Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility of Penicillium-Like Fungi from Clinical Samples in the United States

Abstract

bPenicillium species are some of the most common fungi observed worldwide and have an important economic impact as well as being occasional agents of human and animal mycoses. A total of 118 isolates thought to belong to the genus Penicillium based on morphological features were obtained from the Fungus Testing Laboratory at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio (United States). The isolates were studied phenotypically using standard growth conditions. Molecular identification was made using two genetic markers, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and a fragment of the ␤-tubulin gene. In order to assess phylogenetic relationships, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference assessments were used. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed according to CLSI document M38-A2 for nine antifungal drugs. The isolates were identified within three genera, i.e., Penicillium, Talaromyces, and Rasamsonia. The most frequent species in our study were Penicillium rubens, P. citrinum, and Talaromyces amestolkiae. The potent in vitro activity of amphotericin B (AMB) and terbinafine (TRB) and of the echinocandins against Penicillium and Talaromyces species might offer a good therapeutic alternative for the treatment of infections caused by these fungi.

Blue mould decay of stored onion bulbs caused by Penicillium polonicum, P. glabrum and P. expansum

“…Sequence of isolate LSP6 (ntseq 2) was identical to P. glabrum sequences GQ367506 (Barreto, Houbraken, Samson, Frisvad, & San-Romao, 2011) and KM088722 . Sequences of isolates LSP10 and LC3 (ntseq 3) were identical with P. glabrum sequences LT559031, | 665 DUDUK et al -Suarez et al, 2016) and KF225079 (Lecellier et al, 2014). Ntseq 2 and 3 shared 98% similarity with ntseq 1 and differed from it in eight and seven nucleotides, respectively.…”

“…Based on partial β-tubulin gene sequences two isolates (LC2 and LSP12) were identified as P. polonicum, four isolates (LSP3, LSP6, LSP10 and LC3) as P. glabrum and one isolate (LUB) as P. expansum (Table 1). Both sequences of P. polonicum isolates were identical and showed 99% similarity (one nucleotide difference) with the sequence AY674307 of P. polonicum CBS 69077 (Samson, Seifert, Kuijpers, Houbraken, & Frisvad, 2004) and were identical with P. polonicum sequences KJ545631 (Dugan et al, 2014), LT559042 and LT559042 (Guevara-Suarez et al, 2016). The sequence of isolate LUB differed in one nucleotide and was 99% similar to the P. expansum sequence CBS 32548 (AY674400) .…”

Substandard and falsified antimicrobials: A potential biohazard in disguise?

“…28 Indeed, it has been reported that a 57-year-old woman suffered from necrotizing pneumonia caused by P. chrysogenum. chrysogenum is known to be able to act as a pathogen and/or an allergen, inducing serious intoxication and damage to humans.…”

“…28 Indeed, it has been reported that a 57-year-old woman suffered from necrotizing pneumonia caused by P. chrysogenum. 28 Interestingly, a recent study demonstrated that P. rubens could produce a mycotoxin, ochratoxin A, which can cause intoxication of the kidneys and the liver. 30 Even a patient without immunological deficiencies was not exempted from central nervous system infection due to this mold.…”

“…P. chrysogenum is known to be able to act as a pathogen and/or an allergen, inducing serious intoxication and damage to humans. 28 Indeed, it has been reported that a 57-year-old woman suffered from necrotizing pneumonia caused by P. chrysogenum. 29 Moreover, also a case of necrotizing esophagitis occurring in a patient with a compromised immune system was attributed to this fungus.…”