Spider bites in France: Epidaemiology of cases occurring in 10 years in metropolitan France.

Spiders are often wrongly designated as responsible for cutaneous eruptions. We aim to describe spider bites and the spider species implicated in metropolitan France. A retrospective observational study was conducted for all reported cases of spider bites from 2007 to 2018 extracted from the French Poison Control Centers (PCCs) information system, after exclusion of non-native spiders.

Lleida Bat Lyssavirus isolation in Miniopterus schreibersii in France.

Bat rabies cases are attributed in Europe to five different Lyssavirus species of 16 recognized Lyssavirus species causing rabies. One of the most genetically divergent Lyssavirus spp. has been detected in a dead Miniopterus schreibersii bat in France.

The secreted polyketide boydone A is responsible for the anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity of Scedosporium boydii.

Usually living as a soil saprophyte, the filamentous fungus Scedosporium boydii may also cause various infections in human. Particularly, it is one of the major causative agents of fungal colonization of the airways in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). To compete with other microorganisms in the environment, fungi have evolved sophisticated strategies, including the production of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activity that may also help them to establish successfully within the respiratory tract of receptive hosts.

Purification and characterization of a mycelial catalase from Scedosporium boydii, a useful tool for specific antibody detection in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Scedosporium boydii is an opportunistic filamentous fungus which may be responsible for a wide variety of infections in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. This fungus belongs to the Scedosporium apiospermum species complex, which usually ranks second among the filamentous fungi colonizing the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and may lead to allergic bronchopulmonary mycoses, sensitization, or respiratory infections. Upon microbial infection, host phagocytic cells release reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide, as part of the antimicrobial response.

Bat rabies in France: a 24-year retrospective epidemiological study.

Since bat rabies surveillance was first implemented in France in 1989, 48 autochthonous rabies cases without human contamination have been reported using routine diagnosis methods. In this retrospective study, data on bats submitted for rabies testing were analysed in order to better understand the epidemiology of EBLV-1 in bats in France and to investigate some epidemiological trends. Of the 3176 bats submitted for rabies diagnosis from 1989 to 2013, 1.

Siderophore production by pathogenic mucorales and uptake of deferoxamine B.

Clinical reports have established that mucormycosis, mainly caused by Rhizopus spp., frequently occurs in patients treated with deferoxamine B (DFO, Desferal(®)) which is misappropriated by these fungi. Siderophore production by twenty mucoralean isolates was therefore investigated using a commercial iron-depleted culture medium.

Hydroxamate, a key pharmacophore exhibiting a wide range of biological activities.

Naturally occurring hydroxamic acid derivatives are biosynthesized by microorganisms (siderophores) and plants (benzoxazinoids). Recent developments in drug discovery have highlighted the numerous biological and pharmacological properties that the hydroxamic acid function may possess, leading to therapeutic applications. These properties may be explained by its ability to chelate metals via the presence of two oxygen atoms.

Active surveillance of bat rabies in France: a 5-year study (2004-2009).

Active surveillance of bats in France started in 2004 with an analysis of 18 of the 45 bat species reported in Europe. Rabies antibodies were detected in six indigenous species, mainly in Eptesicus serotinus and Myotis myotis, suggesting previous contact with the EBLV-1 rabies virus. Nineteen of the 177 tested bats were shown serologically positive in seven sites, particularly in central and south-western France.

N(α)-methyl coprogen B, a potential marker of the airway colonization by Scedosporium apiospermum in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Scedosporium apiospermum is an emerging pathogen colonizing the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). While usually responsible for chronic colonization without clinical signs, this fungus may cause severe and often lethal infections in lung transplant recipients. Early diagnosis of its airway colonization and appropriate treatment are required to eradicate the fungus when a lung transplantation is planned.

Molecular mechanisms of resistance to 5-fluorocytosine in laboratory mutants of Candida glabrata.

Resistance to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) has been poorly investigated in the yeast Candida glabrata. This study was conducted on laboratory mutants obtained by exposure of a wild-type isolate to 5-FC. Based on their susceptibility to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), two of these mutants were selected for further analysis of the molecular mechanisms of 5-FC resistance.

Hydroxamate siderophores of Scedosporium apiospermum.

Scedosporium apiospermum is an emerging pathogen colonizing the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis and causing severe infections in immunocompromised hosts. In order to improve our knowledge on the pathogenic mechanisms of this fungus, we investigated the production of siderophores. Cultivation on CAS medium and specific assays for different classes of siderophores suggested the secretion of hydroxamates.

Synthesis of new 1-[2-Azido-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-1H/-imidazoles and in vitro evaluation of their antifungal activity.

New 1-[2-azido-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-1H/-imidazole were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of various tertiary alcohols with azide anion in presence of boron trifluoride-diethyl etherate. Their antifungal activity was evaluated against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus fumigatus and an azole-resistant petite mutant of C. glabrata.

A nonsense mutation in the ERG6 gene leads to reduced susceptibility to polyenes in a clinical isolate of Candida glabrata.

Unlike the molecular mechanisms that lead to azole drug resistance, the molecular mechanisms that lead to polyene resistance are poorly documented, especially in pathogenic yeasts. We investigated the molecular mechanisms responsible for the reduced susceptibility to polyenes of a clinical isolate of Candida glabrata. Sterol content was analyzed by gas-phase chromatography, and we determined the sequences and levels of expression of several genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis.

Synthesis of new isoxazoles and dihydroisoxazoles and in vitro evaluation of their antifungal activity.

New 2-(2,4-dihalogenophenyl)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-3-(isoxazol-5-yl)propan-2-ols and 2-(2,4-dihalogenophenyl)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-3-(4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl)propan-2-ols were synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between homopropargylic or homoallylic alcohols and in-situ generated nitrile oxide. Their antifungal activity was evaluated against Candida albicans, C. glabrata, Aspergillus fumigatus and an azole-resistant petite mutant of C.

Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of a Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase from Scedosporium apiospermum.

A Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase has been characterized from Scedosporium apiospermum, a fungus which often colonizes the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis. Enzyme production was stimulated by iron starvation. Purification was achieved from mycelial extract from 7-day-old cultures on Amberlite XAD-16.

Synthesis and antifungal activity of new thienyl and aryl conazoles.

Recent studies reported that an first generation azole (tioconazole) was active against Candida glabrata petite mutants, a fluconazole- and voriconazole- resistant strain of fungi characterized as most azole resistant yeast by an overexpression of the efflux pumps. Therefore, monosubstituted 1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-1H-imidazoles differing from tioconazole by the nature of the linker and of the aromatic ring in their side-chain were synthesized and evaluated against the mutant and the wild-type strain of C. glabrata.

Partial purification and characterization of a 37 kDa extracellular proteinase from Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii.

An exocellular proteinase synthesized by the geophilic dermatophyte Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii has been purified and characterized. The fungus obtained from soil in Iran was cultivated in modified Czapek-Dox liquid medium containing 0.1% bacteriological peptone and 1% glucose as the nitrogen and carbon sources.

Synthesis of reduced xanthatin derivatives and in vitro evaluation of their antifungal activity.

Abstract The synthesis of new xanthanolide derivatives is reported starting from xanthatin, a sesquiterpenic lactone isolated from Xanthium macrocarpum (Asteraceae). In vitro evaluation of their antifungal activity has been investigated.

Mechanisms of azole resistance in a clinical isolate of Candida tropicalis.

Azole resistance has been insufficiently investigated in the yeast Candida tropicalis. Here we determined the molecular mechanisms responsible for azole resistance in a clinical isolate of this pathogenic yeast. Antifungal susceptibility testing performed by a disk diffusion method showed resistance or markedly decreased susceptibility to azoles, which was confirmed by determination of MICs.

Antileishmanial and antifungal activities of xanthanolides isolated from Xanthium macrocarpum.

Seven xanthanolides, xanthinosin, xanthatin, 4-hydroxyxanthinosin, xanthinin, 4-epiisoxanthanol, 4-epixanthanol, 2-hydroxyxanthinosin and 4-oxobedfordia acid, were isolated from the fruits of Xanthium macrocarpum. A valuation of the antifungal activity of these xanthanolides against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Aspergillus fumigatus and of their antileishmanial activity against Leishmania infantum and Leishmania mexicana is presented.

Investigation of the antifungal activity of caledonixanthone E and other xanthones against Aspergillus fumigatus.

Among the different xanthones previously isolated from the stem bark of Calophyllum caledonicum, caledonixanthone E presented the strongest activity (MIC (80) = 8 microg/mL) in acidic conditions (pH 3) against the human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Phase-contrast microscopy studies suggested the assembly or synthesis of cell wall components as the target of the drug. Moreover, the use of fluorescent lectins further supported an impact of caledonixanthone E on the synthesis of chitin, the major structural polysaccharide of the fungal wall.

First 2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl substituted xanthones isolated from plants: structure elucidation, synthesis and antifungal activity.

Two new 2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl substituted xanthones, (+/-)-caledol 1 and (+/-)-dicaledol 2 were isolated from a dichloromethane extract of the leaves of Calophyllum caledonicum (Clusiaceae). Compounds 1 and 2 are the first 2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl substituted xanthones isolated from natural source. Their structures were elucidated by means of combined analytical methods including HRFABMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopies and also confirmed by total synthesis using biomimetic ortho-prenylphenols photooxygenation (1O2) as a key step.

Purification and partial characterization of a 32-kilodalton sialic acid-specific lectin from Aspergillus fumigatus.

Adherence of the opportunistic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus to the extracellular matrix components is considered a crucial step in the establishment of the infection. Given the high carbohydrate content of these glycoproteins and the role of carbohydrate-protein interactions in numerous adherence processes, the presence of a lectin in A. fumigatus was investigated.