Isolation and characterisation of the fungusSpiromastix asexualissp. nov. from discospondylitis in aGermanShepherd dog, and review ofSpiromastixwith the proposal of the new orderSpiromastixales (Ascomycota)

Abstract

The genus Spiromastix consists of several fungal species that have been isolated from soil and animal dung in various parts of the world. However, these species are considered to be of low pathogenic potential, as no cases of infections caused by these fungi have been reported. Here, we describe the clinical course of discospondylitis in a dog from which a fungus was cultured from a biopsy and identified as a Spiromastix species by morphologic characteristics and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis determined this to be a new species, Spiromastix asexualis, which is described, and a new order, Spiromastixales, is proposed.

Xerotolerant fungi in house dust: taxonomy of Spiromastix, Pseudospiromastix and Sigleria gen. nov. in Spiromastigaceae (Onygenales, Eurotiomycetes)

“…42.1. We validated the family name Spiromastigaceae above, replacing the original "x" used in the name by Rizzo et al (2014) with a "g" to reflect the genitive of the Greek suffix "mastix" (i.e. "mastiggos").…”

“…The number of species of Onygenales is increasing as new habitats are explored and sequence data accumulates (e.g. Guarro et al 2002, Rizzo et al 2014. Many are dermatophytes or agents of other diseases of vertebrates and some are keratinolytic; others are saprobes in soil or dung.…”

“…The first evidence that Spiromastix might not be exclusively sexual was the discovery of a strain lacking ascomata but with a malbranchea-like asexual state, which seemed to be a Spiromastix species based on molecular data (Sugiyama and Mikawa 2001). Rizzo et al (2014) described Sp. asexualis, the first named species lacking a mature sexual state, although it produced sterile ascomata with loosely coiled appendages.…”

“…Scott based on partial nuc 28S rDNA subunit and small subunit rDNA sequences (Untereiner et al 2002). Spiromastix tentaculata Guarro, Gené & de Vroey (Guarro et al 1993) was classified by Rizzo et al (2014) in the invalidly published, monotypic "Pseudospiromastix Guarro, Stchigel & Cano", differing from Spiromastix by undulate ascomata appendages with swollen tips and ascospores with irregular furrows.…”

“…This phylogenetic relationship correlates with the weak or absent keratinolysis and lack of pathogenicity in Spiromastix (Scott and . Based on analyses of D1-D2 domains of nuc 28S rDNA sequences, Rizzo et al (2014) proposed the family "Spiromastixaceae" for species with or without conidia and ascomata with slender, curved or twisted ascomata appendages and oblate to globose ascospores, often with an equatorial rim and several wall ornamentation patterns, including reticulate, punctate or irregular furrows.…”