Global molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of Fusarium , a significant emerging group of human opportunists from 1958 to 2015

Abstract

Fusarium is a rapidly emerging, multidrug-resistant genus of fungal opportunists that was first identified in 1958 and is presently recognized in numerous cases of fusariosis each year. The authors examined trends in global Fusarium distribution, clinical presentation and prevalence since 1958 with the assumption that their distributions in each region had remained unaltered. The phylogeny and epidemiology of 127 geographically diverse isolates, representing 26 Fusarium species, were evaluated using partial sequences of the RPB2 and TEF1 genes, and compared with AFLP fingerprinting data. The molecular data of the Fusarium species were compared with archived data, which enabled the interpretation of hundreds of cases published in the literature. Our findings indicate that fusariosis is globally distributed with a focus in (sub)tropical areas. Considerable species diversity has been observed; genotypic features did not reveal any clustering with either the clinical data or environmental origins. This study suggests that infections with Fusarium species might be truly opportunistic. The three most common species are F. falciforme and F. keratoplasticum (members of F. solani species complex), followed by F. oxysporum (F. oxysporum species complex).

In vitro Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Clinical and Environmental Fusarium Isolates in Iran

“…For instance, F. acutatum has been reported from nail infections as an emerging human opportunist which has thus far been detected in Asia and appears to be restricted to the Middle East (34,35). In other studies, F. thapsinum, has been reported as causing eumycetoma and has been also isolated from environmental sources (23,35). Their patterns of in vitro susceptibility to antifungal both species, which demonstrated resistance of these two rare species.…”

Fusarium species causing eumycetoma: Report of two cases and comprehensive review of the literature

“…Phylogenetic analyses have shown that F. solani represents a series of species known as the F. solani species complex (FSSC), which consists of three major clades encompassing more than 60 phylogenetic lineages, some carrying names but the majority remaining unnamed . Members of FSSC with a significant role in clinical infections are nested in clade 3 which involve F. falciforme , F. solani , F. keratoplasticum , F. lichenicola, F. petroliphilum and F. pseudensiforme . Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of partial RPB2 and TEF‐1 α genes sequences showed high variability and sufficient difference to distinguish Fusarium species within FSSC .…”

“…48 Members of FSSC with a significant role in clinical infections are nested in clade 3 48 which involve F. falciforme, F. solani, F. keratoplasticum, F. lichenicola, F. petroliphilum and F. pseudensiforme. 13,49 Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of partial RPB2 and TEF-1α genes sequences showed high variability and sufficient difference to distinguish Fusarium species within FSSC. 50 Therefore, in this study, we utilised the TEF-1α sequencing to identify Fusarium strains that has been recovered from cases of human eumycetoma.…”

Isavuconazole treatment for rare fungal diseases and for invasive aspergillosis in patients with renal impairment: Challenges and lessons of the VITAL trial

“…Data regarding risk factors for infections with other fungal species reported in the accompanying articles are also comparatively limited. A recent analysis of data from the literature found that the most common underlying risk factor for fusariosis was haematological malignancy, which was consistent with the most common underlying risk factors observed in the VITAL trial in patients with fusariosis alone . All other pathogens in the VITAL trial were too rare to allow any meaningful comparisons with existing data.…”