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Pathobiology of the Emergent Fungal Pathogens Scedosporium and Lomentospora
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Pathobiology of the Emergent Fungal Pathogens Scedosporium and Lomentospora

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Pathogenesis and Disease Control".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 11200

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andoni Ramirez-Garcia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
Interests: Scedosporium/Lomentospora; Candida; Aspergillus; host-pathogen interaction; immune response; fungal pathogens; fungal infections
Dr. Rodrigo Rollin-Pinheiro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
Interests: Scedosporium/Lomentospora; Mucorales; host-pathogen interaction; fungal pathogens; antifungal drugs; fungal cell wall; immune response; fungal infections
Dr. Jean-Philippe Bouchara

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Univ Angers, Univ Brest, CHU Angers, IRF, SFR ICAT, F-49000 Angers, France
Interests: fungal respiratory infections; cystic fibrosis; epidemiology; biological diagnosis; pathogenic mechanisms; evasion to the oxidative stress; secondary metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Scedosporium and Lomentospora species cause a broad range of clinical manifestations, from colonization to severe disseminated mycoses with high mortality rates. The patients at risk are particularly those immunocompromised, but these pathogens are also frequently recovered from cystic fibrosis patients. Among filamentous fungi, Scedosporium/Lomentospora are some of the most relevant in clinical settings; these fungi are associated with high resistance to antifungals and, consequently, their infections are usually difficult to treat. The increasing importance that Scedosporium and Lomentospora have been gaining during the last two decades makes necessary to have an actualized information about them. For this reason, since few research groups in the world are working on Scedosporium/Lomentospora, this information must be published in high ranked journals and accessible for all the public to gain visibility, advance faster, involve more groups and establish new international collaborations.

With this purpose, this Special Issue will focus on all the different aspects of Scedosporium/Lomentospora, including their ecology, taxonomy, pathology, virulence factors and biomarkers, biological diagnosis, antifungal resistance, etc. Research articles, as well as reviews and brief articles, are welcome.

We hope that you will be encouraged to contribute to this special issue with your results and knowledge in the area.

Sincerely,

Dr. Andoni Ramirez-Garcia
Dr. Rodrigo Rollin-Pinheiro
Dr. Jean-Philippe Bouchara
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Scedosporium
  • Lomentospora
  • fungal pathogens
  • fungal ecology
  • fungal biology
  • filamentous fungi
  • fungal taxonomy

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 6928 KiB  
Article
Scedosporium/Lomentospora Species Induce the Production of Siderophores by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Cystic Fibrosis Mimic Environment
by Thaís P. Mello, Iuri C. Barcellos, Michaela Lackner, Marta H. Branquinha and André L. S. Santos
J. Fungi 2023, 9(5), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9050502 - 22 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2338
Abstract
Over the last years, the interkingdom microbial interactions concerning bacteria and fungi cohabiting and/or responsible for human pathologies have been investigated. In this context, the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal species belonging to the Scedosporium/Lomentospora genera are widespread, multidrug-resistant, emergent, opportunistic pathogens [...] Read more.
Over the last years, the interkingdom microbial interactions concerning bacteria and fungi cohabiting and/or responsible for human pathologies have been investigated. In this context, the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal species belonging to the Scedosporium/Lomentospora genera are widespread, multidrug-resistant, emergent, opportunistic pathogens that are usually co-isolated in patients with cystic fibrosis. The available literature reports that P. aeruginosa can inhibit the in vitro growth of Scedosporium/Lomentospora species; however, the complex mechanisms behind this phenomenon are mostly unknown. In the present work, we have explored the inhibitory effect of bioactive molecules secreted by P. aeruginosa (3 mucoid and 3 non-mucoid strains) on S. apiospermum (n = 6 strains), S. minutisporum (n = 3), S. aurantiacum (n = 6) and L. prolificans (n = 6) under cultivation in a cystic fibrosis mimic environment. It is relevant to highlight that all bacterial and fungal strains used in the present study were recovered from cystic fibrosis patients. The growth of Scedosporium/Lomentospora species was negatively affected by the direct interaction with either mucoid or non-mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa. Moreover, the fungal growth was inhibited by the conditioned supernatants obtained from bacteria-fungi co-cultivations and by the conditioned supernatants from the bacterial pure cultures. The interaction with fungal cells induced the production of pyoverdine and pyochelin, 2 well-known siderophores, in 4/6 clinical strains of P. aeruginosa. The inhibitory effects of these four bacterial strains and their secreted molecules on fungal cells were partially reduced with the addition of 5-flucytosine, a classical repressor of pyoverdine and pyochelin production. In sum, our results demonstrated that distinct clinical strains of P. aeruginosa can behave differently towards Scedosporium/Lomentospora species, even when isolated from the same cystic fibrosis patient. Additionally, the production of siderophores by P. aeruginosa was induced when co-cultivated with Scedosporium/Lomentospora species, indicating competition for iron and deprivation of this essential nutrient, leading to fungal growth inhibition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathobiology of the Emergent Fungal Pathogens Scedosporium and Lomentospora)
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8 pages, 1050 KiB  
Article
Elevated Temperature, Nitrate and Diesel Oil Enhance the Distribution of the Opportunistic Pathogens Scedosporium spp.
by Johannes Rainer and Marlene Eggertsberger
J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040403 - 24 Mar 2023
Viewed by 923
Abstract
Scedosporium infections mainly occur after aspiration of contaminated water or inoculation with polluted environmental materials. Scedosporium spp. have been isolated from anthropogenic environments frequently. To understand their propagation and routes of infection, possible reservoirs of Scedosporium spp. should be explored. In this study, [...] Read more.
Scedosporium infections mainly occur after aspiration of contaminated water or inoculation with polluted environmental materials. Scedosporium spp. have been isolated from anthropogenic environments frequently. To understand their propagation and routes of infection, possible reservoirs of Scedosporium spp. should be explored. In this study, the impact of temperature, diesel and nitrate on Scedosporium populations in soil is described. Soil was treated with diesel and KNO3 and incubated for nine weeks at 18 and 25 °C. Isolation of Scedosporium strains was done using SceSel+. For the identification of 600 isolated strains, RFLP and rDNA sequencing were used. Scedosporium apiospermum, S. aurantiacum, S. boydii and S. dehoogii were isolated at the beginning and/or the end of incubation. Temperature alone had a minor effect on the Scedosporium population. The combination of 25 °C and nitrate resulted in higher Scedosporium numbers. Treatment with 10 g diesel/kg soil and incubation at 25 °C resulted in even higher abundance, and favored S. apiospermum and S. dehoogii. The results of this study show that diesel-polluted soils favor dispersal of Scedosporium strains, especially S. apiospermum and S. dehoogii. Higher temperature force the effect of supplementations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathobiology of the Emergent Fungal Pathogens Scedosporium and Lomentospora)
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16 pages, 2569 KiB  
Article
An Alpha-Glucan from Lomentospora prolificans Mediates Fungal–Host Interaction Signaling through Dectin-1 and Mincle
by Mariana Ingrid Dutra da Silva Xisto, Lucas dos Santos Dias, Francisco Felipe Bezerra, Vera Carolina Bordallo Bittencourt, Rodrigo Rollin-Pinheiro, Ana Carolina Cartágenes-Pinto, Rosa Maria Tavares Haido, Paulo Antônio de Souza Mourão and Eliana Barreto-Bergter
J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030291 - 23 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1656
Abstract
Scedosporium and Lomentospora are a group of filamentous fungi with some clinically relevant species causing either localized, invasive, or disseminated infections. Understanding how the host immune response is activated and how fungi interact with the host is crucial for a better management of [...] Read more.
Scedosporium and Lomentospora are a group of filamentous fungi with some clinically relevant species causing either localized, invasive, or disseminated infections. Understanding how the host immune response is activated and how fungi interact with the host is crucial for a better management of the infection. In this context, an α-glucan has already been described in S. boydii, which plays a role in the inflammatory response. In the present study, an α-glucan has been characterized in L. prolificans and was shown to be exposed on the fungal surface. The α-glucan is recognized by peritoneal macrophages and induces oxidative burst in activated phagocytes. Its recognition by macrophages is mediated by receptors that include Dectin-1 and Mincle, but not TLR2 and TLR4. These results contribute to the understanding of how Scedosporium’s and Lomentospora’s physiopathologies are developed in patients suffering with scedosporiosis and lomentosporiosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathobiology of the Emergent Fungal Pathogens Scedosporium and Lomentospora)
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16 pages, 2591 KiB  
Article
Dot Immunobinding Assay for the Rapid Serodetection of Scedosporium/Lomentospora in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
by Leire Martin-Souto, Aitziber Antoran, Maialen Areitio, Leire Aparicio-Fernandez, María Teresa Martín-Gómez, Roberto Fernandez, Egoitz Astigarraga, Gabriel Barreda-Gómez, Carsten Schwarz, Volker Rickerts, Fernando L. Hernando, Aitor Rementeria, Idoia Buldain and Andoni Ramirez-Garcia
J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020158 - 24 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1652
Abstract
The detection of Scedosporium/Lomentospora is still based on non-standardized low-sensitivity culture procedures. This fact is particularly worrying in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), where these fungi are the second most common filamentous fungi isolated, because a poor and delayed diagnosis can [...] Read more.
The detection of Scedosporium/Lomentospora is still based on non-standardized low-sensitivity culture procedures. This fact is particularly worrying in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), where these fungi are the second most common filamentous fungi isolated, because a poor and delayed diagnosis can worsen the prognosis of the disease. To contribute to the discovery of new diagnostic strategies, a rapid serological dot immunobinding assay (DIA) that allows the detection of serum IgG against Scedosporium/Lomentospora in less than 15 min was developed. A crude protein extract from the conidia and hyphae of Scedosporium boydii was employed as a fungal antigen. The DIA was evaluated using 303 CF serum samples (162 patients) grouped according to the detection of Scedosporium/Lomentospora in the respiratory sample by culture, obtaining a sensitivity and specificity of 90.48% and 79.30%, respectively; positive and negative predictive values of 54.81% and 96.77%, and an efficiency of 81.72%. The clinical factors associated with the results were also studied using a univariate and a multivariate analysis, which showed that Scedosporium/Lomentospora positive sputum, elevated anti-Aspergillus serum IgG and chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection were significantly associated with a positive result in DIA, while Staphylococcus aureus positive sputum showed a negative association. In conclusion, the test developed can offer a complementary, rapid, simple and sensitive method to contribute to the diagnosis of Scedosporium/Lomentospora in patients with CF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathobiology of the Emergent Fungal Pathogens Scedosporium and Lomentospora)
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26 pages, 4197 KiB  
Article
Deciphering the Role of PIG1 and DHN-Melanin in Scedosporium apiospermum Conidia
by Hélène Guegan, Wilfried Poirier, Kevin Ravenel, Sarah Dion, Aymeric Delabarre, Dimitri Desvillechabrol, Xavier Pinson, Odile Sergent, Isabelle Gallais, Jean-Pierre Gangneux, Sandrine Giraud and Amandine Gastebois
J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020134 - 18 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1883
Abstract
Scedosporium apiospermum is a saprophytic filamentous fungus involved in human infections, of which the virulence factors that contribute to pathogenesis are still poorly characterized. In particular, little is known about the specific role of dihydroxynaphtalene (DHN)-melanin, located on the external layer of the [...] Read more.
Scedosporium apiospermum is a saprophytic filamentous fungus involved in human infections, of which the virulence factors that contribute to pathogenesis are still poorly characterized. In particular, little is known about the specific role of dihydroxynaphtalene (DHN)-melanin, located on the external layer of the conidia cell wall. We previously identified a transcription factor, PIG1, which may be involved in DHN-melanin biosynthesis. To elucidate the role of PIG1 and DHN-melanin in S. apiospermum, a CRISPR-Cas9-mediated PIG1 deletion was carried out from two parental strains to evaluate its impact on melanin biosynthesis, conidia cell-wall assembly, and resistance to stress, including the ability to survive macrophage engulfment. ΔPIG1 mutants did not produce melanin and showed a disorganized and thinner cell wall, resulting in a lower survival rate when exposed to oxidizing conditions, or high temperature. The absence of melanin increased the exposure of antigenic patterns on the conidia surface. PIG1 regulates the melanization of S. apiospermum conidia, and is involved in the survival to environmental injuries and to the host immune response, that might participate in virulence. Moreover, a transcriptomic analysis was performed to explain the observed aberrant septate conidia morphology and found differentially expressed genes, underlining the pleiotropic function of PIG1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathobiology of the Emergent Fungal Pathogens Scedosporium and Lomentospora)
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12 pages, 2839 KiB  
Article
Lignin-Modifying Enzymes in Scedosporium Species
by Wilfried Poirier, Jean-Philippe Bouchara and Sandrine Giraud
J. Fungi 2023, 9(1), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010105 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1827
Abstract
Scedosporium species are usually soil saprophytes but some members of the genus such as S. apiospermum and S. aurantiacum have been regularly reported as causing human respiratory infections, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Because of their low sensitivity to almost all [...] Read more.
Scedosporium species are usually soil saprophytes but some members of the genus such as S. apiospermum and S. aurantiacum have been regularly reported as causing human respiratory infections, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Because of their low sensitivity to almost all available antifungal drugs, a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of these fungi is mandatory. Likewise, identification of the origin of the contamination of patients with CF may be helpful to propose prophylactic measures. In this aim, environmental studies were conducted demonstrating that Scedosporium species are abundant in human-made environments and associated with nutrient-rich substrates. Although their natural habitat remains unknown, there is accumulated evidence to consider them as wood-decaying fungi. This study aimed to demonstrate the ability of these fungi to utilize lignocellulose compounds, especially lignin, as a carbon source. First, the lignolytic properties of Scedosporium species were confirmed by cultural methods, and biochemical assays suggested the involvement of peroxidases and oxidases as lignin-modifying enzymes. Scedosporium genomes were then screened using tBLASTn searches. Fifteen candidate genes were identified, including four peroxidase and seven oxidase genes, and some of them were shown, by real-time PCR experiments, to be overexpressed in lignin-containing medium, thus confirming their involvement in lignin degradation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathobiology of the Emergent Fungal Pathogens Scedosporium and Lomentospora)
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