Previously unknown species of Aspergillus

Abstract

The use of multi-locus DNA sequence analysis has led to the description of previously unknown 'cryptic' Aspergillus species, whereas classical morphology-based identification of Aspergillus remains limited to the section or species-complex level. The current literature highlights two main features concerning these 'cryptic' Aspergillus species. First, the prevalence of such species in clinical samples is relatively high compared with emergent filamentous fungal taxa such as Mucorales, Scedosporium or Fusarium. Second, it is clearly important to identify these species in the clinical laboratory because of the high frequency of antifungal drug-resistant isolates of such Aspergillus species. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has recently been shown to enable the identification of filamentous fungi with an accuracy similar to that of DNA sequence-based methods. As MALDI-TOF MS is well suited to the routine clinical laboratory workflow, it facilitates the identification of these 'cryptic' Aspergillus species at the routine mycology bench. The rapid establishment of enhanced filamentous fungi identification facilities will lead to a better understanding of the epidemiology and clinical importance of these emerging Aspergillus species. Based on routine MALDI-TOF MS-based identification results, we provide original insights into the key interpretation issues of a positive Aspergillus culture from a clinical sample. Which ubiquitous species that are frequently isolated from air samples are rarely involved in human invasive disease? Can both the species and the type of biological sample indicate Aspergillus carriage, colonization or infection in a patient? Highly accurate routine filamentous fungi identification is central to enhance the understanding of these previously unknown Aspergillus species, with a vital impact on further improved patient care.

Antifungal Susceptibility of the Aspergillus viridinutans Complex: Comparison of Two In Vitro Methods

“…However, according to our results, it seems that the phenomenon should not be ignored, because it may indicate elevated MICs of this antifungal. The A. viridinutans species complex belongs to the section Fumigati, and morphological differentiation of these species from A. fumigatus, the most common agent of IA, requires expertise (2,5,8,36). So-called cryptic species may remain unrecognized, especially in laboratories that still predominantly use only phenotypic identification.…”

In vitro and in silico antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of rhizospheric fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus isolate-ABRF2

“…Identified fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus isolate-ABRF2 from the Achanakmar Biosphere Reserve forest of central India was characterized based on the morphological parameters such as variation in shape and size of fungal spores and hyphae (Wyatt et al 2013;Gautier et al 2016). The analysis of phenotypic characteristics and spore structure forms the major identifying principle in fungi.…”

Klinik Örneklerden İzole Edilen Aspergillus Türlerinin Tanımlanmasında Geleneksel Yöntemler, MALDI-TOF MS ve Dizi Analizi Yöntemlerinin Karşılaştırılması

“…İmmunyetmezlikli hastalarda sistemik mantar enfeksiyonlarının mortalite oranın yüksek olması nedeniyle erken tanı ve tedavi önemlidir [14][15][16] . Riskli hasta gruplarında mantar enfeksiyonlarının tanısında direkt mikroskobik inceleme, boyalı preparatlar ve kültür yöntemleri tanıdaki önemini koruyan standart geleneksel yöntemlerdir 1,2 .…”

“…Aspergillus, insanlarda immün sistemin durumuna göre zararsız bir kolonizasyondan, akut invazif hastalık gibi geniş bir yelpazede farklı klinik enfeksiyonlara neden olabilir [1][2][3] . İnvazif Aspergillus enfeksiyonlarının, özellikle derin nötropenik ve hematolojik maligniteli hastalar olmak üzere, bağışıklık sistemi baskılanmış kişilerde yüksek mortalite ve morbidite oranı nedeniyle erken tanı ve tedavisi önemlidir 1,4,5 .…”