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Biodiversity of leaf litter fungi in streams along a latitudinal gradient

Seena S, Bärlocher F, Sobral O, Gessner MO, Dudgeon D, McKie BG, et al.

Sci Total Environ, 2019 Apr 15;661:306-315.
PMID: 30677678 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.122

Global patterns of biodiversity have emerged for soil microorganisms, plants and animals, and the extraordinary significance of microbial functions in ecosystems is also well established. Virtually unknown, however, are large-scale patterns of microbial diversity in freshwaters, although these aquatic ecosystems are hotspots of biodiversity and biogeochemical processes. Here we report on the first large-scale study of biodiversity of leaf-litter fungi in streams along a latitudinal gradient unravelled by Illumina sequencing. The study is based on fungal communities colonizing standardized plant litter in 19 globally distributed stream locations between 69°N and 44°S. Fungal richness suggests a hump-shaped distribution along the latitudinal gradient. Strikingly, community composition of fungi was more clearly related to thermal preferences than to biogeography. Our results suggest that identifying differences in key environmental drivers, such as temperature, among taxa and ecosystem types is critical to unravel the global patterns of aquatic fungal diversity.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
Efficiency of developed solid state bioreactor 'fermsostat' on cellulolytic and xylanase enzymes production

Lee CK, Darah I, Ibrahim C

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:1249-1257.

FERMSOSTAT is a developed laboratory scale solid state fermenter. It is a horizontal stirrer drum bioreactor with about 70 L capacities. The fermenter is made of stainless steel which is anti-corrosive and non-toxic to the process organism. The fermenter is equipped with sets of control systems for temperature, agitation, aeration and also outlets for substrate sampling as well as inlets for inoculation and substrate additions. The uniqueness of this FERMSOSTAT system is its ability to carry out in situ substrate sterilization and extraction of enzymes at the end of SSF process. Moreover, the mixing system provided by FERMSOSTAT can be performed either full or half mixing as well as forward or reverse mixing. Furthermore, the mixing can be programmed to run at certain agitation rate and time interval during the fermentation process to prevent or reduce damage to the fungus mycelia. FERMSOSTAT is a developed SSF bioreactor and not an improvement of any existing one. The performances of FERMSOSTAT have been evaluated. Under optimum solid state fermentation conditions, about 63.4, 397 and 3.21 U/g of CMCase, xylanase and FPase activities were detected, which were higher compared to the tray system.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
Prevalence of mycotoxigenic fungi and assessment of aflatoxin contamination: a multiple case study along the integrated corn-based poultry feed supply chain in Malaysia

Nasaruddin N, Jinap S, Samsudin NI, Kamarulzaman NH, Sanny M

J Sci Food Agric, 2021 Mar 30;101(5):1812-1821.
PMID: 32893877 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10795

BACKGROUND: Corn, a main feed ingredient in the livestock industry, is one of the most susceptible crops to fungal infection and aflatoxin contamination. Livestock feeding on aflatoxin (AF)-contaminated feed have been shown to experience feed refusal, and decreased growth rate, milk production, and feed efficiency. In poultry, AF poisoning causes weight loss, poor feed efficiency, and reduced egg production and egg weight. The present work therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of mycotoxigenic fungi and the occurrence of AF contamination along the integrated corn-based poultry feed supply chain in Malaysia. A total of 51 samples were collected from different points along the feed supply chain from integrated poultry feed companies. The samples were subjected to mycological analyses (fungal isolation, enumeration, identification), and AFs were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD).
RESULTS: Samples collected from sampling point 1 (company A) and sampling point 9 (company B) yielded the highest total fungal load (>log 4 CFU g-1 ). The prevalent fungal genera isolated were Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium spp. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in 8.3% of corn samples, and 7.4% of corn-based poultry feed samples along the feed supply chain, whereas AFs B2 , G1 , and G2 were not detected.
CONCLUSION: The incidence of mycotoxigenic fungi along the integrated poultry feed supply chain warrant continuous monitoring of mycotoxin contamination to reduce the exposure risk of mycotoxin intake in poultry. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/classification; Fungi/isolation & purification; Fungi/metabolism
Compliances of airborne microbe in different phases of building commisioning

Ahmad Sayuti Zainal Abidin, Leman, A.M., Nor Mohd Razif Noraini

Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2012;9(3):39-44.
MyJurnal

This study intended to investigate the level on airborne microbe in indoor air for new constructed building. It was divided by three different phase of building commissioning in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. The first phase of the sampling was carried out after the building fully handed over from the main contractor to the building owner. Second phase of the sampling take place after the building is equipped with furniture. Phase three sampling is conducted after one month of building occupancy. Airborne microbes’ concentrations were determined by using a single stage impactor (Biosampler) as per requirement of National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method, NIOSH Manual Analytical Method MAM 0800. The total concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi were average to 641 and 38 CFU/m³ in the first phase, 133 and 117 CFU/m³ in the second phase, and 389 and 52 CFU/m³ in the third phase. These findings indicate that although a new constructed building should be having a significant background level of airborne microbe (total bacteria and total fungi). The building owner should be aware to their indoor air status to protect the occupant from the safety and health problem (risk) especially for ventilated building.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
Fulltext Pengaruh sumber nitrogen terhadap pertumbuhan endofit streptomyces SUK 02 dan aktiviti antifungus

Noraziah Mohamad Zin, Marlini Othman

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2012;10(1):35-39.
MyJurnal

Bakteria endofit adalah berpotensi untuk menghasilkan antibiotik dan metabolit sekunder yang lain. Penghasilan metabolit sekunder dapat ditingkatkan melalui pengoptimuman kandungan nutrien seperti sumber nitrogen. Dalam kajian ini kandungan sumber nitrogen iaitu ammonium sulfat, ammonium dihidrogen fosfat, kalium nitrat dan natrum nitrat telah diubahsuai di dalam kaldu International Streptomyces Project 4 (ISP4) untuk pertumbuhan Streptomyces SUK 02. Pengekstrakan dilakukan dengan menggunakan etil asetat dan aktiviti antifungus ditentukan dengan menggunakan teknik serapan agar. Fungus ujian yang digunakan adalah Aspergillus fumigatus dan Fusarium solani. Hasil kajian menunjukkan peratusan berat (w/v) ekstrak kasar maksima didapati daripada kaldu yang mengandungi natrium nitrat (3.30%), diikuti oleh ammonium dihidrogen fosfat (2.24%), ammonium sulfat (1.46%) dan kalium nitrat (1.20%). Aktiviti antifungus dikesan daripada ekstrak bersumberkan nitrogen ammonium sulfat.Peratus perencatan ekstrak tersebut terhadap Aspergillus fumigatus dan Fusarium solani adalah 33.0-35.0% dan 17.4-30.0%, masing-masing. Manakala nilai MIC terhadap Aspergillus fumigatus adalah 1.5 mg/ml. Sebagai kesimpulan, natrium nitrat merupakan sumber nitrogen yang sesuai bagi partumbuhan optimum Streptomyces SUK 02 manakala kehadiran ammonium sulfat boleh meningkatkan aktiviti antifungus.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
Fulltext A review of recent advances in the decontamination of mycotoxin and inactivation of fungi by ultrasound

Hashemi Moosavi M, Mousavi Khaneghah A, Javanmardi F, Hadidi M, Hadian Z, Jafarzadeh S, et al.

Ultrason Sonochem, 2021 Nov;79:105755.
PMID: 34562735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105755

Innovative technologies for the pasteurization of food products have increased due to the global demand for higher-quality food products. In this regard, the current article aimed to provide an overview regarding the latest research on US application in the decontamination of fungi in food products and highlight the parameters influencing the effectiveness of this method. Therefore, the related article with inactivation of fungi and mycotoxins by ultrasound among last four years (2018-2021) by using terms such as 'mycotoxin,' 'inactivation,' 'ultrasound,' 'decontamination' among some international databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar" was retrieved. Ultrasound (US) is considered a non-thermal decontamination method for food products. In US, the release of energy due to the acoustic phenomenon destroys microorganisms. This technology is advantageous as it is inexpensive, eco-friendly, and does not negatively affect food products' food structure and organoleptic properties. The influence of the US on food structure and organoleptic properties dramatically depends on the intensity and energy density applied In addition, it can preserve higher levels of ascorbic acid, lycopene, and chlorophyll in sonicated food products. The treatment conditions, including frequency, intensity, duration, temperature, and processing pressure, influence the effectiveness of decontamination. However, US displays synergistic or antagonistic effects on bacteria, yeasts, molds, and mycotoxins when combined with other types of decontamination methods such as chemical and thermal approaches. Thus, further research is needed to clarify these effects. Overall, the application of US methods in the food industry for decreasing the microbial content of food products during processing has been applied. However, the use of US with other techniques needs to be studied further.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
Emerging cold plasma treatment on rice grains: A mini review

Ikmal Misnal MF, Redzuan N, Firdaus Zainal MN, Raja Ibrahim RK, Ahmad N, Agun L

Chemosphere, 2021 Jul;274:129972.
PMID: 33979941 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129972

Future demand of rice is projected to increase with the increase of global population. However, the presence of bacteria, insects, and fungi has resulted in various changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of rice grain. To make it worse, the overuse of post-harvest chemicals (fungicide and pesticide) has caused possible risks to human health through either occupational or non-occupational exposure. For the last few years, cold plasma has been developed as an alternative non-thermal emerging technology for rice grains treatment due to its ability to inactivate or decontaminate pathogens without causing thermal damage and free of any harmful residues. Therefore, this review describes the operational mechanism of cold plasma treatment technology on rice grains, existing reactor system designs, and parameters influenced by the treatment technology (reactor design parameters and treatment process parameters). Possible advanced investigation on future reactor design modification as well as standard operating range of influenced parameters were suggested for improved efficiency and effectiveness of cold plasma treatment.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
Fulltext Intraspecific variation of the aquatic fungus Articulospora tetracladia: an ubiquitous perspective

Seena S, Duarte S, Pascoal C, Cássio F

PLoS One, 2012;7(4):e35884.
PMID: 22558256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035884

The worldwide-distributed aquatic fungus Articulospora tetracladia Ingold is a dominant sporulating species in streams of the Northwest Iberian Peninsula. To elucidate the genetic diversity of A. tetracladia, we analyzed isolates collected from various types of plant litter or foam in streams from North and Central Portugal and North Spain, between 2000 and 2010. Genetic diversity of these fungal populations was assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprints and by using ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 barcodes. Moreover, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 barcodes of A. tetracladia reported in other parts of the world (Central Europe, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and Malaysia) were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI) and the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation Biological Resource Center (NBRC) to probe into genetic diversity of A. tetracladia. PCR-DGGE of ITS2 region of 50 Iberian fungal isolates distinguished eight operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were similar to those obtained from neighboring trees based on ITS2 gene sequences. On the other hand, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 barcodes of 68 fungal isolates yielded nine OTUs, but five fungal isolates were not assigned to any of these OTUs. Molecular diversity was highest for OTU-8, which included only European isolates. Two haplotypes were observed within OTU-8 and OTU-9, while only one haplotype was found within each of the remaining OTUs. Malaysia did not share haplotypes with other countries. Overall results indicate that, apart from the Malaysian genotypes, A. tetracladia genotypes were geographically widespread irrespective of sampling time, sites or substrates. Furthermore, PCR-DGGE appeared to be a rapid tool for assessing intraspecific diversity of aquatic hyphomycetes.

Matched MeSH terms: Mitosporic Fungi/classification; Mitosporic Fungi/genetics*; Mitosporic Fungi/isolation & purification
The mycological and molecular study of Hortaea werneckii isolated from blood and splenic abscess

Ng KP, Soo-Hoo TS, Na SL, Tay ST, Hamimah H, Lim PC, et al.

Mycopathologia, 2005 Jun;159(4):495-500.
PMID: 15983734

Hortaea werneckii is an environmental dematiaceous fungus found in the halophilic environment. It causes tinea nigra. We report the isolation of H. werneckii from blood and splenic abscess of two patients with acute myelomonocytic leukaemia. H. werneckii grew at room temperature but not at 37 degrees C, it was identified by biochemical tests, growth characteristics and the presence of conspicuous collarette intercalary on dividing yeast cells. The use of specific oligonucleotide primer Hor-F (5'-TGGACACCTTCA TAACTCTTG-3') and Hor-R (5'-TCACAACGCTTAGAGACGG-3') confirmed the two isolates were H. werneckii. The sequence for 281 nucleotide of HW299 and HW403 were 99% identical but differed only in one nucleotide. In vitro anti-fungal susceptibility testing showed that the isolates were resistant to amphotericin B and flucytosine.

Matched MeSH terms: Mitosporic Fungi/genetics*; Mitosporic Fungi/isolation & purification*; Mitosporic Fungi/ultrastructure
Antioxidant and L-asparaginase activities of culturable endophytic fungi from ornamental Dendrobium orchids

Chua RW, Song KP, Ting ASY

Lett Appl Microbiol, 2024 Mar 01;77(3).
PMID: 37563083 DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovad096

This study reports the antioxidant potential and L-asparaginase production of culturable fungal endophytes from Dendrobium orchids in Malaysia. Twenty-nine isolates were screened using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay to determine their free radical scavenging activities and antioxidant capacity (IC50 and AEAC). L-asparaginase production of fungal endophytes was detected by the qualitative plate assay, and the enzyme activities estimated via the Nesslerization method. All 29 endophytic isolates exhibited various degrees of radical scavenging activities (35.37%-77.23%), with Fusarium fujikuroi (D1) identified as having the highest antioxidant capacity (IC50 6.097 mg/mL) and the highest AEAC value (11.55 mg/g). For L-asparaginase production, the majority of the isolates (89.66%) showed positive results, especially among the culturable species of Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Daldinia. Most Fusarium spp. were able to produce L-asparaginase (80.77%), but the highest L-asparaginase activity was detected in Daldinia eschscholtzii (D14) with 2.128 units/mL. Results from this study highlighted the potential of endophytic fungi from medicinal orchids (Dendrobium sp.) as natural sources of bioactive compounds to be developed into novel antioxidants and anticancer drugs.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
Fulltext Endophytic Fusarium spp. from Roots of Lawn Grass (Axonopus compressus)

Zakaria L, Ning CH

Trop Life Sci Res, 2013 Dec;24(2):85-90.
PMID: 24575251 MyJurnal

Fungal endophytes are found inside host plants but do not produce any noticeable disease symptoms in their host. In the present study, endophytic Fusarium species were isolated from roots of lawn grass (Axonopus compressus). A total of 51 isolates were recovered from 100 root segments. Two Fusarium species, F. oxysporum (53%) and F. solani (47%), were identified based on macroconidia and conidiogenous cell morphology. The detection of endophytic F. oxysporum and F. solani in the roots of lawn grass contributes to the knowledge of both the distribution of the two Fusarium species and the importance of roots as endophytic niches for Fusarium species.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi, Unclassified
Multiple rare opportunistic and pathogenic fungi in persistent foot skin infection

Chan GF, Sinniah S, Idris TI, Puad MS, Abd Rahman AZ

Pak J Biol Sci, 2013 Mar 01;16(5):208-18.
PMID: 24175430

Persistent superficial skin infection caused by multiple fungi is rarely reported. Recently, a number of fungi, both opportunistic and persistent in nature were isolated from the foot skin of a 24-year old male in Malaysia. The fungi were identified as Candida parapsilosis, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Phoma spp., Debaryomyces hansenii, Acremonium spp., Aureobasidium pullulans and Aspergillus spp., This is the first report on these opportunistic strains were co-isolated from a healthy individual who suffered from persistent foot skin infection which was diagnosed as athlete's foot for more than 12 years. Among the isolated fungi, C. parapsilosis has been an increasingly common cause of skin infections. R. mucilaginosa and D. hansenii were rarely reported in cases of skin infection. A. pullulans, an emerging fungal pathogen was also being isolated in this case. Interestingly, it was noted that C. parapsilosis, R. mucilaginosa, D. hansenii and A. pullulans are among the common halophiles and this suggests the association of halotolerant fungi in causing persistent superficial skin infection. This discovery will shed light on future research to explore on effective treatment for inhibition of pathogenic halophiles as well as to understand the interaction of multiple fungi in the progress of skin infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/classification; Fungi/genetics*; Fungi/isolation & purification*
Fulltext Experimental infection of Aphanomyces invadans and susceptibility in seven species of tropical fish

Afzali SF, Mohd Daud HH, Sharifpour I, Afsharnasab M, Shankar S

Vet World, 2015 Sep;8(9):1038-44.
PMID: 27047195 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.1038-1044

Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) causes by aquatic oomycete fungus, Aphanomyces invadans is a dangerous fish disease of a wide range of fresh and brackish water, wild and farmed fish throughout the world. The objective of the present study was to determine the susceptibility of a number of tropical fish species to the EUS and compare the severity of infection between experimental groups.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
Fulltext Transposable Elements Adaptive Role in Genome Plasticity, Pathogenicity and Evolution in Fungal Phytopathogens

Mat Razali N, Cheah BH, Nadarajah K

Int J Mol Sci, 2019 Jul 23;20(14).
PMID: 31340492 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143597

Transposable elements (TEs) are agents of genetic variability in phytopathogens as they are a source of adaptive evolution through genome diversification. Although many studies have uncovered information on TEs, the exact mechanism behind TE-induced changes within the genome remains poorly understood. Furthermore, convergent trends towards bigger genomes, emergence of novel genes and gain or loss of genes implicate a TE-regulated genome plasticity of fungal phytopathogens. TEs are able to alter gene expression by revamping the cis-regulatory elements or recruiting epigenetic control. Recent findings show that TEs recruit epigenetic control on the expression of effector genes as part of the coordinated infection strategy. In addition to genome plasticity and diversity, fungal pathogenicity is an area of economic concern. A survey of TE distribution suggests that their proximity to pathogenicity genes TEs may act as sites for emergence of novel pathogenicity factors via nucleotide changes and expansion or reduction of the gene family. Through a systematic survey of literature, we were able to conclude that the role of TEs in fungi is wide: ranging from genome plasticity, pathogenicity to adaptive behavior in evolution. This review also identifies the gaps in knowledge that requires further elucidation for a better understanding of TEs' contribution to genome architecture and versatility.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/genetics*; Fungi/pathogenicity
Fulltext Nanomaterials Derived from Fungal Sources-Is It the New Hype?

Nawawi WMFBW, Jones M, Murphy RJ, Lee KY, Kontturi E, Bismarck A

Biomacromolecules, 2020 Jan 13;21(1):30-55.
PMID: 31592650 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01141

Greener alternatives to synthetic polymers are constantly being investigated and sought after. Chitin is a natural polysaccharide that gives structural support to crustacean shells, insect exoskeletons, and fungal cell walls. Like cellulose, chitin resides in nanosized structural elements that can be isolated as nanofibers and nanocrystals by various top-down approaches, targeted at disintegrating the native construct. Chitin has, however, been largely overshadowed by cellulose when discussing the materials aspects of the nanosized components. This Perspective presents a thorough overview of chitin-related materials research with an analytical focus on nanocomposites and nanopapers. The red line running through the text emphasizes the use of fungal chitin that represents several advantages over the more popular crustacean sources, particularly in terms of nanofiber isolation from the native matrix. In addition, many β-glucans are preserved in chitin upon its isolation from the fungal matrix, enabling new horizons for various engineering solutions.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/cytology; Fungi/chemistry*
Screening of nematophagous-fungi from fresh faeces of grazing animals and soils

Farah Haziqah MT, Nur Hikmah AM, Mat Hasan H, Hamdan A, Nik Him NAII

Trop Biomed, 2019 Sep 01;36(3):687-693.
PMID: 33597490

An investigation was undertaken for screening and isolating nematophagous-fungi from the faecal samples of various grazing animals and soils in Malaysia. Total of 111 faeces and 50 soil samples were collected and the samples were cultured on 2% water agar plates. The growth of nematophagous-fungi was stimulated by sprinkling-baiting technique. The conidia of suspected nematophagous-fungi were inoculated on 2% water agar plates. All isolated were maintained on 2% cornmeal agar plates. Verticillium spp., Fusarium spp. and Arthrobotrys spp. were identified from the faecal and soil samples. 62.5% of the faecal samples and 100% of the soil samples were shown to be positive with nematophagous-fungi. This study highlights the present of nematophagous-fungi population in faecal and soil samples. Much study remains to be done to better understanding some fungi especially their mode of action and their predatory behaviour against parasitic nematodes.

Matched MeSH terms: Mitosporic Fungi/classification; Mitosporic Fungi/isolation & purification*
Fulltext Diversity of fungal pathogens associated with loquat and development of novel virulence scales

Fahim Abbas M, Batool S, Khaliq S, Mubeen S, Azziz-Ud-Din, Ullah N, et al.

PLoS One, 2021;16(10):e0257951.
PMID: 34648523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257951

Loquat [Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.] is an important fruit crop in Pakistan; however, a constant decline in its production is noted due biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly disease infestation. Fungal pathogens are the major disease-causing agents; therefore, their identification is necessary for devising management options. This study explored Taxila, Wah-Cantt, Tret, Chatar, Murree, Kalar-Kahar, Choa-Saidan-Shah and Khan-Pur districts in the Punjab and Khyber Paktoon Khawa (KPK) provinces of Pakistan to explore the diversity of fungal pathogens associated with loquat. The samples were collected from these districts and their microscopic characterizations were accomplished for reliable identification. Alternaria alternata, Curvularia lunata, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Aspergilus flavis, Botrytis cinerea, Chaetomium globosum, Pestalotiopsis mangiferae and Phomopsis sp. were the fungal pathogens infesting loquat in the study area. The isolates of A. alternata and C. lunata were isolated from leaf spots and fruit rot, while the isolates of L. theobromae were associated with twig dieback. The remaining pathogens were allied with fruit rot. The nucleotide evidence of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions (ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2) were computed from all the pathogens and submitted in the database of National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). For multigene analysis, beta-tubulin (BT) gene and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) regions were explored for A. alternata and C. lunata isolates, respectively. The virulence scales of leaf spots, fruit rot, and twig dieback diseases of loquat were developed for the first time through this study. It is the first comprehensive study with morpho-molecular identification, and newly developed virulence scales of the fungal pathogens associated with loquat, which improves the understanding of these destructive diseases.

Matched MeSH terms: Mitosporic Fungi/genetics; Mitosporic Fungi/pathogenicity*
Fulltext Metagenomic characterization of indoor dust fungal associated with allergy and lung inflammation among school children

Isa KNM, Jalaludin J, Elias SM, Than LTL, Jabbar MA, Saudi ASM, et al.

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2021 Sep 15;221:112430.
PMID: 34147866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112430

The exposure of school children to indoor air pollutants has increased allergy and respiratory diseases. The objective of this study were to determine the toxicodynamic interaction of indoor pollutants exposure, biological and chemical with expression of adhesion molecules on eosinophil and neutrophil. A self-administered questionnaire, allergy skin test, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) analyser were used to collect information on health status, sensitization to allergens and respiratory inflammation, respectively among school children at age of 14 years. The sputum induced were analysed to determine the expression of CD11b, CD35, CD63 and CD66b on eosinophil and neutrophil by using flow cytometry technique. The particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), NO2, CO2, and formaldehyde, temperature, and relative humidity were measured inside the classrooms. The fungal DNA were extracted from settled dust collected from classrooms and evaluated using metagenomic techniques. We applied chemometric and regression in statistical analysis. A total of 1869 unique of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of fungi were identified with dominated at genus level by Aspergillus (15.8%), Verrucoconiothyrium (5.5%), and Ganoderma (4.6%). Chemometric and regression results revealed that relative abundance of T. asahii were associated with down regulation of CD66b expressed on eosinophil, and elevation of FeNO levels in predicting asthmatic children with model accuracy of 63.6%. Meanwhile, upregulation of CD11b expressed on eosinophil were associated with relative abundance of A. clavatus and regulated by PM2.5. There were significant association of P. bandonii with upregulation of CD63 expressed on neutrophil and exposure to NO2. Our findings indicate that exposure to PM2.5, NO2, T. asahii, P.bandonii and A.clavatus are likely interrelated with upregulation of activation and degranulation markers on both eosinophil and neutrophil.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/genetics*; Fungi/metabolism
Image of the month: Discolouration leading to black eschar over the nose. Invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS)

Idris N, Lim LH

J Paediatr Child Health, 2010 Dec;46(12):779, 789.
PMID: 21166919 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.02002-2.x
Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/growth & development; Fungi/isolation & purification*
Polyancora globosa gen. sp. nov., an aeroaquatic fungus from Malaysian peat swamp forests

Voglmayr H, Yule CM

Mycol. Res., 2006 Oct;110(Pt 10):1242-52.
PMID: 17018253

During an investigation of submerged leaves and twigs sampled from tropical peat swamp forests located in Peninsular Malaysia, an anamorphic fungus not attributable to a described genus was detected and isolated in pure culture. Conidial ontogeny was thoroughly studied and illustrated using both light and SEM, which revealed a unique conidial morphology. Analysis of partial nuLSU rDNA and ITS data revealed a phylogenetic position within the Xylariales (Ascomycota), but family affiliation remained unclear.

Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/classification; Fungi/isolation & purification*

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