Women in Mycology

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 38017

Special Issue Editors

National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
Interests: antifungal susceptibility testing; antifungal resistance; medical mycology; taxonomy; diagnosis of fungal infections; epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: fungal biodiversity; fungal taxonomy; fungal evolution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
2. Cincinnati VAMC, Medical Research Service, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Interests: sexual cycle of Pneumocystis species; anti-fungal drug development; in vitro cultivation of Pneumocystis spp.; alveolar organoids

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Women have studied fungi for centuries, although their early studies focusing on macrofungi (mushrooms) have gone uncredited or have been lost over time. The 1900s ushered in a new era of interest in fungi, and women addressed the issues of mushroom taxonomy, sexual reproduction, and identification. One of the best known of these women was the author, Beatrix Potter, who had a special interest in lichens. Her contemporary, Elsie Maud Wakefield, engages in the study of fungal sexuality and learned that many fungi embraced a less than discerning approach to sex, with some species producing tens of thousands of mating types. First introduced into North America in the 1920s, Dutch elm disease decimated trees throughout the United States and Europe. The fungus causing the disease was identified by female Dutch scientists, Marie Beatrice Schwarz and Christine Johanna Buisman, both of whom were proteges of Johanna Westerdijk, a prominent plant pathologist in the Netherlands. This is not to say that women represented the majority of mycologists at that time.

Today, women are represented in all areas of mycology, but they still face obstacles in promotions and parity with their male counterparts. Moreover, because of the present pandemic, the lockdown and the closure of schools and nurseries have increased these problems. Female researchers face other problems in their careers, including the fact that they are less likely to be published than their male counterparts, there is a lack of mentoring, and they experience a longer time to tenure, and in some cases, the loss of their appointments.

Through this Special Issue, we intend to inspire female researchers and promote their valuable work. We invite female researchers, from early-career to senior researchers, to submit articles as first or senior (last) authors focusing on the many aspects of mycology-related research. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the basic biology and reproduction of fungi, fungal diversity, classification and taxonomy, antifungal susceptibility testing, antifungal resistance, epidemiology, fungal diagnostics, surveillance, drug development, host responses, endemic mycosis, and the mycobiome.

Dr. Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo
Dr. Fang Liu
Dr. Melanie Cushion
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • female researchers
  • mycology
  • prominent women in mycology
  • medical mycology

Published Papers (20 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1425 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Thermography as a Diagnostic Technique in Asymptomatic or Incipient Onychomycosis
by Julia Villar Rodríguez, Ana María Pérez Pico, Francisco Manuel García Blázquez, Juan Francisco Morán Cortés and Raquel Mayordomo Acevedo
J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040444 - 05 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1209
Abstract
Onychomycosis is usually diagnosed symptomatically due to the very clear signs caused by the fungus on the nail surface and structure, although the growth of the infecting agent must also be verified by culture in an enriched medium. This procedure is normally lengthy [...] Read more.
Onychomycosis is usually diagnosed symptomatically due to the very clear signs caused by the fungus on the nail surface and structure, although the growth of the infecting agent must also be verified by culture in an enriched medium. This procedure is normally lengthy (four weeks), and samples can be contaminated, delaying the prescription of appropriate and effective treatment. Only one previous study has addressed the possibility of using thermography as a diagnostic method for onychomycosis in older people (31–70 years). The present study confirms this use but in individuals aged 18–31 years with incipient mycosis and no pathological signs. Using an FLIR E60 BX camera in a study with 214 samples, we found that men had more onychomycosis than women. We observed a relation between the presence of infection and nail temperature, with a higher temperature in yeast infections (+1 °C) and a lower temperature in dermatophyte infections (−2 °C). A higher temperature by almost 1 °C was also observed in older participants. Thermography can be viewed as a new diagnostic method in asymptomatic or incipient onychomycosis, providing the thermographic camera is sufficiently sensitive and the appropriate procedure is followed, although fungal culture is always necessary to confirm recovery after treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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17 pages, 1212 KiB  
Article
Global Molecular Response of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis to Zinc Deprivation: Analyses at Transcript, Protein and MicroRNA Levels
by Lorena Alves Mesquita, Alexandre Melo Bailão, Juliana Santana de Curcio, Kassyo Lobato Potenciano da Silva, Gabriel da Rocha Fernandes, Mirelle Garcia Silva-Bailão, Evandro Novaes and Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030281 - 21 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1163
Abstract
Zinc is one of the main micronutrients for all organisms. One of the defense mechanisms used by the host includes the sequestration of metals used in fungal metabolism, such as iron and zinc. There are several mechanisms that maintain the balance in the [...] Read more.
Zinc is one of the main micronutrients for all organisms. One of the defense mechanisms used by the host includes the sequestration of metals used in fungal metabolism, such as iron and zinc. There are several mechanisms that maintain the balance in the intracellular zinc supply. MicroRNAs are effector molecules of responses between the pathogen and host, favoring or preventing infection in many microorganisms. Fungi of the Paracoccidioides genus are thermodimorphic and the etiological agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). In the current pandemic scenario world mycosis studies continue to be highly important since a significant number of patients with COVID-19 developed systemic mycoses, co-infections that complicated their clinical condition. The objective was to identify transcriptomic and proteomic adaptations in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis during zinc deprivation. Nineteen microRNAs were identified, three of which were differentially regulated. Target genes regulated by those microRNAs are elements of zinc homeostasis such as ZRT1, ZRT3 and COT1 transporters. Transcription factors that have zinc in their structure are also targets of those miRNAs. Transcriptional and proteomic data suggest that P. brasiliensis undergoes metabolic remodeling to survive zinc deprivation and that miRNAs may be part of the regulatory process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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12 pages, 4046 KiB  
Article
Molecular Dissection of Crz1 and Its Dynamic Subcellular Localization in Cryptococcus neoformans
by Benjamin J. Chadwick, Brittain Elizabeth Ross and Xiaorong Lin
J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020252 - 14 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1473
Abstract
Across lower eukaryotes, the transcription factor Crz1 is dephosphorylated by calcineurin, which facilitates Crz1 translocation to the nucleus to regulate gene expression. In the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, calcineurin–Crz1 signaling maintains calcium homeostasis, thermotolerance, cell wall integrity, and morphogenesis. How Crz1 distinguishes [...] Read more.
Across lower eukaryotes, the transcription factor Crz1 is dephosphorylated by calcineurin, which facilitates Crz1 translocation to the nucleus to regulate gene expression. In the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, calcineurin–Crz1 signaling maintains calcium homeostasis, thermotolerance, cell wall integrity, and morphogenesis. How Crz1 distinguishes different stressors and differentially regulates cellular responses is poorly understood. Through monitoring Crz1 subcellular localization over time, we found that Crz1 transiently localizes to granules after exposure to high temperature or calcium. These granules also host the phosphatase calcineurin and Pub1, a ribonucleoprotein stress granule marker, suggesting a role of stress granules in modulating calcineurin–Crz1 signaling. Additionally, we constructed and analyzed an array of Crz1 truncation mutants. We identified the intrinsically disordered regions in Crz1 contribute to proper stress granule localization, nuclear localization, and function. Our results provide the groundwork for further determination of the mechanisms behind the complex regulation of Crz1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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27 pages, 6684 KiB  
Article
Detection of Pneumocystis and Morphological Description of Fungal Distribution and Severity of Infection in Thirty-Six Mammal Species
by Christiane Weissenbacher-Lang, Barbara Blasi, Patricia Bauer, Diana Binanti, Karin Bittermann, Lara Ergin, Carmen Högler, Tanja Högler, Magdalena Klier, Julia Matt, Nora Nedorost, Serenella Silvestri, Daniela Stixenberger, Liang Ma, Ousmane H. Cissé, Joseph A. Kovacs, Amélie Desvars-Larrive, Annika Posautz and Herbert Weissenböck
J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020220 - 07 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1960
Abstract
Pneumocystis spp. are thought to adapt to the lungs of potentially all mammals. However, the full host range, fungal burden and severity of infection are unknown for many species. In this study, lung tissue samples originating from 845 animals of 31 different families [...] Read more.
Pneumocystis spp. are thought to adapt to the lungs of potentially all mammals. However, the full host range, fungal burden and severity of infection are unknown for many species. In this study, lung tissue samples originating from 845 animals of 31 different families of eight mammal orders were screened by in situ hybridization (ISH) using a universal 18S rRNA probe for Pneumocystis, followed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining for determining histopathological lesions. A total of 216 (26%) samples were positive for Pneumocystis spp., encompassing 36 of 98 investigated mammal species, with 17 of them being described for the first time for the presence of Pneumocystis spp. The prevalence of Pneumocystis spp. as assessed by ISH varied greatly among different mammal species while the organism load was overall low, suggesting a status of colonization or subclinical infection. Severe Pneumocystis pneumonia seemed to be very rare. For most of the Pneumocystis-positive samples, comparative microscopic examination of H&E- and ISH-stained serial sections revealed an association of the fungus with minor lesions, consistent with an interstitial pneumonia. Colonization or subclinical infection of Pneumocystis in the lung might be important in many mammal species because the animals may serve as a reservoir. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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13 pages, 3610 KiB  
Article
New Methylcitrate Synthase Inhibitor Induces Proteolysis, Lipid Degradation and Pyruvate Excretion in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
by Olivia Basso Rocha, Kleber Santiago Freitas e Silva, Thaynara Gonzaga Santos, Dayane Moraes, Leandro do Prado Assunção, Alexandre Melo Bailão, Célia Maria de Almeida Soares and Maristela Pereira
J. Fungi 2023, 9(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010108 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1378
Abstract
Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the inhalation of conidia of the genus Paracoccidioides. During the infectious process, fungal cells use several carbon sources, leading to the production of propionyl-CoA. The latter is metabolized by the methylcitrate synthase, a key [...] Read more.
Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the inhalation of conidia of the genus Paracoccidioides. During the infectious process, fungal cells use several carbon sources, leading to the production of propionyl-CoA. The latter is metabolized by the methylcitrate synthase, a key enzyme of the methylcitrate cycle. We identified an inhibitor compound (ZINC08964784) that showed antifungal activity against P. brasiliensis. Methods: This work aimed to understand the fungal metabolic response of P. brasiliensis cells exposed to ZINC08964784 through a proteomics approach. We used a glucose-free medium supplemented with propionate in order to simulate the environment found by the pathogen during the infection. We performed pyruvate dosage, proteolytic assay, dosage of intracellular lipids and quantification of reactive oxygen species in order to validate the proteomic results. Results: The proteomic analysis indicated that the fungal cells undergo a metabolic shift due to the inhibition of the methylcitrate cycle and the generation of reactive species. Proteolytic enzymes were induced, driving amino acids into degradation for energy production. In addition, glycolysis and the citric acid cycle were down-regulated while ß-oxidation was up-regulated. The accumulation of pyruvate and propionyl-CoA led the cells to a state of oxidative stress in the presence of ZINC08964784. Conclusions: The inhibition of methylcitrate synthase caused by the compound promoted a metabolic shift in P. brasiliensis damaging energy production and generating oxidative stress. Hence, the compound is a promising alternative for developing new strategies of therapies against paracoccidioidomycosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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15 pages, 2725 KiB  
Article
Proteomic Response of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Exposed to the Antifungal 4-Methoxynaphthalene-N-acylhydrazone Reveals Alteration in Metabolism
by Lívia do Carmo Silva, Kleber Santiago Freitas e Silva, Olívia Basso Rocha, Katheryne Lohany Barros Barbosa, Andrew Matheus Frederico Rozada, Gisele de Freitas Gauze, Célia Maria de Almeida Soares and Maristela Pereira
J. Fungi 2023, 9(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010066 - 31 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1258
Abstract
Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a neglected mycosis with a high socioeconomic impact that requires long-term treatment with antifungals that have limitations in their use. The development of antifungals targeting essential proteins that are present exclusively in the fungus points to a potentially promising treatment. [...] Read more.
Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a neglected mycosis with a high socioeconomic impact that requires long-term treatment with antifungals that have limitations in their use. The development of antifungals targeting essential proteins that are present exclusively in the fungus points to a potentially promising treatment. Methods: The inhibitor of the enzyme homoserine dehydrogenase drove the synthesis of N’-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-methoxy-1-naphthohydrazide (AOS). This compound was evaluated for its antifungal activity in different species of Paracoccidioides and the consequent alteration in the proteomic profile of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Results: The compound showed a minimal inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.75 to 6.9 μM with a fungicidal effect on Paracoccidioides spp. and high selectivity index. AOS differentially regulated proteins related to glycolysis, TCA, the glyoxylate cycle, the urea cycle and amino acid metabolism, including homoserine dehydrogenase. In addition, P. brasiliensis inhibited protein synthesis and stimulated reactive oxygen species in the presence of AOS. Conclusions: AOS is a promising antifungal agent for the treatment of PCM, targeting important metabolic processes of the fungus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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20 pages, 3447 KiB  
Article
Yeast Diversity in the Qaidam Basin Desert in China with the Description of Five New Yeast Species
by Xu-Yang Wei, Hai-Yan Zhu, Liang Song, Ri-Peng Zhang, Ai-Hua Li, Qiu-Hong Niu, Xin-Zhan Liu and Feng-Yan Bai
J. Fungi 2022, 8(8), 858; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8080858 - 16 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1698
Abstract
The Qaidam Basin is the highest and one of the largest and driest deserts on Earth. It is considered a mars analog area in China. In contrast to numerous studies concerning its geology, geophysical, and chemistry, relatively few studies have reported microbial diversity [...] Read more.
The Qaidam Basin is the highest and one of the largest and driest deserts on Earth. It is considered a mars analog area in China. In contrast to numerous studies concerning its geology, geophysical, and chemistry, relatively few studies have reported microbial diversity and distribution in this area. Here, we investigated culturable yeast diversity in the northeast Qaidam Basin. A total of 194 yeast strains were isolated, and 12 genera and 21 species were identified, among which 19 were basidiomycetous yeasts. Naganishia albida, N. adeliensis, and Filobasidium magnum were the three most dominant species and were distributed in thirteen samples from eight locations. Five new species (Filobasidium chaidanensis, Kondoa globosum, Symmetrospora salmoneus, Teunia nitrariae, and Vishniacozyma pseudodimennae) were found and described based on ITS and D1D2 gene loci together with phenotypic characteristics and physiochemical analysis. Representative strains from each species were chosen for the salt-tolerant test, in which species showed different responses to different levels of NaCl concentrations. Further, the strain from soil can adapt well to the higher salt stress compared to those from plants or lichens. Our study represents the first report of the yeast diversity in the Qaidam Basin, including five new species, and also provides further information on the halotolerance of yeasts from the saline environment in mars analog. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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14 pages, 854 KiB  
Article
Predicting Species Boundaries and Assessing Undescribed Diversity in Pneumocystis, an Obligate Lung Symbiont
by Spenser J. Babb-Biernacki, Jacob A. Esselstyn and Vinson P. Doyle
J. Fungi 2022, 8(8), 799; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8080799 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1328
Abstract
Far more biodiversity exists in Fungi than has been described, or could be described in several lifetimes, given current rates of species discovery. Although this problem is widespread taxonomically, our knowledge of animal-associated fungi is especially lacking. Fungi in the genus Pneumocystis are [...] Read more.
Far more biodiversity exists in Fungi than has been described, or could be described in several lifetimes, given current rates of species discovery. Although this problem is widespread taxonomically, our knowledge of animal-associated fungi is especially lacking. Fungi in the genus Pneumocystis are obligate inhabitants of mammal lungs, and they have been detected in a phylogenetically diverse array of species representing many major mammal lineages. The hypothesis that Pneumocystis cospeciate with their mammalian hosts suggests that thousands of Pneumocystis species may exist, potentially equal to the number of mammal species. However, only six species have been described, and the true correspondence of Pneumocystis diversity to host species boundaries is unclear. Here, we use molecular species delimitation to estimate the boundaries of Pneumocystis species sampled from 55 mammal species representing eight orders. Our results suggest that Pneumocystis species often colonize several closely related mammals, especially those in the same genus. Using the newly estimated ratio of fungal to host diversity, we estimate ≈4600 to 6250 Pneumocystis species inhabit the 6495 currently recognized extant mammal species. Additionally, we review the literature and find that only 240 (~3.7%) mammal species have been screened for Pneumocystis, and many detected Pneumocystis lineages are not represented by any genetic data. Although crude, our findings challenge the dominant perspective of strict specificity of Pneumocystis to their mammal hosts and highlight an abundance of undescribed diversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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12 pages, 2211 KiB  
Article
Species Identification and In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility of Paecilomyces/Purpureocillium Species Isolated from Clinical Respiratory Samples: A Multicenter Study
by Lorra Monpierre, Nawel Aït-Ammar, Isabel Valsecchi, Anne-Cécile Normand, Juliette Guitard, Arnaud Riat, Antoine Huguenin, Christine Bonnal, Boualem Sendid, Lilia Hasseine, Hélène Raberin, Marion Dehais, Stéphane Ranque, Christophe Hennequin, Renaud Piarroux, Eric Dannaoui and Françoise Botterel
J. Fungi 2022, 8(7), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8070684 - 29 Jun 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1893
Abstract
Paecilomyces spp. are emerging fungal pathogens, where Paecilomyces lilacinus and Paecilomyces variotii are the most reported species. Taxonomic and phylogenetic revisions in this genus have shown that P. variotii represents a species complex, whereas P. lilacinus is related to another genus called Purpureocillium [...] Read more.
Paecilomyces spp. are emerging fungal pathogens, where Paecilomyces lilacinus and Paecilomyces variotii are the most reported species. Taxonomic and phylogenetic revisions in this genus have shown that P. variotii represents a species complex, whereas P. lilacinus is related to another genus called Purpureocillium. The aims of this study were to identify clinical isolates of Paecilomyces spp. at the species level, and to determine their antifungal susceptibility profiles. 70 clinical Paecilomyces spp. isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry (MS) and by multilocus rDNA genes sequencing including ITS and the D1/D2 genes. Among the 70 Paecilomyces spp. isolates, 28 were identified as P. lilacinum, 26 as P. variotii stricto sensu, and 16 as P. maximus. For antifungal susceptibility testing, Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) or Minimal Effective Concentrations (MECs) were determined for 8 antifungals. All P. lilacinum isolates had high MICs and MECs of amphotericin B and echinocandins, respectively, unlike P. variotii and P. maximus. For azole drugs, MICs were molecule- and species- dependent. The differences in in vitro susceptibility to antifungals underline the importance of accurate species identification. The MALDI–TOF MS can be a good alternative in routine laboratory to ensure fast identification of Paecilomyces spp. and P. lilacinum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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17 pages, 2035 KiB  
Article
Genetic Characterization of Microsporum canis Clinical Isolates in the United States
by Alex Moskaluk, Lauren Darlington, Sally Kuhn, Elisa Behzadi, Roderick B. Gagne, Christopher P. Kozakiewicz and Sue VandeWoude
J. Fungi 2022, 8(7), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8070676 - 28 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2404
Abstract
Microsporum canis is the primary agent causing dermatophytosis in cats, and also infects humans, dogs, and other species. Assessment of genetic variation among M. canis isolates in the United States has not been conducted. Further, M. canis mating type and assessment of disease [...] Read more.
Microsporum canis is the primary agent causing dermatophytosis in cats, and also infects humans, dogs, and other species. Assessment of genetic variation among M. canis isolates in the United States has not been conducted. Further, M. canis mating type and assessment of disease severity associated with genotypic characteristics have not been rigorously evaluated. We therefore isolated M. canis from 191 domestic cats across the US and characterized genotypes by evaluation of ITS sequence, MAT locus, and microsatellite loci analysis. The genes SSU1 and SUB3, which are associated with keratin adhesion and digestion, were sequenced from a subset of isolates to evaluate potential genetic associations with virulence. Analysis of microsatellite makers revealed three M. canis genetic clusters. Both clinic location and disease severity were significant predictors of microsatellite variants. 100% of the M. canis isolates were MAT1-1 mating gene type, indicating that MAT1-2 is very rare or extinct in the US and that asexual reproduction is the dominant form of replication. No genetic variation at SSU1 and SUB3 was observed. These findings pave the way for novel testing modalities for M. canis and provide insights about transmission and ecology of this ubiquitous and relatively uncharacterized agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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17 pages, 1744 KiB  
Article
Towards a Fungal Science That Is Independent of Researchers’ Gender
by Nada Kraševec
J. Fungi 2022, 8(7), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8070675 - 28 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1843
Abstract
The main drivers of gender mainstreaming in basic and clinical research appear to be funding agencies and scientific journals. Some funding agencies have already recognized the importance of their actions for the global development of ideas in science, but further targeted efforts are [...] Read more.
The main drivers of gender mainstreaming in basic and clinical research appear to be funding agencies and scientific journals. Some funding agencies have already recognized the importance of their actions for the global development of ideas in science, but further targeted efforts are needed. The challenges for women scientists in fungal research appear to be similar to those in other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, although the gender gap in mycology publishing appears to be less pronounced; however, women are underrepresented as last (corresponding) authors. Two examples of best practices to bridge the gap have been promoted in the fungal community: “power hour” and a central resource database for women researchers of fungi and oomycetes. A more balanced ratio of women researchers among (plenary) session speakers, (plenary) session chairs, and committee members at the recent fungal genetics conference is an encouraging sign that the gender gap can be closed. The editorial policy of some journals follows the guidance “Sex and Gender Equality in Research,” and other journals should follow, and indicate the gender ratio among authors and reviewers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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14 pages, 5875 KiB  
Article
Phylogeny and Diversity of the Genus Pseudohydnum (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota)
by Hong-Min Zhou, Hong-Gao Liu, Genevieve M. Gates, Fang Wu, Yu-Cheng Dai and Jerry A. Cooper
J. Fungi 2022, 8(7), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8070658 - 23 Jun 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2072
Abstract
The toothed jelly fungus Pseudohydnum gelatinosum was originally described from Europe. The name has a broad sense and the species has been widely reported almost all over the world. We have studied samples of so-called P. gelatinosum from Asia and Oceania. Based on [...] Read more.
The toothed jelly fungus Pseudohydnum gelatinosum was originally described from Europe. The name has a broad sense and the species has been widely reported almost all over the world. We have studied samples of so-called P. gelatinosum from Asia and Oceania. Based on morphology, hosts, geography, and phylogenetic analysis using the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITSs) and the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), four new species, P. himalayanum, P. orbiculare, P. sinogelatinosum, and P. tasmanicum, from China, New Zealand, and Australia are described and illustrated, and a new combination, Pseudohydnum totarae, is proposed. The five new taxa can be differentiated by the shape of their basidiomata, pileal surface color when fresh, spine size, basidiospore dimensions, shape of hyphidia, hosts, and biogeography. Phylogenetically, most of these taxa are distantly related, and different base pairs among these taxa mostly account for >2% nucleotides in the ITS regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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9 pages, 1350 KiB  
Article
Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells Accumulate in the Lungs during Murine Pneumocystis Infection but Are Not Required for Clearance
by Lisa R. Bishop, Shelly J. Curran and Joseph A. Kovacs
J. Fungi 2022, 8(6), 645; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8060645 - 18 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2356
Abstract
Pneumocystis is a fungal pathogen that can cause pneumonia in immunosuppressed hosts and subclinical infection in immunocompetent hosts. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are unconventional lymphocytes with a semi-invariant T-cell receptor that are activated by riboflavin metabolites that are presented by the MHC-1b [...] Read more.
Pneumocystis is a fungal pathogen that can cause pneumonia in immunosuppressed hosts and subclinical infection in immunocompetent hosts. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are unconventional lymphocytes with a semi-invariant T-cell receptor that are activated by riboflavin metabolites that are presented by the MHC-1b molecule MR1. Although Pneumocystis can presumably synthesize riboflavin metabolites based on whole-genome studies, the role of MAIT cells in controlling Pneumocystis infection is unknown. We used a co-housing mouse model of Pneumocystis infection, combined with flow cytometry and qPCR, to characterize the response of MAIT cells to infection in C57BL/6 mice, and, using MR1−/− mice, which lack MAIT cells, to examine their role in clearing the infection. MAIT cells accumulated in the lungs of C57BL/6 mice during Pneumocystis infection and remained at increased levels for many weeks after clearance of infection. In MR1−/− mice, Pneumocystis infection was cleared with kinetics similar to C57BL/6 mice. Thus, MAIT cells are not necessary for control of Pneumocystis infection, but the prolonged retention of these cells in the lungs following clearance of infection may allow a more rapid future response to other pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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20 pages, 12051 KiB  
Article
Taxonomy, Phylogenetic and Ancestral Area Reconstruction in Phyllachora, with Four Novel Species from Northwestern China
by Jin-Chen Li, Hai-Xia Wu, Yuying Li, Xin-Hao Li, Jia-Yu Song, Nakarin Suwannarach and Nalin N. Wijayawardene
J. Fungi 2022, 8(5), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8050520 - 18 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2478
Abstract
The members of Phyllachora are biotrophic, obligate plant parasitic fungi featuring a high degree of host specificity. This genus also features a high degree of species richness and worldwide distribution. In this study, four species occurring on leaf and stem of two different [...] Read more.
The members of Phyllachora are biotrophic, obligate plant parasitic fungi featuring a high degree of host specificity. This genus also features a high degree of species richness and worldwide distribution. In this study, four species occurring on leaf and stem of two different species of grass were collected from Shanxi and Shaanxi Provinces, China. Based on morphological analysis, multigene (combined data set of LSU, SSU, and ITS) phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis), and host relationship, we introduce herein four new taxa of Phyllachora. Ancestral area reconstruction analysis showed that the ancestral area of Phyllachora occurred in Latin America about 194 Mya. Novel taxa are compared with the related Phyllachora species. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and notes are provided for each species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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Review

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15 pages, 1078 KiB  
Review
Importance of Clinical Isolates in Cryptococcus neoformans Research
by Katrina M. Jackson, Minna Ding and Kirsten Nielsen
J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030364 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2013
Abstract
The human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is a global health concern. Previous research in the field has focused on studies using reference strains to identify virulence factors, generate mutant libraries, define genomic structures, and perform functional studies. In this review, we discuss the [...] Read more.
The human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is a global health concern. Previous research in the field has focused on studies using reference strains to identify virulence factors, generate mutant libraries, define genomic structures, and perform functional studies. In this review, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using reference strains to study C. neoformans, describe how the study of clinical isolates has expanded our understanding of pathogenesis, and highlight how studies using clinical isolates can further develop our understanding of the host–pathogen interaction during C. neoformans infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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13 pages, 667 KiB  
Review
The Role of the Mycobiome in Women’s Health
by Michelle Marie Esposito, Savannah Patsakos and Larisa Borruso
J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030348 - 12 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2106
Abstract
Although the human bacteriome and virome have gained a great deal of attention over the years, the human mycobiome has been far more neglected despite having significant value and implications in human health. In women, mycobiome profiles in breastmilk, vaginal regions, the gut, [...] Read more.
Although the human bacteriome and virome have gained a great deal of attention over the years, the human mycobiome has been far more neglected despite having significant value and implications in human health. In women, mycobiome profiles in breastmilk, vaginal regions, the gut, skin, and the oral cavity can provide insight into women’s health, diseases, and microbiome dysbiosis. Analyses of mycobiome composition under factors, such as health, age, diet, weight, and drug exposure (including antibiotic therapies), help to elucidate the various roles of women’s mycobiome in homeostasis, microbiome interactions (synergistic and antagonistic), and health. This review summarizes the most recent updates to mycobiome knowledge in these critical areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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16 pages, 317 KiB  
Review
The Multifaceted Role of Mating Type of the Fungus and Sex of the Host in Studies of Fungal Infections in Humans
by Nada Kraševec
J. Fungi 2022, 8(5), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8050461 - 29 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2139
Abstract
This review discusses the inclusion of sex and gender variables in studies of fungal infections in humans at the pathogen, host, and antifungal trial levels. The mating type of some fungi, or perhaps more likely the absence of the other, appears to be [...] Read more.
This review discusses the inclusion of sex and gender variables in studies of fungal infections in humans at the pathogen, host, and antifungal trial levels. The mating type of some fungi, or perhaps more likely the absence of the other, appears to be associated with some infections. Sexual and parasexual reproduction of some fungi is an important mechanism for the development of antifungal drug resistance. Host sex or gender influences the incidence of some infections such as aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, dermatophytosis, and candidiasis due to differences in immune response, behavior, and awareness for early detection and treatment. Participant sex (and age) is relevant not only in clinical antifungal trials but also in preclinical studies. The dimensions of sex and gender are important determinants throughout the fungal infection process and in approaches to prevent or treat these infections, as well as in development of antifungal drugs. Failure to consider sex and gender may be detrimental to the holistic understanding of the processes involved in fungal infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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10 pages, 439 KiB  
Brief Report
Aspergillus Section Terrei and Antifungals: From Broth to Agar-Based Susceptibility Testing Methods
by Roya Vahedi-Shahandashti, Lisa Hahn, Jos Houbraken and Cornelia Lass-Flörl
J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030306 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1391
Abstract
Providing timely antifungal treatment to patients suffering from life-threatening invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is essential. Due to the changing epidemiology and the emergence of antifungal resistance in Aspergillus, the most commonly responsible mold of IFIs, antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) has become increasingly [...] Read more.
Providing timely antifungal treatment to patients suffering from life-threatening invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is essential. Due to the changing epidemiology and the emergence of antifungal resistance in Aspergillus, the most commonly responsible mold of IFIs, antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) has become increasingly important to guide clinical decisions. This study assessed the essential agreement (EA) between broth microdilution methods (the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)) and the Etest of amphotericin B (AmB), liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB), and isavuconazole (ISA) against 112 Aspergillus section Terrei. An EA within ±2 dilutions of ≥90% between the two methods was considered acceptable. Excellent EA was found between EUCAST and CLSI of AmB and ISA (98.2% and 95.5%, respectively). The correlation of Etest results and EUCAST/CLSI was not acceptable (<90%) for any tested antifungal; however, Etest and CLSI for AmB (79.6%) and ISA (77.6%) showed a higher EA than Etest and EUCAST for AmB (49.5%) and ISA (46.4%). It was concluded that the Etest method requires its own clinical breakpoints (CBPs) and epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs), and interpreting Etest results using EUCAST and CLSI-adapted CBPs and ECVs could result in misinterpretation as Etest shows lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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8 pages, 659 KiB  
Opinion
Diagnostic Mycology Laboratories Should Have a Central Role for the Management of Fungal Disease
by Narda Medina, Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo, Danicela Mercado, David W. Denning, Eduardo Arathoon and Juan Luis Rodriguez-Tudela
J. Fungi 2022, 8(12), 1285; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8121285 - 08 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2116
Abstract
The absence of awareness of fungal diseases as part of the differential diagnosis in at-risk populations has severe consequences. Here, we show how the active role of laboratories can improve patients’ survival. Recently, major advances have been made in non-culture-based assays for fungal [...] Read more.
The absence of awareness of fungal diseases as part of the differential diagnosis in at-risk populations has severe consequences. Here, we show how the active role of laboratories can improve patients’ survival. Recently, major advances have been made in non-culture-based assays for fungal diseases, improving accuracy and turnaround time. Furthermore, with the introduction of proficiency control systems, laboratories are an easily monitored environment with good analytical accuracy. Diagnostic packages for opportunistic infections can overcome many deficiencies caused by the absence of awareness. In Guatemala, to make diagnosis accessible, we set up a diagnostic laboratory hub (DLH) providing screening for cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis and tuberculosis to a network of 13 healthcare facilities attending people living with HIV (PLWHIV). In two years, we screened 2127 newly HIV-diagnosed patients. The frequency of opportunistic infections was 21%, rising to 30.3% in patients with advanced HIV disease (<200 CD4); 8.1% of these patients had more than one infection. With the implementation of this diagnostic package, mortality decreased by 7%, a key goal of many public health interventions. Screening for serious infection in high-risk populations can partially overcome training or experiential deficiencies among clinicians for life-threatening fungal diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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6 pages, 1008 KiB  
Brief Report
The Effects of Sex and Strain on Pneumocystis murina Fungal Burdens in Mice
by Nikeya L. Macioce-Tisdale, Alan Ashbaugh, Keeley Hendrix, Margaret S. Collins, Aleksey Porollo and Melanie T. Cushion
J. Fungi 2022, 8(10), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8101101 - 19 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1051
Abstract
Many preclinical studies of infectious diseases have neglected experimental designs that evaluate potential differences related to sex with a concomitant over-reliance on male model systems. Hence, the NIH implemented a monitoring system for sex inclusion in preclinical studies. Methods: Per this mandate, we [...] Read more.
Many preclinical studies of infectious diseases have neglected experimental designs that evaluate potential differences related to sex with a concomitant over-reliance on male model systems. Hence, the NIH implemented a monitoring system for sex inclusion in preclinical studies. Methods: Per this mandate, we examined the lung burdens of Pneumocystis murina infection in three mouse strains in both male and female animals at early, mid, and late time points. Results: Females in each strain had higher infection burdens compared to males at the later time points. Conclusion: Females should be included in experimental models studying Pneumocystis spp. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Mycology)
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