Proteomic analysis of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis complex isolates: Correlation of the levels of differentially expressed proteins with in vivo virulence.

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis commonly found in Latin America that is caused by distinct species of Paracoccidioides genus: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis complex (S1, PS2, PS3 and PS4) and Paracoccidioides lutzii. Its pathobiology has been recently explored by different approaches to clarify the mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions underpinning PCM. The diversity of clinical forms of this disease has been attributed to both host- and fungus-related factors.

Exploring virulence and immunogenicity in the emerging pathogen Sporothrix brasiliensis.

Sporotrichosis is a polymorphic chronic infection of humans and animals classically acquired after traumatic inoculation with soil and plant material contaminated with Sporothrix spp. propagules. An alternative and successful route of transmission is bites and scratches from diseased cats, through which Sporothrix yeasts are inoculated into mammalian tissue.

Sporothrix chilensis sp. nov. (Ascomycota: Ophiostomatales), a soil-borne agent of human sporotrichosis with mild-pathogenic potential to mammals.

A combination of phylogeny, evolution, morphologies and ecologies has enabled major advances in understanding the taxonomy of Sporothrix species, including members exhibiting distinct lifestyles such as saprobes, human/animal pathogens, and insect symbionts. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS1/2 + 5.8s sequences split Sporothrix genus in two well-defined groups with dissimilar ecologies.

Proteomics-Based Characterization of the Humoral Immune Response in Sporotrichosis: Toward Discovery of Potential Diagnostic and Vaccine Antigens.

Background: Sporothrix schenckii and associated species are agents of human and animal sporotrichosis that cause large sapronoses and zoonoses worldwide. Epidemiological surveillance has highlighted an overwhelming occurrence of the highly pathogenic fungus Sporothrix brasiliensis during feline outbreaks, leading to massive transmissions to humans. Early diagnosis of feline sporotrichosis by demonstrating the presence of a surrogate marker of infection can have a key role for selecting appropriate disease control measures and minimizing zoonotic transmission to humans.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis data for proteomic profiling of Sporothrix yeast cells.

Sporotrichosis is a chronic infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues of human and other mammals caused by a complex of cryptic dimorphic fungi in the plant-associated order Ophiostomatales. With major differences between routes of transmission, Sporothrix infections are emerging as new threat in tropical and subtropical areas, particularly in form of outbreaks. The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and invasion of Sporothrix spp.

Immunodiagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis due to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis using a latex test: detection of specific antibody anti-gp43 and specific antigen gp43.

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a life-threatening systemic disease and is a neglected public health problem in many endemic regions of Latin America. Though several diagnostic methods are available, almost all of them present with some limitations.

Method/principle Findings: A latex immunoassay using sensitized latex particles (SLPs) with gp43 antigen, the immunodominant antigen of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, or the monoclonal antibody mAb17c (anti-gp43) was evaluated for antibody or antigen detection in sera, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from patients with PCM due to P.

Asexual propagation of a virulent clone complex in a human and feline outbreak of sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichosis is one of the most frequent subcutaneous fungal infections in humans and animals caused by members of the plant-associated, dimorphic genus Sporothrix. Three of the four medically important Sporothrix species found in Brazil have been considered asexual as no sexual stage has ever been reported in Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, or Sporothrix globosa. We have identified the mating type (MAT) loci in the S.

Immunoproteomic analysis reveals a convergent humoral response signature in the Sporothrix schenckii complex.

Unlabelled: Sporotrichosis is a polymorphic disease that affects both humans and animals worldwide. The fungus gains entry into a warm-blooded host through minor trauma to the skin, typically by contaminated vegetation or by scratches and bites from a diseased cat. Cellular and humoral responses triggered upon pathogen introduction play important roles in the development and severity of the disease.

Susceptibility of Sporothrix brasiliensis isolates to amphotericin B, azoles, and terbinafine.

The in vitro activity of the antifungal agents amphotericin B (AMB), itraconazole (ITC), posaconazole (PSC), voriconazole (VRC), and terbinafine (TRB) against 32 Brazilian isolates of Sporothrix brasiliensis, including 16 isolates from a recent (2011-2012) epidemic in Rio de Janeiro state, was examined. We describe and genotype new isolates and clustered them with 16 older (from 2004 or earlier) S. brasiliensis isolates by phylogenetic analysis.

Phylogenetic analysis reveals a high prevalence of Sporothrix brasiliensis in feline sporotrichosis outbreaks.

Sporothrix schenckii, previously assumed to be the sole agent of human and animal sporotrichosis, is in fact a species complex. Recently recognized taxa include S. brasiliensis, S.

Characterization of virulence profile, protein secretion and immunogenicity of different Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto isolates compared with S. globosa and S. brasiliensis species.

A comparative study about protein secretion, immunogenicity and virulence was performed in order to characterize and to compare eight Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto isolates. For virulence characterization, a murine model, based on survival assay and CFU counting was used. S.

Serodiagnosis of sporotrichosis infection in cats by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a specific antigen, SsCBF, and crude exoantigens.

The main objective of this study is to standardize an ELISA for the diagnosis of feline sporotrichosis. Sporothrix schenckii is the etiological agent of human and animal sporotrichosis. Cats may act as reservoirs for S.

Seroepidemiological survey of paracoccidioidomycosis infection among urban and rural dogs from Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

There is some evidence that dogs can be naturally infected by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in endemic areas of paracoccidioidomycosis. In order to evaluate canine infection with this fungus, a survey with 149 urban and 126 rural dogs was carried out using ELISA and intradermal tests with the gp43 antigen of P. brasiliensis in Uberaba, Minas Gerais state of Brazil.

Characteristics of environmental Paracoccidioides brasiliensis isolates.

The ecological niche or exact habitat of the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is not known, and few isolates have been obtained from the environment. In this study, ten isolates were analyzed with respect to antigenic composition, serology, pathogenicity, and molecular aspects. Gp43 is considered to be the molecular basis for the serodiagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis; however, in this study only six of the environmental isolates secreted this molecule (four in great amounts and two in small amounts).

Heterogeneity of proteins expressed by Brazilian Sporothrix schenckii isolates.

The profiles of proteins present in the exoantigens of Brazilian Sporothrix schenckii isolates were studied and compared by electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Thirteen isolates from five different regions of Brazil (1,000 to 2,000 km apart) and ten from a more limited region (200 to 400 km apart within the state of São Paulo) were cultured in Sabouraud, M199 and minimum (MM) media. Qualitative and quantitative differences in the expression of proteins, which varied according to the medium and the isolate, were observed.