Genomic Insights into Diversity: The Genome of Two Clinical Isolates and Their Demethylase Inhibitor Fungicides Susceptibility.

is an important plant pathogen in maize and other cereals that is seldom detected as the cause of human fusariosis. Here, we provide the analysis of the available diversity of sequenced worldwide and report the first two genome assemblies and annotations (including mitochondrial DNA) of from clinical settings. 05-0160 (IUM05-0160) and 09-1037 (IUM09-1037) strains were obtained from the bone marrow and blood of two immunocompromised patients, respectively.

Evaluation of environmental factors related to Aspergillus fumigatus azole resistance in the Netherlands.

Emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus represents a concern for public health worldwide. Here we applied a spatial analysis to a large number of records on A. fumigatus azole resistance in the Netherlands to evaluate the relationship of a set of environmental factors with the emergence of resistant isolates and to identify the potential risk areas.

Answer to July 2023 Photo Quiz.

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Report of terbinafine resistant Trichophyton spp. in Italy: Clinical presentations, molecular identification, antifungal susceptibility testing and mutations in the squalene epoxidase gene.

Background: Numerous reports of resistance to terbinafine in Trichophyton spp. from all over the world are arousing justified attention and concern. Point mutations in the gene that encodes the squalene epoxidase (SQLE) enzyme are responsible for these therapeutic resistances.

Yeast Bloodstream Infections in the COVID-19 Patient: A Multicenter Italian Study (FiCoV Study).

Fungemia is a co-infection contributing to the worsening of the critically ill COVID-19 patient. The multicenter Italian observational study FiCoV aims to estimate the frequency of yeast bloodstream infections (BSIs), to describe the factors associated with yeast BSIs in COVID-19 patients hospitalized in 10 hospitals, and to analyze the antifungal susceptibility profiles of the yeasts isolated from blood cultures. The study included all hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients with a yeast BSI; anonymous data was collected from each patient and data about antifungal susceptibility was collected.

Fungal diversity in lake and sea beaches of Italy: Relevance to human health.

Fungal diseases correlated to beach sand or water have not yet been demonstrated due to the lack of epidemiological studies. This study aims to illustrate the fungal population in beach sands of the two largest Italian lakes and in sands and waters of Mediterranean coasts of Southern Italy to contribute to the identification and assessment of causes of microbiological pollution that might impair bathers health. A great difference was observed between the two lakes, where the total of colony-forming units (CFU) ranged from 33.

Environmental and bioclimatic factors influencing yeasts and molds distribution along European shores.

The present study employed data collected during the Mycosands survey to investigate the environmental factors influencing yeasts and molds distribution along European shores applying a species distribution modelling approach. Occurrence data were compared to climatic datasets (temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation), soil datasets (chemical and physical properties), and water datasets (temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a concentration) downloaded from web databases. Analyses were performed by MaxEnt software.

Exploring Mitogenomes Diversity of from Banana Fruits and Human Patients.

has recently been described as a cross-kingdom pathogen causing post-harvest disease in bananas and systemic and superficial infection in humans. The taxonomic identity of fungal cross-kingdom pathogens is essential for confirming the identification of the species on distant infected hosts. Understanding the level of variability within the species is essential to decipher the population homogeneity infecting human and plant hosts.

Catheter-related blood stream infection caused by Millerozyma farinosa in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and a brief review of the literature.

Millerozyma farinose is a halotolerant yeast that has recently been described as an emerging human pathogen, especially in immunocompromised patients. Both the diagnostic process and treatment options are still unclear. Here, we report a case of an immunocompetent oncological patient who developed a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) with a concomitant respiratory tract infection caused by M.

Antifungal Activity of Ibrexafungerp (SCY-078) Against Contemporary Blood Isolates From Medically Relevant Species of : A European Study.

Background: Ibrexafungerp (SCY-078) is the newest oral and intravenous antifungal drug with broad activity, currently undergoing clinical trials for invasive candidiasis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the activity of ibrexafungerp and comparators against a collection of 434 European blood isolates of .

Methods: Ibrexafungerp, caspofungin, fluconazole, and micafungin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were collected from 12 European laboratories for 434 blood isolates, including 163 , 108 , 60 , 40 , 29 , 20 , 6 , 2 , 2 , and 1 isolate each of , , and .

ICU environmental surfaces are a reservoir of fungi: species distribution in northern Italy.

Background: Preventing and reducing nosocomial infections is a public health goal. Concern about healthcare-associated fungal infections has increased in recent years due to the emergence and spread of new pathogens, increasing antifungal resistance and outbreaks in hospital settings.

Aim: To investigate the presence of medically relevant fungal species on environmental surfaces in 12 intensive care units of eight hospitals in Milan, Italy.

Candidemia: Evolution of Drug Resistance and Novel Therapeutic Approaches.

Candidemia and invasive candidiasis are the most common healthcare-associated invasive fungal infections, with a crude mortality rate of 25-50%. remains the most frequent etiology, followed by and . With the exception of a limited number of species (ie: and rare species), resistance to fluconazole and other triazoles are quite uncommon.

from Diseased Bananas and Human Patients: Susceptibility to Fungicides Used in Clinical and Agricultural Settings.

belongs to the species complex. It causes crown rot disease in banana but also keratitis and skin infections as well as systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. Antifungal treatments in clinical and agricultural settings rely mostly on molecules belonging to the azole class.

Rifaximin use favoured micafungin-resistant Candida spp. infections in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Damage to gut mucosa following conditioning regimens may favour bacterial infections that can trigger graft versus host disease (GvHD) in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Rifaximin, an oral and non-absorbable antibiotic, has been recently proposed as effective prophylaxis to reduce bacterial infections in the gut and consequently acute GvHD in this setting. The present study evaluated safety and outcomes of HSCT patients that were treated with rifaximin prophylaxis at Perugia University Hospital.

Mycosands: Fungal diversity and abundance in beach sand and recreational waters - Relevance to human health.

The goal of most studies published on sand contaminants is to gather and discuss knowledge to avoid faecal contamination of water by run-offs and tide-retractions. Other life forms in the sand, however, are seldom studied but always pointed out as relevant. The Mycosands initiative was created to generate data on fungi in beach sands and waters, of both coastal and freshwater inland bathing sites.

Azole resistance in Aspergillus isolates by different types of patients and correlation with environment - An Italian prospective multicentre study (ARiA study).

Background: A wide range of frequency of azole-resistance in A fumigatus in different patient populations worldwide was observed threatening to reduce therapeutic options.

Objectives: Estimate the prevalence of azole-resistance, investigate the molecular mechanisms of resistance, compare the genotypes of resistant clinical isolates with those from the surrounding environment.

Methods: Aspergillus isolates were collected by seven Italian hospital microbiology laboratories.

Phylogenomic Analysis of a 55.1-kb 19-Gene Dataset Resolves a Monophyletic that Includes the Species Complex.

Scientific communication is facilitated by a data-driven, scientifically sound taxonomy that considers the end-user's needs and established successful practice. In 2013, the community voiced near unanimous support for a concept of that represented a clade comprising all agriculturally and clinically important species, including the species complex (FSSC). Subsequently, this concept was challenged in 2015 by one research group who proposed dividing the genus into seven genera, including the FSSC described as members of the genus , with subsequent justification in 2018 based on claims that the 2013 concept of is polyphyletic.

Tobacco and e-cigarette smoking habits among Italian healthcare students.

Background: Healthcare professionals might play a significant role in tobacco control. The aims of this study were to investigate tobacco cigarette and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) consumption among university students enrolled in courses of the healthcare area, and to understand whether training in healthcare could induce to smoking cessation.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey using a self-administered, structured questionnaire.

Prospective multicentre study on azole resistance in Aspergillus isolates from surveillance cultures in haematological patients in Italy.

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of azole resistance in Aspergillus isolates from patients with haematological malignancies or who were undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and to identify the molecular mechanism of resistance.

Methods: In this 28-month prospective study involving 18 Italian centres, Aspergillus isolates from surveillance cultures were collected and screened for azole resistance, and mutations in the cyp51A gene were identified. Resistant isolates were genotyped by microsatellite analysis, and the allelic profiles were compared with those of resistant environmental and clinical isolates from the same geographical area that had been previously genotyped.

Evolution of fungemia in an Italian region.

Background: Fungemia represents a public health concern. Knowing aetiology and activity of the antifungals is critical for the management of bloodstream infections. Therefore, surveillance on local/international levels is desirable for a prompt administration of appropriate therapy.

and Species Complex Isolates on the Slopes of Mount Etna, SICILY, Italy.

This study investigated the presence of and species complex isolates on olive trees growing in the Eastern part of Sicily (Italy) characterized by the presence of the volcano Etna and the ability of these fungal pathogens to sexually reproduce on medium containing volcanic soil. Samples from 124 olive trees were collected from 14 different sites around Mount Etna. Eighteen trees (14.

Yeast-like filamentous fungi: Molecular identification and in vitro susceptibility study.

Yeast-like filamentous fungi, collected in Italy from 1985 to 2018, were submitted to molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility testings. Clinical isolates were identified as Magnusiomyces capitatus (28), M. clavatus (18), and Geotrichum candidum (2).

Azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in the Italian environment.

Objectives: Azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus environmental and clinical isolates is recognised as an emerging problem worldwide. Development of azole resistance may be environmentally driven because of the massive use of azole fungicides in agriculture. The mechanism of azole resistance is mostly related to mutations in the cyp51A gene.