ITS rDNA, LSU, SSU, TEF1α, and RPB2, along with morphological characteristics. Based on the data obtained from this study, we propose a new addition to this genus, Periconia callaina sp. nov. This discovery provides further insight into the fungal diversity present in natural history museums and the communities that colonize and threaten our cultural heritage. Full article

Sourdough fermentation is an important technological process in bread production, influencing acidification, product quality, and storage stability. The present study developed and comparatively evaluated two-strain and multi-strain bacterial starter cultures for application in different flour matrices and under semi-industrial bread-making conditions. The starter cultures comprised selected strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Levilactobacillus brevis, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis, and Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii. Baker’s yeast was added separately during final dough preparation and was not part of the bacterial starter combinations. Starter performance was assessed through viable cell counts, titratable acidity, in vitro antimicrobial activity, dough fermentation time, bread volume, descriptive sensory evaluation, and the onset of visually detectable microbial spoilage under the tested storage conditions. The selected combinations adapted to the investigated flour matrices, maintained high viable cell concentrations, supported acidification, and were successfully applied in semi-industrial bread production. Several formulations showed favorable technological and descriptive sensory characteristics and delayed the appearance of visible bacterial and fungal spoilage compared with the corresponding controls. Overall, the findings demonstrate the practical potential of the developed multi-strain starter cultures for application across different flour matrices and provide a strong basis for further technological refinement and mechanistic characterization of these sourdough systems. Full article

Low-cost lignocellulosic residues offer a sustainable route to fungal pigment production. In this study, six biomass residues were evaluated as culture-medium supplements for Arthrinium phaeospermum, and their chemical constituents that may be associated with enhanced red pigment production were investigated. Fungal growth, pigment production, and pigment productivity were measured on biomass-amended potato dextrose agar. Following initial screening, Paulownia powder and sugarcane bagasse were selected, and their concentrations were optimized in mixed media. Ethanolic extracts of both materials were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, and four major Paulownia-derived compounds were individually evaluated. The optimal medium, containing 4 mg/mL Paulownia powder and 3 mg/mL sugarcane bagasse, produced 3.09 g/L red pigment, representing a 2.02-fold increase over the control. Sugarcane bagasse primarily promoted fungal growth, whereas paulownia enhanced pigment productivity. Among the tested compounds, 0.2 mg/mL 4-methylumbelliferone (4M) showed the strongest stimulatory effect, increasing pigment production 3.01-fold over the control. These findings demonstrate that combining forestry and agro-industrial residues can simultaneously support fungal growth and pigment production. Paulownia-derived coumarins, particularly 4-methylumbelliferone, may contribute to this stimulatory effect and warrant further mechanistic investigation. Full article

Background: Mobile phones are widely used by healthcare students during clinical training and may act as potential reservoirs for pathogenic microorganisms. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the role of mobile phones as epidemiological factors in the transmission of microorganisms in medical and dental practice. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological and microbiological study was conducted between September 2025 and April 2026. A total of 125 mobile phones belonging to fourth-year dental students and fifth-year medical students were examined. Samples were collected from the entire phone surface and cultured on blood agar, eosin–methylene blue agar, and Candida chromogenic agar. Participants also completed a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, clinical experience, hand hygiene practices, and mobile phone use and cleaning habits. Results: No microbial growth was detected in 52.8% of samples on blood agar, while 44.8% showed growth below 10⁵ CFU of coagulase-negative staphylococci and 2.4% showed growth ≥10⁵ CFU. Minimal growth was detected on eosin–methylene blue agar (0.8%). Fungal contamination was identified in 2.4% of samples, exclusively among students who reported touching their phones with contaminated gloves. Statistically significant associations were observed between microbiological growth and students’ specialty, duration of clinical experience, and contact with mobile phones while wearing contaminated gloves (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Touching mobile phones with contaminated gloves was significantly associated with microbial growth. These findings emphasize the need for targeted infection control education and stricter guidelines regarding mobile device use during clinical training. Full article

Spontaneously fermented camel milk from Xinjiang is valued for its nutrition but faces quality inconsistency due to complex microbial ecosystems. This study investigated how regional microbial communities correlate with volatile flavor profiles. Nine samples from three distinct areas—Dabancheng, Hami, and Keping—were analyzed using bacterial 16S rRNA gene and fungal ITS region amplicon sequencing combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOF MS). Bacterial communities were dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, while Ascomycota and Basidiomycota prevailed among fungi. Dominant genera varied by region: Lactobacillus and Dekkera in Dabancheng; Lactobacillus and Dipodascus in Hami; Lactococcus and Cutaneotrichosporon in Keping. Flavor profiles also diverged, with Dabancheng being rich in esters, alcohols, and ketones; Hami featuring hydrocarbons and alcohols; and Keping containing elevated hydrocarbons, alcohols, and esters. Key statistical associations were identified: Lactobacillus, Rahnella, and Acetobacter were positively associated with propene and 3-decyn-2-ol (VIP > 1.0, |r| > 0.8), while Pseudomonas, Lactococcus, and Klebsiella showed negative correlations with vinyl n-caproate. These findings reveal statistical associations between geographic origin, specific microbial taxa, and flavor attributes, providing a scientific foundation that may inform future efforts toward developing targeted starter cultures pending microbial isolation and functional validation. Full article

This study evaluated how culture system and culture medium composition influence the phenotype and functional quality of Talaromyces sayulitensis HC1 conidia. Conidia were produced by solid-state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF) using two culture medium compositions differing in sucrose and ammonium phosphate concentrations and, consequently, in C:N ratio. Morphological, ultrastructural, physicochemical and functional attributes were analyzed together with the expression of four selected conidiation-related genes (brlA, abaA, fluG and rodA). Conidia produced under SSF were significantly smaller and displayed a more cylindrical morphology and accumulated significantly more melanin than those produced under SmF, whereas SmF-derived conidia exhibited significantly higher relative ergosterol content. Outer cell wall thickness was significantly influenced by both culture system and culture medium composition. Across both culture systems, the medium containing a lower sucrose concentration and a higher ammonium phosphate concentration (C:N ratio 10:1) resulted in significantly higher germination but significantly lower thermotolerance than the medium containing a higher sucrose concentration and a lower ammonium phosphate concentration (C:N ratio 50:1). The medium was also associated with significantly greater melanization. Expression of brlA, abaA, fluG and rodA was generally higher under SSF, although the magnitude of the response varied among genes and culture medium compositions. The integrated analysis revealed that germination and thermotolerance were not necessarily coupled and that culture system and culture medium composition influenced different dimensions of conidial quality. The main innovation of this study is the integration of structural, physicochemical, functional and selected molecular indicators to identify distinct conidial quality profiles relevant to application-oriented production of fungal inoculants. Full article

Pain remains a major global health challenge, driving the search for safer analgesics from medicinal plants. Although Acmella radicans is traditionally used for pain relief, the effects of fungal elicitation on its chemical profile and antinociceptive activity remain unknown. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of Rhizopus microsporus elicitation on the chemical profile and in vivo antinociceptive activity of lipophilic fractions from in vitro-grown A. radicans. In vitro-grown plants were biotically elicited with aqueous mycelial extracts of R. microsporus. Lipophilic fractions obtained from ethanolic extracts were analyzed by GC–MS and evaluated for antinociceptive activity using the mouse formalin test. Elicitation with a 0.5% mycelial extract (48 h fungal culture, 48 h exposure) increased ethanol extract yield to 18.8%, compared with 15.3% in non-elicited in vitro plants and 6.1% in wild plants. GC–MS analysis tentatively identified 62 metabolites and indicated marked changes in the lipophilic chemical profile, including lower relative abundance of spilanthol and higher relative abundances of phenethyl alkamides, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, along with the tentative identification of (2E,4E)-N-(2-phenylethyl)deca-2,4-dienamide, a compound not previously reported in the genus Acmella. LFEP showed the highest efficacy among the plant fractions, reducing neurogenic pain by 60.3% versus 88.7% with tramadol, while its significant effect in the inflammatory phase approached that of diclofenac (54.1% inhibition), with tramadol producing the strongest inhibition (81.0%). Fungal elicitation modified the lipophilic chemical profile of A. radicans and enhanced its in vivo antinociceptive activity, supporting its application as a biotechnological strategy to improve the pharmacological potential of medicinal plant in vitro cultures. Full article

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom widely recognized as a source of bioactive metabolites, particularly triterpenoids. Although most studies have focused on fruiting bodies and spores, the potential of cultured mycelial biomass as a source of functional secondary metabolites remains less explored. In this study, we isolated and characterized polycarpol from the mycelia of G. lucidum and evaluated its anti-melanogenic activity in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. Dried mycelia obtained after liquid culture were extracted with 70% ethanol, partitioned with ethyl acetate, and purified by repeated chromatographic separation. The isolated compound was identified as polycarpol by LC–ESI–MS, HR-MS/MS, and NMR spectroscopy, together with comparison with previously reported spectroscopic data. The anti-melanogenic activity of polycarpol was evaluated in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 murine melanoma cells, a commonly used cellular model of melanogenesis. Polycarpol reduced α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin production at concentrations that did not markedly affect cell viability. Notably, 2 μg/mL (4.54 μM) polycarpol showed a melanin-inhibitory effect comparable to that of arbutin. Western blot analysis showed that polycarpol decreased the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related protein-1. In addition, polycarpol suppressed CREB phosphorylation and modulated the MAPK signaling pathways. These findings suggest that polycarpol inhibits melanogenesis through regulation of MITF-associated melanogenic signaling. Overall, this study demonstrates that cultured G. lucidum mycelia can produce anti-melanogenic triterpenoids and highlights cultured mycelial biomass as a controllable fungal material for exploring anti-melanogenic triterpenoids, although further optimization is required to improve production efficiency. Full article

Background: Candida auris (C. auris) has emerged as a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen causing healthcare-associated outbreaks worldwide, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). Its environmental persistence, multidrug resistance, and high mortality make it a major challenge for infection prevention and clinical management. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, clinical exposures, treatment outcomes, and mortality of adult ICU patients with C. auris candidemia during the first 30 months after the opening of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This retrospective observational study included all adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to five ICUs between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2022 who developed culture-confirmed C. auris candidemia. Isolates were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with the Microflex LT/SH Smart MS system (Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany) according to routine microbiological laboratory procedures. Demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, invasive procedures, clinical exposures, microbiological findings, treatment, APACHE II scores, and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: During the 30-month study period, 3716 adult patients were admitted to the ICUs, and candidemia developed in 432 (11.6%). Of these episodes, 22 (5.1%) were caused by C. auris. The first C. auris candidemia case occurred 184 days after hospital opening. The mean age was 55 ± 17 years, and overall ICU mortality was 77.3%. Sepsis (36.4%), malignancy (22.7%), and cerebrovascular disease (18.2%) were the most common reasons for ICU admission. All patients had received broad-spectrum antibiotics, whereas central venous catheterization and invasive mechanical ventilation were present in 77.3% of cases. The mean interval from ICU admission to candidemia was 49 ± 15 days. Caspofungin was used as first-line antifungal therapy in all patients. Non-survivors had significantly higher APACHE II scores (32.8 ± 4.9 vs. 26.4 ± 6.6, p = 0.029) and predicted mortality rates (80.1% vs. 53.3%, p = 0.012). Antifungal treatment duration was significantly shorter among non-survivors (p < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were observed in age, ICU length of stay, or time to blood culture clearance. Conclusions: C. auris candidemia was observed in critically ill patients with prolonged ICU stays and frequent invasive interventions and was associated with high all-cause ICU mortality. Higher APACHE II scores were associated with mortality in this cohort, reflecting greater baseline severity of illness. Given the small sample size and descriptive, exploratory nature of the study, these findings should be interpreted with caution. The effectiveness of specific infection-control, diagnostic, or therapeutic interventions was not evaluated. Larger multicenter prospective studies are needed to better characterize the epidemiology, clinical outcomes, and factors associated with mortality in C. auris candidemia. Full article

Microbial extracellular pigments are renewable colorants for sustainable textile dyeing. A yellow-pigment-producing fungal strain, H-1, isolated from spalted wood, was identified as Chaetomium globosum and evaluated for pigment production, characterization, stability, bioactivity, and wool dyeing. Stepwise single-factor screening indicated suitable culture conditions of initial pH 7, 25 °C, 10 d, 25 g/L glucose, 7 g/L fish peptone, and 0.25 g/L K₂HPO₄. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed hydroxyl, aromatic, and C-O-C groups, and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) putatively annotated representative components including Chaetomugilin D and Armochaetoglobin G. The crude pigment produced preliminary inhibition zones of 14.30 ± 0.04 and 10.01 ± 0.17 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively, while crude fermentation filtrates showed measurable hydroxyl and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging capacities under fixed assay conditions. The pigment was more stable under neutral to alkaline pH and short-term heating at 40–100 °C. Wool showed higher dye affinity than cotton, linen, and silk. Response surface methodology (RSM) optimized wool dyeing at pH 2.35, 91 °C, 80 min, and 2.04 g/L potassium aluminum sulfate, yielding a color strength (K/S) value of 11.65. After three dye-bath reuse cycles, K/S decreased by 16.28%, and washing/rubbing fastness remained above grade 3 under GB/T tests. These results support further development of Chaetomium globosum H-1 extracellular pigments for natural wool coloration and dye-bath reuse. Full article